Simply Create Too Challenge Blog Inspirational Post

Inspirational Post # 204

Good day, fellow crafters. Today I am sharing my September inspirational post as a DT member for Simply Create Too Challenge Blog. We are a monthly ATG challenge with a loose them. For challenge # 204 the theme is Autumn / Fall. I hope you are inspired to enter this challenge and I can’t wait to see your creative take on this week’s theme. Be sure to tag me on your entry and/or comment below so I know to watch out for you. Remember Crafting is Happiness!

To create this card I began with some Distress Oxide in the color Corduroy and ink blended it to the hue I was happy with on a piece of white cardstock. I then allowed it to dry.

Next I used some Decofoil Transfer Gel and the Leaves and Acorns stencil from A Colorful Life Designs to get the background panel ready for foil. Following the packaging directions I then added the foil. Once everything was dry, I trimmed the background panel to size and adhered it to a white A2 card base.

The last step was to create the sentiment. I used Gina K Designs ink in the color in Chocolate Truffle and a sentiment from the Hero Arts MMH kit (MAR 2021). I then used the Stictched Rounded Hexagon die from My Favorite Things to cut it out. Using liquid glue from Bearly Arts I adhered the sentiment to my background panel. With that, I called this card complete.


Inspirational Post # 203

Good day, fellow crafters. Today I present my inspirational submission as part of the Simply Create Too DT. We are a monthly challenge blog where anyone from anywhere can play along! Any project is welcome and we hope you will play along with us, we'd love to have you! The theme for our 203rd challenge is "Beaches". Which, let’s be honest, is the best theme ever!

I hope you are inspired to enter this challenge and I can’t wait to see your creative take on this week’s theme. Be sure to tag me on your entry and/or comment below so I know to watch out for you. Remember Crafting is Happiness!

more natural look. KEY TIP: clean your stencil as soon as possible because the paste will harden and make the stencil hard to use. I then set it aside to dry.

While it dried, I stamped the palms on more white cardstock and colored them in using Copic markers. I followed that up by using the associated die to cut them out. I personally don’t like the white edges that were left by the die, so I trimmed those away. I set the trees aside to wait for assembly.

The last step was assembly. I first, used the Spellbinders Renaissance die set to cut the background panel to size, and then adhered it to a 4.25” x 5.5” dark blue cover mat with liquid glue. This composite was then adhered to a white A2 card base and the trees adhered with additional liquid glue.

To complete this card, I used some VersaMark watermark ink and a sentiment from the included stamp set to stamp in place. I then used black embossing powder and a heat tool to finish it off. With that, the card was complete.


Inspirational Post # 202

Good day, fellow crafters. Today I present my inspirational submission as part of the Simply Create Too DT. We are a monthly challenge blog where anyone from anywhere can play along! Any project is welcome and we hope you will play along with us, we'd love to have you! The theme for our 202nd challenge is "Christmas in July".

For every challenge we, as the design team, attempt to bring you themes and ideas that will test your abilities and, ideally, ignite your enthusiasm to explore fresh ways of thinking. However, what I like most about being part of the team is seeing how we each showcase our take on the theme and sometimes just what the card means to the creator.

I hope you are inspired to enter this challenge and I can’t wait to see your creative take on this week’s theme. Be sure to tag me on your entry and/or comment below so I know to watch out for you. Remember Crafting is Happiness!

was then run though my die-cutting machine a couple of times so to get a crisp transfer. I then removed the cardstock and allow it to dry. I am often asked why I mist my cardstock. I have found that by softening the paper fibers when I emboss with a folder, especially the deep 3D folders, that I never have tear out.

The next step was to add the sentiment. The one I chose was from Gina K designs’ A Very Silly Season stamp set. I used the “Merry Christmas” stamp and some VersaMark watermark ink to stamp on top of the embossed surface. I then followed that up with some black embossing powder and set it with a heat tool.

The last state was assembly. I trimmed the background panel to its final size and then with Bearly Arts liquid glue, I adhered it to a white A2 card base. The ornaments were then added

using more liquid glue. With that I called this card complete.

Overall I think this card turned out really well. The ornaments have an old world, stained glass feel when you see them in person. Give it a try yourself!

Inspirational Post # 201

Good day, fellow crafters. Today I present my inspirational submission as part of the Simply Create Too DT. We are a monthly challenge blog where anyone from anywhere can play along! Any project is welcome and we hope you will play along with us, we'd love to have you! The theme for our 201st challenge is "Birthday".

For every challenge we, as the design team, attempt to bring you themes and ideas that will test your abilities and, ideally, ignite your enthusiasm to explore fresh ways of thinking. However, what I like most about being part of the team is seeing how we each showcase our take on the theme and sometimes just what the card means to the creator.

I hope you are inspired to enter this challenge and I can’t wait to see your creative take on this week’s theme. Be sure to tag me on your entry and/or comment below so I know to watch out for you. Remember Crafting is Happiness!

To create this card I began with some white cardstock, leftover yellow, purple, and blue inks from my blending brushes, and the Gina K Tropical Sunshine card kit. The unfortunate part is that this card kit is currently sold out, but if you like it, then the sku number to watch for it to perhaps return one day is SKU: 18200. After securing the cardstock to my work surface, I positioned the included stencil and ink blended my sun into place which also establish my horizon line. I next used the leftover blue ink, the wavy edge of the stencil, and some light pressure to make the waves. The purple and blue blending brushes were then used to make the sky. I finished off the inking with some light sand color ink from my collection.

The next part was, in my opinion, the part that brought the card to life. The stencil has a series of small circles on it that are used to create the foam at the edge of the shoreline. Instead of using some white ink, I turned to Ranger’s Textured Paste. Using a small pallet knife I smeared bit on and then lifted the stencil quickly for a

To create these card I first began with a sheet of acetate. Then using a dark black ink and the Spellbinders Ornament stamp and die set (SDS-090), I stamped the ornament image onto the acetate.

The next step was to add the color. On the stamped side of the acetate, I carefully added small drops of various colored Nuvo drops and then with a needle, spread the color into the areas I wanted it. These colors were Key Lime, Mustard Gold, Woodland Green, Steel Blue, Carnation Pink, Holly Berries, Crushed Grape, Silver Lining, Aquia Plains, Dandelion Yellow, and Navy Blue. The process of coloring these in reminded me of how you decorate cookies with royal icing. Once the images were all colored, I set them aside to dry fully and then used the corresponding die to cut them out.

The next step was to create the background panel. For this I used a piece of white cardstock and the Simon Says Stamp Tin Tile embossing folder. I first misted the back of the cardstock and then placed it into the folder. This


To create these card I first began with some white cardstock, light colored inks, and an Erin Lee Creative 3D embossing folder. I carefully inked the inside of the embossing cover with the ink, added the white cardstock, and then ran the embossing folder through my Gemini die-cutting machine. As per my usual method I ran it through a couple of times without opening it to ensure a crisp transfer.

I next opened the embossing folder and removed the cardstock. With a darker ink and my brayer, I inked the flat surface of the embossing folder. I then aligned my cardstock again and ran the embossing folder through the Gemini a couple of times. I then removed the cardstock and set it aside to dry.

Once that was accomplished I utilized a Scalloped Stitch Frame die from The Art of Paper to cut my panel to dimension. While I was at it, I also used the Simon Says Birthday On A Line Die to cut my sentiment and a shadow for it, as well as to cut down my purple mat.

The next step was assembly. While it is a little hard to tell in this view, each of the elements are on different levels. I started by adding two strips of foam tape, mine were thin, to the scalloped frame and then positioned and adhered that onto my purple mat. I next used a single layer of foam tape on the stitched border and then adhered it to the mat. Finally, utilizing some Bearly Arts liquid glue, I adhered the center piece into place. This completed panel was then adhered to a white card base with more liquid glue.

For the last step I assembled the sentiment. Using some liquid glue and a slight offset, I adhered the purple cut out over its shadow and then the composite was adhered to the background panel. Fun fact: the purple sentiment was, per my usual method, cut from the center of my mat so as to not waste paper. With that, I called the card complete.


Inspirational Post # 200

Good day, fellow crafters. Today I present my inspirational submission as part of the Simply Create Too DT. We are a monthly challenge blog where anyone from anywhere can play along! Any project is welcome and we hope you will play along with us, we'd love to have you! The theme for this challenge, # 200 btw, is "Add an Animal".

For every challenge we, as the design team, attempt to bring you themes and ideas that will test your abilities and, ideally, ignite your enthusiasm to explore fresh ways of thinking. However, what I like most about being part of the team is seeing how we each showcase our take on the theme and sometimes just what the card means to the creator.

I hope you are inspired to enter this challenge and I can’t wait to see your creative take on this week’s theme. Be sure to tag me on your entry and/or comment below so I know to watch out for you. Remember Crafting is Happiness!

To create these card I first began with some watercolor paper and the Beauty and Song stamp set from Picket Fence studio. I used VersaMark watermark ink to first stamp the image the followed that up with WoW! black embossing powder, which was then heat set.

The next step was to use watercolor pigment to paint the image. I first painted on the lighter shades and then allowed them a change to partially dry. I then painted on the darker shades. Wherever I needed to take a bit of the color off I employed a paper towel in soaking the color up off the paper.

After the image was colored and dry I used a Creative Craft Products rounded corner die and my Gemini die cutting machine to cut the image and a black mat down to their final dimensions. These were then adhered together with Bearly Arts liquid glue and then the composite was adhered to a purple card base.

Lastly, I stamped and embossed with white embossing

powder the sentiment on a scrap of black cardstock. After heat setting the powder, I adhered the sentiment to the background panel with more liquid glue. With that, I called this card complete.