The Gathering

This week at the Play Date Cafe the color challenge is dark brown, green and beige. Like last week, these colors are a favorite of mine. And, I would agree with Paul that these colors make one think about an outdoor theme. I kept this card clean and simple (CAS). I wasn't sure until yesterday what that acronym stood for {smiling}.

When I came across this Penny Black stamp it reminded me of the sure-footed deer that climb the mountains with such ease; and one of my favorite books,"Hinds Feet on High Places" by Hannah Hurnard. It's the story of Much-Afraid and her spiritual journey. A beautiful allegory and a book I would recommend. It seemed like a good choice for my card and the PDCC42. Alas, this will be my last PDCC for several weeks as I am leaving for Washington, DC on Sunday. But, I'll be back so don't go away. While I'm there I will be taking a color course with Jennifer McGuire from Hero Arts. I'm really excited to learn what Jennifer has to offer. Thank you Julie and Sarah for a wonderful sketch this week and a great place to play.

Little China Girl

Oh oh oh ohoo little China girl...I spent the summer of 1964 in San Francisco. Tie-dyed everything, tattoo parlor's, hippies on every corner, tea at the Japanese Gardens, and color everywhere. What a wonderful summer adventure for a 14 year old girl. All those memories came flooding back as I began to create this card for Julee Tilman's Mojo Monday Sketch and the Papertrey Posse Parade of Blogs (favorite technique). I wanted to include some David Bowie, Little China Girl music as part of this post but, alas, I wasn't able. Instead, I gave you the link. But you can still get that creative mojo moving and the oh oh ohoo tune in your head while I tell you how I created this divine, delicate card.

First, all designer papers, both patterned and plain are from Basic Grey's Kioshi line - how prefect is that? I love every piece of paper in that mini deck! The card stock for the base and first mat are from SU. I started by inking my stamp image (Inkadinkadoo) with Tsukineko, Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Neenah Classic Crest (white). I decided to use watercolor pencils for a tie-dyed, tattoo look. Once the image was colored, I tore the edges and sponged on a little Ranger distress ink (pumice stone). I used the scalloped shell punch from EK Success on the lavender mat. Then added some open lace with a lavender ribbon. The two beautiful pearl stick pins are reminiscent of traditional Kanzashi hair ornaments. The only element I left out (kind of) on my card was the sentiment. Sorry, I just didn't have room. But, if you look close, you'll see the Chinese symbols at the bottom of the card. I'm sure they reflect a lovely sentiment {smiling}. This was a great sketch and I enjoyed playing.

See you next time. Oh oh oh ohoo

Susie~

WMSC9 - Here Comes Trouble

This is my first Waltzing Mouse Sketch Challenge. And the first time I've photographed a card in the evening. I don't think I'll do it again without a light box. This was a good challenge for me. I learned some lessons this evening; "Don't ask me how I know this. I don't want to talk about it (Susan Liles)". Actually, I'll tell you. One card a day is enough. Any more than that and I'm rushing things. But, hey, what's one more challenge? {laughing}. Know thy self. Below the card is a photo of Trouble (actually, her name is Penny - smiling). Her first romp in the garden - life is good.

The card base is kraft with a chocolate brown mat. I stamped both images on Neenah Classic Crest with Tsukineko Versafine (Vintage Sepia) and paper pieced the little shirt and pants. The rest of the image is colored with Copic markers. The stamps are from Angela's Happy Stamper in Reston, Virginia.

See you next time

Susie~

Cowgirl Up!

This is my second time playing TCPTues challenge. I’m so excited to show everyone this cute set of cowgirl boots. And the TCPTues122 challenge gave me the opportunity with just the right color combo! Thanks Joanne and Carole. And, the Fourth of July parade in Prescott, Arizona provided just the right background photo. I'm also playing along with the Papertrey Petite Posse Challenge #6 - Pretty Patterns.

A kraft colored base with picket fence top and bottom give a nice backdrop for the dp from the Horsin’ Around Collection from Flair designs (Cowgirl Words). A small pewter star button set on the “o” in cowgirl seemed just right. The cowgirl boot stamp is from Guadalupe’s Fun Rubber Stamps, Santa Fe, New Mexico. I purchased just a few {smiling}. Love the selection of southwestern stamps at this shop. I colored the boots with Copics on watercolor paper, cut them out and popped them up. A little red gingham bow finished this wild west, Annie get-your-gun, southwestern themed card.

Thank you to all the very talented designers at TCPTues and Papertrey Posse for this weeks challenge. I loved playing along. And to all my friends from Texas, hook ‘em horns!

See you next time,

Susie~

Siesta "Italian Style"

The Play Date Cafe Challenge PDCC41 is all about color this week. And, like a moth to the flame, I couldn't resist the colors to be played. Brick red, yellow ochre, off white (my favorites). You might ask yourself, what does an old adobe wall have to do with a small village in Positano, Italy? Serenity. I imagine if we took a walk in this little village in the waning afternoon sun, we'd find a place to sit and linger over conversation and coffee with friends. We'd enjoy the colors of a sunset that are not so different from the southwest. It's a small world after all.

My adobe wall image is a stamp from Guadalupe's Fun Rubber Stamps in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I stamped the image twice, coloring only the door and light from the window on the base image. I colored the top image with Copics and rubbed a little distress ink (rusty hinge) on the adobe wall before laying it on top to give an inviting 3D effect. The dried peppers and small bench are also stamped a second time, colored with Copics and popped up. The designer paper (dp) is from the My Mind's Eye (Ooh La La) and Cosmo Cricket (Material Girl and Garden Variety) Mini deck line. I used Die-namics for my little clouds and the sun from Spellbinders (Scalloped Edge Frame). A friend and owner of Crop Girls (my local paper crafting store) told me that every card should have an envelope, a package to hold the creation. So, not to disappoint, I've created an envelope too. So now this card can be sent on it's way - with love.

See you next time,
Susie~

Supplies: Cardstock: (SU), Cosmo Cricket (Garden Variety and Material Girl) mini deck; Ink: Tsukineko Versafine (Onyx Black); Distress Ink (rusty hinge) Ranger. Rubber stamp: Guadalupes Fun Rubber Stamps; Tools: Big Shot and Spellbinders Frameabilities Scalloped Edge die set, Copic ink pens; Embellishment: Twine, Papertrey Ink.

Card and Envelope


Many thanks to the Play Date Cafe for the wonderful challenge with color. I'm looking forward to the next tour around the world.