Artful Angel July Sketch Challenge

 Good morning, lovelies!  I am so excited to be hosting the July Sketch Challenge for Artful Angel! 

The sketch for this month is from @cardmaps and it is a ton of fun to work with, as it combines a bunch of elements - layers, banners, string wrapping, and stitching!  

I created a 5" x 7" card, because I wanted to make sure that I had plenty of room for all of the elements, without the card feeling crowded.  I colored up the adorable Savannah image from the brand new Adventure Awaits stamp set with Copics (colors listed below), cut her out and set her aside.

To make Savannah's background a bit more realistic, I added a sun to the corner, and I did some very light ink blending to the background to create a sky, rather than having Savannah on a plain white background.

I used a Photo Play 6 x 6 paper pad that I have in my stash for the polka dot background and for all of the banners.  I added an extra panel of white to allow me to hide my string wrapping, rather than having the backside of the wrapping showing on the inside of my card.  I used some cotton crochet thread that I found on Amazon and I love it for this very purpose.   You will also notice that I did not include the stitching.  Because my image has the water that covers the lower portion of the panel, I didn't feel that the stitching would add anything, and in fact, it might be a distraction. 

Colors Used:

Savannah - W9, W7, W5, W3, W1

Claws - E13, Y26

Bow/Frog - G07, YG25, YG11, YG00

Water - B29, B26, B24

I can't wait to see what you create with this sketch!  Please make sure to upload it in the July Sketch Challenge album in the Artful Angel Takes Flight Facebook Group to be entered to win a $10 voucher to the Artful Angel store, along with a badge for your blog, and bragging rights! 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  
Xoxo, Kim

Artful Angel - June Mystery Craft Along - S'more Wishes

Hello friends!  Today I am sharing the card that I created for the Artful Angel June Mystery Craft Along.  If you weren’t able to make it to the actual event, it is NOT too late!  The materials and instructions are posted in the Artful Angel Facebook Group so that you can still play along!

DT Linh (@lvhandcrafted) did an amazing job hosting this month’s Mystery Craft Along!  Did you notice that the card also follows the June sketch?  If you participated, that means you can enter it in the June Sketch Challenge also!  

For my card, I colored up the adorable Savannah image from S’more Wishes with Copic markers (colors listed below), cut her out and set her aside.   I started by choosing my patterned paper and then selected the colors of my cardstock from there.  I ended up with a color palette that I would probably never have selected; however, I love it.  I will list all my supplies at the end of the post (All items with a link are available in the Artful Angel Shop).

Copic Colors Used:

Savannah – W09, W07, W05, W03, W01, W0

Stump – E18, E15, E13

Grass – G07, YG25, YG11, YG00

Bow/Flower – BG49, BG57, BG53, Y13, Y08

Additional Supplies:

Artful Angel S’more Wishes stamp set

Newton’s Nook Springtime 6 x 6 Paper Pad

C.C. Designs Circle Dies

Stampin’ Up Card Stock:  Bermuda Bay, So Saffron, Melon Mambo

Neenah Solar White 110# Card Stock

Altenew Metallic Thread

Kindred Stamps Sentiment Banners Dies

Versamark Watermark Ink Pad

WOW Ultra Fine Bright White Embossing Powder

Art Glitter “Dries Clear” Glue 

I really hope that you decide to join us in the Craft Along and will share your creations with us in the Artful Angel Facebook Group!  Don’t forget to upload your card to BOTH the June Mystery Craft Along Album AND the June Sketch Challenge Album so that you can be entered into the drawing!

Thanks so much for hanging out with me today!  I hope that you have fund something to inspire you to get crafty!  

Don’t forget to enter discount code KIMSIMPSON when checking out in the Artful Angel Shop to save 10% off your order!

Xoxo, Kim

Artful Angel June Sketch Challenge - C.C. Designs Birthday Critters

Hello friends!  Can you believe that it is June already?  I can't!  Today, I am so excited to share this fun card that I created to play along with the June Sketch Challenge over in the Artful Angel Takes Flight Facebook Group!   This month, DT Dalis is hosting the challenge.  

I was so excited to play along with this and I knew that the C.C. Designs Birthday Critters Stamp Set (available in the Artful Angel Shop) would be PERFECT!  These happy little critters were so much fun to color up with my Copic markers (colors listed below).  Once I finished coloring, I cut him out and set the image aside. 

This is the June Sketch, created by @pagemaps.  

Measurements;

5 1/2" x 8 1/2" base of Neenah Solar White card stock, scored at 4 1/4"

5" x 3 3/4", 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" and 1" x 3 1/2" panels of Granny Apple Green card stock

 4" x 3 1/2" panel of printed paper

5 1/2" x 1 1/2" strip of Melon Mambo card stock

3" x 3" piece of white card stock

I heat embossed my sentiment and die-cut the banner using the Kindred Stamps Card Basics Dies.  I cut a scalloped circle and a stitched circle using my trusty Circle Dies from C.C. Designs (also available in the Artful Angel Shop).

I wrapped the hot pink strip in metallic thread and began to assemble my card.  Once I had all of my layers adhered, I added my colored image and a bow to the front.  I just love how bright and cheerful this card is! 

Colors Used: 

Dog - E18, E15, E13

Hat and Ribbon - RV09, RV06, RV04

Balloon - BG49, BG57, BG53

Gift - G07, YG25, YG11, YG00

White Gel Pen

Please join us over in the Artful Angel Takes Flight group and play along with this fun challenge!  I can't wait to see what you create!  If you head on over to the Artful Angel Shop, enter KIMSIMPSON at checkout to save 10%!

Thanks so much for popping by! 

Xoxo, Kim

**Affiliate Links provided at no additional cost to you.**

Artful Angel Sketch Challenge With a Twist - May, 2022

 Hellooooo friends!  Happy Hump Day!  So glad the week is halfway over!  I hope your week is going well.  Today, I am sharing a card that I made for the Artful Angel May Sketch Challenge - With a Twist!  DT Dalis is hosting this month's challenge and she added a twist - use the sketch or create your own background.  I did both!  

For this card, I created a background with alcohol inks.  I used black alcohol ink and added in some gold metallic mixative.  I have found that the metallics don't get a ton of movement, and so had to be careful with it.  I was really happy with the result. 

I die-cut my sentiment out of black cardstock using a Pink & Main die that I had in my stash.  I adhered the background panel to a black panel and attached them to a white card panel.  I finished off the card with a sheer black bow. 

Thanks to Dalis for hosting this super fun challenge and motivating me to use my alcohol inks.  Please make sure to join us in the Artful Angel Takes Flight Facebook Group and check out the inspiration.  It's super easy to join in on the challenge, and there is a prize, blog badge, and bragging rights up for grabs! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

Xoxo, Kim

Artful Angel April Sketch Challenge - Stamping Not Required!

 Hello lovelies!  I just wanted to drop in to share another card I made for the challenge over at Artful Angel Takes Flight.  We are halfway through the month, so that leaves just two weeks to get your entries in! 

I made a second card using the sketch.  I really had fun with this one - and the best part?  No stamping involved AT ALL!  Seriously, just paper layering and some ink blending for interest. 

I am obsessed with plaid, especially red and black plaid!  Buffalo check?  Even better!  When I saw the Echo Park Let's Lumberjack 6 x 6 Paper Pad, I knew it was made for me!  

Did I mention that I did not do ANY stamping for this card?  LOL Sorry, I just love that this card was so simple (and FAST) to make! 

I did a lot of playing around with the different paper patterns in the pad until I came up with a combination that I was happy with.  The sentiment piece is just a square cut from one of the pages in the pad.  

For all of the patterned pieces, I applied Vintage Photo Distress Ink to the edges.  For the kraft pieces, I did the same, but I also ink-blended very lightly over the entire top surface just to change the color slightly. 

To finish up my card, I arranged my layers and adhered them using liquid glue and a brayer.  Are you familiar with that technique?   Lastly, I added a bow made from baker's twine.  

I hope that you love this simple card as much as I do!   Please make sure to join us in the Artful Angel Takes Flight group and enter the April Sketch Challenge! 

Thanks so much for stopping by

Xoxo, Kim

Artful Angel Sketch Challenge - April 2022

 Hi friends!  I wanted to pop back in to share my take on the April 2022 Sketch Challenge over in the Artful Angel Facebook Group! 

We started with a sketch that I found on Pinterest by Mojo Monday.   Mojo Monday is not active anymore; however, the creator, Julie Tillman, is still publishing challenges on her own blog - Poetic Artistry.

To create my card, I wanted a monochromatic card, with just a pop of color to catch the eye.  I started with the cute little plant image that I already had colored up from a previous project.  This is from the Gerda Steiner Grow Happiness stamp set.  I knew that this image would be perfect for the circle elements, which I once again used the C.C. Designs Circle Dies to die-cut. 

The biggest challenge for me was deciding on multiple patterned papers to use.  This was a struggle, as I have a hard time mixing patterns together; however, I have to say that I really do love the effect.  The patterned papers that I used were from a pad in my stash from Reverse Confetti. 

Once I was happy with my layout, I adhered all of the layers to the card base, added a loopy bow of metallic silver thread, and a die-cut sentiment from Altenew.  

I hope that you will join us over in the Artful Angel Takes Flight Facebook Group for this month's challenge!   Did I remember to mention that there are prizes up for grabs? 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  

Xoxo, Kim

Artful Angel - April 2022 Sketch Challenge

 Welcome to the Artful Angel Sketch Challenge!

Hello, crafty friends!  The Artful Angel Design Team is so excited to share that we are now offering a monthly sketch challenge over in the Artful Angel Takes Flight Facebook Group!  Each month, we will bring you a new sketch to get your creative juices flowing!  Did I mention that there are prizes up for grabs, too? 

April Hostess:  Kim Simpson

Challenge Rules:

· Use this sketch to create a project

· Upload your entry to the challenge album, found in the Artful Angel Takes Flight Facebook Group

· Limit one entry

· Use any products/brands

· Bonus entry if you use products sold in the Artful Angel Shop

· Last day to enter:  April 30, 2022

Prizes:

· $10 store credit

· Blog Badge

· Winner(s) will be chosen at random

NOTE:  Minimum 10 people must enter for prize to be awarded

Here is my interpretation of the sketch. 

Look at this amazing card from DT member Dalis (@stamprgrl)!

Check out this beauty that Marj (@marjbanzalesdesigns) created using a digital stamp! 

We hope that you will join us over in the Artful Angel Takes Flight Facebook Group to check out more fabulous inspiration from the Design Team and to share your creativity with us! 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  

Xoxo,

Kim