Oh, Nuts!

My Favorite Things Color Challenge #149  was timed nicely with the beginning hints of fall weather here in Georgia.  We actually got some lows in the mid 50's with highs in the 70's which feel incredibly refreshing after so many months of summer heat.

I used my new Squirrel stamp set (perfect for fall, or year-round, really in my wooded neighborhood) to make a belated birthday card for my friend, Sarah.  Technically I remembered her birthday, I sent her a text, but what kind of card-making friend would I be if I didn't give her an actual greeting card to celebrate her special day?  

Supplies: MFT BB Squirrel! stamp set, Copic markers, Versafine Onyx black ink, Stampin' Up Whisper White and Garden Green card stock, unknown kraft card stock and foam tape.

MFT Sketch Challenge 507

 I made a card I plan to send my daughter, so I thought I'd better make one for my son, too.  He's not having the best semester at UGA this fall -it's hard to be a college student in the midst of a pandemic, to be on campus and yet mostly attend classes on Zoom, etc. Plus, Athens (Georgia) has become a national hot spot for the virus, so he's cautious about even leaving the dorm to get food (which is no longer the wide array of dining hall food courts that it used to be)!  Anyway, I used the My Favorite Things sketch challenge #507 to make him a card just because. I took my time and used colored pencils for a change, then added just a little dimension to the lamp shade and the little table.  I think I'll use another sentiment from the same stamp set on the inside, the one that says "I've been thinking about you (in a normal, non-weird kinda way)"!

Supplies: MFT Our Story and Anything but Basic Encouragement stamp sets, Prismacolor pencils, Versafine Onyx black ink, Stampin' Up! Whisper White and Basic black card stock plus a few paper scraps and foam tape.

I'm no genius!

I debated whether or not to participate in My Favorite Things' 2020 Card Design contest.  I never win the random contests, so how do I stand a chance in one based on skill and talent?  I'm a weeknight, weekend crafter with average aptitude at best! Then I thought, it doesn't matter so much who wins, when in fact everyone who creates a card to share with a family member, friend or colleague is a winner!

So, against my better judgment, I bravely took on the My Favorite Things card design superstar clean and simple category  and this is what I made. 

I used my MFT brick stencil as an embossing folder, but ran it through my machine on top of some fun foam circles, so that it highlights just part of the card. It makes the background look like the interior of my daughter's university housing, and since she's the intended recipient, it seemed perfect! I also did lots of fussy cutting and added some layers to the image as well as a very narrow mat.  Although it's not a single layer card, I hope it still qualifies as clean and simple!  I had exchanged the girl's face in the Our Story stamp before, and I just love putting the panda in the arm chair with a book! The girl's hands work well as paws, and this time I used Liquid Pearls to give them and the feet a little dimension, too.  

Supplies: MFT Happy Pandas, Our Story, Small Brick Wall Stencil, Sweet Celebrations Paper Pad, Stampin' Up! Whisper White and Almost Navy card stock, foam tape, Ranger Liquid Pearls Onyx  and Super Fine Detail clear embossing powder with Versafine Onyx Black ink.