This week the Paper Smooches Trend Watch Challenge was STRIPES! That’s when I had to get creative. I couldn’t find any whole pieces of striped paper in my stash, nor did I have a stripey stamp to use. SO…here’s my paper-piecing striped card.

This is from the stamp set by Paper Smooches called “Think Fast” and I have been anxious to try it out! Big red stripes of paper and a giant sub sandwich, ice cream, and clear embossed drink make up a fantastic card.

I used some Distress glitter on that ice cream cone to make it shine. And a little red stripe of paper for the drink.

Again, I used my InkTense Watercolor pencils on the sandwich and the cone. Those are quickly becoming my favorite pencils.

This is a fun set to use! I see some stamping with fries in my future. 🙂

Linking up to the challenge here.

Fall is a magical time, with its changing colors and falling leaves. I’ve known for a while that I needed to make a card about this time of year using one of my favorite Paper Smooches characters, the little monster! And of course, what would that little monster be doing at this time of year? Jumping into all those fall leaves, of course! So here is my card:

Oh, little monster, you are so cute!  For those of you familiar with this Paper Smooches stamp, you know that his arm is actually hanging straight down by his side. But for this card, I decided it needed to be raised up as if diving right into those piled up leaves!

So I stamped his body first, masking that arm so it didn’t stamp. Here he is with no arm! Then I stamped the arm separately and attached it facing up towards his eyes with a rolled up glue dot. Rolling up the glue dot makes it look a little like it’s popping up off his body. (So cute in real life… you may not be able to tell in these pictures.)

I also heat embossed the  outline of his body and arm with black embossing powder. It’s one of my new favorite tricks for getting a nice sharp line (and then staying in the lines when I watercolor!)

I made this card for the Paper Smooches Picture challenge, and here is the inspiration photo:

Pretty! Those water droplets inspired me to make the background with distress inks, to sort of mimic that watery feeling.

Doesn’t that distress ink background make it feel just like a blustery fall day? I used some of the same colors as the inspiration leaves for my background and for my leaves, which I stamped onto patterned paper and cut out. Yes, I fussy cut ALL those leaves!! The rake is cut out with my neighbors Silhouette (thank you, Laynie and Kerri!!)

Since those leaves are somewhat magical, I added a bit of glitter to them.

Here’s a closer look at those magical leaves. 🙂

When I showed this card to my husband his response was, “MONSTER CUTE!” and “I think this is my favorite card you’ve ever made!” Well, at least I have one raving fan! Ha!

But I agree, it’s MONSTER CUTE!

Joining up with the Paper Smooches Challenge here.

Supplies used:
Stamps: Monster-Falling For You (Paper Smooches); Tree branch- Fanciful Fall (Paper Smooches); Leaves – Fruitastic (Paper Smooches); Sentiment: Hello Sweetheart (Elle’s Studio)
Ink: Distress Inks in Vintage Photo, Tea Dye, Peacock Feathers, Broken China, and Dusty Concord (Tim Holtz/Ranger); Burgundy (Stampin Up)
Paper: Simon Says Stamp Watercolor paper; Cardstock (Michael’s)
Other: Wink of Stella clear glitter brush; Glitter glue clear; White & black embossing powders; Silhouette rake cutting file;

I have some exciting news: my card was chosen as a Paper Smooches Challenge Winner!

Paper Smooches is one of my favorite stamp companies…I think I just *may have more of these stamps than any other! I love how fun and happy the images and sentiments are.

Here is the card that caught their eye: (you can read more about it at my original post here)

And right now, Paper Smooches is having a Giveaway where you can WIN some Paper Smooches stamps of your own! Go check it out here.

I have another Paper Smooches card coming up soon! I’ve been working on a little fall goodie that I’m so excited to share…I’m using one of my ALL-TIME favorite stamps of theirs (hint: he’s a little monster). 🙂 I should have it finished by tomorrow, see you then!

I know it’s just after Halloween, but I had to get one more card in there for the holiday! Today I’m participating in The Alley Way Stamp Challenge.

Here’s the inspiration photo:

I was inspired by the siding on the house, and those slats became the background to my card.

I’ve never used The Alley Way Stamps before, but just look at that cute little bat and sentiment!

I used charcoal watercolor on that bat and gave him some orange glitter polka dots with Stickles. I popped him up with foam squares.

I added some polka-dot and striped pumpkins. And that dark tree branch to mimic the decoration on the door. Check out the challenge here. I hope you had a great Halloween!!

Also linking up to the Simon Says Stamp Challenge – Anything Goes (Monday), and Anything Goes (Wednesday).