I love trying out new techniques, and my favorite place to learn new skills is from Jennifer McGuire on her blog. She always has new ideas and cool techniques. This technique is faux mono print, and well...it didn't go so well. I messed up a lot of paper, but was finally able to get these two backgrounds to come out (enough to use them anyway). I created a rainbow background using my distress inks, using three colors and overlapping them to create the the orange & purple colors. Then, continued to follow the technique (you really need to watch the video to get a good explanation, it is linked above), used water and placed a clean sheet of card stock on the top, and ran it through my die cutting matching. I think I either need to use a thicker card stock than I did, or less ink, or less water. Anyway, it was a bit of a mess, but I do love how this attempt came out.  I also like that you get two cards backgrounds from the technique.
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I used the newer Altenew Happy Birthday to You stamp set and the Treble Love Die set to finish up the card.  The stamp set has this really great two step Happy Birthday word, which I stamped the base set in black, then clear heat embossed the top layer, which allows the background color to show. I then used a glitter pen to trace over the heart (notes) and the treble clef. I like how they came out, and think someone will love to receive them. 

Blog Update:
August 2, 2020
I was named a Top Rocker for the Avenue 613 challenge.  

I love the Simon Says Stamps monthly kits. They always have great products and new items for me to play with.  Their team also does a wonderful job making videos and sharing new techniques.  When I saw this alcohol lift ink video by Nichol Spohr on the Simon blog using the newest kit, I could not wait for my kit to come in so I could try this. I am so in love with these cards. I combined the Simon Beautiful Butterflies kit (June 2018) with an older My Monthly Hero kit (MMH - March 2018) by Hero Arts. 

I first made the backgrounds, and did the lift technique using a alcohol ink lift pad and the Beautiful Butterfly stamp set. Once they dried, I used the inked backgrounds and the transfer backgrounds to make a bunch of cards. I used the word dies from the My Monthly Hero Kit. I am not sure why I have not used these word dies until now, they are wonderful. ​

​Blog Update: (July 5, 2020)
My cards were selected as Top 3 in two different challenges. I always appreciate it when others like the cards I make.  

I found this really funny t-shirt online about 4 months ago, and thought...my dad needs that shirt.  It is a navy blue t-shirt and says in big white letters, "Awesome Like My Daughter."  I thought it was funny, so I purchased one.  It was the perfect gift for Father's Day, and he loved it.  I made a card for him, and decorated a Panera Bread bag to match.  I love how it all turned out. 
Materials Used:
Altenew: Trophy Life stamp set
Delicata inks: Celestial Copper & Sapphire Blue
The Paper Studio: Metallic Washi Tap in copper and blue
Cards tock: Recollections
Scalloped Nesting Dies (sorry I do not remember the maker)
Pattern Paper from my stash
Gift Bag was a up-cycled bag from Panera Bread (it was from a lunch order, but all the food was in containers, so why not use it)

Challenges Entered:
Altenew Inspiration Challenge
Polkadoodle
Cardz TV
​Aud Sentiments
Water Cooler Challenges
Crafty Gals Corner

I have recently discovered the greatness of Queen & Company shaker kits. I loved making shakers when I first started scrapbooking and making cards, way back in the day, lol. These kits have helped me to rediscover my love of all things shakers. So, a couple of weeks ago, Queen & Co. ran a sale which provided a free Toilet Paper shaker card kit when you placed an order. It came with all the dies you need to cut the front, back, and accent pieces, as well as a small sentiment stamp set, and the pre-cut craft foam; basically everything you need to make the shaker.
In my family, we do everything with humor. So with the current COVID-19 pandemic and the odd run on Toilet Paper we saw a couple of months ago, I KNEW I needed to use this shaker kit to make my mother's day cards. I had a lot of fun, and make six cards, some of which I can use for other things.  This "Like Toilet Paper You're A Necessity" sentiment can be used for a thank you card, or just to tell someone that they are important to you. I know that you are not able to purchase this set at the moment, but believe that they will be adding it to their website for purchase at some point in the near future.