Stamps, Paper, and Ink

Flower Flourish

Hi and Happy New Year!

I was about to post my card for this week's Case Study when I found out a very pleasant surprise!  THIS card that I entered in the last challenge was a Top 3 Winner! That certainly brought a smile to my face this morning and makes it very enticing to play again!

The challenge featured this lovely sample from one of my favorite artists, Amy Sheffer.

I loved her beautiful color choices and the rich textures including the pleats and a doily as part of her collage accent.

Here's my take on it -

The flower was stamped with the Mixed Bunch stamp set which is available starting Wednesday in the Occasions Mini. I used the basic Resist technique, stamping with Versamark ink onto Glossy Paper, then heat setting it to dry. I sponged Poppy Parade ink over the flourish and got this pretty textured look. Here's a close-up for you.

This technique is so simple to do. Just be sure to use glossy paper. A darker ink is best. The ink does show up a shade lighter and the wonderful sheen of the paper shows through.

I cut it out with the coordinating Blossom Punch. Don't you love using supplies that are MADE for each other?

The paper pleating wasn't hard and I promise to show you how I did that soon. The DSP is coming for Sale A Bration and is called Everyday Enchantment. I need Thank You cards at this time of year, so this one is going out in the mail soon.

If you need any details of other supplies used, please don't hesitate to ask! I'm away from my desk right now (standing in the kitchen in my jammies) and whenever I add supplies without looking up the exact names - well you know, I give them new names all my own - right off the top of my head.

I'd so love to hear from you! Your comments always inspire me.

Vintage Greeting

 Hi everybody!

I had lots of busyness last week, including a trip out of town for the weekend.  One of my favorite things about coming home - besides being welcomed by my family and sleeping in my own bed - is getting to stamp! So today after dusting and vacuuming, unpacking and starting the laundry, planting pansies and walking Josie - I got to make a card in the vintage style that I love with one of my favorite sets.

I needed to jump start my MOJO so I checked out the Featured Stamper challenge at SCS. Who wouldn't love to be inspired by the beautiful work of the very talented Deb Saranen? I chose THIS darling card and decided to use my Greeting Card Kids stamp set for my design.

The frame from the Beau Chateau DSP seemed the perfect place to start, so I fussy cut it and placed a rectangle of watercolor paper inside. The floral spray was snipped out as well to add balance and color. Stamping in Basic Brown, I colored the image with my aqua painter and reinkers. A sprinkle of Mica Flakes, a smattering of pearls and sponged distressing add to the vintage theme.

The mica flakes are clear or white but somehow they appear to be colored in my photo. I guess they are reflecting the Pink Pirouette and Marina Mist hues from the image. I used Mono Multi purpose glue to adhere the mica and found that fewer flakes look best.

ETA: I'm adding this to the fun Fabulous Faces challenge going on at Our Creative Corner.

The finished card is 5" square.

   All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Greeting Card Kids, Bells & Boughs

Paper:  Beau Chateau DSP, Marina Mist, watercolor paper

Ink:  Pink Pirouette, Marina Mist, Old Olive, Soft Suede

Accessories:  Tasteful Trim die, Basic Pearls, Antique brads, Marina Mist taffeta ribbon, Lace Trim, sponges, markers, Mica Flakes

A Second Look

Are you surprised I am posting on Saturday night? Me too! We've had a very lovely fall day here and a fun game of cards with the family tonight. I lost.

Here's the reason for my post: I love taking a layout and making more than one card with it. It seems that once you've figured out the measurements and worked through the layout for ONE card, other ideas come to mind and take shape, often in very different directions. I found myself "living" with the MOJO Monday sketch (in my thoughts!) in just that way this week. In THIS post, I shared my first card. Now I'd like to share my second one and it is VERY different, have a look!

 I chose vibrant colors and bold patterns for my card using the Array Of Sunshine Hostess Set. The sentiment is from the Petite Pairs set and reads inside..... "to make it better." The only thing that would make it better for me is if you could see the colors IRL - the green is much more subtle than what you see here. It is hard to capture the true look of Wild Wasabi, Pool Party, and Melon Mambo.

The layers are popped up nicely.

If you enjoy seeing different cards made from the same layout, check out my Twice is Nice Category in the sidebar. I really did enjoy making this one and I appreciate it so much when you stop by. I'd love to know which card you like better, the one in my previous post, or today's card?  I can't decide, but I am a huge fan of pink and green together.

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Petite Pairs, Array of Sunshine, Tagtastic

Paper:  Just Add Cake DSP, Pool Party, Whisper White

Ink:  Wild Wasabi, Melon Mambo, Pool Party

Accessories:  Eyelet Border and Curly Label punches, Wide Striped Grosgrain, Buttons

Thoughts and Prayers

I have to tell you something. You know I love how crafting a card is a journey from beginning to end, with twists and turns, surprise and delight along the way. There is a feeling of losing all sense of time and getting caught up in the task at hand that is so therapeutic!

And there's something else I can tell you. I love to pray while I'm stamping. Not usually about the steps of making the card (although sometimes I do ask for help!) but about the recipient, or other friends or family the Lord brings to mind. Don't you love the fact that giving gifts and cards that are hand-stamped are one of the very special ways that we can show that we care?

I am telling you all this because that's the sentiment of today's card from the Thoughts and Prayers set. Have a look!

I am happy to have used the Timeless Portrait DSP that is SO, so pretty.  The very lovely sketch by MOJO MONDAY gave me a beautiful goal to aim for. I love Julee's sketches and I've learned so much from playing along and the beautiful samples.This sketch is the monthly contest, wouldn't it be great to be a winner?

A few details about the card. I made the flower using the Island Floral Die, the Fun Flower die, and the Boho Blossom and large Scallop Circle punches. There are LOTS of layers in there! All card stock was spritzed with Stampin' Mist and scrunched up, then left to dry. The River Rock flower base and the Very Vanilla panel were both embossed with the Finial Press folder and sponging was added with River Rock ink.

Bling! I traced along the edges of a die cut with the Scribbles and Swirls Sizzlet, then followed the lines to place the flourish of Basic Pearls. Easy!

I've listed most of the supplies in my post. If you still have a question, please feel free to ask in the comments or send me an e-mail. Hope your crafting is a wonderful journey today.

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

So Cute for a Little One

Yesterday I checked out the CASE Study Challenge where the muse for the month is fellow Dirty Girl, Julie Lacey. I LOVE her work and wanted to play along this week and make a card inspired by this gorgeous one of hers.

 

I took inspiration for my card from Julie's bold elements - images and sentiment text, and vivid colors. She combined a great mix of patterns and subtle backgrounds, and used a beautiful ribbon treatment. I did manage to get in polka dots too!

I also fit this card into the Color Combinations Challenge at SCS, and the lovely sketch by Anne Marie of The Paper Players. Whew!  I rarely try even two challenges together, but today I was on a roll and enjoyed multi-tasking.

I think now you'd like to see my card!

Each element in the oval was stamped and cut out separately to make the little scene. Oh, except for the cluster of things on the wall - I stamped on white, cut them out as one, and colored them in using markers. The set is called Little Additions, and I love the creative options it offers.

Thanks so much for joining me today. May the rest of your day include much crafting fun!

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Little Additions, Empire Alphabet Lower

Paper: Domestic Goddess and Letters to Santa DSP, Pool Party, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Basic Brown, Pool Party

Accessories: White Taffeta ribbon, Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon, In Color Brads, markers, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch

 

Beautiful Things

I am happy not only to have a card to share with you today - I also have a special reason to share it! 

I was asked to be the Guest Designer this week over at Our Creative Corner!  They have such fun and inspiring challenges and this week it's a terrific sketch.

I began with the Faith in Nature stamp set. I chose the pear image and the color combo of Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz, So Saffron, and Very Vanilla. The watercolor paper was embossed using the Designer Frames folder. The image is stamped inside the frame and instead of watercoloring the pear, I sponged it.  Sponging all the edges of the card stock adds depth and a vintage look. Although hard to see in the photo, the So Saffron panel was embossed with the Stripes folder for a subtle background texture.

I love the sentiment and set it off with a black accent.

I can't wait to see what the others have done with this sketch, make sure you pop on over to see the fabulous creations!

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Faith in Nature

Paper: Very Vanilla, So Saffron, Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait

Ink: Jetblack StazOn, Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait, So Saffron

Accessories:  Stripes and Designer Frames embossing folders, Vintage Trinkets, Doily Lace and Corner Rounder punches

Funky Fun Fold for the Dare to Get Dirty Challenge

 This is the last of my samples made for the Dirty Dozen challenges at Splitcoaststampers, and I LOVED learning how to make this Origami Diamond Folded card. If you'd like to see a great tutorial on this technique, my fellow Dirty Girl Wendy has made a video for you HERE.

You begin with a sheet of desginer paper cut to 11" x 11".  A couple of folds and you end up with this unique and special card. Here's the front of mine. 

The bow and a brad not only embellish but I attached it so that it anchors the card when it is shut. You can just tuck the flap right up under the brad to hold it.

The shape on the front is a diamond but I centered a circle over it and stamped using images from the Fruit & Flowers set. It's great paired with the matching DSP, don't ya think?

You just have to try one of these to see how cute they are, the photos don't do it justice. Here's what you see when you open the left flap.

Here it is all the way opened.

I really like the way you can do a progression of sentiments. Hope you've enjoyed today's card, give it a try!

 

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up! except noted*

Stamps:  Fruit & Flowers, Borderlines, Happiest Birthday Wishes

Paper:  Berry Blossoms DSP, Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White

Ink:  Early Espresso, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade

Accessories:  Ruffled Ribbon, In Color Brads. Decorative Label Punch, *Nestabilities

 

My BFF day

 Ready for another sample for the Dirty Dozen Alumni Challenge? In case you missed it, those of us who have been on the Dirty Dozen Design Team host a challenge for the Fan Club members at Splitcoaststampers. (find out more HERE...)

 I feel honored to make a sample today for the challenge hosted by the lovely and famous JanTInk. I've said it before and I'll say it again - I love challenges! They really stretch you to try new things. Sometimes what you come up with surprises yourself - as in today's card.

We were challenged to try a new technique of double embossing, which involves embossing the card stock and then adding ink ONLY on the raised embossed areas. You can use a background stamp, a wheel, or a brayer to lightly add color. The double texture is a cool look.You can see how I used it on the bottom panel of my card.

I embossed using the Vintage Wallpaper folder. Then I inked up the Canvas Background stamp and lay the embossed piece face down on it. Here's the key - lightly trace with your finger only the parts you want inked. My stylus helped me get in the tiny spaces.

I made the paper flower using the Island Floral Die. I was going to add a pearl, then I decided this was a rhinestone kind of card. What do ya think?  Happy stamping!

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Best Friends Forever, Tiny Tags, Canvas* Background(*retired)

Paper:  Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Calypso Coral

Ink:  Early Espresso

Accessories:  Vintage Wallpaper Embossing folder, Crumb Cake seam binding, Victorian Crochet Trim, Vintage Trinkets, Tiny Tag Punch, Big Shot, Island Floral Die

 

 

isn't it wonderful?

Isn't summer wonderful?

Don't you love this time of year when gardens are in their beautiful prime and we get to enjoy the bounty? My favorite pick are ripe and juicy cherries, yummm!

It's also a special time of year at Splitcoaststampers when the Dirty Dozen Alumni gather to present our Dare to Get Dirty challenges to you! Here's my first sample for the challenges that go live this morning. Won't you think about joining in?  If you're a Fan Club Member, the fun and prizes start HERE. If your'e not a Fan Club member, now is a great time to find out what it's all about.

 I made this card using the Cherish Friendship stamp set and my favorite technique of watercoloring with blender pens and inks. Again, I pulled out my Domestic Goddess DSP, these colors shout summer to me.

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Cherish Friendship, Friendly Phrases

Paper:  Pool Party, Whisper White , Domestic Goddess DSP

Ink:  Jetblack StazOn, Calypso Coral, Poppy Parade, Pool Party, Island Indigo, Sahara Sand

Accessories:   Basic Pearls, Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon, Blender pens, markers, Perfect Pennant Die

Beautiful Season

 How does Christmas in July sound for an entry titled "Beautiful Season?"  It felt like Christmas yesterday when I got to open my huge SU order!  The Beautiful Season stamp set is my new Christmas favorite, it got inked up right away.

This set has a beautiful bird image and one of the sentiments is "Thinking of you at Christmas."  The image was stamped on watercolor paper. Next I colored the bird with my Aqua painter and inks, keeping a light touch since I wanted only a wash of color. Instead I wanted to highlight the  texture and details from the strip of Mocha Mornig Specialty DSP that has rich black flocking against a Crumb Cake background. I could not wait to get the Mocha Morning paper in my hands, and I was not disappointed. It is truly gorgeous!

This will be my entry at The Paper Players challenge.

I hope to do more stamping in the few days I have left until convention. I am sure excited, I packed all my clothes for the trip on Monday, a full week before I leave! 

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Beautiful Season

Paper:  Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla, Mocha Morning Specialty Designer Series Paper, Basic Black, Watercolor Paper

Ink: Jetblack StazOn, Pear Pizzazz, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Always Artichoke, Riding Hood Red, Cherry Cobbler

Accessories:  Vanilla Seam Binding, Antique Brad