Stamps, Paper, and Ink

American Heroes

My entries for the Bold, Masculine, and Dirty Gallery at Splitcoaststampers would not be complete without a card honoring the men and women (including my husband) who have served in our military. Here's my card.

What looks like neutral background paper was created by me with the Hero Jumbo wheel. I stamped with Sahara Sand ink on Very Vanilla card stock. For the sentiment, I used the wheel and Night of Navy ink on Whisper White card stock.

Combining vanilla, white and sand on one card is a bit unusual, but I really like how it turned out with this card. If something seems out of the box when you're in the creating process, just remember - if you never try it you'll never know if it works.

Metallic cord is woven in between the stars, much like the military emblem or medal on a uniform.

Wishing you a safe and happy 4th of July! I am so glad you stopped by here to take a peek and let me know what you think :)

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Hero (Jumbo Wheel), Solid Stripes
Paper: Very Vanilla, Night of Navy, Bravo Burgundy, Sahara Sand, Whisper White
and Ink: Sahara Sand, Night of Navy Craft, Versamark

Accessories: Star punch, silver cord, Brushed silver brads, piercing tool, machine stitching

Order from me online anytime HERE or e-mail me HERE with any questions you have!

P is for Puppy

Hi there! I couldn't let another day go by without telling you about the new puppy we are getting next week. But, to back track a bit - many of you remember that on Christmas Eve 2009 we lost our furry friend Lissa.If you're up for a sad story, you can read it here knowing that we are coming back to the happy ending.

It takes awhile to feel ready for another dog~all of us agreed in May that we were ready. We weren't sure what kind of dog to get since our first dog was a well-loved German Shepherd and then Lissa was a smaller mixed breed with some Cavalier King Charles Spaniel tendencies. Knowing we wanted a small to medium sized dog, I brought home lots of books from the library and we sat around in the living room as a family checking out the different breeds one evening. Everybody liked the idea of a beagle, especially the guys, who did NOT want a fussy small dog that they might feel embarrassed to be caught walking with on the leash,lol!

We went to a breeder in June and picked out our lovely puppy Josie. Here she is at 5 weeks old, adorable and snuggly!  Actually this was her first time out of the whelping box.

 

Isn't she beautiful?!?!  We get to bring her home on July 2nd and I'm sure to have another photo or ten.  Her head, ears and neck will probably be tan by then. 

Dogs are wonderful creatures that make me happy. When the Dirty Dozen Gallery was "All Creatures Great and Small" in March, the first card I made was with dogs and now I can share it with you. You did KNOW I would get around to cards and stamping, right? <g>

 

I used the D is for Dog set from Stampin' Up! and made my own background paper using the Tailgating wheel. Those happy running canines seemed a perfect fit with the sentiment.
Enjoy!

Artisan Entries - Happy Birthday

I'm more than halfway through sharing my entries, but you know I saved my favorites for last. You have to see my 3D item which will be posted on Tuesday!

The card share for today seems fairly straightforward, I wanted clean bold lines. I had an idea of using the Lattice die combined with the Scallop Trim punch to look like a trellis for the flowers. The layers of Old Olive, Bashful Blue and the Old Olive lattice piece are all layered on top of the white panel to look like one piece IRL.

It's great that I am able to post these photos during what has been a very busy couple of weeks for me. Our youngest son is graduating from high school, I have ended my 22 years (a privilege) as home-school teacher, and we are having a huge party to celebrate! 

And then there is new catty excitement coming this way TODAY...

Have a great day!

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Well Scripted
Paper: Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Apricot Appeal, Old Olive
Ink:Basic Gray, Craft White

Accessories:White Embossing powder, Stampin' Write Markers, Boho Blossoms Punch, Scallop Trim Punch, Little Leaves Sizzlet, Bigz Lattice Die, Big Shot

Order from me online anytime HERE or e-mail me HERE with any questions you have!

Artisan Entries - Heart Take Wings

I'm having a hard time deciding what to show you next. I don't want to put all my favorites out in the first couple of days even though it is tempting!  Trust me though, I am holding my absolute best (especially my other 3D!) for the very end. Based on your very kind comments, I feel encouraged that you'll keep coming back. <g>

The 3D projects are what I thought would be the hardest, but it didn't turn out that way at all. For me, the most difficult is coming up with the idea, usually then I am good to run with it. Once I got going with this frame, it was as if my heart took wing completing the project. Well actually, I took off running to the nearest (uh--mmm...) local craft store to get the frame which measures about 2 feet across and stands up on its own.

 I planned the color scheme around the Sweet Pea DSP and a balance with three panels light (white and blue pattern) and 3 dark (featuring the Olive Polka dot pattern.) Sorry my photo colors are off a bit, but I can't fix that now, lol! There's much more brightness and lots of white in the project IRL.

 

Once I had the main scheme for the panels, I had lots of fun figuring out what to put in them. The top middle frame is simply DP.

For the bottom left panel, I had fun constructing the flower using the Heart to Heart punch. For the flower center, I used a circle of card stock and added glitter. I used a big dollop of Crystal Effects on top of the glitter and I love the result of dimension and shine. The circle is like a dome with sparkles inside. I used another punched flower behind the center.

On the bottom right, the flowers are layered die cuts and buttons. I even called Stampin' Up! to make absolutely sure that they OK'd the use of cotton thread in those buttons!

Click the photo for a closer look.

I love the sentiment from the Hope Happens set, and it was the next thing I added, stamping on a Sending Love Notes die cut. After that it was easy to decide to add bright colored butterflies and accents on the last two frames.

I would have really enjoyed keeping this project. After I finished it, I considered what a nice addition it would be to my desk. You've seen THIS view from my window, here's the inside view where you can see the Cool Caribbean walls of my craft room. Sorry for the long post, hope you enjoyed the project!

"Plant your feet firmly, and let your heart have wings"

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Hope Happens
Paper:Chocolate Chip, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper, Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories:Sending Love Notes-Hugs, Boho Blossoms, Heart to Heart and 3/4" Circle punches; Eggcellent Eggs Kt, White taffeta ribbon, Playground Designer buttons, Fine Supernova glitter, Crystal Effects, Stampin' Up! Birds and Blooms Sizzlet, Swirls Scribbles Sizzlet, Stampin' Up! Beautiful Butterflies, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Big Shot.

Order from me online anytime HERE or e-mail me HERE with any questions you have!

From My Window

I know my blog is a little window into my life, I'm going to take that a step further in just a moment!

I spent a lovely bit of time at home today and that was wonderful!  Picture a beef stew simmering in the oven, nice chats with family, getting an errand or two done, and me getting to wind up the afternoon in my craft room!  The windows were open, I could hear the birds singing,the breeze rustling the pines. Here's the view from my window.

  From my window I get to admire the beauty of our wooded extra lot, the Carolina blue sky and the busy antics of the squirrels. My desk and computer sit right here in the treetops. I'm no nature photographer, but isn't it special?  

Another special thing today - it was a TWO card day, so I'm making that a TWO post day too, here ya go!

  

The sketch is another fantastic one from Mojo Monday. The beautiful Curtain Call Color Challenge was to use Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, and Certainly Celery (oops, I used Old Olive.)I am going to LOVE having these pinks to use together again with the Color Renovation.

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Tart & Tangy, Short & Sweet
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo Designer Prints, Whisper White, Sending Love Notes, Bella Rose DP (retired)
and Ink: Melon Mambo, Basic Gray, Old Olive

Accessories: Grosgrain ribbon, Button Bouquet Designer Buttons, Extra Large Two Step Bird and Trio Flower punches, Lots of Tags die

Need supplies to make this card? Order from me anytime HERE or e-mail me HERE with any questions you have!

What's Cookin?

I got such a chuckle from Ruth Ann's comment on yesterday's post about the color renovation that said,

"I love the new Cherry Cobbler, I think Marina Mist is beyond beautiful with Bashful Blue, and I am more than delighted that Pink Pirouette has returned. I think these are all very positive changes. If they don't do updates like this now and then, it dates your artwork as much as 80's hair dates your prom (or wedding!) photo!"

I'm right there with ya about the cherry cobbler! My wedding photos, now there's somewhere I don't want to go!

I LOVE new cookbooks, especially when the new recipes include full-color pics. Think of the luscious combos we'll be able to cook up with these new colors! Already my mind has begun thinking of new color recipes...right in keeping with today's card.<G>

These apron cards are so fun to make! Make an A2 card base with the fold at the top. Cut out the rounded sides, and decorate!  I used the Tart & Tangy set on the pocket, the sentiment is from the Picnic Parade set. I thought about using the "Life's a Picnic!" stamp for the inside, isn't it cute?

If you haven't tried one yet, make an apron card today. While you're at it, Taken with Teal is one of the colors that won't be around any more. Make a list if you need to stock up on some of your favorites. I'd be happy to place an order for you.

Hope your weekend makes you Smile!

Hugs~

Hello, Monday!

Here I am as promised with today's card. I'm saying "hello!" with this card to a loved but forgotten-by-me stamp set and color combo.  Karen supplied another fabulous sketch and I was off and running to a card that's a winner in my book. Yep - I really do like this one! It feels so good to get in some stamping just for fun.

 

I'm off to play with my new Summer Mini pre-order that just arrived! Be sure some sneak peeks will be coming your way soon <g>

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Simple Friendship, Tiny Tags
Paper: Night and Day Specialty Paper, Melon Mambo DSP, Basic black, Whisper White
and Ink: Black StazOn, Melon Mambo

Accessories: Medium Jewelry Tag punch, white taffeta ribbon, nesties

Order from me online anytime HERE or e-mail me HERE with any questions you have!

Mmmmm.....orange....

I'm usually a red or pinks girl but I've been so loving the color orange lately!!  Orange and yellow, orange and gray, orange and green--I love the yummy possibilities for this color.

Now, I am usually tentative with dark brown or black. When I took the Advanced Brayering class from Michelle Zindorf, one of the things she said that really stuck with me is, "Don't be afraid to really USE your black ink. Black is your friend."  It's the dark colors that make the light effects in our cards pop. This card that I made in her class is a perfect example of this effect. 

 

Don't you love this beautiful mirrored image sunset? The greenery above the water is embossed to make it stand out in the scene.

Will your weekend be a restful one as this theme suggests or will you be on the go at a wild pace, LOL? I'm hoping for the relaxing pace myself, things have been so busy for us!  Maybe I'll get a chance to do some of that scrapbooking just for fun that I recently signed up for (but haven't touched in two weeks since that day), LOL! That is, assuming I finish my taxes next (sigh..ROLL eyes...)

Have a great weekend!

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!

Order from me online anytime HERE or e-mail me HERE with any questions you have!

Birthday Wishes

It was time for another of Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketches today and I couldn't resist pulling out my Close as a Memory set and inking it up. Here's the card I made...

I needed to add another birthday card to my stash and this 4-1/4" square card will fit the bill nicely. I used the Chat Room Rub Ons - I am determined to get these cute words on some cards! Did you know that you can put rub ons directly onto ribbon or buttons?

I got a little carried away with stitching on this one. Wish that I had checked the size of the stitch before I went around the circle, LOL! 

Thanks for all the comments so far on last week's cards. Any comments made on this one before noon tomorrow are eligible for the blog candy drawing. I'll be back then to announce the winner!

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Close as a Memory
Paper: Very Vanilla, Only Orange, Sweet Pea DSP
and Ink: none

Accessories: Stampin' Write markers, Chat Room RUb Ons, Circle Scissors Plus, Flower Fusions felts, silver brads, Playground Designer Buttons

Order from me online anytime HERE or e-mail me HERE with any questions you have!

Embracing Orchid Opulence

Orchid Opulence is not one of my favorite colors but there it was in the color challenge: to use Orchid Opulence, Rich Razzleberry, and Old Olive. I didn't quite embrace the color but I did use it and the Embrace Life set, LOL!

Here's a tip~when you have a color that for some reason is 'difficult' to use, be sure to add another color that you love and LOTS of your neutral color. My favorite neutral is white, and I love the clean look it brings to this rich color combo. On this card, I really LIKE this color combo!

I used my Aqua Painter and ink pads to color the flowers which were stamped on watercolor paper. A pearl from my Pretties Kit highlights the sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set. The layout is from Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch.

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Embrace Life, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: watercolor paper, Whisper White, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Cottage Wall DSP
and Ink: Black StazOn, Rich Razzleberry, Orchid Opulence

Accessories: Organza ribbon, Pretties Kit, Aqua painter, word window punch

Order from me online anytime HERE or e-mail me HERE with any questions you have!