Stamps, Paper, and Ink

Up in the Air is So Sweet

 I love seeing butterflies. Today we had temps in the 70's and tomorrow it will be high 70's so spring is on its way for sure! Pairing butterflies with daisies in the Up in the Air set is so sweet!

My color combo of Tangerine Tango, Marina Mist and Early Espresso allowed me to combine patterns from Paisley Petals DSP and Mocha Morning DSP. I embossed the white panel with the Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder, and added a pretty DSP border using the Adorning Accents Edgelits. 

I'm up in the air over a decision I need to make any day now. My ASUS laptop has seriously cracked at the hinge and is separating from the screen so it's time for a new purchase. Should I get a MacBook Air or stay with Windows 7? Feel free to give me input but I have to tell you that I don't grasp techy stuff too quickly!

 I'm playing along with this lovely sketch from Stampin 411.

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Up in the Air

Paper:  Paisley Petals DSP, Mocha Morning DSP, Whisper White, Early Espresso, Marina Mist

Ink:  Early Expresso

Accessories:  Stampin' Write markers, Boho Blossoms and Itty Bitty flower punches, Framelits Labels Die, Marina Mist Taffeta Ribbon, Adorning Accents Edgelts, Basic Jewels - Rhinestones

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.

Flirtacious Doilies and Lace Ribbon

I know you won't be surprised to know that today's card began with the MOJO Monday Sketch. I think you will laugh when I tell you my first inclinations were to follow the bold lines and shapes of the sketch to make a masculine card. NOT!
 Here are some girly doilies and lace, just for you. Pearls and glitter too!

The sketch had a vertical accent and I began with the idea of using the Lace Ribbon Border punch threaded with ribbon. Rifling through my vast collection of designer papers I hit upon the Flirtacious Specialty papers, and then the process took off.

Along the way I added a third pattern of paper just so I could play along with The Paper Players Challenge to use 3 patterns of paper, 2 different ribbons, and at least one punch. Check. Check. Two punches. Good. The card was made and assembled completely when I noticed the last challenge requirement was a sprinkling of glitter. I took that quite literally! I had already added the pearls, but I masked the card and sprayed the punched Lace Ribbon strip with spray adhesive. Literally - I added a sprinkling of glitter that covers the ribbon too! You can see the sparkly detail if you enlarge the photo.

I'm off now to have a busy day, beginning with going to vote and then walking Josie, and then....well, I'll let you guess the rest! If you live near Fayetteville, Raeford, or Hope Mills, NC, I'd love to have you join us for my Make and Take Tuesday this afternoon. Contact me if you'd like to stamp with me!

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Tagstastic

Paper:  Flirtacious Specialty Paper, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White

Ink: Wisteria Wonder

Accessories:  3/8" Ruffled Ribbon, 1/8" Taffeta ribbon, Rhinestone Brad (I topped it with a pearl), Basic Pearls, Decorative Label and Lace Ribbon Border punches

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!

Just a Few L'il Tears

I absolutely think this stamp from the Lean on Me set is the cutest!

 

I love the sentiment too, isn't is a sweet idea to catch Sad Suzy's tears??

Today when I realized just how long it's been since I played with my favorite challenge - The Paper Players - I got busy with my blender pens and inks to watercolor and join in Jaydee's sketch challenge.

This post really is about so many favorites - you know I'm crazy about the Domestic Goddess DSP. I had so much fun choosing the pattern with the sun's rays and placing that behind my image. I plan the message inside to say that I hope each new day is looking brighter.

I loved hunkering down during the dark days of the tropical storm, but how beautiful it was to see the blue sky and sunshine yesterday and today. I did get lots of stamping done and look forward to sharing my new cards this week.

I'd love to hear from you - won't you take time to leave a comment and let me know what you think of today's card? Have a blessed Monday!

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Lean On Me

Paper:  Domestic Goddess DSP, Whisper White, Pool Party, Calypso Coral

Ink:  Jetblack StazOn, Daffodil Delight, Pool Party, Calypso Coral

Accessories:  Tasteful Trim Die, Daffodil Delight 1/8" ribbon, In Color brads, 2-1/2" Circle Punch

Hello, my friends!

If you've been wondering where I've been, I am here to tell you all about it today! I've been in a whirlwind of traveling, and I just got in late last night from my second trip this month. Except for 3 days to regroup, I've been gone since July 12th!

This time my husband and I went together to attend the beautiful wedding of my nephew and his sweet bride. He is such a great guy - I wish we didn't live so far away. The celebration was lovely and I'm so glad I was able to be there to spend wonderful times visiting with my family. We were in such a gorgeous setting, surrounded by the beauties of nature on every side. Here are a few pics and I'm sure by the end you will guess the location!

Rocks, hills, and woodlands...

water on every side,

rocky beaches, boats everywhere! We sailed on a schooner almost out to the open sea!

Mount Desert Island, Maine is one of the prettiest places I've ever been!  Now you know what I've been up to. If you can take one more non-card related photo, can I say how happy my family was to have us back?  And look who's not wanted to leave my side....

JOSIE!

As promised, I do have a card for you in keeping with a natural beauty theme.

This card was inspired by the GROW theme at Convention, and the beautiful stage set up. It changed colors and when I saw this calming combo, I got the idea for this card using the My Friend set. The silhouette was stamped and embossed in white. I preferred keeping the layers simple so that this card could be made in minutes! Hope you'll give it a try.

Hope you've enjoyed this little glimpse of my summer. Thanks so much for spending a few minutes here today, I love being able to share with you!

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  My Friend

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White

Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Versamark

Accessories:  White EP, Jumbo brad, Decorative Label and Corner Rounder punches

 

all i want

 all i want for you is the best of everything.

That sweet sentiment comes from the Best of Everything set in the new catalog. I almost made my subtitle all i want ...from the new catalog is everything! HEHE! But that's not exactly true, I only wanted almost everything!

I hope I got you chuckling so now it's time to see the card using the set with the darling sentiment.

  

The DSP featured is the Domestic Goddess pack, I LOVE the happy feel and patterns of this paper and you've already seen in my recent cards that I love these colors together. Don't know when I'll get tired of Pool Party and Calypso Coral, not anytime too soon, I guess! This luscious combo is fun for summer and you know what?  The DP is part of the Domestic Goddess Suite, but on every piece there's a side without the domestic theme which is just plain cute. I imagined this DP from the first paired with this set, or how about the Fruits and Flowers set?  Can you begin to envision it with some of your favorite whimsical sets?

There are other new products on this card. Did you notice the mini clothespin holding the sentiment, and the cute polka dotted brad? The pretty ruffled ribbon? If you'd like to mention which one of these new products in my card makes you smile, go ahead and tell me in the comments section. I had fun making this, hope you can tell it makes me smile!

I'm off to complete swaps for convention. Wishing you every bit of the best!

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Best of Everything

Paper:  Domestic Goddess, Whisper White, Calypso Coral

Ink: Basic Gray, Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade (am I having fun with the new In Colors or what!)

Accessories:  mini clothespin, Designer Printed brad, Calypso Coral ruffled ribbon, Boho Blossom and Triple Layer Blossom Punches, Tasteful Trim Die, markers, sewing machine

 

Thanks for Blessing my Life

 It has been a weekend full of fun times and many blessings for our family. Hope you had a great time too. On Friday night I loved hearing the NC Symphony concert before our fireworks. Their tribute to the militay and sing along rendition of Amazing Grace were so touching that of course I got teary during God Bless America and I'm Proud to be an American. I thoroughly enjoyed the holiday.

Hope you Canadian readers had a great holiday too!

I wanted to make a card using jewel tones of red white and blue and the new stamp set Simply Soft.

I stamped the image in Black StazOn and instead of using the two step stamping image, I used a combination of markers, blender pen, ink, and a white gel pen to color, shade and highlight. My card uses a combo of Pacific Point, Rose Red, and Certainly Celery. I'm not usually a fan of Pacific Point, but I like it in this combo with the richness of the Rose Red. I sponged around the flowers with a light touch of Marina Mist.

 For the flower, I used the Rose Red from the Patterned Designer Series Paper Stack and punched three flowers with the Triple Layer Blossom Petal Punch. I scrunched and layered them and added a small flower from the Boho Blossoms Punch and a pearl center.

The terrific sketch is SSSC 124 found HERE, and the sentiment is from the Herbal Expressions set.

I want to say a huge thanks for your comments. You're the best! As you reminded me of the importance of the supply list, I can reassure you that it will be added to my posts again. Most of you made me feel wonderful by saying posting two or three times a week was great with you. I so appreciate the input and the encouragement you all expressed, summed up so well by Stef who said "In a nut shell, do as much as you can when you can, because everyone would rather see what you love in the time that best suits YOU!!" Here's why I blog - I love to make "pretties" and share them with others. That's you.

  All supplies by Stampin' Up! except as noted *

Stamps:  Simply Soft, Herbal Expressions

Paper:  Pacific Point, Rose Red, Whisper White, Patterned Designer Series Paper Stack Brights and Subtles, Certainly Celery

Ink:  Regal Rose, Rose Red, Bravo Burgundy, Maina Mist, Basic Black, Certainly Celery

Accessories:  Blender pen, markers, Triple Layer Blossom and Boho Blossom punches, Little Leaves Sizzlet, Celery Satin Ribbon,  *Nestabilities

 

Shimmer and Pearls

I had some stamping fun today and came up with a card that I just love! I wish you could see the sparkle and pearls IRL....

  

It all began with the challenge at CASE study, and the amazing work of Jill Foster, the muse for June.

She made this gorgeous card, isn't it stunning?

I was so inspired by this card! I made some observations and then translated them into my card and my own style. How fun is that?

First, I noticed the impact of her background made with the variations of color and distressing. I LOVED the fresh color pallete of rich jewel tones, her detailed watercolored images and her layout with the sentiment at the bottom.

   For my color combo, I chose colors that remind me of the tropics - Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, and Very Vanilla. I made the background panel using the new Letterpress Fan inked with white craft ink. I added a layer of Moonlight Smooch Spritz for sparkle and then used my Color Spritzer Tool to add dimension.

I LOVE to watercolor, for my images I used watercolor paper, inks and my blender pens, accenting with a marker in the flower centers. The stamp set is On the Grow from the Summer Mini.

Did you notice my crinkled seam binding?  I've found it works to wet it and scrunch it up, then let it dry~but today I didn't want to bother with a trip to get water, so I spritzed it with a bit of Stampin' Mist! I rolled it up tight into a ball squished in my fist and after a minute I let it loose and tied the bow. I wet the streamer on the left a second time and let it dry wrapped around a pencil. The ends are anchored with glue dots.

I'm off to do a gazillion things (how does summer seem so busy???) so I won't list supplies today. If you have any questions, won't you shoot me an e-mail? Or leave a comment, you will make my day! Thanks so much for stopping by.