Stamps, Paper, and Ink

Wild about Fresh Vintage

Happy Wednesday!

I'm wild about a few things that I combined as elements on today's card. Fresh Vintage is my absolute favorite set right now! I love wide striped ribbon but rarely use it. No matter what else I used for today's card, I decided it was going to include Wild Wasabi striped grosgrain. I love Kraft, so I chose a color combo of Crumb Cake, Peach Parfait, and Wild Wasabi.

The Fresh Vintage set has the perfect image that fits the 1" square punch then layers with the Postage Stamp punch. A pearl adds just the right touch of sweetness to the earthy colors. I randomly stamped the floral spray image to make the background on the Crumb Cake card stock.

The fabulous layout is from the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge.

"Happiness" is wrapping it all up with the striped ribbon. What do yout think of today's card? I'd love for you to take a minute to let me know.

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Fresh Vintage, Loving Thoughts

Paper:  Very Vanilla, Wild Wasabi, Everyday Enchantment

Ink:  Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Peach Parfait

Accessories:  1" square, Postage Stamp and Decorative label punches, Wild Wasabi Striped Grosgrain, Basic Jewels - Pearls, Swirls, scribbles Sizzlet Die

Apothecary Art

Dear blog friends,

It's the time of year when we hear this often but I'm wondering where all the month of December has gone!

I had some time to stamp last week and LOVED trying out some of the new products coming in the Occasions Mini (available for sale on Jan.4). The Apothecary Art set is full of old-fashioned loveliness and I was so inspired to use this set with the new Labels Collection Framelits Dies.

I was also inspired by this month's muse at CASE Study Challenge, the wonderfully talented Amy Sheffer. I have admired her fabulous work for a long time and humbly jumped at the opportunity to play along in the challenge this week.I learn so much from studying and playing in challenges! What I love about stamping is that there is always some new twist, new thing to learn, or ... new products!

Here's Amy's gorgeous card:

I especially liked her bold use of neutrals with just a splash of another color, her beautiful flourish patterns, and her gorgeous ribbon treatment.

I began by stamping the image on Crumb Cake card stock using Basic Brown ink. I chose this because it stays colorfast when you color over it. I used the white gel pen, adding highlights with my markers, and shading the leaves in Pear Pizzazz.

I stamped the sentiment inside the banner from the Take it to Heart set, and cut it out. The DSP is from the beautiful Attic Boutique Product Suite. I cut the Crumb Cake layer with my snips and die cut the Pear Pizazz card stock with the next size Labels Collection Framelits Die. I added a mat of Early Espresso card stock and tied a bow in satin ribbon.

Hope you've enjoyed the array of sneak peek goodies!

 

Pretty in Pool Party for Christmas

 Just when I think that I've made enough Christmas cards, I find one more set or idea that I want to try. I've got quite a little stash now. That's just what happened today when I realized that I haven't used the Bells & Boughs stamp set yet and made just one more card.

When I saw Nance Leedy's fun challenge for this week at The Paper Players to use non-traditional Christmas colors, I immediately thought of my favorite In Color this year: Pool Party. Can you imagine Pool Party evergreen branches?

Well, now you can!

I used markers in Pool Party and Melon Mambo to ink the floral spray image and stamped on Whisper White card stock. I used Pretty In Pink pastels to color the flower petals, and to shade the inside of the circle panel. The DSP is Domestic Goddess, I love how these patterns work together!

Embossed detail on the white panel is from the Snowburst embossing folder. I added pearls to the centers of the poinsettias and to the card front at the bottom. Pretty in Pink satin ribbon and a tag, and it's all wrapped up!

Ready to add to my stash.

Many thanks to another great layout from my favorite place to play, Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge.

Hope you like this unconventional color combo for Christmas. Won't you please take a moment and let me know what you think of today's card?

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Autumn Prints

Ahaa!  I GOT it!

Whenever I get a few minutes to blog, I feel as if I have captured something really special. Especially if I've missed it because of a couple of busy days. Our home is a pretty active place, and sometimes I feel like there's a revolving door as in grand central station! After all the morning hustle and bustle, when the dishes are done and Josie is tired from her walk -  I love having a few quiet minutes to sip my tea and write to you.

I made a card last night, prompted by the color challenge at SCS to use More Mustard, Always Artichoke, and Bravo Burgundy which are perfect for the fall theme at The Paper Players. Time for a great layout from the Sweet Sunday Sketch challenge. That's a lot of challenges!

I knew that I wanted to use the French Foliage set while we're still in the fall season. It lends itself so well to a collage look and plenty of stamping. I stamped off the large oak leaf, and inked the other leaf in artichoke and then in Bravo Burgundy ink, using the Rock and Roll technique. I had the most fun with the Spritzer Tool and my Burgundy marker to add tiny sprays of color. The Very Vanilla panel was then sponged around the edges with More Mustard, and mounted onto another piece of Very Vanilla card stock.

A strip of Paisley Petals DP and quilted ribbon and Mini Brads complete the accents. I hadn't used the tiny brads yet, but they were just right for this card, crisp and clean.

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: French Foliage

Paper: More Mustard, Always Artichoke, Paisley Petals DSP, Very Vanilla

Ink: More Mustard, Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy, Soft Suede

Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Quilted ribbon, Mini Brads, markers, Color Spritzer Tool

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

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

more Spice Cake With Love

One more card using the Spice Cake DSP, I just love pulling these pretty patterns together. The sets for today's card include one from the Summer Mini and a new one from the Holiday Mini called Hand-Penned Holidays. Don't you love this softly flowing script?

It's really a very simple layout with the boldness that comes from the 1/16" mats. Of course, I love the watercoloring, especially with this lovely bouquet. Less than two weeks left to order supplies from the Summer Mini, so don't wait!

Hope you are having a lovely day~

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up! except noted*

Stamps:  On the Grow set

Paper:  Spice Cake DSP, Very Vanilla, Pool Party, Early Espresso, Watercolor paper

Ink:  Soft Suede, Black StazOn

Accessories:  Rhinestone Brad, Vanilla Seam Binding, Blender pens, Nestabilities*

 

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

Love life, Live life

Good morning! How's your day going?

I love to watercolor, and I was so pleased at the variety of images in the Zoo Review set that I've been itching to use it! I'm really glad I'm getting a chance to pull out some of my new sets. This one is sure to be a favorite!

I need a card for a special guy birthday coming up, and found this giraffe would be just right.

 

I used watercolor paper, inks, markers and blender pens to color in the giraffe. Lots of layers of color, actually more than I ever would have thought of using because I shifted the color scheme midway in order to match the Well Worn Designer Paper.  The strip along the bottom is denim ribbon - love it!

What do you think of today's card and the new set? I'd love to hear from you!

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Zoo Review, You're a Gem

Paper:  So Saffron, Not Quite Navy, Well Worn DSP, Watercolor paper

Ink:  Early Ezpresso, Soft Suede, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Wild Wasabi

Accessories:  Designer Button, Linen Thread, Denim Ribbon, markers, Blender pens

 

Taking off with Creative Elements

Greetings from the airport!

I knew I'd have some time to edit photos and post as I wait to board the plane for the Stampin' Up! Convention, so here I am! I love this time of quiet after all the mad rush to get bags backed, things settled at home, SWAPS made (finished VERY early this morning) and all the other stuff we do before a trip. Now I can drink my water, take a deep breath, and show you today's card. Thanks for joining me!

The Creative Elements set is my absolute favorite new set in the catalog. I love the gracefulness of it, and the classic images. It took me awhile to picture the card I wanted to make with it in my head.

To create a collage type effect, I stamped the flourish on patterned paper, distressed the edges of the top layer, and used a bow of ribbon layered with Baker's twine. To keep crisp lines, I used the Fabulous Foliate wheel and a scalloped border. The colors are Old Olive and Rich Razzleberry; the tag and flowers were stamped with Elegant Eggplant ink.

I have a tip for you when cutting out the flower image or other flowers with LOTS of pointed petals. I cut around the outer edges first, like this:

and then go back and cut the sections out in between the petals, using V-shaped snips. This helps me get more rounded edges where needed and makes the cutting go a bit faster. It works for me, hope it may help you too.

I'd better close now as we are getting ready to board. I can't wait to see so many creative ideas at convention~ you can bet I'll share some with you. Have a wonderful day.