Stamps, Paper, and Ink

Alleluia!

Earlier this week I posted my first card made with this set and I had some issues with it. You know when you know you can do better but it just didn't happen? 

Well, with today's card I felt like shouting when it was done because it has just the look I wanted. 

I chose the colors right off the darling milk carton project on page 136 of the catty which I have been so drawn to. Aren't Pool Party, Pink Pirouette and Daffodil Delight (with a hint of Melon Mambo in the text) perfect colors for spring?

I loved the delicate hues and used markers to color the lily in the light pink, Daffodil, and Lucky Limeade before stamping. Then I went in with the Melon marker and added highlights to the stamped image, lightly outlining the flower so it would show up when fussy cut. 

With the Framelits I cut a window in the Attic Boutique DSP and placed the sentiment panel behind it.

If you celebrate Easter, I wish you many blessings as you celebrate that He is Risen!

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: He is Risen

Paper: Pool Party, Whisper White, Attic Boutique, Pink Pirouette

Ink: Pool Party

Accessories: markers: Melon Mambo, Not Quite Navy, Lucky Limeade, Pink Pirouette, Daffodil Delight, Pool Party Seam Binding Ribbon, Framelits Labels Collection, Scallop Border Trim Punch

A Fresh Start

Happy April! Hello to you!

I love the fresh start that a brand new month brings. I appreciate your patience as my break stretched into more than a month. Thanks to those who left such kind comments of encouragement and for all of your understanding.

I have a card to share with you today. I do have to say that it's hard jumping back into stamping after a break. The best thing is to just jump in and make something! With Easter just a week away, I pulled out the He is Risen stamp set.

This is one of those sets I thought I'd LOVE because of the detailed lily and wonderful religious sentiments. But I've found the lily is too detailed to really color in so I chose to stamp it boldly in Rich Razzleberry. I used my heat tool to set the ink, then added a hint of pink with my marker. I stamped the pretty floral border in Old Olive ink.

The label is layered onto a white card stock panel with rounded corners to add simple detail. Now to get this in the mail for my Mom. Hope it brightens her day and yours too. Thanks for letting me share with you!

 Tomorrow I'll let you know some things I've been up to during my break.

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: He is risen

Paper: Whisper White, Designer Prints Paper Stack (Brights)

Ink: Old Olive, RIch Razzleberry

Accessories: marker, Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon, Brights buttons

 

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

Freshly Made Vintage

I'm wide awake when I should be sleeping and that means I may ramble away here on my blog. No telling where that could lead! Life is very busy right now and I wake up with my mind swirling of things to do and lists, and wondering how I'll get them all done.

These are happy things and what needs to get done DOES get completed. The rest I let go! Tonight I could not let go of blogging. This card was just begging me to get up out of my nice warm bed and show it to you!

I made it the day my pre-order came using the set for Sale-A-Bration called Fresh Vintage. Who can resist a pretty floral spray and flower images repeated on a square sized perfectly for the Postage Stamp punch? I used markers to ink most of the image, but used Versamarker on the larger flowers so that I could emboss them with Tangerine Tango EP (also used on the square tag.)

I know the flowers are upside down, hope that doesn't bother you! I was using a sketch (from Mojo Monday 221) and I sensed better balance with the heavier flower hanging down. I added rhinestone jewels to adorn this flower as the focal point.

This card never got posted to the MOJO challenge. But THIS one from last week and THIS one from  awhile back were chosen as Finalists in the MOJO Contests. There are so many talented artists and entries, I am delighted that my cards were picked!

As always, I like sharing my creations with you. After I list the supplies, I think I'll get right back to sleep. No more lists until morning!

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Fresh Vintage

Paper:  Attic Boutique DSP, Whisper White, Tanager Tango

Ink:  Versamark

Accessories:  Stampin' Write markers, Tangerine Tango EP, Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon, Scallop Dotted Ribbon Border and Postage Stamp Punches, Basic Rhinestones, Scallop Circle Bigz Die

Boutique Birthday - sneak peek!

 Hi there!

I did get a chance to break into my new Occasions Mini supplies a few days ago and I decided to just PLAY! I'm happy to give you a sneak peek of what's fresh, new and coming soon!

Instead of beginning with a sketch or specific theme, I began with a fun product in a new color - Smooch Spritz spray in Blushing Bride. I got it right out and spritzed away on Very Vanilla card stock. I liked the soft spattered background so much that it became the basis for my whole card. What looks like pink card stock in this close up is actually the Very Vanilla cs with sparkly Smooch Spritz sheen!

The sentiment and flourish image (stamped in Riding Hood Red) are from a darling new stamp set called Elementary Elegance which will be available during Sale-A-Bration. Then I used the Framelits Labels metal die to cut the panel. The sentiment on Very Vanilla was punched with the Curly Label Punch and pairs perfectly with the image.

I LOVE the new Attic Boutique DSP!!! It is so gorgeous I had to use it as soon as I opened the pack. Each pattern is beautiful but this one is my favorite. A few pearls and Riding Hood Red Pleated Ribbon wrap this up in classy style.

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Elementary Elegance

Paper:  Very Vanilla, Attic Boutique DSP, Soft Suede, Blushing Bride

Ink:  Soft Suede, Riding Hood Red

Accessories:  Smooch Spritz (Blushing Bride), Labels Framelits, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Curly Label Punch, Basic Pearls

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

 

It's a Celebration! Sneak peeks and more...

Well, my weekend truly was wonderful as we had a trip to see my mother and had a fabulous visit. She is 91, has her own cell phone and knows how to use it, and except for a catnap now and then, she's fully alert and fun to be with! That in itself is worth celebrating and I am grateful, every day. Even the days when I get three or four phone calls.<G> I guess I should say, especially then. We shared some precious moments, some of them over cups of tea.

It didn't take me long yesterday to get back to stamping, and when I saw that the talented ladies at Our Creative Corner were hosting a tea party theme, I  knew I'd be watercoloring the lovely teacup bouquet from the Fun & Fast Notes set to make an invitaion.

 

Choosing colors was easy, I pulled out the vivid hues from the Beyond the Garden DSP which will be available in the new catalog which unveils in July. I used my Aqua Painter and ink pads to color. I went over the outlines and added shading with markers as well.

Stamping on Monday means the MOJO Monday sketch which I've used for the layout.

I LOVE the bold, large flowers of this designer paper. Here's a tip or two for working with the large pattern.

• Use the pattern to draw your attention. Notice how using the large pattern at the top of my layout draws your eye across and downward towards the stamped image. 
• Use the large pattern as the whole background, or sparingly in the layout.
• Break up the pattern. Here I softened it with the wrapped threads, and the tucked in Top Note as a border.
• Choose elements of the pattern to repeat in the card to build unity, as I did with the large cut out flower and leaf.

The flower was stamped with the Fabulous Florets set and embossed with Melon Mambo Embossing Powder, then cut out. How fun is that? Those are my two favorite products from the Summer Mini, coming May 1. The sentiment comes from the hostess set, Afterthoughts. I really love those sayings and the variety of fonts they use.

I'd love to hear what you think of today's card and post. As laways I hope you've been inspired and encouraged to stamp. Any and all comments are most welcome. Have a great day!

   

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Afterthoughts, Fun & Fast Notes, Fabulous Florets
Paper:  Wild Wasabi, Beyond the Garden DSP, Whisper WHite, Melon Mambo textured, Pretty in Pink
and Ink: Basic Black, Jetblack StazOn, Garden Green, Versamark

Accessories:   Stampin' Write markers, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Daffodil Delight Satin Ribbon, Designer Buttons (Subtles), Aqua Painter, Melon Mambo Embossing Powder, cotton thread, Top Note die, Big Shot

Visit my online store  HERE if you need supplies or to see our specials

Do you have any questions about our products, my projects/classes, or being a demonstrator? I am happy to answer them, just send me an e-mail, you'll find it HERE

 

Softly Bliss

Yesterday I started out bright and early to make a card for the Clean and Simple challenge and found that after three months of being on a roll with these, it was just NOT working out! By the time I had the card photographed I had decided to ditch it. Coming up with Take 2 was easier, and I loved the result but could NOT get a decent shot of it to post.Took some photos in natural light this rainy morning with my daughter's help.

So here I am today with something finally to show you!

 
The challenge was to use  white with a soft aqua and a soft yellow. I just had to dig out my favorite Cool Carribean for the aqua - only to find that all I have left is the ink and a reinker, so my design all centered around how to use that color without having any card stock or designer paper. 

For sets I'm using something 'old' and something 'new'. I finally got the Bliss set from Sale A Bration, and the Four Frames set is part of the new special for April which you can read about HERE . Contact me today to take advantage of this great offer.

Hope you like it! I'm having a great play day today while Josie has hers, so here I sit at Panera where things are starting to hop! Time to focus on my yummy lunch. Are you hungry? Wish you could come. We can talk in my comments box, no caloriess, lol! Thanks so much for stopping by.

   

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Bliss, Four Frames
Paper:  Whisper White, So Saffron
and Ink: Jetblack StazOn, Cool Carribean, So Saffron

Accessories:   Basic pearls, Decorative Label and Eyelet Border Punches, So Saffron ribbon (retired) Aqua Painter

Visit my online store  HERE if you need supplies or to see our specials

Do you have any questions about our products, my projects/classes, or being a demonstrator? I am happy to answer them, just send me an e-mail, you'll find it HERE

Sunny Spring

 We've just had one of those warm sunny days of spring. You know, the kind where you could roll on your back on the grass and just gaze at the blue sky. I got a great pic of Josie doing just that which I'll share at the end of this post.

 Me? I couldn't wait to whip out my retired Serene Spring set and go to work with my inks to watercolor! I love making cards but being able to watercolor makes them that much more special to me. Besides the fact that I love to do it, the shades and layers of ink are always unique and fresh with each project.

Here's today's card.

For those of you who follow my Friday Flashback feature, please accept this belated Monday edition.

I began with the FABULOUS layout from  Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 111 . The card base is Crumb Cake topped with a white panel embossed with the Elegant Bouquet folder (the design is hard to see, I may try to getter a better photo later.) I embellished with a few rhinestones, a punched flower and a bit of glitter added to the butterfly. Birds and butterflies--I just love them together, it's been my theme for this and one other project I'll share this week.

Speaking of share, here are a few pics of our ten month old puppy, Josie, who is a cutie and a pistol!

Her favorite place to be is the backyard, sniffing.... always on the hunt....

rolling in the grass....

 

 or playing soccer!

 

Hope you are having a fun spring day where you are! Thanks so much for stopping by. I'd love to hear what you think of my projects whether the furry or paper type!

   

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Serene Spring (retired)
Paper:  Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Patterned Paper Pack (Brights) and Sweetpea Designer Paper Stack (retired)
and Ink: Black StazOn, several inks to watercolor

Accessories:   Daffodil Delight Satin Ribbon, Flower Trio and Boho Blossoms punches, Basic Rinestones, Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder, Swirls Embosslit, Aqua Painter

Visit my online store  HERE if you need supplies or to see our specials

Do you have any questions about our products, my projects/classes, or being a demonstrator? I am happy to answer them, just send me an e-mail, you'll find it HERE

Springtime Bouquet

I am so ready for spring, aren't you?  It seems to be teasing us here in NC, getting warm and then cooling off a bit, but the signs of spring are still there! Buds about to open on our Bradford pear trees and grass beginning to turn green. I can't wait!

 
Today's card features a springtime bouquet of flowers cut from the Springtime Vintage Designer Paper. I cut a second red rose - just the center - and popped it up, using the tole technique for added dimension. Then I just couldn't quit so I bedecked the rose's edges with glitter.

The layout is by Mary Fish from MOJO Monday 179. The tiny butterfly is from the Clearly for You set and the sentiment is from the Tiny Tags set. These are the only stamped images. Enjoy!

   

I also played along with the Shabby Tea Room Challenge: Buttons and Bows.

 all supplies by Stampin' Up!

 Visit my online store  HERE if you need supplies or to see our specials

Do you have any questions about our products, my projects/classes, or being a demonstrator? I am happy to answer them, just send me an e-mail, you'll find it HERE