Stamps, Paper, and Ink

Polka dots and More!

Here is Take 2 of my entries for the Freshly Made Sketch Challenge. It was such a fun sketch and I wanted to try again with a simpler card. I like the balance and colors of this card better, what do you think? If you missed my other sample, you'll find it HERE.

I've actually enjoyed making more than one sample from the same sketch for quite a long time here on my blog. I call this feature Twice is Nice, and you will find a collection of these listed under Twice is Nice in my categories section. 

This card features the Awash With Flowers set, and the DSP is Berry Blossoms. Using the out of the box technique, I stamped the flower image in Early Espresso ink, and cut around the flower before cutting out the rectangular panel. The blooms were cut out and paper pieced over the first stamped image.

With this bright and happy card I hope to have brightened your day. 

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

I Scream!

Hi everybody! You can take my title any way you want tonight. I scream with delight that I got a new computer and squeal with a sigh to have almost all of my files downloaded. Now I scream for a different reason in that it's quite a learning curve switching to a Mac and took me most of 2 hours to edit, find and edit again my photos. But look forward with me to all the possibilities! So glad to be able to replace my fractured laptop. It may take me a few days to get my photo edits up to snuff, thanks in advance for your patience.

But you came for a card, right? I scream = Ice cream! How about a scoop in Wisteria Wonder that was embossed with Cherry-scented EP and smells yummy?

Isn't that Sweet Shoppe DSP luscious looking? I am delighted to tell you that it's digital! I don't have that paper but did print out the patterns from MDS for this hybrid card. I used white card stock and couldn't believe how easy it was to do.

Pool Party card stock was embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots folder and cut with a Framelits Labels die. I used various markers to ink up the cone image, then embossed clear Cherry EP and cut out the ice cream scoop (it's actually a pattern of the paper with tiny dots) to add shine and texture. The cherry was topped with a dollop of Crystal Effects. 

I'm happy to send you to see the great sketch by Tui Nathan at Freshly Made Sketches and to play along. I actually made another card for this sketch which I'll post soon.

Have a great day! 

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Shimmering Pines & Poinsettias

I don't usually post on the weekends but I had a couple of ideas for cards that came as I reflected on techniques shared at my online class and I actualy had time to make them. Kristina Werner made an adorable card that featured two panels of the same card stock. Using supplies to alter one of the panels, she placed them side by side in the layout. Here's my take on it!

I cut two strips of Pool Party card stock (each is 1-3/8" x 5-1/2"). I altered one by inking it with VersaMark, then heat embossing with Iridescent Ice. It gave a great sparkle and changed the hue just the tiniest bit. Beginning with a Crumb Cake card base, I stamped the delicate leafy image from the Pines & Poinsettias set using White Craft ink along each side.

The focal panel was inspired by our monthly magazine for demos, Stampin' Success. So many beauituf projects in there! I used Red Craft ink to stamp the floral image, and using Heat 'n Stick Powder I added Dazzling Diamonds glitter. I love the frosty shimmer.

All wrapped up in a red satin bow. (ETA - which I straightened up after taking the photo. Looks better now. <g>)

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Pines & Poinsettias

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Pool Party

Ink:  Real Red Craft, Real Red, Versamark, White Craft, Pool Party

Accessories:  2-1/2" Circle punch, Perfect Pennants Die (scalloped circle), Heat and Stick Powder, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Satin Ribbon, Linen Thread, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder

Hurricanes and The Open Sea

 Well, that may seem like a funny title but it is what's on my mind this morning!

We live in NC and have experienced a hurricane hitting us before. (who remembers Fran?) I spent a good bit of time yesterday gathering some supplies, just in case. Seven cases of bottled water. Two jars of Peter Pan Peanut Butter.  THREE bags of chips (oh, you know that's basic survival food, right?) Hot dogs and mac and cheese from Kraft, not our own homemade. All of this was rather a pleasant surprise to my family since I usually bring home bags full of fruits and vegetables!!

Now that the storm seems to be heading east and may miss us I am relieved, and prayerful for those north. Truth be told I wish I could just hole up in my craft room to stamp until the food supplies run out. Say, 'til February!

I will begin as soon as I show you today's card. <G>

  

 I was inspired to try a pop up technique from the Workshop WOW DVD shared by Alison Solven. I took her ideas and designed my card using The Open Sea and Wordplay stamp sets. Have a look at the inside.

 

Do you see how the white panel forms a W, and some of the images pop out and the anchor in the middle pops in? Making this card was so much fun, I can't wait to work more with this technique. It basically involves visualizing where the vertical fold lines will be if you fold the panel in half and in half again, and centering your images over those lines.

I immediately gave this card to my dear dear husband. He was kind to put it on his dresser where every once in awhile I still have the fun of opening it.

Thanks so much for all your kind comments about my blog! I read and appreciate every one. I'm off to stamp something just for fun and I'll be back tomorrow to post the giveaway winner.

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  The Open Sea, Wordplay, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper:  Night of Navy, Whisper White, Nautical Expeditions

Ink:  Night of Navy, Soft Suede, Sahara Sand

Accessories:  2-1/2" Circle punch, Baker's twine

I'm having an Easy Event today!

Easy Events is a super cute all occasion set that will be featured at my workshop tonight. Stampin' Up! convention attendees received a Workshop in a Bag kit containing everything we need to make these adorable projects!

There's a birthday card, a small gift bag of tags, and a Sending Love card with matching envelope. My favorite technique with these projects is the twine wrapped as a frame on the focal panel on the card.

 

I'll show you the back so you can see how I did that. I began by adhering the twine to a glue dot in one corner.

I wrapped the twine along the horizontal and vertical edges on the front, but from corner to corner in the back so it would stay taut. There's an easy accent for you!

If you'd like information about my events or how you can order the Easy Events stamp set (or any of the quality supplies from Stampin' Up!) contact me today. I'd be so happy to help you.

Tomorrow I have a fun pop up card to show you!

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

 

 

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.

 

 

Reflections

Every once in awhile it's good to reflect on where I've been and evaluate what was good in the past. What brought success or helped me learn something in a new way, or simply brought a smile to my day?

Yesterday my friend and I got to doing just that as we visited, talked, prayed together (do you know how SPECIAL that is - I am SO grateful!) And of course, we stamped. She set out some colors and 2 stamp sets for us to play with. I chose the Razzle Dazzle set and Dusty Durango for my card.

Can't say that I just cranked this out, KWIM?  It seemed to take me for-ev-uh to figure out what to do for my card. I finally decided to get creative with ink, distressing, and the emboss resist technique.

 

The butterfly began as a square of DP that simply had a grid on it. I stamped the floral image and embossed it in white, then sponged it with Dusty Durango and a bit of Night of Navy ink. The butterfly was die cut using the Beautiful Butterflies die.

I embossed the Crumb Cake panel with the Elegant Bouquet folder, sponged it with white craft ink, and used the Color Spritzer tool to add a sprinkling of Crumb Cake across it. If you have any further questions about the supplies or technique I used, please don't hesitate to e-mail me.

The Razzle Dazzle set is one that is retiring at the end of this month. Make sure you check those retiring sets and accessories and contact me to order any you don't want to miss out on!

In reflecting, I also realize that I MISSED doing my Friday Flashback feature for you last Friday! Just came and went and you know what - I forgot. So for the next two or three days, I will make it up to you as we look back at some of the retiring sets. Hope you'll join me right here. Have a great day!

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!