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!

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

Truly Shabby

Is it OK to talk just a little more about style? I am so interested in this because it takes the versatility of using stamps, paper, and ink just a step further. I can be versatile in what I use and how I use it. Don't you just love the options?!?!?

Have you ever wondered about the difference between Shabby Chic and Vintage?  Papercrafts magazine describes it this way: " Shabby chic is a style characterized by layering. It is soft, utilizing ribbon, lace and ...inking and distressing. The final product looks comfortable, weathered and worn. Vintage goes a step further by adding old images, found items and antique trinkets to the mix. "

There may be a quiz at the end of this post, asking whether my title actually uses the correct term, lol! I do appreciate the clarity of their definitions, don't you?

Today's card is the stepped up version of the card I posted yesterday which you'll find if you hop over to THIS POST.

My favorite touch for the step up card is to add much more detail to the water-coloring which was done with markers applied to the stamp. Here are a few more tips regarding the changes I added:

• Shimmery White card stock is stronger and that allowed me to add more detail and shading with markers after I had stamped the image.
  

• Layering a celery panel which was stamped with another image from the set
  

• Cutting the flower image into tags using the Lots of Tags die and the Big Shot. I stamped the whole piece, then cut it into thirds and ran each one through the machine.
  
  
• adding a border of machine stitching
  
  
• using designer paper instead of card stock
  
  
• embellishing with a hatpin
  
  
• and a fancy bow
  

Fancy bows are one of my favorite things to step up a card!  Hope you'll leave a comment and join in this chatter, it might get lonely here talking to myself sometimes......especially if I'm on a ramble <g> Just jump on in!

Have a great day!

Stamps: Elements of Style

Paper: Certainly Celery, Shimmery White, So Saffron, Shades of Spring and Sweet Pea DSP

and Ink: Versamark, Soft Suede

Accessories: Stampin' Write markers, Aqua painter, Scallop Edge and Modern Label punches, pink taffeta ribbon, Pretties Kit, Lots of Tags die

Take Two

Since I loved the Clean and Simple layout from yesterday's card I decided to use it again for a second card for my Twice is Nice category (see sidebar.) I actually made both cards in the same session, which is why I was happy as a clam yesterday. <G>

Come to Bethlehem is my hands down fav new Christmas set in the Idea Book, but a second favorite is Welcome Christmas. I love the silhouette images and have lots of ideas for how to use them. The children trimming the tree remind me of the happy ending of the movie "It's a Wonderful Life," KWIM?

Here's a vintage card that's still very clean and simple. 

I was talking with my friend Ruth Ann today, who is planning to make 90 Christmas cards. I think this may be simple enough to make 90 of, what do you think?  The hardest thing might be cutting out the sentiment (I will go back and make my points a bit curvier before I send this one) but you could do that while watching TV, etc. 

Know what I think makes this card?  Those Vintage Trinkets. I didn't order them until after I had seen them used a time or two, and now I'm convinced!

The colors of Cherry Cobbler, Pretty In Pink, and Always Artichoke are so lovely for Christmas. I like my Christmas cards to mention Christmas, not just season, or holiday - so even though the sentiment with this set says 'Season's Greetings' , I like that it adds the other words. 

Hope you like the card, have a good weekend....

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

Trendy Trees

The day has come when I can finally share some of my cards from past Dirty Dozen challenges with you. My first month the theme was masculine cards - a somewhat daunting way to begin! I am happy to scatter a few of these cards on posts over the next week or so. Hope you'll get some ideas.

This card uses the Trendy Trees set and is my LESS version of the challenge.

Stamps: Trendy Trees

Paper: Taken with Teal, Whisper White, Sweet Peas Designer Series Paper Stack

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Taken with Teal, Always Artichoke, Pumpkin Pie

Accessories: Piercing tool and mat

Happy Moments

Happy Monday to you! Look what came to my door - new stamps!  I had to take a photo of the box to show you what it is written there.

It was exciting getting to open the box and I'm extremely excited to show you what I've been up to. The frigid weather and ice kept us cozy inside and I got to stamp.  Here's today's card!

 

The Happy Moments set is so pretty and it was fun stamping the flowers randomly to make the background. It's so easy with the clear mount stamps, because you can see exactly where the image will go. I colored them in using markers and a bit of doodling. A tip for using the rose red marker - scribble the marker in a plastic lid top and apply it with the Aqua Painter. It is important that the tip of the Aqua Painter is almost dry, so the paper does not get too damp. Applying the color indirectly in this way lets you control the intensity of the hue on your image.

This gorgeous layout is from the Sweet Sunday Sketch challenge. Karen's wonderful sketches are my first stop for inspiration each week.

Thanks for your very kind comments on my scrap page and freebie offer. There's still time to add your comment and be included in the draw. I'll be looking for you.

  Hugs~

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Happy Moments, Whimsical Words
Paper: kraft, whisper white, rose red, Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper Pad, Thoroughly Modern DSP
and Ink: basic black

Accessories:Lots of Tags Die, Stampin' Write markers, corduroy button, Fresh Favorites II buttons, white taffeta ribbon, Circle Scissor Plus, Eyelet Border Punch

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

Cold & Cuddly Buddies

I promised I'd be back to share about these Cold & Cuddly best buds. This card is a Twice is Nice entry   (it's a category in my sidebar) because it uses the same layout as THIS card that so many of you liked! I love showing with this feature how different two cards can look even though they have an element or layout in common.

Here's a bit more to note~

• I cut the circle four times - once with sahara sand card stock and three times with whisper white. I tore the white pieces and layered them to look like snow drifts.
• a mix of chunky and fine glitter makes the snow sparkle!
• brads embellish the lines of the circle, followed by a heart to tie in the sentiment
• The ribbon treatment was done by overlapping the ribbon ends and securing with a glue dot. Then I wrapped it up with cord threaded through the button.

Keeping this short today, so I can be on my way! Hope you have a great weekend!

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Cold & Cuddly
Paper: Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper, whisper white, sahara sand, rose red, bermuda bay
and Ink: bermuda bay, soft suede, rose red

Accessories: Stampin' Write markers, Polka Dot ribbon, Rich Regals brads, Dazzling Diamonds and Chunky Essentials glitter, Lots of Tags die, silver cord, Fresh Favorites II buttons

Order from me online anytime HERE or e-mail me HERE with any questions you have! I'd love to help you with your crafting questions.

Birthday Hugs

Hi friends, sorry I took a long weekend break from posting! Didn't mean to, but that's how life goes sometimes, and I am happy to be back here pretty early with you today. Thanks so much for inspiring me with your frequent visits and sweet comments! Keeps me stamping, and I need a little help in that department lately. I sat down at my table to stamp twice this weekend - and well - my mind couldn't come up with a thing. 

Here's a card I made last week for my Twice is Nice feature. The layout is the same as THIS card. CASE'ing yourself might be a good way to get your mojo back, KWIM? That's what I did!

I made a few changes this time:

• I LOVE the look of anything with the Thoroughly Modern DSP - in fact, I have a bunch of desk accessories I'm assembling using this theme.
• Circles Circus is such a VERSATILE stamp set! It easily looks like patterned paper on these small samples, but it makes great backgrounds too
• the tag has a hole punched in it and the cotton thread ties it through the button
• I also punched a hole and tied the dotted ribbon part way across the white panel instead of using a strip of paper as I did in the first sample.

For you - hugs and wishes for a special day! I'd love to hear from you!

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Circles Circus, Hugs & Wishes
Paper: whisper white, thoroughly moderns DSP, bermuda bay, rose red
Ink: bermuda bay

Accessories:1" circle punch, scallop square punch,Trio flower punch, Rich Regals button assortment, brads, In Color markers, Stampin' Write markers, polka dot ribbon

Order from me online anytime HERE or e-mail me HERE with any questions you have! Ask me about my online ordering special.

You know, Dasher and Dancer and... (sing along with me !)

You know the song, thanks for singing with me! Did you know that this stamp is the #2 most popular of the new catalog so far?  That's why I had to buy it (heehee).

This card uses the Christmas Cocoa specialty paper which will be available to you September 1 in the Holiday Mini.Talk about elegant - the double-sided pages have a metallic sheen and included are two sheets of beautiful flocked paper.

Please bear with my clean and simple stamping spree. I will make a multi-layered card soon, but for now I am finding out how fun a simple one layer can be. After all, what could be easier than a few punched circles and a rhinestone brad? This image can take standing alone on a card front, KWIM? 

I took a dozen pics trying to get a good glimmer of red light in the rhinestone. Guess you'll have to imagine it there, it adds a WOW IRL. I know that Christmas in August takes a little imagination too, but it is time to begin thinking about your holiday cards.

I've listed this card in the Twice is Nice category, it uses the same layout as THIS card. Happy day to you!

Supplies~
Stamps: Dasher, Short & Sweet
Paper: whisper white, Cocoa Christmas Specialty Paper
Ink: Chocolate chip

Accessories: rhinestone brads, 5/8" satin ribbon, circle punches: 1", 1-3/4", 1-1/4"

For the Newlyweds

A good, good morning to you! Hope you're ready for a great day, thanks for taking time to drop in here.

I love making wedding cards, don't you? I made this card for a dear young couple and echoed the design of their invitation in my card. The invite had their colors, swirls, butterflies, glitter and an airy mood.

 I love butterflies, two cards in a row with them is nice! My Twice is Nice category, if you haven't noticed it before, includes a re-make of a card or idea that I have done or a card that repeats the layout of another card by me. Today's card uses the exact layout of yesterday's card (you can find it HERE ) but they are as different in style as night and day! Instead of a crisp clean look, today I wanted a soft elegance so I used less layers. I love the curved line of the partial top note for one of my layers.

I'm happy to have posted early for you and now I'm off for a relaxing day~at least as far as I can make it that way. :D  Get out your stamps, paper, and ink, and enjoy!
Cindy

Supplies:
Stamps: Priceless, Teeny Tiny wishes
Paper: whisper white, rich razzleberry, designer paper (ret.)
Ink:basic black, certainly celery
Accessories:Butterfly Biz die, Top Note, Organza ribbon, dazzling diamonds glitter