The Card Concept #119 {Beautiful Butterflies}

Hi Friends!

Welcome back to The Card Concept!  We are starting off our fall session with The Card Concept #119 {BeautifulButterflies} Inspiration Photo!  I was inspired by the colors of the butterflies as well as the actual butterflies to create a fairly simple Mixed Media card!

I am still focusing on using some of my retired stamp sets as well as my stamps that are still available for purchase. This card was designed with the retired Swallowtail, Timeless Textures (Stampin’ Up!) along with a sentiment from Fear Not (currently available from Stamp Simply Ribbon Store).

I will also be linking this card to the Simon Says Monday “Stamp It” Challenge along with TheHouse That Stamps Built Designers Choice “DCCS419 Things That Start with ‘B’ “ Challenge (B= Butterfly).

If you have not had a chance to visit us at The Card Concept or the other challenge sites yet, I hope you will find time to do so- fabulous inspiration from all!

The butterfly image (Swallowtail from Stampin’ Up!) was inked with a water friendly black ink onto white cardstock and colored with alcohol markers along with a gold and white paint pen for highlights.  After fussy-cutting the image, ModPodge™ was applied to give the butterfly more stability.

Add pink splatter with distress oxide ink to a white card base, heat emboss the sentiment from Fear Not (Stamp Simply Ribbon Store) and add a bit of texture with a texture stamp.

Trim and mount onto a white card base to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Swallowtail, Timeless Textures (retired Stampin’ Up!), Fear Not (Stamp Simply Ribbon Store)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Memento™ Tuxedo Black, Tim Holtz™ Picked Raspberry Distress Oxide, Spectrum Noir™ Alcohol Markers, ModPodge™, White and Gold Paint Pen

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White

Tools/Accessories: Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, 

Thanks again for taking the time to visit!  I hope I have inspired you to create your own card based on our {Beautiful Butterflies}  photo and link up to our gallery at The Card Concept- we would love to see your interpretation!! The challenge is open until Monday, September 23^rd at noon (EDT).

God Is Our Refuge and Strength

Hi Friends!

I hope all of you in the USA had a great Labor Day weekend!  I had a chance to create a few cards using a new to me stamp set, Sunflower from Unity along with a verse sentiment from the Stamp Simply set,  Fear Not.

I decided to incorporate the Sweet Sketch Wed 2 #166 Sketch Challenge along with the Simon Says Monday “Something Clear” Challenge (I used clear embossing powder) and the WordArt Wednesday #402-#403 “Anything Goes” Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to stop by the above challenge sites yet, I hope you will find the time to do so- fabulous galleries and inspiration from all!

To create this card:

Once the background has dried, stamp the sentiment with Versafine™ Black Onyx ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.

Stamp the sunflower image with Versafine™ Black Onyx ink onto a piece of white cardstock, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Once the image has cooled, watercolor with water-based markers and add distress oxide ink to the background before die-cutting the image with a stitched oval die.  Add white highlights to the center of the flower with a white paint pen and use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the sunflower petals.

Emboss the sentiment in the same manner as above and add a bit of distress oxide ink to soften the background before die-cutting with a stitched circle die.

Mount the dry embossed, layered panels per the sketch layout and add the black satin ribbon before adhering the entire panel to the white card base.

Mount the sunflower oval image along with the sentiment using dimensional foam and adhere the black satin bow.  Add a few pearls to the sentiment to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Sunflower (Unity Stamp Company), Fear Not (Stamp Simply)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black,  Tim Holtz® Tumbled Glass & Mustard Seed Distress Oxide; Stampin’ Write Markers- So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Early Espresso, Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen, Sharpie® Extra Fine White Paint Pen

Cardstock/Designer Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, retired Certainly Celery and So Saffron Designer Series Paper (all Stampin’ Up!)

Accessories: Gemini™, Ornate Lace 3-D Embossing Folder (Crafters Companion), retired Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, My Favorite Things Dies- Stitched Oval STAX and Stitched Circle STAX; Circle Dies (Sizzix), Embossing Buddy®, Clear Powder, Heat Tool, AquaPainter™, ¾” Black Satin Ribbon, Pearls

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- I am honored that you have dropped in!  Hugs and I hope I have inspired you to create something this week!

I Can Do All Things Through Christ

Hi Friends!

I created several one-layer cards using the retired Stampin’ Up! set, Choose Happiness for the leaves and flowers along with a verse sentiment from Words of Encouragement (a current set still available at the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store).  

The background was created with splattered distress oxide ink and the flowers were adhered to the front.

I will be linking this card to the Just Us Girls #503 Wild Card Week “Splash Something on Your Card” Challenge, the Papercraft Crew #349 “Birds and Butterflies” Challenge and the Color My Heart #357 “Tic-Tac-Toe” Challenge (top across, diagonal and far left down columns).

If you have not had a chance to stop by the challenge sites, I hope you will find the time to do so- wonderful galleries and inspiration from all!

To create this card:

Fold a piece of white cardstock in half for the card base.  Press the Distress Oxide ink pads (see colors below) onto a silicone mat, spritz with water and “smoosh” the front of the card base into the ink to create the splattered background.  Once the background has dried, stamp the leaves and sentiment with Versafine™ Black Onyx ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.

The flowers were also stamped with Versafine™ Black Onyx ink onto another piece of white cardstock  and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  Once the embossing has cooled, watercolor the flowers and leaves with water-based markers and fussy-cut the flowers.

Adhere the flowers directly onto the card front (I split one of the flower petals in half), allowing the edges of the central flower to "curl" up from the card front.

Finish off with a clear glitter pen on the petals and a white paint pen for the flower centers.

Stamp Sets: Choose Happiness (retired Stampin’ Up!), Words of Encouragement (Stamp Simply)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black,  Tim Holtz® Distress Oxide- Tumbled Glass, Broken China; Stampin’ Write Markers- Pink Pirouette, Sweet Sugarplum, Rich Razzleberry, Blushing Bride, Sweet Sugarplum, Mossy Meadow, Sage Shadow; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen, Sharpie® Extra Fine White Paint Pen

Cardstock/Designer Paper: Whisper White

Accessories: Embossing Buddy®, Clear Powder, Heat Tool, AquaPainter™

Stay tuned for the rest of the "set" created with these images- I plan to share them in a later post :-)

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by- hugs and I hope you have a great Labor Day week!

You Are With Me

Hi Friends!

I decided to create another card using my retired stamp sets and this card was designed using the floral image from Best of SAB along with a verse sentiment from the current stamp set, Words of Encouragement from Stamp Simply.

I wanted to participate with several online challenges and will be linking to the Inspire.Create.Challenges #50 Sketch Challenge, the Word Art Wednesday #402-#403“Anything Goes” Challenge and the TGIF Challenge #227 “Embossing” Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to stop by the challenge sites, I hope you will find the time to do so- gorgeous galleries and inspiration from all!

I heat embossed the floral image as well as the sentiment onto white cardstock, die cut the sentiment panel and lightly stenciled tumbled glass oxide ink onto the panel. 

I used water-based markers to watercolor the floral image and added shimmer with a glitter pen along with white highlights using an extra fine white paint pen.  The image was trimmed and mounted onto black cardstock and the card was finished with a strip of designer paper.

Stamp Sets: Best of Sale-A-Bration (retired Stampin’ Up!), Words of Encouragement (Stamp Simply)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black,  Tim Holtz® Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide, Stampin’ Write Markers- Pool Party, Bermuda Bay, Pink Pirouette, Blushing Bride, Sweet Sugarplum, Wild Wasabi, Pear Pizzazz, Early Espresso, Soft Suede; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen, Sharpie® Extra Fine White Paint Pen

Cardstock/Designer Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, retired Fresh Prints DSP (all Stampin’ Up!)

Accessories: Big Shot™, MFT Stitched Rectangle A2 STAX Set 1, Embossing Buddy®, Clear Powder, Heat Tool, MFT Heartwood Designer Stencil

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- hugs and I hope you will stop by again soon!

Funny Farm- Unforgettable Birthday

Hi Friends!

I hope all of you are having a relaxing weekend!  I had a chance to spend some creative time today and designed a card using a new to me stamp set, Funny Farm from Unity Stamp Company. 

This is such a fun set and I decided to create a birthday card incorporating the Freshly Made Sketches #400 Sketch Challenge along with the Simon Says Wednesday “Anything Goes” Challenge and Simon Says Work It Wednesday Aug/Sept “Celebrate” Challenge into the design.

If you have not had a chance to stop by the above challenge sites, I hope you will find the time to do so- terrific galleries and inspiration from all!

I heat embossed the main image as well as the sentiment, die cut the main image with a pierced rectangle die, created a few photo corners by hand and added silver brads along with ribbon and lace from my stash to finish off this easy layered card.

Stamp Sets: Funny Farm (Unity Stamp Company)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black,  Versamark™

Cardstock/Designer Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, misc. red dsp (not sure of manufacturer)

Accessories: Big Shot™, Divinity Designs Pierced Rectangle Dies, Embossing Buddy®, Clear and White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Silver Mini Brads, White Crochet Lace, 1” Black Satin Ribbon, ½” Black/White Checked Ribbon

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by- hugs and I hope you will visit again soon!

Cast All Your Cares

Hi Friends!

Here is another card with some of my older stamp sets- this card includes retired Stampin’ Up! Summer by the Sea, Stipple Shells along with the retired Verve Stamp Set, Faith Medley.

I heat embossed all of the images as well as the sentiment using clear embossing powder and water-colored the images with clean color markers and distress inks.  The shells were fussy-cut, the main image was die cut with a stitched rectangle die and the sentiment with a stitched oval die.

All of the elements were layered onto black cardstock with the main image and seashells mounted onto the card front with dimensional foam.

The card was finished off with a clear glitter pen and rhinestones.

I incorporated the Crazy 4 Challenges C4C496 Sandcastles Challenge, The HouseThat Stamps Built #A1419 Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge (top diagonal- By the Sea,Texture, Bright Colors) and the Stinkin’ Inkers August “Some Like It Hot”Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to stop by the above challenge sites, I hope you will find the time to do so- gorgeous galleries and inspiration from all!

Stamp Sets: Summer by the Sea, Stipple Shells (retired Stampin’ Up!), Faith Medley (retired Verve Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black,  Zig® Clean FB Markers- Yellow, Ochre, Blue, Violet, Purple, Brown, Lt. Pink; Soft Suede Stampin’ Write Marker, Tim Holtz® Ground Espresso Distress Oxide, Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Designer Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, retired Stampin’ Up! designer paper- Brilliant Blue, misc. purple dsp (not sure of manufacturer)

Accessories: Big Shot™, MFT Dies- Stitched Rectangle STAX A2 Set 1, Stitched Ovals STAX; Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, AquaPainter™, Sponge Daubers, Rhinestones

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- hugs and I hope you will visit again soon!

Betsy the Beekeeper- Near to God

Hi Friends!

I am still working on creating cards with some of my older stamp sets and this card includes the retired Stampin’ Up! sets- Betsy the Beekeeper and Timeless Textures along with the current Words of Encouragement stamp set from Simply Stamps.

I heat embossed the Betsy the Beekeeper image and water-colored the image with clean color markers.  After die-cutting the image with a stitched rectangle die, I used a honeycomb stencil and a texture stamp with oxide inks.  The texture stamps were heat embossed with clear embossing powder and the layers were mounted onto black cardstock. 

The card was finished off with a clear glitter pen, gold cord and rhinestones.

I incorporated the Try Stampin On Tuesday #421 Sketch Challenge along with the Retro Rubber Challenge Blog #117 “Anything Goes” Challenge (Betsy the Beekeeper is over ten years old) and The House That Stamps Built #A1419 Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge (bottom row across- Bright Colors, Food, Dimension). 

If you have not had a chance to stop by the above challenge sites, I encourage you to do so- fabulous galleries and inspiration from all!

Stamp Sets: Betsy the Beekeeper (retired Stampin’ Up!), Words of Encouragement (Stamp Simply)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black,  Zig® Clean FB Markers- Yellow, Ochre, Blue, Violet, Purple, Brown, Lt. Green; Soft Suede Stampin’ Write Marker, Tim Holtz® Distress Oxide- Fossilized Amber, Wild Honey; Clear Glitter Pen, Pilot V5 Pen

Cardstock/Designer Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, retired Stampin’ Up! designer paper- Brilliant Blue, Daffodil Delight; misc. purple dsp (not sure of manufacturer)

Accessories: Big Shot™, MFT Dies- Stitched Rectangle STAX A2 Set 1, Stitched Circles STAX; Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, AquaPainter™ , Honeycomb Stencil, Gold Cord, Rhinestones

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by- I will be sharing more cards this weekend.  I hope you will visit again soon!

Beauty is God's Handwriting

Hi Friends!

I am still making an effort to create cards using some of my older stamp sets.

This Clean and Simple card combines three retired Stampin’ Up! sets- Natural Beauty, God’s Beauty and Botanicals.

This card was quick and easy to create- I heat embossed the butterfly image with clear embossing powder onto a white cardstock panel and once cooled, masked the image before stamping the text image and sentiment using water-based markers.  A water brush was used to blend a bit of the color and I used the remaining ink off the silicone mat to create a bit of splatter.

The text image was used on the base and the main image panel was mounted with dimensional foam.

I finished off the card using a clear glitter pen and white gel pen.

I am linking this card to several online challenges- the CAS Colours and Sketches#335 Color Challenge, the Stampin’ Up! Only SUOC230 “Clean and Simple”Challenge and the CAS Watercolour August "Colourful Butterflies" Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to stop by the above challenge sites, I encourage you to do so- fabulous galleries and inspiration from all!

Stamp Sets: Nature’s Beauty, God’s Beauty and Botanicals (all retired Stampin’ Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black,  Stampin’ Write Markers- Crushed Curry, Elegant Eggplant and Highland Heather; White Gel Pen, Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Designer Paper: Whisper White

Accessories: Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, AquaPainter™

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- hugs and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Natural Beauty- Dream One Layer Card

Hi Friends!

I hope all of you are having a great week so far!  My hubby, Dave is doing better with each passing day as we are getting used to his new “normal”. 

I have been creating over the summer but have not had a chance to post many of the cards to my blog or other galleries (many of you have blogs and know the time that it takes photograph, edit and write up the blog posts). 

With my limited creative time due to taking care of the household chores that my hubby normally handles, etc. :-) I am going to post the cards in the future without the detailed step by step instructions but an overview of how they were created.  If you have any questions on a particular card, and/or technique, please feel free to ask.

I am linking this card to several online challenges- AAA #142 “Along the Edge” with optional twist of “Inspired by a Song” ( I think of the song that has the lyrics “Dream, Dream, Dream” when I see this image), the Simon Says Wednesday “Clean and Simple” Challenge , the Addicted to CAS #166 "One Layer Card" Challenge and the 2 Crafty Critters Crazies  “Anything Goes with Critters”Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to stop by the above challenge sites, I encourage you to do so- gorgeous inspiration from all!

This card is a one-layer card designed with an older Stampin’ Up! stamp set, Natural  Beauty.  

The white cardstock card base was folded in half and I used a scrap piece of paper to create a mask for the border along the right side.  I repeatedly stamped the word image along the edge with Versamark™ Onyx Black ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.   

The little bird was also heat embossed with clear embossing powder and I used several Distress Oxide inks to blend color over the edge (see colors below)  

I finished off the card using a black marker to create a thick line along the border edge (this covered up a bit of the uneven ink and straighten up the edge).

Stamp Sets: Natural Beauty (retired Stampin’ Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black,  Tim Holtz® Distress Oxide- Broken China, Picked Raspberry, Seedless Preserves, Faber-Castell™ Black Pitt Pen Marker

Cardstock/Designer Paper: Whisper White

Accessories: Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Sponge Dauber

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- hugs and I hope you can stop by again soon!