Cast Thy Burden

Hi Friends!

This evening I am sharing a card that was designed with the retired Stampin’ Up! sets, The Wilderness Awaits and Blessings from Heaven.  I have not used either one of these stamps in quite a while :-)

Unfortunately, I needed a few more sympathy cards for my stash and thought that this image looks so peaceful and would be appropriate for a sympathy card.

I incorporated the Splitcoaststampers SC148 Sketch Challenge for the layout and will also be participating  for the SUO Challenges #253 "Animals" Challenge, the Watercoolor Wednesday #279 "Helen's Challenge: All About Occasions" and the Word Art Wednesday #446-#447 "Anything Goes" Challenge.

If you have not had chance to check out the above challenge sites yet, I hope you will do so- fabulous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

Ink the fox image Memento™ Tuxedo Black Ink, stamp onto white cardstock and heat set with a heat tool.

Using ink from ink pads and water-based markers (see colors below), watercolor the image.

Die cut with a stitched rectangle die, mount onto black cardstock, trim close to the edge.

Add a scrap piece of black cardstock on the back of a piece of green designer paper, adhere to a piece of white cardstock and mount the entire panel onto a piece of black cardstock.  Trim close to the edge and adhere to a white card base.

Stamp the sentiment from Blessings from Heaven using Memento™ Tuxedo Black Ink onto the card front in the lower right hand corner. 

Add the fox image using dimensional foam to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: The Wilderness Awaits, Blessings from Heaven (both retired Stampin’ Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Memento™ Tuxedo Black, Bermuda Bay, Old Olive Classic Ink; Stampin’ Write Markers- Pool Party, Melon Mambo, Mossy Meadow, Pretty in Pink, Gray Granite, Smoky Slate

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black; retired Festival of Prints Designer Series Paper

Accessories: Gemini, Jr.™, Stitched Rectangle Dies,  AquaPainter™, Heat Tool

Thanks again for taking the time to drop by- I will be sharing a few more cards this weekend and hope you can visit again soon!

Nothing Is Impossible With God

Hi Friends!

This is another card designed with retired The Wilderness Awaits and Notable Notions stamp sets (Stampin’ Up!) along with the digi stamp sentiment from Be Encouraged (Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps). 

I am making a concentrated effort to create a card using each of the Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenges and used the SC237 Sketch for the layout on this card and will also be linking this card to the 2 Crafty Critters #40 “Anything Goes with a Critter” Challenge.

In addition to using the retired stamp sets, I also pulled out some of my older Stampin’ Up!  designer paper along with an antique brad and satin ribbons from my stash.

If you have not had chance to check out the above challenge sites yet, I hope you will do so- such gorgeous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

Ink the elk image using Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink onto white cardstock, heat set he ink with a heat tool.  Watercolor with water-based markers and distress oxide ink.

Die cut the elk image with a stitched square die, mount onto suede cardstock and trim close to the edge.

Trim the designer paper panel for the vertical layer on the sketch, stamp the Notable Notions script image with suede ink, mount onto suede cardstock, trim close to the edge.

Mount a piece of white cardstock onto suede cardstock, trim close to the edge.  Add the designer paper layer, add the gray satin ribbon along with the pomegranate ribbon (wrapping the ends behind the panel). Adhere the entire panel onto the white card base.

Mount the elk layered square onto the card front with dimensional foam (or chipboard).

Using photo editing software, import and re-size the sentiment, print out onto white cardstock.  

Trim and create a banner, mount onto suede cardstock, trim and add to the card front along with the antique brad.

Use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the clouds to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: The Wilderness Awaits (Stampin’ Up!), Be Encouraged (Digi- Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Printer Ink; Versafine™ Onyx Black, Stampin’ Write Markers- Early Espresso, Petal Pink, Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede, Gray Granite, Smoky Slate; Tim Holtz™ Distress Oxide- Peacock Feathers, Picked Raspberry; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Soft Suede; retired Stampin’ Up! Holiday designer paper

Accessories: Gemini, Jr.™, Dies- MFT Square Stitched STAX; My Digital Studio™, AquaPainter™, Heat Tool, 1 ½” Gray Satin Ribbon, 7/8” Purely Pomegranate Satin Ribbon, Antique Brad

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by- I hope I have inspired you to create something with your stash this week!

Peaceful Place- I Will Never Leave You

Hi Friends!

This evening I am sharing a card that was created with the Stampin’ Up! set, Peaceful Place along with a verse sentiment from the Stamp Simply set, Fear Not.

This is the first time I have inked up the Peaceful Place stamp set- when I saw that squirrel image, I knew I would have to buy this set!  

We have huge oaks in our yard and at least a dozen squirrels are in the back yard in the evening searching for food!  My hubby and I love to watch their antics and occasionally, we will feed them a few roasted peanuts in the shell (with no salt, of course).  

We have a few favorite squirrels- “Stubby” who seems to be a bit older and has a very short tail (we are not sure why), “Stripey” has a striped narrow tail (almost like raccon stripes) and “Grafty” has a tail that appears like it has been grafted (we are not the most imaginative with names, obviously).

As some of you know, I am trying to complete a card for each of the over 800+ sketches at Splitcoaststampers (thankfully their challenges never end:-)).  

This card uses the SC211 Sketch for the layout and I am also participating with the Paper Fun Day #19 “Anything Goes with a twist: The Great Outdoors” Challenge along with the Stamping Sensations July “All Creatures Great and Small” Challenge.

If you have not had chance to check out the above challenge sites yet, I hope you will do so- fabulous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

Ink the main scene image along with the squirrel image using Versafine™ Onyx Black  onto two separate pieces of white cardstock.  Heat set the ink with a heat tool.

Using watercolor pencils along with water-based markers and distress ink,  watercolor the images. 

Die cut the scene image with a stitched rectangle die, mount onto espresso cardstock and trim close to the edge.

Die cut the squirrel image with a stitched circle die, mount onto another circle die cut from espresso cardstock.

Stamp the sentiment from Fear Not using Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink onto white cardstock, heat set the ink with a heat tool. Once dried, watercolor with bit of distress oxide ink to mimic the sky, die cut with a stitched oval die and mount onto another die cut from espresso cardstock.

For the background panel. layer a piece of white cardstock onto espresso cardstock, trim close to the edge and mount onto a white card base.

For the vertical panels on the card front, layer the pieces of designer paper onto espresso cardstock, trim close to the edge.  Mount directly onto the card front.

Add the layered rectangle scene directly to the card front, mount the sentiment and squirrel layers with dimensional foam (or chipboard). 

To finish off the card, add a bit of shimmer to the water with a clear glitter pen.

Stamp Sets: Peace Place (Stampin’ Up!), Fear Not (Stamp Simply)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Derwent™ and Stampin’ Up! Watercolor Pencils- greens, oranges, yellows, blues; Stampin’ Write Markers- Granny Apple Green, Coastal Cabana, Summer Sun, Mossy Meadow, Old Olive, Soft Suede, Gray Granite, Smoky Slate; Tim Holtz™ Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Early Espresso; retired Park Lane Designer Series Paper

Accessories: Gemini, Jr.™, Dies- MFT Rectangle Stitched A2 STAX Set 1, Stitched Circle STAX; Sizzix™ Circle Dies; AquaPainter™, Heat Tool

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- I hope all of you have a wonderful week!

The World Is A Better Place

Hi Friends!

As I mentioned in previous posts, I enjoy participating in online challenges created this card for Ann's #PP498 “Fun & Fancy Folds” Challenge at The Paper Players using the retired Stampin’ Up! People Like You stamp set.

This is another stamp that I have not used in ages and thought it would be perfect for this special fold challenge.

I modified the SC67 Sketch from Splitcoaststampers a bit for the layout (the #2 panel is a bit larger than the original sketch) and am also participating with The Flower Challenge #46 “Summer/Winter” Challenge.

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

To create this card:

Score and fold a 5 ½” x 9 ¼”piece of cardstock at 2 ½” on both ends. Fold the panel to create the gate fold.

Emboss a 4 ¼” x 5 ¼” piece of white cardstock with a French Script embossing folder, cut into two panels and mount onto the front folds.

Add a strip of black cardstock to lengthen the front panels and square up the edges (you may not need to do this, but unfortunately I did, lol!) :-)

Ink the People Like You stamp using Memento Tuxedo Black ink, stamp onto a piece of white alcohol-friendly cardstock and color the image with alcohol markers. Add a few white highlights to the flower centers using an extra fine white paint pen.

Die cut the floral panel with a stitched rectangle die, mount onto black cardstock and trim close to the edge. 

Adhere the panel onto the front of the card to overlap the front panels.

Stamp Sets: People Like You (retired Stampin’ Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Memento™ Tuxedo Black; Arteza™ Alcohol Markers- Aqua, Bright Pink, Light Gray, Black, Green; Sharpie® Extra Fine White Paint Pen

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black

Accessories: Gemini, Jr.™, Dies- MFT Rectangle Stitched A2 STAX Set 1, Tim Holtz™ Alterations™ Sizzix™ French Script Embossing Folder

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by- I hope all of you have a fabulous week!

I Have Put My Trust In You

Hi Friends!

I am sharing another quick card that was designed the My Favorite Things™ Quilt Cover Up Die along with the retired Verve stamp set, Good Work.

I am trying to ink up my stamp sets and use my dies that have not been used ever (or in a while) and both of these items have been in my craft room for at least a year and not used at all.

I love playing along with online challenges and will be linking this card to Word Art Wednesday#446-#447 “Anything Goes” Challenge and the Double D “Stitches” Challenge (I was inspired by the bottom half of the inspiration photo and used a quilt top embossing folder to add faux stitching to the quilt).

If you have not had a chance to visit the challenge sites yet, I encourage you to do so, wonderful inspiration from all!

To create this card:

Using a tin tile embossing folder, emboss a piece of white cardstock, trim to a 5 ¼” x 5 ¼’ size and mount onto a 5 ½” square piece of black cardstock.  Mount the layered background panel onto a 5 ½” white card base.

Die cut the Quilt Cover Up die from black, red, yellow and blue cardstock.  Tip- I apply Press ‘n Seal™ to back of the die cut before removing from the die and it helps with keeping all of the pieces together.

Paper piece the quilt together onto a piece of white cardstock (I cut the white cardstock slightly smaller than the actual size of the finished die).  

Emboss the entire quilt panel with a quilt embossing folder and mount onto the card front using dimensional foam (or chipboard).

Using Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink stamp the sentiment onto white cardstock, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Once the embossing has cooled, die cut with a banner die.  Mount onto black cardstock and trim close to the die cut edge.

Mount the sentiment to the card front and finish off the card with a yellow button in the center of the quilt (I used black hemp twine for the "thread").

Stamp Sets: Good Work (retired Verve Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Night of Navy (all Stampin’ Up!)

Accessories: Gemini, Jr.™, Dies- MFT Quilt Cover Up, Tall Banner STAX; Quilt Top and Tin Tile 3D Embossing Folders (Stampin’ Up!), Daffodil Delight Jumbo Button, Black Hemp Twine, Embossing Buddy, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

Thanks again for visiting and I hope you have a wonderful week!

TCC138a Love Begins In A Moment

Hi Friends!

Welcome to The Card Concept #138a {Tropical Treats} Challenge!

Normally we take a break over the summer at The Card Concept, but this year several of the designers wanted to continue the challenge all summer long, so here we are! 

If you have not had a chance to do so, I hope you will find the time to check out the rest of the inspiration from our Design Team- their cards are fabulous!!

I love the colors in this photo as well as the black and white stripes and was inspired to create a fairly simple Mixed Media /Classy and Elegant card!

As many of you know, I am making an effort to ink up some of my older stamps that I have not used in a while so I pulled out two retired Stampin' Up! sets for this card.  

I am also linking to the Double Trouble Tic-Tac-Toe #61 Challenge (Diagonal Row, Emboss-Flowers-Green) along with the A Bit More Time to Craft #119 “Anything Goes” Challenge and the Cardz 4 Galz #125 “Wedding” Challenge.

To create this card:

Tap several colors of distress oxide ink (see the colors listed below) onto a piece of acetate, spritz with water and press a piece of white cardstock into the ink.  Lift up and repeat until you are satisfied with the background, use a heat tool to dry the panel between layers.

De-static the panel with an embossing powder tool, ink and stamp the Postage Due image and sentiment, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

Once the embossing has cooled, die cut the panel with a stitched rectangle die.  Mount onto black cardstock and trim close to the edge.

Use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the floral area.

Add a strip of black seam binding to the card front, wrapping the ends behind the panel and adhere the bow.

Mount onto a white card base and to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Postage Due, Occasional Quotes (both retired Stampin’ Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Tim Holtz™ Distress Oxide- Picked Raspberry, Peacock Feathers, Twisted Citron; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black

Tools/Accessories: Gemini, Jr™, My Favorite Things Stitched Rectangle A2 STAX Set 1 Dies, Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, ½” Black Seam Binding

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by!  I hope I have inspired you to create your own card based on our {Tropical Treats} photo and link up to our gallery at The Card Concept- we would love to see what inspired you! The challenge is open until July 20^th  at noon EDT.

Though I Walk Through The Valley

Hi Friends!

I am working on posting the many cards that I have created in the past few months- posting can take longer than creating sometimes, lol!

For this card, I decided to pull out the Roses & Prayers {Floral Collage} (designed by Graciellie Designs for Unity Stamps) and paired it with the sentiment from Fear Not (Stamp Simply).

I am making an effort to try to create a card for each of the over 800 sketches at Splitcoaststampers and this card uses the SC350 Sketch for the layout (thankfully, their sketch challenge do not expire- this one is from 2011).  

I am also participating with the Tic-Tac-Toe #071 Challenge (Flowers, Stripes, Stencil- center row across) along with the Word Art Wednesday #446-#447 “Anything Goes” Challenge.

To create this card:

Using Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink, stamp the floral image and sentiment onto white cardstock panels.  Apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

Watercolor the rose image using water-based markers and die cut the rose image with stitched rectangle die. 

Using a stencil brush along with a flourish stencil, apply tumbled glass distress oxide ink to the background. 

Mount the panel onto a piece of black cardstock, trim close to the edge.

Die cut the sentiment using a stitched circle die, mount onto a die cut circle from black cardstock.

Emboss a piece of white cardstock using a quilt embossing folder, trim and mount onto a piece of black cardstock, trim close to the edges.

Cut the striped background paper into triangles and mount onto black cardstock.

Mount the triangles directly onto the card front and add the layered rose image using dimensional foam.

Add the layered sentiment and finish off using a clear glitter pen for the petals and a few black rhinestone gems.

Stamp Sets: Roses & Prayers (Unity Stamps), Fear Not (Stamp Simply)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Stampin’ Write Markers- Blushing Bride, Melon Mambo, Lemon Lime Twist, Mossy Meadow; Tim Holtz® Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide, Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, retired Stampin’ Up! Designer Paper

Accessories: Gemini, Jr.™, Dies- MFT Stitched Rectangle A2 STAX Set 1, Stitched Circle STAX, Sizzix™ Circles; Quilt Top Embossing Folder (Stampin’ Up!), AquaPainter™, Stencil Brush, Memory Box™ Flourish Stencil, Black Gemstones

Thanks again for visiting and I hope you have a fabulous week! I am planning on posting more cards this week to try to get somewhat caught up :-)