JOSTTT016 A Friend Loves

Hi Friends!

Woohoo! I have the honor of being the Guest Designer for The Joy of Sets Tic-Tac-Toe #016 Challenge!  My mixed media card has the top row across - Flowers-Ribbon-Texture and the far-right hand column down- Texture-Fussy Cut-Designer Paper.

I also used the Splitcoaststampers SC255 Sketch Challenge (this sketch was from 2009)  for the layout and am participating with the As You See It #222 “Recipe Whimsy” Challenge (Flower- Iris, Die Cut- Stitched Rectangle Die, Ribbon- Black Satin, Patterned Paper- background panel behind Iris panel and Something Shiny- Rhinestones).

To create this card:

De-static a piece of white cardstock, stamp the Iris image using Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with the heat tool.

Once the embossing has cooled, watercolor the image with water-based markers and fussy cut.

Using a stencil brush with Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide ink and a flourish stencil, apply ink to a piece of white cardstock.  Heat set the ink with a heat tool.

De-static the lower right hand area of the cardstock, ink and stamp the sentiment with Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with the heat tool.

Die cut the panel with a rectangle stitched die and mount onto black cardstock.  Trim close to the edge of the die cut.

Emboss a piece of white cardstock with a 3D embossing folder, trim and mount onto a piece of black cardstock for the background panel.

Die cut a piece of designer paper with a stitched rectangle die, mount onto black cardstock and trim close to the edge.  Mount directly onto the background panel.

Layer a piece of textured gray cardstock onto a piece of black cardstock, mount horizontally onto the background panel (per the sketch).

Add a piece of 1” black satin ribbon, wrapping the ends behind the panel.

Mount the stenciled panel onto the card front with dimensional foam (or chipboard).

Adhere the strip of rhinestones and add the Iris image using dimensional foam.

Finish off the card using a clear glitter pen over the petals and a few rhinestones in the corner of the stenciled panel.

Stamp Sets: A True Friend (Divinity Designs, LLC)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black; Stampin’ Write Markers-Highland Heather, Concord Crush, Crushed Curry, Granny Apple Green; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Basic Gray (Textured); misc designer series paper

Accessories: Gemini, Jr.™, My Favorite Things Stitched Rectangle A2 STAX Set 1 & 2, Ornate Lace 3D Embossing Folder (Crafters Companion), Memory Box Heartland Stencil, Clairtystamp™ Stencil Brush, Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, AquaPainter™, 1” Black Satin Ribbon (Offray), Rhinestones

Thanks again for taking the time to drop by- I hope you will be able to join us at  The Joy of Sets Tic-Tac-Toe #016 Challenge!  Have a healthy and safe weekend, sweet friends!

Nature- In All Your Ways

Hi Friends!

Spring has arrived here on the East Coast and many people believe that robins are the first sign of spring, but unknown to many in this area, robins in the Mid-Atlantic do not migrate south for the winter. They tend to congregate in large groups in wooded areas during the winter in this area and since our winter has been milder than normal, we have seen them in town (well, the suburb) all winter long :-)  

We love watching robins as they hop along and tilt their heads to listen for worms, plus we have a returning couple that nests on top of our back parch light each year :-) What a treat it is to watch this beautiful bird and wonder at the Majesty as well as the incredible imagination of our Creator-  God is so Awesome!!

I was fortunate to find several of this robin image printed and ready to go in my stash. This particular image was from the digi set, Nature from Stampin' Up! (using the retired My Digital Studio software program- remember that?).  The digi set only had a few of the images from the main stamp set, Nature Walk.

Since I am still making an effort to use up my stash, I went ahead and hand colored four of the images that I had found along with four different layouts and sentiments.

For this card,  I added a sentiment from the retired Scripture Medley 2 stamp set from Verve Stamps and used the SC355 Sketch Challenge from Splitcoaststampers for the layout.  Many of you know that I am slowly working on trying to complete a card for every one of the 795+ Splitcoaststampers' Sketch Challenges- this sketch was from 2011 so thankfully they do not expire :-). 

I wanted to participate with Joanne’s PP484 Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge at The Paper Players (top row across  Ribbon, Rhinestones, Patterned Paper) and am also linking to the Try It on Tuesday “Beauty of Nature” Challenge as well.

This card was fairly easy to create- in fact, the most time-consuming part was coloring the robin image.  I used several different watercolor pencils and a paint pen for the highlight in the bird’s eye and colored the four images basically in the same colors.

The different layers for this card were designer paper from my stash and were mounted onto black cardstock.  The blue polka-dot paper (behind the robin) was embossed with a retired Stampin’ Up! embossing folder Lacy Brocade.

The 1” black ribbon was added before mounting the entire panel onto a white card base and I added a few black rhinestones along with pearls from my stash as well!

Stamp Sets: Nature (digital Stampin’ Up! stamp set), Scripture Medley 2 (Verve Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Printer Ink- Black; Memento™ Tuxedo Black, Stampin’ Write Gray Granite Marker, Derwent™ and Stampin’ Up! Watercolor Pencils- Black, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Scarlet Lake, Terracotta; Sharpie® Extra Fine White Paint Pen

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

Accessories: My Digital Studio, Gemini, Jr.™, MFT Stitched Rectangle A2 STAX Set 1 (for frame on background panel for the embossed panel), Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder (retired SU!), AquaPainter™, 1” Black Satin Ribbon, Black Rhinestones, Pearls

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by- I hope to share a few more "robin" cards soon!  

Praying that all of you are staying isolated and healthy and that you are heeding the state, federal and CDC warnings.  Thankfully, we have a hobby that allows us to enjoy staying home – "virtual hugs" to you and I hope you are able to visit again soon!

TCC132 Happy Easter

Hi Friends!

Welcome to The Card Concept #132 {Easter Blessings} Challenge!   

I love the shabby chic details in this vintage vignette and was inspired by the frame around the cross, the cross itself, the colors as well as the little blue bird and black birdcage to create a Shabby and Vintage Mixed Media Easter card.

In an ongoing effort to use my existing supplies, I finally created a card using the Cross embossing folder that I have had in my stash for a few years and also used a partial sentiment from a Stampin’ Up! stamp set that is from 2002 (God Bless II).

I am linking this card to the Word Art Wednesday #432-#433 “Anything Goes” Challenge.

To create this card:

De-static a piece of white cardstock with an embossing powder tool.  Ink the sentiment from God Bless II with Versafine™ Onyx Black ink (I inked just the lower part of the sentiment only), stamp onto white cardstock, apply clear embossing powder and heat emboss with a heat tool.

Trim and create the banner points by hand, mount onto black cardstock and trim close to the edge.

For the background- emboss a piece of gray designer paper with the cross embossing folder and lightly sand the embossing.  

Using a putty knife, apply textured embossing powder onto the background around the cross.  Lightly dry with a heat tool.

Use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the cross area, distress the edges of the panel, mount onto a white card base.

Die cut two of the floral clusters from white cardstock, adhere both together to create  a layered die cut.  Die cut two of the single flowers from light blue designer paper, layer together and adhere over the floral area of the cluster die.

Mount the layered die cut directly to the card front and add the layered sentiment with dimensional foam.

Finish off the card with black rhinestones.

Stamp Sets:  God Bless II (retired Stampin’ Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Studio 490 Crackled Texture Paste (Wendy Vecchi)

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black; misc. gray and light blue patterned paper from my stash

Tools/Accessories: Gemini, Jr™, Spellbinders™ August Die of the Month Set, Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Cross Embossing Folder (Darice™),  Heat Tool, utty Knife, Sanding Block, Black Rhinestones

Thanks again for taking the time to visit!  I hope I have inspired you to create your own card based on our {Easter Blessings } photo and link up to our gallery at The Card Concept- we would love to see what inspired you! The challenge is open until April 13^th  at noon EDT.

Framed Zinnia- Be Still and Know

Hi Friends!

This morning I am sharing another card that I designed this week using a floral image (retired STAMPlorations Framed Zinnia) that I have owned since December 2018 and have not inked it up until now.  

I wanted to participate with the Color My Heart Color Dare #387 Red Monochromatic Challenge (Black and White are free) and also used the Splitcoaststampers SC332 Sketch Challenge for the layout.

This card was easy to create- heat emboss the floral image and sentiment using clear embossing powder, watercolor with water-based markers and use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the petals.

Layer the panels onto black cardstock, add the red satin ribbon and a few pearls and you are finished!

Stamp Sets: Framed Zinnia (retired STAMPlorations), Words of Encouragement (Stamp Simply)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black; Stampin’ Write Markers- Poppy Parade, Basic Black; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, retired Poppy Parade Designer Series Paper 

Accessories: Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, AquaPainter™, 1” Red Satin Ribbon (Offray), Pearls

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- I will be sharing the new Card Concept Challenge card at 8 am, so I hope you will be back soon!

I Will Never Leave You

Hi Friends!

I hope all of you are staying healthy and home!  I have been busy creating cards and wanted to share another card that I designed using the iris image from the A True Friend Stamp/Die Duo (Divinity Designs, LLC). 

For this card, I combined the iris image with a sentiment from the Stamp Simply Fear Not stamp set along with some retired designer papers and gold twine.

I wanted to participate with a few online challenges and will be linking up to the Retro Rubber Challenge Blog #131 Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge (Middle Row Across- Embossing, Die Cut or Punch and Twine).  

The Retro Rubber Challenge Blog encourages you to ink up images from stamps that are at least one year old (perfect for my own personal challenge to use my older stamps) and the Iris image from Divinity Designs, LLC is from July 2016 and I have owned the Fear Not stamp set  from Stamp Simply for several years.  

I am also linking to the Just Add Ink #498 "Just Add E" Challenge (E= Embossing -dry and heat),  Simon Says Monday Spring Mood Board Challenge (I was inspired by the colors, the flowers and the overall spring feeling), the Simon Says Wednesday “Anything Goes” Challenge and the Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenge #SC378 Sketch for the layout on this card.

To create this card:

De-static a piece of white cardstock, ink the iris image from A True Friend and the sentiment from Fear Not using Versamark™ Onyx Black, stamp both onto the prepared panel, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

Once the embossing cools, die cut the sentiment with an oval stitched die.  Die cut another oval from black cardstock, split into two and layer behind the sentiment.

Watercolor the iris image with water-based markers and fussy cut the flower (FYI- the set from Divinity Designs, LLC now comes with a coordinating die).

Emboss a piece of yellow designer paper with a chevron embossing folder (this paper was from an Anna Griffin pack that I bought at least twenty years ago), trim and mount onto black cardstock.

Die cut a stitched rectangle from white cardstock, stencil Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide Ink over the background as well as over the sentiment.  Mount the rectangle panel onto black cardstock and trim close to the edge.

Layer the white cardstock panel onto black cardstock as well as the green designer paper (per the sketch). Mount onto a white card base.

Adhere horizontal embossed yellow panel, add the stitched rectangle panel and mount the iris image using dimensional foam (or scraps of chipboard, which I prefer).

Add the looped gold twine and mount the sentiment over the twine with dimensional foam.

Use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the iris and add a few pearls to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: A True Friend (Divinity Designs LLC), Fear Not (Stamp Simply)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black; Stampin’ Write Markers- Highland Heather, Gorgeuos Grape, Concord Crush, Granny Apple Green, So Saffron, Crushed Curry; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen, Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, retired Designer Series Paper (Stampin’ Up!); misc. designer paper (Anna Griffin) from my stash

Accessories: Gemini, Jr.™, MFT Stitched Rectangle A2 STAX Set 1 & 2, MFT Stitched Oval STAX, retired Chevron Embossing Folder (Stampin’ Up!), Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, AquaPainter™, Memory Box Heartwood Stencil, Clarity Stencil Brush, Gold Twine, Pearls

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- I am praying that all of you are staying home as much as possible and staying safe- virtual hugs!

Fragrance of Christ

Hi Friends!

This morning I am sharing the first card in a set of six using the lilac image from A True Friend (Divinity Designs LLC formerly Our Daily Bread Designs).   (FYI- this is not an affiliate link but I do love their images and one time was on their Design Team).  The set is now a Stamp/Die Duo but I chose to fussy-cut the iris image :-)

This card also incorporates a sentiment from the retired  Divinity Designs LLC set, Sweet As Perfume. 

I have not inked up either the iris or the sentiment in a while.  Most of you who follow my blog know that I am focusing on inking up my "unloved" stamps, but I am starting to realize that it most likely will take the rest of my life to do so, lol! 

Plus, so many new sets are being created everyday that I really have to restrain myself from purchasing any new stamps....

I love the iris image in A True Friend set- it is so realistic plus irises along with lilacs were my mother’s favorite spring flowers. 

We have had a mild winter so far so the flowering trees are starting to bloom as well as daffodils and crocuses.  I know that the lilacs and irises are soon to follow and when I see irises, I always think of my Mom. 

She went to be with the Lord in 1993 and died from complications due to Stage 4 endometrial cancer (it is hard to believe it has been that long since it seems like yesterday in many ways).  

I was fairly young when she was diagnosed and always so busy with work-  I regret many of the times that I did not take "time" for her while she was alive.  Also, I did not know the Lord as my Savior yet (I was saved in 1996) so my life was totally different than it is now.  I like to think that when my husband and I accepted Christ as our Savior that she was among those who were celebrating in heaven!! :-)

Creating this set of cards and coloring the irises, allowed me to focus on her and look forward to our heavenly reunion one day!  What a glorious day that will be when I see my Savior and all of my loved ones that are with Him now!!

Also, as I have mentioned in previous posts, I am slowly making my way through all of the Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenges and used #SC232 for the layout on this card.  This sketch was from 2010 (thankfully the sketches at Splitcoaststampers do not expire:-) and I thought that the layout would work well for this card.

In addition to using the SCS Sketch, I am participating with The Flower Challenge #42 “Anything Goes” Challenge and the Double D 03/18 "Welcome Spring" Challenge (I was inspired by the spring flowers especially the purples).

To create this card:

Ink the iris image from A True Friend using Versamark™ Onyx Black, stamp onto a prepared piece of white cardstock, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

Once the embossing cools, watercolor with water-based markers and fussy cut the image (the set from Divinity Designs, LLC now comes with a coordinating die).

Emboss a piece of white cardstock with the lace embossing folder, trim and mount onto black cardstock.  Add the layered textured gray horizontal strip and mount the entire panel onto a white card base.

Stamp and heat emboss the sentiment in the same manner as above.  Die cut with a stitched rectangle die, mount onto white cardstock and adhere to the card front.

Layer the square pieces of designer paper onto black cardstock and adhere to the card front using dimensional foam.

Die cut a piece of white cardstock with a stitched rectangle die, mount onto black cardstock and adhere to the card front with dimensional foam.

Add the looped silver cord before mounting the fussy-cut iris with dimensional foam.

Use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the petals and finish off the card with a few rhinestones.

Stamp Sets: A True Friend , Sweet As Perfume (both Divinity Designs LLC)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black; Stampin’ Write Markers- Highland Heather, Gorgeuos Grape, Concord Crush, Granny Apple Green, So Saffron, Crushed Curry; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Textured Basic Gray (Stampin’ Up!); misc. designer paper from my stash

Accessories: Gemini, Jr.™, MFT Stitched Rectangle A2 STAX Set 1 & 2, Crafters Companion Ornate Lace 3D Embossing Folder, Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, AquaPainter™, Silver Twine, Rhinestones

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- I am praying that the threat of the pandemic will subside soon and everyone will be safe!  Virtual hugs to all of you!

TCC131 Woodland Nursery

Hi Friends!

Welcome to The Card Concept #131 {Woodland Nursery} Challenge!   

I just love the sweet animal images on this inspiration photo, don’t you?  I do not have a need for many baby cards but I wanted to create a few for my “stash” (most of mine are now for the grandparents versus the parents since my age group is no longer having babies, lol!).

I had purchased this Bo Bunny set over a year ago and thought it would be perfect for this challenge.  I am still working on the Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenges and used the SC777 Sketch for the layout.

I am also playing along with the 2 Crafty Critters Crazies #36 “Anything Goes” Challenge and the Alphabet“Something for Youngsters” Challenge.

I had fun creating this card:

De-static a piece of white cardstock with an embossing powder tool.  Position the animal stamp images into a MISTI™ stamping tool (or use an acrylic block), ink with Versafine™ Onyx Black ink, stamp onto the prepared cardstock, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool. 

Once the embossing has cooled, watercolor the images using watercolor pencils and water-based markers.  Layer onto black cardstock, fussy-cut and set aside.

Die cut the square openings on a piece of gray cardstock and emboss with a woodgrain embossing folder.

Mount the embossed/die cut panel onto a piece of white cardstock.  Mount the entire panel onto a piece of black cardstock before adhering to the white card base.

Heat emboss the sentiments images (Baby Zoo- Altenew) onto black cardstock with white embossing powder, trim and mount onto the card front using dimensional foam (or, I prefer, scrap pieces of chipboard).

Add the animal images (also with chipboard or dimensional foam).

Use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to their cheeks and finish off the card with a few silver sequins.

Stamp Sets:  Forest Friends (Bo Bunny), Baby Zoo (Altenew)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Stampin’ Write Markers- Smoky Slate Flirty Flamingo, Dusty Durango; Derwent™ Watercolor Pencils; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black (both Stampin’ Up!), misc. gray patterned paper from my stash

Tools/Accessories: Gemini, Jr™, MFT Stitched Square STAX Dies, Embossing Buddy®, Clear & White Embossing Powder, retired Woodgrain Embossing Folder (Stampin’ Up!), Heat Tool, Silver Sequins

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by!  I hope I have inspired you to create your own card based on our {Woodland Nursery} photo and link up to our gallery at The Card Concept- we would love to see what inspired you! The challenge is open until Monday, March 30^th  at noon EDT.