Fanciful Horses- Celebrating a Special 17th Birthday

Hi Stampers!

I cannot believe that 17 years have passed since my twin nieces were born, but yesterday was their 17^th birthday!!  Boy does time fly by fast!!!

I decided to create a Clean and Simple (CAS) card with horses and tried to make it a bit fanciful or mystical (they love horses and anything medieval).   I had been informed my sister-in-law that they had just painted their homeschool room a bright orange...when I questioned her on the type of orange, she said more of a pumpkin color so I  decided to use the colors from this week’s CQC156ColorQ Challenge.  Little did I know that the color was more of Tangerine Tango at night and Only Orange during the day but I think that the Cajun Craze mixed with the Pumpkin was a good representation of the color (at least from the "intel" I had received- she is extremely musical and will be the first to admit that art is not her best subject :-)).

To create this card:

Stamp the horse image onto Whisper White with Soft Suede Classic Ink and again onto a "sticky" note ( I decided to use the retired set, Brushstroke Horses).  Carefully cut around the image on the "sticky" note (leaving a portion of the tacky surface to attach to the card).

Layer the horse mask over the stamped horse image on the cardstock and layer a circle mask over the horse.  Tear a few edges of either scrap paper or "sticky" notes and layer them for the horizon. 

Using Sponge Daubers with Pumpkin Pie and Cajun Craze Classic Ink, sponge color onto the sky area.  Remove the moon mask and apply a bit of color to the moon (remember to leave the horse mask in place).

Keep the horse mask and horizon mask(s) in place and stamp the tree image from Thoughts and Prayers, overlapping a bit for the background trees and the script stamp from French Foliage using Rich Razzleberry Classic Ink.

Remove the horizon mask and place at intervals to create the foreground with Rich Razzleberry Classic Ink.  Once you have created the desired effect, remove the horse mask and use an Aqua Painter with Soft Suede Classic Ink to color the horse.

Add the Satin Ribbon, layer the entire panel onto Whisper White and again onto Rich Razzleberry cardstock.  Add the sentiment banner to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Brushstroke Horses and Birthday Greetings (retired),  French Foliage, Thoughts and Prayers

Ink: Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede

Paper: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories:  Sponge Daubers, Scrap Paper or Sticky Notes, Aqua Painter, 1 3/4 “ Square Punch (for corners on sentiment banner), 5/8” Satin Ribbon (from my stash)

They squealed a bit when they saw the card so I think that meant they liked it :-)

Thanks again for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful week creating your works of art :-)

Thinking of You- Two Challenges in One!

Hi Stampers!

I finally had a chance to spend some time in my craft room to stamp and decided to use the colors from this week’s CQC155ColourQ Challenge and incorporate the CCCB127 City Crafter Blog Challenge to use “inchies”.  If you have not had a chance to do so, try to take a moment to visit the challenge sites (what great examples from both Design Teams!) :-)   

To create this  card:

On Whisper White cardstock, stamp the floral circle from Just Believe using Rich Razzleberry Classic Ink and color using SU! markers- Old Olive, SO Saffron and retired Pale Plum.

Punch out the image with the 1 ¼” Circle Punch and layer onto a Whisper White circle (punched with the 1 3/8” Circle Punch).   Layer again onto a square punched with the 1 3/8” Square Punch and adhere this to Rich Razzleberry cardstock (I trimmed around the Rich Razzleberry layer with the Paper Cutter but you could use a 1 ½” Square Punch).

Use the Big Shot™ to emboss a piece of Old Olive DSP (retired Cottage Wall) with the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder and a piece of Whisper White cardstock using the Delicate Designs Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder.  Lightly sand the Old Olive layer with the Sanding Block to expose the white core.

Layer the elements onto Rich Razzleberry cardstock and add the inchies using SU! Dimensionals.  Add the pearls and sentiment to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Just Believe, Kind & Caring Thoughts (retired Hostess set)

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, SU! Markers- Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, So Saffron, retired Pale Plum

Paper: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, retired Cottage Wall DSP

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Lacy Brocade and Delicate Designs Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folders,  Punches- 1 ¼” and 1 3/8” Circle, 1 3/8” Square, XL Oval; Pearls, SU! Dimensionals

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

Fall Foliage- Two CAS Cards!

Hi Stampers!

Another week has flown by and time for another ColourQ challenge!   I must admit, as beautiful the CQC154 colors are this week, I did struggle a bit adding the Cameo Coral.  I love pink and burgundy together but I struggle with combining yellows and pinks so I decided to use a favorite quick technique- sponging and masking.  

Whenever I am designing a card, I generally have quite a bit of “trial and error” before I settle on the final design, therefore I ended up creating two Clean and Simple (CAS) cards with this color combination :-).  The first card also incorporates the Splitcoaststampers SC402 Sketch Challenge and the second card was created with the Stamping Celebration SCIC58 Fall ColorInspiration Challenge in mind.  

If you have not had the opportunity to do so, take a moment to visit the challenge sites- such wonderful inspiration!   

To create the first card:

On Whisper White cardstock, using Sponge Daubers lightly sponge So Saffron and Summer Starfruit Classic Ink for a muted background.

Using the Rock-n-Roll Technique (see tutorial) , randomly ink the leaves from French Foliage with Summer Starfruit or Coral Cameo (retired) and roll into Bravo Burdundy Classic Ink.  After you stamp your first set of leaves, use a mask created from scrap paper and/or a sticky note to cover the leaves and stamp the second set of leaves in the same manner.

Stamp the "spatter" stamp using Camel Coral Classic Ink and the French Script using Summer Starfruit Classic Ink.

With the Big Shot™ and an Oval Die (I used the Oval Framelits™ from Sizzix) cut the oval shape from the sponged background and two additional ovals from Bravo Burgundy to layer behind the focal image.

Layer the background papers according to the sketch and add the focal image using SU! Dimensionals. (love my scraps- I used an embossed scrap of Whisper White cardstock:-)) . 

For the finishing touches, add the sentiment, bow and pearls- again, once the design was chosen, quick and easy!

Stamp Sets:  French Foliage, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Bravo Burgundy, So Saffron, Summer Starfruit, Cameo Coral (retired)

Paper: Whisper White, Bravo Burgundy, Designer Series Paper- Bravo Burgundy and So Saffron

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Fancy Fan Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder,  Ovals Framelits™ (Sizzix), Sponge Daubers, Punches- Word Window, Modern Label, Pearls, Burgundy Organdy Ribbon (retired SU!)

The second card was a bit quicker to create since you do not need to mask the leaves:

As for the first card, use Sponge Daubers to apply So Saffron, Summer Starfruit and retired Cameo Coral Classic Ink to Whisper White cardstock- I applied more pressure than the first card to achieve the darker background).

  

Stamp the leaves from French Foliage with Bravo Burgundy ink, stamping off a few leaves to achieve the desired look.

Stamp the splatter image using Cameo Coral Classic Ink and the French Script using Summer Starfruit Classic Ink.  Trim to size and adhere to the Bravo Burgundy layer.

Mount onto a piece of embossed Whisper White (using the Square Lattice EF) and add the punched sentiment to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  French Foliage, Day of Gratitude

Ink: Bravo Burgundy, So Saffron, Summer Starfruit, Cameo Coral (retired)

Paper: Whisper White, Bravo Burgundy

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Sponge Daubers, XL Decorative Label Punch

Thanks again for stopping by and if you have a chance, let me know which card you prefer (I personally like the second card better but would love to hear what you think) :-) !

I hope all you have a blessed week creating and stamping :-)

Christmas Blessings Deer- PP112 and SC401

Hi Stampers!           

                                                                                                    

I just love the colors in this week’s PP112Color Challenge at The Paper Players so I had to take the time to stamp a Christmas card (I am still so far behind on my original commitment..I am such a procrastinator).  I also decided to incorporate the SplitcoaststampersSC401 Sketch Challenge- just love the sketches at Splitcoaststampers!

  

 Both of these sites are so full of inspiration and if you are not careful, you can spend all day on the computer versus stamping …but I hope you find the time to visit them :-)

To create this card:

Punch the moon out using the 1 3/8” Circle Punch and apply Baja Breeze using Sponge Daubers for the sky (I used torn scrap paper to create the snow drifts). 

Remove the moon mask and hold the torn paper pieces in place (for the snow drifts) as you stamp the back tree line using Basic Gray Classic- I used the tree grouping image from Lovely As A Tree.   

Continue sponging Baja Breeze along the torn areas for the tops of the snow drifts in the center of the card and in the foreground.   Stamp the large foreground pines using Basic Gray (this tree stamp was from the new set, Evergreen) while masking a bit of the snow.  This sounds complicated but it is very easy- give it a try :-)!

Cover part of the snow area near the bottom with the mask and stamp the deer image using Basic Black.  My stamped image was not as bold as I had expected, so I darkened the image using the Basic Black SU! Marker. 

Use the Big Shot™ to cut this entire panel out using an Oval Die and layer over another set of ovals cut from Basic Black cardstock (to frame the image).  Apply line glue lines using the 2-Way Glue Pen for the Dazzling Diamond details for the "sparkling snow"- this is hard to see the glitter in the photo but it is there:-).

 Use the Big Shot™ the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss a piece of Whisper White cardstock as well as a piece of Basic Gray DSP (from the DSP Stack).  Lightly sand the Basic Gray cardstock and layer both pieces onto a piece of Whisper White for the background layers of the sketch.

Add the ½” Baja Breeze Seam Binding over the middle section to cover the seam of the DSP and add the oval focal image with SU! Dimensionals.  

Stamp the sentiment onto Whisper White cardstock, punch out using the XL Oval Punch and layer with Basic Black (two additional ovals overlapping to create the border).

Add the ½” Seam Binding bow and the felt snowflakes (retired SU!) highlighted with Dazzling Diamonds and Rhinestones to finish off the card. 

Stamp Sets:  Christmas Deer, Christmas Blessings, Evergreen, Lovely As A Tree

 Ink: Baja Breeze, Basic Gray, Basic Black

Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Basic Gray DSP

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Ovals Framelits™ (Sizzix), SU! Dimensionals, ½” Baja Breeze Seam Binding, Rhinestones, Dazzling Diamonds, Little Felt Flurries (retired)

Thanks again for stopping by- I had so much fun with this whimsical deer! I hope all of you have a great week creating and stamping- God Bless!

Paisley Print- Miss You from Scraps :-)

Hi Again, Stampers!

Here is the second card that I created using the colors from the CQC153 ColourQ Challenge (from a scrap piece of my own DSP created with the retired Paisley Print background stamp).  FYI- This was the second card from the one piece of background paper created using the Paisley Print stamp (if interested, see the previous post for the first card).

Again, you have not had a chance to visit the ColorQ site, I hope you will take some time to check them out!  They have a wonderful team of Designers as well as a number of submissions each week that provide so much inspiration !

To create this card:

On Whisper White cardstock, sporadically sponge Calypso Coral, So Saffron and Soft Sky (retired) Classic Ink.  After sponging, “spritz” the paper with water to soften the sponged areas and merge the colors a bit.  Once the paper is almost completely dry, ink the background stamp using Chocolate Chip Classic Ink and stamp over the watercolored area. 

Cut a piece of your newly designed background paper (or DSP) and adhere a piece of So Saffron cardstock. 

  

Use the Big Shot™ with the Large Scallop Edgelit™ Die to cut two pieces of Whisper White cardstock and line up and emboss with the Delicate Designs (Lace) Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder. 

Lightly ink the interior of the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder with Calypso Coral Classic Ink ( I used the folder after creating the card for the  previous post so it was technically the second embossing after inking the folder) and emboss a piece of Soft Sky cardstock (retired). 

Layer all of the elements, add the 1” Chocolate Chip Satin Bow and adhere to a base of Chocolate Chip and again onto So Saffron cardstock. 

The flower was created from the embossed background scrap from the previous card (Lacy Brocade inked with Calypso Coral and embossed onto Calypso Coral) and punched with the XL Fancy Flower Punch.  Punch another flower using Whisper White and cut apart each petal.  Adhere to the petals to the back of the petals on the embossed flower.

The center is the small circle stamp from Lacy & Lovely stamped in Chocolate Chip Classic Ink onto So Saffron cardstock and colored with the Calypso Coral SU! Marker.  Punch this center out with the 1 ¼” Circle Punch and layer onto Chocolate Chip cardstock (punched with the 1 3/8” Circle Punch).

Add the sentiment and pearl to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Lacy and Lovely, Paisley Print (background)

Ink: Calypso Coral, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Soft Sky (retired)

Paper: Whisper White, Calypso Coral, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Soft Sky (retired)

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Lacy Brocade and Delicate Designs Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folders, Large Scallop Edgelit™ Die, Sponges, Punches- Fancy Flower, 1 ¼” and 1 3/8” and 1 ¾” Circle, Pearl, 1 “ Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon (retired)

Thanks again for your visit – I hope all of you have a wonderful week and are able to take some time to stamp and have fun! 

Paisley Friendship- Two Challenges in One!

Hi Stampers!

I finally had the opportunity to spend some time in my craft room and to create a card using one of my favorite color challenge sites, the ColourQ :-).  The inspiration picture for CQC153 ColourQChallenge reminds me of the retired background stamp, Paisley Print so I decided to use this stamp to create my own background paper or DSP (Designer Series Paper) :-).

I also decided to incorporate the FMS51 Freshly Made Sketch Challenge as well- if you have not had a chance to visit either site, I hope you will take some time to check them out!  They both have terrific Design Teams and provide wonderful inspiration ideas!

  

To create this CAS (Clean and Simple) card:

On Whisper White cardstock, sporadically sponge Calypso Coral, So Saffron and Soft Sky (retired) Classic Ink.  After sponging, “spritz” the paper with water to soften the sponged areas and merge the colors a bit.  Once the paper is almost completely dry, ink the background stamp using Chocolate Chip Classic Ink and stamp over the watercolored area. 

Cut a piece of your newly designed background paper (or DSP) and adhere a piece of So Saffron to the one side (set the other piece aside for another card). 

Use the Big Shot™ with the Adorning Accents Edgelit™ Die to cut the one side of a piece of Whisper White and mount the entire panel onto the embossed Whisper White panel.

Ink the interior of the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder with Calypso Coral Classic Ink and emboss a piece of Calypso Coral cardstock. 

Layer to Whisper White and Chocolate Chip cardstock and add the embossed flower (created with punches and the center from a scrap of the background DSP).  Add the sentiment and pearls to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Paisley Print (retired Background Stamp), Best of Everything

Ink: Calypso Coral, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Soft Sky (retired)

Paper: Whisper White, Calypso Coral, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Soft Sky (retired)

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Adorning Accents Edgelit™ Die, Sponges, Punches-XL Fancy Flower, Word Window, Modern Label,  1 ¼” and 1 3/8” Circle, Bojo Blossoms;  Pearls

I was able to create a second card from the scraps of this one and will post in a few minutes as well (one of the reason I love background stamps)! 

Thanks again for your visit and encouragement- have fun stamping this week!  

French Poppies #2- Three Background Stamps in One!

Hi Stampers!

Here is the second card created with the other part of the Pleasant Poppies background stamp from the previous post.   Again, this one uses the colors from the CQC152 ColourQ Challenge along with the En Francais and Ex Libris background stamps :-)

To create this card:

As mentioned, the poppies focal image is the left-over piece from the previous post- I stamped the floral image using Basic Gray onto Crumb Cake cardstock and with the watercolor technique, used the Aqua Painter with Gumball Green and Bermuda Bay Classic Ink to add color to the stems and flowers. 

Using a combination of watercolor and markers, I colored in the background with Basic Gray and once dry, used the Basic Gray marker and cross-hatched the background.   FYI- I also used the Basic Gray marker to highlight the centers of the flowers and a few petals.

Ink the En Francais background stamp using Basic Gray and stamp onto Whisper White cardstock.

The background behind the poppies was created using Whisper White cardstock and watercolor with Classic Ink.  Use the Aqua Painter to add water to the lid of the Gumball Green and Bermuda Bay Classic Ink pads and mix with the ink.  Apply to the paper using Sponges to achieve the desired effect.  Apply Basic Gray Classic ink to the Ex Libris background stamp and stamp over the slightly damp watercolor background (this will give you a soft muted appearance). 

Layer the poppy focal image onto Whisper White and add the ½” Crumb Cake Seam Binding bow and lightly sponge Crumb Cake ink to soften the white edges.

  

Tear and curl the edges of the Ex Libris background and sponge with Crumb Cake ink to distress.  Mount onto the Whisper White layer and then onto Basic Gray.

Use the SU! White Watercolor pencil to add highlights to the flowers to finish off the card.  

Again, I purposely did not add a sentiment yet- I will wait until I need it for a special occasion and then add the sentiment.

Stamp Sets:  Pleasant Poppies, En Francais, Ex Libris (all three are background stamps)

Ink: Basic Gray, Gumball Green, Bermuda Bay (retired)

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Crumb Cake, Bermuda Bay (retired)

Accessories:  Aqua Painter, Sponges, SU! White Watercolor Pencil, ½” Crumb Cake Seam Binding

Thanks again for stopping by to visit !  If you have the time to view the previous post and compare to this one, let me know which one you prefer.  I like this one better since it shows more of the cross-hatching and the white highlights on the flowers seem to brighten them a bit :-)  

I hope all of you have a blessed week and a restful Labor Day!

French Poppies- Two Challenges in One!

Hi Stampers!

Another weekend and another chance to stamp!  This time I decided to use the colors from the CQC152 ColourQ Challenge along with the RS27 Sketch from Retro Sketches- again, if you have the time, stop by both sites for tons of inspiration :-) !!

To create this card:

I have not had a chance to use a few of my background stamps lately so decided to use  Pleasant Poppies and stamped the floral image using Basic Gray onto Crumb Cake cardstock.  With the Aqua Painter, watercolor the stems and flowers with Gumball Green and Bermuda Bay Classic Ink. 

Using a combination of watercolor and markers, I colored in the background with Basic Gray and once dry, used the Basic Gray marker and cross-hatched the background (it was a bit splotchy from the watercolor for my taste).  FYI- I also used the Basic Gray marker to highlight the centers of the flowers and a few petals.

Ink the En Francais background stamp using Basic Gray and stamp onto Crumb Cake and Whisper White cardstock.

Cut the Pleasant Poppies piece (I love this background stamp- two cards from one image!) and layer onto Whisper White.  Add the punched border piece at the bottom and the ½” Crumb Cake Seam Binding triple bow.

Add the layers per the sketch (I used a few pieces that were previously embossed with the Big Shot™ and the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder), additional ribbon scrap tabs and pearls to finish off the card.

I purposely did not add a sentiment yet- this card could be used as a sympathy, birthday, thinking of you or just as a notecard…I will wait until I need it for a special occasion and then add the sentiment :-).

Stamp Sets:  Pleasant Poppies and En Francais (both background stamps)

Ink: Basic Gray, Gumball Green, Bermuda Bay (retired)

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Crumb Cake, Bermuda Bay (retired)

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Pearls, ½” Crumb Cake Seam Binding

Thanks again for stopping by for a visit- I hope all of you have a wonderful week and a restful Labor Day!