CAS Doodling- A Quick and Easy Card

Hi Stampers! 

I decided to create a Clean and Simple (CAS) Card using this week’s Splitcoaststampers Way To Use It Challenge-  WT429 DoodleDefined (check out the gallery).  

I have not had a chance to doodle lately and decided to use the Stampin' Up! White Gel Pen on Midnight Muse cardstock to draw the flower and fill in the area with dots. 

 

Quick and easy- stamped the sentiment with Midnight Muse Classic Ink and extended the flourishes on the ends to create a larger tulip type image as well.

Layered with Stampin’ Dimensionals® and added a previously embossed panel (using the soon to be retired Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder). 

Quick and easy-very relaxing, I will have to try this again soon!!  

­Stamp Sets: My Friend

Ink:  Midnight Muse, White Gel Pen, Stampin’ Write Marker- Midnight Muse

Paper: Whisper White, Midnight Muse

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing  Folder, Stampin’ Dimensionals®

Thanks again for dropping by!  Have a wonderful Friday!

Imagine the Possibilities- A Modified Straw Technique for a Sketch and Color Challenge

Hi Again Stampers! 

I had so much fun with the PP147sketch at The Paper Players

that I decided to create one more card using the sketch along with the DD54 Dynamic Duos Color Challenge.

I have created similar cards in the past using one of my favorite sets, By The Tide and this time I used a modified straw technique along with Sponge Daubers.  For some reason, even though I am organizing, I have "misplaced" my brayers for the moment (actually having a “senior moment”- I cannot recall exactly where I stashed them- lol!! :-).

Again, if you have the time, check out all of these sites for wonderful ideas and inspiration!

To create this card:

Drop a few drops from a Bashful Blue re-inker onto Glossy White cardstock and using a straw, blow around the ink (be careful, you will become "dizzy"- for me, more than usual :-)).

I modified the technique and patted the ink dry using a scrap piece of paper and then sponged more Bashful Blue Classic Ink over the background.  Stamp the script sentiment stamp from By The Tide repeatedly using Bashful Blue ink as well.

Stamp the coral, seahorse, shell, Nantucket sign and fish image over the background using Midnight Muse Classic Ink (stamping off occasionally).  Stamp the sentiment (from soon to be retired Word Play), seashell, fish and Nantucket sign image again using Midnight Muse Classic Ink onto Whisper White cardstock as well.

Close up of background- the script faded a bit :-)

Trim the images to the desired sizes and mount onto Midnight Muse cardstock.   Adhere to the Whisper White panel (embossed using the Woodgrain Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder) and add the additional images stamped onto Whisper White using Stampin’ Dimensionals®.

Stamp Sets: By The Tide, Word Play

Ink: Bashful Blue, Midnight Muse

Paper/Cardstock:  Whisper White, Midnight Muse, Glossy White

Accessories: Big Shot™,  Woodgrain Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Punches- ¾” and 2 ½” Circle, Sponge Daubers, Drinking Straw

Thanks again for visiting- I may use this as a graduation card (do you think a young lady would like this one or only a guy card)?

I hope you have a terrific day- God Bless!!

Thinking of You on Father's Day- A Sketch Using Retired Sets :-)

Hi Stampers!!

I have been busy organizing my craft room and decided to create an additional Father's Day card to have on hand using some of my neglected retired items along with Leanne’s PP147 sketch at The Paper Players.   

Again, if you have a chance, stop by The Paper Players site for terrific inspiration from their Design Team as well as the other entries- great job by all!

To create this card:     

                                              

                                        

De-static a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock using the Embossing Buddy® and ink the clock and gear images from Sense of Time using Versamark™ ink.  Apply Stampin’ Emboss® Winter White Espresso Embossing Powder and heat with the Heat Tool to melt the powder. 

Once cooled using Sponge Daubers, apply Classic Ink- first Crumb Cake, followed by the new 2013-2015 In Color Baked Brown Sugar, the new Smoky Slate, Soft Suede and finally Early Espresso.  Ink the retired Wonderfully Worn background stamp using Basic Gray Classic Ink to add a bit of distressing along with a bit more Winter White embossing powder and a White Gel Pen.  

Carefully cut out the clock image and also trim the gear image panel.  Cut into panels for the sketch and mount onto Very Vanilla and/or embossed panels of Baked Brown Sugar per the  PP147 sketch. 

Add the 3/8” Early Espresso Quilted Ribbon along with the sentiment from the retired set, Thinking of Father (the sentiment was stamped onto Very Vanilla cardstock using Early Espresso Classic Ink and the edges were punched with the New Artisan Punch).

Stamp Sets:  Sense of Time, Thinking of Father, Wonderfully Worn (all retired)

Ink: Versamark™, Crumb Cake, Baked Brown Sugar, Smoky Slate, Basic Gray, Early Espresso, Soft Suede

Paper: Early Espresso,  Very Vanilla, Baked Brown Sugar

Accessories:  Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® Winter White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Big Shot™, Woodgrain Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Artisan Punch, 3/8” Early Espresso Quilted Satin Ribbon, Sponge Daubers, White Gel Pen, Game Spinners

Thanks again for stopping by- I hope you like this card using retired products.  

Have a great Thursday!!

Remembering Those Who Have Gone Before

Hi Stampers! 

I hope all of you are having a great Memorial Day weekend!  I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the reason for our holiday- remembering those who have sacrificed their lives for service to our country and our freedom.

I am praying for those families who have lost loved ones in our military and other branches of service- may we never forget their sacrifice nor their courage, bravery and commitment to our country and freedom!  May the Lord richly bless America and may we always be free!

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by and visit- have a wonderful day!

Happy Graduation- A Horse with a Musical Background :-)

Hi Stampers! 

I wanted to create a card for a special young lady that is graduating this year (hopefully I will not spoil the surprise- I do not believe she checks my blog :-)).  She loves horses and music so I decided to combine the two and use the colors from this week’s CQC190 ColourQChallenge along with the SR177 Sketch from Stampin’ Royalty. 

Again, if you have the time, check out both sites- great inspiration from the Design Teams and other entries!

To create this card:

Use the Big Shot™ to emboss a piece of a piece of Really Rust DSP and a piece of Baja Breeze cardstock with the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder.  Lightly sand the DSP to show the white core and layer the DSP onto the Midnight Muse cardstock layer.   

Layer the embossed Baja Breeze cardstock onto Midnight Muse as well as the other two DSP layers for the sketch.

Ink the horse image from Horse Frontier and stamp onto Whisper White cardstock.  Color using Watercolor Pencils and create a mask from copier paper. Ink the background stamp, Musical Score (retired) with Midnight Muse Classic Ink and stamp off a few times before masking the horse image and stamping over the horse.

Cut the horse out with a Circle Cutter or Circle Framelits™.  Lightly sponge Baja Breeze Classic Ink over the edges and background.  Mount onto a Midnight Muse cardstock circle and add the partial Tea Lace Paper Doily.

Adhere the layers, add the 5/8” Rust Satin Ribbon layers along with the sentiment and rolled flowers.

Stamp Sets: Horse Frontier, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Musical Score (retired background)

Ink: Midnight Muse, Baja Breeze, Watercolor Pencils

Paper/Cardstock:  Baja Breeze, Midnight Muse, Designer Series Paper- Comfort Café, retired Spice Cake & Really Rust Hostess Pack Level I

Accessories: Big Shot™,  Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Circle Framelits™, Punches- 1 ¼” Scallop Circle (for rolled flowers), Word Window, Modern Label; Tea Lace Paper Doily, Sponge Daubers, Sanding Block, Pearls, 5/8” Rust Satin Ribbon (from my stash)

Thanks again for stopping by- hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!!  

Farewell to Tiny Tags and the Jewelry Tag Punch!

Hi Stampers! 

I hope all of you are having a great week so far!  I wanted to take another moment to highlight another one of the retiring sets, Tiny Tags along with the corresponding punch, Jewelry Tag. 

I love how the Tiny Tags can be added to any card and the punch can be used for more than just the stamp set. 

Here are a few examples of how this set can be used:

Tiny Tags were used for the sentiment on this card :-)

Layered the Tiny Tags with cardstock punched from the Jewelry Tag Punch

Used part of Artistic Etchings for the center tag 

Tiny Tags under the bow add a sentiment that does not overwhelm the card 

Jewelry Tag Punch and Nature's Pace for the Tiny Tags

I hope you have enjoyed this farewell to Tiny Tags and the Jewelry Tag Punch and again, if this is one that has been on your wish list of a while, now is the time since it is only be available until May 31^st.

Thanks for stopping by- have a great evening!!

CAS Sympathy for a Close Friend

Hi Stampers!!

I decided to create a card using the Create with Connie and Mary CCMC253 Sketch and Ann’s CAS Masculine Theme PP146 Challenge at The Paper Players.

Again, if you have a chance, stop by both sites for wonderful inspiration from their Design Teams as well as the other entries- great job by all!

We needed to send a sympathy card to my husband’s co-worker- his father died unexpectedly and he loved to hunt and fish.  I chose to use the retired set, Nature’s Silhouettes along with a simple embossing and sponging technique.  They are a very close-knit family and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time of sorrow.

To create this card:             

                                                                               

De-static a piece of Whisper White cardstock using the Embossing Buddy® and ink the deer image using Versamark™ ink.  Apply Stampin’ Emboss® Early Espresso Embossing Powder and heat with the Heat Tool to melt the powder.  Once cooled, repeat the same steps using the tree image.

Using a mask created with the 1 ¼” Circle Punch, sponge Crumb Cake Classic Ink for the sky area and sponge Soft Suede around the edges.  Trim and mount onto Early Espresso cardstock and adhere the focal image onto a banner created from the retired Well Worn Designer Series Paper (DSP). 

Use the Big Shot™ with the Woodgrain Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss a piece of paper (again from the Well Worn DSP) and a piece of So Saffron cardstock with the Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder. 

Layer the banners and add the ½” Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon bow along with sentiment to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Nature Silhouettes, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Versamark™, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Soft Suede

Paper: Early Espresso, So Saffron, Whisper White, Well Worn DSP

Accessories:  Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® Early Espresso Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Big Shot™, Woodgrain and Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folders, Punches- 1 1/4” Circle, Word Window, ½” Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon, Sponge Daubers, Sanding Block

Thanks again for stopping by- I hope you have a wonderful Friday!!

SUO71 Favorite Retiring Stamp Set- Three of My Favorites in One!!

Hi Stampers! 

The SUO71 Challenge is to use your Favorite Retiring Stamp Set and we welcome all entries using Stampin’ Up! Only products!  So pull out those soon to be retired stamp sets and let’s highlight them for all to see! 

In my normal fashion, I could not decide on just one set so I used three of my favorite retiring sets, French Foliage, Nature’s Pace and Nature Walk.  I love the line drawn realistic images in all of these sets and they will definitely have a permanent place in my collection.

To create this card:

Use the Big Shot™ with the soon to be retired Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss a piece of Pistachio Pudding cardstock - ink the interior of the folder using Sahara Sand Classic Ink prior to embossing. Mount this layer onto a piece of Early Espresso cardstock.

Using Early Espresso Classic Ink, stamp the images from the stamp sets onto Sahara Sand cardstock and color using Stampin’ Write markers- Wisteria Wonder for the grapes and flowers, So Saffron on the bees and an Aqua Painter™ with ink from the Pistachio Pudding and Crisp Cantaloupe stamp pads for the eggs, leaves, flowers and robin’s breast. 

Stamp the French Foliage script using Sahara Sand Classic Ink over the images as well as the seal image on a few of the corners.  Cut the images to size and distress the edges using the Distressing Tool and sponge more Sahara Sand Classic Ink with a Sponge Dauber.

Mount the panels onto Early Espresso cardstock and position for the collage effect.  Add the Early Espresso ½” Taffeta Triple Ribbon bow to the bee wreath panel and add the diamond shape bee image and sentiment using Stampin’ Dimensionals®.

Use the Color Spritzer Tool (also retiring) along with the Early Espresso Stampin’ Write marker to distress the card a bit and add Frost White Shimmer Paint to the bee’s wings on the center panel.

Add a few Pearls to the corners to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Nature Walk, Nature’s Pace, French Foliage

Ink: Early Espresso, Sahara Sand, Pistachio Pudding, Crisp Canteloupe, Stampin’ Write Markers- Wisteria Wonder, So Saffron, Early Espresso

Paper/Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Early Espresso, Pistachio Pudding

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impression ™Embossing Folder, Sponge Dauber, Color Spritzer Tool, ½” Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon, Distressing Tool, Pearls

Thanks again for visiting!  Since I personally need to work on patience, I may keep this card as a reminder in my craft room :-).  

 I hope can take the time to create a project to share with us at SUO Challenges for this SUO71 Favorite Retiring Stamp Set Challenge- look forward to seeing your creations :-)

10 Minute CAS Thank You Scrap Card :-)

Hi Again, Stampers! 

I decided to create a CAS Card using this week’s Stampin’ Royalty SR176 Colors along with the Splitcoaststampers SC422 Sketch .   

I hope you can take a moment to check out both sites- you will find terrific inspiration! 

Luckily, I was able to create this card using scraps that were already embossed, so it was a 10 minute card for me as well- love those scraps!:-) 

                                                                                               

To create this very easy CAS card:

Use the Big Shot™ with the Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss a piece of Pool Party cardstock- trim down to 4” W x 5 1/4”H and mount onto a piece of Island Indigo cardstock.

Create the large flower with the Blossom Punch (already embossed the Calypso Coral cardstock with the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder)  and the center is two rolled flowers into one- the center is the 1 ¼” Scallop Circle Punch and the 1 ¾” Scallop Circle Punch- spiral cut around the scalloped circle toward the center, roll and glue the smaller one in the center of the larger rolled flower.  Adhere the double rolled flower center to the embossed blossom.

Add the DSP Panel, Tea Doily Paper Lace corner and the Scallop border along with the sentiment to finish off the card. 

­Stamp Sets: Because I Care (sentiment)

Ink:  Island Indigo

Paper: Whisper White, Pool Party, Island Indigo, Calypso Coral, Sycamore Street DSP

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Square Lattice and Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing  Folders, Punches- 1 3/4” Scallop Circle, 1 ¼” Scallop Circle, Blossom Punch, 1” Square Punch (for banner points), Pearl, Tea Lace Paper Doily

Thanks again for stopping by- have a great weekend!!

Nature's Pace Sympathy- A Sketch, A Color Challenge and A Stepped Up Version :-)

Hi Again Stampers! 

I wanted to create a card using the Create with Connie and Mary CCMC252 Colors and incorporated them with the Splitcoaststampers SC433 Sketch Challenge. 

 Again, if you have the time, check out both sites for wonderful inspiration!

To create this card:

Use the Big Shot™ to emboss a piece of a piece of Soft Suede DSP and a piece of So Saffron cardstock with the Honeycomb Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder.  Lightly sand the DSP to soften up the fibers and hand cut a few of the hexagons and them randomly onto the embossed background.  

FYI- I had both of these background pieces already pre-embossed/sanded in my scraps- love when that happens :-)   

First attempt- decided to step it up- see next image  :-)

Sponge additional Soft Suede Classic Ink over the background panel and mount onto Soft Suede cardstock and again onto Sahara Sand cardstock (sponging additional Soft Suede ink to “antique” the Sahara Sand base).

Stamp the bee image from Nature’s Pace onto Sahara Sand cardstock and color using Stampin’ Write markers in So Saffron, Sahara Sand and Soft Suede (add the White Gel Pen highlights at the end to highlight some of the flowers/bee wings).  Use the Sponge Dauber with Soft Suede Classic Ink to lightly sponge around the oval. 

Use the Big Shot™ with the Ovals Collection Framelits™ to cut out the bee image and also cut two additional ovals from the same size framelit for the layers behind the stamped image.   Add the Modern Label “ends” with the Pearl accents. 

Added Script background and Rolled Flowers to Step It Up :-)

Create the vertical banner strip using Sahara Sand Designer Series Paper (DSP) and the 1 3/8” Square Punch (to create the banner points).  Mount onto Soft Suede cardstock and adhere to the card per the sketch.

Mount the focal image onto the banner strip, add the sentiment and ½” Soft Suede Taffeta triple ribbon bow to finish off the card.

For my first attempt card, I left the DSP blank and did not have the rolled flowers on the card but felt that the card needed something at the top to balance it out, so I decided to "Step It Up" :-) 

So I took this one carefully apart and stamped the script background stamp from French Foliage in Soft Suede randomly over the banner and bee image.  I also added the So Saffron rolled flowers (fyi- they are very easy to make..punch regular circles or in this case scallop circles and hand cut a spiral towards the center of the circle and then hand roll :-)  Here is a great tutorial for the rolled flowers).  

Mount the focal image onto the banner strip, add the sentiment and ½” Soft Suede Taffeta triple ribbon bow to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Nature’s Pace, French Foliage, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Soft Suede, Stampin’ Write Markers- Sahara Sand, So Saffron, Soft Suede

Paper/Cardstock:  Sahara Sand, So Saffron, Soft Suede

Accessories: Big Shot™,  Honeycomb Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Ovals Collection Framelits™, Punches- 1 1/4" Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Square, Modern Label Punch, Small Oval (retired),  Sponge Daubers, White Gel Pen, Pearls

Thanks again for stopping by- hope you have a great Monday!!  Stop by again tomorrow for the new SUO Challenge :-).

Sunflower Prayers- A Sketch with a Color Challenge :-)

Hi Stampers! 

I hope you are having a great weekend so far!  I decided to stay up late (or early depending on your point of view:-) and create one more card.  This one incorporates the PalsPaper Arts PPA159 Sketch along with the Dynamic Duos DD53 Color Challenge.  Again, if you have not done so yet, please take a moment to stop by each site and check them out!

Whenever I use black lately, I find that I tend to gravitate towards either heat embossing, or in this case, my printer ink and My Digital Studio (MDS).  I love the crisp clean lines that you can get with the digital image plus as I studied the color combo, I knew that I had the perfect images already printed ready to go!!  Love using MDS for this very reason. 

To create this card:

Print the image from the Sunflower Background Brush stamp set (resize to approx. ½ the size of the actual stamp) and the sentiment from Thoughts and Prayers onto Whisper White cardstock. 

Carefully cut out the sunflower image and cut the petals apart to remove all of the white background. 

Use the Big Shot™ with the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss a piece of Pacific Point Designer Series Paper and a piece of Basic Black cardstock.  Lightly sand the Pacific Point DSP and cut into a 3 ½” square, mount onto Basic Black and again onto Whisper White cardstock. 

Use the Big Shot™ with the Adorning Accents Edgelit™ to cut two lacy edge pieces for the top and the bottom of the card and assemble per the sketch.

Add the 5/8” Basic Black Satin Ribbon bow along with the punched sentiment to finish off the card (the punch used is a sneak peek of the new Artisan Label Punch).  Add the Pearls to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Sunflower (MDS), Thoughts and Prayers (MDS)

Ink: Printer Ink- Black

Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Pacific Point DSP

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, 5/8” Basic Black Satin Ribbon, Pearls, Artisan Label Punch

Thanks again for stopping by- have a wonderful day!!

Artistic Etchings and French Foliage- Two Challenges in One!!

Hi Stampers!!

Card created with fun 6 yr old girls :-)

Before I show you my recent challenge card,  I wanted to share the cute easel card that we made this morning at our Mother/Daughter brunch.  All of the components were pre-cut and the easels were assembled (we only had 1/2 hr or so to work plus they made two cards and decorated two planters).  

The nine special little girls were able to emboss with the Big Shot and they loved it!!  I think they did a fabulous job especially since the average age was 7 years old :-)  Good times had by all and special thanks to all of those who helped (and my good friend, Bert for bringing her Big Shot as well- she is the best!!)

Well, on to the challenge card- 

I decided to create a card for the "big girls" and used the FMS86 sketch from Freshly Made Sketches along with the Fab Friday 18 Color Challenge.  

Again, if you have the chance to check out both sites, I would highly encourage you to do so- great examples and inspiration from the Design Teams as well as the other entrants!!

To create this card:

Use the Big Shot™ and the Fancy Fan Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock and mount it onto Soft Suede cardstock. 

For the focal image, stamp the script background from French Foliage using Primrose Petals Classic Ink and the round seal image using Raspberry Ripple Classic Ink.  

Ink the Eiffel Tower image from Artistic Etchings using Soft Suede Classic Ink and the Medallion using Summer Starfruit Classic Ink (stamped off once before stamping onto cardstock).

Punch the edge of the focal image panel using the Scallop Trim Border Punch and add a small strip of Designer Series Paper (DSP) from the Poetry Prints DSP stack. 

Add the ½” Raspberry Ripple Stitched Satin triple ribbon bow and mount the panel onto Soft Suede and again onto Very Vanilla cardstock. 

Ink the leaf image from French Foliage using Summer Starfruit Classic Ink and pounce Raspberry Ripple and Soft Suede onto the stamp with Sponge Daubers before stamping onto Very Vanilla cardstock.  Carefully cut out and lightly sponge additional Raspberry Ripple on the edges and curl the edges a bit.  Add to the focal panel with Mini Glue dots and add the Antique Brad in the corner.

Mount the focal panel to the card base using Stampin’ Dimensionals™ , add the sentiment and Pearls to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Artistic Etchings, French Foliage, Short and Sweet (retired)

Ink: Primrose Petals,  Raspberry Ripple, Soft Suede, Summer Starfruit

Paper: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede,  Poetry Print DSP

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Fancy FanTextured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Punches- Word Window, Modern Label, Scallop Trim Border; Pearls, Antique Brad

Thanks again for stopping by- I hope all of you have a wonderful Sunday!!