Thanks a Latte

Hi Friends!

I had a chance to create another card using the Special Blend stamp set from Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps.

This is such a sweet stamp set and has so many beautiful sentiments and images.  Perfect for many occasions!

I incorporated the Splitcoaststampers CC674 Color Challenge as well as the SC694 Sketch Challenge and am also linking to the Simon Monday “Food and/or Drink”Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to visit the above challenge sites or the SNSS Blog/FB Page yet, I encourage you to do so- gorgeous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). De-static two pieces of white cardstock with an embossing powder tool, stamp the cup with the bird image and the “Thanks a Latte” sentiment from Special Blend  with archival black ink onto the panels, apply clear embossing and heat set with a heat tool.

2). Die cut the stacked cup image with a stitched rectangle die and color the image using water-based markers.  Mount the image onto turquoise cardstock and trim close to the die cut edge.

3). Trim the sentiment by hand and create the banner using a punch or by hand.  Mount onto turquoise cardstock and trim close to the edge.

4). Die cut another piece of white cardstock using a stitched rectangle die, stencil Tumbled Glass Distress Ink onto the panel as well as the tea cup image and sentiment. Mount the main panel onto turquoise cardstock, trim close to the edge, mount onto pumpkin cardstock and mount onto the white card base.

5). Die cut a few pieces of designer paper with rectangle stitched dies, mount onto turquoise cardstock.  Add the white tea lace doily and the designer stitched panels onto the card front.

6).  Adhere the sentiment with dimensional foam and add the button along with the pearls.

7). To finish off the card, use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the bird and cup and an Extra Fine White Paint Pen to add white highlights to the center of the flower and around the base of the teacup.

Stamp Sets: Special Blend (Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Stampin’ Write Markers- Tempting Turquoise, Berry Burst, Pumpkin Pie; Tim Holtz® Tumbled Glass Distress Ink; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen, Sharpie®Extra Fine White Paint Pen

Cardstock/Designer Paper: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie; retired Rich Razzleberry and Pumpkin Pie Designer Series Paper (all Stampin' Up!)

Accessories/Tools: Big Shot™, MFT Dies- Stitched A2 Rectangle Set 1 & 2, Horizontal Stitched; Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Rich Razzleberry Button, White Tea Lace Doily

Also, you have approx. one hour left  to receive the June Stamp of the Month, Texture Tiles 2 free with a net $75 (US$ order after all discounts and before shipping) from Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps!  Plus, remember there is free shipping on any net $75 US!

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

TCC96- Cast Your Cares

Hi Friends!

It’s time for the #96 {Golden Table} Challenge at The Card Concept! FYI- This will be the last challenge for the summer and The Card Concept will resume in September. 

Isn’t this a gorgeous photo?  I was inspired by the beautiful blossoms in the coral hues as well as the gold silverware and the woodgrain to create a Classy and Elegant Mixed Media card! I decided to pull out the retired Blooming with Kindess Stampin’ Up! set and paired it with a new to me stamp set from Simply Stamps- Fear Not.

I incorporated the SketchSaturday #519 Sketch Challenge along with the As You Like It “Favourite Type of Embossingand Why?” Challenge and the Word Art Wednesday #340-#341 “Anything Goes”Challenge.

I tend to use heat embossing in almost every card I create.  I love watching the powder melt and love the elegant look it creates but I also love dry embossing.  This card has both types- see, I cannot make up my mind :-)

Just a reminder that The Card Concept is a bi-weekly challenge that has an inspiration photo along with a suggestion of design styles that you can choose from to create your card- Clean and Simple, Clean and Graphic, Clean and Layered, Shabby Chic, Freestyle Collage, Classy and Elegant and Mixed Media (or you can combine several styles for your own style).

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

To create this card:

1). De-static a piece of white cardstock with an embossing powder tool, ink the floral image from Blooming with Kindness with Versamark™ ink, stamp onto the prepared panel, apply gold embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Create a mask for the flower, mask the image (once the embossing powder has cooled) and repeat the steps for the other floral images.

2). Using distress inks and distress oxide ink, tap the inks onto a silicone craft mat and use a water brush to watercolor the flowers.  Continue to add color and use water-based markers for additional color as needed (see the recipe below for the colors used).  Once you are satisfied with the coloring, spritz a bit of water and pat dry with a paper towel.  Use a gold shimmer pen to add additional highlights and color. 

3). Die cut the floral image with a pierced tag die (also die cutting another tag from espresso cardstock).  Split the espresso tag in half and adhere behind the die cut floral tag.

4). Trim a piece of white cardstock to approx. 4” x 5 ¼” and emboss with a woodgrain embossing folder.  Add a strip of espresso cardstock, wrap a piece of coral satin ribbon and a piece of knotted hemp twine over the strip (wrapping the ends of the ribbon and twine behind the panel).  Adhere the entire panel to a white card base.

5). Add the layered embossed tag element with dimensional foam to the card front.  Create a twine bow and mount onto the top of the tag along with an antique brad (I removed the brad points and adhered to the card with hot glue).

6). De-static a piece of white cardstock with an embossing powder tool, stamp the verse sentiment from Fear Not with Versamark™ ink, apply gold embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Die cut the sentiment with a pierced circle die and mount onto a die cut circle of espresso cardstock.

7).  Finish off the card by adhering the sentiment to the card front using dimensional foam on the side to level with the tag element. 

Stamp Sets: Blooming with Kindness (retired Stampin’ Up!), Fear Not (Simply Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Versamark™, Tim Holtz® Distress and Distress Oxide- Spiced Marmalade, Worn Lipstick; Stampin’ Write Flirty Flamingo and Calypso Coral Markers; Spectrum Noir™ Gold  Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Early Espresso

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot™, Our Daily Bread Designs Dies- Pierced Circles, Matting Circles; My Favorite Things™ Pierced Traditional Tag STAX Dies(retired); Embossing Buddy®, Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, AquaPainter™, Polished Hemp Twine, 7/8” Coral Satin Ribbon (Offray), retired Antique Brad (SU!)

Thanks again for taking the time to drop by! I hope I have inspired you to create your own card based on our {Golden Table} photo and link up to our gallery at TheCard Concept- we would love to see your interpretation!!

Happy Birthday!

Hi Friends!

This morning I am sharing a card designed with the June Stamp of the Month, Texture Tiles 2 along with previously released stamp sets, Special Blend and Choose Faith (all from Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps).

I incorporated several online challenges into the design- the Splitcoaststampers SC696 Sketch Challenge (modified a bit with the #4 and #5 elements on the sketch) and the CC672 Color Challenge as well as the Simon Monday “Food and/ or Drink” Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to visit the above challenge sites or the SNSS Blog/FB Page yet, I encourage you to do so- fabulous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). De-static two pieces of white cardstock with an embossing powder tool, stamp the stacked cup image from Special Blend  onto one of the panels and the “Happy Birthday” sentiment from Special Blend onto the other.

2). Die cut the stacked cup image with a stitched rectangle die and color the image using water-based markers.  Trim the sentiment by hand and mount both the sentiment and the cup image onto navy cardstock.  Die cut a piece of designer paper with the same stitched rectangle die and also mount onto navy cardstock.

3). To create the background panel- die cut a piece of white cardstock with a rectangle stitched die.  Press light pink ink onto a silicone craft mat, spritz with water and press the rectangle die cut into the ink.  Lift up , dry with a heat tool and repeat the process (if desired).  Ink the bold word images from Choose Faith (I used “GRACE” and “JOY”) with light pink ink and stamp repeatedly onto the panel.  Ink the brick wall image from Texture Tiles 2 with navy ink and stamp onto the background panel.  Mount the panel onto navy cardstock and mount again onto pear cardstock.  Adhere the panel to a white card base.

4). Mount the pear designer paper rectangle directly to the card front on an angle (per the sketch) and tilt the stacked cup image (again adhere directly to the card front).  Mount the portion of a white paper doily behind the sentiment and mount the sentiment with dimensional foam.

5).  Add a few buttons to the sentiment  and finish off the card with a clear glitter pen adding shimmer to the stacked cups and clear enamel drops to the dripping coffee.

Stamp Sets: Texture Tiles 2 , Choose Faith, Special Blend (Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Stampin’ Write Markers- Petal Pink, Lemon Lime Twist, Night of Navy, Early Espresso; Tim Holtz® Worn Lipstick Distress Ink; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen, Nuvo™ Morning Dew Crystal Drops

Cardstock/Designer Paper: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Pear Pizzazz, retired Pear Pizzazz Designer Series Paper

Accessories/Tools: Big Shot™, Dies- MFT Stitched A2 Rectangle Set 1 & 2, Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Navy Buttons, White Tea Lace Doily

Also, just a reminder that it is not too late to receive the June Stamp of the Month, Texture Tiles 2 free with a net $75 (US$ order after all discounts and before shipping) from Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps!  Plus, remember there is free shipping on any net $75 US!

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

So Blessed

Hi Friends!

I hope all of you are having a wonderful week so far! 

My hubby and I were able to take a trip to Shenandoah National Park today (our favorite daycation spot). We saw one young bear, several deer, numerous squirrels and bunnies, a few chipmunks as well as a gorgeous male Scarlet Tanager and several male Indigo Buntings!  This was all in addition to the spectacular views along Skyline Drive- a veryfun and relaxing day for sure!

I had a chance to stamp several cards in the last few weeks and am trying to get caught up with my blog posts (the blog posts take almost as long to create as the cards :-)).

Tonight I am sharing another card designed with  Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps July release stamp sets, Brotherly Love and Texture Tiles 2 along with previously released stamp sets, Scripty Thoughts and Scripture & Sentiment Companions.

I am participating with the Try Stampin’ on Tuesday “For the Boys” Challenge, the My Time to Craft #373 “Stamped Background” Challenge, the Word Art Wednesday #340-#341“Anything Goes” Challenge.  I also incorporated the May 27^th Paper Players PP395Sketch Challenge (the deadline for the PP395 Sketch was 06/01 but I wanted to give credit to LeAnne for her great sketch!). 

If you have not had a chance to visit the above challenge sites or the SNSS Blog/FB Page yet, I encourage you to do so- fabulous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). Ink the individual components for the male image from Brotherly Love using archival black ink and stamp onto white cardstock. Layer the images using masks- I stamped the glasses first, then masked the glasses, stamped the hair next, masked the hair, then stamped the face.  Next stamp the neck/shoulders and add the neckline for the shirt. Stamp the moustache to finish the image.

2). Color the images with water-based and alcohol markers and once you are satisfied with the coloring, fussy-cut the image.

3). Die cut the banners, circle and background rectangles using stitched and regular dies.  On the light green rectangle panel, stamp the Texture Tiles 2 image using light green ink to create the background.

4). Stamp the “So Blessed” sentiment from Scripty Thoughts onto the plaid banner using archival ink, layer the banner and add the polished hemp twine.  Adhere a corduroy brad to the polished hemp twine bow (I removed the brad points from the brad and adhered to the center of the bow and strands with hot glue).

5). Layer the light blue stitched rectangle die cut onto a piece of light green cardstock, trim close to the edge, add the stamped light green background and mount the large banner with the twine bow.

6). Add the fussy-cut Brotherly Love image to the espresso circle die cut, mount onto the card front with dimensional foam.

7). Ink the sentiment from Scripture & Sentiment Companions with archival black ink, stamp onto a piece of light green cardstock, add clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Trim the sentiment, create the flag banner (I used a punch), add a strip of light blue cardstock and use a handheld punch to create the holes for the antique brass brads.  Insert the brads and adhere the entire card front to a white card base.

8). Finish off the card using a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the glasses.

Stamp Sets: Brotherly Love , Texture Tiles 2 , Scripty Thoughts , Scripture and Sentiment Companions (Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, retired Mellow Moss Classic Ink; Stampin’ Write Markers- Chocolate Chip, Early Espresso, Baja Breeze; Spectrum Noir™ Alcohol Markers- EB1, TB4; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Designer Paper: Whisper White, retired Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery and Murfield DSP (all Stampin’ Up!)

Accessories/Tools: Big Shot™, Dies- MFT Stitched A2 Rectangle Set 1 & 2, retired Stampin’ Up! Banner Framelits™, Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Polished Hemp Twine, retired Soft Sky Corduroy Brad

I had fun creating this “dude” for my card and am looking forward to creating more images in the future :-)

Don’t forget, Texture Tiles 2 is the June Stamp of the Month- free with a net $75 (US$ order after all discounts and before shipping).  Plus, remember there is free shipping on any net $75 US!

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

In All Things, Give Thanks

Hi Friends!

I had fun designing this Mixed Media card using a few digital stamps from Power Poppy by Marcella Hawley.  

I incorporated the Sketch Saturday #518 Sketch Challenge (flipped it a bit with the sentiment at the top) along with the Addicted to Stamps and More #297 “Make Your Mark” Challenge, the Global Design Project #143 Theme Challenge “Love It, Live It, Share It” and the Word Art Wednesday #340-#341 “Anything Goes” Challenge into the design.

I love designing and creating cards and being able to share with friends and family! I also enjoy sharing with other stampers through my blog and different social media platforms.  I have met so many friends online and even though we have not met in person, we have an instant bond due to our love for stamping and creating :-)

If you have not had a chance to visit any of the above challenge sites, I hope you will do so- wonderful Design Teams samples and entries from all!

To create this card:

1). Using either a software program or a word processing program, insert the Power Poppy Olive and Acorn image onto a 8 ½” x 11” document.  Re-size if needed to fit, insert the Bittersweet Wreath sentiment (re-sizing as well) and print out onto white cardstock.  FYI- I am still using the retired My Digital Studio™ (Stampin’ Up!) for inserting the images, re-sizing, etc. but you could use Word or other photo software programs.

2). Die cut the Olive and Acorn image with a pierced square die and die cut the sentiment with a stitched rectangle die.

3). Color the Olive and Acorn image using watercolor pencils, water-soluble graphite pencil, distress inks and glitter pens (see the colors used below in the card recipe). I did labor over the coloring for a while to try to achieve depth and rich color.

4). Use the water-soluble graphite pencil, a rust water color pencil and gold glitter marker for the sentiment.

5). Mount the sentiment and the main focal image onto gray cardstock and trim close to the edge.

6). For the card front- trim a piece of gray cardstock 5 ½” square.  Mount a piece of vanilla cardstock (approx. 3/8” square) onto the gray cardstock and mount a piece of gray designer paper onto the vanilla paper (approx. 5 ¼” square).  Add a piece of ivory crochet lace, 1 ½” gold satin ribbon and 7/8” copper satin ribbon onto the card front (wrapping the ends of the ribbon behind the panel).  Mount the entire card front onto a white 5 ½” square card base.

7).  Add the Olive and Acorn focal image on a diagonal along with the sentiment to the card front using dimensional foam. 

8). Finish off the card with a few pearls in the corner.

Stamp Sets: Olive and Oak, Bittersweet Wreath (both digital stamps- Power Poppy)

Ink: Printer Ink- Black; Tim Holtz® Distress Inks- Rusty Hinge, Hickory Smoke; Derwent® Watercolor Pencils- Copper Beech, Golden Brown, Raw Sienna, Raw Umber, Venetian Red; Gold Wink of Stella®

Paper/Cardstock: Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Basic Gray; retired Lap of Luxury Designer Series Paper (all Stampin’ Up!)

Accessories: Big Shot™, My Favorite Things™ Stitched A2 Rectangle STAX Set 1; Our Daily Bread Designs Pierced Squares Dies, AquaPainter™, Pearls; Ivory Crochet Lace, 1 ½” Gold Satin Ribbon, 7/8” Copper Satin Ribbon (all from my stash)

I had a great time creating this card and reflecting on this verse- "In All Things, Give Thanks" 1Thessalonians 5:18. 

 I am so thankful for all of the blessings that the Lord has given me and bring this verse to my mind when times are not generally what I would consider "thankful".   Sometimes it is difficult to focus on "thanks" when you find out about a loved one passing, a terrible tragedy or illness befalling someone you know (or yourself), or other stressful things in life,  but I am so thankful that Christ was willing to die on the cross for my sins (and yours) and rose again on the 3rd day! 

I am so thankful that by believing in Him and putting our trust in Him (and Him alone), we can have eternal life.  I am so thankful that it is the "gift of God, not of works" for our salvation.  "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotton Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" John 3:16 (NKJV).  Yes, I am so thankful....

I hope I have inspired you today to create something to share with others and that you will have a thankful, blessed week!