He Will Sustain You

Hi Friends!                                      

        

I hope all of you are having a great week so far!  We are still receiving quite a bit of rain in our area and I am praying for all of those who have been affected by flooding and hurricanes.  I know that we have received over 300% of our average rainfall so far this year and additional local flooding is anticipated this weekend.

I wanted to take a break from housework, etc. and create a quick card,  I decided to use an image from a retired Stampin’ Up! set (isn’t it amazing what you can find when you decide to organize- lol!) and paired it with a current image from Stamp Simply for a simple one layer card.

I will be linking this card to the Less Is More #380 “One Layer Floral” Challenge along with the Simon Wednesday “Anything Goes” Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to visit the above challenge galleries yet, I encourage you to do so- gorgeous ideas and projects by all!

To create this card:

1). De-static a piece of white cardstock (FYI- I used a piece I had in my stash that I had obtained free from my previous job at a printing company- it has a bit of a matte gloss finish and is quite heavy).  Ink the floral image from the retired Stampin’ Up! Sunflower Serenade stamp set with Versafine™ Onyx Black ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  

2). Once the embossing has cooled, use a water brush and watercolor the image with  Tim Holtz® Distress Inks and Stampin’ Write Markers (see colors listed below).  Use a soft gray marker to add a few shadows.

3). De-static the lower right hand area for the sentiment, ink the verse image from Fear Not (Stamp Simply) with Versafine™ Onyx Black ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

The card is finished- quick and easy and no additional postage required :-)  

Stamp Sets: Sunflower Serenade (retired Stampin’ Up!), Fear Not (Stamp Simply)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Tim  Holtz® Distress Ink- Tumbled Glass, TH Distress Markers- Mowed Lawn, Squeezed Lemonade, Stampin’ Write Markers- Pear Pizzazz, Hello Honey, Early Espresso, Smoky Slate

Paper: White Heavy Duty Cardstock (not sure of manufacturer- from my stash)

Accessories: AquaPainter™, Embossing Buddy™, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

I love the fonts used in the Stamp Simply Fear Not set, don't you?  Such a versatile stamp set with verses that can comfort during times of stress, loss and illness.  I received this set as a gift from a very precious friend and absolutely love it!

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by- hugs and I hope all of you have a blessed weekend, my friends!

Give Thanks

Hi Friends!

I hope all of you had a wonderful week/weekend!  We are celebrating and  giving "thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever" 1 Chron 16:34!!   

This past week, we received answer to prayer- my hubby Dave’s recent CT scan did not reveal any new tumors, Praise the Lord! At this point, he does not have to undergo any chemo treatments or other medications :-)  Of course, he will be monitored every three months for his bladder cancer (and every six months for his non-Hodgkins lymphoma) but the Lord has definitely answered our prayers :-)  We are so thankful for His faithfulness to us!

In between doctor appointments, organizing my craft room (still working on this "never-ending" project- are you ever really done?) as well as our other weekly activities, I took some time to create a quick and easy monochromatic Mixed Media card. 

I needed a few more masculine cards for my stash so I am playing along with The Male Room Challenge #94 “Geometric”  and also incorporated the JustAdd Ink #427 “Just Add K” Challenge (K= Kraft) and the Simon Monday “Monochrome” Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to visit the above challenge galleries yet, I encourage you to do so- fabulous ideas and projects by all!

To create this card:

1). Using a Word Processing or Photo Editing program (I am still using the retired My Digital Studio™ from Stampin’ Up!), import the truck image from Countryside and print out onto Whisper White cardstock.  Using Stampin’ Write markers (I used Crumb Cake and Sahara Sand) watercolor the image. 

2). Die cut the image with the MFT Stitched Rectangle A2 STAX Set 2 Dies, mount onto black cardstock and trim close to the edge.

3). Die cut a piece of Kraft cardstock using the largest rectangle from the MFT Stitched Rectangle A2 STAX Set 2 Dies.  De-static the lower corner with an embossing powder tool, ink the verse sentiment from Scripture Medley 3 (retired Verve Stamps) with Versafine™ Onyx Black ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

Another view - trying to capture the faint shimmer :-)

4). Once the embossing has cooled, stencil the chevron pattern using a stencil brush with Tim Holtz® Frayed Burlap Distress Ink and the Memory Box Modern Chic Chevron Stencil.  Keep the stencil in place and use a clear glitter pen to add a bit of shimmer to the chevron and add a bit of shimmer to the truck image as well (guys can like shimmer, right?).

5). Use a 1/16” Handheld Punch to create the holes for the square brads, add the brads, mount the panel onto a piece of black cardstock, trim and mount onto a white card base.

6). Mount the layered truck image with dimensional foam to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Countryside (digital stamp- Stampin’ Up!), Scripture Medley 3 (retired Verve Stamps)

Ink: Printer Ink- Black; Versafine™ Onyx Black, Tim  Holtz® Frayed Burlap Distress Ink, Stampin’ Write Markers- Crumb Cake, Sahara Sand, Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Crumb Cake (all Stampin’ Up!)

Accessories: Printer, My Digital Studio™, AquaPainter™, Memory Box Modern Chic Chevron Stencil, Embossing Buddy™, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, 1/16” Handheld Punch (SU!), Square Black Brads (from my stash)

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- hugs and I hope you have a fabulous week, my friends!

TCC98 Rejoice in the Lord

Hi Friends!

Welcome to The Card Concept #98 {Pastel Party} Challenge!!  What a fun inspiration photo and we can not wait to see what will inspire you!!

I was inspired by the pastel rainbow colors as well as the black and white graphic background and banners to create a quick Mixed Media card. 

 I am also participating with the Try Stampin’ on Tuesday #5 Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge (diagonal Green-Die Cut-Dimension) along with the Simon Says Work It Wednesday “Celebrate Stamping” Challenge and the Word Art Wednesday #352-#353 “Anything Goes” Challenge.

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- fabulous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). On a piece of white cardstock, sponge Tim Holtz® Distress Oxide Inks (colors used noted below in the card recipe).  Spritz with water, dry with a heat tool and re-apply additional ink until you are satisfied with the results.

2). Apply strips of washi tape, tearing for different heights. 

3). Ink the floral image from Unity Stamp Co. using Hickory Smoke Distress Ink and stamp repeatedly onto the background panel (masking the washi tape to avoid stamping onto the tape).  Trim the panel and add the three black square brads to the corner.

4). Mount the background panel onto white cardstock, trim again and mount onto a piece of black cardstock.  Trim once more before mounting onto a white card base.

5). De-static a piece of white cardstock with an Embossing Buddy®, ink the sentiment from Scripture Medley 1 (retired Verve Stamps) with Versafine™ Onyx Black, 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 die cut edge.  Add a black square brad to opposite corners.

6). Add strips of washi tape to pastel cardstock and cut the small banners using a punch (or die- I used the retired Banner Punch from Stampin’ Up!).  Adhere the banners behind the sentiment panel and mount onto the card front using dimensional foam.

Stamp Sets: Scripture Medley 1 (retired Verve Stamps), Faith & Hope - Gracielle Designs (Unity Stamp Co)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, TH Distress Oxide- Carved Pumpkin, Mustard Seed, Spun Sugar, Tumbled Glass, Twisted Citron; TH Distress- Hickory Smoke

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Balmy Blue, Blushing Bride, Lemon Lime Twist (Stampin’ Up!)

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot™, MFT Stitched A2 Rectangle Set 2 Dies;  Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Sponge Daubers, retired Banner Punch (SU!), Washi Tape (Kovano), Square Black Brads (from my stash)

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

The Card Concept #97- Colorful Basics

Hi Friends!

Welcome back to The Card Concept Challenge!!  We had the summer off and are so excited to be back. 

We are starting off our new challenge season with this fun photo for our #97 {Colorful Basics} Challenge! Our blog challenge creator, Lesley always seems to find the most inspirational photos.  This scene has so many things that could inspire you.- the stripes, the colors, the dresser , the chair, the curtains in the reflection, the award trophies ...and if you pop over to The Card Concept blog post, just wait until you see how our talented Design Team was inspired!! 

This scene is so crisp and clean (not like my house- lol!)  so I decided to create a Clean and Simple (CAS) Mixed Media card.  I was inspired by the rainbow colored stripes as well as the white/light background.   

Since I love participating in online challenges, I will also be linking this card to the Retro Rubber #94 “Anything Goes” Challenge (both stamp sets used for this card are several years old) and the Simon Says Monday “Stamp It On” Challenge.

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- gorgeous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). Using ink from Zig® Clean Color FB Markers, color the markers directly onto the Watercolor Wash (retired Stampin’ Up!) background stamp, spritz with water and press a piece of watercolor paper onto the stamp.  FYI- I lay the background stamp face up, color (or ink, in this case color), spritz with water and press the paper onto the stamp.  This seems to work best for me when dealing with background stamps.  You can stamp a second piece of watercolor paper for another card as well :-)

2). Spritz the background panel with additional water (if needed) to allow the colors to blend a bit and use a water brush (if needed).  Dry the panel thoroughly with a heat tool.  

***Note- if the paper starts to curl too much, lightly spritz a bit of water on the back of the watercolor panel and it should straighten out. ***

3). Once the panel is dry, de-static the panel with an embossing powder tool, ink the main image from Postage Due (retired Stampin’ Up!) with archival black ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

4). Die cut a panel of white cardstock with the MFT Stitched A2 Set 2 Rectangle Die (use the largest die), mount onto a piece of black cardstock, trim close to the edge and mount onto a white card base.

5). Die cut the watercolor/embossed Postage Due panel with a smaller MFT Stitched A2 Set 2 Rectangle Die, mount onto black cardstock, trim and mount onto the card front with dimensional foam.

Wow, that was quick and easy! A refreshing change from my Shabby Chic Mixed Media cards that can take a few hours- lol!

Stamp Sets: Postage Due, Watercolor Wash background  (both retired Stampin’ Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Versamark™, Zig® Clean Color FB Brushes- Red, Yellow, Orange, Light Green and Light Blue

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black (Stampin’ Up!); Watercolor (Canson)

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot™, MFT Stitched A2 Rectangle Set 2 Dies;  Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, AquaPainter™

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