TCC107 How Beautiful A Day Can Be

Hi Friends!

It's time for The Card Concept #107 {Rainbow Cupcakes} Challenge!  The cupcakes are beautiful in the different rainbow colors and I love the dark background which inspired my card design.

I am still working on my craft room re-organization and have not had a chance to design many cards lately.  I am making an effort to use some of my retired stamps and give the older stamps some “love”.  I used the butterfly from the long ago retired Stampin’ Up! hostess set, Ageless Adornment and paired it with a digital sentiment from the Peonies Digi Stamp Set from Power Poppy by Marcella (I had this sentiment already printed and die cut in my “stash”- amazing what you find when you are able to take time to organize- lol!).

I am also linking this card to the Try Stampin’ On Tuesday #391 “Mixed Sentiment” Challenge along with the Tuesday Throwdown “Embossing” Challenge and The House That Stamps Built #J919 “Tic-Tac-Toe” Challenge (middle row down- Die Cut, Thank You, Stitching). 

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 the other challenge sites yet, I hope you will find time to do so- gorgeous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). De-static a piece of white cardstock with an embossing powder tool.   Using Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink, stamp the butterfly image from the retired Ageless Adornments stamp set onto the prepared panel, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

2). Once the embossing powder has cooled, watercolor the butterfky using water-based markers (I used Zig® Clean Color Markers-see colors below) and fussy cut the image.  Mount onto a piece of black cardstock and fussy cut close to the edge.  Use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the butterfly wings and an extra fine white paint pen to add a few white highlights.

3). Using a photo editing program, import the sentiment from the Peonies Digi Stamp Set (Poppy Power by Marcella), resize and print out onto white cardstock,  Die cut the sentiment with a stitched square die.

4). Die cut a piece of black cardstock with a stitched rectangle die, mount onto a white card base. 

5). Adhere the sentiment directly to the card front and mount the butterfly image with dimensional foam.  Add a few sequins to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Ageless Adornment (retired Stampin’ Up! hostess set), Peonies (digi set- Power Poppy by Marcella)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Zig® Clean Color Real Brush Markers- Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Purple;  Spectrum Noir™ Clear  Glitter Pen; Sharpie® Extra Fine White Paint Pen

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

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot™, My Favorite Things™ Dies- Stitched Square STAX, Stitched Rectangle A2 STAX Set 1; Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Purple Sequins (Craft Medley)

Thank you for taking the time to stop by! I hope I have inspired you to create your own card based on our {Rainbow Cupcakes } photo and link up to our gallery at The Card Concept- we would love to see your interpretation!!

The Card Concept #101 {Rustic Fall}- Give Thanks

Hi Friends!

It's time for The Card Concept #101 {Rustic Fall} Challenge!

I absolutely love this wonderful inspiration photo that Lesley, the creator of The Card Concept Challenge,  chose with the vintage dark blue truck and gorgeous pumpkins- don't you?  

I was inspired by the color of the pumpkins as well as the other autumn colors to create a Shabby Chic/Mixed Media card using digital images from Power Poppy along with traditional watercolor and other techniques.

I am also participating with the Simon Says Work It Wednesday October "Give Thanks" Challenge along with the As You Like It “Favourite Halloween or Autumnal Colors” (I absolutely love all of the oranges, yellows and reds of autumn on the East Coast :-)) and the Word Art Wednesday #358-#359 “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 the other challenge sites yet, I hope you will find time to do so- fabulousl inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). Using a photo editing software (I used the retired My Digital Studio™ from SU!), import the digital images from Painted Pumpkins and Bittersweet Wreath (both Power Poppy by Marcella), re-size as needed and print out onto white cardstock (this cardstock was from my stash and has a linen finish).

2). Using Tim Holtz Distress Inks along with various water-based markers,  watercolor the Painting Pumpkins digital image until you're satisfied with the results (I will list the items used below in the card recipe). Use a waterproof marker to draw a table edge, trim the image and use a distressing tool to distress the edges.  Apply Vintage Photo Distress Ink with a sponge dauber along the edges and distressing with the small splatter image (Timeless Textures-SU!).   Mount the finished image onto a piece of Not Quite Navy cardstock and distress the edges with a distressing tool.

3). Die cut the sentiment with a stitched rectangle die, mount onto Not Quite Navy cardstock (retired SU!), distress the edges of the Not Quite Navy layer with a distressing tool, sponge Vintage Photo Distress Ink around the edges and add a bit of splatter with the Timeless Textures stamp.

4). Distress the edges of a piece of patterned paper (I used a piece from my stash), apply Vintage Photo Distress Ink along the edges, mount the panel onto a piece of retired Not Quite Navy cardstock and distress the edges of the cardstock as well.

5). Die cut a piece of Not Quite Navy cardstock with one of the MFT Stitched Horizontal Strip Dies, split the die cut (the split will be covered with the sentiment panel) and mount the pieces onto the distressed panel.  Adhere the pieces of dark brown polished hemp twine (wrapping the ends behind the panel) and mount the entire panel onto a white card base.

6). Mount the main image onto the card front as well as the sentiment using dimensional foam.   Add the looped polished hemp twine bow with the pumpkin button (I used hot glue to adhere the bow).

7).  Use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the pumpkins to finish off the card.

 Stamp Sets: Painted Pumpkins, Bittersweet Wreath (Power Poppy), Timeless Textures (Stampin Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Printer Ink- Black, Stampin’ Write Markers- Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, Smokey Slate; Arteza™ Real Brush Markers- A146 Olive Green, A167 Ocean Blue, A140- Cadium Orange, A112- Orange, A178- Ginger, A102- Chocolate; Tim Holtz® Distress Ink- Vintage Photo, Brushed Corduroy, Crazed Pumpkin; Spectrum Noir™ Glitter Pen, Sharpie®  Extra Fine Black Marker

Cardstock/Paper: Not Quite Navy (retired SU!), designer paper (Authentique- not sure of collection), misc. linen and HD white cardstock from my stash (for images and base)

Tools/Accessories:  My Digital Studio™ (retired SU!), Big Shot™, My Favorite Things™ (MFT) Dies-Stitched A2 Rectangle, Stitched Horizontal Strip; Distressing Tool, Polished Hemp Twine, retired Pumpkin Pie button (SU!), Printer

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by- I hope you will join us for our {RusticFall} Challenge at The Card Concept- we would love to see your card in our gallery!!

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!

TCC93 Happy Mother's Day

Hi Friends!

Woohoo! It’s time for the new #93 {Floral Centerpiece} Challenge at The Card Concept!

I love this beautiful bouquet of flowers and was inspired by the different color blossoms as well as the gorgeous green in the background to create a Shabby Chic Mixed Media card.

I decided to use the digital Tulips in Hobnail Pitcher from Power Poppy and the soon-to-be retired sentiment from SU! Teeny Tiny Wishes. 

I love to participate in online challenges and will also be linking this card to the Simon Says Work It Wednesday April 2018 “Mother’s Day” Challenge, the Retro Rubber #86 “Beautiful Flowers” Challenge (this digital image is several years old and I believe this is the first card I have actually created with it) and the Word Art Wednesday #334-#335 “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- gorgeous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). Using a design software (I used the retired Stampin’ Up! My Digital Studio™), position the Tulips in Hobnail Pitcher digital image onto your screen, enlarge if desired and print out onto a piece of vanilla cardstock. Watercolor the image with distress inks and markers.  Create a line area for the table using a Pigma Micron™ 005 Black Pen. 

2). Die cut the image with a stitched circle die, mount onto another circle of brown cardstock (also die cut with the same stitched circle die). 

3). Use a stencil brush with peeled paint distress ink to stencil the background around the flowers.

4). Die cut a piece of patterned paper with a stitched rectangle die, mount onto another rectangle die cut from espresso cardstock. Mount onto the white card front, add the ivory crochet lace and green grosgrain ribbon (wrapping the ribbon ends around to the inside of the card).  Cover the ends of the ribbon on the back of the card front with a piece of soft yellow cardstock.

5). Use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to all of the tulips and an extra fine white paint pen to add a few dots to the flower stamens.

6). Stamp the sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes with archival black ink onto a piece of vanilla cardstock, heat set with a heat tool and stencil a bit of the peeled paint distress ink over the sentiment.  Create the banner points, mount onto espresso cardstock and add to the card front with dimensional foam.

7). Add a few pearls to the sentiment as well as the top left-hand corner to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Tulips in Hobnail Pitcher (Digital image from Power Poppy), Teeny Tiny Wishes (Stampin' Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Printer Ink- Black, Versafine™ Onyx Black, Tim Holtz® Distress Ink- Fossilized Amber, Shaded Lilac, Peeled Paint, Picked Raspberry, Mowed Lawn, Hickory Smoke; Distress Markers- Seedless Preserves, Mowed Lawn; Spectrum Noir™Clear Glitter Pen, Pigma Micron™ 005 Black Pen

Cardstock/Paper: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, retired Designer Series Paper (all Stampin’ Up!)

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot™, My Favorite Things™ Dies- A2 Stitched Rectangles STAX Set 1 & 2, Stitched Circle STAX; Clarity™ Stencil Brush, Heat Tool, 5/8” Moss Grosgrain Ribbon, Ivory Crochet Lace, retired My Digital Studio™, Pearls

I am so thankful that you took the time to visit me today! I hope I have inspired you to create your own card based on our Floral Centerpiece photo and share with us at The Card Concept- we would love to see your artwork in our gallery!!