TCC121 Cast Your Cares

Hi Friends!

Welcome to The Card Concept #121 {Adventure Awaits} Challenge!  I love this inspiration photo and was inspired by the train station, the colors and textures of the luggage as well as the brick wall to create a Shabby and Vintage Mixed Media card!

Since I have not used the retired Stampin’ Up! (SU!) Traveler stamp set in a while, I decided to pull out the locomotive image (well, it is a train station, right?) and paired it with a sentiment from the retired Faith Medley stamp set from Verve Stamps.

I used the MojoMonday #424 Sketch Challenge for the layout (since Julee Tilman is the designer of the sketch challenge as well as the stamp set, I just had to play along with her challenge- sending hugs Julee!) and will also be linking to the Word Art Wednesday #408-#409 “Anything Goes”Challenge.

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- such gorgeous inspiration from all!

The locomotive image was stamped onto prepared white cardstock with Versafine™ Onyx Black and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  Once the embossing powder had cooled, the image was water-colored with SU! Markers and Distress Ink (see colors below) using a water brush to soften the edges before die cutting with a stitched circle die.  Layer the image onto a die cut circle from espresso cardstock.

Emboss two pieces of retired designer paper (SU! Howlstooth & Herrinbone) with different embossing folders, lightly sand the embossing and mount onto espresso cardstock.  (I used the Tim Holtz™ Alterations Air Mail on the left panel and the retired SU! Boho Chic on the other panel).

Layer the embossed designer paper panels onto the white card front (die cut with a stitched rectangle die) and mount onto a piece of espresso cardstock. 

Sponge a bit of distress ink over the edges, add the satin ribbon strips with the pewter ribbon glides (the glides reminded me of the straps on the luggage) and wrap the ends of the ribbon behind the panel before mounting onto the white card base.

Heat emboss the sentiment onto white cardstock (in the same manner as the locomotive), hand trim and mount onto espresso cardstock.

Use the splatter stamp to add a bit of distressing.  Mount the locomotive and sentiment with dimensional foam (or chipboard, lately I have preferred chipboard since I have an abundance from designer paper packs). 

Finish off the card by using a silver paint pen to add a bit of silver to the locomotive’s metal parts. 

Stamp Sets:  Traveler, Timeless Textures (retired SU!), Faith Medley (retired Verve Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black,  Memento™ Tuxedo Black; Tim Holtz™ Distress Ink- Frayed Burlap and Hickory Smoke; Stampin’ Write Markers- Gray Granite, Smoky Slate, Chocolate Chip, Espresso; Silver Paint Marker (retired SU!)

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Early Espresso; retired SU! Designer Series Paper- Howlstooth & Herringbone

Tools/Accessories: Big Shot™, My Favorite Things™ Dies- Stitched A2 Rectangle STAX Set 1, Stitched Circle STAX; Sixxiz™ Circle Dies; Embossing Folders- TH Alterations Airmail, SU! retired Boho Chic; AquaPainter™, Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, ⅝” Espresso Satin Ribbon, Pewter Ribbon Slides

Thanks again for taking the time to visit!  I hope I have inspired you to create your own card based on our {Adventure Awaits}  photo and link up to our gallery at The Card Concept- we would love to see your interpretation and what design style(s) you decide to choose :-) The challenge is open until Monday, October 21^st. 

He Is Risen #2

Hi Friends!

This is another Easter card that I designed using the cross image from Easter Morn (retired Stampin’ Up!) – if you are interested, another design using the same image was posted here and here. 

I was inspired by the Mojo Monday #514 Sketch Challenge and also incorporated the Just Add Ink #453 “Just Add Two” Challenge (Bunnies, Flowers, Crosses) and the INKSpire_Me #390 “Easter Special” Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to visit the above challenge galleries yet, I encourage you to do so- fabulous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). De-static a piece of white cardstock with an embossing tool, stamp the cross image with Versafine™ Onyx Black ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

2). Once the embossing has cooled, color the cross image using water-based markers.  Fussy-cut the image and set aside.  (FYI- I stamped nine images on a piece of 8 ½” x 11” white cardstock, stamped and embossed the images before using the Brother Scan-n-Cut to cut out all of the images.)

3). Fold a piece of 4 ¼” x 11” piece of white cardstock in half for the card base.  Emboss the front panel with an embossing folder.

4). Emboss another panel of white cardstock using a lace embossing folder, cut the strips for the vertical layers of the sketch and mount onto white cardstock.  Use the remaining part of the embossed panel for the horizontal layer (also mounting it onto white cardstock). 

5).  Adhere the horizontal layer to the card front and add the vertical strips (using dimensional foam). 

6). Die cut a circle and a doily from white cardstock, layer and mount onto the front of the card base.

7). Mount the cross image using dimensional foam.

8).  Use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the petals, cross and dove.  Add white highlights to the flower centers with a white paint pen.

Stamp Sets: Easter Morn (retired Stampin’ Up!)

Ink: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Stampin’ Write Markers- Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Coastal Cabana, Gable Green; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen, Sharpie™ Extra Fine White Paint Pen

Paper: Whisper White

Accessories: Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool , Big Shot™, Harlequin and Lace Dynamic Embossing Folders, Circle Dies (retired SU!), Doily Die (Divinity Designs, LLC)

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- hugs and I hope you have a wonderful week!

TCC108 Follow My Heart

Hi Friends!

It's time for The Card Concept #108 {Love Is In The Air} Challenge!  Valentines Day is around the corner- have you made a card for your Valentine yet?

If not, we hope you will join us at The Card Concept! I was inspired by the red, black and white to design a Shabby Chic card – not sure if I will give this one to my hubby since it is a bit feminine, but it would be perfect for a friend of mine.

I also incorporated the Mojo Monday #508 Sketch Challenge, the As You See It #193 “Eclectic Style” Challenge and the Simon Says Monday “Add Some Red” 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- fabulous 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 Eiffel Tower and banner image from the retired Follow My Heart stamp set (Stampin’ Up!) onto the prepared panel, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Once the embossing has cooled, fussy-cut the Eiffel Tower and use the retired Banner Punch to punch out the banner.

2). Trim a piece of striped Poppy Parade designer paper to approx.. 4” x 5 ¼”, mount onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock.  Trim and mount onto the Extra Thick Whisper White card base.

3). Create the remaining layers for the sketch from designer paper along with Whisper White cardstock, Wrap pieces of black hemp twine around the white banner layer, mount per the sketch onto the card front (using dimensional foam behind the main square panel and under the ends of the vertical black/white panel.

4). Use the retired Sweetheart Punch to punch out one heart from Whisper White cardstock and two hearts from Basic Black cardstock, Layer the two black hearts behind the white heart and mount onto the card front.  Add the fussy-cut Eiffel Tower image with dimensional foam (I first mounted the Eiffel Tower image onto Basic Black cardstock to give it a bit more stability). 

5). Add the looped black hemp bow and use a small punched out heart for the center of the bow,  To finish off the card, apply shimmer to the small heart in the center of the bow using a clear glitter pen and add the White Tea Lace Doily pieces to the corners.

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Stamp Sets: Follow My Heart (retired Stampin’ Up! hostess set)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Spectrum Noir™ Clear  Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Poppy Parade; retired Night and Day DSP, retired Poppy Parade DSP (all Stampin’ Up!)

Tools/Accessories:  Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Black Hemp Twine, SU! Punches- Banner, retired Sweetheart and Triple Heart, White Tea Lace Doily 

Thank you for taking the time to visit! I hope I have inspired you to create your own card based on our {Loveis in the Air} photo and linkup to our gallery at The Card Concept- we would love to see your interpretation!!

TCC104 Peace on Earth

Hi Friends!

It's time for The Card Concept #104 {Elegant Holiday} Challenge!

Wow, what a gorgeous inspiration photo Lesley found for us!  The various shades of metallic silvers along with the green and pinecones inspired me to create a Classy and Elegant/Mixed Media Christmas card!

I love participating in online challenges and incorporated the Mojo Monday #504 Sketch Challenge along with The Flower Challenge #27 “Use an Older Stamp or Die” Challenge (I used a flower image I have owned for several years as well as a retired stamp for the sentiment and background), the International Art & Soul Challenge #48 “Add Some Sparkle” Challenge and the Dragonfly Journeys #130 “Handmade Holiday Magic”Challenge into the design.

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- wonderful inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). De-static two pieces of white cardstock (4 ¼” x 5 ½”) with an embossing powder tool.   On one panel stamp the poinsettia image from Poinsettia (Power Poppy by Marcella) with Versamark™ ink, apply pewter embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Once the embossing has cooled, fussy-cut the poinsettia image and set aside.

2). On the other prepared panel of white cardstock, stamp the sentiment from the retired Beyond Measure (Verve Stamps) with Versamark™ ink, apply pewter embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool. Die cut the panel using a stitched rectangle die, mount onto a piece of Early Espresso cardstock, trim close to the edge.

3). Stamp the retired En Francais (Stampin’ Up!) background stamp onto a piece of Pear Pizzazz cardstock using Early Espresso Classic Ink.  Trim the panel, mount onto Early Espresso cardstock and adhere the strip to the card front.  Add the silver metallic ribbon and mount onto the white card base.

4). Die cut a piece of white cardstock with a stitched circle die, mount onto another circle die cut from Early Espresso cardstock and mount to the card front with dimensional foam.  Adhere the fussy-cut poinsettia image directly to the circle and add a bit of shimmer to the petals using a clear glitter pen.

5). Use a branch punch to cut out several branches from silver metallic paper and add to the card front behind the poinsettia image.

6). Finish off the card by adding the triple silver metallic bow, the string of rhinestones and pearls to the center of the poinsettia.

 Stamp Sets: Poinsettia (Power Poppy by Marcella), Beyond Measure (retired Verve Stamps), En Francais (retired Stampin’ Up!) background)

Ink/Mediums: Versamark™ , Early Espresso Classic Ink (Stampin’ Up!), Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Early Espresso, Pear Pizzazz (Stampin’ Up!)

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot™, My Favorite Things Dies- Stitched Rectangle A2 STAX,  Stitched Circle STAX Dies, Circle Dies (retired SU!), Branch Punch (Martha Stewart),  Embossing Powder Tool, Pewter Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, 3/8” Silver Metallic Wired Ribbon (Darice®), Silver Rhinestones, Pearls

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

Home for the Holidays

Hi Friends!

Today I am sharing another fun Mixed Media Christmas card using  a few Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps- Home for the Holidays, Texture Tiles 1, Texture Tiles 4 and Scene Silhouettes: Trees.

For the layout I used the #503 Mojo Sketch Challenge and am also linking this card to the  Word Art Wednesday #362-#36.3 ”Anything Goes”  Challenge and the Hand StampedSentiments #303 Inspiration Challenge (I was inspired by the snow scenes and the green colors).

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!

Also, don’t forget- Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps is continuing to celebrate their 11th birthday this month! This week’s special is 11% off Sentiment, Fall and Christmas stamps plus with any net order of $60 (US), you can choose one of four top selling stamp sets as your November Stamp of the Month-hurry, though- both offers are good through November 30^th!

To create this card:

1). De-static a piece of white cardstock with an embossing powder tool, stamp the truck image and sentiment from Home for the Holidays with Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Watercolor the truck with distress ink along with water-based markers and die cut the sentiment with a stitched circle die. Fussy-cut the truck image and set aside.

2).  Die cut a white circle with a stitched circle die for the scene behind the truck, mask the snow bank area, ink the pine tree image from Scene Silhouettes: Trees with olive ink, stamp along the edge to create the tree line, remove the mask and use a blue ink to sponge a bit of shadows on the snow.  Watercolor the sky area with berry ink, die cut with a stitched circle die and mount onto a circle die cut from gray cardstock and then again onto dark blue cardstock.  Add a bit of splatter with the splatter image from Texture Tiles 1 using dark blue ink and use a Sharpie® Extra Fine White Paint Pen to add snowflakes to the scene.

3). On a 4” x 5 ¼” piece of white cardstock, ink the grid image from Texture Tiles 1 with dark blue ink and stamp repeatedly to create the pattern.  Lightly spritz with water, mount onto gray cardstock, trim and mount onto dark blue cardstock. 

4). Create the plaid horizontal strip using white cardstock and stamping the plaid image from Texture Tiles 4 first with dark blue ink, then again with olive ink.  Die cut the horizontal strip with a stitched die and create the corners by hand.  Add the corners and insert a silver brad in the center of each.

5). Layer the blue hemp twine, wrapping the ends behind the panel and mount the card front onto the white card base.

6). Add the die cut/layered circles onto the card front dimensional foam, mount the bow with the green button and add a bit of shimmer to the truck with a silver glitter pen.

Stamp Sets: Home for the Holidays, Texture Tiles 1, Texture Tiles 4 , Scene Silhouettes: Trees (Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Stampin’ Write Markers-Berry Burst, Blueberry Bushel, Lemon Lime Twist; Tim Holtz® Crushed Olive Distress ; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen, Sharpie® Extra Fine White Paint Pen

Cardstock/Designer Paper: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Blueberry Bushel (all Stampin’ Up!)

Accessories/Tools: Big Shot™, MFT Dies- Stitched Circle STAX, Horizontal Stitched Strips, Circle Dies (retired SU!);  Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Silver Brads, Blue Hemp Twine, Old Olive button

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- I hope all of you have a fantastic week!