Cast Thy Burden

Hi Friends!

This evening I am sharing a card that was designed with the retired Stampin’ Up! sets, The Wilderness Awaits and Blessings from Heaven.  I have not used either one of these stamps in quite a while :-)

Unfortunately, I needed a few more sympathy cards for my stash and thought that this image looks so peaceful and would be appropriate for a sympathy card.

I incorporated the Splitcoaststampers SC148 Sketch Challenge for the layout and will also be participating  for the SUO Challenges #253 "Animals" Challenge, the Watercoolor Wednesday #279 "Helen's Challenge: All About Occasions" and the Word Art Wednesday #446-#447 "Anything Goes" Challenge.

If you have not had chance to check out the above challenge sites yet, I hope you will do so- fabulous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

Ink the fox image Memento™ Tuxedo Black Ink, stamp onto white cardstock and heat set with a heat tool.

Using ink from ink pads and water-based markers (see colors below), watercolor the image.

Die cut with a stitched rectangle die, mount onto black cardstock, trim close to the edge.

Add a scrap piece of black cardstock on the back of a piece of green designer paper, adhere to a piece of white cardstock and mount the entire panel onto a piece of black cardstock.  Trim close to the edge and adhere to a white card base.

Stamp the sentiment from Blessings from Heaven using Memento™ Tuxedo Black Ink onto the card front in the lower right hand corner. 

Add the fox image using dimensional foam to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: The Wilderness Awaits, Blessings from Heaven (both retired Stampin’ Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Memento™ Tuxedo Black, Bermuda Bay, Old Olive Classic Ink; Stampin’ Write Markers- Pool Party, Melon Mambo, Mossy Meadow, Pretty in Pink, Gray Granite, Smoky Slate

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black; retired Festival of Prints Designer Series Paper

Accessories: Gemini, Jr.™, Stitched Rectangle Dies,  AquaPainter™, Heat Tool

Thanks again for taking the time to drop by- I will be sharing a few more cards this weekend and hope you can visit again soon!

One Layer Christmas Blessings

Hi Friends!!

This evening I am sharing a quick CAS (Clean and Simple) One Layer card designed using the retired Stampin’ Up! Sets, Bells & Boughs and Christmas Blessings.

I am still working on inking up my retired sets and have always loved this poinsettia image from Bells & Boughs.  

I paired it with the Christmas Blessings sentiment (love the font on this set) and will be linking to the Less Is More #407 “One Layer Winter Flora” Challenge, the SUO Challenges #SUOC235 “Fav Holiday Products”  and the Simon Says Wednesday “Simon Says:Anything Goes” Challenge. 

If you have not had a chance to do so, I hope you will visit the above challenge sites- fabulous inspiration from all!

This card was very easy to create- fold a piece of Extra Thick Whisper White cardstock in half for the card base, de-static with an embossing powder tool, stamp the poinsettia image with Versafine™ Onyx Black ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

Once the image has cooled, create a  mask and repeat the process for another partial image.

Watercolor using water-based markers (see colors listed below). 

Stamp and emboss the sentiment in the same manner and finish off the card with white highlights to the flower centers and shimmer on the petals with a clear glitter pen.

So easy and it will be easy to mail as well :-)

Stamp Sets: Bells & Boughs, Christmas Blessings (both retired Stampin’ Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Stampin’ Write Markers- Bravo Burgundy, Coastal Cabana, Granny Apple Green, Melon Mambo, Old Olive; Wink of Stella™ Clear Glitter Pen, White Gel Pen

Cardstock/Paper: Extra Thick Whisper White

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

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

Beauty is God's Handwriting

Hi Friends!

I am still making an effort to create cards using some of my older stamp sets.

This Clean and Simple card combines three retired Stampin’ Up! sets- Natural Beauty, God’s Beauty and Botanicals.

This card was quick and easy to create- I heat embossed the butterfly image with clear embossing powder onto a white cardstock panel and once cooled, masked the image before stamping the text image and sentiment using water-based markers.  A water brush was used to blend a bit of the color and I used the remaining ink off the silicone mat to create a bit of splatter.

The text image was used on the base and the main image panel was mounted with dimensional foam.

I finished off the card using a clear glitter pen and white gel pen.

I am linking this card to several online challenges- the CAS Colours and Sketches#335 Color Challenge, the Stampin’ Up! Only SUOC230 “Clean and Simple”Challenge and the CAS Watercolour August "Colourful Butterflies" Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to stop by the above challenge sites, I encourage you to do so- fabulous galleries and inspiration from all!

Stamp Sets: Nature’s Beauty, God’s Beauty and Botanicals (all retired Stampin’ Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black,  Stampin’ Write Markers- Crushed Curry, Elegant Eggplant and Highland Heather; White Gel Pen, Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Designer Paper: Whisper White

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

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

Pretty Kitty Thank You

Hi Friends!   

I have an announcement to make- this will be my last post as a SU-Only Challenge Designer :-(   

It was a hard decision to make to step down from the team and it has has been my honor to be part of the SUO Challenge DT since 2013! I have enjoyed every moment and have had such a great time getting to know Robin (our coordinator) as well as the rest of the team.  The challenge site will be undergoing some behind the scenes changes along with a few new DT members, so stay tuned :-)

 I wanted to create a "Thank You" Card to show my appreciation for all of the hard work that Robin as well as the rest of the SUO Design Team (DT)put in each week and for my thanks to all of you who have faithfully played along with us over the years! 

I am still planning on creating and posting cards but one less deadline will allow me to spend more time with my hubby (he will be having another surgery soon) and allow us to have more time to complete our other tasks at home.

I decided to create a card using a few stamp sets that I have not had a chance to ink up yet- Pretty Kitty and Bella & Friends (I think both of these sets are so cute!) and paired them with Petal Palette for an easy Clean and Layered card.   

I have also incorporated the Fab Friday #133 Sketch Challenge and the A Bit More Time to Craft #64 “Anything Goes” Challenge into the design.

If you have not had a chance to stop by the SU-Only Challenge site to check out the rest of the Design Team projects or the other challenge sites, I hope you will do so- wonderful inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). De-static a piece of Whisper White cardstock with the Embossing Buddy®, ink the kitty image from Pretty Kitty with Stampin’ Archival Basic Black ink, stamp onto the prepared cardstock, apply Stampin’ Emboss® Clear Embossing Powder and heat set with the heat tool. 

2). Once the embossing has cooled, watercolor the image using an AquaPainter™ along with Stampin’ Up! Watercolor pencils and markers (colors listed below).

3). Die cut the image using the Big Shot™ with the Stitched Layering Framelits™, layer onto black cardstock, trim close to the edge.  Cut the image at the bottom (to create rectangle- the cut area will be hidden by the sentiment).

4). Repeatedly stamp the rose image from Petal Palette using Versamark™ over a piece of Bermuda Bay cardstock.  Trim the panel, mount onto Basic Black cardstock before adhering to the Extra Thick Whisper White card base.  Add the split Pretty Kitty image directly to the card front.

5). De-static a scrap piece of Basic Black cardstock with the Embossing Buddy®, stamp the sentiment from Bella & Friends using Versamark™, apply Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder and heat set with the Heat Tool.  Once cooled, hand trim and mount onto the card front using Stampin’ Dimensionals®.

 6). Die cut a heart from Calypso Coral cardstock using the Support Ribbon Framelits™, add to the sentiment panel and apply Clear Wink of Stella® for a bit of shimmer.

7). Finish off the card by using the White Gel Pen to add a few highlights to the flower centers.

Stamp Sets:  Pretty Kitty, Petal Palette, Bella & Friends

Ink/Mediums: Versamark™, Stampin’ Archival Basic Black, Stampin’ Write Markers-Old Olive, Calypso Coral, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Sweet Sugarplum; Stampin’ Up! Watercolor Pencils- Basic Gray, Bermuda Bay, Calypso Coral, Old Olive, Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo; Clear Wink of Stella®, White Gel Pen

Paper/Cardstock: Whisper White, Extra Thick Whisper White, Basic Black, Bermuda Bay

Accessories: Big Shot™, Stitched Layering Framelits™, Support Ribbon Framelits™, AquaPainter™, Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® Clear and White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

Thanks again for taking the time to visit – I hope that you have a wonderful Easter week and stop by again soon!

SUO196 Cross of Hope

Hi Friends!   

It’s time for the #196 “Spring is About to Spring” Challenge at SU-Only Challenges!  

Easter is only a few weeks away and I have not had a chance to create a card yet with the new Crosses of Hope Framelits™. 

I decided to incorporate the Splitcoaststampers CC677 Color Challenge into the design along with the  Tic-Tac-Toe #038 Challenge (Green, Sparkle, Happy) and the International Art & Soul #28 “Emboss and Use A Die”Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to stop by the SU-Only Challengesite to check out the rest of the Design Team’s samples or the other challenge sites yet, I encourage you to do so- wonderful inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). Use Stampin’ Write Markers- color the flower spray image from Hold On To Hope using Emerald Envy for the stems and Calypso Coral for the flowers. “Huff” onto the stamp to re-moisten and stamp onto a piece of Peekaboo Peach cardstock. “Huff” again for a second generation stamping, re-color the image and stamp a few more times.

2). Trim the panel to 4” x 5 ¼”.  Stamp the flourish image from Timeless Textures with Versamark™ ink repeatedly around the edges and score at the bottom and top of the panel.  Mount onto a piece of Emerald Envy cardstock, trim and mount onto the Extra Thick Whisper White card base.

3). Die cut the main cross from Crosses of Hope Framelits™ from Calypso Coral cardstock and the intricate cross from Whisper White cardstock.  Layer the two and add shimmer to the Calypso Coral areas with Clear Wink of Stella®.

4). Loop a bit of Gold Metallic Thread behind the area where the cross will be mounted and mount the cross with Stampin’ Dimensionals®.

5). Ink the sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes with Versamark™ and stamp onto a scrap piece of Emerald Envy cardstock.  Apply Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder and heat set with the Heat Tool. Hand trim and add a flag banner on the end before mounting onto the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals®.

6). Add a Pearl to the middle of the cross to finish off the card.

  

Stamp Sets:  Hold On To Hope, Timeless Textures, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink/Mediums: Versamark™, Stampin’ Write Markers- Emerald Envy, Calypso Coral; Clear Wink of Stella®

Paper: Whisper White, Extra Thick Whisper White, Emerald Envy, Peekaboo Peach

Accessories/Tools: Big Shot™, Crosses of Hope Framelits™, Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Write® White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Gold Metallic Thread, Pearls

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by and I hope that you will create your own Stampin’ Up! Only project and join us for our “Spring is About to Spring” challenge! 

SUO195 Favorite Sentiment

Hi Friends!   

It’s time for the #195 “A Favorite Sentiment” Challenge at SU-Only Challenges!  

I love using Scripture verses on my card so I decided to use the verse from the Occasions Mini stamp set, Hold On To Hope and incorporated the flowers from the Painted Harvest stamp set (carried over from the 2017 Holiday Mini) and a bit of splatter from Timeless Textures for a very simple card :-)

The main panel on this card is just one layer and since I did not have my ink pads near me when I created this card, I used masking along with Stampin’ Write Markers for the entire card (I love using markers for omitting and other techniques, don’t you? :-))

I am also participating with the Simon Says Monday “In My Garden” Challenge along with the TGIF #148 “Masking Technique” Challenge and the Addicted to Stamps and More #281 “Anything Goes” Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to stop by the SU-Only Challengesite to check out the rest of the Design Team’s samples or the other challenge sites yet, I encourage you to do so- terrific inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). Ink the solid flower image from Painted Harvest with a Blushing Bride marker, stamp onto the lower part of a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  Ink the more detailed petal image with a Berry Burst marker and stamp over the solid image.  Stamp another detailed petal image flower onto a piece of scrap paper (or sticky note/masking paper), fussy cut the image and use this as your mask.

2). Mask the first flower and repeat the steps above to stamp the second and third flower (re-masking each flower as you proceed).  ***FYI- I used Flirty Flamingo as the base for the last two flowers versus Blushing Bride***

3). Ink the flower center image with an Early Espresso marker and stamp in the middle of the petals.  Use an AquaPainter™ to blend any areas that are missing ink or may be a bit misaligned.

4). Re-mask each flower as you stamp the outline leaf image with a Lemon Lime Twist marker.

5). Ink the sentiment from Hold On To Hope with a Basic Black marker (the words on each top line), stamp onto the panel, then ink the “Made You”, “Carry You”, “Sustain You”, “Rescue You” with the Berry Burst marker and re-stamp onto the panel.

6). Add a bit of splatter with the small splatter stamp from Timeless Textures, inked with the Early Espresso marker. 

7). Trim the panel and mount onto a piece of Berry Burst cardstock, trim again and mount onto the Extra Thick Whisper White card base.

8). To finish off the card, apply shimmer to all of the flower petals with Clear Wink of Stella®.

Stamp Sets:  Painted Harvest, Hold On To Hope, Timeless Textures

Ink/Mediums: Stampin’ Write Markers- Blushing Bride, Flirty Flamingo, Berry Burst, Early Espresso, Lemon Lime Twist; Clear Wink of Stella®

Paper: Whisper White, Extra Thick Whisper White, Berry Burst

Accessories/Tools: AquaPainter™

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by and I hope that you will create your own Stampin’ Up! Only project and join us for our “AFavorite Sentiment” challenge!  

SUO194 Petal Palette Thanks

Hi Friends!   

It’s time for the #194 “CASE a Catalog Project" Challenge at SU-Only Challenges!  As a designer, I normally do not CASE  (Copy and Share with Everyone) although there is nothing wrong with CASEing.  In fact, it is encouraged so we are basing our challenge on this very theme :-)

I decided to create a card using the new Petal Palette stamp set and coordinating dies from the 2018 Occasions Mini Catalog along with the Painted Harvest stamp set (carried over from the 2017 Holiday Mini). 

I used the Petal Palette samples on page 22 (from the 2018 Occasions Mini Catalog) for my inspiration- the floral colors from the cards on the bottom left and center, the background from the card on the far right and the black and white for the sentiment and bird from the card in the far top left.

I am also participating with the Simon Says Work It Wednesday “January 2018- Anything Goes”  Challenge and the Tic-Tac-Toe #034Challenge (center row across Die Cut-Emboss-Floral). 

If you have not had a chance to stop by the SU-Only Challengesite to check out the rest of the Design Team’s samples or the other challenge sites yet, I encourage you to do so- terrific inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). De-static a piece of Whisper White cardstock with an Embossing Buddy®, ink the sentiment from Painted Harvest with Versamark™ ink, stamp onto the prepared panel, apply Stampin’ Emboss® Clear Embossing Powder and heat with the Heat Tool.  Once the embossing has cooled, die cut with the Stitched Shapes Framelits™ (also die cutting a circle from Basic Black cardstock with the same size stitched circle die).  Mount the sentiment onto the black circle with a bit of the black showing on the right hand side.

2). De-static another piece of Whisper White cardstock with an Embossing Buddy®, ink the chickadee image and two flower images  from the Petal Palette stamp set with Stampin’ Archival™ Basic Black ink, stamp onto the prepared panel, apply Stampin’ Emboss® Clear Embossing Powder and heat with the Heat Tool.  Once the embossing has cooled, watercolor the flowers with Stampin’ Write Markers- Blushing Bride, Melon Mambo and Sweet Sugarplum for the petals and Pear Pizzazz with Wild Wasabi for the leaves.  Use an AquaPainter™ to blend the colors and once you are satisfied with the coloring, die cut the large floral image and bird with the coordinating Petals & More Thinlit™ Dies.  Fussy-cut the floral stem.

3). Ink the leaf stem image from Petal Palette with Old Olive ink and stamp repeatedly onto a piece of Soft Sky cardstock.  Repeat the process with Stampin’ Archival™ Basic Black ink and heat set with the heat tool.  Trim the panel and mount onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock.  Trim again and mount onto the Extra Thick Whisper White card base.

4). Attach a piece of Vellum over the card front (adhering in the center where the glue will be hidden by the horizontal strip and very carefully at the corners (I used Tombow Multi-Mono Glue).

5). Trim a piece of Soft Sky cardstock to 5 ¼” x 1 ½”, stamp the dotted image from Petal Palette with Soft Sky ink over the panel and mount onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock. 

6). Die cut two of the border pieces from Whisper White cardstock with the Petals & More Thinlits™ , adhere the borders together on the end and mount behind the layered strip (trimming off the ends).  Mount the entire layered strip to the card front (covering up the adhesive).

7). Mount the layered sentiment with Stampin’ Dimensionals® onto the card front and add the flowers along with the bird image (using Stampin’ Dimensionals® as needed for the edges).

8). Apply shimmer to all of the flower petals with Clear Wink of Stella® and add a few Pearls to the upper left hand corner and sentiment circle to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Petal Palette, Painted Harvest

Ink/Mediums: Stampin’ Archival™ Basic Black, Old Olive, Soft Sky; Stampin’ Write Markers- Blushing Bride, Powder Pink, Sweet Sugarplum, Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive; Clear Wink of Stella®

Paper: Whisper White, Extra Thick Whisper White, Basic Blackm Soft Sky, Vellum

Accessories/Tools: Big Shot™, Petals and More Thinlits™, Stitched Layering Framelits™, Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, AquaPainter™, Pearls

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by and I hope that you will create your own Stampin’ Up! Only project and join us for our “CASE a Catalog Project” challenge!  

SUO193 Love You

Hi Friends!

It’s time for the #193 “Hearts A Plenty” Challenge at SU-Only Challenges!  I decided to use a resist technique with the Bloomin’ Love stamp set and the new Brilliant Red Brusho® Crystal Colour Watercolor Ink Crystals.

I am also incorporating the Tic-Tac-Toe #032 Challenge (bottom row across Sparkle-Love and Free) along with the Dragonfly Journeys #110 “The Power of Red” Challenge and the Simon Says Monday "Resist It" Challenge into the design. 

If you have not had a chance to stop by the SU-Only Challengesite to check out the rest of the Design Team’s samples or the other challenge sites yet, I encourage you to do so- wonderful inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). De-static a piece of Whisper White cardstock with an Embossing Buddy®, ink the floral heart image from Bloomin’ Love with Versamark™ ink, stamp onto the prepared panel, apply Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder and heat with the Heat Tool.  Repeat the steps for two additional heart images.

2). Once the embossing has cooled, sprinkle a bit of the Brilliant Red Brusho® Crystal Colour onto the panel, lightly spritz with water and continue to add color as needed.  Dry carefully with the Heat Tool.

3). Ink the “XOXO” , “Be Mine” and small open heart images from Bloomin’ Love along with the small splatter stamp image from Timeless Textures with Stampin’ Archival Basic Black Ink, stamp onto the panel and heat set with the Heat Tool.

4). Trim the panel and mount onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock before mounting onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock.  Adhere the entire panel to an Extra Thick Whisper White card base.

5). Heat emboss the sentiment onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock using Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder, trim and mount onto the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals®.

6). Apply shimmer to all of the hearts with Clear Wink of Stella® and add a few Pearls to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Bloomin’ Love

Ink/Mediums: Versamark™, Clear Wink of Stella®, Brilliant Red Brusho® Crystal Colour

Paper: Whisper White, Extra Thick Whisper White, Basic Black

Accessories/Tools: Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Pearls

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by and I hope that you will create your own Stampin’ Up! Only project and join us for our “Hearts A Plenty” challenge!