Come Near To God

Hi Friends!

I hope you are enjoying your week so far!  This evening, I am sharing a card that was designed with the retired Stampin’ Up! Elements of Style along with a verse sentiment from the current Stamp Simply stamp set, Fear Not.

I am slowly working my way through the over 800 Splitcoaststampers sketches and this card uses the SC766 Sketch for the layout.

I am also participating with the Wednesday’s Creative Inspirations Challenge July “In the Garden” along with Word Art Wednesday #448-#449 “Anything Goes” Challenge.

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

To create this card:

Ink the Elements of Style image with Versamark™ Onyx Black, stamp onto white cardstock, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

Once the image has cooled, watercolor with water-based markers and distress oxide ink.

Using a chevron stencil and a stencil brush, lightly apply distress oxide ink over the background before die cutting with stitched rectangle die, mount onto black cardstock and trim close to the edge.

Mount a piece of textured rose cardstock (approx. 4” x 5 1/4”) to a 4 ¼” x 5 ½” piece of black cardstock.  Adhere the mounted floral image directly to the background panel.

Add a piece of dark green organza ribbon (wrapping the ends behind the panel) before mounting onto a white card base.

Heat emboss the sentiment with white embossing powder onto black cardstock, die cut with a stitched circle die.  Mount the die cut sentiment onto another circle of black cardstock (to give it a bit more strength) and adhere to the card front with chipboard (or dimensional foam).

Finish off the card with a clear glitter pen adding shimmer to the flower petals.

Stamp Sets: Elements of Style (retired Stampin’ Up!), Fear Not (Stamp Simply)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Versamark™, Stampin’ Write Markers-Pink Pirouette, Blushing Bride, Rich Razzleberry, Rose Red, Old Olive, Pear Pizzazz; Tim Holtz™ Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide; Clear Glitter Pen

Paper/Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, retired textured Rose Red

Accessories/Tools: Gemini, Jr™, My Favorite Things™ Dies- Stitched Rectangle A2 Set 1, Stitched Circles; Embossing Buddy®, Clear and White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, 1” Forest Green Organza Ribbon, Memory Box™ Chevron Stencil, Clarity™ Stencil Brush

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

Nothing Is Impossible With God

Hi Friends!

This is another card designed with retired The Wilderness Awaits and Notable Notions stamp sets (Stampin’ Up!) along with the digi stamp sentiment from Be Encouraged (Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps). 

I am making a concentrated effort to create a card using each of the Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenges and used the SC237 Sketch for the layout on this card and will also be linking this card to the 2 Crafty Critters #40 “Anything Goes with a Critter” Challenge.

In addition to using the retired stamp sets, I also pulled out some of my older Stampin’ Up!  designer paper along with an antique brad and satin ribbons from my stash.

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

To create this card:

Ink the elk image using Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink onto white cardstock, heat set he ink with a heat tool.  Watercolor with water-based markers and distress oxide ink.

Die cut the elk image with a stitched square die, mount onto suede cardstock and trim close to the edge.

Trim the designer paper panel for the vertical layer on the sketch, stamp the Notable Notions script image with suede ink, mount onto suede cardstock, trim close to the edge.

Mount a piece of white cardstock onto suede cardstock, trim close to the edge.  Add the designer paper layer, add the gray satin ribbon along with the pomegranate ribbon (wrapping the ends behind the panel). Adhere the entire panel onto the white card base.

Mount the elk layered square onto the card front with dimensional foam (or chipboard).

Using photo editing software, import and re-size the sentiment, print out onto white cardstock.  

Trim and create a banner, mount onto suede cardstock, trim and add to the card front along with the antique brad.

Use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the clouds to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: The Wilderness Awaits (Stampin’ Up!), Be Encouraged (Digi- Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Printer Ink; Versafine™ Onyx Black, Stampin’ Write Markers- Early Espresso, Petal Pink, Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede, Gray Granite, Smoky Slate; Tim Holtz™ Distress Oxide- Peacock Feathers, Picked Raspberry; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Soft Suede; retired Stampin’ Up! Holiday designer paper

Accessories: Gemini, Jr.™, Dies- MFT Square Stitched STAX; My Digital Studio™, AquaPainter™, Heat Tool, 1 ½” Gray Satin Ribbon, 7/8” Purely Pomegranate Satin Ribbon, Antique Brad

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by- I hope I have inspired you to create something with your stash this week!

Peaceful Place- I Will Never Leave You

Hi Friends!

This evening I am sharing a card that was created with the Stampin’ Up! set, Peaceful Place along with a verse sentiment from the Stamp Simply set, Fear Not.

This is the first time I have inked up the Peaceful Place stamp set- when I saw that squirrel image, I knew I would have to buy this set!  

We have huge oaks in our yard and at least a dozen squirrels are in the back yard in the evening searching for food!  My hubby and I love to watch their antics and occasionally, we will feed them a few roasted peanuts in the shell (with no salt, of course).  

We have a few favorite squirrels- “Stubby” who seems to be a bit older and has a very short tail (we are not sure why), “Stripey” has a striped narrow tail (almost like raccon stripes) and “Grafty” has a tail that appears like it has been grafted (we are not the most imaginative with names, obviously).

As some of you know, I am trying to complete a card for each of the over 800+ sketches at Splitcoaststampers (thankfully their challenges never end:-)).  

This card uses the SC211 Sketch for the layout and I am also participating with the Paper Fun Day #19 “Anything Goes with a twist: The Great Outdoors” Challenge along with the Stamping Sensations July “All Creatures Great and Small” 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 main scene image along with the squirrel image using Versafine™ Onyx Black  onto two separate pieces of white cardstock.  Heat set the ink with a heat tool.

Using watercolor pencils along with water-based markers and distress ink,  watercolor the images. 

Die cut the scene image with a stitched rectangle die, mount onto espresso cardstock and trim close to the edge.

Die cut the squirrel image with a stitched circle die, mount onto another circle die cut from espresso cardstock.

Stamp the sentiment from Fear Not using Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink onto white cardstock, heat set the ink with a heat tool. Once dried, watercolor with bit of distress oxide ink to mimic the sky, die cut with a stitched oval die and mount onto another die cut from espresso cardstock.

For the background panel. layer a piece of white cardstock onto espresso cardstock, trim close to the edge and mount onto a white card base.

For the vertical panels on the card front, layer the pieces of designer paper onto espresso cardstock, trim close to the edge.  Mount directly onto the card front.

Add the layered rectangle scene directly to the card front, mount the sentiment and squirrel layers with dimensional foam (or chipboard). 

To finish off the card, add a bit of shimmer to the water with a clear glitter pen.

Stamp Sets: Peace Place (Stampin’ Up!), Fear Not (Stamp Simply)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Derwent™ and Stampin’ Up! Watercolor Pencils- greens, oranges, yellows, blues; Stampin’ Write Markers- Granny Apple Green, Coastal Cabana, Summer Sun, Mossy Meadow, Old Olive, Soft Suede, Gray Granite, Smoky Slate; Tim Holtz™ Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Early Espresso; retired Park Lane Designer Series Paper

Accessories: Gemini, Jr.™, Dies- MFT Rectangle Stitched A2 STAX Set 1, Stitched Circle STAX; Sizzix™ Circle Dies; AquaPainter™, Heat Tool

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

Nature- In All Your Ways

Hi Friends!

Spring has arrived here on the East Coast and many people believe that robins are the first sign of spring, but unknown to many in this area, robins in the Mid-Atlantic do not migrate south for the winter. They tend to congregate in large groups in wooded areas during the winter in this area and since our winter has been milder than normal, we have seen them in town (well, the suburb) all winter long :-)  

We love watching robins as they hop along and tilt their heads to listen for worms, plus we have a returning couple that nests on top of our back parch light each year :-) What a treat it is to watch this beautiful bird and wonder at the Majesty as well as the incredible imagination of our Creator-  God is so Awesome!!

I was fortunate to find several of this robin image printed and ready to go in my stash. This particular image was from the digi set, Nature from Stampin' Up! (using the retired My Digital Studio software program- remember that?).  The digi set only had a few of the images from the main stamp set, Nature Walk.

Since I am still making an effort to use up my stash, I went ahead and hand colored four of the images that I had found along with four different layouts and sentiments.

For this card,  I added a sentiment from the retired Scripture Medley 2 stamp set from Verve Stamps and used the SC355 Sketch Challenge from Splitcoaststampers for the layout.  Many of you know that I am slowly working on trying to complete a card for every one of the 795+ Splitcoaststampers' Sketch Challenges- this sketch was from 2011 so thankfully they do not expire :-). 

I wanted to participate with Joanne’s PP484 Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge at The Paper Players (top row across  Ribbon, Rhinestones, Patterned Paper) and am also linking to the Try It on Tuesday “Beauty of Nature” Challenge as well.

This card was fairly easy to create- in fact, the most time-consuming part was coloring the robin image.  I used several different watercolor pencils and a paint pen for the highlight in the bird’s eye and colored the four images basically in the same colors.

The different layers for this card were designer paper from my stash and were mounted onto black cardstock.  The blue polka-dot paper (behind the robin) was embossed with a retired Stampin’ Up! embossing folder Lacy Brocade.

The 1” black ribbon was added before mounting the entire panel onto a white card base and I added a few black rhinestones along with pearls from my stash as well!

Stamp Sets: Nature (digital Stampin’ Up! stamp set), Scripture Medley 2 (Verve Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Printer Ink- Black; Memento™ Tuxedo Black, Stampin’ Write Gray Granite Marker, Derwent™ and Stampin’ Up! Watercolor Pencils- Black, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Scarlet Lake, Terracotta; Sharpie® Extra Fine White Paint Pen

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

Accessories: My Digital Studio, Gemini, Jr.™, MFT Stitched Rectangle A2 STAX Set 1 (for frame on background panel for the embossed panel), Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder (retired SU!), AquaPainter™, 1” Black Satin Ribbon, Black Rhinestones, Pearls

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by- I hope to share a few more "robin" cards soon!  

Praying that all of you are staying isolated and healthy and that you are heeding the state, federal and CDC warnings.  Thankfully, we have a hobby that allows us to enjoy staying home – "virtual hugs" to you and I hope you are able to visit again soon!

Framed Zinnia- Be Still and Know

Hi Friends!

This morning I am sharing another card that I designed this week using a floral image (retired STAMPlorations Framed Zinnia) that I have owned since December 2018 and have not inked it up until now.  

I wanted to participate with the Color My Heart Color Dare #387 Red Monochromatic Challenge (Black and White are free) and also used the Splitcoaststampers SC332 Sketch Challenge for the layout.

This card was easy to create- heat emboss the floral image and sentiment using clear embossing powder, watercolor with water-based markers and use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the petals.

Layer the panels onto black cardstock, add the red satin ribbon and a few pearls and you are finished!

Stamp Sets: Framed Zinnia (retired STAMPlorations), Words of Encouragement (Stamp Simply)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black; Stampin’ Write Markers- Poppy Parade, Basic Black; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, retired Poppy Parade Designer Series Paper 

Accessories: Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, AquaPainter™, 1” Red Satin Ribbon (Offray), Pearls

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- I will be sharing the new Card Concept Challenge card at 8 am, so I hope you will be back soon!

PP465 The Open Sea

Hi Friends!!

I am sharing another card today that I created using scraps that I discovered during my recent craft room reorganization. 

The main focal image and compass had been printed out from My Digital Studio (The Open Sea) a few years ago and decided to watercolor using the Splitcoaststampers CC763 "Lovely Coastal Blueberries" Color Challenge and included the optional dessert- Nautical. 

I am also linking to Ann's  PP465 Sketch Challenge at The Paper Players for the layout and the Word Art Wednesday #410-#411 "Anything Goes" Challenge.

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

To create this card:

Trim a piece of white cardstock to 4” x 5 ¼”.  Ink the sentiment with Memento™ Tuxedo Black ink and stamp onto the lower right-hand portion of the panel. 

Scribble the dark blue marker onto a silicone mat, spritz with water and press the panel into the ink to create the splatter background.  Add a bit more texture with the splatter stamp inked with black ink.

Mount the panel onto a piece of aqua cardstock, trim and mount onto a piece of hot pink cardstock. 

Add the strip of corrugated blue cardstock, add the knotted silver cord (wrapping the ends behind the panel) and adhere the entire panel onto a white card base.

Watercolor The Open Sea images with water-based markers, trim and mount onto aqua cardstock, trim and mount onto hot pink cardstock.

Add the small photo corners from hot pink cardstock, insert silver brads and mount the layered image onto the card front with dimensional foam or chipboard.

Punch the compass image out using circle punches, die cut a piece of aqua cardstock and adhere the enter part of the compass with dimensional foam.  

Insert a silver mini brad in the center and mount the compass onto the card front with dimensional foam.

Finish off the card with a clear glitter pen over the water and an extra fine white paint pen for the tops of the waves.

Stamp Sets: The Open Sea (digital images – Stampin’ Up!), New Mercies (retired Verve Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Memento™ Tuxedo Black, Stampin’ Write Markers- Brilliant Blue, Coastal Cabana, Lovely Lipstick; Wink of Stella™ Clear Glitter Pen, Sharpie® Extra Fine White Paint Pen

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Coastal Cabana, Lovey Lipstick, retired Brilliant Blue

Accessories: Big Shot™, Corrugated Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Sizzix Circles Dies; 1” and ¾” Circle Punches; AquaPainter, Silver Cord, Mini Silver Brads

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by- I hope all of you have a wonderful week!

Seaside Sketches- So Very Thankful

Hi Friends!

I hope you are all having a wonderful week!  This morning, I am sharing yet another card that I created recently using two of my retired stamp sets from Stampin’ Up! (Seaside Sketches and Stipple Shells) along with a sentiment from WPlus9 Design Studio, LLC).

I wanted to play along with several online challenges and am linking to:

Retro Rubber Challenge Blog #116 “Tic-Tac-Toe” Challenge (Diagonal- Designer Paper, Texture and Color Pens, Pencils, Ink) Seaside Sketches and Stipple Shells are both over ten years old

PINSpirational #244 Inspiration Challenge- I was inspired by the pinks, the pillows, the sand and seashore theme

Try Stampin’ On Tuesday #419 Sketch Challenge

Cardsz4Galz#102 Summer Fun Challenge (this is the first time I had a chance to play along with this challenge site)

WatercoolerWednesday #233 “Karen’s Feminine Anything Goes” Challenge

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

To create this card:

1). De-static a piece of white cardstock with an embossing powder tool, stamp the Seaside Sketches image using Versafine™ Onyx Black ink onto white cardstock, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Once the embossing has cooled, watercolor using ink from water-based markers (see colors used below).

2). Die cut the image with a stitched square die and mount onto black cardstock, trim close to the edge.

3). Die cut a piece of bright raspberry pink designer paper with the same square stitched die, mount onto black cardstock and trim close to the edge.  Use a few scrap strips of the designer paper and mount onto the edges of a piece of black cardstock (to use for the card front). 

4). Emboss a piece of white cardstock with the retired Square Lattice embossing folder (SU!) , mount onto black cardstock and trim close to the edge.  Adhere the embossed/layered background to black card front. Mount the entire card front to the white card base.

5).  Mount the layered designer paper square on an angle onto the card front (per the TSOT Sketch).  Add a bit of looped silver cord and adhere the main focal image using dimensional foam (or scrap chipboard).

6). Using black India ink, stamp the shell images from Stipple Shells onto white cardstock, heat set the ink with a heat tool and watercolor the images using water-based markers.  Fussy-cut each of the shells, use a black marker to finish off the cut edges of the images and a sponge dauber with distress oxide ink to add a bit of color.  Mount the shells onto the focal image (using dimensional foam as needed).

7). De-static a piece of black cardstock with an embossing powder tool, stamp the sentiment from Pretty Patches: Apple (WPlus9 Studio, LLC), apply white embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Once the embossing has cooled, trim close to the edge of the sentiment.  Mount the sentiment onto the card front and add a few seashells with dimensional foam.

7). Finish off the card using a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the shells and water along with a few rhinestones in the corner of the focal image and sentiment.

Stamp Sets: Seaside Sketches and Stipple Shells (retired Stampin’ Up!), Pretty Patches: Apple (retired Wplus9 Studio LLC)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Ken Oliver Black India Ink, Tim Holtz® Distress Oxide- Ground Espresso; Zig® Clean Color™ FB Markers-  Pale Pink, Yellow, Ochre, Bright Pink, Blue, Turquoise; Stampin’ Write Markers- Pacific Point, Crumb Cake, Sahara Sand; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Designer Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, retired Raspberry Lemonade DSP (all Stampin’ Up!)

Accessories: Big Shot™,  Square Lattice Embossing Folder (retired SU!), My Favorite Things™ (MFT) Dies Stitched Squares STAX, Embossing Buddy®, Clear and White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Sponge Dauber, AquaPainter™, Rhinestones, Silver Cord

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by- hugs and I hope you have a great weekend!