TCC113 A Living Hope

Hi Friends!

It's time for The Card Concept #113 {Spring Celebration} Challenge!  

Doesn’t this photo showcase Spring?  I love the colors of the flowers, the greenery  as well as the Easter theme.  

This weekend we will be celebrating Good Friday as well as Resurrection Sunday so  

I decided to focus on the real meaning of Easter and create a Shabby Chic/Mixed Media card!

The scripture verse used on this card (from the Stamp Simply set, Mercy) is a reminder that Christ has given us a living hope in His resurrection!  We have a living Savior- the Lord Jesus Christ offers the free gift of salvation to all who truly believe and put their faith and trust in Christ alone for forgiveness of their sins!  Alleluia, what a Savior!!

I am also linking this card to Simon Says Monday  “Beautiful Blooms” Challenge, the Work It Wednesday March 2019 “Spring Flowers” Challenge and the Word Art Wednesday #382-#383 “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- gorgeous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). De-static two pieces of white cardstock with an embossing powder tool.   Using Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink, stamp the floral image from Very Vintage (current Stampin’ Up! hostess) onto one piece and the verse sentiment from Mercy (Stamp Simply)  onto the other piece, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with the heat tool. 

2). Once the embossing has cooled, watercolor the flower images using water-based markers (the colors I used are listed below).  Once you are satisfied with the coloring, trim the floral panel into a rectangle and die cut the sentiment with a stitched circle die.

3). Using a water brush, apply Vintage Photo distress ink to the background of the floral image as well as the sentiment (I was inspired also by the wooden table in the photo for this step).  Mount the rectangle focal image onto a piece of black cardstock, trim close to the edge.  Die cut a piece of black cardstock with a circle die and mount the sentiment.

4). Die cut a piece of white cardstock with a rectangle stitched die, mount onto a piece of black cardstock.  Add the strip of designer paper to the bottom edge, add the white crochet trim and wrap a piece of 1” black satin ribbon over the top of the lace trim.

5). Mount the focal image using dimensional foam or chipboard.  Add the sentiment also with chipboard or foam.

6).  To finish off the card- add a few pearls to the corners of the background panel as well as the sentiment.  Use a  clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the flower petals and an extra fine white paint pen to add a few white highlights to the floral centers.

Stamp Sets:  Very Vintage (Stampin’ Up!), Mercy (Stamp Simply)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black,  Stampin’ Write Markers-Blushing Bride, Flirty Flamingo, Melon Mambo, retired Wild Wasabi, Green Gable, Wisteria Wonder; Tim Holtz® Vintage Photo Distress; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen, Sharpie® Extra Fine White Paint Pen

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

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot™, MFT Dies- Stitched Rectangle A2 STAX, Stitched Circles, ODBD Dies- Circles; AquaPainter™, Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Chipboard, White Crochet Lace, 1” Black Satin Ribbon

Thank you for taking the time to visit!  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).

I hope I have inspired you to create your own card based on our {Spring Celebration} photo and link up to our gallery at The Card Concept- we would love to see your interpretation!! The challenge is open until Monday, April 29th at noon (EDT).

TCC112 Your Labor Is Not In Vain

Hi Friends!

It's time for The Card Concept #112 {Cottage Florals} Challenge!  

Isn’t this photo gorgeous?  I love the colors of the flowers, the distressed wood as well as the wonderful foliage and decided to create a Shabby Chic Mixed Media card!

This month has been a month of saying “good-bye” to two of our friends as they went home to be with the Lord.  I served with both of them on Sunday mornings on our finance committee and this verse was one of their favorites. 

 Both men were wonderful examples of serving the Lord with all of their heart and will be greatly missed.  It is such a comfort though to know that they had accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior and we will see them again one day in heaven. 

I am confident that they both received a "Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant" from the Lord and I can only pray that I will be as faithful as they were in serving Him with all of my heart all of the days of my life here on earth.  

I am also linking this card to Retro Rubber #107 Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge- middle row down (Sparkle- Leaves- Heat Embossing), the Work It Wednesday March 2019 “Spring Flowers” Challenge and the Word Art Wednesday #380-#381 “Anything Goes” Challenge. 

For the Retro Rubber Challenge, you need to use older stamps.  The Serve the Lord stamp set (retired Our Daily Bread Designs) is from 2011 and Choose Happiness (retired Stampin’ Up!) from 2014.  Also, it is difficult to see the shimmer on the flower petals, but trust me, they are sparkling  :-)

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 two pieces of white cardstock with an embossing powder tool.   Using Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink, stamp three of the floral image from Choose Happiness (retired Stampin’ Up!) along with multiples of the branch image onto the panel, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with the heat tool. 

2). Once the embossing has cooled, watercolor the images using water-based markers (the colors I used are listed below).  Fussy cut the images and set aside.

3). On a piece of woodgrain designer paper (from the retired Adventure Abounds designer series Stack), use a stencil with a putty knife to apply crackle texture paste.  Once the paste has dried, apply distress stain to color the designer paper and create the background.  Distress the edges and mount onto a piece of black cardstock. 

4). Ink the sentiment from Serve the Lord (retired Our Daily Bread Designs) using Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink, stamp onto a piece of white cardstock, dilute a few of the colors of the distress stain and apply to the sentiment.  Trim the panel, distress the edges and mount onto a piece of black cardstock (I used a scrap piece of chipboard).  

5). Add a piece of white crocheted lace along with a piece of black seam binding to the card front (wrap the ends of the seam binding behind the panel).  Mount the entire panel onto a white card base.

6).  Cut one of the fussy cut flowers in half.  Adhere the sentiment using dimensional foam and adhere the fussy-cut stems and flowers around the sentiment. 

7).  Use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the flower petals and an extra fine white paint pen to add a few white highlights to the floral centers.

8). Add pearls to the sentiment to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Choose Happiness (retired Stampin’ Up!), Serve the Lord (retired Our Daily Bread Designs)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black,  Stampin’ Write Markers-Blushing Bride, Rich Razzleberry, Calypso Coral, retired Gable Green, Lucky Limeade, Yo-Yo Yellow; Tim Holtz® Distress Stain- Black Soot, Frayed Burlap, Stormy Sky; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen, Sharpie® Extra Fine White Paint Pen

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, retired Stampin’ Up! Adventure Abounds Designer Series Stack

Tools/Accessories:  Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Chipboard, Distressing Tool, Wendy Vecchi™ Crackle Texture Paste, The Crafters Workshop™ Well Rounded Stencil, Palette Knife, White Crochet Lace, ½” Black Seam Binding, Pearls

Thank you for taking the time to visit!  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).

I hope I have inspired you to create your own card based on our {Cottage Florals} photo and link up to our gallery at The Card Concept- we would love to see your interpretation!! The challenge is open until Monday, April 15th at noon (EST).

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!!

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!!

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!!