TCC90 The Lord Directs His Steps

Hi Friends!!

Woohoo! It’s time for the new #90 Sweet Treat Challenge at The Card Concept!   Look at those gorgeous cupcakes- the flowers look so real, don’t they? 

I was inspired by the bright spring colors of berry, yellow ad blue as well as the pretty flowers to create a Mixed Media card.  

Don't be frightened of Mixed Media- usually it is a card using two different inks  and/or mediums (in this case archival ink, distress inks and markers, white paint pen, glitter pen) plus other mediums (I used heat embossing and stenciling on this card). 

Since I add heat embossing to almost every one of my cards lately, they all qualify as Mixed Media :-)

Just a reminder that The Card Concept is a bi-weekly challenge that has an inspiration photo along with a number 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 am also linking this card to the Hand Stamped Sentiments #286 Sketch Challenge, the Double “D” “Twine” Challenge and the CAS-ual Fridays #196 "Spring Fever" Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to check out the rest of the Design Team cards at The Card Concept or visit the other challenge sites yet, I hope you will find time to do so- wonderful inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). Ink the floral image from Rhododendron (Technique Tuesday) with archival black ink, stamp onto a piece of white cardstock, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Once the embossing has cooled, color the flowers with distress inks, markers and other water-based markers (colors noted in card recipe below).  Add a few highlights to the flower centers with an extra fine white paint marker. Fussy-cut and set aside.

2). Stamp the verse sentiment from Scripture Medley 3 (Verve Stamps) with archival black ink, stamp onto a piece of white cardstock, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Once the embossing has cooled, die cut with a stitched rectangle die, mount onto a piece of berry cardstock.

3). For the panels on the background, die cut various rectangles from yellow and white cardstock (dies are listed below), layer onto berry cardstock, add the hemp twine strands (wrapping the ends behind the panel) before mounting onto the white card base.

4). Add the sentiment panel and the fussy cut floral image with dimensional foam to the card front.

5).  Use a stencil with a stencil brush to add distress ink over all the panels.

6). Adhere the hemp twine bow with button.  Add pearls to the corner of the sentiment and upper right-hand corner of the card.

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

Stamp Sets: Rhododendron (Technique Tuesday), Scripture Medley 3 (Verve Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Tim Holtz® Distress Markers- Picked Raspberry, Mowed Lawn; Tim Holtz® Picked Raspberry Distress Ink, Zig© Clean Real Color Markers- Light Pink, Green; SU! Markers- Blush Blossom, Berry Burst; Spectrum Noir® Clear Glitter Pen, Sharpie® Extra Fine White Paint Pen

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Berry Burst; retired So Saffron and Soft Sky Designer Series Paper (all Stampin’ Up!)

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot™, My Favorite Things™ Dies- A2 Stitched Rectangles STAX Set 1 & 2, Horizontal Stitched Strips STAX, Stitched Square STAX; Embossing Buddy®, Heat Tool, Clear Embossing Powder, Claritystamps™ Stencil Brush, Memory Box™ Heartwood Stencil, Polished Hemp Twine, retired SU! Button, Pearls

Thanks again for stopping by! I had fun designing this card and hope you will have a chance to come play along with us at The Card Concept!!

Joy to the World

Hi Friends!

We are having a wintery day here on the East Coast so, of course, I had to create a few cards- lol!

I decided to create a Clean and Simple (CAS) Christmas card for my stash and decided to play along with the CAS-ual Fridays CFC190 “All That Glitters” Challenge, the JUGS422 “Anything Goes” Challenge and the Simon Says Wednesday “Something New” Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to check out the above challenge sites yet, I hope you will do so- gorgeous inspiration from their Design Teams as well as their galleries!

To create this card:

1). Using a circle die, die cut a circle in a piece of black cardstock, de-static the lower portion with an embossing powder tool.  Ink and stamp the sentiment from Snowy Sayings (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps) with Versamark™ ink, apply white embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

2). Trim the panel and mount onto a piece of white cardstock.

3). Die cut a piece of red foil using one of the snowflakes from the Flurry Fri-Dies (Cas-ual Fridays Stamps).  Adhere to the center of the circle with dimensional foam.

4). Add the 3/8” red satin ribbon bow, wrapping the ends behind the panel.

5). Mount the entire card front onto the white card base, add a few rhinestones to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Snowy Sayings (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Versamark™

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black; Red Foil

Accessories: Big Shot™, Flurry Fri-Dies (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps), Embossing Buddy®, White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Rhinestones, 3/8” Real Red Woven Satin Ribbon

Thanks again for stopping by- I hope all of you have a creative week!

SC658 Hello Friend

Hi Friends!

It’s time for the new SC658 sketch at Splitcoaststampers and I just love the sketch that Carey created for us this week, it is so versatile!

I have a few new cat stamps from Stampendous® that I have not had a chance to ink up yet, so I pulled out Curious Feline and paired it with Sunday Sentiments from Mama Elephant.  I decided to color the image based off my sweet "Angel"- this image reminded me of her! She is always by my side when I am stamping or whatever I am doing, so the "Hello Friend" sentiment applies to her as well!

In addition to using the Splitcoaststampers SC658 Sketch for the layout, I am also linking this card to the CAS-ual Fridays #180 “Friendship” Challenge, the PINSpirational #197 Photo Inspiration Challenge and the Tuesday Throwdown #356 “Anything Goes” Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to check out the above challenges yet, I hope you will find the time to do so- as always, gorgeous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). Ink the Curious Feline (Stampendous®) image with Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink and stamp onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  Color the image with Stampin’ Up! Watercolor Pencils- I used Daffodil Delight and Old Olive for the eyes, Basic Black for the fur and Whisper White for the hairs in the ears.  I tried to mimic the fur with the pencil strokes and continued to add layers once I added water with an AquaPainter™.  Once the image was colored to my satisfaction, I added a bit more color with a Conté ά Paris Black Pastel Pencil, blending with a paper stump.  Fussy-cut the image and set aside.

2). Layer a piece of Whisper White cardstock onto the Basic Black card base, add a strip of striped black and white designer paper (from my stash) per the sketch.  Mount the card front onto the Extra Thick Whisper White card base.

3). Use the Big Shot™ with the Darice™ Pawprints Embossing Folder to emboss a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  Trim the panel and mount onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock for the front vertical panel.

4). Trim a piece of Certainly Celery designer paper (retired from my massive stash of paper- lol!), mount onto the Basic Black cardstock and create the second vertical panel per the sketch.  Mount directly onto the card front.

5). Add the fussy cut cat image behind the first panel and mount onto the card front with dimensional foam.

6). Stamp the sentiment from Sunday Sentiments with Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink and stamp onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  Create the fishtail banner with a Hexagon Punch, layer onto Basic Black cardstock, and mount onto the card front with dimensional foam.

7). Use a Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen to add shimmer to the eyes and an Extra Fine Sharpie® White Paint Pen to add highlights.  Once the paint has dried, use Glossy Accents™ to fill in the eyes to finish off the card (make sure you allow the Glossy Accents™ to dry overnight). 

Stamp Sets: Curious Feline (Stampendous®), Sunday Sentiments (Mama Elephant)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black; Stampin’ Write Watercolor Pencils- Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Basic Black, Whisper White; Conté ά Paris Black Pastel Pencil , Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen, Extra Fine White Sharpie® Paint Pen

Paper: Whisper White, Extra Thick Whisper White, Basic Black, retired Stampin’ Up! Certainly Celery Designer Series Paper; Misc Black and White designer paper

Accessories/Tools: retired Hexagon Punch, AquaPainter™

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- hugs and have a great week/weekend!

Christmas In July- Another Tissue Watercolor Background

Hi Friends!!

Today I am sharing a Clean and Simple (CAS) Christmas card using the scrap leftover piece of a tissue paper technique background I had created for another CAS card (see previous post here).

Since I already had the background panel, I searched through my stash of "scraps" and found the snowflakes plus the sentiment already die cut/printed and ready to go making this card fairly quick and easy to assemble :-)  

I love participating in online challenges so I am linking this card to the CAS-ual Fridays #198 “Christmas in July”Challenge along with the More Mixed Media July “Anything Goes” Challenge and the Happy Little Stampers July Christmas "opt twist Die Cuts" Challenge.

If you have not already had a chance to visit the above challenge sites, I hope you will do so- so much inspiration from their Design Teams as well as in their galleries!

To create this card:

1). Using Tranquil Tide and Soft Sky Classic Ink, tap the pads onto a silicone craft mat, spritz with water, use a plastic spoon (or palette knife) to mix the ink a bit and lay a piece of tissue paper into the ink (smooshing very gently with your fingers to moisten all of the tissue).  Carefully lift up the tissue paper and set onto a paper towel to dry.  My first layer was a bit light so I added additional ink until I was satisfied with the color.

2). Using a craft glue, spread the glue over an entire piece of white cardstock, squishing the tissue a bit to create more ridges and allow the panel to dry (I did use a heat tool to speed up the process- I am so impatient!).  De-static the panel with an Embossing Buddy®, gently rub the Versamark™ ink pad over the ridges, apply Silver Embossing Powder and heat set with the Heat Tool.

3). Use the Big Shot™ with the MFT Stitched Rectangle STAX Dies to cut the panel, mount onto Basic Black cardstock and trim close to the die cut edge.

4). Print the sentiment from Merry & Type using My Digital Studio™ (retired Stampin’ Up!) onto Whisper White cardstock, die cut with the Big Shot™ with a smaller frame die from the MFT Rectangle STAX , mount onto black cardstock and trim close to the edge.   Adhere the sentiment panel to the tissue paper background panel.

5). Die cut the various snowflakes from Silver Foil, mount a few behind the tissue paper background and sentiment.  Trim another Whisper White panel and mount onto the Basic Black card base.  Add the layered snowflake background panel to the car front with dimensional foam.

6). Finish off the card by adding the large snowflake, rhinestones and a few accents with  Nuvo™ Silver Lining Crystal Drops.

Stamp Sets: Merry & Type (retired Stampin’ Up!- digital version)

Ink/Mediums: Printer Ink- Black, Versamark™, Classic SU! Ink- Tranquil Tide, Pool Party; Nuvo™ Silver Lining Crystal Drops

Paper: Whisper White, Extra Thick Whisper White, Basic Black; Silver Foil, Tissue Paper

Accessories/Tools:  Big Shot™, MFT Stitched Rectangle STAX Dies, Memory Box™ Lindeman Snowflake Die, Impression  Obsession™ Snowflake Die Set, Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® Silver Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Rhinestones

Thanks again for visiting- hugs and I hope all of you have a great week!

One Layer Wonderful Wings

Hi Friends!!

I am sharing a One Layer Mixed Media card that I created this evening using a retired Stampin’ Up! butterfly image from the Wonderful Wings stamp set along with a sentiment from the brand new Stampin’ Up! Ribbon of Courage stamp set.

I decided to participate in the CAS-ual Fridays #177 Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge (Butterflies, One Layer, Stripes), the FUSION “Sand, Beach” Challenge (I was inspired by the colors in the sign), the Alphabet Challenge “I for Insects”Challenge and the Tuesday Throwdown #351 "One Layer" Challenge.

If you have not already had a chance to visit the above challenge sites, I hope you will do so- they both have fabulous Design Teams as well as inspiration in their galleries.

To create this card:

1). Fold a 4 ¼” x 11” piece of Crumb Cake cardstock in half and score for the card base.

2). De-static the front of the card with an Embossing Buddy®, ink the Wonderful Wings image using archival black ink, stamp onto the card front, apply Stampin’ Emboss® Clear Embossing Powder and heat set with the Heat Tool.

3). Once the embossing has cooled, watercolor the image with Stampin’ Up! Watercolor Pencils- Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and Pacific Point blending with a water brush.  Add additional color to the wings with the Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Write Marker (blending the color with the water brush) and when dry, add white highlights with an Extra Fine White Sharpie® Paint Pen.  Add shadows with the Tip Top Taupe Stampin’ Write Marker (also blending with the water brush).

4). Using Tim Holtz® Vintage Photo Distress Oxide Ink, a sponge dauber and the Memory Box™ Texture Line Up Stencil, add stripes to the background.  Add a bit more color to the stripes with Broken China Distress Oxide Ink and use a water spritzer to add water droplets.  Dry carefully with a Heat Tool and apply Nuvo™ Fresh Copper Embellishment Mousse with your finger to a few of the stripes.

5). Use a Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen to add shimmer to the wings of the butterfly and apply Nuvo™ Grey Mist Crystal Jewel Drops to the background finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Wonderful Wings (retired), Ribbon of Courage (both Stampin’ Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Versamark™ Onyx Black, Stampin’ Up! Watercolor Pencils- Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point, Pumpkin Pie; Stampin’ Write Markers- Pumpkin Pie, Tip Top Taupe; Nuvo™ Fresh Copper Embellishment Mousse & Gray Mist Crystal Jewel Drops, Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen, Sharpie® Extra Fine White Paint Pen

PaperCardstock: Crumb Cake

Accessories: Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Memory Box™ Texture Line Up Stencil, Sponge Daubers

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- I hope you have a blessed week, sweet friends!

Song of Solomon 3:4- I Have Found the One

Hi Friends!  

I am having such a great time using the Our Daily Bread Designs June 2017 Release this month and decided to create another card with the verse sentiment from the Happily Ever After stamp set along with the Wedding Wishes 6x6 Paper Pad and a few custom dies.

I love participating with online challenges and am linking this card to the Just Add Ink #363 “Anniversary” Challenge and the CAS-ual Fridays #175 “Use those Pattern Papers”Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to visit the ODBD Blog or the other challenge sites yet, I hope you will find time to do so- wonderful inspiration from all!! 

To create this card:

1). Ink the Happily Ever After verse sentiment with ground espresso distress ink, stamp onto white cardstock, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

2). Die cut and emboss the sentiment with the Ovals Dies.

3). Die cut and emboss a piece of the golden solid color paper from the Wedding Wishes 6x6 Paper Pad with the Pierced Ovals Dies, mount the sentiment onto the oval die cut. 

Also die cut and emboss the largest frame from the Pierced Rectangles Dies from the golden solid color paper, mount onto a piece of white cardstock, trim and mount onto the mustard card base.

4). Trim the patterned piece of paper from the Wedding Wishes 6x6 Paper Pad and mount onto the card front.

5). Mount the sentiment with dimensional foam.

6). Create the white flowers with the Bitty Blossoms Dies, lightly sponge the petals with mustard seed distress ink and adhere the flowers around the sentiment.

5). Add the pearls to the flower centers as well as the upper left hand corner to finish off the card.

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by- hugs and I hope you have a blessed week, sweet friends!

Happily Ever After

Wedding Wishes Paper Pad

Ovals Dies

Pierced Ovals

Pierced Rectangles Dies

Bitty Blossoms Die

Peace on Earth

Hi Friends! 

I had a chance to create a quick Mixed Media card using Artistic Outpost (AO)  stamp sets, Christmastime and Gloria along with ODBD Pierced Rectangles Dies (all available at Our DailyBread Designs) and decided to incorporate the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge #97 Kath's Colour Challenge into the design.

I love the elegance of this color combination and decided to create a two tone embossed card with silver and gold.  

I am also linking this card to the Inkspirational #124 Neutrals Only Challenge (hopefully gold and silver are considered neutral) as well as the CAS-ual Fridays #163 Christmas & Hanukkah Challenge :-)

If you have not had a chance to visit The Artistic Outpost Blog or the linked challenge sites yet, I encourage you to do so- gorgeous inspiration from my Design Team sisters on the AO Blog as well as the challenge galleries!

To create this card:

1). De-static two pieces of white cardstock with an embossing static tool, ink the AO Christmastime stamp and AO Gloria angel with embossing ink and stamp onto the prepared cardstock.

2). Apply gold embossing powder over the scroll area and ornaments as well as the body of the angel image, tap off the gold powder onto a piece of scrap paper (to funnel back into your container of embossing powder) and immediately apply silver embossing powder to all of the remaining areas before heating and embossing with the heat tool.

3). Trim the AO Christmastime embossed image and mount onto a piece of espresso cardstock (I die cut and embossed the espresso cardstock with the largest die from the ODBD Pierced Rectangles Dies).

4). Mount the panel onto the white card base and add the looped silver metallic thread.

5). Fussy-cut the AO Gloria angel image, mount onto a piece of espresso cardstock and fussy-cut again, close to the embossing (this gives the angel more stability to be mounted onto the card front).

6). De-static a piece of espresso cardstock, ink the sentiment from AO Gloria with embossing ink, stamp onto the prepared cardstock and heat emboss with white embossing powder.

7). Trim the AO Gloria sentiment and add the fish tail banner by hand.

8). Mount the AO Gloria sentiment and fussy-cut AO Gloria angel to the card front with dimensional foam to finish off the card.

Quick and easy and perfect for mailing or hand-delivery:-)

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

Gloria

Christmastime Background

Pierced Rectangles Dies