TCC64 Parisian Postcard Hello

Hi Friends! 

Welcome back to The Card Concept Challenge for 2017!  Our challenge is open for two weeks and I just love this fun inspiration photo for our first challenge in January! 

I was inspired by the gold, white, black as well as the different patterns and flowers and decided to create a Mixed Media Freestyle Collage card using Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps (SNSS) Parisian Postcard ClearStamp Set along with Grunge Elements and the new Creative Worship stamp set, Rebecca Script Alpha (all available at Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps).

I also incorporated the Hand Stamped Sentiments HSSS254 Sketch Challenge as well as the final Mixed Media Card Challenge #31 “Change” with optional water into the design. 

This card reflects “change” for me since it is primarily a clean "Mixed Media Freestyle Collage" card design versus my normal "Shabby Chic" style for The Card Concept Challenge.   This year the designers at The Card Concept Challenge can choose whatever design style they prefer or even combine styles- my goal will be to try all the different styles throughout the year!

Also, I am sad to see that this will be the very last challenge at the Mixed Media Card Challenge but understand that change is necessary- I wish all the best to their fabulous Design Team and know that I will see their artwork in other challenge galleries. 

If you have not had a chance to visit us at The Card Concept Challenge yet, I hope you will find the time to do so- gorgeous inspiration from the rest of our Design Team!  

Plus, I hope you will find the time to visit the other challenge sites- wonderful DT samples and galleries at both the Hand Stamped Sentiments Challenge as well as the Mixed Media Card Challenge!  It always amazes me to see all of the different designs that are created in inspiration, color and sketch challenges.

To create this card:

1). Ink the SNSS Parisian Postcard ClearStamp Set Eiffel Tower image with Versamark™ ink, stamp onto a piece of white cardstock, apply black embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

2). Once the embossing has cooled, fussy-cut the image and set aside.

3). Ink the floral image from the SNSS Parisian Postcard Clear Stamp Set with black soot distress ink, stamp onto white cardstock, create a mask for the image and stamp the remaining collage images from the SNSS Parisian Postcard Clear Stamp Set with antique linen distress ink.

4). Ink a few of the postage images along with the postcard image from the SNSS Parisian Postcard Clear Stamp Set with  Versamark™ ink, stamp onto the panel, apply gold embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

5). Remove the mask for the flowers and use water-based markers to watercolor the flowers (being careful around the edges since the black soot distress ink is not waterproof), dry with the heat tool.  

After the ink had dried, I used a thin black marker to redefine a few of the lines on the petals and stamped the SNSS Grunge Elements image (I used a small piece of the large splatter stamp) with black ink to add the splatter between the images.

6). Trim a piece of white cardstock, mount onto a piece of black cardstock, trim once more and mount onto the white card base.  Add the striped gold vellum cardstock (I used glue beneath the gold stripes to hide the adhesive).

7). Trim the collage panel, mount onto a piece of black cardstock and mount onto the card front.

8). Ink the letters from the SNSS Rebecca Script Alpha Clear Stamps to spell “Hello” with black soot distress ink and stamp onto white cardstock.  

Create the banner by hand cutting the flag end before mounting onto black cardstock and mirror cutting the banner.

9). Add the hello banner directly to the card front and mount the SNSS Parisian Postcard embossed Eiffel Tower image with dimensional foam.

10). Add a few black shimmery sequins to finish off the card.

I hope I have inspired you to possibly try a new style for your card making this year!  

Thanks for visiting and we hope you can join us in The Card Concept #64-Pretty Things Challenge.  Hugs and have a blessed week, sweet friends! 

Parisian Postcard by Sweet ′n Sassy Stamps

Sweet ′n Sassy Stamps Grunge Elements

SNSS Script Alpha

HYCCT1509 Parisian Postcard - No Extra Postage :-)

Hi Friends!!

I had a chance to create another card for the Splitcoaststampers’ “Hope You CanCling To ” HYCCT1509 Diane's “No Postage Due” Challenge (create a card that does not require additional postage)  along with the SC546 Sketch and MIX139 “Working 9 to 5” (incorporate something that you would use in an office nine to five times)  Challenges.

I modified the sketch a bit by angling the front panel and used the postage stamp images as the “office” item for the Mix-Ability #139 Challenge (there are nine stamp/cancellation images although one is only partially visible under the focal panel).

I hope you have a chance to visit the above galleries and possibly time to join in on the fun!!

To create this card:

Using Ranger® Tim Holtz® Distress Stains (I used Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry and Seedless Preserves, spread a bit of each color onto a craft mat, spritz with water and lay two pieces of Whisper White cardstock into the stain, lift and spritz again with water twisting the panels to allow the colors to merge, and dry the panels with the Heat Tool.

Once the panels have dried, stamp the Parisian Postcard along with Grunge Elements (both from Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamp) using Blackberry Bliss and Rich Razzleberry Classic Ink.

Once you are satisfied with the collages, spray Frost White Shimmer Paint over one of the panels (to be used for the background) and again, dry with the Heat Tool.

De-static the panel that you plan to use for the background with the Embossing Buddy®, ink the "Post Card" image with Versamark™ ink and stamp onto the panel, apply Stampin’ Emboss White Embossing Powder and heat set with the Heat Tool.  

Front view 

****FYI*** I made the mistake of embossing this image onto the panel before stamping the collage so my image is not as white as I would like- Blackberry Bliss Classic Ink stains just like real blackberries- lol! :-)

Cut the background collage into thirds and mount onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock, trim very close to all of the edges.

Create the Eiffel Tower panel in the same manner as above, trim and mount onto Whisper White cardstock.

Add the 3/8” Stitched Blackberry Bliss Satin Ribbon to the card front along with the white crochet lace and stamped sentiment (wrapping the edge of the ribbon behind the background panel and snipping off behind where the tower image will be mounted).

Adhere the tower image directly to the card front (do not use dimensional foam- remember we are creating a card that will not require extra postage).

Turn the panel over and trim the edges of the tower image to be flush with the background panel.

Mount onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock, trim and mount onto a piece of Blackberry Bliss cardstock, trim and mount onto the Whisper White card base.

*** Revealing a Secret :-)  *** To reduce the bulk, I generally cut dies out of the background panels behind the focal image – in this case, out of the Blackberry Bliss layer.  You cannot tell that this has been done and now I have a die cut to use on a future card- now you know :-)

The card is now finished- normally I would add Pearls and other accents but those embellishments generally add bulk and you have to apply additional postage for "non-machinable" , so again, not today :-)

Stamp Sets:  Parisian Postcard, Grunge Elements (both Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps)

Ink: Versamark™, Stampin’ Up! Classic Ink- Blackberry Bliss, Rich Razzleberry; Ranger® Tim Holtz® Distress Stains - Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry, Seedless Preserves; Frost White Shimmer Paint

Paper: Whisper White, Blackberry Bliss

Accessories: Heat Tool, Craft Mat,  Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder, 3/8” Blackberry Bliss Stitched Satin Ribbon, 1 ¼” Circle Punch, Crochet Lace

Thanks again for visiting- I hope you have a chance to stop by again soon!  Have a blessed weekend, my friends!

DTGD14dinib Thinking of You- Vintage Style

Hi Stampers!   

Are you playing along with the Splitcoaststampers Dare to GetDirty Challenges?   

If you are not a FanClub Member, it is not too late to join and if you are already a Fan Club Member, come join in on the fun!

I had the privilege of being a sample maker for a few of the challenges this year.  This card was created for DTGD14dinib Challenge and you can see all the details fir her challenge  here

I had fun creating this vintage style card using some of the new In-Colors along with a variety of stamps and techniques.

If you have any questions, please let me know- one of the rules about Dare To Get Dirty is that the challenges are a secret (except to Fan Club Members)

Thanks again for stopping by- I will be sharing a few more of the Dare To Get Dirty samples over the weekend!!  Have a great weekend and God Bless!

JUN14VSNL Joyful Christmas Collage

Hi Stampers! 

Here is my final card for the Splitcoaststampers’ VirtualStamping Night- Summer Vacation (VSN)..this card is for the JUN14VSNL Christmasin July Challenge along with the Jingle Belles Challenge: Red and Green andChristmas All Over. 

This card was created using My Digital Studio (MDS) images along with traditional card making techniques and our new Stampin’ Blendabilities

I hope you will have time to check out the both challenge sites for so much inspiration!!

To create this card:

Open a blank document in My Digital Studio (MDS), position the Christmas Collage

background stamp brush set onto the page and re-size to be approx. 3 ¾” wide x 4 ¾” long.  

Insert the sentiment from Bells and Boughs , re-size to fit the opening at the top of the collage.

Insert the bells from Bells and Boughs on a different part of the page and print out the page onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock.

Color the elements using the Stampin’ Blendabilities- Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive Collections.

Create shadows using the Sahara Sand Stampin’ Write marker and use a brayer with Crumb Cake Classic Ink to “age” the Whisper White paper.

“Fussy-cut” the bells and holly and attach to the card front covering the “25” in the circle using Stampin' Dimensionals:-)

Trim the panel and mount onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock, trim and add to a piece of Brushed Gold cardstock, trim and mount onto the Basic Black card base to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Christmas Collage, Bells and Boughs  (MDS versions)

Ink: Printer Ink- Black, Blendabilities™- Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive Collections,  Crumb Cake Classic Ink, Stampin’ Write Marker- Sahara Sand

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Brushed Gold

Accessories: Brayer

Thanks again for visiting- this concludes my VSN cards!  It was a lot of fun making the cards for all of the challenges- now off to complete some housework!!

Thinking of You- A Nautical Collage

Hi Stampers! 

I wanted to play along with the Pals Paper Arts PPA162 Color Challenge and decided to use a collage technique and have some fun with a few of our Nautical sets.   If you have the chance, check out the Design Team and other entries at Pals Paper Arts- they are terrific and so inventive!! 

To create this card:

Stamp the lobster image from By The Tide using Real Red onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock 4 1/2” x 5 ¼” and also onto another scrap  piece of Whisper White.  Use an AquaPainter™ along with Real Red Classic Ink to watercolor both images and carefully cut out (“fussy cut”) the lobster from the scrap piece of Whisper White cardstock- set aside this image for later layering.

Create a mask using a sticky note, place the mask over the lobster image and repeatedly stamp the journal image from The Open Sea using Crumb Cake Classic Ink (mask at angles as you stamp the journal as well).

Ink the globe, anchor and Nantucket images using Pacific Point Classic Ink and stamp around on the page as well, add the compass image using Real Red Classic Ink.    

Position the Chalk Talk Framelit™ over the lobster (I cut his tail out by hand prior to cutting with the Framelit™) and cut out using the Big Shot™.  Cut two other dies from Real Red cardstock with the same Chalk Talk Framelit™ -  cut the lower edge off of one of the tags and then that lower edge piece in half vertically.  Cut the other whole tag in half vertically, angle trim the edge where the opening peeks out, and adhere to the back of the tag to show as a frame. 

Using a Sponge Dauber, apply Crumb Cake Classic Ink over the edges of the tag and the images to distress the white cardstock a bit.

On the remaining piece of collage background, cut a vertical piece and emboss with the Woodgrain Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder.  Apply Crumb Cake Classic Ink using a Sponge Dauber to distress the paper a bit as well.   Mount this onto a piece of Real Red cardstock.   Randomly knot a piece of Hemp Twine (retired) around the images and create the bow using the Hemp Twine and the Antique Brad (set the bow aside).

Stamp the Nantucket images using Pacific Point Classic Ink onto Whisper White cardstock and punch out using the ¾” Circle Punch- layer onto Real Red cardstock (create the layer by punching two circles using the ¾” Circle Punch, adhere together to create an elongated circle so the edges peek out when the Nantucket image is attached).

Layer a piece of Whisper White cardstock onto Real Red cardstock, add the embossed Crumb Cake Designer Series Paper (DSP), the Pacific Point DSP and Real Red strip.  Add the layered collage embossed piece with the twine and the Chalk Talk tag using Stampin’ Dimensionals®. 

Add the bow with the Antique Brad, the Nantucket images and the lobster image.  Stamp the sentiment from Wetlands using Pacific Point onto Vellum Paper, create banner points and add to the card using Two-Way Glue.

A bit of work but a lot of fun!!

Stamp Sets: By The Tide, The Open Sea, Wetlands

Ink: Crumb Cake, Pacific Point, Real Red

Paper/Cardstock:  Whisper White, Real Red, Vellum, Crumb Cake and Pacific Point DSP

Accessories: Big Shot™,  Chalk Talk Framelits™,  Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folders- Woodgrain  and Fancy Fan, 3/4” Circle Punch,  Sponge Dauber, Antique Brad, Hemp Twine (retired)

Thanks again for visiting- I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend!! 

The Best Forever of Friends for The Paper Players

Hi Stampers!!

I wanted to use some of my new goodies from the 2013-2014 Idea Book & Catalog and decided to pull out two of the new stamp sets, Flower Shop and Notable Notions, to create a card using the PP149colors from The Paper Players.   

Ann chose a great color combo this week and if you have the time, check out their site to see the amazing Design Team samples as well as the other entries!  As a previous Guest Designer, I can also attest that this group of stampers are the "Best Forever of Friends!!- love them!! :-)

This card was definitely a work in process and did not turn out as I originally had hoped but, as I tell my stamping friends, there are no mistakes in stamping, just lessons learned…

To create this card:

Use the Aqua Painter™ to apply Pool Party Classic Ink onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock and gently pat dry with a paper towel.  Ink the script stamp from Notable Notions using Early Espresso ink and stamp onto the damp background.  Use the Early Espresso Stampin’ Write marker with the retired Color Spritzer Tool to add a bit of distressing.

Stamp the tag from Notable Notions using Early Espresso Classic Ink onto So Saffron cardstock.  Ink the floral image from Flower Shop using Calypso Coral Classic Ink and color the center using an Early Espresso Stampin’ Write marker.  Stamp onto the tag with part of the flower off the tag and without reinking, stamp in the upper corner.  Use the Early Espresso Stampin’ Write marker with the retired Color Spritzer Tool to add a bit of distressing to the tag as well.

Carefully cut out the tag and around the flower petals and with your fingers gently curve the flower petals up slightly.  Add the strips of retired 5/8” Early Espresso Satin Ribbon (this was a scrap piece the I cut down the center to create the small strips) along with the stamped embellishment detail (from Notable Notions onto Pool Party cardstock). 

Re-ink the floral image and stamp onto So Saffron and Pool Party cardstock.  Carefully cut out these flowers as well (I originally had punched them out with the Pansy punch but decided I did not want the edge that remains with the punch, so I “fussy cut” them).   Again, use your fingers to gently roll up the flower petals and set aside.

Cut the Calypso Coral/Pool Party panel from Designer Series Paper and adhere to Early Espresso cardstock (I used retired Just Add Cake and Domestic Goddess).  Emboss the entire panel using the Big Shot™ with the Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder. 

Add the embossed panel to the watercolored panel and another strip of So Saffron DSP along the bottom.  Mount the entire background panel onto Early Espresso cardstock and adhere to the Whisper White card base. 

Stamp the Best Forever of Friends sentiment using Early Espresso Classic Ink onto Pool Party cardstock and the same So Saffron DSP.  Punch out using the 1” Circle Punch (or the Circle Framelits™) and I decided to “fussy cut” a few of the circles so the border would not be present…

Add the flowers and sentiments to finish off the card. 

Stamp Sets: Flower Shop, Notable Notions

Ink: Early Espresso, Calypso Coral, Stampin’ Write Markers—Early Espresso

Paper:  Whisper White,  Early Espresso, So Saffron; Designer Series Paper- Just Add Cake, Domestic Goddess (both retired)

Accessories:  Big Shot™,  Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, 1” Circle Punch,  Color Spritzer Tool (retired)), AquaPainter™, 5/8’ Early Espresso Satin Ribbon (retired)

Thanks again for stopping by- I hope you have a wonderful Friday!