God Bless the USA!

Hi Friends!

Happy 4^th of July to all of my friends in the USA!  To celebrate Independence Day, I finally had a chance to ink up the new Stamp Simply Old Glory and Patriotic Sentiment stamp sets and use the coordinating Patriotic Stars and Stripes (Old Glory) dies (all from Stamp Simply). 

When I saw this bundled set at the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store site a month or so ago, I just had to purchase it!  I know, I do not need any more stamp sets, but I love all things patriotic and fell in love with both the stamps and dies!

I pulled out the Patriotic Collection 6x6 Paper Pad from Divinity Designs LLC and also included ribbon, lace and silver cord from my stash.

I will be linking this card to the Always Fun Challenge #169 “Patriotic”  along with the Color My Heart Color Dare #401Inspiration Board Challenge (I was inspired by all of the patriotic images, colors along with the woodgrain behind the pinwheels). 

I had stamped the USA image several times with waterproof ink and while watching TV, used watercolor pencils and water-based markers to color.   

Once colored, I used the coordinating die to die cut and also cut a few extra dies from white cardstock (for layering to create more dimension).  I still have a few more of the USA images now in my stash for future cards :-)

The pieces of designer paper from the Patriotic Collection (Divinity Designs LLC) were trimmed and mounted onto red cardstock before adding the crochet lace and ribbon (wrapping the ends of the ribbon behind the panel). 

A bit of silver elastic cording was looped before adhering the sentiment directly to the lower panel. 

The USA image was mounted onto two additional die cuts from white cardstock before adding chipboard and adhering to the card front (over the looped cord).

The card was finished off with a few die cut stars along with rhinestones and the entire panel was mounted onto a white card base.

Stamp Sets: Old Glory, Patriotic Sentiments (Stamp Simply)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Derwent™ Watercolor Pencils- Reds, Blues, Stampin’ Write Markers- Real Red, Night of Navy

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Real Red; Patriotic Collection (Divinity Designs LLC)

Accessories: Gemini, Jr.™, Patriotic Stars and Stripes Dies (Stamp Simply), AquaPainter™, Heat Tool, Silver Elastic Cord, 1” Red Satin Ribbon, White Crochet Lace, Rhinestones

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- I hope all of you in the United States have a safe and healthy Independence Day celebration! 

Praying that our country will return to God and that God will continue to bless America!

Phil 4:13 I Can Do All Things Through Christ

Hi Friends!!

I am sharing one more card this morning (before retiring to get some beauty sleep, lol!) that I designed with the Cosmo stamp set (Technique Tuesday) along with the Scripture sentiment from Words of Encouragement (Stamp Simply).

I have owned the Cosmo stamp set for a few years (love the floral image) and this is the first time I have had a chance to create a card- I think I have too many stamps, don't you?

I decided to use the Splitcoaststampers SC311 Sketch Challenge  for the layout (FYI- this sketch is from 2011- so glad that they do not expire :-))  and am also playing along with the Color My Heart Color Dare #382 Purple Monochromatic Challenge and the StampingSensations “Spring Florals” Challenge.

To create this card:

De-static a piece of white cardstock with an embossing powder tool, ink the Cosmo floral image with Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink and stamp onto the panel.  Apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool. 

Repeat the same steps as above with the sentiment from Words of Encouragement. Trim the sentiment and mount onto a piece of black cardstock.

Using water-based markers and watercolor pencils, color the flowers on the floral image (being careful with the pencil points around the embossing).  Once you are satisfied with the coloring, die cut the image with a stitched rectangle die, mount onto black cardstock and trim close to the die cut.

Emboss a piece of concord designer paper with a flourish embossing folder, lightly sand the surface with a sanding block, trim the panel and mount onto a piece of black cardstock. 

Die cut another piece of white cardstock with a larger stitched rectangle die for the background panel, mount onto black cardstock and adhere to a white card base.

Add the embossed purple panel directly to the card front and mount the focal image and sentiment with dimensional foam (lately,  I prefer using chipboard).

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

Add a few pearls to the corners of the sentiment as well as the floral panel to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Cosmo (Technique Tuesday), Words of Encouragement (Stamp Simply)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black; Stampin’ Write Markers- Wisteria Wonder, Gorgeous Grape, Concord Crush; Derwent™ Watercolor Pencils- shades of purple, Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen, Sharpie™ Extra Fine White Paint Pen

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black; retired Concord Crush Designer Series Paper (Hostess Level I Pack)

Accessories: MISTI™, Embossing Buddy®, Clear EP, Heat Tool, Gemini Jr™, MFT Stitched Rectangle A2 STAX Set 1 & 2 Dies, Crafters Companion™ Swirl 3D Embossing Folder, Sanding Block, Pearls

I hope I have inspired you to create something this week and I will be posting my Design Team card for The Card Concept at 8 am (so stay tuned, lol!)!

Thanks again for taking the time to visit my blog- have a blessed week, sweet friends!

Winds of Change

Hi Friends!!

This evening I am sharing a card that I designed using two Stampin’ Up! stamp sets- Winds of Change (in the current catalog) and retired Harvest Blessings. 

In an effort to ink up stamps I already own, I have had this new stamp set, Winds of Change for several months and this is the first time I have had a chance to ink it up.  The sentiment from Harvest Blessings has not seen ink in a while as well. 

This card was a birthday card for my sister-in-law who loves tulips and I thought that the Color My Heart Color Dare #368 “Horn of Plenty Colors” Challenge (orange, green, red, yellow) would be perfect for her November birthday.

I am also used the Splitcoaststampers SC774 Sketch Challenge for the layout and incorporated The House That Stamps Built N1319 Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge (diagonal – watercolor, designer paper, button) and Word Art Wednesday #414-#415 “Anything Goes” Challenge into the design.

 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- Ink the main focal image of the windmill image with Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink onto white cardstock and on another white cardstock panel, stamp the individual tulip image and sentiment. 

Apply clear embossing powder to all of the images, heat set with a heat gun and watercolor the tulips and main image using water-based markers. 

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

Fussy cut the tulip image and trim the sentiment into a banner.  Adhere a split banner of black cardstock behind the sentiment. 

The background panels were cut from designer paper (retired hostess sets from Stampin’ Up! from years ago) and they were embossed with a plaid embossing folder before mounting onto black cardstock.

Wrap a piece of 1” black satin ribbon over the designer series panel, wrap the ends behind the panel.  Add the strip of lace, wrapping the ends behind the panel before mounting the panel onto a white card base.

Mount the main focal image onto the card front with dimensional foam (or chipboard), add the fussy cut tulips and banner using dimensional foam.  Add the orange button (I used a strip of black cardstock to mimic thread).

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

Stamp Sets: Winds of Change, Harvest Blessings (Stampin’ Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Stampin’ Write Markers- Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, Smoky Slate, Lemon Line Twist, Old Olive; Tim Holtz™ Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide Ink, Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, retired Hostess Level I Paper Pack (Stampin’ Up!)

Accessories: Big Shot™, My Favorite Things Stitched Rectangle A2 Dies Set 1, Sizzix™ Plaid Textured Impressions Embossing Folder,  Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, AquaPainter™. Hexagon Punch, 1” Black Satin Ribbon, White Flat Lace, Tangerine Button

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

Sending Love & Prayers

Hi Friends!!

This evening I am sharing a quick Clean and Layered Mixed Media card designed using the Uniko stamp set, Pure Florals: Peony.  

This was the first time I have had a chance to ink up this set- it was a set that I chose as a prize from the 400^th Challenge at Freshly Made Sketches (I am so thankful to be one of the randomly selected winners).  

I love this stamp set- the floral images are gorgeous as well as the sentiments.  It is a large set and I am looking forward to creating more cards in the future!  FYI- I am not affiliated with Uniko, but I do love their artwork and am thankful for the prize :-) 

I decided to use the Try It On Tuesday #431 Sketch Challenge for the layout along with the Color My Heart Color Dare #367 "Love of Color" Challenge  (I used colors similar to all of the colors in the challenge) and the Simon Says Wednesday “Anything Goes” Challenge.

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

To create this card:

De-static a piece of watercolor paper with an embossing powder tool, stamp the large peony floral image with Versamark™ ink, apply white embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

Using ink from water-based markers, watercolor the flower petals and leaves.  Watercolor the background with diluted peacock feathers distress oxide ink and once dried, stencil with peacock distress oxide ink using a sponge dauber and a chevron stencil.

De-static the cardstock with an embossing powder tool, stamp the “sending” sentiment with Versafine™ Onyx Black ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Use a black pen to fill in areas where the white embossing powder showed through the black letters

.

Die cut with a pierced tag die, mount onto white cardstock, trim close to the edge and mount onto bright pink cardstock.

Emboss a piece of white cardstock with a detailed embossing folder, trim and mount onto black cardstock. 

Mount the layered tag element during to the panel and adhere the panel onto a white card base.

Emboss the sentiment with white embossing powder onto black cardstock, trim and mount the card front with dimensional foam.

Apply shimmer to the flower petals using a clear glitter pen and add a few clear Nuvo™ jewel drops to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Pure Florals: Peony (Uniko)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Versamark™,  Stampin’ Write Markers- Blushing Bride, Primrose Petals, Raspberry Ripple, Mint Macaron, Mossy Meadow; Tim Holtz™ Peacock Feathers Distress Oxide,  Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen, Nuvo™ Morning Dew Jewel Drops

Cardstock/Paper: Watercolor. Whisper White, Basic Black, misc Pink cardstock

Accessories: Big Shot™, MFT Pierced Traditional Tags STAX, AquaPainter™, Embossing Buddy®, Clear and White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Tin Tile Detailed Embossing Folder

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

Happiest of Days

Hi Friends!!

Today I am sharing a card that was designed using retired Stampin’ Up! sets, Bear Necessities (for the focal image) and Frosted Medallions (for the sentiment) along with retired designer series paper, Sweater Weather.

  

I used the Splitcoaststampers (SCS) SC771 Sketch for the layout and am also joining the Cards4 Galz #108 Something Beginning with an "S” (S= Sweater, Stitched Dies, Swirling Leaves, Sweater Weather DSP, Squares, Stampin’ Up!) along with the Color My Heart Color Dare #365 Inspiration Challenge (I used green, orange, yellow, purple, black, grey and brown),  the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge #244 “Helen’sAll About Occasions” Challenge and the Simon Says Wednesday "Fall/Autumn" Colors Challenge. 

If you have not had a chance to drop by the above challenge sites yet, I hope you do so-  beautiful inspiration from all!

Ink the bear image with Versafine™ Onyx Black, stamp onto a piece of prepared white cardstock, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

Once the embossing has cooled, watercolor with water-based markers (see colors below) and add a bit of grass with a black waterproof pen.  Die cut with a stitched circle die and mount onto a circle die from espresso cardstock.

Dry emboss a piece of white cardstock with the Quilt Top embossing folder, trim and mount onto a piece of espresso cardstock, trim close to the edge and mount onto the white card base.

Die cut the retired Sweater Weather designer series paper with a stitched square die, mount onto espresso cardstock, trimming close to the edge. 

Mount the four squares directly to the card front and mount the focal image onto the card with dimensional foam.

Heat emboss the sentiment with clear embossing powder, trim and mount onto a piece of espresso cardstock. Mount onto the card front directly onto the focal image using dimensional foam on the edges.

Using a clear glitter pen add shimmer to the leaves to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Bear Necessities, Frosted Medallions (both Stampin’ Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Stampin’ Write Markers- Crushed Curry, Gorgeous Grape, Old Olive, Soft Suede, Tangerine Tango; Wink of Stella™ Clear Glitter Pen, Black Pitt Pen

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Early Espresso; retired SU! Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper

Accessories: Big Shot™, Quilt Top Dynamic Embossing Folder, Dies- MFT Stitched Circle STAX, Sizzix Circles, SU! Stitched Layered; Embossing Buddy®, Heat Tool, Clear Embossing Powder, AquaPainter™

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- I hope all of you have a great week/weekend and drop by again soon!

I Can Do All Things Through Christ

Hi Friends!

I created several one-layer cards using the retired Stampin’ Up! set, Choose Happiness for the leaves and flowers along with a verse sentiment from Words of Encouragement (a current set still available at the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store).  

The background was created with splattered distress oxide ink and the flowers were adhered to the front.

I will be linking this card to the Just Us Girls #503 Wild Card Week “Splash Something on Your Card” Challenge, the Papercraft Crew #349 “Birds and Butterflies” Challenge and the Color My Heart #357 “Tic-Tac-Toe” Challenge (top across, diagonal and far left down columns).

If you have not had a chance to stop by the challenge sites, I hope you will find the time to do so- wonderful galleries and inspiration from all!

To create this card:

Fold a piece of white cardstock in half for the card base.  Press the Distress Oxide ink pads (see colors below) onto a silicone mat, spritz with water and “smoosh” the front of the card base into the ink to create the splattered background.  Once the background has dried, stamp the leaves and sentiment with Versafine™ Black Onyx ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.

The flowers were also stamped with Versafine™ Black Onyx ink onto another piece of white cardstock  and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  Once the embossing has cooled, watercolor the flowers and leaves with water-based markers and fussy-cut the flowers.

Adhere the flowers directly onto the card front (I split one of the flower petals in half), allowing the edges of the central flower to "curl" up from the card front.

Finish off with a clear glitter pen on the petals and a white paint pen for the flower centers.

Stamp Sets: Choose Happiness (retired Stampin’ Up!), Words of Encouragement (Stamp Simply)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black,  Tim Holtz® Distress Oxide- Tumbled Glass, Broken China; Stampin’ Write Markers- Pink Pirouette, Sweet Sugarplum, Rich Razzleberry, Blushing Bride, Sweet Sugarplum, Mossy Meadow, Sage Shadow; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen, Sharpie® Extra Fine White Paint Pen

Cardstock/Designer Paper: Whisper White

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

Stay tuned for the rest of the "set" created with these images- I plan to share them in a later post :-)

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