CAS Monochromatic Cardstock Only Chirstmas- Not as Easy as It Sounds :-)

Hi Again Stampers! 

Well, I just had to complete one more Clean and Simple (CAS) card this evening!  This card was created for the Splitcoaststampers TLC527 Cardstock Only Challenge (see details here and gallery here) along with the CCC15 Christmas Card Challenge (see gallery here) and I decided to use Soft Sky for the CMCC65 Monochromatic Challenge (I did not use the neutral for this card- a true monochromatic card :-) ).  

The TLC527 Challenge was difficult for me since you could not use any stamps, ink, ribbon, designer series paper or embellishments- only just one color of cardstock. Wow, a tough one for sure!! :-)

Again, if you have not already had a chance to visit the above sites, I encourage you to do so- great samples from the Design Teams as well as their galleries!

To create this card:

Emboss a piece of Soft Sky cardstock using the Big Shot™ with the Darice snowflake embossing folder, trim and mount onto the Soft Sky card base.

Cut the Impression Obsession Trio of Deer dies along with the Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Border and Stampin’ Up! Joy word die out of Soft Sky cardstock and mount onto the card front using Stampin’ Dimensionals®.

Quick for sure, but not that easy for a gal that likes to use color and various mediums/embellishments- lol!!

Stamp Sets:  None

Ink: None

Paper:  Soft Sky

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Darice snowflake embossing folder, Impression Obsession Trio of Deer die, Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Border Die, Stampin’ Up! Wonderful Wreath Thinlits™ Die

Thanks again for dropping by – have a great Thursday!!  

DD82 CAS Christmas Dove

Hi Stampers! 

This week’s DD82 Dynamic Duos “Bright and Cheery” Challengeuses the 2012-2013 In-Colors Primrose Petals and Gumball Green.

I hope you will find the time to visit the rest of the fabulous Design Team projects- they did a wonderful job with this color challenge!!   

The Dynamic Duos Challenge Blog

Anne Marie Hile

Annette Elliott

Angel Johns

Caroline Bredeson

Cindy Brumbaugh

Holly Endress

JoAnn Burnham

Julie Gearinger

Michelle Bala

Sarah Fleming 

Tenia Nelson

I decided to create another Christmas card and pulled out the retired set, Gifts of Christmas and use a quick marker technique - this one is very easy and fun! :-)

To create this card:

Using the Stampin’ Write markers in Primrose Petals and Gumball Green, color the flowers and leaves directly on the stamp.  Color the dove with the Basic Black Stampin’ Write marker and re-moisten the stamp by “huffing” onto the image and stamp onto Whisper White cardstock.

Use the Big Shot™ with the Deco Label Framelits™ to cut out the dove image along with another piece the same size using Primrose Petals cardstock.

Trim the Primrose Petals die cut layer in half and layer behind the focal image along portions to show beyond the Whisper White cardstock.

Emboss a piece of Vellum using the Big Shot™ with the Pretty Print Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder and layer onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock.

Add the Primrose Petals layer onto the Whisper White card base.  Adhere the vellum layer and add the focal image using Stampin’ Dimensionals®. 

Create the sentiment using My Digital Studio (MDS) from Endless Wishes- print onto Whisper White cardstock, punch the banners using the Hexagon Punch and add the Primrose Petals cardstock layer.

Add the sentiment using Stampin’ Dimensionals® and finish the card off with Pearls. 

Stamp Sets:  Gifts of Christmas (retired), Endless Wishes (MDS version)

Ink: Printer Ink- Black, Stampin’ Write Marker- Primrose Petals, Gumball Green, Basic Black

Paper: Whisper White, Primrose Petals, Vellum

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Deco Labels Framelits™, Pretty Print Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Hexagon Punch, Pearls 

Thanks again for stopping by!  I do hope all of you will have a chance to visit us at The Dynamic Duos and play along in our DD82 “Bright and Cheery” Color Challenge this week!!  

Gratitude- Framing My Thanks :-)

Hi Again Stampers! 

I wanted to create another card before this relaxing Sunday ends and decided to use the Naccho AverageChallenges #54 Colors along with the Just Add Ink JAI182 Just Add FramesChallenge (again, if you have not visited either site yet, please stop by and check them out!)
 

The colors on the Naccho Average Challenge seemed to be a bit masculine so I decided to create a fall themed card using a watercolor and masking technique…

To create this card:

Stamp the acorn using Soft Suede Classic Ink onto Whisper White cardstock and stamp another one onto a piece of sticky note to use as a mask.  Carefully cut out the image on the sticky note (leaving some of the sticky portion under the image) and cover the initial stamped acorn with the stick note.  Stamp another acorn at an angle and remove the sticky note.

Use the AquaPainter™ with a bit of Island Indigo Classic Ink from the inkpad to watercolor a bit around the acorns- once finished the “sky”, use Soft Suede to watercolor the acorns.  Punch out the entire image using the XL Oval Punch.

Apply the same technique as above for stamping and masking the leaves.  Use the AquaPainter™ with Pear Pizzazz to color the leaves and the Island Indigo for around the leaves.  Ink the Gorgeous Grunge splatter stamp with Soft Suede and randomly stamp over the image.

Use the Color Spritzer Tool with the Island Indigo Stampin’ Write marker to spritz over both images and cut the leaves out using the Big Shot™ along with the Deco Labels Framelits™ (remember to cut another frame the same size out of Soft Suede).  Adhere the Soft Suede layer behind the leaf image (I cut the bottom off to layer and the center down the middle vertically so a bit of the cardstock would show on the sides as well).

With the Big Shot™, cut a larger oval using the Oval Collections Framelits™ and emboss with the Oval Designer Frames Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder.  Adhere the acorn image in the center of the frame.

Emboss a piece of Whisper White cardstock using the Woodgrain Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder (rough up the edges a bit) and mount onto a piece of Soft Suede cardstock and adhere to the Whisper White card base. 

Add the leaf focal image and oval acorn frame using Stampin’ Dimensionals®.  

Attach the Hemp Twine bow with the Antique Brad with a Mini Glue Dot.  Stamp the sentiment using Island Indigo Classic Ink and cut out using the Big Shot™ with the Bitty Banners Framelits™ (sponge a bit of Island Indigo over the Whisper White to tone down the white edge a bit) and add to the frame to finish off the card.

It is hard to see in the photo but I did add a bit of highlights with the retired SU! Metallic Pencils (but it was not necessary, just had them near by)…

Stamp Sets: Truly Grateful, Harvest of Thanks, Gently Falling, Gorgeous Grunge

Ink: Soft Suede, Island Indigo, Pear Pizzazz, Stampin' Write Marker- Island Indigo

Paper/Cardstock:  Whisper White, Soft Suede

Accessories: Big Shot™, Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folders- Woodgrain, Designer Frames (Oval), Framelits™- Deco Label Collection, Bitty Banners, Ovals Collection, Sponge Dauber, XL Oval Punch, Color Spritzer Tool (retired), Metallic Pencils (retired- optional) , Hemp Twine (retired), Antique Brad

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

Clean and Simple Roses- Three Challenges in One!

Hi Again, Stampers! 

I decided to create a CAS Card using this week’s CQC189 ColourQ Colors and the CAS(E) This SketchChallenge #28 along with the CASOLOGY Theme #44 Bloom.

If you have the time to check out all of the challenge sites, please do so- there is so much inspiration from their Design Teams as well as all of the other entries

I know that many of you may not think this card is simple, but trust me it is :-) 

Also, not sure if I have too many layers to qualify for the CAS Challenges, but here it is…

To create this very easy CAS card:

Use the Big Shot™ with the Argyle Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss a piece of Whisper White- trim down to 3 ¾” W x 5” H and set aside the trimmed pieces.

Create the rolled flowers from Calypso Coral, Ruby Red and Whisper White cardstock using the 1 ¼” Scallop Circle punch and the spiral cut method (see tutorial here). 

Attach the embossed Whisper White background to Basic Black and Certainly Celery and mount onto Basic Black for the final frame.

Add the strip of Basic Black cardstock (from my scraps) and a piece of the trimmed embossed paper from the first step.

Punch the leaves from Certainly Celery cardstock using the Bird Builder Punch and add to the card front and adhere the rolled flowers along with the Pearls.

Add the sentiment to finish off the card.  See how simple.. and CAS to me! :-)

­Stamp Sets: Petite Pairs

Ink:  Basic Black

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Calypso Coral, Certainly Celery, retired Ruby Red

Accessories:  Big Shot™,  Argyle Textured Impressions™ Embossing  Folder, Punches- 1 ¼” Scallop Circle, 1 3/8” Circle, Bird Builder, Pearls

Thanks again for stopping by and if you have the time, let me know if you like this card – your comments mean so much to me!  

I hope you all of you have a wonderful weekend!  I have a "date" with approx. 20 young ladies for the Mother/Daughter brunch this morning and I am looking forward to helping them make a cute little flower pot easel card (they range in ages 3 to 12)- we will have so much fun!) :-)

Hallelujah, He Is Risen- Card #2 !!

Happy Easter (again)!! 

I needed one more card for Easter so I decided to use the Freshly Made Sketches FMS79 Sketch along with the colors from the CQC182 ColourQ Challenge (since I had those colors still out and embossed parts from the previous post).

Again, if you have not had the time, check out both sites for wonderful examples and inspiration!! 

To create this card:

Using the Embossing Buddy®, de-static a piece of Whisper White cardstock and stamp the image from Crosses of Hope using Versamark™ ink.  Apply Stampin’ Emboss® Early Espresso Embossing Powder and heat with the Heat Tool.   Once cooled, color with the Stampin’ Write markers in Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade and Always Artichoke and carefully cut out. 

Use the Big Shot™ to emboss a piece of Whisper White cardstock with the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder (difficult to see in the photo).  Cut the Whisper White embossed cardstock with the 2 ½” Circle Punch and layer onto another 2 ½” Circle punched from Early Espresso cardstock.  

Adhere the cross with Mini Glue Dots and add the rolled flower with the leaves (flower was created with the 1 ¼” Scallop Circle Punch and the leaves are from the Bird Builder Punch). 

Add the Wisteria Wonder and Lucky Limeade DSP layers (previously embossed from the last post and lightly sanded to expose the white core).  Layer the ribbon and embossed Vellum per the sketch, add the ribbon bow, sentiment and Pearl to finish off the card. 

Stamp Sets: Crosses of Hope, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Versamark™, Stampin’ Write Markers- Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade, Always Artichoke, Early Espresso

Paper/Cardstock:  Whisper White, Early Espresso, Wisteria Wonder and Lucky Limeade DSP, Vellum

Accessories:  Big Shot™,  Lacy Brocade, Vintage Wallpaper and Delicate Designs (Lace)Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folders, Large Scallop Edgelit™, Punches- 2 ½” Circle, 1” Square (for banner points), Word Window (for sentiment), 1 ¼” Scallop Circle, Bird Builder; Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Write® Early Espresso Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Pearls, 5/8” Satin Ribbon (from my stash)

Thanks again for visiting- I hope all of you have a wonderful Easter celebrating our Risen Savior!!

Hallelujah - He is Risen!!

Hi Stampers! 

Happy Easter!!  I hope all of you have a wonderful Easter celebrating our Risen Savior!!

I needed to create a few more Easter cards and decided to use the colors from this week’s CQC182ColourQ Challenge along with the Nacho Average NAC39 Sketch Challenge.  If you have not visited these sites yet, stop by- they have great samples from their Design Teams as well as the other entries.

To make this quick and easy “hybrid” card:

Print an image from the Crosses of Hope Brush Set from My Digital Studio (MDS)- I enlarged the image form the original stamp size :-)  Color the flowers and leaves using Stampin’ Write markers in Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade and Always Artichoke.  Carefully cut out the cross and adhere the sentiment banner.

Use the Big Shot™ with the Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss a piece of Wisteria Wonder Designer Series Paper (DSP) and a piece of Lucky Limeade DSP using the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder.  Lightly sand the DSP to reveal the white core.

Layer the DSP onto Basic Black cardstock, add the embossed Vellum lace edge and the satin ribbon band.   Add the cross image using Stampin’ Dimensionals and the satin ribbon bow to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Crosses of Hope (MDS), Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Printer Ink- Black, Stampin’ Write markers- Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade, Always Artichoke, Basic Black

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Wisteria Wonder DSP, Lucky Limeade DSP, Vellum

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Vintage Wallpaper, Lacy Brocade and Delicate Designs (Lace)Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folders,  Large Scallop Framelit™, Punches- 1” Square (for banner points), 5/8” Satin Ribbon (from my stash)

Thanks again for stopping by- I hope you have a glorious Easter!

Happy Easter- Playing with The Paper Players

Hi Stampers!!

I had another chance to stamp this evening (one of my favorite things to do :-)) and to create an Easter card using the fabulous spring colors in the PP136 Challenge at The Paper Players and this also qualifies for the Stampin' Up! Only SUO66 Challenge- Easter Parade:-) 

I believe that both of these sites, The Paper Players and SUO Challenges have very talented design teams,  and if you have not had a chance to visit their sites yet, I highly encourage you to do so (trust me, you will not be disappointed :-)).

**** 03/28/13**** This card also qualifies for the StillADDinktive Spot that Easter Stamp Easter - this challenge site allows you to back link projects that you have created oor create a new project.  I am not sure if I will have the time to stamp another Easter card before Sunday so I decided to share this one:-)  

I decided to use Crosses of Hope and while I love and own the stamp set, the cross was not as large as I wanted, so I utilized My Digital Studio to create this “hybrid” card :-) 

To create this card:

Open the My Digital Studio program and using a blank page, insert the stamp brush from Crosses of Hope, size to your preference and change the color to Early Espresso (or if you prefer, stamp the cross using Early Espresso Classic Ink).  Print out onto Whisper White cardstock.

Color the flowers and leaves using Stampin’ Write Markers in Pool Party, Regal Rose and Lucky Limeade.  Carefully cut out the cross image and set aside.

Cut a panel of Pool Party and Regal Rose cardstock and overlap in the center (my panel is 3" x 4 1/4") and mount this panel onto Early Espresso cardstock.  Emboss a piece of Vellum using the Big Shot™ and the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder and layer over the 3" x 4 1/4" Pool Party/Regal Rose panel (I used a thin layer of Two-Way Glue to adhere the Vellum- dries clear and works great!).

Add the embossed lace paper border (this was a previously embossed piece from my scraps using the Big Shot™ , Large Scallop Edgelit™ and the Delicate Designs (Lace) Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder).  Add the ½” Pool Party Seam Binding Ribbon to cover the paper lace layer where it overlaps (right under the top of the horizontal parts of the cross).

Adhere the cross to the panel with Stampin’ Dimensionals® and add Pearls to the lower right hand corner and to the flowers on the cross.

Emboss a piece of Vellum with the Big Shot™ and Framed Tulips Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder.  Layer this Vellum panel onto a piece of Regal Rose Designer Series Paper (I used the striped layer but it is a bit difficult to see the stripes in the photo) and adhere this embossed Vellum panel to an Early Espresso card front, add the layered cross panel with Stampin’ Dimensionals®.

Stamp the sentiment using an Early Espresso Stampin' Write marker (so you can omit part of the sentiment to split the words).  Punch out using the Jewelry Punch, add to card front under the area where the bow will be placed using Mini Glue Dots, add the 1/2” Pool Party Seam Binding Ribbon Bow with the Antique Brad to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Crosses of Hope (MDS), Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Printer Ink- Early Espresso, Stampin’ Write Markers- Early Espresso, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Regal Rose

Paper: Early Espresso, Pool Party, Regal Rose, Whisper White, Regal Rose Designer Series Paper, Vellum

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Textured Impressions™ Embossing  Folders- Lacy Brocade,  Framed Tulips, Delicate Designs (Lace), Large Scallop Framelit™, Jewelry Tag Punch, ½” Pool Party Seam Binding Ribbon, Antique Brad, Pearls, Stampin' Dimensionals®, Mini Glue Dots, Two-Way Glue

Thanks again for stopping by!  I hope all of you have a wonderful week and God Bless!

Birthday Quilt- Two Challenges in One!

Hi Stampers!!

I hope all of you are having a great week so far!!  I have been trying to organize my craft room (I mean craft "store" :-))  this week and in between, making a few cards for some of my favorite challenge sites.  

I created this card using the Dynamic Duos DD40 Colors along with the Create withConnie and Mary Thursday CCMC239 Sketch.  I know I have said it many times before, but the Design Teams at both of these sites are wonderful-hope you take a moment to visit them.

This card is fairly simple- there is no stamping involved since this is a My Digital Studio (MDS) "hybrid”:

Use the 1 ¼” Square Punch to punch out squares from Whisper White and Basic Black Designer Series Paper (DSP).  Cut all of the squares by hand on the diagonal and adhere in the quilt pattern directly onto the Tempting Turquoise DSP.

Trim the “quilt” to approx. 3 1/4"x 3/14” and emboss using the Big Shot™ with the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder.  Mount onto a 3 ½” x 3 ½” Basic Black Square. 

Use the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss a piece of Tempting Turquoise cardstock for the vertical panel and also the 5 ¼” square Whisper White card base as well as another piece of Whisper White for the center circle and butterflies.   Add the vertical panel along with the quilt focal piece to the card (using Stampin’ Dimensionals for the quilt).  

Punch three butterflies out using the Elegant Butterfly Punch and adhere them to the card using Mini Glue Dots. 

Add the circular floral piece to the center (created with the 1 1/4" and 1" Circle Punch) and add the embossed flower (largest flower from the Boho Blossom Punch).  Add a Large Rhinestone to finish off the center of the flower and the smaller Rhinestones for the bodies of the butterflies. 

Add the sentiment to the lower left corner (I used a sentiment I had on hand from MDS already printed out and ready to go- love my scraps!) to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Hugs & Wishes - My Digital Studio

Ink:  None- Printer Ink

Paper: Whisper White, Designer Series Paper- Basic Black and Tempting Turquoise

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Punches- Boho Blossom, Elegant Butterfly, 1 ¼” Square Punch, 1 ¼” and 1” Circle, Medium Oval Punch (retired); Rhinestones

Thanks again for visiting- I hope you have fun and find time to spend in your craft room this week!  

Silver and Gold and All Wrapped Up!

Hi Stampers!               

                                                                                                

So far I am staying "on target" with my commitment to the CCC13 Splitcoaststampers 2013 Christmas Card Challenge- my goal is at least twenty cards per month and here is the first one for the month of February (a few days early but I still need to make the additional five cards).    I have found that making sets of 5 to 6 per design is working well for me so far and hopefully, I will be able to mail my cards this year :-)

  

I decided to incorporate a few other challenges – the PP129 CAS Sketch Challenge at The Paper Players as well as the Splitcoaststampers CC407 Color Challenge- Silver, White and Gold and used a two-tone embossing technique that I have not tried in a while....  

Again, if you have not visited any of these sites yet, check out the Design Team Samples and the other entries at both- more inspiration than you can imagine!!

To create this easy CAS card:

Use the Big Shot™ with the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss a piece of Silver Metallic cardstock.  Layer this onto Whisper White and again onto More Mustard cardstock.

Use the Embossing Buddy® to de-static a piece of Whisper White cardstock and stamp the tree image using Versamark™ ink.  Apply Silver Stampin’ Emboss® Embossing Powder ( I used a plastis spoon to apply the silver to the star areas), then gently tap off the silver embossing powder.   Do the same thiung with the Gold Stampin’ Emboss® Embossing Powder- apply this to the rest of the image and gently tap off the embossing powder (the gold will not adhere to the silver areas).  Viola!  Two Tone Embossing :-)

Heat with the Heat Tool and once cooled, mount onto More Mustard cardstock.

Add the Gold Satin Bow to finish off the card- now that's fast and easy compared to most of my cards- now off to make the other five :-)

Stamp Sets:  Snow Swirled  

 Ink: Versamark™

Paper:  Whisper White, More Mustard, Silver Metallic

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Lacy BrocadeTextured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Embossing Buddy®, Heat Tool, Silver and Gold Stampin’ Emboss® Embossing Powder, Gold  Satin Ribbon (from my stash)

Thanks again for stopping by- have fun this week stamping and creating!!

Chickadee Christmas- "Hybrid" Clean and Simple

Hi Stampers!   

In January, I decided to sign up for the CCC12Splitcoaststampers Christmas CardChallenge and create at least 20 cards per month- unfortunately due to my unforeseen overtime work schedule and a few unexpected Design Team assignments, I am woefully behind on my commitment :-(

While enjoying an extra day off during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, I decided to take a day to create a set of Christmas cards for the CCC12 Challenge using the Splitcoaststampers WT402Challenge- Black and White with a “pop” of color.

One way I have found that is successful in creating a batch of cards is to utilize My Digital Studio (MDS) to create the images and then use dry embossing, ribbon and other techniques to create a “hybrid” card.  I love the crisp and detailed image of the bird with MDS :-)  

 Just a reminder- if you have not tried MDS yet, now is a great time since it is half price through November 28^th (check out the Online Extravaganza Sale thru my Online Store).

Smaller circle image 

I used MDS to print out the chickadee image from Beautiful Season (in several sizes to fill the entire piece of 8.5 x 11 cardstock), the sentiment from More Merry Messages and a few sentiments from Christmas Lodge onto Whisper White cardstock.  

FYI- All of these sets were additional downloads that I purchased after the initial investment in MDS but the digital version of the stamp sets are so economical that I like to purchase the actual stamp and the digital as well to supplement my “inventory” - a girl cannot have too many stamps! :-)

Some of the cards I used a Circle Punch to cut out the chickadee image and others I used an oval Sizzix Framelit™ or just cut a rectangle with the paper cutter around the image.  Add the "pop" of color on the berries using a Real Red Stampin’ Write marker.

Easy Rectangle Image 

Layer the focal image onto a Whisper White or Basic Black card front (Whisper Whitee embossed with the Petals-A-Plenty and Basic Black with the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder).  

Punch banner corners on some of the sentiment pieces (using the corner of a 1” Square Punch) and layer onto Basic Black or Real Red.  Adhere at an angle either at the top or bottom of the focal image. On one of the sentiment banners I used the Circle Punch to round the corners versus the banner points :-)

Add the 5/8” Real Red Satin Ribbon bow, adhere to a Whisper White card base and you are finished!

   

Version with the Lacy Brocade Basic Black card front 

Stamp Sets:  My Digital Studio- Beautiful Season, More Merry Messages, Christmas Lodge

 Ink: Printer Ink- Black , Stampin’ 

Write Marker- Real Red

Cardstock:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Real Red

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Petals-A-Plenty and Lacy BrocadeTextured Impressions™ Embossing Folders, Oval Framelits™, 2" and 2 1/2' Circle Punches (or use the Circle Cutter),  5/8” Real Red Satin Ribbon (retired)

Thanks for visiting!  Have a wonderful week and hopefully, I will be sharing more Christmas cards shortly (time is running out! :-))

Joyful Hearts Meeting- Nov 2012

Hi Stampers!               

                                                                                                

Between the hurricane, internet and power outages and work, I have been busy creating my 26 swap cards for our quarterly Joyful Hearts demonstrator meeting that my lovely upline, Cindy Fodor held today.  She is just the best upline possible and this meeting included her family serving us a wonderful dinner (turkey, beef, veggies, desserts-all of the food was fabulous and so fresh since it is from their farm)!!  Thank you Cindy and family for such a grand evening of fun!!

This card is fairly simple to create:

Stamp the Ex Libris background stamp using Early Espresso Classic Ink onto Very Vanilla cardstock.  Color the flowers, vines and borders with the Aqua Painter using More Mustard, Always Artichoke and Bravo Burgundy Classic Ink (be careful not to use too much water or the Early Espresso ink may run).

Stamp the medium flower image from Everything Eleanor using Early Espresso Classic Ink onto Very Vanilla cardstock.  Again, using the Aqua Painter, watercolor with More Mustard and Bravo Burgundy ink- once dry, add a second layer of ink on some of the areas for dimension.

On Very Vanilla cardstock, stamp the sentiment (with Early Espresso Classic Ink). Cut out the sentiment using the Big Shot™ with the Apothecary Accents Framelits™ Die- lightly sponge the edges with Crumb Cake ink and use the Color Spritzer Tool with the Stampin’ Up! Crumb Cake marker to add additional distressing.

Close-up of Watercolor Background 

Also with the Apothecary Accents Framelits™ Die and the Big Shot™, cut the label from Bravo Burgundy cardstock. 

Use the Big Shot™ with the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss the watercolored Ex Libris background panel as well as the Bravo Burgundy label die cut.

Assemble the background panel onto Bravo Burgundy and Always Artichoke cardstock.  Add the embossed label and stamped sentiment along with the flowers along the side.

Attach the ½” Always Artichoke Seam Binding double bow and pearls to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Ex Libris, Everything Eleanor, Blessings from Heaven

 Ink: Early Espresso, Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy, More Mustard

Paper:  Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy, Crumb Cake, Stampin’ Up! Crumb Cake marker  

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Apothecary Accents Framelits™ , Aqua Painter, Sponge Dauber, Color Spritzer Tool, ½” Always Artichoke Seam Binding, Pearls

Thanks again for stopping by!!  I had a great time making this card for all of my fellow demonstrator “friends” that truly bless my life!

I hope all of you are doing well and have a wonderful week creating and stamping!