Nothing Is Worth More Than This Day

Hi Friends!

I am sharing another card today that I created recently using several retired Stampin’ Up! (SU!) stamp sets- Summer by the Sea, Stipple Shells and Summer Afternoon. 

As I have mentioned in my previous posts, I am still trying to focus on using stamps that I already own and have not used in a while.  Once I pull out a retired set(s), I am trying to create a few cards in order to give all of the images some "love" :-)  

For this card, I decided to incorporate the Fab Friday #169 Sketch Challenge along with the Time-Out#141 “Relaxation” Challenge and the Simon Says Wednesday “Anything Goes”Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to stop by the above challenge sites, I encourage you to do so- fabulous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). De-static a piece of white cardstock with an embossing powder tool, stamp the Summer by the Sea image using Versafine™ Onyx Black ink onto white cardstock, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Once the embossing has cooled, watercolor using ink from water-based markers and distress oxide ink (see colors used below).

2). Die cut the image with a stitched dome die and die cut another dome (the same size) from black cardstock.  Split the black dome die-cut at the bottom, layer the focal image over the split die allowing just a bit of the black frame to show.

3). Emboss a piece of white cardstock with a woodgrain embossing folder, mount onto black cardstock and trim close to the edge.  Adhere the layered background to a white card base.

4). De-static a piece of black cardstock with an embossing powder tool, stamp the sentiment from Summer Afternoon (retired SU!), apply white embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Once the embossing has cooled, trim close to the edge of the sentiment (sizing to fit under the dome shape of the focal image).

5). Mount the layered focal image and sentiment onto the card front with dimensional foam.

6). Using black India ink, stamp the shell images from Stipple Shells onto white cardstock, heat set the ink with a heat tool and watercolor the images using water-based markers.  Fussy-cut each of the shells, use a black marker to finish off the cut edges of the images and a sponge dauber with distress oxide ink to add a bit of color.

7). Mount each of the shells onto the card front using dimensional foam.

8). Finish off the card using a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the shells.

Stamp Sets: Summer by the Sea, Stipple Shells, Summer Afternoon (all retired Stampin’ Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Ken Oliver Black India Ink, Tim Holtz® Distress Oxide- Ground Espresso, Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide Ink; Zig® Clean Color™ FB Markers-  Olive Green, Pale Pink, Yellow, Violet, Brown, Pink Flamingo; Stampin’ Write Markers- Pacific Point, Sahara Sand; Faber Castell® Bold Black Pitt Pen, Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Designer Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black

Accessories: Big Shot™, My Favorite Things™ (MFT) Dies- Stitched Rectangles A2 STAX Set 1 and Stitched Dome STAX,  Embossing Buddy®, Clear and White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Sponge Dauber, AquaPainter™

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- hugs and I hope you can stop by again soon!

Pretty Kitty Thank You

Hi Friends!   

I have an announcement to make- this will be my last post as a SU-Only Challenge Designer :-(   

It was a hard decision to make to step down from the team and it has has been my honor to be part of the SUO Challenge DT since 2013! I have enjoyed every moment and have had such a great time getting to know Robin (our coordinator) as well as the rest of the team.  The challenge site will be undergoing some behind the scenes changes along with a few new DT members, so stay tuned :-)

 I wanted to create a "Thank You" Card to show my appreciation for all of the hard work that Robin as well as the rest of the SUO Design Team (DT)put in each week and for my thanks to all of you who have faithfully played along with us over the years! 

I am still planning on creating and posting cards but one less deadline will allow me to spend more time with my hubby (he will be having another surgery soon) and allow us to have more time to complete our other tasks at home.

I decided to create a card using a few stamp sets that I have not had a chance to ink up yet- Pretty Kitty and Bella & Friends (I think both of these sets are so cute!) and paired them with Petal Palette for an easy Clean and Layered card.   

I have also incorporated the Fab Friday #133 Sketch Challenge and the A Bit More Time to Craft #64 “Anything Goes” Challenge into the design.

If you have not had a chance to stop by the SU-Only Challenge site to check out the rest of the Design Team projects or the other challenge sites, I hope you will do so- wonderful inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). De-static a piece of Whisper White cardstock with the Embossing Buddy®, ink the kitty image from Pretty Kitty with Stampin’ Archival Basic Black ink, stamp onto the prepared cardstock, apply Stampin’ Emboss® Clear Embossing Powder and heat set with the heat tool. 

2). Once the embossing has cooled, watercolor the image using an AquaPainter™ along with Stampin’ Up! Watercolor pencils and markers (colors listed below).

3). Die cut the image using the Big Shot™ with the Stitched Layering Framelits™, layer onto black cardstock, trim close to the edge.  Cut the image at the bottom (to create rectangle- the cut area will be hidden by the sentiment).

4). Repeatedly stamp the rose image from Petal Palette using Versamark™ over a piece of Bermuda Bay cardstock.  Trim the panel, mount onto Basic Black cardstock before adhering to the Extra Thick Whisper White card base.  Add the split Pretty Kitty image directly to the card front.

5). De-static a scrap piece of Basic Black cardstock with the Embossing Buddy®, stamp the sentiment from Bella & Friends using Versamark™, apply Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder and heat set with the Heat Tool.  Once cooled, hand trim and mount onto the card front using Stampin’ Dimensionals®.

 6). Die cut a heart from Calypso Coral cardstock using the Support Ribbon Framelits™, add to the sentiment panel and apply Clear Wink of Stella® for a bit of shimmer.

7). Finish off the card by using the White Gel Pen to add a few highlights to the flower centers.

Stamp Sets:  Pretty Kitty, Petal Palette, Bella & Friends

Ink/Mediums: Versamark™, Stampin’ Archival Basic Black, Stampin’ Write Markers-Old Olive, Calypso Coral, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Sweet Sugarplum; Stampin’ Up! Watercolor Pencils- Basic Gray, Bermuda Bay, Calypso Coral, Old Olive, Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo; Clear Wink of Stella®, White Gel Pen

Paper/Cardstock: Whisper White, Extra Thick Whisper White, Basic Black, Bermuda Bay

Accessories: Big Shot™, Stitched Layering Framelits™, Support Ribbon Framelits™, AquaPainter™, Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® Clear and White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

Thanks again for taking the time to visit – I hope that you have a wonderful Easter week and stop by again soon!

Happy Together

Hi Friends!

Today I am sharing a quick Mixed Media card using Happy Together and Grunge Elements 2 from Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps. 

I love the Happy Together stamp set with the different sentiments and sweet silhouette images- perfect for friendship, Valentine’s Day and just overall general encouragement!

 

Also, don’t forget for every $60 purchase (not including discounts or shipping), you can receive the February stamp of the month- Hoppy Easter- isn’t he cute looking down  at his Easter egg?  Plus, Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps has free shipping and handling on your $75 order (in the US) so this is a great deal!!

 

 I incorporated Fab Friday #131 SketchChallenge along with the A Bit More Time To Craft #62 “Anything Goes” Challenge and  the Dies R Us #91 “Tag, You’re It”Challenge into the design.

 If you have not had a chance to visit the above challenge sites or the SNSS Blog/FB Page yet, I encourage you to do so- gorgeous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). Using distress oxide inks- Broken China and Peacock Feathers, tap the ink onto a silicone craft mat, lightly spritz with water and place a piece of white cardstock into the ink.  Lift up and continue to repeat the process until you are satisfied with the background (drying with a heat tool as you proceed).  Ink the heart image from Grunge Elements 2 with Peacock Feathers distress oxide ink and stamp onto the panel.

2). Once the panel is dry, trim and mount onto a piece of black cardstock. 

3).  De-static a piece of white cardstock with an embossing powder tool, stamp the Happy Together image with archival black ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with the heat tool.  Die cut the panel with a stitched banner die, sponge Broken China and Peacock Feathers distress oxide over the background and add a few hearts with the heart image from Grunge Elements 2.  Mount onto another banner die cut from black cardstock and adhere to the card front with dimensional foam. (FYI- I originally had the black flag below the sentiment and did not like the look so die cut another white flag banner and mounted after the fact- now you know:-)).

4). Using a water brush, apply splatter the background with a bit of Black Soot distress ink.

5). De-static a scrap piece of black cardstock with an embossing powder tool, stamp the sentiment from Happy Together with clear embossing ink, apply white embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Hand trim and mount onto the card front.

6). Finish off the card using a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the hearts (hard to see in the photo) and a few Grey Mist Nuvo Jewel Drops.

Hindsight being 20/20, I probably should have used watercolor paper versus plain white cardstock but I need to order a pure white watercolor paper- all I have right now has an ivory tint and I prefer white :-)

Stamp Sets: Happy Together,  Grunge Elements 2 (Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Versamark™; Tim Holtz® Distress Oxide- Broken China, Peacock Feathers, TH Black Soot Distress Ink , Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen, Nuvo™ Grey Mist Jewel Drops

Paper/Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black

Acessories/Tools: Big Shot™, MFT Jumbo Stitched Fishtail Banner STAX Dies; Embossing Buddy®,  White and Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

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

What A Savior

Hi Friends!

Today I am sharing a quick card designed using the February release stamp set, What A Savior from Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps. 

 

WhatA Savior along with several other stamp sets are part of the Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps February release and the February stamp of the month is Hoppy Easter- how cute!! 

For every $60 purchase (not including discounts or shipping), you can receive the Hoppy Easter stamp set free until the end of February.  Plus, Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps has free shipping and handling on your $75 order (in the US) so what a great deal!!

 

I love playing along with weekly challenges and incorporated the Splitcoaststampers CC671 Color Challenge along with the Fab Friday #129 Sketch Challenge and the Simon Says Wednesday “Anything  Goes” Challenge into the design.

If you have not had a chance to visit the above challenge sites or the SNSS Blog/FB Page yet, I encourage you to do so- wonderful inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). De-static a piece of white cardstock with an embossing powder tool, stamp the image from What A Savior with embossing ink, apply silver embossing powder and heat set with the heat tool. Once the embossing has cooled, die cut with a stitched circle die. 

 2). Using a red water-based marker, scribble the ink onto a craft mat and watercolor the “heart”  with a water  brush.  Once dry, apply shimmer with a clear glitter pen to the watercolored area and mount the die cut image onto a red cardstock die cut.

3). Trim a piece of red patterned paper along with the silver chevron paper for the background.  Add a strip of red cardstock to the red patterned paper, mount the silver chevron paper onto the red card front and add the layered red panel.

4). Wrap two pieces of woven satin ribbon for the vertical element of the sketch, placing the ribbon ends behind the card front and adhere the entire panel onto a white card base.  

5). Add the triple red ribbon bow to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: What A Savior (Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Versamark™ Onyx Black; Stampin’ Write Real Red Marker; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Paper/Cardstock: Whisper White, Real Red, retired designer papers (Stampin’ Up!)

Acessories/Tools: Big Shot™, MFT Stitched  Circle STAX Dies, Circle Framelits™, Embossing Buddy®, Silver Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, 3/8” Real Red Woven Satin Ribbon

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

SUO187 Gather Together and Give Thanks

Hi Friends!   

It’s time for the #187  “Being Thankful” Challenge at SU-Only Challenges!  

I can always use a few more “thank you” cards in my stash so I decided to create a fall themed card using Vintage Leaves (along with the coordinating dies), Timeless Textures and Painted Harvest to create a Clean and Simple/Mixed Media card.

I also am participating in the Fab Friday #124 Color Challenge along with the Dies R Us #84 “Anything Fall” Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to stop by the SU-Only Challenge site to check out the rest of the Design Team’s samples or the other challenge sites yet, I encourage you to do so- wonderful inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). Tap the Pumpkin Pie and Tangerine Tango Classic Ink pads onto a silicone craft mat, spritz lightly with water and press a piece of Whisper White cardstock into the ink, left and re-press the paper in the ink.  Repeat the above steps with a bit of Fresh Fig Classic Ink and once you are satisfied with the colors, dry the panel with the Heat Tool.

2). Ink the leaves from Vintage Leaves with Fresh Fig Classic Ink and stamp onto the panel created in Step 1.  Die cut the leaves with the coordinating Leaflet Framelits™.

3). Using images from the Timeless Textures stamp set, stamp the grid image with Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink several times onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  Stamp the polka dot image over the grid image a bit using Tangerine Tango Classic Ink and add a bit of distressing using Fresh Fig Classic Ink with the small splatter stamp.  Trim the panel and mount onto a piece of Tangerine Tango cardstock, trim once more and mount onto a piece of Fresh Fig cardstock.  Mount the entire card front panel onto the Extra Thick Whisper White card base.

4). Use Metallic Gold Thread to create a large loop (adhere to the center area of the card) and layer the long oak leaf directly to the card front and add the other two using Stampin’ Dimensionals® (tucking some of the leaves under the metallic thread).

5). De-static a piece of Fresh Fig cardstock with an Embossing Buddy®, ink the sentiment from Painted Harvest with Versamark™ ink, apply Stampin’ Emboss Gold Embossing Powder and heat set with the Heat Tool.  Trim the sentiment and add to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals®.

6). Finish off the card by applying a bit of shimmer to the leaves with the Clear Wink of Stella® Pen.

Stamp Sets: Vintage Leaves, Timeless Textures, Painted Harvest

Ink/Mediums: Versamark™, Fresh Fig, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango

Paper: Whisper White, Fresh Fig, Tangerine Tango, Extra Thick Whisper White

Accessories/Tools: Big Shot™, Leaflet Framelits™, Gold Metallic Thread, Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by and I hope that you will create your own Stampin’ Up! Only project and join us for our “Being Thankful” challenge!

Painted Harvest- Gather Together and Give Thanks

Hi Friends!

Today I am sharing a card that I created using the Painted Harvest stamp set (Stampin’ Up! Holiday Mini Catalog) along with Timeless Textures.   I also pulled out a few retired tools (Distressing Tool and Crimper Tool) along with some retired lace , hemp twine and button to  complete the card :-)

I wanted to play along with the Fab Friday #123 Sketch Challenge and also incorporated the Hand Stamped Sentiments #275 Photo Inspiration Challenge (I was inspired by the sunflowers and Autumn colors)  along with the Simon Says Wednesday “Anything Goes” Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to check out the challenge sites yet, I encourage you to do so- tremendous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). Ink the Sunflower petal #1 image from Painted Harvest with Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink, stamp off onto a piece of scrap paper and stamp onto a 4” x 5 ¼” panel of Very Vanilla cardstock.  Rotate the petal and repeat the steps three times for each flower and stamp three flowers onto the panel.

2). Ink the Sunflower petal #2 image from Painted Harvest with Cajun Craze ink and stamp onto the petals created in step #1.  Rotate the image and repeatedly stamp several times for each flower.

3). Ink the center of the flower image from Painted Harvest with Soft Suede Classic Ink and stamp several times in the center of the petals.  Stamp the final time with Early Espresso Classic Ink.

4). Create a mask from sticky note paper for the flower petals, mask the flowers and stamp the solid leaf and fern images from Painted Harvest with Wild Wasabi Classic Ink.  Stamp the detailed leaf image with Always Artichoke Classic Ink.

5). Distress the panel with a distressing tool and use a sponge dauber to apply Early Espresso Classic Ink over the edges and onto the background to “age” the paper.  Add additional distressing with the small splatter stamp from Timeless Textures using Early Espresso Classic Ink.

6). Mount the distressed/stamped panel onto a piece of Early Espresso cardstock, distress the edges and mount onto the Always Artichoke card front.  Adhere the entire card front onto the white card base.

7). Use a crimper tool to crimp scrap pieces of Pumpkin Pie and Cajun Craze cardstock, cut into a banner, distress the edges and sponge with Early Espresso cardstock.  Mount the banners at the top right hand corner (per the sketch) and add the twine bow with the Pumpkin Pie button detail.

8). De-static a scrap piece of Early Espresso cardstock with an Embossing Buddy®, stamp the sentiment from Painted Harvest using Versamark™ ink, apply Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder and heat set with the Heat Tool.  Trim the panel, add a piece of retired Venetian Crochet Lace and mount onto the card front with dimensional foam.

Stamp Sets: Painted Harvest, Timeless Textures (both Stampin’ Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Pumpkin Pie, Soft Suede, Wild Wasabi; Versamark™

Paper: Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, Early Espresso

Accessories/Tools: Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Distressing Tool, Crimper Tool, Hemp Twine, Venetian Crochet Lace, Pumpkin Pie Button

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