Clean and Simple Christmas

 Hi Friends! 

Happy Belated Thanksgiving to my friends in the United States!  This year our Thanksgiving celebration was a bit different- we were unable to get together with our family (since all of them live out of state), so we enjoyed a quiet lunch with two of our closest friends.

We are praying that the pandemic will be over soon, but we are very thankful that the Lord has protected us from the virus so far! 

I know that many of you are also staying socially distanced and may be shopping online this weekend to take advantage of the Black Friday/Thanksgiving Weekend sales.  If so, I wanted to let you know about the Stamp Simply Thanksgiving special:

One benefit of staying home is that I have a bit more creative time and today I am sharing a quick set of Clean and Simply (CAS) Christmas cards that I designed using Stamp Simply stamps and dies.

As those of you who follow my blog know that I enjoy playing along with challenge, so I am linking this card into the IN{K}spire_Me #437 “Festive Flowers and Trees” Challenge and the Simon Says Wednesday “Anything Goes” Challenge. 

If you have not had a chance to visit the above challenge sites or the Stamp Simply blog to check out all of the inspiration from my fellow Design Team members, I encourage you to do so, tremendous talent from all!

To create this set of cards:

On three separate white cardstock panels, stamp the sentiment from the Jesus stamp set using Versafine Onyx Black ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

Trim the panel, mount onto black cardstock and adhere the entire panel onto a white card base.

Stamp three of the poinsettia image from Floral Clusters- Winter Poinsettia using Versafine Onyx Black ink onto white cardstock, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.    

Once the embossing has cooled, color the poinsettia images using water-based markers. Die cut the poinsettias using the coordinating die and mount onto the card fronts with chipboard or dimensional foam.

Finish off the card by adding white highlights to the berries and floral centers with an extra fine white paint pen.

Stamp Sets: Floral Clusters- Winter Poinsettia,  Jesus  (Stamp Simply)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine Onyx Black Ink Pad,  Stampin’ Write Markers- Poppy Parade, Cherry Cobbler, Wild Wasabi, Mossy Meadow; White Paint Pen

Cardstock/Paper:  White and Black

Accessories/Tools: Gemini, Jr., Stamp Simply Floral Cluster & Sprigs Die, Embossing Buddy, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

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

Christ the Lord is Risen Today, Alleluia!

Hi Friends!

I am praying that all of you are staying as safe and healthy as possible during this pandemic. 

Last night we were able to participate in communion with our church family online as well as remember Good Friday and the sacrifice that Christ made for all of us.

We are looking forward to Resurrection Sunday tomorrow and we are thankful that during this time of social distancing, technology allows us to worship together!

I had a chance to create a few different designs for Easter cards this year (I am a bit late in mailing them out though).

This card was designed using the retired Alleluia Chalkboard stamp set from Divinity Designs LLC along the floral image from a current Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamp set, What a Savior.

I am linking this card to the IN{K}spiire_Me #418 “Happy Easter, Happy Spring, Happy Everything” Challenge along with the Word Art Wednesday #434-#435 “Anything Goes”Challenge.

This card was fairly easy to create in multiples:

Ink the chalkboard image with Versafine™ Onyx Black ink and stamp onto white cardstock. Heat set with a heat tool and trim close to the edge.  Mount onto black cardstock and trim close to the edge.

Stamp the floral image with Versafine™ Onyx Black ink and stamp onto white cardstock. Watercolor with water-based markers and cut out the image (I used my Brother Scan ‘n Cut to cut out all of the images).

Emboss a piece of white cardstock with an embossing folder, trim and mount onto black cardstock.  Add a strip of 1” red satin ribbon and adhere to a white card base.

Mount the chalkboard image and floral image with dimensional foam.

To finish off the card, use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the petals.

Stamp Sets: Alleluia Chalkboard (retired Divinity Designs LLC), What A Savior (Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Stampin’ Write Markers- Real Red, Granny Apple Green, Pear Pizzazz; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black

Accessories: Gemini, Jr.™, Woodgrain Textured Embossing Folder (retired Stampin’ Up!), AquaPainter™, 1” Red Satin Ribbon

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by- I hope to share a few more Easter cards this weekend.

TCC122 Give Thanks

Hi Friends!

Welcome to the #122 {Bountiful Blessings} Challenge at The Card Concept!  I was inspired by the deep, rich colors of the door, fruit and vegetables along with the texture to create a Shabby and Vintage/Mixed Media card!

With Thanksgiving on the horizon, I decided to ink up the retired Stampin’ Up! Grand Cornucopia for the main image and use the retired Verve Stamps sentiment from Autumn Blessings along with some older designer papers.  I have not used the Grand Cornucopia in years and wanted to give that stamp set some "love" :-)

I am also linking this card to the Make My Monday #107 “Fruit and/or Vegetable” Challenge, the IN{K}spire_ME#403 “Autumn/Halloween” Challenge and the SC298 Sketch Challenge from Splitcoaststampers (this sketch was from 2010, but thankfully, SCS challenges never end:-)).

If you have not had a chance to visit us at The Card Concept or the other challenge sites yet, I hope you will find time to do so- such wonderful inspiration from all!

Stamp the cornucopia image with Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Once the embossing has cooled, watercolor with Stampin’ Write markers (see below for colors) and die cut with an oval stitched die.

Mount onto another oval die cut from espresso cardstock.  

Stamp the sentiment onto espresso cardstock with Versamark™ ink, apply gold embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Die cut with a banner die.

Emboss a piece of designer paper with the Tin Tile Detailed Embossing Folder, lightly sand with a sanding block, trim and onto a piece of espresso cardstock.  Layer the other pieces of designer paper onto espresso cardstock and position onto the panel per the sketch.

Add the rust satin ribbon strip (wrapping the ends behind the panel) and mount the panel onto a piece of rust cardstock.  Adhere the entire panel onto a white card base.

Add the die cut oval image along with the sentiment using dimensional foam (or chipboard).

Add the triple satin ribbon bow along with the antique brad.

Use a white paint pen to add highlights to the grapes and a few pearls in the upper right hand corner to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Grand Cornucopia (retired Stampin’ Up!), Autumn Blessings (retired Verve Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Versamark™, Stampin’ Write Markers- Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip, Crushed Curry, Early Espresso, Highland Heather, Mossy Meadow, Pear Pizzazz, Pumpkin Pie, retired Bravo Burgundy, Taken with Teal; Extra Fine White Sharpie® Paint Pen

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso; misc. retired designer papers

Tools/Accessories: Big Shot™, My Favorite Things™ Dies- Stitched Oval STAX, Sixxiz™ Oval Dies, Banner Dies ; Stampin’ Up! Tin Tile Detailed Embossing Folder; Sanding Block, AquaPainter™, Embossing Buddy®, Clear and Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, 5/8” Rust Satin Ribbon (Offray), retired Stampin’ Up! Antique Brad, Pearls

Thanks again for taking the time to visit!  I hope I have inspired you to create your own card based on our {Bountiful Blessings}  photo and link up to our gallery at The Card Concept- we would love to see your interpretation!! The challenge is open until Monday, November 4^th at noon, EDT.

He Is Risen #2

Hi Friends!

This is another Easter card that I designed using the cross image from Easter Morn (retired Stampin’ Up!) – if you are interested, another design using the same image was posted here and here. 

I was inspired by the Mojo Monday #514 Sketch Challenge and also incorporated the Just Add Ink #453 “Just Add Two” Challenge (Bunnies, Flowers, Crosses) and the INKSpire_Me #390 “Easter Special” Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to visit the above challenge galleries yet, 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 tool, stamp the cross image with Versafine™ Onyx Black ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

2). Once the embossing has cooled, color the cross image using water-based markers.  Fussy-cut the image and set aside.  (FYI- I stamped nine images on a piece of 8 ½” x 11” white cardstock, stamped and embossed the images before using the Brother Scan-n-Cut to cut out all of the images.)

3). Fold a piece of 4 ¼” x 11” piece of white cardstock in half for the card base.  Emboss the front panel with an embossing folder.

4). Emboss another panel of white cardstock using a lace embossing folder, cut the strips for the vertical layers of the sketch and mount onto white cardstock.  Use the remaining part of the embossed panel for the horizontal layer (also mounting it onto white cardstock). 

5).  Adhere the horizontal layer to the card front and add the vertical strips (using dimensional foam). 

6). Die cut a circle and a doily from white cardstock, layer and mount onto the front of the card base.

7). Mount the cross image using dimensional foam.

8).  Use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the petals, cross and dove.  Add white highlights to the flower centers with a white paint pen.

Stamp Sets: Easter Morn (retired Stampin’ Up!)

Ink: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Stampin’ Write Markers- Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Coastal Cabana, Gable Green; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen, Sharpie™ Extra Fine White Paint Pen

Paper: Whisper White

Accessories: Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool , Big Shot™, Harlequin and Lace Dynamic Embossing Folders, Circle Dies (retired SU!), Doily Die (Divinity Designs, LLC)

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- hugs and I hope you have a wonderful week!

Yuletide Deer

Hi Friends!

I hope all of you are having a wonderful week so far! I am still making Christmas cards and wanted to create a card for the November 2017 STAMPlorations™ Theme and Sketch Challenge. 

This Clean and Simple (CAS) Mixed Media card was designed with a new to me stamp set, STAMPlorations™ Yuletide Deer.  I love the images in this set and decided to use the deer with the patterns:-)

I also am linking to the INKSPIRE_Me #326 Color Challenge and The Merry Christmas #44 “Anything Goes + Christmas” Challenge and the Stamplorations Never Ending "Anything Goes" Challenge.

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

To create this card:

1). Using a craft mat, apply a bit of hickory smoke and festive berries distress ink, spritz lightly with water and press a piece of white cardstock into the ink to create a splatter effect.  Dry the panel with a heat tool and die cut with a rectangular cross-stitch die.

2). De-static the die cut panel with an embossing powder tool, ink the Yuletide Deer image with archival ink (I used Versafine™ Onyx Black), apply silver embossing powder and heat set with the heat tool.  Once the embossing has cooled, color the image with a red and slate marker and add a bit of shimmer with a clear glitter pen.

3). Mount the entire panel onto a piece of slate cardstock, trim close to the edge and mount onto a piece of red cardstock.  Adhere the entire card front to a white card base.

4). Stamp the sentiment with archival black ink onto a piece of slate cardstock, create the fishtail banner and mount onto the card front with dimensional foam.

5). Add a few red and silver drops along with the rhinestones on the sentiment to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Yuletide Deer (STAMPlorations™)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Tim Holtz® Distress Ink- Festive Berries., Hickory Smoke, Stampin’ Write Markers- retired Poppy Parade, Smoky Slate; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen, Nuvo™ Festive Berries and Silver Crystal Drops

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Smoky Slate, Real Red (SU!)

Accessories: Big Shot™, Cross Stitch Rectangle Dies (Gina Marie), Rhinestones

Thanks again for visiting- I hope all of you have a very blessed Thanksgiving week!

SUO184 Autumn Kitty

Hi Friends!   

It’s time for the #184 “Shape Up!” Challenge at SU-Only Challenges!  We are challenging you to use your favorite punch(s) and/or dies and I decided to use the Cat Punch from the new Holiday Mini.  As soon as I saw this punch, I knew it would be one of my first purchases from the HM- it is so cute and versatile!

I love to watercolor so I paired the Cat Punch with a background create with Autumn Colors and am linking to the INKSpire_Me #318 “Autumn-Halloween Special” Challenge as well as the Word Art Wednesday #300-#301 “Anything Goes” 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 projects or the other challenge sites yet, I encourage you to do so- gorgeous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). Ink the You’ve Got This floral blossom with Stampin’ Archival™ Basic Black Archival Ink and stamp onto a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock.  Apply Clear Embossing Powder and heat set with the Heat Tool.  Create a mask of the flower, mask the initial image and repeat the steps above for two additional blossoms .

2). Using ink from the ink pads along with an AquaPainter™, watercolor the blossoms and background.  I used Crushed Curry for the flower centers, Cajun Craze and Rich Razzleberry for the petals and Bermuda Bay for the background. I also used Stampin’ Write markers in the same colors to add additional shadows and depth.

3). Once you are satisfied with the watercolor, trim the panel and add the sentiment from Rose Wonder with Stampin’ Archival™ Basic Black Archival Ink and emboss with clear embossing powder.  Add a bit of splatter with the small splatter image from Timeless Textures with Early Espresso Classic Ink.

4). Trim the panel, mount onto Cajun Craze cardstock, trim again and mount onto Very Vanilla cardstock.  Trim once more and mount onto Cajun Craze cardstock.

5). Stamp the floral scroll stamp from Timeless Textures with Versamark™ ink onto a piece of Bermuda Bay cardstock, trim and mount onto Cajun Craze cardstock and mount onto a white card base.

6). Add the stamped floral panel directly to the card front, use the Clear Wink of Stella™ Glitter Pen to add shimmer to the blossoms and the White Gel Pen to add highlights to the flower centers.

7).   Use the Cat Punch with Basic Black cardstock and cut out three cats, layer together and add to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals® to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: You’ve Got This, Rose Wonder, Timeless Textures

Ink/Mediums: Versamark™, Stampin’ Archival™ Basic Black, Classic Ink- Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry, Early Espresso, Rich Razzleberry, Bermuda Bay; Stampin' Write Markers- Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry, Rich Razzleberry; Clear Wink of Stella™, White Gel Pen

Paper: Very Vanilla, Cajun Craze, Bermuda Bay,  Basic Black, Extra Thick Whisper White

Accessories/Tools: Cat Punch, AquaPainter™, Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

 Thanks again for taking the time to visit and I hope that you will create your own Stampin’ Up! Only project and play along with our “Shape Up!” challenge!