TCC195 You Are In My Prayers

Hi Friends!

Welcome to our #195 {Floral Spring} or {Garden Birds} Challenge at The Card Concept!

The Card Concept is a bi-weekly photo inspiration challenge and every month for the second challenge of the month we have two photos to inspire your card!  

I hope you will take the time to visit The Card Concept Challenge to check out the rest of the Design Team cards- gorgeous inspiration from all!

I was inspired by the Garden Birds photo for my Clean and Layered Mixed Media card.  I am fortunate to see robins all year round (they do not migrate but tend to move into the forest areas during the winter here in Maryland- well, at least some of them, lol!).

I enjoy participating with other online challenges (I know how much work goes into maintaining a challenge blog and want to give them support). 

I will also be playing along with the Word Art Wednesday #595-#596 “Anything Goes” Challenge and I was able to incorporate the Splitcoaststampers SC166 Sketch Challenge into the design.

If you have not already visited us at The Card Concept, I hope you will find the time to do so.  Gorgeous inspiration from the rest of the DT as well as the other challenge sites.

I decided to pull out some retired designer papers along with a long ago printed digital image from Stampin’ Up! for this card.

I had the robin image from the digi stamp set, Nature (My Digital Studio from Stampin’ Up!) printed and in my stash.

The image was hand colored with water-color pencils, water-based markers and distress oxide inks.

The image was die cut with a rectangle stitched die and mounted onto black cardstock.

The sentiment from the Stamp Simply Blessings/Beatitudes 1 was stamped with Versafine Black Onyx ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.

The designer paper layers were positioned onto the sentiment panel (per the sketch) for the background and silver metallic string was wrapped over the panel before adhering it to a white card base.

The hand-colored digital robin image panel was mounted with dimensional foam to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Nature (My Digital Studio- retired Stampin’ Up!), Timeless Textures  (retired Stampin’ Up!), Blessings/ Beatitudes 1 (Stamp Simply)

Inks/Mediums: Versafine Onyx Black; Derwent Watercolor Pencils, Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide Ink. Stampin’ Write Markers- Baked Brown Sugar, Extra Fine White Paint Pen

Cardstock/Paper: White, Black, This ‘n That Epic Day Designer Series Paper (retired Stampin’ Up!)

Accessories/Tools: Gemini, Jr, Stitched Rectangle Die Sets A2 Set 1 (My Favorite Things), Embossing Powder Tool, Clear Embossing Powder, AquaPainter, May Arts Metallic String- Silver

 Thanks again for taking the time to visit! I hope you are inspired to create a card and join us for our #195 {Floral Spring} or {Garden Birds} Challenge at The Card Concept!

Peaceful Place- I Will Never Leave You

Hi Friends!

This evening I am sharing a card that was created with the Stampin’ Up! set, Peaceful Place along with a verse sentiment from the Stamp Simply set, Fear Not.

This is the first time I have inked up the Peaceful Place stamp set- when I saw that squirrel image, I knew I would have to buy this set!  

We have huge oaks in our yard and at least a dozen squirrels are in the back yard in the evening searching for food!  My hubby and I love to watch their antics and occasionally, we will feed them a few roasted peanuts in the shell (with no salt, of course).  

We have a few favorite squirrels- “Stubby” who seems to be a bit older and has a very short tail (we are not sure why), “Stripey” has a striped narrow tail (almost like raccon stripes) and “Grafty” has a tail that appears like it has been grafted (we are not the most imaginative with names, obviously).

As some of you know, I am trying to complete a card for each of the over 800+ sketches at Splitcoaststampers (thankfully their challenges never end:-)).  

This card uses the SC211 Sketch for the layout and I am also participating with the Paper Fun Day #19 “Anything Goes with a twist: The Great Outdoors” Challenge along with the Stamping Sensations July “All Creatures Great and Small” Challenge.

If you have not had chance to check out the above challenge sites yet, I hope you will do so- fabulous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

Ink the main scene image along with the squirrel image using Versafine™ Onyx Black  onto two separate pieces of white cardstock.  Heat set the ink with a heat tool.

Using watercolor pencils along with water-based markers and distress ink,  watercolor the images. 

Die cut the scene image with a stitched rectangle die, mount onto espresso cardstock and trim close to the edge.

Die cut the squirrel image with a stitched circle die, mount onto another circle die cut from espresso cardstock.

Stamp the sentiment from Fear Not using Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink onto white cardstock, heat set the ink with a heat tool. Once dried, watercolor with bit of distress oxide ink to mimic the sky, die cut with a stitched oval die and mount onto another die cut from espresso cardstock.

For the background panel. layer a piece of white cardstock onto espresso cardstock, trim close to the edge and mount onto a white card base.

For the vertical panels on the card front, layer the pieces of designer paper onto espresso cardstock, trim close to the edge.  Mount directly onto the card front.

Add the layered rectangle scene directly to the card front, mount the sentiment and squirrel layers with dimensional foam (or chipboard). 

To finish off the card, add a bit of shimmer to the water with a clear glitter pen.

Stamp Sets: Peace Place (Stampin’ Up!), Fear Not (Stamp Simply)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Derwent™ and Stampin’ Up! Watercolor Pencils- greens, oranges, yellows, blues; Stampin’ Write Markers- Granny Apple Green, Coastal Cabana, Summer Sun, Mossy Meadow, Old Olive, Soft Suede, Gray Granite, Smoky Slate; Tim Holtz™ Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Early Espresso; retired Park Lane Designer Series Paper

Accessories: Gemini, Jr.™, Dies- MFT Rectangle Stitched A2 STAX Set 1, Stitched Circle STAX; Sizzix™ Circle Dies; AquaPainter™, Heat Tool

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

SC687 It Is Well With My Soul

Hi Friends!

It’s time for the weekly sketch at Splitcoaststampers! Cathy  is our #SC687 sketch designer this week and I just love this pretty sketch she has created for us!

I decided to use the previously released Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps set, Nature Silhouettes 2 and the new release stamp set, Timeless Hymns along with the March Stamp of the Month Set, Texture Tiles I. 

 I love the March release sets and especially the March Stamp of the Month, Texture Tiles I. The texture tiles in this set are perfect for all sorts of cards and this stamp set can be yours free with a $75 order at Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps in the month of March (plus, don’t forget, you can get free shipping and handling with any net $75 order (US).

I enjoy participating with online challenges so I incorporated  the Inspired By All The Little Things #81 Challenge (I was inspired by the greens, natural elements and the Queen’s  Anne Lace),  The Flower Challenge #18 “Anything Goes” Challenge and the My Time to Craft #365 “Monochromatic” Challenge into my design.  Although after I linked to The Flower Challenge, I am not sure if this flower is large enough for their challenge.  No worries, I have another card with a larger flower to link tomorrow :-)

If you have not had a chance to visit the Splitcoaststampers’ Sketch gallery or other challenge sites yet, I hope you will do so- gorgeous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). Create the background panel using Distress Oxide Inks.  Press the Oxide inks onto a silicone craft mat, lightly spritz with water and press a piece of white cardstock into the ink, smooshing a bit before lifting the panel and drying with a heat tool between layers.  I used Twisted Citron for the first layer, Cracked Pistachio for the second and Broken China for the third.  Continue to apply ink in this manner until you are satisfied with the result.

2). Using Memento™ Tuxedo Black Ink, randomly stamp portions of the script mage from Texture Tiles I to the background.   Use a square die cut to cut out layer #3 and a border die to cut the angle  at the bottom for layer #2 in the sketch (I used the edge of the Swirly Die from Stampin’ Up!).  De-static the lower corner of the angled panel with an embossing powder, stamp the sentiment from Timeless Hymns with Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

3).  De-static the square die cut with an embossing powder tool and stamp the floral image from Nature Silhouettes 2 with Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

4). Frame the square die cut with a piece of black cardstock and mount onto the card front (covering up the opening created by cutting the initial square). *** Note- I do this often to help reduce the weight of a card and no one (except you, now) is the wiser.

Close-up to show some of the texture using Texture Tiles I

5). Add additional texture using images from Texture Tiles I - the splatter image with Broken China Distress Oxide ink and Memento™ Tuxedo Black Ink, the grid image  with Cracked Pistachio Distress Oxide Ink. 

6). Add a few strands of polished hemp twine around the card (for layer #4) and add the hemp twine bow with the black button.

7). De-static a scrap piece of white cardstock with an embossing powder tool,  stamp the bird image from Nature Silhouettes 2 with Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

8). Mount the bird onto the card front with dimensional foam.

9). Add a few Nuvo™ Grey Mist Jewel Drops to the background and use the Sharpie® Extra Fine White Pen to add highlights to the flower heads.

Stamp Sets: Timeless Hymns, Texture Tiles I, Nature Silhouettes 2 (Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Tim Holtz®  Distress Oxide Ink- Twisted Citron, Cracked Pistachio, Broken China; Nuvo™ Grey Mist Jewel Drops, Sharpie® Extra Fine White Paint Pen

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black (Stampin’ Up!)

Accessories/Tools: Big Shot™, SU! Square Framelits™ and Swirly Thinlits™, Embossing Buddy®,  Heat Tool, Clear Embossing Powder, Polished Hemp Twine, retired Basic Black button

Thanks again for taking the time to visit! If you have a chance, we would love for you to join us at Splitcoaststampers for this week’s sketch challenge!  Hugs and I hope all of you have a great week, sweet friends!

Dragonfly Dreams- Tissue Paper Watercolor

Hi Friends!!

Wow, this week has been so busy!  I have been wanting to try the Tissue Watercolor Technique for the CASMix-Up July Challenge and finally had a chance this evening!  

 I used Loll’s tips from her wonderful video (here) and decided to try her technique with the addition of heat embossing as well.

I also incorporated the CAS(E) This Sketch #231 Challenge, the Splitcoaststampers CC642 Color Challenge and the Addicted to Stamps and More #251 “Anything Goes” Challenge into the design.

If you have not already had a chance to visit the above challenge sites, I hope you will do so- so much inspiration from their Design Teams as well as in their galleries!

To create this card:

1). Using Tranquil Tide and Soft Sky Classic Ink, tap the pads onto a silicone craft mat, spritz with water, use a plastic spoon (or palette knife) to mix the ink a bit and lay a piece of tissue paper into the ink (smooshing very gently with your fingers to moisten all of the tissue).  Carefully lift up the tissue paper and set onto a paper towel to dry.  My first layer was a bit light so I added additional ink until I was satisfied with the color.

2). Using a craft glue, spread the glue over an entire piece of white cardstock, squishing the tissue a bit to create more ridges and allow the panel to dry (I did use a heat tool to speed up the process- I am so impatient!).  De-static the panel with an Embossing Buddy®, gently rub the Versamark™ ink pad over the ridges, apply Silver Embossing Powder and heat set with the Heat Tool.

3). De-static a piece of Whisper White cardstock with the Embossing Buddy®, ink the splatter image from Dragonfly Dreams and the sentiment from Rose Wonder with Versamark™ ink and stamp onto the panel.  Apply Silver Embossing Powder and heat set with the Heat Tool.  Trim the panel and mount onto the Extra Thick Whisper White card base.

4). Create the banner from Silver Foil using the Big Shot™ with the MFT Blueprints 16 Dies, cut in half and adhere to the card front.

5). Die cut the tissue panel with a medium frame from the retired MFT Fancy Ticket STAX dies and mount onto the card front with dimensional foam.

Close uo of the tissue background 

6). Stamp the dragonfly image from Dragonfly Dreams using archival black ink onto white cardstock, heat set the ink and watercolor with Tranquil Tide and Pool Party Classic Ink.  Die cut with the Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits™, mount onto the card front and use dimensional foam below the wings.

7). To finish off the card, apply shimmer to the wings using a Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen and add a few drops around the sentiment and on the tissue panel with Nuvo™ Gray Mist Jewel Drops.

I wish the shimmer showed better in the photo- this card definitely shines IRL :-)

Also, I have to say that I absolutely love this tissue paper technique- thanks Loll for the fabulous instructions!   I am so thrilled that I decided to try this (I have a few scraps from this panel for another card) plus I am looking forward to playing around with different colors and inks in the future!  Loll, you have definitely converted me- lol!

Stamp Sets: Dragonfly Dreams, Rose Wonder (both current Stampin’ Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink, Versamark™ Ink, Classic SU! Ink- Tranquil Tide, Pool Party; Nuvo™ Grey Mist Jewel Drops, Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Paper: Whisper White, Extra Thick Whisper White, Silver Foil, Tissue Paper

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits™, MFT Blueprints 16 Dies, retired MFT Fancy Ticket STAX Dies, Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® Silver Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

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

SUO160 Thinking of You This Fall

Hi Friends!   

It’s time for the SUO160 “Fall Fun” Challenge at SU-Only Challenges!

Fall/Autumn is my favorite time of year with all of the glorious colors that nature has on display here on the East Coast. 

 I was inspired by our recent trips to Skyline Drive and wanted to create a card using the oak images from SU! Lovely As A Tree- for some reason, the oak tree and oak leaf images have not been inked as often as the others in this stamp set, so they were begging for some “love” :-)

This photo was taken along Skyline Drive last week- the colors were not quite peak yet- they were a bit brighter today but I have not uploaded those photos yet :-)

I was inspired by our recent trips to Skyline Drive and wanted to create a card using the oak images from SU! Lovely As A Tree- for some reason, the oak tree and oak leaf images have not been inked as often as the others in this stamp set, so they were begging for some “love” :-)

I also incorporated the Create with Connie and Mary CCMC429 SketchChallenge along with the Splitcoaststampers’ CC603 Color Challenge and Free For All F4A344  “Into the Woods”Challenge in the design.

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

To create this card:

Ink the oak tree and oak leaves images from Stampin’ Up! (SU!) Lovely As A Tree with Basic Black Archival Ink, stamp onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock and heat set with the Heat Tool.

Using Stampin’ Write Markers- Hello Honey, Cajun Craze and Old Olive for the leaves and Soft Suede for the trunk and acorn (use an AquaPainter™ to blend the ink).

Fussy-cut the oak leaves and use the Big Shot™ with the Circle Framelits™ to die cut the oak tree (also cutting two circles the same size from Cajun Craze cardstock).  Layer the Cajun Craze circles behind the oak tree image.

Use the Big Shot™ with the Woodgrain Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss a piece of Old Olive cardstock, trim and mount onto a piece of Cajun Craze cardstock, trim and mount onto the Extra Thick Whisper White card base.

Lightly sponge Sahara Sand Classic Ink in the interior of the Woodland Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder  before inserting a piece of Whisper White cardstock, emboss with the Big Shot™, trim the panel, mount onto a piece of Cajun Craze cardstock and adhere to the card front.

Add a scrap piece of Crushed Curry cardstock (oops!  I just realized that I pulled Crushed Curry out by mistake versus Hello Honey),  frayed piece of 1 ¼” Burlap Ribbon and a sliver of Cajun Craze cardstock (I found all of these in my scrap bin- the Crushed Curry and Cajun Craze pieces were previously embossed with the Woodgrain EF and ready to go).

Stamp the sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes with Basic Black Archival Ink, eat set with the Heat Tool, create the banner points by hand, mount onto a piece of Cajun Craze cardstock and trim close to the edge.

Add the sentiment along with the fussy-cut leaves and oak tree image with Stampin’ Dimensionals®.

Finish off the card by applying Clear Wink of Stella® to the leave on the tree as well as the fussy-cut leaves.

Stamp Sets:  Lovely As A Tree, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Stampin’ Archival Pad™- Basic Black, Classic Ink- Sahara Sand; Stampin’ Write Markers- Cajun Craze, Hello Honey, Old Olive; Clear Wink of Stella®

Paper/Cardstock:  Whisper White, Extra Thick Whisper White, Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry, Old Olive

Tools/Accessories: Big Shot™,  Woodland and Woodgrain Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folders, retired Circle Framelits™, AquaPainter™,  1 ¼” Burlap Ribbon

I hope this card has inspired you to pull out your Stampin’ Up! products and come  join us in the SU-Only “Fall Fun” Challenge.

Thanks again for stopping by- hugs and have a great week!

Psalm 62:1- My Soul Finds Rest in God Alone

Hi Friends! 

Wow, I cannot believe that August 2016 will be over for us here in the Mid Atlantic in a few hours!!  This summer has gone by fast for sure :-)

I have a few more cards that I created with the Our Daily Bread Designs August 2016 Release stamps that I wanted to share and this card was designed with the new ODBD By The Sea stamp set along with the ODBD By The Shore Collection 6x6 Paper Pad.

I love the pelican image along with the verses and sentiments in the ODBD By The Sea stamp set as well as the new By The Shore Collection 6x6 Paper Pad- so many fabulous summer scenes and paper pattern designs! 

Psalm 62:1  "My soul finds rest in God Alone" is so comforting to me!

As I have mentioned in previous posts, my husband Dave and I enjoy watching birds- we find that enjoying nature and God's masterpiece of creation allows us to "Rest in Him" for sure! 

I am linking this card up to the Word Art Wednesday #246-#247 “Anything Goes”Challenge and the Splitcoaststampers’ MIX173 “Frame It” Challenge.  

I think that the large die from the ODBD Ornate Ovals Dies makes a very nice frame for the pelican, don't you?

If you have not had a chance to visit the Our Daily Bread Designs Blog or the two challenge sites yet, I encourage you to do so- gorgeous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

Die cut and emboss a piece of dark brown cardstock with the ODBD Flourished Star Pattern Die, mount onto a piece of sky blue cardstock, trim close to the die cut and mount onto the white card base.

Die cut and emboss a piece of sand cardstock with the ODBD Lavish Layers Dies, mount onto a piece of the ODBD By The Shore Collection 6x6 Paper (die cut and embossed with the ODBD Rectangles Dies) and set aside.

Die cut an oval from the ODBD By The Shore Collection 6x6 Paper (I used the sky area) with the ODBD Ovals Dies and mount this oval onto a die cut a piece of white cardstock (die cut and embossed with the largest die from the ODBD Ornate Ovals Dies).

Stamp the sentiment from the ODBD By The Sea stamp set with archival black ink onto white cardstock, die cut and emboss with the ODBD Layered Lacey Ovals Dies and mount onto the layered panel created in the above step.

Ink the pelican image from the ODBD By The Sea stamp set with archival black ink, stamp onto white cardstock, color with watercolor pencils (adding just a bit of water and applying layers of color for more dimension), fussy-cut the image and mount onto the layered panel with dimensional foam.

Adhere the triple taffeta ribbon bow along with the antique brad in the center (wrap the ends of the ribbon behind the panel) and mount the entire panel onto the card front.

Add a white highlight to the pelican's eye with a extra fine white paint pen and use a clear glitter pen to add glitter to the feathers (difficult to see this both in the photo) to finish off the card.

Thanks again for visiting- hugs and have a blessed week, my friends!

ODBD By the Sea	Lavish Layers Dies	Flourished Star Pattern Dies	ODBD Ornate Ovals Dies	ODBD Layered Lacey Ovals Dies
Rectangles Dies	Ovals Dies	ODBD By the Shore Paper Collection