Definitely Dahlia with Rose Wonder- CAS Happy Birthday

Hi Again Friends! 

I wanted to share another quick card that I created this past weekend using the FreshlyMade Sketches FMS217 Sketch along with the Splitcoaststampers’ CAS355 “Colour Wheel of Life” Challenge (see gallery here)  and Seize the Birthday “Anything Goes” Challenge.

Again, if you have not had a chance to visit the above sites yet, I encourage you to do so, fabulous inspiration from all!

This is a very easy card to create:

Ink the Definitely Dahlia background stamp with Daffodil Delight, use a Sponge Dauber with Delightful Dijon and Pumpkin Pie to randomly “pounce” the color onto the image and stamp onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock.

Side view showing the dimension :-)

Use the Big Shot™ with the Die-namics™ Blueprints 20 Die to cut out the image and mount onto the Whisper White card base using dimensional foam.

De-static a piece of Basic Black cardstock using the Embossing Buddy®, stmap the sentiment from Rose Wonder using Versamark™ ink, apply Stampin’ Emboss® Winter White Embossing Powder and heat set with the Heat Tool.

Trim the sentiment and mount onto the card front to finish off the card.

Quick, easy and fun!!

Stamp Sets:  Definitely Dahlia, Rose Wonder

Ink: Versamark™, Daffodil Delight, Delightful Dijon, Pumpkin Pie

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black

Accessories: Big Shot™, MFT  Die-namics™  Blueprints 20 Die, Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® Winter White Embossing Powder (retired), Heat Tool, Sponge Daubers

Thanks again for stopping by- I hope you have a wonderful day!

HYCCT1524 With Gratitude

Hi Again Friends!!

This card was created for the Splitcoaststampers’ “Hope You Can Cling To”  HYCCT1524Holly’s “Thanks Bunches” Challenge to create a “Thank You” card with a “bunch” of fruit, leaves, etc. 

Fall is in full color here in the Mid-Atlantic region and after our trip to Shenandoah (Skyline Drive) this past Thursday, I was inspired to create fall leaves for my "bunches" :-)

I am also linking this card to the Happy Little Stampers October 2015 Sketch Challenge and the #tgif26 "So Thankful" Challenge.

Rocky Mount Overlook

Again, if you have not had a chance to do so, I hope you will find the time to visit the above galleries- wonderful inspiration from all!!

To create this card:

Stamp the leaves using Stāz-On® Jet Black Ink onto Whisper White cardstock, color using Sponge Daubers with Hello Honey, Cajun Craze, Tangerine Tango and Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink.

Fussy-cut the leaves and scrunch by hand to create a realistic texture.

Ink the large solid splatter stamp from Gorgeous Grunge using Hello Honey and stamp onto a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock, clean the stamp and stamp as well with Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink.

Add the large splatter stamp using Cajun Craze Classic Ink as well as Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink.

Cut the panel out using the Big Shot™ with the My Favorite Things™ Blueprints 13 Die and mount onto a piece of Cajun Craze cardstock, trim and adhere to Very Vanilla card base.

Stamp the sentiment using Stāz-On® Jet Black Ink onto Very Vanilla cardstock, punch the banner using the Hexagon Punch and stamp a bit of splatter with Cajun Craze Classic Ink.

Arrange and mount the leaves using dimensional foam along with the sentiment (loosely interpreting the sketch) and add the clip to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  With Gratitude (retired Stampin' Up!) , Gorgeous Grunge (Stampn' Up!)

Ink: Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, Hello Honey, Tangerine Tango

Paper: Very Vanilla, Cajun Craze, Whisper White

Accessories: Big Shot™, MFT Blueprints 13 Die, Hexagon Punch, Sponge Daubers, Antique Brass Clip

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by- have a terrific Monday, my friends!

Sheltering Tree- Thinking of You :-)

Hi Again Stampers!!

This Clean and Simple (CAS) card was created using the Splitcoaststampers’ SC551 Sketch Challenge (see gallery here) and Free For All F4A263 “Sheltering Friends” Challenge (see details here and gallery here) along with the CQC301 ColourQ Challenge, Just Us Girls #304 Autumn Challenge and Simon Wednesday “Anything Goes” Challenge. 

 If you have not done so, I hope you will have a chance to visit the above sites to check out the wonderful Design Team samples as well as their fantastic galleries!

This card was very simple to create- the stamp set does the work for you (I just love that! :-)):

Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Apricot Appeal, More Mustard and Calypso Coral Classic Ink to the foliage of the Sheltering Tree set, stamp onto Whisper White cardstock, ink the tree trunk using Night of Navy Classic Ink and stamp onto the panel, re-ink the foliage with the same colors and stamp again over the tree trunk.

Sponge the foliage colors onto the watercolor effect strip stamp and stamp twice to create the ground area, trim the panel and mount onto Night of Navy cardstock.

Use the Simply Scored™ Scoring Tool to score the diagonal lines onto the Whisper White background panel (per the sketch) and mount onto the Night of Navy card base.

Add the focal image panel using Stampin’ Dimensionals® along with the stamped sentiment layer to finish off the card.

Quick and easy for sure!!

Stamp Sets: Sheltering Tree

Ink: Calypso Coral, Night of Navy, retired Apricot Appeal and More Mustard

Paper: Whisper White, Night of Navy

Accessories: Sponge Daubers, Hexagon Punch, Simply Scored™ Scoring Tool

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

Two Cards- One Color Challenge!

Hi Stampers!

It has been another extremely busy week!  One of the reasons I have not been able to post as frequently to my blog is that I am currently on two Design Teams for Spliptcoaststampers- the Creative Crew (highlighting SU! products) and just announced this week, the Dirty Dozen!!  I am so honored to have been chosen for both of these teams!  

The Fan Club Gallery at Splitcoaststampers is one of the benefits you receive if you are a Fan Club member (you do not have to be a member to enjoy the resources but let me tell you, I have been a member for years and the Fan Club Gallery has so much to offer)!  Along with the current "Dirty Girls" I created six projects for the May gallery "Life is like a Box of Chocolates" - chocolate colors, chocolate, etc.  Come check out these exclusive to SCS Fan Club Members only designs out!! 

Today, I decided to spend some time today relaxing and creating cards for some of my favorite weekly challenges along with a few for the Creative Crew (stop back after June 1st to see the Creative Crew cards:-)).  

 I combined this week’s wonderful CQC137ColourQ colors and while I had the colors out, created two cards- the first card utilizes the heat emboss technique for the HSSTC118 Heat Emboss Challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments and the second card incorporates the SC302 Sketch Challenge from Splitcoaststampers. 

To create the first card:

Stamp the floral image using Basic Gray on Whisper White cardstock and color with the Wisteria Wonder and Lucky Limeade Stampin’ Write markers.  Use the Versamarker™ to go over the flowers and leaves, apply Stampin’ Emboss® Clear Embossing Powder and heat using the Heat Tool.

With a Sponge Dauber, apply Tempting Turquoise for the sky, add the 5/8” Basic Gray Satin bow and sentiment to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Herb Expressions (to be retired June 1^st), Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Basic Gray, Tempting Turquoise, Versamarker™,  Stampin’ Write Markers- Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Gray

Accessories:  Heat Tool, Stampin’ Emboss® Clear Embossing Powder, Sponge Dauber, Modern Label and Word Window Punch, Pearls, 5/8” Basic Gray Satin Ribbon (retired)

To create the second card, using sticky notes mask off an area on Whisper White cardstock.  Apply Wisteria Wonder and Tempting Turquoise ink with Sponge Daubers.  Stamp the floral spray image with Basic Gray, trim and mount onto Basic Gray cardstock. 

Use the Big Shot™ with the Finial Press Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss a piece of Tempting Turquoise and Lucky Limeade DSP (lightly sand both pieces with the Sanding Block). 

Mount the layers per the sketch (the Wisteria Wonder was a scrap piece that I had previously embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder. 

Add the 5/8” Organza Ribbon bow and sentiment panel to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Elements of Style, Blessings from Heaven

Ink: Basic Gray, Tempting Turquoise, Wisteria Wonder

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Wisteria Wonder; Designer Series Paper- Tempting Turquoise, Lucky Limeade

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Finial Press and Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folders, Sanding Block, Sponge Daubers, Pearls, 5/8” Organza Ribbon

Thanks again for stopping by to visit- it is such an encouragement to me! Have a wonderful weekend and I hope you find some time to stamp!

Parisian Sketch and Color Challenge- Two in One!

Hi Stampers!

I hope all of you had a wonderful week!  I wanted to create a card using the CQC132 ColourQ Challenge colors and decided to incorporate the RS7 Sketch from Retro Sketches as well.  Both sites are wonderful sources of inspiration, if you have the time, see for yourself!

I added one more layer to the sketch and mirrored the cut panels behind the focal point.  I had a difficult time incorporating the horizontal strip below the tower so I thought that the Lucky Limeade panel would suffice as the "horizontal strip".  That is what I like about sketch challenges- they are a starting point for your own creativity :-)! 

To create this card:

On Whisper White cardstock, use Sponge Daubers to apply Pumpkin Pie and Poppy Parade Classic Ink.  Create the collage using stamps from Artistic Etchings and Established Elegance with Pumpkin Pie, Poppy Parade and Lucky Limeade ink. 

Stamp the Eiffel Tower as well as the Final Image using Versamark™ ink, heat emboss using Stampin’ Emboss® Black Embossing Powder. 

Mount onto Basic Black and again onto Lucky Limeade/Basic Black following the sketch.

Use the Big Shot and emboss a piece of Whisper White cardstock (ink the interior of the embossing folder with Lucky Limeade ink prior to placing the WW cardstock inside). Cut into two and mount onto Basic Black cardstock.

Close-Up of Collage

Assemble the remainder of the card- attach the tags with a brad and wire, adhere the Satin Bow and you are finished!

Stamp Sets:  Artistic Etchings, Established Elegance, Tiny Tags  

Ink: Versamark™, Lucky Limeade, Poppy Parade, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Lucky Limeade cardstock and Designer Series Paper

Accessories:  Heat Tool, Sponge Daubers, Big Shot™, Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Jewelry Tag Punch, Copper Brad, Wire Works (retired), 5/8" Basic Black Satin Ribbon

Thanks again for taking the time to visit and all of your encouragement!  Have a great week creating and sharing the love of stamping- God Bless! 

Tutorial- Sponged Background

Hi Stampers! 

Thank you so much for all of your comments regarding my recent posts-  we all love receiving feedback and it is so encouraging to me! 

I have had a few requests to explain how I created the sponged background for this card, so I thought it may be easier to try to type a step by step tutorial (to the right is a close-up view of the actual stamped background).

Since this card utilizes a Masking Technique, you will need to create the masks (do not throw them away when you are finished- they can be used several times).  To create the sky mask, I first punched a 1 ¾” circle from a repositionable note (3x3).  Using the portion that had the “punched out” opening, I determined where I wished for my moon/sun to be located and allowed the sticky part of the note to hold the mask in position on the Whisper White cardstock.  I covered up part of this area at the bottom to allow the moon/sun to be in a rising position.  I then used a Sponge Dauber inked with Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink to color in the sun image (using stroking and circular motions).

I created another mask with scrap Whisper White cardstock, tearing along the edge to create a jagged area for the "grass/hills".  Using the "grass" mask, I placed this at the bottom of my sponged moon cardstock and held it with my left hand as I sponged the Wild Wasabi Classic Ink (again with a Sponge Dauber) over the bottom portion of the cardstock.  At this angle, I was protecting the sky area and previously inked sun/moon area from the green ink. 

I applied a bit of repositionable adhesive to the back of the individual circle cut out and placed this over the Pumpkin Pie moon.  I reversed the mask from the bottom (I had to juggle this a bit to have it work but don’t worry- the tree line will cover most of this area) and covered the recently sponged Wild Wasabi grass area (now to protect the grass).  I sponged the Tempting Turquoise ink over the sky area using straight “swooping” motions.  When inking close to the moon/sun image, I held the circle mask down tightly along the edges to get a clean, crisp edge.

After removing the masks, I sponged the Pumpkin Pie around the outer edge of the moon/sun and finished off any white areas with the Wild Wasabi around the grass area as well.    

Using Elegant Eggplant, I stamped the small background stamp from the new set in  French Foliage (Holiday Mini) over the moon/sun.  I also inked up the Lovely As A Tree images with Elegant Eggplant and stamped the line of trees twice over the Wild Wasabi area and using the larger pine type tree, stamped it over the line of trees.  Using a sponge dauber with Elegant Eggplant, I sponged the edges all around the image. 

Using the Big Shot and the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder (EF), I embossed a piece of Wild Wasabi and sponged Elegant Eggplant over the Wild Wasabi (to show the raised detail of the EF).  I attached the Pumpkin Pie layer over Elegant Eggplant, adhered the embossed Wild Wasabi piece over the Pumpkin Pie and mounted the focal image. 

Using the Color Spritzer Tool with the Elegant Eggplant marker, I “spritzed” the entire card.  Stamped the sentiment below the picture with “Best Wishes” from the Short & Sweet set.

I took a small piece of Pumpkin Pie 5/8” Satin Ribbon and folded in half, lined it up with the corner, punched through with the 1/16” hand held punch and inserted an Antique Brad.  I have posted the finished card again to the left for reference. 

This masking technique works great for scenes of all colors- give it a try yourself and have some fun! 

Thanks again for visiting and blessing my life!