Summer by the Sea

Hi Friends!

As I mentioned in my previous posts, I am slowly working my way through the Splitcoaststampers over800+ sketch challenges in addition to inking up some of my older (and mostly retired) stamp sets.

This card was designed using the retired Stampin’ Up! Summer by the Sea stamp set along with a verse sentiment from the current Divinity Designs LLC set, Scripture Collection 9.

The Splitcoaststampers SC204 Sketch was incorporated into the design and I am also linking to the Simon Says Wednesday “Midsummer Blues” Challenge, the C.R.A.F.T. #566 Sport/LeisureChallenge and the Creative Inspiration August “Summer Fun” Challenge.

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

To create this card:

De-static a piece of white cardstock with an embossing powder tool, ink the Summer by the Sea image with Versafine™ Onyx Black ink, stamp onto the prepared cardstock, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

Once the embossing has cooled, color the image with water based markers and watercolor pencils.  Use distress oxide ink to watercolor the sky and once satisfied with the coloring, die cut with a stitched rectangle die.

Mount onto a piece of black cardstock, trim close to the edge.

Emboss a piece of eggplant designer series paper and mount onto black cardstock for the background panel.  Lightly distress the edges and sand the embossing (I had this piece already embossed in my stash and discovered it during my organization this past spring).

Ink the verse sentiment from Scripture Collection 9 using Versafine™ Onyx Black ink, stamp onto the prepared cardstock, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool. 

Distress with brushed corduroy/vintage tea ink using a sponge and a texture stamp.  Die cut the sentiment with a stitched rectangle die, mount onto black cardstock and trim close to the edge.

Die cut the nautical paper with a stitched square die and hand trim the mustard paper, mount both onto black cardstock and trim close to the edge.

Arrange the layers onto the eggplant background (per the sketch), add the knotted hemp twine, the sentiment and mount the focal image with chipboard (or dimensional foam).

To finish off the card, use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the water and a sponge with distress ink to age the edges of the layers.

Stamp Sets: Summer by the Sea, Timeless Textures (retired Stampin’ Up!), Scripture Collection 9 (Divinity Designs LLC)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black , Stampin’ Write Markers-Crushed Curry, Elegant Eggplant, Dapper Denim, Night of Navy, Smoky Slate, Marina Mist; Tim Holtz® Distress Oxide- Broken China, Chipped Sapphire, Wild Honey, Picked Raspberry, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Tea Archival Distress; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Paper/Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Elegant Eggplant and More Mustard Designer Series Paper (Hostess Level I)- all Stampin’ Up; misc. Nautical Designer Series Paper

Accessories/Tools: Gemini, Jr™, My Favorite Things™ Stitched Rectangle STAX A2 Set 1, retired Finial Press Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder (Stampin’ Up!), Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Polished Hemp Twine

Thanks again for taking the time to drop by- I hope all of you have a great weekend!

A Day At the Beach

Hi Friends!

I hope all of you had a great weekend! Today I am sharing a card that was designed with the retired Stampin’ Up! Summer by the Sea and Blessings from Heaven. 

I am making a concentrated effort to use my "unloved" stamps and supplies and incorporated some scrap pieces of designer paper and cardstock as well.

I also have a personal challenge to create a card for all of the Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenges (over 800 sketches and they do not expire- here is the link to all of their sketches). 

I decided to use the SC252 Sketch for the layout on this card (this sketch was from 2009).

Since I also love to participate with online challenges, I am linking this card to the Simon Says Monday “A Day At The Beach” Challenge along with Try It OnTuesday “Summertime” Challenge and the TGIF Challenge!  #274 "Paper Scraps!" (I used a few scraps of the retired Epic Day This 'n That designer paper for the embossed panels and bits of black cardstock to create the photo corners).

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

To create this card:

Ink the Summer by the Sea image with Versamark™ Onyx Black, stamp onto white cardstock, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

Once the image has cooled, watercolor with water-based markers and distress oxide ink.

Die cut with a stitched square die, mount onto black cardstock.  Using scraps of black cardstock, create the photo corners and add to the corners (I created these by hand- cut a square in half on diagonal, and trim to create the edges and center).

De-static a piece of white cardstock with an embossing powder tool, stamp the sentiment from Blessings from Heaven with Versamark™ Onyx Black, stamp onto white cardstock, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Trim the panel and mount onto black cardstock.

Emboss a few pieces of scrap designer paper with a lattice embossing folder, trim and mount onto black cardstock.

Add the layered cardstock panels to the background panel, mount the focal image with chipboard (or dimensional foam) and add a few black rhinestones near the sentiment.

Using a clear glitter pen, add shimmer to the water and sand to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Summer By The Sea, Blessings from Heaven (retired Stampin’ Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Stampin’ Write Markers- Calyspo Coral, Early Espresso, Pool Party, Soft Suede, Pretty in Pink; Tim Holtz™ Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide; Clear Glitter Pen

Paper/Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, retired Epic Day This ‘n That designer series paper

Accessories/Tools: Gemini, Jr™, retired Square Lattice Embossing Folder (Stampin’ Up!), My Favorite Things™ Stitched Square Dies, Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Black Rhinestones

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

Everything Is Better By The Sea

Hi Friends!!

We are currently working on some remodeling projects at our home and I decided to take a break from the pre-installation prep for the contractors to create a fairly simple Mixed Media card.

Again, I am focusing on inking up some of my older stamps and used an image from the retired Stampin’ Up! Summer by the Sea  stamp set (this set is at least ten years older) and paired it with a sentiment from the Divinity Designs, LLC By the Sea (now available as a stamp/die duos set)- another set at least two years old.

I incorporated The Color Throwdown #562 Color Challenge along with the Retro Rubber Challenge Blog #120 Anything Goes Challenge and the Simon Says Monday “Stitch It” Challenge (I chose faux stitching using stitched dies).   

I also used  The Paper Players PP460 Sketch Challenge for the layout (turned the sketch sideways)- the challenge closed yesterday at noon but I want to give them credit for the sketch inspiration :-)

If you have not had a chance to drop by the above challenge sites yet, I hope you do so- wonderful inspiration from all!

Heat emboss the Summer by the Sea image with clear embossing powder, once cooled, watercolor with water-based markers.  Die cut the image with a stitched circle die, mount onto a circle die cut from black cardstock.

Fold a 7” x 11” piece of cardstock in half, trim the length to 7” and score several lines along the edges.

Use the Coastal Cabana and Brilliant Blue marker to scribble some color onto a piece of acetate (I use a protector sheet cut in half), spritz with water, smoosh and apply to the front of the card front.  Dry thoroughly with a heat tool.

Mount the layered die cut circle onto the card front with dimensional foam (or chipboard).

Heat emboss the sentiment from By The Sea (Divinity Designs LLC) with white embossing powder, die cut with a stitched rectangle die and mount onto the card front.

Use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the water, a black marker to add a horizontal line for the water, along with a white paint pen to add a few highlights to the water and a couple of Nuvo™ Crystal Drops to finish off the card .

Stamp Sets: Summer by the Sea (retired Stampin’ Up!), By the Sea (Divinity Designs LLC)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Stampin’ Write Markers- Coastal Cabana, Gray Granite, Smoky Slate, retired Brilliant Blue; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen, Sharpie® Extra Fine White Paint Pen, Pilot V5 Black Pen; Nuvo™ Morning Dew Crystal Jewel Drops

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, White Cardstock (for the base- coated from my stash)

Accessories: Big Shot™,  MFT Stitched Circle STAX, MFT Stitched Rectangles; Sizzix™ Circles Dies, Embossing Buddy®, Clear and White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Acetate, AquaPainter™

Thanks again for stopping by! I hope I have inspired you to create something this week – now off to finish up rearranging for the contractors :-)

Cast All Your Cares

Hi Friends!

Here is another card with some of my older stamp sets- this card includes retired Stampin’ Up! Summer by the Sea, Stipple Shells along with the retired Verve Stamp Set, Faith Medley.

I heat embossed all of the images as well as the sentiment using clear embossing powder and water-colored the images with clean color markers and distress inks.  The shells were fussy-cut, the main image was die cut with a stitched rectangle die and the sentiment with a stitched oval die.

All of the elements were layered onto black cardstock with the main image and seashells mounted onto the card front with dimensional foam.

The card was finished off with a clear glitter pen and rhinestones.

I incorporated the Crazy 4 Challenges C4C496 Sandcastles Challenge, The HouseThat Stamps Built #A1419 Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge (top diagonal- By the Sea,Texture, Bright Colors) and the Stinkin’ Inkers August “Some Like It Hot”Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to stop by the above challenge sites, I hope you will find the time to do so- gorgeous galleries and inspiration from all!

Stamp Sets: Summer by the Sea, Stipple Shells (retired Stampin’ Up!), Faith Medley (retired Verve Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black,  Zig® Clean FB Markers- Yellow, Ochre, Blue, Violet, Purple, Brown, Lt. Pink; Soft Suede Stampin’ Write Marker, Tim Holtz® Ground Espresso Distress Oxide, Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Designer Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, retired Stampin’ Up! designer paper- Brilliant Blue, misc. purple dsp (not sure of manufacturer)

Accessories: Big Shot™, MFT Dies- Stitched Rectangle STAX A2 Set 1, Stitched Ovals STAX; Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, AquaPainter™, Sponge Daubers, Rhinestones

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

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!

Summer by the Sea- Praise the Lord!

Hi Friends!

I hope your summer is going well!  My hubby is continuing to recover from his bladder and prostate removal surgery (cystoprostatectomy)- it was a rough few weeks after the initial surgery, but we are praising the Lord that he is getting stronger with each passing day!  I am learning how to be an ostomy nurse :-)  and we are getting used to the "new normal" with the bag changes, etc. 

In the meantime, I have had a chance to create a few cards, scrapbooks and journals as well as work on organizing my craft room, but have not had time to post to my blog or galleries.  I find that posting to my blog, etc. can take more time than creating, lol! I am thankful to have a moment to post a few cards this week. 

As I mentioned in my previous posts, while I am still buying stamps and supplies, I am trying to focus on limiting my purchases and using what I already own.  This card was was designed using two retired stamp sets- the focal image from the Stampin’ Up! Summer by the Sea set and the sentiment is from the Verve Stamp set, Scripture Medley 5.  

I also wanted to participate with a few online challenges and incorporated the Color Throwdown #554 Challenge and am also linking to the Simon Says Wednesday “Anything Goes” Challenge and the Just Add Ink #468 “Just Add “C” “ Challenge (“C”= Circle, Celery-color).

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

To create this card:

1). Stamp the 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, watercolor pencils and distress oxide ink (see the list of colors used below).

2). Die cut the image with a stitched circle die, mount onto another die cut from black cardstock (die cut with the same circle, split in half before layering).  Repeat the process with the sentiment using a rectangle stitched die, layer onto black cardstock and trim close to the edge.

3). Emboss a piece of kraft cardstock using a 3-D basketweave folder, mount onto black cardstock and trim close to the edge.  Layer the red and celery designer paper  (mounted onto strips of black cardstock), adhere to the basketweave background, add the seam binding strips and mount onto a white card base.

4). Mount the layered circle focal image with the sentiment onto the card front with dimensional foam and add the seam binding bow.

5). Finish off the card by using a white gel pen and add a button to the center of the bow.

Stamp Sets: Summer by the Sea  (retired Stampin’ Up!), Scripture Medley 5 (retired Verve Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Tim Holtz® Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide Ink, Zig® Clean Color™ FB Markers-  Carmine Red, Olive Green, Pale Green, Pale Pink, Yellow, Ochre, Light Gray; Derwent® Crimson Red Watercolor Pencil, White Gel Pen

Cardstock/Designer Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Kraft ; Certainly Celery and Poppy Parade Designer Series Paper (retired Stampin’ Up!)

Accessories: Big Shot™, Basket Weave 3-D Embossing Folder (SU!), MFT™ Dies- Stitched Rectangles A2 STAX-Set 1 and Stitched Circles STAX,  Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, AquaPainter™, 3/8” Black Seam Binding (Zipperstop), retired SU! Button

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

CAS Trust In The Lord

Hi Friends!!

After Awana this evening, I had a chance to create a Clean and Simple (CAS) card for the Splitcoaststampers’  CC550 Color Challenge (optional dessert is sky) and I am so thankful that I can finally participate in this week's color challenge before the challenge officially "ends" (well, they are open "forever" technically but at least before next week's starts) :-)

I decided to combine the challenge with the SC560 Sketch Challenge and the CAS308 New Year’s Resolution Challenge (depict something that you will be trying to accomplish this year­- I am still playing “catch up” on the 2015 CAS Challenges).

This retired stamp set has always held a special place in my studio and this image along with the verse sentiment is definitely "a goal of mine" this year- to trust in the Lord with all of my heart and lean not on my own understanding.  

I am trusting in Him for strength and healing for my husband, wisdom for our upcoming retirement and finances as well as growing in my knowledge of the Bible and "resting" in Him with Bible Study and Bible Art Journaling. 

October will be a very busy month for me for card designing- I am now on four Design Teams as a regular member (The Card Concept, SUO Challenges, Sweet –n- Sassy Stamps and "fifth Thursday" SCS "Free For All" Challenge sample maker) and will be participating on four different Design Teams as a Guest Designer for October (Our Daily Bread Designs and the other three will be announced as each is announced on the challenge blogs). 

The "toes in the water" on the stamped focal image reflects the steps that I am taking with my stamping and venturing into different avenues of styles and designs- I love anything that has to do with art and,  of course, stamping and am trying to design at least one card each day!

As always, I find that Splitcoaststampers is the best site for stamping inspiration and I hope you will find the time to check out each of the above gallery links- gorgeous samples by all!

To create this card:

Ink the image from the retired set, Summer By The Sea using Stāz-On® Jet Black Ink and stamp onto Whisper White cardstock.

Color using an AquaPainter™ and ink from the Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist and Soft Sky Stampin’ Write Markers (also using ink from the Soft Sky Classic Ink Pad for the sky mixed with the Marina Mist Marker).

Add additional black details with the Faber-Castell® Black Pitt Pen Marker (I added three birds, extended the boat image and added a water line for the horizon) and add a few white highlights to the water with the Faber-Castell® White Pitt Pen Marker.

Use the Sahara Sand Stampin’ Write Marker to add shadows and once the panel is dry, cut it out with the Big Shot™ and the retired Window Collection Framelits™ die.

Another view- straight on :-) Which view do you prefer??

Stamp the verse sentiment from Trust God using Stāz-On® Jet Black Ink onto a piece of  Whisper White cardstock, trim and mount the strip of Daffodil Delight and embossed Marina Mist cardstock (embossed with the Big Shot™ and the retired Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder), trim once more and add the ¼” knotted Daffodil Delight Stitched Grosgrain ribbon.

Mount the panel onto a piece of Marina Mist cardstock, trim and mount onto the Daffodil Delight card base.

Add the focal image to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals® to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Summer By The Sea (retired), Trust God

Ink:  Stāz-On® Jet Black, Soft Sky; Stampin’ Write Markers- Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist, Soft Sky, Sahara Sand; Faber-Castell® White and Black Pitt Pen Markers

Paper: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist

Accessories: AquaPainter™, Big Shot™,  Retired Products- Window Collection Framelits™, Square Lattice Textured Impressions™, ¼” Daffodil Delight Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon

Thanks again for stopping by- I hope all of you have a terrific Thursday!  Hugs to you, my friends!