Love One Another

Hi Friends!

This card was designed using two retired stamp sets, Wonderful Moments (Stampin’ Up!) and Scripture Medley 5 (Verve Stamps) for my niece (her colors are red, white and blue).  

I enjoy playing along with online challenges and will be linking this card to The Paper Players #502 “Wedding/ Anniversary”Challenge along with the Sparkles Monthly “Red, White and Blue” Challenge and WatercoolerWednesday #283 Tristan's Challenge “Anything Goes with a Feminine Twist” .

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

To create this card:

De-static a piece of vellum with an embossing powder tool, ink the Wonderful Moments stamp image with Versamark™ ink, stamp onto the prepared vellum, apply gold embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

Once the embossing has cooled, trim the panel and mount onto a piece of white cardstock.

Repeat the above steps with the sentiment onto white cardstock, die cut with a stitched oval die, mount onto a oval die cut from navy cardstock.

Die cut a stitched rectangle from navy cardstock a bit larger than the bride image, mount the bride image onto the navy rectangle and add the strip of red satin ribbon. 

Mount the bride panel onto a white square card base (my card is 5 ½” square).  Add the oval sentiment with chipboard (or dimensional foam).

Create the rolled flowers from white and navy cardstock.  Add the green leaves along with the rolled flowers to the card front.

Finish off the card using a glitter pen to add shimmer to the flower petals, a few pearls and a red satin bow.

Stamp Sets: Wonderful Moments (retired Stampin’ Up!), Scripture Medley 5 (retired Verve Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Versamark™ , Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Paper/Cardstock: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Garden Green, Vellum

Accessories/Tools: Gemini, Jr™, My Favorite Things Dies- Stitched Rectangle STAX A2 Set 1,  Stitched Oval STAX, Mini Royal Rose; Martha Stewart™ Leaf Punch,  ⅝” Red Satin Ribbon

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

The World Is A Better Place

Hi Friends!

As I mentioned in previous posts, I enjoy participating in online challenges created this card for Ann's #PP498 “Fun & Fancy Folds” Challenge at The Paper Players using the retired Stampin’ Up! People Like You stamp set.

This is another stamp that I have not used in ages and thought it would be perfect for this special fold challenge.

I modified the SC67 Sketch from Splitcoaststampers a bit for the layout (the #2 panel is a bit larger than the original sketch) and am also participating with The Flower Challenge #46 “Summer/Winter” Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to visit the above challenge sites yet, I encourage you to do so, gorgeous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

Score and fold a 5 ½” x 9 ¼”piece of cardstock at 2 ½” on both ends. Fold the panel to create the gate fold.

Emboss a 4 ¼” x 5 ¼” piece of white cardstock with a French Script embossing folder, cut into two panels and mount onto the front folds.

Add a strip of black cardstock to lengthen the front panels and square up the edges (you may not need to do this, but unfortunately I did, lol!) :-)

Ink the People Like You stamp using Memento Tuxedo Black ink, stamp onto a piece of white alcohol-friendly cardstock and color the image with alcohol markers. Add a few white highlights to the flower centers using an extra fine white paint pen.

Die cut the floral panel with a stitched rectangle die, mount onto black cardstock and trim close to the edge. 

Adhere the panel onto the front of the card to overlap the front panels.

Stamp Sets: People Like You (retired Stampin’ Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Memento™ Tuxedo Black; Arteza™ Alcohol Markers- Aqua, Bright Pink, Light Gray, Black, Green; Sharpie® Extra Fine White Paint Pen

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black

Accessories: Gemini, Jr.™, Dies- MFT Rectangle Stitched A2 STAX Set 1, Tim Holtz™ Alterations™ Sizzix™ French Script Embossing Folder

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

Nature- In All Your Ways

Hi Friends!

Spring has arrived here on the East Coast and many people believe that robins are the first sign of spring, but unknown to many in this area, robins in the Mid-Atlantic do not migrate south for the winter. They tend to congregate in large groups in wooded areas during the winter in this area and since our winter has been milder than normal, we have seen them in town (well, the suburb) all winter long :-)  

We love watching robins as they hop along and tilt their heads to listen for worms, plus we have a returning couple that nests on top of our back parch light each year :-) What a treat it is to watch this beautiful bird and wonder at the Majesty as well as the incredible imagination of our Creator-  God is so Awesome!!

I was fortunate to find several of this robin image printed and ready to go in my stash. This particular image was from the digi set, Nature from Stampin' Up! (using the retired My Digital Studio software program- remember that?).  The digi set only had a few of the images from the main stamp set, Nature Walk.

Since I am still making an effort to use up my stash, I went ahead and hand colored four of the images that I had found along with four different layouts and sentiments.

For this card,  I added a sentiment from the retired Scripture Medley 2 stamp set from Verve Stamps and used the SC355 Sketch Challenge from Splitcoaststampers for the layout.  Many of you know that I am slowly working on trying to complete a card for every one of the 795+ Splitcoaststampers' Sketch Challenges- this sketch was from 2011 so thankfully they do not expire :-). 

I wanted to participate with Joanne’s PP484 Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge at The Paper Players (top row across  Ribbon, Rhinestones, Patterned Paper) and am also linking to the Try It on Tuesday “Beauty of Nature” Challenge as well.

This card was fairly easy to create- in fact, the most time-consuming part was coloring the robin image.  I used several different watercolor pencils and a paint pen for the highlight in the bird’s eye and colored the four images basically in the same colors.

The different layers for this card were designer paper from my stash and were mounted onto black cardstock.  The blue polka-dot paper (behind the robin) was embossed with a retired Stampin’ Up! embossing folder Lacy Brocade.

The 1” black ribbon was added before mounting the entire panel onto a white card base and I added a few black rhinestones along with pearls from my stash as well!

Stamp Sets: Nature (digital Stampin’ Up! stamp set), Scripture Medley 2 (Verve Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Printer Ink- Black; Memento™ Tuxedo Black, Stampin’ Write Gray Granite Marker, Derwent™ and Stampin’ Up! Watercolor Pencils- Black, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Scarlet Lake, Terracotta; Sharpie® Extra Fine White Paint Pen

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, retired Designer Series Paper (Stampin’ Up!)

Accessories: My Digital Studio, Gemini, Jr.™, MFT Stitched Rectangle A2 STAX Set 1 (for frame on background panel for the embossed panel), Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder (retired SU!), AquaPainter™, 1” Black Satin Ribbon, Black Rhinestones, Pearls

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by- I hope to share a few more "robin" cards soon!  

Praying that all of you are staying isolated and healthy and that you are heeding the state, federal and CDC warnings.  Thankfully, we have a hobby that allows us to enjoy staying home – "virtual hugs" to you and I hope you are able to visit again soon!

Country Road- A Man Plans His Course

Hi Friends!!

This evening I am sharing a card that I designed using the current Country Road (Stampin’ Up!) set along with a verse from the current Godly Man stamp set (Stamp Simply).

This is the first card that I have created with the Country Road stamp set (although I have owned it for over a year- so little time, lol!).  I love the images in the set and thought that this verse sentiment from Stamp Simply would be perfect!

I am using the Splitcoastampers SC243 Sketch Challenge for the layout and am also playing along with Anne Marie's #480 “Turn Up the Heat" Theme Challenge at The Paper  Players, the Cards 4 Guyz “Ink and/or Paint” Challenge and the Simon Says Wednesday "Anything Goes" Challenge.

To create this card:

Cut open a clear acetate envelope (I used one that I had saved from a clear stamp set packaging), open the envelope and tap a bit of Tumbled Glass, Peacock Feathers and Seedless Preserves Distress Oxide Ink onto the acetate. 

Lightly spritz the ink with water, fold the envelope together and use your fingers to “smoosh” the ink, insert a piece of white cardstock (I used a piece from my stash that has a slight wax coating) and press the ink onto the paper.  

Keep repeating this process until you are satisfied with the results (I also used a water brush with some of the ink to even out the splatters in places).

Use a heat tool to thoroughly dry the panel, ink the wheel and grass images from Country Road with Hickory Smoke Distress Oxide Ink and stamp onto the lower part of the panel (again, drying the ink with a heat tool).

De-static the entire panel with an embossing powder tool, ink the weathervane image with Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink (I used my Stamparatus™ tool to line up so I can stamp the image a few times) and stamp onto the panel.  Apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool. 

Repeat the above process with the tall grass image and heat set the black ink with clear embossing powder.

Once the embossing as cooled, die cut the panel with a stitched rectangle die (saving the portion of the background that you can use for the lower part of the card). Trim the remaining background panel to card front size and mount onto black cardstock (trimming close to the edge).

Dry emboss a piece of gray designer paper (this is a piece from my stash) with a woodgrain embossing folder, cut on an angle for the sketch elements and layer onto black cardstock.  Adhere the layers and add a strip of 1” black satin ribbon.

Mount the entire background layered panel onto a white card base.

Adhere the main focal image with dimensional foam or chipboard (I have been using scrap chipboard lately).

Heat emboss the sentiment from the Godly Man stamp set, trim to a rectangle and mount onto black cardstock.  Add the sentiment to the card front using dimensional foam or chipboard for the area that is not attached to the main focal image.

Use an extra fine white paint pen to add highlights to the grass and finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Country Road (Stampin’ Up!), Godly Man (Stamp Simply)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black;Tim Holtz™ Distress Oxide Inks- Tumbled Glass, Peacock Feathers, Hickory Smoke, Seedless Preserves; Extra Fine White Paint Pen

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black;  misc gray designer paper (not sure of manufacturer)

Accessories: Gemini, Jr™,  Woodgrain Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, MFT Stitched Rectangle A2 STAX Set 1,  Embossing Buddy®, Clear EP, Heat Tool, Acetate Envelope, Tim Holtz™ Water Spritzer, 1" Black Satin Ribbon 

I had fun creating this card and hope I have inspired you to get "inky" this week! 

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- I have been busy creating and plan on posting more cards shortly (I have 50+ card designs that I have created recently and not posted to my blog yet, yikes!!)!  Hugs and I hope you have a blessed week!

Snowman Wishes

Hi Friends!!

Today I am sharing a card designed with the retired Stampin’ Up! Garden Snowmen and paired with a sentiment from Beautiful You (a current Stampin’ Up! set).  

I have always loved the fun snowman images in this set and have not inked them in a while.   I will be sharing another card later with the second snowman image in this set :-)

I used the Splitcoaststampers SC372 Sketch Challenge (this sketch is from 2012) for the layout and am also linking to The Paper Players #470  Laurie's “Frosty the Snowman” Challenge and the Time Out #150 “Merry and Cheerful” Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to do so, I hope you will visit the above challenge sites- such great inspiration from all!

To create this card- Ink the snowman image with Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink and stamp onto white cardstock, apply clear embossing powder and heat with a heat tool.

Once the embossing has cooled, watercolor the image with water-based markers and distress oxide ink.  Die cut the panel with a stitched square die, mount onto white cardstock and trim close to the edge.

Heat emboss the sentiment using the same steps above, die cut with a stitched circle die and mount onto a circle of white cardstock.  Adhere the circle to the main focal image creating the half moon shape for the sketch.

Emboss a piece of white cardstock with a snowflake embossing folder, trim and mount onto the white card base.

Add the layered focal image/sentiment onto the card front using dimensional foam or chipboard (I have been using chipboard) lately.

Use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to all of the snow, snow balls and snowmen to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Garden Snowmen (retired Stampin’ Up!), Beautiful You (current Stampin’ Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Arteza™ Water-based Markers- various reds, purple, greens, blues, browns; Tim Holtz® (TH) Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide, Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Extra Thick Whisper White

Accessories: Big Shot™, My Favorite Things Dies- Stitched Square and Circle STAX; Sizzix Circle Dies (retired SU!), Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, AquaPainter™,  Darice™ Snowflake Embossing Folder

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

PP465 The Open Sea

Hi Friends!!

I am sharing another card today that I created using scraps that I discovered during my recent craft room reorganization. 

The main focal image and compass had been printed out from My Digital Studio (The Open Sea) a few years ago and decided to watercolor using the Splitcoaststampers CC763 "Lovely Coastal Blueberries" Color Challenge and included the optional dessert- Nautical. 

I am also linking to Ann's  PP465 Sketch Challenge at The Paper Players for the layout and the Word Art Wednesday #410-#411 "Anything Goes" Challenge.

 If you have not had a chance to do so, I hope you will visit the above challenge sites- gorgeous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

Trim a piece of white cardstock to 4” x 5 ¼”.  Ink the sentiment with Memento™ Tuxedo Black ink and stamp onto the lower right-hand portion of the panel. 

Scribble the dark blue marker onto a silicone mat, spritz with water and press the panel into the ink to create the splatter background.  Add a bit more texture with the splatter stamp inked with black ink.

Mount the panel onto a piece of aqua cardstock, trim and mount onto a piece of hot pink cardstock. 

Add the strip of corrugated blue cardstock, add the knotted silver cord (wrapping the ends behind the panel) and adhere the entire panel onto a white card base.

Watercolor The Open Sea images with water-based markers, trim and mount onto aqua cardstock, trim and mount onto hot pink cardstock.

Add the small photo corners from hot pink cardstock, insert silver brads and mount the layered image onto the card front with dimensional foam or chipboard.

Punch the compass image out using circle punches, die cut a piece of aqua cardstock and adhere the enter part of the compass with dimensional foam.  

Insert a silver mini brad in the center and mount the compass onto the card front with dimensional foam.

Finish off the card with a clear glitter pen over the water and an extra fine white paint pen for the tops of the waves.

Stamp Sets: The Open Sea (digital images – Stampin’ Up!), New Mercies (retired Verve Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Memento™ Tuxedo Black, Stampin’ Write Markers- Brilliant Blue, Coastal Cabana, Lovely Lipstick; Wink of Stella™ Clear Glitter Pen, Sharpie® Extra Fine White Paint Pen

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Coastal Cabana, Lovey Lipstick, retired Brilliant Blue

Accessories: Big Shot™, Corrugated Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Sizzix Circles Dies; 1” and ¾” Circle Punches; AquaPainter, Silver Cord, Mini Silver Brads

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

With Gratitude

Hi Friends!!

Happy Monday! I had a chance to create a Clean and Simple Mixed Media card last night using the retired stamp set, With Gratitude from Stampin’ Up!  It has been years since I had a chance to ink up this set and with the leaves starting to change here on the East Coast, I was in the mood for an Autumn/Fall card :-)

 I decided to use the PP462 Joanne’s theme “Gratitude,Thankful for You” Challenge at The Paper Players along with the Joy of Sets#010 Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge (diagonal leaves, Watercolor/Smooching, Embossing) and the Simon Says Monday “Fall/Autumn” Challenge.

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

Ink the leaf image from With Gratitude using Versafine™ Onyx Black onto white cardstock and heat set with a heat tool.  Watercolor the image with water-based markers and use the heat tool in between layers.  Once you are satisfied with the coloring, add shimmer with a clear glitter pen and copper shimmer paint.

Watercolor the background with distress ink and use the same distress ink with the “smooching” technique- pressing the ink onto a piece of acetate, smoosh with a bit of water and press onto the background.  Heat with a heat tool and die cut the panel with a stitched rectangle die.

Emboss the card front with a woodgrain embossing folder, mount the watercolor die cut image with dimensional foam (or chipboard).

Emboss the sentiment with gold embossing powder, trim and mount onto the card front with dimensional foam (or chipboard).

Use a paintbrush with water to splatter a bit of white shimmer paint over the background to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: With Gratitude (retired Stampin’ Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Versamark™, Stampin’ Write Markers- Cherry Cobbler, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, retired Dusty Durango; Tumbled Glass and Broken China Distress Ink; Copper and Frost White Shimmer Paint, Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White

Accessories: Big Shot™ , MFT A2 Stitched Rectangle STAX Set 1;  Woodgrain Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, AquaPainter™, Embossing Buddy®, Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

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