Give Thanks- Hand Stamped Sentiments Challenge

Hi Stampers! 

I wanted to play some more with some of my newly acquired stamps and decided to create a card for the HandStamped Sentiments HSSIC90 Theme Challenge- Giving Thanks. 

Again, their Design Team has created so many different projects- if you have a minute, check them out!

To create this card:

Ink your brayer with More Mustard and apply the ink lightly to a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  Use the brayer to apply Cajun Craze and Riding Hood Red to the same cardstock as well.

Use the Embossing Buddy® to de-static the brayered cardstock and stamp the leaf images with Versamark™ ink.   Apply Stampin’ Emboss® Clear Embossing Powder and heat with the Heat Tool.  Once the embossing powder has cooled, sponge Early Espresso ink over the leaf images and gently wipe off the ink from the leaves. 

With the Big Shot™ and the Top Note Bigz™ Die, cut a two die cuts- one from Early Espresso and the other from embossed leaf panel.  Cut the leaf panel Top Note shape in half and trim the serrated edge off the piece that will be used for this card (save the other half for another project). 

With the Big Shot™ and the Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder emboss a piece of the More Mustard cardstock- adhere this embossed panel to an Early Espresso cardstock layer.

Emboss the lower half of the Top Note Die with the Finial Press Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder and mount the Top Note shape onto the More Mustard layer. 

Stamp the sentiment with Early Espresso Classic Ink onto Very Vanilla­ cardstock and add a few leaves stamped with Riding Hood Red (stamp off before stamping onto the sentiment).  Punch out with the Decorative Label Punch and layer onto a piece of embossed More Mustard (punched with the same punch from the Square Lattice embossed panel- I punched this one from behind the Top Note area where you would never see :-)).

Spray the entire card front with Champagne Shimmer Paint (mixed with 70% alcohol) and add the 5/8” Early Espresso Satin Ribbon.  Mount onto a layer of Riding Hood Red to finish off the card.    

 Stamp Sets:  Autumn Splendor, Day of Gratitude

 Ink: Versamark™, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Riding Hood Red, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla

Cardstock: Whisper White, More Mustard, Early Espresso, Riding Hood Red

 Accessories:  Big Shot™, Finial Press and Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folders, Top Note Bigz™ Die, Brayer, Embossing Buddy®, Heat Tool, Stampin’ Emboss® Clear Embossing Powder, 5/8” Early Espresso Satin Ribbon (retired), Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint, Sponge Dauber, Decorative Label Punch

Thanks again for stopping by and God Bless! 

With Sympathy- Two Challenges in One!

Hi Stampers! 

Although the colors for this week’s CQC106 ColourQ are bright and fun (not to mention that cute bee), I decided to use the colors along with the Freshly Made Sketches FMS6 Sketch to create another sympathy card (it seems as though a lot of friends are losing loved ones lately). 

To create this card:

With the Big Shot™ and the Top Note Bigz™ Die, cut a two die cuts- one from Whisper White and other from Basic Black cardstock.  Trim the serrated edge off of the Whisper White piece and sand with the Sanding Block. 

De-static the Whisper White die cut with the Embossing Buddy®, stamp the floral/bee image with Versamark® ink, apply Stampin’ Emboss® Black Embossing Powder  and heat with the Heat Tool.   Use Stampin’ Write markers in Basic Gray, Tangerine Tango and Crushed Curry to color the image.

Use the Eyelet Border Punch to punch the edge of a piece of Whisper White and Basic Black cardstock.  Assemble the layers and add the 5/8” Basic Black Satin Ribbon bow.  

Create the sentiment tag using the Large and X-Large Tag Punches along with the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch.  Stamp the floral branches along the edges and color with the same markers as above.  Add the Antique Brad to finish off the card. 

Stamp Sets:  Nature’s Pace, Petite Pairs

Ink: Versamark®, Basic Black, Stampin’ Write Markers- Basic Gray, Tangerine Tango, Crushed Curry (retired)

Cardstock:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Basic Gray DSP, Crushed Curry (retired)

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Top Note Bigz™ Die, Embossing Buddy®, Heat Tool, Stampin’ Emboss Black Embossing Powder,  Punches- Large and XL Tag, Dotted Scallop Ribbon, Eyelet Border, 5/8’ Basic Black Satin Ribbon, Antique Brad

Thanks again for stopping by to visit- I hope you have a blessed Sunday!

You're Special to Me!

Hi Stampers! 

Perfectionist!  That is what my mother used to call me and I do not believe that I have outgrown the tendency- sometimes it works in my favor and sometimes not:-)  

Take for example the card that I made for this week’s  Paper Pals PPA114Celebrity Color Challenge along with the JAI88 Just Add A Die Cut Challenge.    While it was a CAS card that utilized the colors, I could not shake the feeling that I had a different card in mind when I started, so this evening I decided to make another card with the same colors and limit myself to 15 minutes (once the design was determined).

Thankfully, I save everything (another habit of mine- good and bad:-)) and was able to utilize many “scraps” in making this card… 

To create this card:

Use the Big Shot™ along with the Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss the Lucky Limeade layer.   Also, while you are using the Big Shot™, cut a piece of Whisper White with the Top Note Bigz™ Die and stamp the sentiment at the bottom of the diecut.  Trim the remainder of the Top Note off and save for another card (see, soon you will have plenty of scraps as well:-)).

On a small piece of Pumpkin Pie Designer Series Paper, stamp the floral image with Rich Razzleberry and “huff” on the stamp to re-moisten the ink and stamp off on the sentiment die cut (to tone down the white).

Use the Color Spritzer Tool and the Stampin’ Write Rich Razzleberry marker to “spritz” your card (do this before you mount onto any of the other layers, unlike me and I had to mask the layers so the spritzing would not spray onto the Whisper White- live and learn..,).

Mount the floral stamped image onto a layer of Rich Razzleberry cardstock.  Adhere the 5/8” Rich Razzleberry Satin Ribbon bows and layer again onto Whisper White and Rich Razzleberry. 

Layer the focal image onto the Lucky Limeade layer with the Top Note sentiment at the bottom and mount this entire panel onto Rich Razzleberry.  Add the pearls in the corner to finish off the card. 

Stamp Sets:  Just Believe, Blessings from Heaven

Ink: Rich Razzleberry (Classic Ink and Stampin’ Write marker)

Cardstock:  Whisper White, Lucky Limeade, Rich Razzleberry, Pumpkin Pie DSP

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Top Note Bigz™ Die, Color Spritzer Tool, 5/8” Rich Razzleberry Satin Ribbon, Pearls

Great!  Now I can rest easier since this was the card I originally wanted to design:-)

Thanks again for stopping by- heaven knows that you are special to me! 

Blog Post #200- Three Challenges in One!

Hi Stampers! 

If you haven’t noticed, I love card challenges- they help keep me motivated to try new colors, layout (sketches) and techniques and what better way to commemorate my 200th post than to participate in three of my favorite challenge blogs! :-)

This week’s card was inspired by the PP65 Paper Players Sketch, the CCMC169 Create with Connie andMary Color Challenge and the PPA113 Pals Paper Arts Technique Challenge- Heat Embossing Challenge.   If you have the time, please stop by and visit each of the above sites- trust me, you will be inspired too!  

To create this card:

Use the Big Shot™ and emboss a piece of Sahara Sand with the Herringbone Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder and layer this onto the Basic Black card front.

With the Big Shot™ and the 3” Originals™ Circle Die, cut a piece of Whisper White and with the 3 ½” ” Originals™ Circle Die, cut a piece of Basic Black.  Use your circle cutter to cut a piece of Pool Party (approx. 3 1/8” in diameter).

Use the Embossing Buddy® to de-static the Whisper White cardstock and with Versamark®ink, stamp the floral spray bee image onto the 3” Whisper White die cut circle and another piece (I used a scrap piece) for the single bee image.  Apply Stampin’ Emboss® Basic Black Embossing Powder and heat with the Heat Tool.  Once the embossing powder has cooled, color with the Stampin’ Write marker in Pool Party and Sahara Sand. 

Trim pieces of the Spice Cake DSP and run through the Crimper.  Mount onto Basic Black, assemble the layers and add the 5/8” Basic Black Satin Ribbon. 

Use the Big Shot™ with the Top Note™ Die to cut a piece of Whisper White and Basic Black for the sentiment.  Stamp the sentiment with Basic Black Classic Ink and adhere to the card front to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Nature’s Pace, Nature Walk, Blessings from Heaven

 Ink: Versmark™, Basic Black Classic Ink, Stampin’ Write markers- Pool Party, Sahara Sand

Cardstock:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Pool Party, Sahara Sand

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Herringbone Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, 3” and 3 ½” Originals™ Circle Dies, Top Note™ Die, 1”, 1 ¼” and 1 3/8” Circle Punches, 5/8” Basic Black Satin Ribbon, Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® Basic Black Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Crimper

Thanks again for stopping by to see my post #200!  I am so thankful for all of your encouraging comments since I began this blog and love all of my cyber stamping buddies!  

I hope all of you have a great weekend and find some time to create your own works of art! 

Happiness Shared- A Sketch and Color Challenge

Hi Stampers! 

I just love the PPA111 sketch this week at Pals Paper Arts and decided to combine it with the CQC102ColourQ Challenge. The designers and submissions at both site are fabulous- again, if you have the time, check them out and leave them some stamping “love”!

Once I decided on the design, this was a quick, easy card and can you believe it, I did not use an embossing folder (although I still had to use my Big Shot™- I cannot make a card without it now :-))?

To create this card:

Use the Big Shot™ along with the Bigz™ Top Note Die to cut a piece of Whisper White  and Basic Gray cardstock.  Cut both shapes in half and trim the edge off the Whisper White piece and sand the rough edges with the Sanding Block.

Ink the blossom stamp from Happiness Shared with Basic Gray Classic Ink and stamp the image onto the Top Note shape.  Color with Stampin’ Write Markers in Certainly Celery and Poppy Parade.  Use the Color Spritzer Tool with the Basic Gray marker to spritz the image.

Ink the Hello, Doily background stamp with Tempting Turquoise and stamp onto a piece of Tempting Turquoise cardstock.  Layer with the Top Note focal image, adhere the 5/8” satin ribbon bow and mount onto Whisper White and again onto Basic Gray. 

Stamp the sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes in Basic Gray, punch out with the Word Window Punch and mount onto a piece of Basic Gray punched with the Modern Label Punch.

Add the Pearls and spritz again with the Color Spritzer Tool and Basic Gray Stampin’ Write Marker to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Happiness Shared, Hello, Doily, Teeny Tiny Wishes

 Ink: Basic Gray, Stampin’ Write Markers- Basic Gray, Certainly Celery, Poppy Parade

Cardstock:  Basic Gray, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Bigz™ Top Note Die, Color Spritzer Tool, Word Window and Modern Label Punch, Pearls, Satin Ribbon (from my stash)

Thanks again for stopping by and blessing my life! 

Friends 24-7

Hi Stampers!

Today’s card was created for this week’s Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge (see http://www.stamping411.blogspot.com/ for the great Design Team samples and all of the gorgeous entries). 

To create this card:

Cut the Designer Paper into four sections 3/4” wide x 4” high and mount these layers onto a piece of Early Espresso Cardstock.

Emboss a piece of River Rock using the Big Shot with the Vintage Wallpaper EF and lightly distress with Early Espresso Classic Ink using a Sponge Dauber.   Mount the previously created DP layer onto the embossed River Rock layer and set aside. 

With the Big Shot and the Top Note Die, cut one piece from River Rock and the other from Early Espresso.  Trim the River Rock Top Note shape along the perforated edge and lightly sand to smooth the edges. 

Stamp the bird image from Friends 24-7 into Versamark Ink and then into Early Espresso Classic Ink.  Heat emboss with Clear EP.  Ink the En Francais background stamp with Early Espresso and stamp over the bird image.  Lightly wipe off the ink from the bird image and layer this piece over the Early Espresso Top Note.   

Stamp the sentiment with Early Espresso Classic Ink onto River Rock.  Using the Curly Label Punch, punch out the sentiment and also punch out one in Early Espresso.  Cut the Early Espresso in half and trim the edges at the top point so only the east-west sides of this darker layer show the when mounted below the River Rock sentiment layer.

 Mount the Top Note layer onto the DP layer and add the sentiment with SU! Dimensionals .  Spray the entire card with Frost White Shimmer Paint (mixed with 70% alcohol). 

Mount the entire layer onto Early Espresso, attach the bow and add the pearls.

Stamp Sets:  Friends 24-7, En Francais, Watercolor Trio
Cardstock:  Early Espresso, River Rock, retired DP
Ink: Versamark, Early Espresso

Accessories: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper EF, Top Note Die,  Clear EP,  Sanding Block, 5/8” Early Espresso Satin Ribbon, Curly Label Punch, Pearls, Dimensionals  

Thanks again for visiting- have a blessed week!