Farmhouse Valentine Folio Easel Card

 Hi Friends!

 We are focusing on Valentine cards this week on the Stamp Simply blog and today I am sharing a special “Valentine” that is an Anniversary card for my husband:-). 

My hubby and I are celebrating our 38th Anniversary today and I thought I would create a mini folio easel card.

There are several hinged layers on the front of the card that can be used for journaling, photos or "love notes".  

I incorporated the Splitcoaststampers SC417 Sketch into the layout (another one of my goals is to try to create a card for each of the over 800 Splitcoaststamper Sketch Challenges).  

I will also be participating with The Spot #144 “Showcase Your Best Work” along with the Try It On Tuesday “Uplifting or Positive Quote” Challenge and the Word Art Wednesday #473-#474 “Anything Goes”Challenge.

As I create and design, I think about and pray for the recipient so this card is very special to me- it is a labor of love, so it is my best work :-)  

Not sure if the sentiment would be considered a "quote" for the Try It On Tuesday Challenge, but my hubby and I often say this to one another, even after all of this time! It is also uplifting to me to think back on the 38 years we have been together and all of the fabulous memories.  It sure has flown by fast and does not feel like it has been over half of our lives together, that's for sure:-) 

To create this card:

This card is a basic easel card- see a tutorial here at Splitcoaststampers for the design for the easel (I used the 4 ¼” x 11” version at the bottom of the tutorial).  The sentiment is on a belly band and when you remove it, you can access the flaps on the front of the card.  

This is a view with the belly band removed

 I created the front flaps using black cardstock (adding 1/2" for the hinges to the length). 

I used a corner rounder for the corners and the flaps are covered with the Graphic 45 Farmhouse 8x8  paper along with plain vanilla cardstock. 

For the interior, I also used the Graphic 45 Farmhouse paper and used  Pearlescent Metallic Gold Cardstock was used for the die cut circle for the sentiment on the front. 

I love the soft metallic look to this metallic pearlescent cardstock plus it is 105# cardstock (very heavy) and has the metallic on both sides!  FYI- This is the first time I have used this cardstock and I am in love!

The heat embossed sentiment “You + Me = Forever” is from the Farmhouse Simple Sentiments- I absolutely love the fonts used on the entire farmhouse series at Stamp Simply!

The card was finished off using black rhinestones and ½” black seam binding.

Isn't the Graphic 45 Farmhouse paper gorgeous?  

I love all the cut-a-parts, borders, and patterns- we collect antique honey dishes and I know that the background is considered chicken wire, but it looks a bit like a honeycomb, right?

Stamps: Farmhouse Simple Sentiments (Stamp Simply)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine Onyx Black

Cardstock/Paper: Vanilla, Black, Graphic 45 Farmhouse 8x8 Paper Pad, Luxury Pearlescent Metallic 105# Cardstock- Gold

Accessories/Tools: Gemini, Jr., Spellbinders Standard Circle Dies- Large & Small, Embossing Powder Tool, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, 1/2” Black Seam Binding, Black Rhinestones, Distressing Tool

If you have not had a chance to check out the Stamp Simply blog (Sharon posted a few other views of the front flaps) or the other challenge sites, yet, I hope you will do so- fabulous inspiration from all!

Thanks again for taking the time to visit! I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend/week and have a chance to be creative!

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!

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!

TCC123 Give Thanks

Hi Friends!

Welcome to the #123 {Thanksgiving Table} Challenge at The Card Concept!  I was inspired by the colors of the flowers, the blue glass and the black/white checked pillow in the background to create a Clean and Layered Mixed Media card!

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I am making a concentrated effort to ink up the stamps I already own that have not been used in a while. 

For this card, I decided to pull out two retired Stampin’ Up! sets, French Foliage and Best of Autumn.

I decided to use the emboss resist technique to create a panel with the leaves and I was able to create two cards from one panel ( I will post the second card later this week).  It was difficult to capture the shimmer on the leaf panel but it does have a glittery shimmer in the background :-)

For this card, I decided to use the Mojo Monday #526 Sketch Challenge for the layout and am also linking to the Simon Says Monday “Thanks/Thanksgiving” Challenge and the Try It On Tuesday“Colours of Autumn” Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to visit us at The Card Concept or the other challenge sites yet, I hope you will find time to do so- gorgeous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

After creating the emboss resist panel with the French Foliage stamp set, die cut a circle.  Stamp the script stamp and cancelled stamp image repeatedly with Versafine™ Onyx Black onto the circle, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

Mount the circle onto a die cut circle from black cardstock.  Use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the entire panel (carefully, so you do not mix the inks and dilute the background). Set aside to dry.

Die cut a piece of white cardstock with a stitched rectangle die .  De-static the bottom corner with an embossing powder tool, stamp the sentiment with Versafine™ Onyx Black  ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Mount onto a piece of black cardstock, trim and mount onto a white card base.

Die cut the blue panel from designer paper with a stitched rectangle die, mount onto black cardstock and trim close to the edge.  Adhere directly to the card front.

This is the view prior to using the clear glitter pen and adding the jewel drops 

Die cut the banners from designer paper, die cut another banner using the same die from black cardstock, split and mount behind the banner.  Add the strip of black satin ribbon with the ribbon slide and mount the banners onto the card front.

Add the die cut focal image circle with dimensional foam (or chipboard). 

Add a few Nuvo™ Morning Dew Jewel Drops to the leaves and three black gems to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  French Foliage, Best of Autumn (both retired Stampin’ Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Versamark™, Tim Holtz™ Distress Oxide- Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Candied Apple, Peacock Feathers, Picked Raspberry; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen, Nuvo™ Morning Dew Jewel Drops

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Calyspo Coral;  retired Autumn Meadows and Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper (all Stampin’ Up!)

Tools/Accessories: Big Shot™, Dies- My Favorite Things™ Stitched Rectangle A2 STAX Set 1,  retired Fishtail Banner STAX, Stitched Circle STAX; Sizzix™ Circles, retired Banner Dies (Stampin’ Up!); Sponge Daubers, Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, ¼” Black Satin Ribbon (Offray), retired Stampin’ Up! Silver Hodgepodge Hardware Ribbon Slide, Black Hexagon Gems

Thanks again for taking the time to visit!  I hope I have inspired you to create your own card based on our {Thanksgiving Table}  photo and link up to our gallery at The Card Concept- we would love to see your interpretation!! The challenge is open until Monday, November 18^th at noon, EST.

Autumn Prayers

Hi Friends!!

Today I am sharing a quick card using the Impression Obsession  “Colonial House in Spring” (although I colored it with autumn colors vs spring:-)) and paired it with a pre-printed digital sentiment from Power Poppy by Marcella (plus, I had this sentiment already pre-printed and in my “stash”:-)).  

I love this scene- it takes a few minutes to watercolor but overall, this card is very easy to create :-)

As I mentioned in previous posts, I am still trying to give my neglected and mostly retired, older stamp sets some “love” .  I have bought a few new stamp sets recently, but I am trying to limit my purchases since I have so many already (it will take years to ink them all :-))!   

I am linking this card to the Try It On Tuesday “Hot, Hot, Hot” Challenge (I used “hot” colors- reds, oranges, yellows), the PINspirational #248 Inspiration Challenge (I was inspired by the beautiful fall colors of the reds, oranges, yellows and greens) and the Simon Says Wednesday “Anything Goes” 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!

Stamp the Colonial House in Spring image with Versafine™ Onyx Black onto white cardstock, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  After the powder has cooled, watercolor with water-based markers.

Die cut with a stitched rectangle die, layer onto espresso and rust cardstock before mounting onto the white card base.

Add the digital sentiment along with pearls to finish off the card.  Quick and easy for sure!

Stamp Sets: Colonial House in Spring (Impression Obsession), Roses and Chamomile (digi stamp set- Power Poppy by Marcella)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Stampin’ Write Markers- Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, Garden Green, Mossy Meadow

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso

Accessories: Big Shot™ , MFT A2 Stitched Rectangle STAX Set 1, AquaPainter™, Pearls, Word Processing Program

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by! I hope you have a blessed weekend/week and I hope to post another card later this evening!

TCC116 Sending Hugs

Hi Friends!

Welcome to The Card Concept #116 {Pink Retro} Challenge!  Since I do not own any record dies, I decided to take a different approach with this inspiration. 

The colors and retro vibe remind me of the pink or silver Christmas trees of the 60’s- lol!  I almost created a Christmas card, but instead, decided to create a simple Mixed Media floral card using a stencil with texture paste for the background (to try to mimic the pattern on the glass in the photo).

I will also be linking this card to the Try It On Tuesday “Make A Mark” Challenge along with the Tuesday Throwdown #432 “Stenciling” Challenge and the Word Art Wednesday #388-#389 “Anything Goes” Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to visit us at The Card Concept or the other challenge sites yet, I hope you will find time to do so- gorgeous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

1). Score and fold a piece of 4.25” x 11” heavy white cardstock in half.  Using a stencil brush with Hickory Smoke Distress Oxide ink, stencil the background (somewhat sporadic).  Once the ink has dried, place the stencil over the same place on the background and use your finger to apply Nuvo™ Platinum Embellishment Mousse over the oxide ink on some of the areas.

2).  De-static a piece of white cardstock with an embossing powder tool, stamp the floral image from the You’ve Got This (Stampin’ Up!) using Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with the heat tool.  Once the embossing has cooled, color the flower with water based and alcohol markers.  Fussy cut the image and attach to the card front using dimensional foam.

3).Stamp the images from the retired Label Maker Love (My Favorite Things™) using Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with the heat tool.  Once the embossing has cooled, fussy-cut the labels and attach to the card front with dimensional foam.

4).  Use a gel pen to add highlights to the flower center, add sparkle to the flower petals with a clear shimmer pen and a few rhinestones to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  You’ve Got This (Stampin’ Up!), Label Maker Love (retired My Favorite Things™)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Tim Holtz® Hickory Smoke Distress Oxide, Stampin’ Write Markers- Blushing Bride, Petal Pink, Smoky Slate, Gray Granite; Stampin’ Blends- Light and Dark Pink Pirouette, White Gel Pen, Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen; Nuvo™ Platinum Embellishment Mouse

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White

Tools/Accessories: Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Stampendous ArtPlorations™ Stained Glass Stencil, Claritystamps™ Stencil Brushes, Rhinestones

Thanks again for taking the time to visit!  I hope I have inspired you to create your own card based on our {Pink Retro} photo and link up to our gallery at The Card Concept- we would love to see your interpretation!! The challenge is open until Monday, June 10th at noon (EDT).