Hero

Hi Friends!

Today I am sharing this Mixed Media card in honor of Memorial Day on the Artistic Outpost (AO) blog using Grunge Elements from the Artistic Outpost Spring Release along with Hero and Ephemera Backgrounds (also Artistic Outpost stamps from Our Daily Bread Designs).

Final version (see below for more details :-))

Monday, May 30th is Memorial Day here in the United States and while we may have picnics and get-togethers this weekend, I pray that we will be thinking of the sacrifice that was made by the brave men and women who lost their lives defending our country and the freedom that we enjoy because of their sacrifice.  May we never forget all of our heroes...

I incorporated the Pals Paper Arts PPA302 Sketch Challenge for the layout as well as the Splitcoaststampers’ MIX137 “It’s A Grand Old Flag” Challenge (Stars and Stripes) and the Simon Says Wednesday "Anything Goes" Challenge. 

I actually have two designs of this card to share- my husband thought the background was a bit too busy in the first design and since it was already put together, I had to do some creative “fixing” to achieve the final version.  

He said that he liked the second card design better and I told him, "Great, because it’s too late now" – lol!

To create the background of this card:

On a 5” square piece of Whisper White cardstock, stamp the Telegram image from Ephemera Backgrounds (AO) using Dapper Denim Classic Ink and create a mask to cover the image.

First version (before distressing the background and adding stars)

Ink the Ledger image from Ephemera Backgrounds (AO) with Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink and stamp over the masked Telegram image.

Lift the mask, ink the Postcard image (also from Ephemera Backgrounds (AO) using Dapper Denim Ink and stamp directly over the ledger image.

Allow the ink to dry (or use a Heat Tool to speed up the process) and with a sponge applicator, apply Ranger® Tim Holtz® Tea Dye Distress Ink over the entire panel.

Add Grunge Elements(AO) images using Ranger® Tim Holtz® Tea Dye and Vintage Photo Distress Ink and distress the edges with the Distressing Tool.  FYI- at this point, I layered the card with the rest of the elements for version #1.

Another view of the second version :-)

To complete the background for version #2- Tone down the brightness of the stamping in the background using a paint brush with Gesso®, allow the Gesso® to dry and ink the Grunge Elements (AO) with Ranger® Tim Holtz® Vintage Photo Distress Ink (stamping randomly over some of the images).

Mount the background panel onto a piece of Cherry Cobbler cardstock, trim and mount onto a piece of Dapper Denim cardstock, trim and mount onto the Extra Thick Whisper White card base.

To create the rest of the card:

Directly color onto the Hero (AO) image with Stampin’ Write Markers- Dapper Denim for the stars,  Cherry Cobbler for the stripes and Basic Gray for the service man,  “huff” to moisten the ink and stamp onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock.

Sponge Ranger® Tim Holtz® Tea Dye Distress Ink over the image to “antique” the paper and stamp the grid image from Grunge Elements (AO) using Ranger® Tim Holtz® Tea Dye  Distress Ink as well.

Trim the focal image panel and mount onto Dapper Denim cardstock, trim and add a bit of Gesso® (set aside to dry).

Cut a strip of the Patriotic Collection 6x6 Paper (ODBD) and use the Big Shot™ with the Cuttlebug™ Stars Embossing Folder to emboss the panel.

Mount the embossed strip onto a piece of Dapper Denim cardstock and lightly sand the embossing.

Adhere the strip to the background panel and add the focal image using dimensional foam.

Stamp the sentiment from Hero (AO) using Dapper Denim Classic Ink onto Whisper White cardstock, cut the sentiment out with Rectangle Dies (ODBD) and mount onto a piece of Dapper Denim cardstock cut with the Double Stitched Rectangle Dies (ODBD).

Sponge Ranger® Tim Holtz® Tea Dye Distress Ink over the image to “antique” the paper, stamp the grid image from Grunge Elements (AO) using Ranger® Tim Holtz® Tea Dye  Distress Ink and add a bit of Gesso® as well  (just as in the focal image finishing). 

Cut a strip of Cherry Cobbler cardstock (I actually crimped this strip with the Crimper Tool but you cannot tell since I added stars to the second version), add the strip to the background as per the sketch and mount the sentiment with dimensional foam.

To create the stars:

Die cut two stars from the same piece of Patriotic Collection 6x6 Paper (ODBD) using the ODBD Sparkling Stars Dies, insert the stars into the Stars Embossing Folder (lining the die cuts with the stars in the EF), emboss with the Big Shot™ and mount onto Dapper Denim cardstock.

For the third star, ink the star and stripe area on the large flag image from Hero (AO) with Stampin’ Write Markers- Dapper Denim and Cherry Cobbler, “huff” to moisten the ink and stamp onto Whisper White cardstock.  Die cut with ODBD Sparkling Stars Dies and mount onto Dapper Denim cardstock.

Carefully fussy-cut around each star and add Antique Brass brads to the center of the two embossed stars.

Mount the stars onto the card front with dimensional foam to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Hero, Ephemera Backgrounds, Grunge Elements (Artistic Outpost)

Ink/Mediums: Cherry Cobbler and Dapper Denim Classic Ink, Stampin’ Write Markers- Cherry Cobbler, Dapper Denim, Basic Gray;  Ranger® Tim Holtz® Tea Dye and Vintage Photo Distress Ink;  Gesso®

Paper: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Dapper Denim; Patriotic Collection 6x6 Paper (ODBD)

Accessories: Big Shot™, Our Daily Bread Designs Dies- Double Stitched Rectangle Dies, RectangleDies, Sparkling Stars Dies; Stars Embossing Folder (CB), Distressing Tool, Sponge Applicator, Antique Brass Brads, Sanding Block, Dimensional Foam

OK, so which one do you like better?  Version #1 (no stars and darker background) or version #2 with the added stars and muted background?  Inquiring minds need to know- lol!!

Thanks again for visiting- hugs and I hope all of you have a safe Memorial weekend!

TCC56- Trust In the Lord

Hi Friends!!

Woohoo!  It’s time for the #56 Sweet Tea Challenge at The Card Concept!  Don't you just love this inspiration photo?  

I think that it is gorgeous and can be interpreted in so many ways- the colors, teacup, bloom/flower, silverware, lace, etc.  Remember- there is no right or wrong way when it comes to interpretation and we hope to see your card in our gallery!!

I was inspired by the bloom in the teacup, the soft pastel colors and the metallic silver and gold of the silverware for my Mixed Media card- I think the photo depicts such a beautifully elegant setting and I hope I was able to create that feeling in this card :-)

I gave this card to my sister in law for a belated Mother's Day celebration.  She was able to sneak away for a vacation right after Mother's Day so we celebrated this past weekend- she loves the Lord and has raised three wonderful children (yes, I am biased :-)).  She truly exemplifies a woman who fears the Lord and trusts in Him completely :-)

I am also linking this card to the Splitcoaststampers’ Alphabet “S” Challenge (“S”= Silver Embossing, Smakin’ Acetate and Shimmer – hard to see in the photo but the flowers are very shimmery).

I hope you have a chance to visit us at The Card Concept and check out the rest of our DesignTeam samples as well as the Splitcoaststampers challenge site- wonderful inspiration from all!!

In order to save time, I am not listing a step by step for this card- this Mixed Media card utilizes a few techniques that I use often- heat embossing for the flowers with two tone heat embossing for the flourishes in the corners, Smakin’ Acetate for the splatter, watercoloring for the flowers and shadows, looped gold thread and fussy cutting one bloom to hang off the edge.

All of these techniques are fairly basic and if you have any questions , please feel free to ask me in the comment section :-)

Stamp Sets:  You’ve Got This, Timeless Textures, Trust God

Ink: Versamark™, Classic Ink and Stampin’ Write Markers- Blushing Bride, Melon Mambo, Rose Red, Night of Navy, Pool Party; Clear Wink of Stella®, Gold Stampin’ Up! Marker (retired)

Paper: Whisper White, Night of Navy

FYI- This was my original version and I felt that it needed greater contrast so I added the
darker shadows and gold for the flower centers (once added, you cannot go back- lol!)

Accessories: Big Shot™, Project Life® Label Framelits™, AquaPainter™, Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® White, Silver and Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Gold Thread, Clear Envelope

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by!  I hope all of you have a fabulous week and join us for our #56 Sweet Tea Challenge at The CardConcept!

SUO149 Marriage Made in Heaven

Hi Friends!   

It’s time for the SUO149 “Wedding Are Here!” Challenge and I decided to create a card using my pieces of my favorite retiring designer series paper, Timeless Elegance.

I love the floral designs of this beautiful designer series paper and decided to incorporate the Splitcoaststampers’ SC593 Sketch Challenge as well as the WT584 “In Stitches” Challenge.

I hope you will have a chance to check out my sister DesignTeam member samples at the SU-Only Challenge site as well as the fantastic Design Team samples and entries at the Splitcoaststampers galleries- fabulousl inspiration from all!

To create this card:

Use an AquaPainter™ with Blushing Bride, Rose Red and Pear Pizzazz Classic Ink to watercolor the roses and the markers for the petite blossoms as well as the background of the lace on the different pieces of Timeless Elegance DSP.

Cut the panels of DSP per the sketch and distress the edges (I used the retired Distressing Tool) and use a straight stitch on a sewing machine to attach the panels to a piece of Basic Black cardstock.

Distress the edges of the Basic Black panel, add the Sahara Sand lace and Basic Black cardstock strip (using a zigzag stitch) and mount the entire panel onto a piece of Blushing Bride cardstock.

Ink the sentiment from Rose Wonder with Stāz-On® Jet Black Ink onto Very Vanilla cardstock, cut out with the Big Shot™ using the Lots of Tags Framelits™ (also cutting two additional tags the same size from Basic Black cardstock for layering).

Ink the Timeless Textures scroll image with Sahara Sand Classic Ink and stamp over the tag area, ink the small blossoms from Rose Wonder with Blushing Bride Classic Ink and stamp onto the tag as well.

Add additional texture to the tag background with the Timeless Textures dotted stamp and add the Sahara Sand lace with the Antique Brad to the top of the tag.

It is difficult to capture the shimmer of the Clear Wink of Stella :-)

Add Clear Wink of Stella® to the flowers on the background and tag and mount the tag to the card front using Stampin’ Dimensionals™.

Mount the entire card front onto the Extra Thick Whisper White card base to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Rose Wonder, Timeless Textures

Ink:  Stāz-On® Jet Black, Blushing Bride, Rose Red, Pear Pizzazz, Sahara Sand; Stampin’ Write Markers- Blushing Bride, Rose Red, Pear Pizzazz, Sahara Sand; Clear Wink of Stella®

Paper/Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Blushing Bride, Extra Thick Whisper White; Timeless Elegance DSP

Accessories: Big Shot™, Lots of Tags Framelits™, AquaPainter™, Sahara Sand Lace, Antique Brad, Sewing Machine

Thanks again for stopping by and we hope to see your Stampin’ Up! Only project in our “Weddings Are Here!” Challenge gallery!

Artistic Outpost- Lacy Bottle Caps Background

Hi Friends!! 

I hope all of you are having a great weekend so far!!  Today is my day to highlight a card at the Artistic Outpost blog and I wanted to share the card with you here as well:-)

This card was designed using the new Bottle Caps Background stamp from the Artistic OutpostSpring Release and I created another faux wood background with a feminine twist.

I am also linking this card to the Splitcoaststampers’ Way To Use It WT584 “In Stitches” Challenge along with the Free For All F4A319 “One Plus One” Challenge and the Mix-Ability MIX23 “Multi-Surface” Challenge.

To create this card:

Ink the Artistic Outpost (AO) Bottle Caps Background stamp with Stāz-On® Midnight Blue Ink and stamp onto Whisper White cardstock.

Use a sponge applicator to apply Ranger® Tim Holtz® Tea Dye Distress Stain over the image to distress the paper and use the Big Shot™ with the Woodgrain Textured Impressions™ Folder to emboss the panel.

Use a foam brush to apply Ranger® Tim Holtz® Distress Vintage Medium, allow the medium to dry and apply Ranger® Tim Holtz® Distress Collage Medium (set the panel aside to thoroughly dry).

Once the panel has dried completely, use a sewing machine with a zig zag stitch to adhere the panel to a piece of Night of Navy cardstock.

To create the actual bottle cap embellishment:   

Ink the Bottle CapsBackground stamp with Stāz-On® Midnight Blue Ink and stamp onto another piece of white cardstock.  

Punch out the bottle cap image with a 1” Circle Punch and color using the Night of Navy Stampin’ Write Marker.  

Adhere the punched circle to the center of the flatten bottle cap embellishment (flatted with the Big Shot™) and fill in the circle with Crystal Effects™ (carefully set the embellishment aside to dry for a few hours).

After the bottle cap embellishment has thoroughly dried (I allowed it to dry overnight), adhere a strip of 1 ¼”  dark navy grosgrain ribbon along with two strips of ivory crochet lace to the front of the panel (wrapping the edges behind the card front), add the string of self-adhesive Pearls and adhere the bottle cap embellishment with dimensional foam.

Mount the entire panel onto the Extra Thick Whisper White card base to finish off the card.

I decided not to add a sentiment at this time- I could add at a later date or use this as a note card...time will tell :-)

Stamp Sets:  Bottle Caps Background (Artistic Outpost)

Ink: Stāz-On®  Midnight Blue , Ranger® Tim Holtz® Tea Dye Distress Stain; Ranger® Tim Holtz® Distress Collage Medium- Vintage and Crazing

Paper: Whisper White, Night of Navy; Extra Thick Whisper White

Accessories: Big Shot™,  Woodgrain Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Sponge Applicator, Foam Brush, 1 ¼” Dark Navy Grosgrain Ribbon, Ivory Crochet Lace, Bottle Cap, Pearls

Don’t forget, we would love to see what you are creating with your Artistic Outpost stamps- click here for details on how to join in on our May Show Us Your AO Art Challenge.

Thanks again for stopping by- I hope you have a fabulous weekend and find time to be creative!!

CAS Wild Thing - A Quick Mixed Media Card

Hi Friends! 

I hope all of you are having a wonderful week so far!! I am having fun creating Clean and Simple (CAS) Mixed Media cards this week and designed this card using  LeAnne's PP295 “CAS Wild Thing” Challenge at The Paper Players as well as the Splitcoaststampers’ CC583 Color Challenge and the Freshly Made  Sketches FMS237 Sketch Challenge.

This card shows a few combination of colors that you can achieve with using just three colors.  Even though two of the colors in the challenge are on the bright side, I love the orange and purple that resulted from the blending :-)

If you have not already visited the above sites, I hope you will find the time to do so- wonderful inspiration from all!

To create this card:

Using Sponge Daubers, apply So Saffron Classic Ink to the top of a piece of Whisper White cardstock, then apply Melon Mambo Classic Ink to the center (blending with the So Saffron) and Tempting Turquoise Classic Ink at the bottom (blending with the Melon Mambo).

Trim the panel and stamp the Landscape Silhouettes image and the sentiment from Faith (both Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps) using My Favorite Things (MFT) Steel Grey Ink.

Ink the image from Landscape Silhouettes with MFT Steel Grey Ink and stamp onto a piece of acetate (I used a clear envelope), then press the acetate in position below the stamped image on the panel to create the shadows.

Darken any areas necessary with a Faber-Castell® Black Pitt Pen Marker.

Blend the ink (before it dries) a bit with an AquaPainter™ and heat set with the Heat Tool.

Apply Clear Wink of Stella® over the water area, trim the panel and mount onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock.

Trim the panel once more and mount onto the Extra Thick Whisper White card base to finish off the card.

That's it- another quick and easy card!

Faith

Stamp Sets:  Landscape Silhouettes, Faith (Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps)

Ink:  So Saffron, Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, MFT Steel Grey; Clear Wink of Stella®, Faber-Castell® Pitt Penn Black 

Marker

Landscape Silhouettes

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Extra Thick Whisper White

Accessories: Sponge Daubers, Clear Envelope

Thanks again for stopping by- I am so encouraged by your visits and sweet comments!  Have a blessed week, my friends!

Phil 4:8 "Think About Such Things" - A One Layer Floral Card

Hi Again Friends!

I wanted to share another One Layer/No Layer card that I designed using the Our Daily Bread Designs Shining The Light ODBDSLC274 “April Showers bring MayFlowers” Theme Challenge along with the "Simon Says Flowers” Challenge and the Power & Spark  “May Flowers” Challenge. 

If you have not had a chance to visit the above challenge galleries yet, I encourage you to do so- fabulous cards and so much inspiration!!

Our Awana club year ends this week with our Award ceremony, so I created seven of this design (each a bit different) for each of my 5^th and 6^th grade girls.  

We have had a wonderful year together and several of the girls have been with me for two years...I will miss seeing each of them every week and look forward to serving in Awana again next year - it is always hard to see the girls "move up" but I know that each one of these young ladies will be living for the Lord and that in itself, makes it a bit easier:-)

The design of this card is fairly simple to create- stamp the sentiment from Scripture Collection 9 (ODBD) with Stāz-On® Jet Black Ink onto a folded piece of Extra Thick Whisper White cardstock, mask the sentiment with sticky note paper,  stamp the flowers from the Fragrance stamp set (ODBD) with Stāz-On® Jet Black Ink (creating a mask for the flowers and repeat stamping), color the flowers with a variety of Stampin’ Write Markers and use an AquaPainter™ to watercolor and soften the markers.

Add the splashes of ink with the Smakin’ Acetate technique, draw a few lines with a Pitt Pen “B” Black Marker and finish off with Clear Wink of Stella®. 

I have more details on each of the steps in a previous post of a similar card here.

Stamp Sets: Fragrance, Scripture Collection 9 (Our Daily Bread Designs)

Ink: Stāz-On® Jet Black, Rose Red, Wisteria Wonder; Stampin’ Write Markers- Always Artichoke, Pear Pizzazz, Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, Wisteria Wonder, Rich Razzleberry, Flirty Flamingo, Sweet Sugarplum, Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey, Faber-Castell® B Black Pitt Pen Marker; Clear Wink of Stella®

Paper: Extra Thick Whisper White

Accessories: AquaPainter™, Paper for masking, Clear Envelope, Water Spritzer Bottle

Thanks again for stopping by!  I hope you have a great week and find time to be creative 

Monochromatic Floral One Layer Card

Hi Friends!

I hope you are having a great week so far!  I had a chance to spend some time in my stamping studio today and decided to create another One Layer Floral card using the Create with Connie and Mary CCMC406 Color Challenge along with Splitcoaststampers’ Alphabet“N” Challenge (I chose neutrals for my “N”).

I know, why would you create flowers with brown and grays?  Not sure, but when I saw this color combination, this card came to my mind- lol!!

If you have not had a chance to visit the above challenge galleries yet, I encourage you to do so- it always amazes me how many different cards can be designed with one color, sketch or theme challenge!

To create this card:

Use a bone folder to score and fold a 4 ¼” x 11” piece of Extra Thick Whisper White cardstock.

Create a diagonal mask from a piece of scrap paper and tape down to a craft mat using washi tape (or any tape that will lift easily from your paper :-)).

Ink the large flower image from You’ve Got This with Stāz-On® Jet Black Ink and stamp onto the card base. 

Stamp an additional flower onto a piece of sticky note paper, fussy cut the image to create a mask and repeatedly re-ink the floral image and stamp along the diagonal line as well as in the corner.

Color the blossoms with the Stampin’ Write Crumb Cake marker, add additional shadows with the Smoky Slate marker and use the AquaPainter™ to blend the colors.

Add more shadows with the Basic Gray marker (I also used the re-inker with the AquaPainter™) until you are satisfied with the colors.

Using the Smakin’ Acetate technique, scribble some color from the Crumb Cake and Smoky Slate markers into the center of a clear envelope (cut open like a book), spritz the ink and close the envelope, use your fingers to “smoosh/smack” the colors together, re-open the envelope and lay the card front into the ink.

Close-Up to try to show the sparkle :-)

Ink the Timeless Textures border stamp with Crumb Cake Classic Ink and stamp around the border.

Add additional distressing with the splatter stamp from Timeless Textures and Smoky Slate Classic Ink.

Ink the sentiment from Rose Wonder with the Basic Gray Stampin’ Archival Pad™and stamp onto the card front.

Use a ruler with the Basic Black Stampin’ Marker to add the line on the diagonal and apply Clear Wink of Stella® to the flowers to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: You’ve Got This, Rose Wonder, Timeless Textures

Ink: Stāz-On® Jet Black Ink, Basic Gray Stampin’ Archival Ink, Crumb Cake; Stampin’ Write Marker- Crumb Cake, Basic Gray, Smoky Slate, Basic Black; Clear Wink of Stella®

Paper: Extra Thick Whisper White

Accessories: AquaPainter™, Ruler, Paper for masking

Thanks again for stopping by!!  I hope you have a fabulous week, my friends!