Thank You For All That You Do

Hi Again Friends!!

This is the last card that I designed this past weekend in my stamping spree and this card incorporates the Splitcoaststampers’ (SCS) CC586 "Green Pool Mist" Color Challenge (minus the dessert :-)) and a new challenge site for me-  Retro Rubber Challenge Blog #40 "Kind of Sketchy" Challenge along with Our Daily Bread Design (ODBD) stamps.

The Retro Rubber Challenge Blog's challenges focus on using older stamps so I decided to pull out the retired stamp set, Serving the Lord (ODBD).  

I love the idea of using our older stamps since it seems as though most of us focus on the newer, more current stamps and our older, retired stamps are collecting dust :-)  I have decided that I am going to ink up at least one retired set per week and am so thrilled to have found the Retro Rubber Challenge Blog site!

The retired Serve the Lord stamp set (from 2011 in cling mount rubber) originally included several sentiments along with the Crocheted Circle Poppy image (this floral image is still available as a single clear stamp from ODBD along with the coordinating Crochet Circle Die :-)).  

If you have not had an opportunity to check out the above challenge sites, I hope you will find the time to do so- gorgeous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

Ink the Chalkboard Vine Background (ODBD) stamp using Sponge Daubers with Pool Party, Marina Mist and Garden Green Classic Ink, spritz lightly with water and stamp onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock.

Trim the background panel, layer onto a piece of Pool Party cardstock.

Add the embossed Garden Green cardstock layer (from my stash already embossed with the retired Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder), add the White Crochet Lace trim, 

1" Black Satin Ribbon  and the ¼” Stitched Pool Party Ribbon.

Ink the sentiment from Serve the Lord (ODBD) with Stāz-On® Jet Black Ink and stamp below the crochet trim (I used my MISTI® Tool for placement).

Layer the entire background panel onto a piece of Garden Green cardstock and mount onto the Extra Thick Whisper White card base.

Ink the poppy image from the retired Serve the Lord (ODBD) with Stāz-On® Jet Black Ink and stamp onto Whisper White cardstock (FYI-as I mentioned above, this pretty Crocheted Poppy image is still currently available as a single stamp from ODBD without all of the sentiments in the original set).

Use Stampin’ Write Markers to color the flowers (Pool Party, Marina Mist and Garden Green), add water with an AquaPainter™ to blend and soften the edges. 

Use a Sahara Sand Stampin’ Write marker for the shadows and apply Clear Wink of Stella® to the blossoms.

Cut out the image with the Big Shot™ and the ODBD Crocheted Circle Die and mount the die cut focal image with dimensional foam to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Serve the Lord (retired ODBD), Chalkboard Vine Background (ODBD)

Ink: Stāz-On® Jet Black, Classic Ink- Garden Green, Marina Mist, Pool Party; Stampin’ Write Markers- Garden Green, Marina Mist, Pool Party, Sahara Sand; Clear Wink of Stella®

Paper: Extra Thick and Regular Whisper White, Garden Green, Pool Party

Accessories: MISTI® Tool, Big Shot™, ODBD Crocheted Circle Die, retired Lacy Borcade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, ¼” Pool Party Stitched Satin Ribbon, 1” Black Satin Ribbon, White Crochet Lace, AquaPainter™

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- hugs and I hope you have a fabulous week!

Happy Father's Day!

Hi Friends!!

This is another card that I designed this weekend using Our Daily Bread Design (ODBD) stamps along with an image from Crafty Individuals for the Splitcoaststampers’ (SCS) CC586 "Green Pool Mist" Color Challenge, the SCS #09 Sketch Challenge (modified the layers a bit on the flipped sketch) and the As You See It #136 “Dad” Challenge.

My Dad as well as my Father-in-Law both loved to fish and while my Dad prefers fishing from a boat (deep sea/bay fishing), my FIL loved fly fishing and when I saw this Crafty Individuals image, it reminded me of him.  

Since I have had owned this image for over a year now, I thought it was time to ink it up ...even though my FIL passed away in 1999, I designed this card in memory of him- he was a great man and fishing was his passion :-)

If you have not had an opportunity to check out the above challenge sites, I hope you will find the time to do so- wonderful inspiration from all!

To create this card:

Ink the Fish Net Background (ODBD) stamp using Marina Mist Classic Ink and stamp onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock.

Trim the panel and using a modified version of the Smakin’ Acetate Technique (see below) add the Pool Party and Marina Mist splatter over the net image.

Modified version of the Smakin’ Acetate Technique:

Take a clear acetate envelope (or you can use a transparency sheet), use scissors to cut up the one side and across the top and bottom of the envelope (this creates a “book”), open the envelope so both sides are flat on the table,  apply ink to one side of the open “book” and spritz the ink lightly with a water, close the other side of the “book” onto the ink, use your fingers to “smoosh” the ink, open the envelope and press the cardstock into the ink repeating as necessary (see the full version of the Smakin’ Acetate tutorial here at Splitcoaststampers).

Use a Sponge Applicator to add Ranger® Tim Holtz® Old Paper Distress Ink to “age” the paper, layer the splattered panel onto a piece of Garden Green cardstock, trim and layer onto Marina Mist cardstock, trim and layer onto Basic Black cardstock, trim and mount onto the Extra Thick Whisper White card base.

Position the “Fresh Fish Daily” image from Crafty Individuals onto the MISTI® Tool and ink using Marina Mist Classic Ink.

Stamp the image onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock, open the lid and re-ink just the fish images with Garden Green Classic Ink, re-stamp over the Marina Mist image and apply Clear Wink of Stella® to the fish images.

Trim the panel, add the splatter with Pool Party Classic Ink (using the modified version of the Smakin’ Acetate technique- see above) and sponge the edges with Ranger® Tim Holtz® Old Paper Distress Ink to “age” the paper, layer onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock, trim and layer onto a piece of Garden Green cardstock, trim and layer onto a piece of Marina Mist cardstock.

Add the looped Gold Trim to the card front and mount the fisherman focal image panel with dimensional foam.

De-static a piece of Basic Black cardstock with the Embossing Buddy®, stamp the sentiment from The Waves on the Sea (ODBD) with Versamark™ ink, add Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder and heat set with the Heat Tool.

To finish the card, create the banner ends for the sentiment with the Hexagon Punch and mount the sentiment onto the card front with dimensional foam.

Stamp Sets: Fish Net Background, The Waves on The Sea (Our Daily Bread Designs); Fresh Fish Daily (Crafty Individuals)

Ink: Versamark™, Marina Mist, Pool Party, Garden Green Classic Ink;  Ranger® Tim Holtz® Old Paper Distress Ink; Clear Wink of Stella®

Paper: Extra Thick and Regular Whisper White, Garden Green, Marina Mist, Basic Black

Accessories: MISTI® , Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Clear Envelope, Water Spritzer Bottle, Gold Cord, Hexagon Punch (retired)

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by- you are all such an encouragement to me!

Jeremiah 20:11- The Lord Is With Me

Hi Again Friends!!

I am sharing another card that I designed this weekend for a few online challenges using Our Daily Bread Design (ODBD) stamps.

This Clean and Simple (CAS) card uses one layer card for the base with the focal images mounted on dimensional foam and incorporates LeAnne's Color Challenge #299 at The Paper Players, CAS Colours and Sketches #177 Sketch Challenge, and the Alphabet Challenge “H” for Hand Coloured Image.

This was a quick and easy card!  If you have not already done so, I hope you have a chance to check out the above challenge sites- fabulous ideas from all!

To create this card:

Score and fold a piece of Extra Thick Whisper White cardstock in half (I used a 4 ¼” x 11” piece for a finished 4 ¼” x 5 ½” A2 card size).

Ink the Old Flag Background (ODBD) using Stampin’ Write Markers- Dapper Denim for the star area, Cherry Cobbler for the red stripes and Smoky Slate for the white stripes, stamp off onto scrap paper and lay the card front down on top of the background stamp, pressing with your fingers to transfer the ink.

Ink the Not Forgotten military figure image with Stāz-On® Jet Black Ink and stamp onto Whisper White cardstock.

Scribble a bit of Dapper Denim and Cherry Cobbler ink from the Stampin’ Write markers onto your craft mat (or you can use an acrylic block) and color the image with the ink and an AquaPainter™.

Color the military uniform with a Sahara Sand Stampin’ Write Marker and add shadows with the Tip Top Taupe Stampin’ Write Marker.

Trim the image and mount onto Dapper Denim cardstock.

Ink the sentiment using the Cherry Cobbler and Dapper Denim Stampin’ Write Markers and stamp onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock.

Trim the sentiment, mount onto Dapper Denim cardstock, “huff” onto the Old Flag Background to re-moisten the ink in the star area of the stamp and press the sentiment over the background stamp for a light star background.

Mount the focal image and sentiment with dimensional foam to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Not Forgotten, Old Flag Background (both Our Daily Bread Designs)

Ink: Stāz-On® Jet Black, Stampin’ Write Markers- Dapper Denim, Cherry Cobbler, Smoky Slate, Sahara Sand, Tip Top Taupe

Paper: Extra Thick and Regular Whisper White, Dapper Denim

Accessories: AquaPainter™

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- hugs and I hope you have a marvelous week!

Happy Father's Day!

Hi Again Friends!

I wanted to share another card that I had fun creating this weekend using the Pals Paper Arts PPA304 Sketch Challenge (I flipped the sketch) along with the CC586 Color Challenge and the Simon Says Wednesday “Father’s Day/Guy Card” Challenge.

If you have not had a chance to visit the above challenge galleries yet, I encourage you to do so- wonderful ideas and projects by all!

To create this card:

Ink the Stampin’ Up! From the Land to Sea sailfish image with Stāz-On® Jet Black Ink and stamp onto Whisper White cardstock.

Color the image with an AquaPainter™ and ink from Stampin’ Write Markers- Pool Party, Marina Mist and Garden Green, fussy cut the image and add Clear Wink of Stella® to the fins and body.

FYI- I used a modified version of the Smakin' Acetate technique for the background and focal image panels :-)

To create the background, open up a clear envelope and press Pool Party and Marina Mist onto the acetate, spritz with water, close the envelope and “smoosh” the ink with your fingers through the acetate, open the envelope and press a 2 ½” x 4 ¼” panel of Whisper White cardstock into the ink, mount the panel onto Garden Green cardstock.

Repeat the above process with a piece of 4 ¼” x 5 ½” panel of Whisper White cardstock, trim the panel and adhere to a piece of Garden Green cardstock, trim and mount onto the Extra Thick Whisper White card base.

Use the Big Shot™ with retired Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Folder to emboss a piece of Marina Mist cardstock, cut the embossed panel with the MFT Stitched Circle STAX die (I already had this piece embossed and cut in my scrap paper stash :-)).

Add the embossed circle to the card front and mount the splattered panel to the card front with dimensional foam (per the sketch).

Use a Sponge Dauber with Marina Mist Classic Ink to add a bit more color for the “water”, adhere the looped Silver Cord and mount the sailfish image with dimensional foam.

Ink the sentiment from More Great Greetings with Versamark™ Ink, de-static a piece of Basic Black cardstock with an Embossing Buddy®, stamp the sentiment onto the prepared cardstock, apply Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder and heat set with the Heat Tool.

Cut the sentiment apart and mount onto the card front with dimensional foam to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: From Land to Sea, More Great Greetings (retired)

Ink: Stāz-On® Jet Black, Versamark™, Classic Ink-Marina Mist, Pool Party; Stampin’ Write Markers- Pool Party, Marina Mist, Garden Green; Clear Wink of Stella®

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

Accessories: Big Shot™, retired Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, MFT Stitched Circle STAX Dies, AquaPainter™, Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Silver Cord, Clear Envelope, Water Spritzer Bottle

Thanks again for visiting- you are all such an encouragement to me!!  I hope all of you have a fabulous week, my friends!

Very Merry- Christmas in June

Hi Friends!

I had fun in my stamping studio this past week and created a few cards- this Clean and Layered (CAL) Mixed Media card was designed using the FreshlyMade Sketches FMS240 Sketch Challenge along with the Splitcoaststampers’ CC582 "A Real Picnic in the Sand with Cucumbers" Color Challenge (dessert option was picnic- obviously I skipped dessert :-)).

I pulled out a few of my retired stamp sets to create a Christmas card for this year- I am so behind on my Christmas card stamping (I had hoped to start in January) and will have to start soon to get all of my Christmas cards created on time to mail ( I know I have several months but I do have a large Christmas card list :-)).

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:

Ink the Ageless Adornment image with Stāz-On® Jet Black Ink and stamp onto Whisper White cardstock.

Color the image with an AquaPainter™ and ink from Stampin’ Write Markers- Real Red, Cucumber Crush and Sahara Sand.

Add Clear Wink of Stella® to the background area.

Color the frame around the image with the retired Stampin’ Dazzle Gold Marker, fussy-cut the image, mount onto Basic Black cardstock and fussy-cut around the edge.

Use the Big Shot™ with Sizzix® Textured Impressions™ Folders (Holly and Poinsettia- I do not know the actual names) to emboss a piece of Real Red, Cucumber Crush and Sahara Sand cardstock, trim and mount each onto Basic Black cardstock (per the FMS240 Sketch).

Ink the sentiment from the retired set, Short & Sweet with Stāz-On® Jet Black Ink and stamp onto Whisper White cardstock, create the banner with the Hexagon Punch, mount onto Basic Black cardstock and use the Hexagon Punch to create the banner.

Trim a piece of Whisper White cardstock, mount onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock, trim and mount onto a piece of Sahara Sand cardstock, trim and mount onto the Extra Thick Whisper White card base.

Add the embossed layers per the sketch, add the Gold Cord Trim and mount the sentiment along with the stamped holly focal image to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Ageless Adornment, Short & Sweet (both retired Stampin’ Up!)

Ink: Stāz-On® Jet Black, Stampin’ Write Markers- Real Red, Cucumber Crush, Sahara Sand; Stampin’ Dazzle™ Gold Marker; Clear Wink of Stella®

Paper: Whisper White, Extra Thick Whisper White, Basic Black, Real Red, Cucumber Crush, Sahara Sand

Accessories: Big Shot™, Sizzix® Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folders (Holly & Poinsettia), AquaPainter™, Gold Cord, Hexagon Punch

Thanks again for stopping by!!  I will be sharing the rest of the cards shortly so if you have a chance, I hope you will drop by again soon :-) 

Hugs and have a great week, my friends!

Ice Cream Happiness

Hi Friends!!  

I hope all of you are having a wonderful weekend so far!!  Saturday is my turn to highlight a card at the Artistic Outpost blog and I wanted to share this quick One Layer Mixed Media card with you here as well:-)

This card was designed using the new Ice Cream Shoppe and Bottle Caps Background stamp sets from the Artistic Outpost 2016 Spring Release at Our Daily Bread Designs and the only additional layer would be the focal images (since they are mounted with dimensional foam) :-).

I am linking this card to the Splitcoaststampers’  Mix-Ability MIX132 “Waxing Eloquent” Challenge as well as the CAS361 “Sweet Treats” Challenge.   

To create this card:

Fold a 4 ¼” x 11” piece of Extra Thick Whisper White cardstock in half for your card base.

Ink the Bottle Caps Background stamp using Ranger® Tim Holtz® Worn Lipstick and Picked Raspberry Distress Ink, spritz lightly with water, press the  card front onto the background stamp , lift and dry with the Heat Tool.

Apply Judikins MicroGlaze™ to each of the bottle cap images (I used my finger to apply)- this will resist the ink in the next step.

Using a modified version of the Smakin’ Acetate Technique (cut open a clear envelope so only one side is hinged, apply a small amount of Ranger® Tim Holtz® Worn Lipstick and Picked Raspberry Distress Ink to one side of the open envelope, spritz lightly with water, close the envelope onto the ink, use your fingers to spread and mix the ink a bit, open the envelope and press the stamped background into the ink, re-pressing as needed until you achieve the desired effect).

Ink the images from Ice Cream Shoppe with Stāz-On® Jet Black Ink and stamp onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock, fussy cut and layer onto Basic Black cardstock, fussy cut once more and set aside.

Ink the sentiment from Ice Cream Shoppe with Stāz-On® Jet Black Ink and stamp directly onto the card front.

Position the fussy-cut images and mount onto the card front with dimensional foam to finish off the card.

There you go, a quick and easy Mixed Media card! 

Bottle Caps Background

Stamp Sets:  Ice Cream Shoppe, Bottle Caps Background (Artistic Outpost)

Ice Cream Shoppe

Ink/Mediums: Stāz-On® Jet Black, Ranger® Tim Holtz® Worn Lipstick and Picked Raspberry Distress Ink; Judikins MicroGlaze™

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

Accessories: Clear Envelope, Water Spritzer Bottle, Heat Tool

Thanks again for taking the time to visit!  I hope I have inspired you to have some fun being creative today...hugs and have a blessed weekend, my friends!!

Psalm 129:8- The Blessings of the Lord be upon you

Hi Again Friends!

Here is the second card that I designed this week using the Joseph’s Coat technique (see the Splitcoaststamperstutorial here)- what a fun, easy technique and great for any bold image stamp!  If you are interested, here is the post for my first card (a Clean and Simple version with a smaller stamp).

I decided to participate in the Splitcoaststampers’ SC591 Sketch Challengealong with the Mix-Ability MIX162 “What Time is It? Time for the Primaries” Challenge and the USEIT2016 Challenge (I have not inked the Sweet Floral retired background stamp image in a year or more) as well as my second entry into the Simon Says Monday "Summer Garden" Challenge.  

If you have not had a chance to visit the above challenge Splitcoaststampers’ galleries or the Simon Says Monday Challenge site yet, I encourage you to do so- wonderful  inspiration from all!!

To create this card:

Use Sponge Daubers, apply Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point and Rose Red Classic Ink to a piece of Glossy White cardstock, blending the colors but leaving some of the true color as well.

Once the ink as dried, de-static with an Embossing Buddy® and stamp the Sweet Floral background stamp using Versamark™ ink onto the prepared panel.

Apply Stampin’ Emboss® Clear Embossing Powder, heat set with the Heat Tool and allow the embossed images to cool.

Once cooled, use a Sponge Dauber to apply Memento™ Tuxedo Black Ink over the images, applying multiple coats to achieve the darkness desired (or you can use a brayer as mentioned in the tutorial).

Wipe off the excess ink with a paper towel and trim the panel, mount onto Whisper White cardstock , trim and mount onto the Basic Black card base.

Stamp the verse sentiment from the Our Daily Bread Designs Doily Blessings with Memento™ Tuxedo Black Ink onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock and cut out with MFT Stitched Circle STAX dies.

Add a scrap strip of Basic Black cardstock across the panel, adhere the Gold Cord and  mount the sentiment using dimensional foam to finish off the card.

Quick and easy!

Stamp Sets: Sweet Floral  (retired Stampin’ Up! SAB set), Doily Blessings (Our Daily Bread Designs)

Ink: Versamark™, Memento™ Tuxedo Black, Classic Ink- Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point and Rose Red

Paper: Glossy White, Whisper White, Basic Black

Accessories: Sponge Daubers, Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Big Shot™, MFT Stitched Circle STAX Dies, Gold Cord

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

You've Got This

Hi Friends!!

I am having a great time stamping this week and this card was designed using the  #tgif58 Color Challenge along with the Mojo Monday #451 Sketch Challenge (flipped the sketch and tilted the panel:-)) , the What Will You Stamp? #67 “You’ve Got This” Challenge and the Simon Says Monday "Summer Garden" Challenge. 

I always seem to have a difficult time capturing red shades when I photograph my cards but this card does look a bit better IRL :-).  Also, you can not see the pretty shimmer on the blossoms from the Clear Wink of Stella®- my camera is a basic point and shoot so I may need to upgrade- lol!!

Again, I hope you will take the time to visit the above listed challenge sites- fabulous inspiration from all!

To create this card:

Ink the floral image from "You’ve Got This" with Stāz-On® Jet Black Ink and stamp onto a piece of sticky note paper (repeat three times).  Fussy-cut out the images and set aside to be used as masks.

Ink the floral image again with Stāz-On® Jet Black Ink and stamp onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock, mask the image and re-ink the stamp, stamping two additional flowers onto the panel.

Remove the masks and color the entire flower with an AquaPainter™ using Daffodil Delight Classic Ink (being careful not to use too much water).

With the AquaPainter™ apply Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink onto the petals and follow with Melon Mambo, blending the ink slightly.

Dry the panel with the Heat Tool and use the Stampin’ Write Pumpkin Pie and Melon Mambo Markers to add additional color, blending with the AquaPainter™ and apply Clear Wink of Stella® to the blossoms.

Add highlights to the flower centers with the White Gel Pen.

Once you are satisfied with the color on the petals, mask the flowers, ink the background stamp from “You’ve Got This” using Melon Mambo ink and stamp over the remaining part of the background.

Add shadows with the Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker, blending into the Melon Mambo background with the AquaPainter™.

After you have finished the background, use the AquaPainter™ to pick up excess water off your craft mat and tap onto the stamped background and flowers (to create the water drops).

Trim the stamped panel and mount onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock, trim and mount onto a piece of Pumpkin Pie cardstock, trim once more and mount onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock.

Use the Big Shot™ with the Woodgrain Textured Impressions™ to emboss a piece of Whisper White cardstock, trim and mount onto a piece of Pumpkin Pie cardstock, trim and mount onto the Basic Black card base.

Use the Big Shot™ with the Oval Framelits™ to cut an oval from Pumpkin Pie cardstock (also cutting an oval with the same size die from Basic Black cardstock), ink the background image with Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink, stamp onto the Pumpkin Pie die cut and cut both ovals in half layering the black oval behind the Pumpkin Pie layer.

Adhere the panel to the card front and mount the half oval Pumpkin Pie layer to the top of the card front per the sketch.

Stamp the sentiment from "You’ve Got This" with Stāz-On® Jet Black Ink onto Whisper White cardstock, use the Big Shot™ with the Circle Framelits™ to cut out the sentiment and mount onto a Basic Black circle cut from the same size framelit™.

Add the sentiment along with the Gold Cord and Pearls to the card front to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: You’ve Got This (Stampin’ Up!)

Ink: Stāz-On® Jet Black Ink, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo; Stampin’ Write Markers- Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo; White Gel Pen, Clear Wink of Stella®

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie

Accessories: Big Shot™, Circle and Oval Framelits™, Woodgrain Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Gold Cord, Pearls

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- you are all such an encouragement to me!  Hugs and have a great week, my friends!