Jan 1, 2019 | Gallery, Hand-Crafted Cards, TGIF |
Butterfly wishes could fit many occasions, but this one will be for Happy New Year wishes. I’m looking forward to a fabulous, fun-filled 2019!
Butterfly Wishes
I was excited to make some butterflies shine, when I saw the challenge at TGIF was to use Glossy cardstock.
First, I chose three colors of ink for my butterflies: Petal Pink, Pineapple Punch, and Grapefruit Grove. I dabbed a Baby Wipe on the ink pads, one at a time, and swirled the three colors around on a piece of Glossy White cardstock. This was so pretty, I contemplated leaving it as a background, but ended up cutting four, glossy, butterflies with the Butterfly Duet Punch.
Now that I was thinking of shine, I thought it would be fun to experiment with the Crackle Paint background stamp and heat embossing. After covering the Crackle Paint stamp with VersaMark, I stamped it on a pre-cut piece of Whisper White cardstock. Then, I sprinkled it with Black Embossing Power, and set the powder with the Heat Tool. Happy with the black shine, I layered the Crackle Paint background on Basic Black cardstock, which I layered on a Petal Pink card base to tie in with the butterflies.
The butterflies flew to their spots on top of Dimensionals, with “wishes” in the middle. “Wishes” was cut with a die from the Well Written die set. I used Basic Black cardstock, covered it with VersaMark, sprinkled it with Black Embossing Powder, and set it with the Heat Tool. I was “wishing” I had black, glossy paper, but it was worth the trouble to make “wishes” shine.
Thank you for checking out my blog today. I wish you a fabulous, fun-filled 2019!
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Dec 31, 2018 | Gallery, Hand-Crafted Cards |
The Spirited Snowmen stamp set has been a Christmas card favorite, and will continue to be used throughout the winter months.
My husband and I were married in Pittsburgh on February 1st, nearly 33 years ago. There was snow on the ground, and even though we live in San Diego, I think this will be a perfect Anniversary card for him. Isn’t this couple adorable?
Spirited Snowmen in Love
Stamping and coloring the couple is the first thing I did. I stamped the couple in Smoky Slate ink on Watercolor Paper, and used an Aqua Painter with Smoky Slate to fill in their bodies. I continued watercoloring, using six other ink pads: Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Pear Pizzazz, Balmy Blue, Crumb Cake, and Soft Suede.
Once colored, I used a Rectangle Stitched die for cutting around my snow couple. The sentiment, “love never melts,” is so cute, and a must for this Anniversary card. I stamped it in Crumb Cake ink on Watercolor Paper, and used a Rectangle Stitched die for cutting.
The layer of hearts is from a Be Mine Stitched die, and fits in perfectly with the current Global Design Project, sketch challenge.
The background was made with the Swirls & Curls embossing folder on a piece of Petal Promenade Designer Series Paper. I chose a Smoky Slate card base, so it would all blend together.
I’m so glad this is the stamp set that was chosen for this week’s What Will You Stamp? challenge. As a member of the design team, I am asking you to join us, and I’m looking forward to seeing your contributions in our gallery. Clicking on this picture will take you there.
Thanks so much for stopping by today, the last day in 2018. Happy New Year!
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Dec 30, 2018 | Gallery, Hand-Crafted Cards |
#simplestamping is really just that. Simple. You don’t need a Big Shot, dies, embellishments, scissors, ribbon, or even glue. For simple stamping you just need paper, stamps, and ink.
#simplestamping
I began with the idea of a row of colorful hearts, and there was a perfectly sized heart in the Occasions 2019, Meant To Be, stamp set. Plus, the heart’s horizontal lines, make it extra special. Thinking of a rainbow, I selected five colors of ink for my hearts: Gorgeous Grape, Balmy Blue, Granny Apple Green, Pineapple Punch, and Grapefruit Grove. I placed a piece of paper across the card front to make a straight line, and eye-balled the spot for each heart. Close enough, right?
For a bit more detail, I stamped tiny hearts flowing from each of the five hearts. This stamp was found in the Love You To Pieces stamp set, and easily added.
The combination of color, black, and white is a winner, so I used Black ink for the sentiment. When I found the sentiment, “from the heart,” in the Petal Palette stamp set, it put joy in my heart. That’s how I could tell it was the right one. Don’t you love it when that happens?
So, that’s it for simple stamping. You don’t have to be creative or crafty, or any of those things you may think you are not. You just need paper, stamps and ink. I’d love for you to join me in the fun! My very short supply list is below.
Oh, I did add three Clear Blocks to the list. They come in nine sizes, and you use them to attach the stamps for ease of stamping. Size D fits the majority of stamps. And, my Stampin’ Trimmer (not on the list) came in handy to cut a piece of 8 1/2″ X 11″ Thick Whisper White cardstock in half, and then score it at 4 1/4″. That gave me my 5 1/2″ X 4 1/4″ card base.
Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, Woo Hoo! I love new beginnings! Let’s celebrate #simplestamping!
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Dec 27, 2018 | Gallery, Hand-Crafted Cards |
The theme of “thankfulness and encouragement” are tied together for December 2018.
Encouragement
I began today’s card with the focal point: a circle of Botanical Butterfly Designer Series Paper, which I cut with a Layering Circles die. I used a slightly larger, scalloped die to frame the butterfly circle in Basic Black cardstock. Then, I punched a small butterfly from the same pack of DSP, using the Butterfly Duet Punch, and placed him on the circle atop a Mini-Dimensional.
For the background, I chose a dotted piece of 6X6 Subtles DSP in Soft Sea Foam, turning it into “fabric” with the Subtle Textured embossing folder. Before adhering it to the Soft Sea Foam card base, I used a die from the Be Mine Stitched die set to give the edge a scalloped treatment. Can you see the long, thin die in the picture? I was happy the way it matched the scalloped Layering Circles die.
The sentiment, “The best thing about today is you,” is from the Well Said stamp set, which I stamped in Black ink on a striped piece of 6X6 Subtles DSP. It expresses the way I feel about YOU, so please soak in my gratitude. I used a Rectangle Stitched die for cutting, layered it for thickness, and glued it in place.
Next, I cut a Soft Sea Foam sprig, using a Well Written die, and glued it to the back of the butterfly circle. Finally, I lifted the circle on Dimensionals, and attached it to its designated spot.
The “spot” was determined by the sketch at Fab Friday.
A number of the supplies I used in today’s card are from the 2019 Occasions catalog and Sale-A-Bration brochure, which will be available January 3rd. You can click on the pictures in my Product List below to see more details.
Thank you again for reading my blog. I am very grateful! I hope these words are a source of encouragement for you, “The best thing about today is you.
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Dec 24, 2018 | Gallery, Hand-Crafted Cards |
The Merry Christmas To All stamp set has been used for many Christmas cards, but I also wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Wishes
I began with a Thick Whisper White card base, layered with Galvanized Metallic Paper for some silvery shine.
Balloons are a must for celebrating on New Year’s Eve, and I found the perfect one in the Blow Out The Candles stamp set. I stamped the balloon, randomly, on the top third of Thick Whisper White cardstock in four colors: Lemon Lime twist, Call me Clover, Pacific Point, and Gorgeous Grape. Then, I added confetti with a die from the Candles and Confetti die set, because you HAVE to have confetti.
TIP: I “stamped-off” the balloons to give them a see-through appearance. This means, I inked the balloon, stamped on a piece of scrap paper, and then stamped the balloon on the card front.
“Wishing” and “You A” are from the Merry Christmas To All stamp set, stamped in Pacific Point and Call Me Clover ink. I used a Rectangle Stitched die for cutting; a new die set from the Occasions catalog that will be available January 3rd, 2019.
“Happy” is from the Merry Christmas die set, cut from Galvanized Metallic Paper, which matches the border.
“NEW YEAR” is from the Labeler Alphabet set, stamped in Gorgeous Grape, fussy cut, and placed on tiny pieces of Stampin’ Dimensionals. The letters are slightly askew for character. Besides, it was easier than arranging in a straight line. 😉
This project began with the challenge of using the Merry Christmas To All stamp set. Since I’m a member of the What Will You Stamp Design Team, I wanted to use this stamp set, and show you it can go beyond Christmas. If you own this stamp set, I’d be thrilled if you played along with us, and added your project in our gallery. Clicking on this picture of the stamp set will take you there. I hope to see your contributions!
“New Year’s” is the theme at Festive Friday, so I will share my card there.
Thanks for stopping by today. Just click on the pictures below to go shopping. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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Dec 22, 2018 | Gallery, Hand-Crafted Cards |
Decisions, decisions!
The first decision I made today:
Use the 2019 Occasions, Crackle Paint, background stamp. (I stamped it in Early Espresso ink on Sahara Sand cardstock).
“Tree Bark”
2. Make a masculine birthday card. (I used the 2019 Occasions, Well Written dies, to cut “happy birthday” from Early Espresso cardstock).
3. Coordinate the words with an Early Espresso card base.
4. Keep the card “woodsy” with a Mossy Meadow cardstock layer.
5. Cut two rectangles in the Crackle Paint (tree bark) panel per the challenge at CAS(E) this sketch. (I used a 2019 Occasions, Rectangle Stitched die).
6. Cut two, Old Olive cardstock branches with leaves. (I used a die from In the Woods).
And, last, but not least:
Add a bow of Braided Linen Trim
There you have it. One decision led to the next, and Crackle Paint turned into “tree bark.” What guy wouldn’t like this birthday card?
Thanks so much for visiting me today. Only three days until Christmas, so I know you’re busy!
Come back January 3rd to order your very own “tree bark.” Have a great weekend!
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