In Full Bloom

Could not get a decent scan on this, to show how pretty it actually is. 

In Full Bloom was one of the first Stampin Up sets I bought.  I've had so much fun with it.  This was made using Wausau Ivory c/s for the base and SU Pretty Pink for the frame.  The soft, pretty stripes background was from my extensive computer DSP collection (Filed under Stripes, Flwr 2 - note to self).  The leaves were stamped onto a 2 3/4" square of ivory and colored using Copic G21 & YG61.  That was affixed to the pink piece.  The flower head was stamped onto white and colored using layers of Zig Baby PinkMarker (another first purchase - years ago and it still works).  The petals were touched lightly with  Stickles Stardust glitter and it has Gold Liquid Pearl centers.  It was fussy cut and then attached Flat to the stem, with a dimensional toward the top so part of it stands up off the page.  I like that type of effect. The adorable bee was colored with Daffodil Delight and Black, fussy cut and had his wings glitzed.  Attached a framed sentiment and you're done.

White Christmas

My Stampin Up Gal, Amy, came over today to deliver my newest toys and spent some time with me making this adorable card.

This was done using SU new White Christmas polymer set.  Trees were stamped on Craft color c/s using Chocolate Chip, and then filled in a little with the Choc. Chip marker.  (Most images on this set are outline type).  Merry Christmas was stamped using Black.  Cardinals were stamped with Cherry Cobbler and then filled in with the Cherry Cobbler Marker.  The 'snow' base was fun - we used Stazon Opaque White and a dauber to 'smudge' it around.  Snow was placed strategically on tree branches and at base using the SU white pen.  Snowflakes were put in using the same pen.  Affix brown brads, put on dimensionals and attach to Craft card base.  Fun, Cute card.  Thanks Amy.

Last Swallowtail - I think...

Have just finished a dozen of these.  Have 5 more of the Oval butterflies to complete and then expect to be finished.  This one is sort of different.  It is several layers, starting with Pistachio green, then alternating black and white frames.  It was stamped with black memento and then sponged with Barely Banana, Blush pink, and Pistachio.   I darkened the major lines and filled in solid portions with a regular Sharpie pen.  Added a few fun sequins and it was done.  Now to finish the oval cards and put verses in them all.  Then will have 'gift packets' for Christmas plus some extras to give to the Church women to send to their missionaries etc.

Swallowtail CASE

This card is Cased from one on Patty Bennetts Blog.  It was sent to her so she didn't have the info.  However, a keen eye and a good picture..... think I got it!

This is the SU Swallowtail stamp again, stamped in VersaMark and the embossed with Black EP.  The frame, ExLibris, was also done with versamark and then carefully cut out.  (It is a full, large background stamp and I only wanted to use the frame portion).  I colored the white areas of the frame with Barely Banana Marker.  I used French Script stamp and Memento London Fog ink on white c/s to create the background.  Splotches of Barely Banana were added using the splotch from the Happy Watercolor set.  The flower from Stipple Blossoms was double stamped using Bashful Blue (I didn't think the regular stamping was dark enough so loaded it up and hit it again)  The butterfly was colored using the Aqua Painter and Celery, Lavendar Lace, Daffodil and Guava ink pads.  I fussy cut the butterfly and attached the body to the c/s using Tombow Mono glue (green bottle) and raised the outer edges of the wings with dimensionals.  Am quite pleased with how this one turned out.

More Swallowtail Butterflies

I am having just too much fun with this stamp.  Have been creating them with different colors and layouts.  Not sure I could pick a favorite.  Most are glittered but as usual it doesn't show well in a scan.

These were all stamped on white c/s using Memento Tuxedo Black ink, colored with Copics and run through the Big Shot using the Oval Nesties.  A portion of the wings were fussy cut first so that it would appear to be outside of the oval.  The Left wind portion and body are glued down, with Dimensionals used under the outer edges of the right wing.  Makes for a pretty neat effect.  Complimentary colors were sponged onto the white around the butterfly, to better tie the colors together.

Violet Coneflowers

Am doing several variations of this image.  Here's the first one. 

The Coneflower is from an old Gina K set called Heartfelt.  It was stamped with Memento Black and colored with Copics (V09, V04, V01, Y17, E35, YG23, YG95).  The plain and scalloped circles and ovals were cut with Nestabilities and sponged lightly with inks.  A "Score Board" helped with the placement of the lines.  Flowers were affixed with Dimensionals and highlighted using Crystal Accents for Dew Drops.  I used Wausau c/s in lavender and a darker shade.

Swallowtail

Caroline, from our stamping group, taught some neat cards using this stamp at class last week.  Then she was kind enough to bring it over and allow me to stamp a bajillion more of them to play with.  While these are about a million miles from what we started with, these are the first two cards that I have finished. 

These were stamped onto ShimmerPaper and embossed with Black EP.  They were colored with Copics and/or SU ink pads and Aquapainter.  Then fussy cut with the second copy of the wing placed slightly offset from the first one and raised with dimensionals.  It barely shows in the scan, but the yellow background has subtle sunflowers in the right hand corner for the butterfly to land on.  I used Pumpkin, Regal Rose and Real Red to color the yellow one and used Brilliant Blue and Soft Blue on the second one.

Thanksgiving

I am so thrilled with this years card.  I fear the detailing won't show well in a picture, but here goes....

I guess maybe that's not too bad.  Special thanks go to Nancy Tellerico of our monthly stamp club.  She taught this card at the September meeting and I fell in love with it.  We used SU Hardwood stamp to get the woodgrain effect, using chocolate chip ink on brown.  That was dimensionaled onto another piece of plain brown card stock.  I 'smooshed' (technical term) fall colors across white cardstock, using pearlized watercolor paints and my Aqua Painter and then punched out the leaves.  I used splotches of Copic colors to add just a hint more color here and there.  The leaves were glued to a ring base.  The ring of leaces was affixed with dimensionals and a jute bow was added.  Various brads were used to adhere the 'planks' and for the 'doorknob'.  "Give Thanks" was typed in brown and printed onto Pumice color cardstock and then punched out using SU Word Punch.  Lots of piddly detailing but I think the end result was worth it.  Thanks Nancy!

In Full Bloom again

Found another unfinished project.  Love, love, love this retired set.  This is done with Barely Banana, Pixie Pink and some old designer paper.  Colored with Copics, glittered generously on the flower and on the bees wings.  Flower head and bee are fussy cut and attached, no dimensionals this time.  This is the only one with a sentiment.  For the other ones I have simply stamped an assortment of sentiments and have them ready to put in place once I decide how the card will be used. 

Send A Celebration

Birthday time again.  Organizing some cards and supplies (endless job) and finding cards that I started years and years ago, made 1 sample and cut pieces to make the rest.  There they sat, in a dark drawer, for far too many years so I'm trying to finish some up instead of starting more new projects.  These two are made with an old SU set 'Send a Celebration" with a harlequin background stamp applied with VersaMark so it is very faint.  That is just enough pattern to add a little interest to the card.  The image was stamped with Stazon and colored with Markers and a blender pen.   Added a little glitter to the 'flame'.  The base card is Tempting Turquoise and layered with oranges, yellows and/or greens.  One card has a yellow star eyelet.  The other has a Star brad that started white and was colored with Copics.  The word 'celebrate' and a little ribbon complete this card - no dimensionals used on this one.

Happy Anniversary Barb & Dave

My sister has an anniversary coming up soon.  The real love of their lives, however, is their beloved Doxie so this called for a special card.  Drats, I can't remember where I bought this digi image but thought it turned out pretty cute.  Paper is from a freebie pack that comes with my wonderful English stamping magazines.  The heart was printed on the PC and cut with a Nestie.  Printed a couple extra hearts so I could punch out the matching photo corners. 

More Black Magic

This card uses Burgandy, White and Black card stock, plus a piece of striped vellum.  I cut the Ovals using my Nestabilities.  The image on this one is Vintage Vogue.  The card is finished with organdy ribbon and a border punch on the vellum piece. 

Black Magic

I have wanted to try this technique for some time and am so happy with it.  You can be sure I will be doing more cards with this technique.  It's called Black Magic.  You start by embossing a more solid type image with White Pigment Ink onto a dark piece of paper.  Once it has fully dried, you can color it using most any medium.  You can expedite drying with your heat tool if you are impatient like me.   I played around with watercolor pencils, chalk pencils, metallic pencils, Copics, pure color, and regular water base dye markers such as Tombow or Stampin Up.  I think I am happiest with the markers, mostly because it gives me a wider range of color options.

  

These first two are on different background colors and use white, black and Almost Amythest papers.  Stamps used are from SU Fast & Fabulous set, a two-step stampin' set.  Flowers on the left  are colored with Chalk pencils.  On the right I used chalk pencils on the side flowers and metallic pencils on the center flower.  All are highlighted here and there with white gel pen.  Metallic gold pens provided the center flower dots.  The Amythest piece was run through the Big Shot using the Lattice embossing folder, just to add texture and interest.  Pearls were the right finishing touch.

By The Tide - with more cut edges

I thought the Flower Shop card turned out so cute that I did another using By The Tide set.  Created some watery looking paper for my fish to be in/on, and did the matching cut as explained in the Flower Shop post.  Stamped the coral from the set in matching ink, lightly sponged the ink around the white background piece and put it together.  One card uses my homemade enamel dots while the other two use metallic confetti pieces I've had lying around for years. 

Blossom Party Die

I'm having just too much fun lately!  So terrific to feel good enough to create again.  This beauty was created using Rich Razzleberry and White.  Little Leaves Sizzlets were cut in Old Olive.  Flowers were made using SU Blossom Party die.  White edge was created using Adorning Accents Edgelit and matching embossing folder.  On my next one, I will try sponging a little color onto the flower petals to give it more depth, and maybe discretely place a few drops of Glossy Accents for dew drops onto the petals.  Small flower was created with the Itty Bitty Punch.  Nothing was dimensionaled.  Rhinestone bling gave a finishing touch.

Flower Shop, with Matching Borders

Another really fun card - lots of new, to me, techniques on this one.  This is a case from the generous France,  http://www.frenchiestamps.com/2014/06/stampin101-card-sketch.html.   She is a very creative gal.
On this card, the 'base' is a single sheet, with the pink card being slightly smaller (1/4") and opening on top of the base color.  The center layers are cut 1/4" smaller, but are lined up at the bottom and hand cut, so that when you put them together with the border it is a perfect match.  Slick!  The center of the big flower is from our Homemade Candy Dots trial day - what a day!  Pony beads were melted in a toaster oven (that is now designated as a Crafting Oven because of the toxic fumes given off by the melting plastics) I used Rich Razzleberry and Pink Pirouette card stock and ink, Gorgeous Grunge stamped in pink barely shows and makes a great addition to the card.  Finish it off by Punching the Flower Shop flower with the Pansy Punch, then punching 3 small flowers using the Itty Bitty Punch Pack.    Small pearls were colored with Copics to match the cardstock and attached to the Itty Bitty flowers.  (No wonder my husband says I have too much stuff!).  Oh, by the way, I saved $5 by buying a $40 toaster oven and some beads so I could make my own 'dots'.  Enjoy

  This will be my third Club card when it's my turn to present in August.

Anniversary Cards

Some dear friends have anniversaries coming up so it's time to get out the stamps!  I knew I wanted to use the old StampinUp "Summer By The Sea" couple.  I found several great photos, scanned them in and printed them out on regular matte card stock.  I picked backing colors, then stamped my couple on the same or complimentary colors.  I fussy cut them and affixed them on the card with thin dimensionals so they stand up just a little.   I lightly stamped "Love" in the sand, hoping it would look like they had written it with a stick.  I think they all came out pretty nice.  Enjoy

Petite Petals on Strawberry Slush

These are a complete case from Stamp Your Art Out-Rachel.  How pretty and what fun!  Have a friend hospitalized - sounds like a good place to send one.  This uses Strawberry Slush & Whisper White cardstock.  Strawberry card base is 8 1/2 x 5 1/2.  Second strawberry layer is  3 11/16 x 3 3/8.  White layers are 5 5/16 x 4 1/16 and 4 1/2 x 3 3/16.  I stamped Gorgeous Grunge with Silver Encore and embossed with Silver Detail EP.  I stamped Flower Shop in Strawberry and stamped Petite Petals in Cantaloupe, Blushing Bride and Wisteria Wonder.  All flowers were punched out using SU punches.  On one card I raised the inside layer with dimensionals - on the other card I used the dimensionals to raise each flower.  Can't decide which I like best so  both must be ok.  I used Rhinestones in the centers of each flower and placed four silver sequins on the cards.  I think they turned out quite nicely and am going to try them in several different color combinations.

Butterfly Resist

I made this card for a friend today, just because I miss her!  It started out to be a Resist card, but sort of mutated as I went along.  I stamped Papillion Potpourri with Versa Mark and embossed with Clear EP.  Sponged Pool Party, Baja Breeze, Marina Mist and Midnight Muse around.  Wasn't thrilled with the results so overstamped more butterflies using the Marina Mist and Midnight Muse.    Now it looked better.  I cut the page into narrow strips, approx 1 1/2", and cut a Not Quite Navy strip to go behind it and create a border for the strip.  Put it all on Marina Mist  and added a sentiment.  Not happy with how the sentiment shows (or doesn't show) but a little late to switch up now.  It was fun anyway.

Greg's Birthday

Hard to believe my baby boy is turning 53 - yikes!  He loves the outdoors, hunting and fishing, so it is always fun to make his cards.

This card was created using Flourish Co. What a Catch digi set.  I colored with Copics and sponged in a light blue chalk background.  No matter how many Dies I buy, I always go back to my trustee Creative Memories Oval Cutting system - such a shame they went out of business.  I used SU Gorgeous Grunge to apply the speckling around the front of the card.  The fish and lures stamped on the green are from an assortment of different fishing type sets.   Several years ago Greg had the opportunity to actually watch me take a plain white piece of paper and turn it into something, with lots of different layers of color, etc., and said he now had a whole new appreciation of the cards he receives.  So I know that he will enjoy this one.  Happy Birthday Greg!

Flowering Flourishes - for Stamp Club

It's my turn to demo/teach at the August club, so I am starting to thing about what three cards I will do.  I am loving the new Petite Petals stamps and punch and the new WaterColor Wonder papers, so will combine them. 

 

I created four very similar but slightly different cards.  I used the Watercolor Notes for my card base.    Using Gumball Green Ink, I stamped different stamps from the Flowering Flourishes set.  I punched the flowers out from the Watercolor Wonder DSP.  Using an embossing tool and a sponge mat, I 'cupped' the flowers slightly to give them some dimension.  I used a variation of Candy Dots, Rhinestones, and Pearls for the flower centers - don't think I could choose a favorite.  The flowers were attached using Glue Dots but they could just as well have been affixed with dimensionals.    I will add a sentiment to the lower right corner, using Tangerine Tango ink.  A quick, easy, elegant card.  

Stamp Club - Serene Silhouettes

This is the third card that we made with Heidi last night.  She masked off the strip near the bottom, using plain old copy paper and Tombow temporary adhesive.  Then we sponged three colors into the open area - Happy Honey, Cajun Craze, and Brown Sugar.  We started with the lightest, Honey, then went around the outside with Cajun, then went around the outer most edge using the Brown.  We carefully removed our 'mask'.  Then, using Espresso Brown, we stamped the image from Serene Silhouettes onto the lower left corner.  Using Scor-pal, we created two small stripes above and below the sponged portion, just to set it off a little.  We added a sentiment, using Espresso, and finished it off with some "diamonds"  A great one layer card.

Stamp Club - Secret Garden

Just when I was getting back to doing lots of creating, I ended up back in the hospital having emergency surgery.  Am just starting to get back to real life again.  Last night was my first 'social' outing (non-medical - lol) since then.  Naturally, it was for Stamp Club.  So fun to see everybody again.
Made 2 different cards using SU Secret Garden stamp and die sets.  Our previous SU demo, Heidi, was the creator and instructor for these cards.  We all had a great time.

  

These are pretty self-explanatory.  Heidi does a great job!

More Graduation - Outside the Box!

As you know, I had Jessica's card all finished, sealed, stamped, ready to go, and then.....I saw these adorable Box Cards and just had to try one (or more - since Garon graduates from college next month too).  These aren't really as difficult as I expected.  There are a number of good tutorials available on the web.  These are created with a combination of stamps and digi images.  The inspiration came from Laura Lipe who has an adorable one on her Pinterest page.  Thanks everybody for your assistance and encouragement! 

Birthday Candles

Many years ago, they created a wonderful thing called a Big Shot Machine.  With this machine and some Cuttlebug Embossing Folders, you could imprint raised decorations on your card stock.  We borrowed the machine, thinking we would never own such a wondrous invention (and that was how many machines ago?), and some folders and embossed an entire shoe box full of card stock quarter panels.  How fun.  I came across this box the other day and decided I'd best do something with some of the embossed pieces and since I was in need of some birthday cards, I started there.  I printed out some Digi candle images, colored them with Copics and cut them out.  I rubbed a stamp pad lightly over the embossed c/s, to enhance the design a little.  Attach the candles with dimensions and mount onto a finished card.  An attractive, fun, easy card.    Enjoy

Praying for you...

This is a complete CASE of a lovely card sent to me last year by the talented Heidi of TwoHappyStampers  http://www.twohappystampers.blogspot.com/   It was created using Stampin Up My Digital Studio, their 3 heart punch and using Strawberry Slush paper for the hearts.   The corners are rounded but that did not show up in the scan - white on white.   The 'bandaid' is simple rectangles cut from Crumb Cake paper, sponged lightly with brown, and had rounded corners.  A simple card that speaks volumes.  Thanks Heidi.

DieNamics Daisy Bunch

A friend of mine took me to the Stamp Convention last month, where I spend way too much money on DieNamic dies.  They have some of the greatest designs - too fun!  To create these cards, I used their die - Daisy Bunch.  I ran it through the Big Shot using green, white, and then brown for the flower centers.  I  also ran the patterned paper through to create a negative space.  I used to try to glue all the pieces into the negative space - what a tedious, messy chore.  I saw, on a video, how to use tape on the backside to hold the cut pieces into the negative space.  Much easier and more forgiving to work with.  For some reason, these scanned a little darker.  IRL they are a lighter, brighter yellow.  Think it makes for a cheery spring card.  Enjoy.  Oops - reposting - forgot to attach the picture :)

Miss You

When I saw this image, I knew I had to create this for my special friend who has moved away, after spending hundreds of happy hours stamping with me.  This is MFT Pure Innocence digi image.  Sky & clouds were sponged in using Chalks.  The tree was from Kitties Create A Scene. 

With Sympathy

Unfortunately, I find myself needing a sympathy card and somehow this one just felt right.  The image is called Summer Dovecote, by Flower Soft.  It is watercolored and the Dove is affixed with dimensionals so it stands out.  Flowers on the ground and on the post are covered with Flowersoft which gives it a very soft, warm finish.  An oversize card, it fits in a regular business size envelope.

Graduation Time

Our beloved granddaughter, Jessica, graduates from High School this year.  We had planned on traveling back to Michigan, but will have to send a card instead of us. It doesn't show well in the scan, but there are three layers of the graduation girl, affixed using dimensionals, so that there is real depth to this card.  The entire card was created using an assortment of digi images.  We wish you all the best Jessie.

  

Tulip Time (and true confessions)

OK - confessions first.  I've been pretty sick for awhile, and to make matters worse my scanner was sick too.  Therefore, I didn't get much creating done and what little I did create was not posted.  Promise....am feeling better and rejoining the race!  Will be more productive and a better sharer.

My dear friend, KellyRae, gave me the most beautiful birthday card.  And of course nothing would do but for me to borrow her supplies and create a dozen myself.  I just finished them today and want to share them with you.  Because they are all just a little different, I want to show you all of them, so hope you don't get bored.

They are all created on a 140 lb cold press watercolor paper.  Using her Joanna Sheen tulip stamp, I put the flowers on with a Sienna Archival ink pad.  With her stencil, Sequin Waste, I sponged the turquoise dots onto the top portion.  Words were stamped lightly onto the bottom portion.  I should have used a dye ink but used archival and it makes a difference.  Everything was colored with Lyra Watercolor Crayons.  I borrowed her words too and stamped them on using Stazon Jet Black and filled in light areas using the Copic pens.  The cards are oversized, 5 x 7.   I had way too much fun and hope you enjoy them.  Thank you so much KellyRae.

Blog Anniversary Candy

Grace is having a terrific give-away, for her 3yr anniversary! 

To qualify for the give-away, all you've got to do is head to Grace's blog "Sugar Cards" and follow the four easy steps! 

It's a pretty amazing giveaway! 

*****

paper smooches - zoo crew stamp set

lawn fawn - you got mail stamp set

the greeting farm - limited edition 80s anya stamp

the greeting farm - retired hope and grace sing stamp

craft concepts - embossing folder - garden swirl

studio g - adhesive foam dots

3 - k & company accessories

michaels - craft tags

over 50 sheets of 6x6 recollections papers (all colours of the rainbow)

and other surprises in the box =)

Prize package is worth over $75