All Your Heart

Welcome back!  Tonight I have a card to show you that I made for CAS(E) this Sketch and Paper Players, where we are to make a clean and simple floral card.  Done and done!

http://casethissketch.blogspot.com/

http://thepaperplayers.blogspot.com/

The card itself was truly quick and easy to make, after I settled on which stamp set to use.  I had to hunt around for instructions for making a Triple Time card, and then just kept it to two layers to align with the sketch.  I tried some solid floral stamps but nothing seemed to work the way I had in mind.  Then I remembered a long retired stamp set with a seriously beautiful floral image and settled on using it.

Using an Aquapainter, the flowers were colored in Pink Pirouette and Pretty in Pink, the leaves with Pear Pizazz.  The sentiment and dragon fly were then stamped in the middle.

I love the elegance of those flowers combined with the rustic Kraft paper.  I looked at ways to add embellishments or ribbon, but decided it would only detract from the overall clean and simple look.  You can see where I decorated a corner on the inside as well.

Thanks so much for your visit today.  I'd love to hear from you if you have a moment to leave a comment!  Be sure to use the links above to check out all the fabulous inspiration and join in - there's still time!

Hugs,

Stef


Product details:
Stamps:  Asian Artistry
Paper:  Kraft, Watercolor
Ink:  Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Pear Pizazz, Stazon Timber Brown
Other:  Aquapainter

Happy Dance

Hello again!  The card I'm sharing today uses an adorable stamp I've had for a while but had not yet inked up, but when I saw the color challenge this week at Pals Paper Arts, I knew the time was right to use it.  It's also to help celebrate the 200th challenge at Friday Mashup, where the challenge is to use two "mashup" challenges together.  I chose #151 (shaped card) and #121 (use the word happy).

http://www.palspaperarts.com/

http://www.fridaymashup.com/

After coloring this cute little fellow, Ovals Collection framelits were used to cut out the card base, the stamped image and the slightly larger mat.

The colors in the PPA challenge were perfect for Spring or Easter, but since this is going to my grand kids, one of which is a 12-year old boy, I decided the Kraft card stock would pedal back the cuteness factor a bit for him.  ; - )

The lightest Crumb Cake Blendability marker was used to color the bunny, going over certain parts a second time with the same marker to create a bit of shading.  This exuberant image just makes me smile!

As always your visit and comments are so appreciated!  Be sure to use the links above to check out all the fabulous inspiration, plus there is still time to play along with both challenges.  Hope you have a great week ahead!

Hugs,

Stef


Product details:
Stamps:  Happy Easter Bunny
Paper:  Whisper White, Soft Sky, Kraft
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Pistachio Pudding
Other:  Soft Sky Saddle Stitch grosgrain ribbon, Ovals Collection framelits, Pink Pirouette, Soft Sky and Crumb Cake Blendability markers.

Sweet Thoughts

Happy Saturday all!  It's a rainy, cool day, perfect for card making and in this post I'll share one of two cards I made today that uses the lovely sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.

http://freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com/

I started out by stamping the floral image from Butterfly Basics on the smaller panel of Whisper White, covered it with a mask, then inked up the fern image from the same sketch and stamped over the top.  After pulling off the mask, the flower and leaves were then colored with Blendability markers.

The rest of the card is pretty self-explanatory.  I'm so sad the Blendability markers are being discontinued, but obviously Stampin' Up can't continue to sell something with a critical design flaw that causes the ink to dry out too quickly.  While watercoloring is one of my favorite mediums to work with, using alcohol markers has been a fantastic new way to color.  I hope SU is successful in developing a replacement product sooner rather than later!  In the meantime I'll use my markers as long as they last.

Thanks so much for your visit today!  Please be sure to use the link above to check out all the wonderful inspiration at the FMS blog, plus there's still time to join in.

Hugs,

Stef


Product details:
Stamps:  Butterfly Basics, Sweet Essentials
Paper Whisper White, Soft Sky
Ink:  Garden Green, Memento Tuxedo Black
Other:  Sahara Sand 7/8" Lace Trim, Painted Blooms Cotton Twine, Spring Flowers TIEF, Corner Rounder and Bitty Butterfly punches, Pink Pirouette, Daffodil Delight and Wild Wasabi Blendability markers, Basic Rhinestones

Breezy Butterfly

Hi there!  Today I'm sharing a card made for the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge.  Since its inception, Karen Giron has held the weekly challenge on her personal blog, but now she has created a new blog just for the weekly sketch challenge.  For this week's challenge we are to choose one of the previous 258 sketches for our card.  After reviewing them all, it was hard to choose (because they are all fabulous!) but I finally settled on SSSC199.

http://sweetsundaysketch.blogspot.com/

I started with a 5" x 5" square base out of Crumb Cake card stock and layered on top a panel of Parisian Breeze designer series paper.  I have been hoarding (no other way to put it LOL!) this beautiful dsp for years and decided it was time to start using it up.

The next layer has a base of Baja Breeze with one end punched with the Eyelet Border punch.  Before using a Butterflies thinlit to cut out the butterfly, the white rectangle was sprayed with Vanilla Smooch to give it some sparkle, which is a bit hard to see in the photos.  Another pattern from the same dsp was layered under the die cut opening and then the butterfly wings lifted a bit for dimension.

 
Since this is a square card, I decided to make an envelope out of Baja Breeze card stock.  It was decorated with images from Butterfly Basics around the front in the same color ink.

As always, your visit and comments are so appreciated!  Be sure to use the link above to check out the new SSSC blog and all the inspiration.  Plus, there's plenty of time to join in.  Have a great week!

Hugs,

Stef


Product details:
Stamps:  Butterfly Basics, Watercolor Trio
Paper:  Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Parisian Breeze dsp
Ink:  Crumb Cake
Other:  Baja Breeze Seam Binding ribbon, Vanilla Smooch, Butterflies Thinlit, Basic Rhinestones, Soft Sky Blendability Marker, Eyelet Border punch, Envelope Punch Board.

What's the Buzz?

Hi there and welcome back!  Unlike most of the rest of the United States, the Pacific Northwest has had unseasonably warm weather, all throughout February and continuing through this first week in March.  So, making an effort to spend some time outside when not at work, combined with joining my husband to shop for items for the planned update to our floors, kitchen and powder room, I haven't had much time for card making.  However, I was absolutely charmed with the sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches and knew I had to make time to create a card.

http://freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com/

I pulled out a stamp set that literally has not seen the light of day in years, but I thought is would be perfect for a clean and simple card.

One of the first jokes my Dad taught me when I was very young was "What's black, white and "read" all over?" which may actually lose meaning in the next few years as newspapers continue to close, with people using electronic devices to obtain their news.  However, it popped into my mind while creating this card, and it humored me to use red, black and vanilla for the color combination.

After scalloping the front edge of the card, a strip of Real Red card stock was adhered for added contrast.  Because the front of the card is shorter than the back, the strip of First Edition designer series paper layered on the interior of the card shows below the scalloped edge.

Thanks so much for visiting today, and I would love to hear from you if you have a moment to leave a comment!  Be sure to use the link above to visit the FMS blog for amazing inspiration, plus there is still time to join in.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Hugs,

Stef


Product details:
Stamps:  A Bug's Like (Clear Art Stamps)
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Real Red, First Edition dsp
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
Other:  Real Red Grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Border punch, Candy Dot

Coastal Thanks

Hello again, I have a quick post tonight with a card I made for CAS(E) this Sketch.  I love how quick this went together. Cutting the die cut words 3 times and gluing them together were definitely the most time consuming part of this.

Here's the fun sketch and link:

http://casethissketch.blogspot.com/

Thanks so much for visiting!  Do use the link above to check out all the wonderful inspiration and even join in - there's still time!


Hugs,

Stef


Product details:
Stamps:  Crazy About You
Paper:  Whisper White, Coastal Cabana, Lullaby designer series paper
Ink:  Hello Honey
Other:  Bitty Banner Framelit, Happy Hello Thinlit, Hello Honey Stitched Satin Ribbon, Word Window punch, Coastal Cabana Blendability Marker, Basic Rhinestones

Vintage Spring

Welcome back!  Tonight the card I'm sharing was made for two challenges - Fab Friday, where they have a wonderful sketch, and Friday Mashup, where the challenge is to make a vintage card.

http://fabfridaystampinchallenge.blogspot.com/

http://www.fridaymashup.com/

The circle in the center of the sketch inspired me to create a flower and since I was traveling down the vintage road, I decided to make a large flower out of Natural Filter Paper, and complement it by using Soft Suede and Crumb Cake with a hint of sparkle and brightness by adding Bermuda Bay into the mix.

I cut several layers of the Natural Filter Paper with the Blossom and Flower Medallion punches, sponging them slightly with Crumb Cake ink.  The center part of the flower was created with a few layers of white Filter paper first sprayed with Log Cabin Smooch Spray after cutting out with the 1 1/4" Scallop punch.  After everything dried, it was crumpled up around a brad in the center, spread out and fluffed up a bit, then a rhinestone was added to the middle.  I adhered it to a 1 3/4" circle of Soft Suede card stock that was then popped up over the Burlap Ribbon with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Vanilla Smooch Spray was applied to the Crumb Cake panel after it was embossed with the Spring Flowers embossing folder, then it was sponged with a bit of Soft Suede ink, as was the card base.  I love how Bermuda Bay looks against these wonderful browns; just yummy!  Rather than adding a sentiment to the front I decide to wait until I use the card and add one to the interior.

As always, your visit and comments are so very appreciated!  Please be sure to use the links above, there is some wonderful inspiration to see and still time to join in.  Take care!

Hugs,

Stef


Product details:
Stamps:  None!
Paper:  Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Bermuda Bay, Beau Chateau designer series paper
Ink:  Soft Suede, Crumb Cake
Other:  Spring Flowers TIEF, Burlap Ribbon, Bermuda Bay Sequins, Vanilla and Log Cabin Smooch Sprays, Cutter Kit, Natural and White Filter papers, Blossom, Flower Medallion, 1 3/4" Circle and 1 1/4" Scallop Circle punches, Basic Rhinestone

Good Thoughts

Hi there!  A couple challenges drew me in to create today's card - the sketch at Mojo Monday and the beautiful color challenge of Blackberry Bliss, Pear Pizzazz and Pool Party at Splitcoaststampers.  Because the sketch is Tall & Skinny this week, my card measures 3.5" x 5.5".

http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/

Between the time when I first saw the color challenge on Tuesday and when I went to create my card last night, I somehow had the idea the green was supposed to be Old Olive and the blue Soft Sky.  When I went to bring over the image above I was so surprised.  The nice thing about the weekly color challenge at Splitcoast is that you can use similar colors to the ones in the challenge, so here's what I ended up with.  ; - )

The Soft Sky panel was run through the Big Shot with the new Spring Flowers embossing folder, then a piece of designer paper layered over it horizontally.  I decided to make the small panel in the sketch a tag, topping it with ribbon and twine and tilting it slightly.

The fern image was inked up in Old Olive, then stamped off once before stamping on the tag off the edges, leaving room for the sentiment.

Thanks so much for visiting today!  I've love to hear from you if you have a moment to leave a comment.  Be sure to use the links above to check out all the wonderful inspiration!

Hugs,

Stef

Product details:

Stamps:  Butterfly Basics, Perfect Pennants

Paper:  Blackberry Bliss, Whisper White, Soft Sky Moonlight designer series paper

Ink:  Old Olive, Blackberry Bliss, Soft Sky

Other:  Spring Flowers TIEF, bitty Butterfly and Scallop Tag Topper punches, Subtle button, Blackberry Bliss Stitched Satin ribbon, Soft Sky Cotton Twine, Linen Thread, Basic Pearls

Wisteria Wishes

Hello again!  While Spring is still officially almost a month away, I've been taking myself there mentally by using my Blendability markers with various floral stamps.  Today's card uses the wonderful sketch for this week's challenge at the Paper Players.

http://thepaperplayers.blogspot.com/

I started with a piece of Very Vanilla card stock, stamping and masking two of the flowers from Secret Garden.  Wisteria Wonder and Pink Pirouette Blendability Markers provided the color.  After coloring, the image was adhered to a Wisteria Wonder base.

 
I covered a separate piece of Wisteria Wonder card stock with some designer series paper in Wisteria, cut the circle with a Circles Collection framelit, and popped it up on dimensionals over the top of the card.

After cutting out the leaves with a Sizzlit, they were layered on top of the sentiment banner and both were then anchored with a Wisteria Wonder button.

As always, your visit and comments are so very appreciated!  Be sure to use the link above to visit Paper Players for amazing inspiration, plus there is still time to join in!

Hugs,

Stef


Product details:
Stamps:  Secret Garden, Express Yourself
Paper:  Wisteria Wonder, Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Afternoon Picnic dsp
Ink:  Wisteria Wonder, Memento Tuxedo Black;  Blendability Markers:  Wisteria Wonder, Pink Pirouette, Daffodil Delight
Other:  Little Leaves Sizzlit, Subtles Button, Linen Thread, Basic Pearls, Circles Collection framelit

Take Flight

Welcome back!  The Friday Mashup has a fun challenge this week-use the sketch shown or a flight theme, or "mash" it up and do both.

http://www.fridaymashup.com/

I decided to "mash" it up this week, although I did take a bit of liberty in my interpretation of the sketch.  I needed a card for my brother-in-law, and since he is an active outdoors person, I decided to turn to a long neglected, retired stamp "Young Vermilion" for the main image.

I started with a Kraft base then layered on a smaller piece of Under the Tree dsp.  Love that at least some of the designs can be used for something other than Christmas.  The bird was stamped on a piece of watercolor paper, then colored with various Classic inks and a blender pen.  I tried to match as close as possible the picture in my National Geographic bird book of the female of the Vermilion Flycatcher, but the color along the bottom of the chest is a bit darker than shown in the bird book.  My husband and I love birds, but we'd have to travel to the Southwest or Mexico to find this species of bird. Sounds like as good a reason as any to travel south!

Thanks for the visit and of course I'd love to hear from you if you have a moment to leave a comment!  Be sure to use the link above to visit The Friday Mashup, there's still time to join in!

Hugs,

Stef


Product details:
Stamps:  Young Vermilion, Four You
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Textured Sahara Sand, Kraft, Under the Tree designer series paper, Watercolor paper
Ink:  Sahara Sand, Smoky Slate, Basic Gray, Calypso Coral, So Saffron, Crumb Cake, Timber Brown Stazon
Other:  Blender Pen, Sponge, Neutrals Candy Dots

Coastal Birthday

Hi there once again!  I recently made a birthday card using a lovely, soft color combination of Coastal Cabana and So Saffron, which allowed me to use up some designer paper scraps and my first test of the very fun Hello You thinlits.

The flower from Crazy About You was stamped three times on Whisper White card stock in So Saffron.  The bottom layer was cut with the matching Flower Medallion punch, the top two fussy cut, then all piled on top of one another with Stampin' Dimensionals.

I used tiny dots of Tombow glue on the back of the die cut word "Happy" and then let it dry for a few minutes before adhering to the card so the glue didn't squirt out from underneath when laid on the card.  I've also used an adhesive sheet (non SU) with these thinlits, with mixed success.  The biggest thing I've learned using these thinlits, and it confirms what I've read elsewhere, is to run them through the Big Shot at least a couple times to get the best cut.

As a basis for my card design I used a sketch from the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge published a few weeks ago.

http://kgiron.blogspot.com/

Karen Giron is so wonderful to create and share new sketches every week, and the collections are permanently open, so one can always post a card.  Be sure to use the link to check out her wonderful creations, great sketches and the design team inspiration.  And maybe play along!


Have a great week!  I was going to post another card I made today for Friday Mashup but the Academy Awards ceremony is about to start, so I'll be back in the next couple of nights with another post.

Hugs,

Stef


Product details:
Stamps:  Crazy About You
Paper:  Whisper White, Coastal Cabana, In Color Paper Stack and Eastern Elegance designer series papers
Ink:  So Saffron, Coastal Cabana
Other:  Hello You Thinlits, 2 1/2 " Circle and Flower Medallion punches, Basic Pearls, Whisper White Organza ribbon, 1/8" Daffodil Delight grosgrain ribbon, Paper Snips

Petal Birthday

Hi there and welcome back!  I've been working with my Blendability markers on various stamped images, including the sweet stems of flowers and leaves from Peaceful Petals, one of my favorite stamp sets from the Occasions catalogue last year.

After stamping the leaves image in Memento Tuxedo Black, I covered it with a mask, inked up the flower stem and stamped it over and to the side of the leaves.

I decided to use the bright pink of Melon Mambo, which really makes the flowers pop off the page.  The leaves and stems were colored with Wild Wasabi.

After the coloring was completed, I hadn't yet decided on a card design but then spotted this week's challenge at CAS(E) this Sketch and thought it would be the perfect layout to highlight the flowers after flipping it on the side.

http://casethissketch.blogspot.com/

A Whisper White card base was covered with a piece of long retired designer paper in So Saffron.  A strip of Delicate Details Lace Tape was adhered across the middle, then the sentiment was stamped right on the dsp.  After cutting the floral image with an Oval framelit, it was popped up with dimensionals.  A Melon Mambo Button and Basic Pearls added the finishing touches.

As always, your visit and comments are so appreciated!  Be sure to use the link above to visit the CTS blog and check out all the amazing inspiration, plus there's still time to join in.

Hugs,

Stef


Product details:
Stamps:  Peaceful Petals, Gifts of Kindness
Paper:  Whisper White, Bella Birds designer series paper
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Blendability markers:  Wild Wasabi, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight
Other:  Delicate Details Lace Tape, Brights button, Linen Thread, Basic Pearls, Ovals Collection framelit

Congratulations!

Hi there again!  The card I have to share tonight was made for a couple of challenges - this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge and a fun Clean and Simple (CAS) challenge at Paper Players where we must feature a bird on our card.

http://kgiron.blogspot.com/

http://thepaperplayers.blogspot.com/

A lovely silhouette image from World of Dreams was inked up for a card that could be used for multiple occasions, such as a new home, a wedding shower or a new baby.

The base of Pool Party card stock was stamped in Versamark with other images from the same set to give it a subtle pattern.  The panel of Basic Black was added after being topped with a piece of Sweet Sorbet designer paper.  A scalloped border was added to the bottom.

Some layers but still CAS.  It sure came together fast once I decided on the dsp, which in turn drove the color scheme.

Thanks for visiting! I'd love to hear from you if you have a moment to leave a comment.  Be sure to use the links above to check out the wonderful inspiration and join in the challenges.

Hugs,

Stef


Product details:
Stamps:  World of Dreams, Express Yourself
Paper:  Sweet Sorbet dsp, Whisper White, Basic Black plain and textured card stock, Pool Party
Ink:  Memento  Tuxedo Black, Versamark
Other:  2" Circle, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle, Word Window and Eyelet Border punch., Basic Pearls

Celebrate You

Hello again!  A quick post today with a card for CAS(E) this Sketch.

So many options with this one, but I decided to dust off an old favorite stamp that I haven't used in months and months.

After inking up the Hello, Doily stamp in Bermuda Bay, it was stamped in the bottom corner.  The word "you" was cut from gold foil paper with a Hello You Thinlit die and adhered with a bit of Tombow liquid glue delicately dabbed on the back.

A strip of gold paper was added down the side of the top panel for a bit of additional glam.   I had a scrap left over, so it was used it to finish off the interior as well.

I love the mix of Bermuda Bay and gold, so I was pleased with how this turned out.  Please be sure to use the link above to visit the CTS blog to enjoy all the inspiration and join in if you have an opportunity.  As always, your visit and comments are so appreciated!  Have a nice Valentine's Day and enjoy the remainder of the weekend.

Hugs,

Stef


Product details:
Stamps:  Hello, Doily, Endless Birthday Wishes
Paper:  Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Gold Foil
Ink:  Bermuda Bay
Other:  Gold 1/8" ribbon, Gold Sequin, Basic Rhinestone, Hello You Thinlit Die

Blooming Birthday

Welcome back!  Tonight the card I have to share uses the gorgeous trio of colors from this weeks Splitcoaststampers Color Challenge and a great sketch from Sunday Stamps.  Love, love, love this color combination!!

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/

http://www.sundaystamps.blogspot.com/

I decided to use the Flower Patch stamp set and everything else kind of fell into place.  The flowers were stamped on Whisper White in Bermuda Bay and Coastal Cabana then run through the Big Shot with the matching Flower Fair framelits. The Old Olive leaves were also cut with the framelits then the image stamped in the same color.  Everything was then adhered to the white card stock where the cute sentiment from the same set was stamped in the corner.

I thought it was rather appropriate to use the Vines embossing folder on the strip of Old Olive card stock.  Layered on top is a banner of Coastal Cabana dsp, then sequins and ribbon in Bermuda Bay.

As always, thanks for your visit and comments!  Be sure to use the links above to check out the wonderful inspiration!

Hugs,

Stef


Product details:
Stamps:  Flower Patch
Paper:  Whisper White, Old Olive, Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana In Color Paper Pack
Ink:  Coastal Cabana, Bermuda Bay, Old Olive
Other:  Vines embossing folder, Bermuda Bay sequins, Basic Rhinestone, Bermuda Bay 1/8" grosgrain ribbon