Running With Scissors...

Nuthin’ but a Hound Dog

This is the card I made for my son’s birthday.  It’s not a birthday image, but inside it says “Kick back and relax”, and this guy is about as relaxed as relaxed gets.  Also, aside from the tattered furniture and the dog breed, it looks a little bit like home.  I love the image.  It’s one of my new digitals from Just Inklined called Best Seat in the House.

I’m trying to use up some designer paper scraps before I cut into new, and it’s surprising how many cards you can get from two coordinating 12 x 12 sheets.  They go on forever, which is about how long I’ve had this paper.  In this case the square frame and circle were already cut so I designed the card around those pieces.  The chocolate scalloped circle was sitting in a scrap basket, as was the circle tag, already stamped, pierced, and ready to go.

The coloring was done with Copic markers.  I had originally intended to use this image for my husband’s Father’s Day card, but I’ll come up with something different now.  I think it would also be great for a “get well” card, or even for retirement.

Thanks for your time today.  I’ll see you again soon!

Stamps:  Best Seat in the House (Just Inklined digital), sentiment from Flourishes Sweet Violets  Paper:  Mustard and Wasabi textured, Flourishes Classic White (for printing image), Flourishes Classic Ivory (circle tag), Chocolate Chip, BasicGrey Oh, Baby Boy designer paper  Ink:  Printer, Chocolate Chip, Copic markers for coloring  Accessories:  Ribbon, brads, circle punch, Spellbinders Standard Circle, Scalloped Circle, Grand Classic Squares, and Flourish Accent dies, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Boy Fishing

I’m getting ahead of things a little with a Father’s Day card but, frankly, I wanted to color this image and then I didn’t know what else to do with it, considering the sentiments I had available.  If I’d been thinking ahead I might have printed my own sentiment for it… but, then what would it be?  “Better luck next time”? or “Heard you were having some trouble”?

This is another one of those free digital images from Digital Two for Tuesday.  If you like images of children, she has lots of those, including some very sweet little girl images.  It’s very generous of her to share these with everyone and it sounds like great fun how she goes on the hunt for potential images – all vintage, copyright expired.

I watecolored this after printing on 90 lb hot press watercolor paper and heat setting the ink with my heat gun.  It was doable, but not perfect.  My printer does not use waterproof ink, which would be ideal, and I’m not sure if I want to invest in a new printer just so I can watercolor digi images.  It may come to that, but not just yet.

I kept it plain and simple for a guy.  You know how they are – no frilly stuff.  Cute image, though!

I have to run, now.  I’m trying to squeeze a lot into a little time.  Story of our lives, isn’t it?  I’ll be back soon.  Enjoy your day!

Stamps:  Boy Fishing (digital), sentiment from Flourishes’ What a Catch  Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow, 90 lb hot press watercolor, October Afternoon Fly a Kite designer paper  Ink:  Printer, Chocolate Chip for sentiment, various Stampin’ Up! inks for watercoloring  Accessories:  Ribbon, linen thread, copper nailheads, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Does This Remind You of Anyone?

How could you not love that face?  I think the artist did a wonderful job of capturing the Golden Retriever expression in this illustration.  This is a digital stamp from Just Inklined called Golden Retriever On Guard.  They have a lot of beautifully illustrated dog images at Just Inklined.  Type your breed in the search field and see what pops up.  In fact, they have a lot of great images, period.  I’ve spent a good deal of time looking around over there lately.

Now, I haven’t been one much for using digital stamps in the past.  Over the last couple of days I’ve concluded it’s because I haven’t invested enough time searching through the many images various companies have to offer.  Well, hold me back, I’ve now discovered the instant gratification of digital shopping.

I thought I’d try some different coloring methods for my digis, so this time I made a generous sized print and colored it with soft chalks.  I used mustard and pumpkin on the dog, with brown and black for the nose and paw.  Rust on the sign, and gray and black on the fence.  It’s very easy to make a soft background with chalks, so I sponged in some distant trees (olive) and a teal blue sky.

When the coloring was finished I sprayed on a couple of coats of clear acrylic sealer.  Chalk coloring simply looks chalky and some of the detail in the drawing will appear hazy.  The spray sealer not only prevents any of the chalk from rubbing off, it also pops the colors, removes the haze and lets the details show through.  This is my chalk coloring paraphernalia:

The chalks are from Stampin’ Up!  I’ve had them for years, used them often and barely put a dent in them.  All those colors at my fingertips and very compact for carrying to work in my bag.  In the photo above you can see a sampling of the sponge applicators I use.  There’s also a blending pen (Tombow blender) which I use in the smallest spaces, such as the lettering on the sign.  The blending pen will harden the chalks so I’m always careful to touch it to only one corner of the chalk pad.  The large craft tweezers are for holding the image while I spray it (outside).

Pictured below is the real deal and the reason this digi stamp speaks to me.

Love.  Have a happy day!

Stamps:  Golden Retriever on Guard (Just Inklined digital stamp)  Paper:  Ruby Red textured, So Saffron, Basic Gray (all Stampin’ Up!), Flourishes Classic White, BasicGrey Wags & Whiskers designer paper  Ink:  Printer  Accessories:  Soft chalks for coloring, leaves (CTMH), screw brads, linen thread, Martha Stewart edge punch

Comic Relief

Okay.  I don’t have a Christmas card today.  Or a beautiful floral.  What I do have is three old geezers.  Or the same old geezer three times.

I bought this Art Impressions guy and the sentiment to go with him at my local scrapbook store quite some time ago.  I’m hurting for guy stamps of the sort the guys I know might like to see on their cards, so I cozied right up to this one.  Are you guessing I know a lot of old geezers with a sense of humor?  Well, you’re right!

I sat right down and colored four of these, but I just last weekend finished the last of the cards.  No more buying stamps and tucking them away to be forgotten.  I’ve got quite a list to check off and I'm just getting started.

The first card is the one I had the most fun with.  It uses the Art Impressions sentiment I bought to go with the geezer guy, but what I got the biggest kick out of was the sheet music I used in the background.  It’s real sheet music which was very graciously sent to me by a blogging friend, Linda, after I’d commented on her card here.  Wasn’t that nice?  Thank you, Linda!  I mean, it’s perfect!  There he is, dancing and singing “Doodle oodle oodle, doodle oodle oodle”.  I really hope no one’s watching who can have him committed.  The song is “A Bushel and a Peck” from Guys and Dolls.  This may not be what I visualized doing with the sheet music, but it was too irresistible to pass up.

Stamps:  Art Impressions  Paper:  Bermuda Bay, Flourishes Classic Ivory, Tangerine Tango, old sheet music, My Mind’s Eye Out of the Blue designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Bermuda Bay, Copic markers for coloring  Accessories:  Bermuda Bay ribbon, Spellbinders Standard Circles Large, Classic Scalloped Circles Lg S4-124, Cuttlebug Swiss Dot embossing folder, Fiskars Paper Edgers (scissors), Scotch brand foam mounting tape

The next card is the most simple, made in minutes considering the image was already colored and cut, and the designer paper is scraps left from the first card.  I think it works, though.  Love those simple cards.  I was surprised by how many sentiments I have that work with this stamp.  This one is from a Stampin’ Up! set called Edgy Eloquence.  The white cardstock is Flourishes Classic White.

Finally, I made two of this last card.  One was for my husband’s birthday and the other was for a friend who wanted an identical card.

Stamps:  Art Impressions, Stampin’ Up! Smarty Pants sentiment  Paper:  PTI Pure Poppy, Flourishes Classic White, My Mind’s Eye Out of the Blue designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers for coloring  Accessories:  PTI Pure Poppy twill ribbon, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

I think I can put him away for a while now.  Moving on.  I hope you enjoyed!  Have a great day!

Golden Coastal Sunset

Flourishes is getting ready for their August release of new stamp sets and, as you’ll soon see, it truly celebrates these last days of summer.  Gosh, it seems like our summer here is just getting started.  It can’t be coming to a close already!

To celebrate the new release we’re starting things off with a challenge which could win you the entire new batch of stamp sets.  Essentially it’s a color challenge – stamp in the shades of a beautiful sunset.  It could be red and orange, or pink and purple.  We have some gorgeous turquoise and magenta sunsets over the ocean here.  This is not to say you have to create a sunset image on your card.  All you have to do is combine sunset colors somehow.  Be sure and link your creation on the Shades of Sunset Challenge post on the Newsletter, and if you post to an online gallery please use the Keyword FLLCAUG11.

I chose to create a golden coastal sunset using Forest of Trees and a quote from Around the Arbor.

• I started with Flourishes’ Classic White Cardstock and one of my Spellbinders die cut circles.  The circle was held in place with removable double sided tape.
• I used wadded toilet paper to rub the entire panel with yellow ink first, then rubbed mustard ink inward from the edges.  I left some yellow glow nearer the sun circle.
• I masked the upper edge to create the water line, which was done with cocoa ink, darker near the edges, and leaving a wavy open area for the sun’s reflection in the water.
• I then carefully removed the die cut sun circle and replaced it with a smaller circle.  The next step was to rub more yellow ink around the smaller circle, then carefully remove that circle and finish with some soft sponging around the edges of the sun.
• Finally, I stamped the evergreen tree three times in Adirondack Pitch Black, and the sentiment in chocolate.  Three black rhinestones accent the sentiment.

How about some sunset inspiration?  Let’s see how the rest of the team interpreted this challenge:

Barbara Anders

Christine Okken

Cindy Lawrence

Danielle Kennedy

Julie Koerber

Stacy Morgan

Tammy Hershberger

A note from me:  I just want you all to know how I appreciate your support regarding our misfortune earlier this week.  You were there for me when I truly needed you, and didn’t even know how much I needed you.  The kindness of our neighborhood community, my friends and coworkers, and you will help me get past this.  I won’t let this scoundrel and the likes of him get me down.  Thank you!

Now, let’s get busy stamping!  Have a great day!

Stamps:  Forest of Trees, Around the Arbor  Paper:  Flourishes Classic White, black, pale yellow  Ink:  Pale yellow, mustard, cocoa, black, chocolate  Accessories:  Black rhinestones

Another Moment in Time

Hello, and happy Friday!  If I may have a moment of your time, I’d like to share another Moments In Time card today.  I’ve used the Timepiece kit for this one again, too – you know, those fabulous paper/ribbon/embellishment kits Flourishes has been releasing recently.  Today’s card features some of the designer paper, brads, and burlap string that come in this month’s Timepiece kit – great companions for the stamp set (sold separately).

I’ve also used some Double Dot Timepiece cardstock, one of the kit add-ons.  That’s the curved piece at the lower edge.  There are some very cool add-ons for this kit – jewels, trinkets, dimensional stickers – in addition to the double dot cardstock.  You can see all the add-ons here.

I did no coloring today, just stamped the hour glass and the clock face image on the background panel.  I cut and embossed the curved border with a Spellbinders Ric Rac Scalloped Border Pierceabilities die (no longer in production?), then pierced and sponged with the die still in place. The sentiment is cut with one of the Grommet Tags Shapeabilities, and the edges sponged for definition.  Pretty simple, really!

Today is your last chance to take advantage of the New Release Bundle for this month.  When you purchase all four stamp sets in a bundle, you will automatically receive a 10% discount.  The bundle includes Moments In Time, Bee My Honey, Honeycomb, and Sweet Nature.

The ;Flourishes team has more samples to share with you today, all from our latest release. Keep an eye out for the Timepiece kit in use, too:

Barbara Anders

Christine Okken

Cindy Lawrence

Danielle Kennedy

Dawn Burnworth

Julie Koerber

Stacy Morgan

Jan Marie Caruso

Sharon Doolittle

Thanks so much for joining me today!  Enjoy your weekend!

Stamps:  Moments In Time  Paper:  Naturals White, tan, Bo Bunny Double Dot Timepiece cardstock and Bo Bunny Timepiece designer paper  Ink:  Burgundy, Ranger Distress Vintage Photo and Tea Dye  Accessories:  Burgundy burlap string, decorative brads, Spellbinders Ric Rac Scalloped Border Pierceabilities and Grommet Tags Shapeabilities

Flourishes Preview, Day 3: Moments in Time

Now, here’s a set, illustrated by Lauren Pope, that works great for the guys, but you can make some mighty pretty vintage feminine cards with it, too.  I love how the team has interpreted the images in Moments in Time.  I’ve chosen to make a masculine birthday card today.

The clock face and sentiment are both embossed in black for a little extra texture, and mounted on these Spellbinder’s dies:

• Standard Circles Small
• Standard Circles Large
• Fancy Tags

Flourishes is introducing a brand new 1,2,3 Create Kit today, too!  This one is called Timepiece, and will be available for one month, only, or until supplies last, whichever comes first.  I must say, I do love getting these kits in the mail and, even better, I love sitting down to create with them.

I’ve used the designer paper and some of the twill ribbon, burlap string, and embellishments on my card.  Very manly and all so beautifully matched up for you.  When you visit the rest of the team you’ll see this kit in use by some of the gals.  You’ll surely want to hop around and check in with everyone because one of us is the Mystery Blogger.

A winner of Moments in Time will be chosen from among the comments.  See all their fabulous creations here:

Barbara Anders

Christine Okken

Cindy Lawrence

Danielle Kennedy

Dawn Burnworth

Julie Koerber

Stacy Morgan

Jan Marie Caruso

Sharon Doolittle

Check the Newsletter for today’s noontime challenge – another chance to win stamps.  I’ll refer you to the Newsletter, also, for all the release week info in a nutshell.  There are several chances to win, so I hope you can give one of our challenges a try.

Thank you so much for helping me wrap up a busy week today!  Let’s all have ourselves a super summer weekend now.  We deserve it, don’t we?  Take care!

Stamps:  Moments in Time  Paper:  Brown, black cardstock, Bo Bunny Timepiece designer paper  Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black  Accessories:  Twill ribbon, burlap string, Tim Holtz sprocket gears, Spellbinders Standard Circles Small, Standard Circles Large, Fancy Tags, detail clear embossing powder, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Dude Time

I’m having the darnedest time trying to get any stamping done… or housework, or laundry, or shopping, or any of those things that require me to be indoors.  It would appear summer has finally come to the Oregon Coast.  Ever since the 4th of July weekend it’s been just gorgeous here, and since I spend my week inside at the day job, I like to live outside on the weekends.  Driftin’ Denton, here, has got the right idea…

We all need a dude card now and then, don’t we?  I usually do trees or leaves, fish or deer – the usual guy stuff.  However, I’ve been trying to branch out a little in terms of masculine cards so I can have more fun with it.  The guys will just have to put up with me, I guess.  In fact, I have a photo of my husband very similar to this.  Different color boat and, in my opinion, my husband is considerably better looking than Denton but, still, I think he’ll get the drift – or, I should say… the Driftin’ Denton.

Denton is a digi image from Dude Time Doodles which I colored with Copic markers.  I went there to check them out recently and the next thing you know I was invited to do a one time guest spot.  Why, even I can do that!  And what a great opportunity to test the digi waters, seeing as how I don’t have much experience in that genre.  When you browse the dudes at Dude Time Doodles, you’ll find something to fit every dude you know.  They make into fun cards for a guy with a sense of humor.  You’ll even find a few dudettes along the way.  There are plenty of sayings to go with the images, too.  In case you can’t make it out, this one (Hammock Harold Sentiment 2) says, “When the goin’ gets tough…you’re obviously in the wrong place.”

Well, that was fun!  As for my guest spot, you can see that here if you so desire.  It’s a challenge blog, so that’s another little something for the challenge-loving folks to consider.  Just passing the word.

Thanks for dropping in today!  Wishing you all a great week!

Stamps:  Driftin’ Denton digi image (Dude Time Doodles)  Paper:  Flourishes Classic White cardstock, Barely Banana, October Afternoon Fly a Kite designer paper  Ink:  Various Copic markers for coloring  Accessories:  Twine, brads, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

House Mouse and Friends Challenge

Frequently, when I’m out visiting blogs, I’ll drop in on folks just in time to see the cards they’re sharing for the current House Mouse and Friends challenge.  It always gives me the urge to get out some of my old House Mouse stamps and play along.  So, I did just that today!

When I first became enthusiastic about stamping, my son would occasionally bring stamps for my birthday or Christmas, and that’s how I came to own my current House Mouse collection.  It’s a small collection, and the stamps are older, but because they’re from my son, they’re very dear to me and I’ll never part with them.  Thankfully, both stamp quality and image appeal have withstood the test of time.  This one, called Fish Tales, is one of my favorites.

The current challenge is #99 “Make a Splash”.  All you have to do is use a House Mouse image which has water in it.  I have more than one House Mouse stamp with water in it, but I just love this one because it’s really a very likely scene.  Of course, all those unlikely scenes are pretty cute, too.  In fact, I went browsing the House Mouse store and found some adorable new stamps which would be so much fun to color.  Talked myself out of making a purchase at this time since I have a basketful of stamps I haven’t used yet, tsk, tsk.

I colored the image with Copic markers.  All these papers are from the Prima Fairy Flora collection, which seemed to have all the right colors in it to coordinate with the image.  I plan to send this card to my son so I avoided the pretty floral prints and went with the subtle patterns and watercolor hues.

That’s it for me today!  I’m back to the reality of the work week after a little time off, sigh…  Hope I can keep this refreshed feeling going for a while.  We’ll see.  Have a happy day!

Stamps:  House Mouse Fish Tales  Paper:  Flourishes Classic White, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Prima Fairy Flora designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers for coloring  Accessories:  Self-adhesive nail heads, poly-twill ribbon, Scotch brand foam mounting tape (to pop up image panel)

Retro Wednesday

Okay, folks… it’s another Retro Wednesday and Flourishes still has a few of those retired sets marked down 65%.  That means a stamp set, such as Menswear (samples I’m sharing today), is only $5.59.

What makes this set great is that you can customize it for the guy in your life.  I mean, they all wear shirts, don’t they?  Maybe they don’t all wear ties or drink beer, but there’s that, too.  I’ve used all the images in the set and each card was created for a specific someone.

I made the first card for my husband.  He’s not much of a beer drinker and he’d probably never wear such a bright shirt, but he got a kick out of the Invisible Man theme:

This one was made for my friend’s insurance salesman son (he’s really into ties):

And, finally, this for another friend’s son-in-law:

And that’s it!  This is the last of my Retro Wednesday posts.  I’ll tell you truthfully, I’m in a stamping slump and I need to color something pretty to get myself out of it.  I can’t stop thinking about all the folks in the midwest and other regions being hit hard by the weather.  My heart goes out to everyone who has been affected by this.  I used to live very close to Joplin, Missouri, and I have a friend who finally located a relative in the hospital there after her home was destroyed.  I’m sorry to finish on a somber note.  Please take good care of yourself and savor every precious moment.  See you again soon.