Running With Scissors...

Teal, Aqua, and Gold

 

It’s Color Throwdown time and we have some very pretty colors for you today – teal, aqua, and gold.  A lovely combo and, while I don’t ordinarily use a lot of gold, I absolutely love the gold sentiment against the blues.

 

 

I did a watercolor wash on 140 lb cold press watercolor paper.  There is both teal and aqua in the background, but the diluted colors came out almost identical.  Stamped a leafy image.  Not a great impression but okay for the background.  Then added a die cut leaf in teal.  The gold “hello” was cut three times – once in gold and twice in 110 lb Neenah white – then layered.  The 110 lb cardstock gives it great dimension.  The watercolor panel was popped up on aqua Core’dinations which I embossed and sanded.  And, finally, all that was mounted on an ivory Bazzill card base.

 

This week’s inspiration is pictured below:

 

 

Be sure and hop over to the Color Throwdown Blog for all the details.  The entries and samples each week are awesome to see and it’s all just for fun, which is what I love about this challenge.  The Color Throwdown team is chock full of talent!  You can visit them here:

• Barbara Anders
• Broni Holcombe
• Jodi Collins
• Lisa Henke
• Amy Rysavy
• Lori Tecler
• Lynn Put
• Vickie Zimmer
• Wanda Cullen

Thanks for dropping in today!  I’ll list all card ingredients in the recipe below my signature.  Have a happy day!

 

Stamps:  Hero Arts So Sorry  Paper:  140 lb cold press watercolor, aqua Core’dinations, teal, gold mirrored cardstock, ivory Bazzill  Ink:  Aqua, teal  Accessories:  Cuttlebug Diamonds in the Rough embossing folder, Paper Smooches Hello words and Foliage 1 dies, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Sweet Easter Bunnies

 

In a recent shopping trip at Dies R Us I concentrated on Easter.  I did three searches – Easter, bunny, and bunnies.  All kinds of things came up.  I combined two of my new Easter dies with some previously purchased dies, and utter sweetness came out of it:

 

 

Here’s the die list:

• Poppystamps Thicket Frame (don’t bunnies live in thickets?)
• Memory Box Oval Master Frame
• Cheery Lynn Bunnies
• Die-namites Delicate Egg
• Sue Wilson String Flowers

Now, the thing is, only the fancy egg is exclusive to Easter.  The bunnies could be used on garden cards and baby cards, and the flowers and frames have many uses.  But isn’t that egg pretty?  I tell you, I’ve got a thing for those Die-namites dies!

 

I didn’t do one bit of coloring or shading or sponging.  It’s all clean, sweet pink and white.  So easy and I just love it!  The string flowers were cut from pink vellum and finished off with pearls.  I applied Stickles Stardust glitter glue to some of the open leaf spaces in the Thicket Frame.  Oh, and the bunnies have chocolate brown card stock scraps behind their eyes.  The Hero Arts sentiment was stamped in Versamark and white embossed.

 

 

I want to be sure and mention that the frames I used are sized to fit flush on an A2 card (4 1/4” x 5 1/2”), but I like a bit of a border, so I made my card 4 1/2” x 5 3/4”.  I also made a matching envelope with my envelope punch board.  You can see the envie peeking out behind the card in the photo below.

 

 

Can you believe it’s the last day of February already?  That means a new challenge starts tomorrow on the Dies R Us Challenge Blog, so be sure to get in on that and maybe win a gift voucher to the store.  Also, do visit the Inspiration Blog for new ideas every weekday.  I’ll be back to visit with you again soon.  Have a happy day!

 

Fun With Frames

 

Hello, my friends.  Today I’m sharing a card which was very fun to make and I love how it turned out.  It was difficult to represent in a photo so I made this rather large on the blog.  I hope it’s not too big for your screen.  I always wonder whether I should make my photos larger.  Your thoughts on that?

 

It occurred to me that I had the perfect dies – Impression Obsession Rectangle 6-in-1 Frames – for doing this type of card.  The image is cut into frames and mounted in multiple dimensions.  I used only two dimensions beyond the card base as I do want to mail this in an envelope.  My image is an old Hero Arts stamp called “Spring Garden Etching”.  I coated my colored frames with clear Ranger Distress Crackle Paint, but that is a totally optional step.  It does shrink and curl the paper a bit, but I rather liked the effect on the popped up frames.  The warp can be corrected by covering with a heavy object for a while, which is what I did with the parts that needed to lay flat on the card.

 

 

You can click for a larger view.  A picture is always worth a thousand words.

 

 

Pictured below is the stamped image on 5 1/4” x 4” white cardstock.  I used a ridiculous number of Copics for coloring, making sure I colored the entire panel.

 

 

The IO Rectangle 6-in-1 Frame die cuts all six frames at once, which is what makes it so easy for this process.  I positioned the die on the front of my colored image, then cut.

 

 

Below you see the back of the frames with Scotch brand foam mounting tape applied.  The larger frame is three frames fit together and two layers of mounting tape.  The smaller frame is two frames with one layer of mounting tape.  I should add that this photo is from another project of this type using designer paper rather than a stamped image.  If you have pretty designer paper you’ve not wanted to cut into, well, this is the perfect use for it.

 

 

The largest frame was left single and adhered to the card base.  The other frames were set into that, working from large to small.

 

 

My initial intention was to add this to my birthday card stash, but it would make a nice Easter card, as well.  Decisions, decisions!  If you eliminate the coloring and the crackle paint and simply use designer paper this is very quick and simple with fabulous results.  If you don’t plan to mail in an envelope you can make it with more dimension – as many as six.  Again, it is so easy with any of the Impression Obsession All-In-One frame sets.  As of this writing Dies R Us carries two rectangle sets, plus a set of squares and a set of ovals, both of which I have and will be using for this technique in the future.

 

I’ve taken enough of your time, so I’ll leave you with your thoughts and a wish for a happy day.  See you again soon!

 

Anniversary Wreath

 

Surprise, I do not have a Christmas card today.  It’s my Dies R Us inspiration day and I decided to take this opportunity to fill a card request – one of four anniversary cards for a friend’s children.  I’m starting with a new-to-me stamp by Hero Arts called “Flower Wreath”.  The card features pretty die cuts and easy Copic coloring with the wreath cut out and popped up and pearls courtesy of an Ice White Viva Décor pearl pen.

 

 

Any dies that look like a garden are okay by me, which is why I’m loving my Impression Obsession Fancy Cut Out Border and Poppystamps Dianna Border.  To emphasize the “love” aspect of this card I dangled some Memory Box Precious Hearts from the top of the wreath.  Precious Hearts is a two-die set.  I simply cut both and put them together.  Aren’t they cute?  The Dianna Border and Precious Hearts were colored with Copics. 

 

 

The sentiment is from the retired Stampin’ Up! “Wonderful Words”.  You know I never give up a sentiment set, and just look how pretty it still is after all these years.

 

I don't have much in the way of anniversary sentiments and most of the ones I do have are smallish, so inside I used framing to make a small sentiment look bigger on this 5 1/2" square card.  Enter one of my most frequently used die sets,  Impression Obsession Rectangle 6-in-1 Frames:

 

 

I dangled the smaller of the hearts with another faux pearl in the center of the bow.  All finished and so much fun!

 

Join us on the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog for something new every week day, and don’t forget to check the Challenge Blog to see what’s up and how you can win Dies R Us $$.  Have a happy day!

 

A Little Stamping, a Little Nursing

 

Our little LuLu has been very sick with a mysterious onset of ulcerative colitis and an inability to keep anything on her stomach. She became dehydrated and lethargic and at a point could barely hold her head up or her eyes open.  Of course, by that time she was already in the hospital.  After a comprehensive battery of lab tests and x-rays there is still no conclusion as to the cause of her illness -- no evidence of pancreatitis, parasites, blockage, or poisoning.  What would make a dog so sick?  We’re careful about their food and treats, yet, interestingly, LuLu and Wally both fell prey to the same unidentified assailant.  Wally didn’t get nearly as sick, but LuLu gave me quite a scare.

 

She’s home now, rehydrated and recovering, but I’m keeping a watchful eye.  I hardly leave her side.

 

 

However, my human child has a birthday coming up so I slipped into my stamp room to make his card in the early morning while the rest of the house was asleep.  It’s pretty simple.  I used a Hero Arts set, name forgotten seeing as how I discarded the outer packaging.  I didn’t know what in the world I was going to do for his card this year, but when I was rummaging around in my stamp drawers I came upon these birds and thought they could be rather humorous.

 

 

The sentiment is my attempt at humor.  Inside it says “Life’s too short to act normal”.  Neither sentiment comes with the birds -- the outside sentiment is from Stampin’ Up!, the inside is from Art Impressions.  I colored with Copic markers.

 

I’ll be slipping away now to cuddle with my sweet LuLu some more.  Thanks for dropping in!

 

Stamps:  Hero Arts birds (CL337), Stampin’ Up! Sassy Sayings II (card front), Art Impressions (inside, not shown)  Paper:  X-Press It Blending Card, Certainly Celery, Tempting Turquoise, BasicGrey Origins designer paper (grass)  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Old Olive, Cool Caribbean, Real Red, various Copic markers for coloring  Accessories:  Impression Obsession tall grass die, MFT Die-Namics Fresh Cut Grass die

Flower in Vase

 

I found all the parts for this card tucked away in a box of unfinished projects.  I guess I got just so far and then had to move on to something else.  This was part of a spree of get well stamping – cards for my “for sale” basket at work.  The flower vase is from an old Hero Arts set and the sentiment from JustRite.  I was making a point of using all the stamps in this set, as well as using up some older supplies (the felt flower and a scrap of designer paper).  This is the only card from the group I photographed.

 

 

I don’t like leaving loose ends, though you’d never know it judging by all the images I’ve stamped or printed which are still awaiting color.  Over the weekend I moved them all to one folder and it is stuffed full.  I’m going to make an effort to work my way through them, but my stamping is subject to both need and whim, if you know what I mean.  Good thing it’s all fun, right?  Card details can be found in the recipe, below.  I’m so glad you could stop by.  Have a super day!

 

Stamps:  Hero Arts Flowers and Vases, JustRite Just Because  Paper:  Flourishes Classic White, red, BasicGray Urban Prairie designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers for coloring  Accessories:  Felt flower, Black Diamond Stickles glitter glue, scallop punch, Stampin’ Up! Elegant Bouquet embossing folder, Spellbinders Nested Lacey Pennants

Birthday Vases

My stamp drawers are full of Hero Arts because for a time, years ago, I was able to purchase them at 25% above wholesale.  Heck of a deal!  That’s not the only reason for purchasing them, of course.  I did simply love them.  Still do.  This one is called Glass Vases and, chances are, is no longer available.  I don’t feel the image is dated, though.  I love this type of illustration and thought it would be nice for one of the March birthdays I’ll be stamping for.

I did some very simple watercoloring with Stampin’ Up! inks on 90 lb hot press watercolor paper.  I used So Saffron, Regal Rose and Pumpkin Pie for the flowers.  Old Olive for the leaves, and Bashful Blue for the water.  The shading around the image was done with Apricot Appeal.  I rummaged around in the scrap drawer and brought out some old, but still pretty Chatterbox papers for the layout.  A little stitching, a sentiment (also Hero Arts), a couple of rhinestones, and it’s done.  Simple and sweet.

Time to put my feet up and cuddle with the doggies for a while.  I’ll see you again soon.  Thanks so much for your visit!

Stamps:  Glass Vases, Wishing a Happy Day sentiment (Hero Arts)  Paper:  90 lb hot press watercolor, Flourishes Classic White, Chatterbox designer paper  Ink:  Palette Noir, Stampin’ Up! inks as listed above for watercoloring  Accessories:  Stampin’ Up! Modern Label punch, rhinestones, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

More Simple Sympathy Cards

There’s not much to these cards, but when I don’t have a lot of time to stamp I can’t get too detailed.  That’s when I like to go clean and simple and fall back on my solid image stamps.

I used a new-to-me Hero Arts set called So Sorry.  I love the leafy branch as well as the sentiments.  I also brought out some old Hero Arts shadow stamps to set off the image.  The shadow stamps on each card are stamped in Soft Wheat.  I don’t know if Hero Arts still sells these inks.  They were formulated to be especially light yet pure in color.  The first card has an Old Olive (Stampin’ Up!) inked branch and a Chocolate Chip sentiment.  The designer paper is Kaiser Kraft Hunt and Gather.

The second card has a little more to it, but not much.  I actually prefer the first, simpler card.  Thought I’d make one masculine and one feminine card.  The second card uses True Thyme and Bravo Burgundy inks and retired BasicGrey Perhaps designer paper.

The score lines on each card add a teensy bit to the design, but their primary purpose is to aid in perfectly straight and quick placement of the designer paper borders.  I cut the designer paper slightly larger than needed, align it at the score line, and trim off the excess.

I’m heading to the couch now for a little down time.  The babies are sleeping and with LuLu cuddled up beside me I won’t have to worry about any potty issues.  Don’t you just love a sleeping baby?  Have a wonderful day!

Very Simple Christmas Cards

I hope you aren’t blinded by the white on these cards.  I was in a mood, I guess.  I sat down one day and made six cards along these lines thinking, “just get a few done and I’ll have time to do some of those warm, colorful cards later”.   Perhaps I won’t send out as many cards this year.  Perhaps I’ll even buy some cards (gasp!).  The only real plan I have this year is to not worry about it.

For both cards I’ve used glossy cardstock, though the gloss doesn’t show in the photos.  It embossed deeply and gave the cards a nice quality finish.  Very clean and simple.

Stamps:  Stampin’ Up! Heard From the Heart  Paper:  Glossy white  Ink:  Cherry Cobbler  Accessories:  Prima Poinsettia Flower, Petals A’Plenty Sizzix embossing folder (Stampin’ Up!)

I added a stamped border and ribbon to the second card.

Stamps:  Hero Arts greeting, Stampin’ Up! All in a Row (retired)  Paper:  Glossy white  Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke  Accessories:  Ribbon, Prima flower, Sizzix Petals A’Plenty embossing folder (Stampin’ Up!)

I think I’m going to have a very merry Christmas this year, and I hope you will, too.  Take care, and enjoy your weekend!

Stamper’s Dream Blog Hop

Hello!  Today I’m happy to be taking part in a little blog hop fun with the Stamper’s Dream gals and friends.  Michelle has stocked a lot of new goodies in the store and she just couldn’t wait to show you some fabulous samples!  I went on a little shopping trip, myself, the other day – too recently to have received my package yet – but I do have a card to share.

I’ve used Hero Arts Earth Flowers and Just Find Me (Smile).  I stamped the branchy image in Versamark ink on glossy white cardstock, then rubbed green, pink, and yellow inks onto the panel.  I finished by stamping the branch again, this time in green, slightly offset from the Versamark image.  The Versamark branch appears to be white.  I like this method for a soft and dreamy look.  I used my Spellbinders Nested Frame Dies and tiny pearls for the sentiment.

Now, I should tell you a little secret. . .  There are two separate candy packages hidden along the hop.  Here’s Package #1:

It contains:

• Epiphany Crafts Heart Punch and Epoxy Bubble Caps Stickers
• A LaBlanche Rubber Stamp
• The Rubber Café stamp
• Webster’s Pages designer vellum pack
• Webster’s Pages Sentiment Sheet
• Mini 3-D Puzzle
• Cosmo Cricket Togetherness Paper Pad

And here’s Package #2:

It contains:

• Stampavie Rubber Stamp (new release) by Gillian Roberts
• Stickles Tropical Tangerine (new color) 
• Basic Grey Wander 6 x 6 Paper Pad
• La-La Land Crafts Panda rubber stamp
• Stampendous Clear Stamp Set
• Sassafras Lass felties puddle jumpers
• Mini 3-D Puzzle
• Webster’s Pages designer vellum pack
• Webster’s Pages Sentiment Sheet
• Handmade heart pin from Fabscraps

Good stuff!  If you’d like a chance to win one of the candy packages, you’ll need to leave a little love in the form of a comment on each of the Stamper’s Dream Blog Hop posts.  Who knows where that candy is hidden?  Take a chance!  You’ll see some pretties along the way:

• Michelle
• Becca
• Jerri Kay
• Amy
• Tosh
• Mariana
• Cindy
• Kim
• Teresa
• Lea
• Christina

Happy hopping, and have a wonderful day!