Running With Scissors...

Masculine Sympathy and Get Well

 

Hello, there!  Today I have a sympathy card and a get well card which I've made for my customer lady and will hopefully be suitable for a masculine recipient.  Both cards use BasicGrey Origins designer paper plus colored cardstock.  Dies on the first card are Memory Box Finnegan Fronds (bird and frond), and Impression Obsession With Sympathy.

 

 

Inside is a retired JustRite sympathy sentiment (Sympathy Nested Sentiments) and another frond from the Finnegan Fronds die set.

 

 

I have quite a few of the old JustRite sentiment stamps from back when they made them with the grooves to fit on the grooved stampers.  Remember those?  These days I don’t use the grooved stampers.  Rather, I trim down the stamp and use removable double sided tape to secure them to an acrylic block.  Works like a charm and they’re just like any other unmounted rubber stamp.

 

 

Pictured below is the second card.  The ovals in the center are Spellbinders Grand Ovals and Classic Ovals Large, left over when I cut the frames for the card I shared last Monday.  The smaller oval was a spare part I had tucked into my Origins paper pad.  The foliage is Poppystamps Sylvan Sprig.  Impression Obsession Get Well Soon and Memory Box Forest Bird.  The bird is rather plain – just a silhouette – so I cut it from patterned paper and gave it a little black eye dot with a Sakura glaze pen.

 

 

That’s it from me.  Now, back to the coloring…  See you again soon!

 

Little Brown Bird

 

I had a rainy weekend and a chance to make some cards, so I focused on sympathy for an ongoing card order.  My lady wants mostly sympathy, thinking of you, and get well cards.  She likes the handcrafted look with layers and accents, but I always aim to give her cards she can put one postage stamp on and walk it out to the mailbox.  No standing in line at the post office.  Rather than flowers I opted for cards that would be suitable for a male recipient.  They could go either way, really.  I love anything with a nature theme.  I’m just sharing one card today.  I used a Deep Red stamp called Springtime Sparrow.  I purchased this stamp locally, but you can see it here on the Deep Red site.

 

 

I Googled sparrows before I colored this and was quickly overwhelmed by all the different kinds of sparrows, so I went with browns.  Surely there’s a sparrow similar to this somewhere?  Coloring was done with Prismacolor pencils and odorless mineral spirits directly onto the 110 lb Neenah Classic White card base.  I chose Prismas so I could avoid an additional layer.  The coloring does not show through the other side at all.  I lightly sponged around the bird in pale yellow and added some green speckles with a retired Stampin’ Up! Itty Bitty Backgrounds stamp.

 

On top I layered a Poppystamps Thicket Frame cut from Core’dinations cardstock onto wood grain designer paper with an oval window.  I cut a ring of designer paper to fit inside the oval for additional framing.  It is just a ring, not a whole layer – cut with the smallest Spellbinders Grand Ovals and the largest SB Classic Ovals Large.  A little die cut foliage in dark brown for contrast, and a circle punched sentiment finish it off.  Sentiment is Hero Arts.  I’ll list everything in the recipe below my signature.

 

 

Inside is this sentiment from another set, and two die cut leaves (Dee’s Distinctively Small Pair of Leaves).

 

 

I’m happy to say I’ve moved one more stamp (bird) from the not-yet-used basket to the used-at-least-once basket.  We all have that not-yet-used stuff, don’t we?  I organized my not-yet-used stuff this weekend – stamps, digis, and dies.  Just taking stock of what needs attention and how far I have to go.  Let’s just say I’ll be busy for a while.  Have a good day!

 

Stamps:  Deep Red Springtime Sparrow, Hero Arts Small Greetings, Stampin’ Up! Itty Bitty Backgrounds, Words to the Rescue Variety Pack 1 (inside)  Paper:  110 lb Neenah Classic White, green Core’dinations, SU! Barely Banana and Chocolate Chip, Simple Stories Wood & Notebook Basics designer paper, BasicGrey Origins designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Barely Banana, Mellow Moss, Chocolate Chip  Coloring Medium:  Prismacolor pencils – Light Umber, Dark Umber, Sienna Brown, Cream, Black, 50% and 70% Warm Grey  Accessories:  1 1/4” and 1 3/8” circle punches  Dies:  Poppystamps Thicket Frame, Spellbinders Grand Ovals and Classic Ovals Large, Memory Box Blooming Vine, Dee’s Distinctively Small Pair of Leaves

Angel Dog

 

There have been many times I’ve wished I had a card like this ready to go.  I do generally send sympathy cards for the loss of a pet as I know too well how profound that sorrow can be.  Thankfully I don’t need this card right now, but I’ll keep it for when the sad occasion arises.  I would hope this pup, smiling in his ascent, would ease some pain, however briefly and to whatever degree.

 

 

He is Angel Dog, a digital stamp from QKR Stampede.  I made him for this week’s challenge – “Angels”.   He’s colored with Copic markers with a little glitter added to wings, stars, and halo.  The cloud-like edge of the image panel was cut with a scalloped oval die.  Behind that are embossed paw prints.  It’s all very simple, clean, and angelic.

 

I know this is a busy time, but I’d like to invite you to share your angel card with us in our Angel Challenge at QKR Stampede.  You could do some fun free shopping if you win!  Thanks so much for your time today.  Happy Black Friday!

 

 

Stamps:  Angel Dog digi from QKR Stampede, Words to the Rescue Sympathy sentiment  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, CTMH Amethyst  Ink:  Printer, Versafine Onyx Black, Copic markers for coloring  Accessories:  Silver eyelets, silver cord, rhinestones, Stickles Stardust glitter, SU! punch for sentiment, Darice Paw Print Background embossing folder, Spellbinders Large Scalloped Oval die

Use up that Double-Sided Designer Paper!

 

Hello!  I’m popping in with a little mid-week stamping today.  Are you like me and have more designer paper than you know what to do with?  Maybe not.  But if you are one whose designer paper is likely to outlive her (or him), then maybe this will help use it up.  This applies to 12 x 12 double-sided designer paper.  I have reams of it, mostly from buying Stampin’ Up! collections in the past.  And, of course, I can’t resist looking at ALL the stacks of 12 x 12 designer paper every time I visit the local paper crafts store.  Need I tell you that some of those sheets come home with me every time?  I thought not.  And, gee, there’re all those 6 x 6 pads which are what I generally reach for when I’m stamping.  It goes on and on.

 

So I decided to make the whole card from double-sided designer paper.  With layers on the front and a cardstock liner on the inside message area it’s as sturdy as it could possibly need to be.    Pretty inside and out, front and back.  It’s rather a treat to have the back of the card all prettied up, too.  I’ve done this before with heavier paper, and maybe you have, too, but now I’m on a mission.  Today’s card uses some retired Stampin’ Up! DS DP.

 

 

The flower basket stamp is an old favorite which I’ve colored many times.  It’s an Anna Griffin design for All Night Media, but otherwise has no name on it.  The large mat nearly covers the card front, and I added a border strip from the flip side of the paper.  The gold trim across the front is self-adhesive metallic peel-off strips.  I think these are from Flower Soft, but not sure.  I do like how they add that little bit of somethin’ somethin’ without adding weight or bulk, and you know how I’m always striving for a layered, textured look in a no-extra-postage-required card.

 

I colored the edge of the mat with an E81 Copic marker to help frame the image area without adding another mat.  The flower basket was stamped in Memento Toffee Crunch and colored with these markers:

 

 

And then there’s the inside.  It’s already half done and prettier than plain cardstock.  I fully lined the writing area and added a border along the top edge.  The image mat and the border on the front and inside were all cut with Spellbinders Curved Rectangles Nestabilities die set, one of my very first die sets.  Gosh, I just realized how far back I was reaching in the making of this card.  Oh, well, if it doesn’t look trendy it won’t matter to the lady for whom I made it.  She has requested an endless supply of cards, particularly sympathy and get well, and I think she’ll like this just fine.

 

 

I’m glad you could stop in today.  I sincerely appreciate the time you’ve taken to visit, and I hope you’ll come back soon!

 

 

Stamps:  All Night Media flower basket (unnamed and old), Words to the Rescue Sympathy set  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, retired Stampin’ Up! designer paper  Ink:  Memento Toffee Crunch, Close to Cocoa (sentiment), Copic markers as pictured above  Accessories:  Gold sticker trim, Spellbinders Curved Rectangle Nestabilities

Ultra-Clean and Simple Sympathy Cards

 

Hello, and welcome to Monday!  Today I’m sharing my post both here and on the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog.  There you can see a variety of dies in action from the many different companies that Dies R Us carries.  It seems the selection is endless and so is my wish list!

 

I’m thinking of sympathy cards and how I never seem to have one on hand when I need it.  So I have two to share – the same design concept with only slight variations.  Very simple.  I chose my dies, then covered each card base with designer paper which I felt coordinated nicely.  Arranged the dies and stamped the sentiments and they’re ready to mail.  Now, you could sponge the dies, or stitch, or layer, or pop up the front panel, but the idea is to make it and mail it without delay, and with no concerns as to whether or not it needs extra postage.

 

 

• The die used above is Impression Obsession Wheat.  It’s on ivory cardstock with Anna Griffin designer paper and a Words to the Rescue sentiment.
• The die used in the card below is Impression Obsession Bird on a Branch.  On this one I used white on white with some very old but very cool designer paper and an older JustRite sentiment.

 

 

If by any chance either of these dies are unavailable at the time of this post, do not despair.  The possible substitutes go on and on.  Imagine any type of die for any type of card.  It’s the appearance of a simple embossed design that appeals to me, I think.  Whether in neutrals or in bright, juicy colors. . . just picture it – simple like these, or in the background panel of a more complex card design.  Hmmmm. . . wheels turning. . .

 

I’m so glad you could pop in today.  Don’t forget to try your hand at winning a Dies R Us gift voucher by playing along at the Challenge Blog.  Currently we’re doing The Great Outdoors.  Use at least one die on your card and link it up.  We’d love to see it!  Have a great day!

 

Simple Tuesday

 

Hello, and happy Tuesday to you!  It seems a fitting day to share another card with a Digital Two for Tuesday freebie.  And simple is nice once in a while, don’t you think?  Sometimes I feel it would be nice all the time, but the next thing you know I’m piling on the layers and doodads again.  It’s just that I get that occasional cluttered feeling and then I need to tidy things up a bit.  So today it’s all very fresh and clean and quick.  I used a 1953 illustration which you can find here.  Now, don’t go thinking 1953 is vintage.  After all, it’s the year of my birth and I don’t feel quite vintage yet.  A little worn, maybe, but not quite vintage.

 

There’s just a touch of color and pattern on the card base courtesy of an old Cornish Heritage Farms “Weave” background stamp.  In the days before I started using designer paper (yes, there was such a time) I collected a LOT of background stamps, all of which I still have, but rarely use, tsk tsk.

 

 

You can see the subtle pattern a little better in the next photo.  I stamped it in SU!’s Soft Sky, so it is most definitely subtle.  Coloring was done with Copic markers.  I made this into a sympathy card to have on hand if needed.

 

 

Thanks for sharing your time with me on this simple Tuesday.  Have a good day!

 

 

Stamps:  Free flower digital imagefrom Digital Two for Tuesday, SU! Sincere Salutations, Cornish Heritage Farms Weave backgrounder  Paper:  X-Press It Blending Card (image panel), Neenah Classic Crest Solar White (card base), BasicGrey Origins designer paper (leafy die cut)  Ink:  Printer, Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers  Accessories:  Ribbon, silver cord, Spellbinders Standard Circles Small,  Spellbinders Sprigs

Wings of Love

 

Hello, my stamping friends.  I hope this day finds you well.  It finds me happy to have finally settled down to the coloring of a gorgeous JustRite stamp called Wings of Love, which came to me by way of a blog candy win from Diane.  Thank you, Diane!  Yes, it was during that lucky streak I was experiencing a while back.  Imagine how excited I was to receive this beauty in the mail.

 

 

This large and lovely image doesn’t require much in the way of embellishment, and, indeed, I opted to keep it simple.  I cut the image down to 5 1/2” x 4 1/4”, then matted it on a layer and a card base just big enough to hold it.  The double row of stitching down the left side with the two antiqued copper brads are supposed to suggest a “bound” look.  It’s stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black on X-Press It Blending Card and colored with the following Copic markers:

 

 

I stamped a retired JustRite Birthday Centers sentiment on the postcard, but inside I stamped “Sent with love and remembrance”, thinking the two sentiments together go well with the postcard theme, and I believe this would make a very nice sympathy card.  Heaven forbid I should need it soon, but I’ll appreciate having it when the time comes.

 

 

One would not have to do such extreme coloring with this stamp, but you know me – a coloring fool.  It could be cut down, or more white space left.  If you click on the link I provided in the first paragraph you’ll see some very nice design team samples.

 

Thanks so much for your time today.  Wishing you all things wonderful.

 

Stamps:  JustRite Wings of Love, JustRite Birthday Centers (retired)  Paper:  X-Press It Blending Card, green, Bazzill dark brown  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, caramel for sponging edges, Copic markers as pictured above  Accessories:  Copper brads

With Sympathy

 

Hello, friends!  A little trip out of town to our son’s house last weekend interrupted my usual flow, so I have but one card to share this week and it is, sadly, a sympathy card.

 

 

Once again I had no sympathy cards at the ready, and I do like to send them without delay.  Unfortunately I would have no time to stay home and stamp, so I packed up my Copic carrying case with a few images and a paper pad for matching colors, and while the guys were working outside, I colored at the kitchen table.  This card was made with one of my Digital Two For Tuesday florals.  The original image can be found here.  I had printed the image twice so I could embellish with the extra flowers.

 

 

Once home, I crafted the colored image into a pretty card for the pretty lady who had passed.

 

 

Thank you for your visit.  I hope to see you again soon.  Have a lovely day!

 

Stamps:  Free vintage digital image from Digital Two for Tuesday, JustRite sentiment  Paper:  Memory Box Lavender (lightly sanded), Classic White, Prima Sweet Fairy designer paper  Ink:  Printer, Copic markers Y11, Y21, G20, G21, and G28.  The gray shadowing was done with C00, C1, C3, and the Colorless Blender (0).  Accessories:  Ribbon, pearls, Martha Stewart branch punch

Fuchsias in Sympathy

 

Hello, again!  The card I’m sharing today was made for a good friend whose mother passed away last week.  She wasn’t in the best of health, but her death was still sudden and unexpected.  When are we ever ready to lose someone very dear to us?  Never.  I wanted to make my friend a card with a simple and soothing appearance, but I also wanted to dedicate some time and care to its crafting in remembrance of the life that has passed.  My friend may never know the time I spent memorializing her mom with this work of love, but I will, and, as a stamper, that is my quiet expression of understanding and respect.

 

 

This is another of my Beeswax stamps.  I tried something a little different with this image.  It was stamped in Stampin’ Up!’s Bashful Blue, a water-based ink which you would not normally use for Copic coloring.  However, I expected the ink to bleed a little as I colored it, and that was okay because I was experimenting with giving it a no-line watercolor look.  Why not just watercolor, you wonder?  Well, that would be because I do most of my coloring on coffee breaks at work, and Copics are the more portable option.

 

To my surprise, the ink did not bleed at all, but it did virtually disappear under the Copic coloring.  I will try this again as I’m curious to see the results with some of my other flower images.  I do love the effect.

 

 

I colored the entire background like a watercolor painting.  It’s a real mish mash of colors because a couple of the markers I started with ran dry in the process (they were almost dry to begin with).  I’m trying to build up my collection of Various Inks, but wouldn’t you know I did not have refills for the particular markers I was using.

 

The old Stampin’ Up! sentiment was stamped in navy ink, and the card base is a lavender Core’dinations, sanded to lighten the color and bring out the texture.

 

Thank you for your time today.  I will return soon with the last of this year’s Valentines.  Have a good day!

Violets

 

One of the things I like best about fall and drizzly days is having some quiet time in my stamp room.  Though our temperatures remain warm and there’s still much to do in the garden, I do occasionally get one of those drizzly days to cozy down and do some coloring.

 

 

I used another one of my Digital Two for Tuesday images, printed on Flourishes Classic White cardstock and colored with Copic markers.  The image printed with quite a lot of dark shading and looked rather heavy and clunky to me, but once it was colored all those deep shadows added life to the highlights, and it turned out quite pretty.

 

 

I colored over the white cardstock with an E50 marker to give it more of an ivory tone.  Edges were sponged with caramel ink.  The JustRite sentiment was stamped on a skinny rectangle, cut to fit the Spellbinders Fancy Tag.  A small corner rounder punch gave it a nice, smooth shape.  These are the markers I used for coloring:

 

 

Have yourself a lovely day, and I’ll see you again soon!

 

Stamps:  Free digi image from Digital Two For Tuesday, JustRite Sympathy Nested Sentiments  Paper:  CTMH Garden Green, Flourishes Classic White, Webster’s Pages Garden Gala (from a 6 x 6 triple pack collection)  Ink:  Printer for digi image, Palette Noir for sentiment, caramel for sponging, Copic markers for coloring image  Accessories:  Kaiser pearls, Spellbinders Fancy Tags dies