Revisiting "A Peek at Fall"

I originally made this card and posted it to my blog on September 20, 2017.  Click here to see the cards original posting: A Peek at Fall).  I intended to use it as one of my fall birthday cards for 2017, but somehow I missed doing that.  Therefore, I am now going to use it for my youngest son's October birthday this year.  I have composed a little birthday verse inside to suit the theme of the card.  Check out the finished card inside and out below! 

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Gold Glimmer.  Stamps--Hardwood, Happy Scenes (retired).  Inks--Crumb Cake, Daffodil Yellow, Pumpkin Pie, Cherry Cobbler.  Dies--Leaflets Framelits, Seasonal Layers Thinlits.  Embossing Folder: Woodgrain.  Linen Thread.  Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.  Glitter Enamel Dots (inside & out: colored).  Other products:  Inks--Encore Gold Metallic, Memento Tuxedo Black, Colorbox Chestnut Roan.  Copic markers.  Offray Burlap Weave.  Techniques:  Stamping, Sponging, Coloring.  Inside: EK Punch: Victorian Med. Corner.  Chatterbox verse.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".  (Woodgrain stamped bg  and the chairs are also Woodgrain embossed to add texture.  Chairs are popped up).

A 2018 Valentine for Mom!

It's time to make a Valentine card for my Mom!  I sure miss her...with all my knee and hand issues starting over two years ago, I've missed three of my traditional semi-annual trips to visit her.  I will not be able to go until this coming fall due to my second knee replacement in March!  Mom will be a spry 93-years old in August, 2018.  We always spend lots of time cardmaking together on my visits, along with my sister who lives in the same town in California!  We usually schedule a week-long girls' get-away to Mt. Shasta...what wonderful memories!

I pulled out some of my old unfinished Liz Thayer card kits and their pictures to see what I might use and get them out of my too full "To Do" box.  I found this little gem that I never put together during my knees "hiatus."  I love the paper colors and Liz's design, so my plan was to keep it quite similar, but add a little here or there to put a little "me" into it.  Then, I would design a complimentary inside and verse to finish it off.

I re-cut and enlarged the white cardbase and added a Crisp Cantaloupe layer between the base and the black layer to add more color.  (I saved the old cardbase to cut and use for the inside card verse).  I added rhinestone gems to the four corners, the banner points, hearts, and sentiment circle, but the bones of the design still shine through.

Now that Mom's card is finished, it really reminded me how much I loved the Valentine Stampin' Up products I bought in 2015 and 2016 but never had the opportunity to use.  I will check out some Splitcoaststamper challenges to see if any of them fit, as I already had the colors, papers, and design ideas before beginning my card.  Take a look below at the finished card inside and out.  I think Mom will be pleased!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up papers:  Cardstock--Whisper White, Basic Black, Crisp Cantaloupe (retired); Patterned dsp--Stacked with Love.  SU stamps: Hello Life (2016-retired).  SU: Happy Heart EF.  SU punches: Itty Bitty Accents Pack (2016-retired); 1/2" Circle; 2" Circle; 2-1/4" Scallop Circle.  SU-Rhinestones.  Wink of Stella-Clear.  Computer-composed verse.  Size: 4-1/2' x 5-5/8".

A Christmas Nativity Bauble!

WHAT A WAY TO END THE YEAR!

THIS CARD IS NAMED A 

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS' FAVORITE 

OF THE WEEK ENDING - DECEMBER 30, 2017

Sorry, I've been missing in action most of December!  Usually, my blog is loaded with all kinds of Christmas cards...not so this year!  I have been unable to do much crafting with some hand issues that may require surgery, especially my left hand.  The right one is working on it, but not quite there for surgery yet.  I have some "lovely" thumb guards (sarcasm dripping) that I am to wear pretty much 24-7, with a short timeouts if absolutely necessary.  So...that's the story...not able to do much crafting, as that really sets off the pain and swelling in the entire hand!

I did manage to get to my craft table and work up this little Christmas Nativity bauble.  I worked with several dies and modified my Cottage Cutz Nativity to fit inside the bauble.  I now have a baggie full of date trees, little sheep, and the Star of Behtlehem.  I used some more of the gold glimmer wrapping paper that I stabilized with a cardstock backing and lots of tape runner, row after row, especially with the paper used to die-cut the pine boughs.  

I tried a new stamp set to get gold embossed stars on the night sky.  I was really unhappy with how it turned out.  The stamp was not a background size, but an odd shape, like an amoeba, with totally uneven curves and bulges, so it was difficult to even get it stamped evenly over the paper.  I also sprinkled Gold  glitter embossing powder, and wasn't too happy with that either...it left smudges.  

I planned to make several of this design, so I will definitely be trying something different to my starry sky.  I seem to be liking the black and gold glimmer look this year, and I was pleased with my overall design, but not the sky, so take a peek below at what not to do on your starry background sky!

I will also be entering this into several Splitcoaststampers Challenges:  

• December 2017 Dirty Dozen Christmas Challenge:  Nativity scene.
• Alphabet Challenge (Letter O=Ornament/ Double Challenge = Letter L for lightfastness; Encore Metallic Gold a pigment, oil-base ink with slow drying time.
• Free for All - Merry December.  Christmas my favorite December holiday.
• 2017 Christmas Card Challenge - June = Religious card.
• Dirty Dozen November Word Theme:  JOYS.  J=Jesus; O=Ornament; Y=Yule card (archaic for Christmas); S=Shiny, sparkle.
• Inspiration Challenge IC628 - Dept. 56 as the inspiration website.

Ingredients:  Paper:  Stampin' Up--Basic Black cs; Recycled Gold Dot gift wrap.  Stamps: Christmas Pines (sky stars).  Dies:  Cottage Cutz--Nativity Silhouette; Stampin' Up Thinlits--Delicate Ornaments, Pretty Pines.  Ink:  Encore Gold Metallic (coloring edges of gold paper, ornament and pine needles).  Offray 1/4" ribbon, Black Fun Foam, Computer verse (inside).

New Hat for Spooky Kitty!

HAPPY MAIL RECEIVED!  

THIS CARD IS NAMED A

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS FAVORITE OF THE

WEEK ENDING - OCTOBER 28, 2017!!

I need to make some Halloween cards, but I also wanted to enter some challenges on Splitcoasters this week.  I found several challenges to inspire me and give me ideas, and ended up with four challenges to enter.  I found my actual idea through this week's Inspiration Challenge, and a Halloween pumpkin pillow (see below).   Knowing what I needed to meet the requirements for the other three challenges made it easy to fit each one as I created my card. 

The Inspiration Challenge brought to mind a card I made several years ago, and I so loved that Poppystamp Kitty Cat Face die that I knew just what I wanted to do.  I decided to take my original card and re-design it, adding to it and dress it up a bit more.  My first card was done super quick because I needed to have it ready in just a few hours to send it along with the Halloween Witch Deco Wreath my daughter and I made for the younger daughter/ sister.  I was motivated to try my hand at a little more intricate version of the same card with new colors and added embellishments.

I came upon a Cottage Cutz Witch Hat die that I bought last year and didn't get a chance to use it.  I thought it would make a darling hat for my little kitty's head.  This time I decided to use lime green glitter paper for the cat's eyes and the moon, star, and brim of my witch hat.  I added two layers of glitter paper to my card base before adding the card front, and then added a few sequins to dress it up even more.  I am much more pleased with this second version, though the first was still cute!  What's not to like about the cute cat's face!

Finished the instead design and verse and now it ready to be sent off to my Mom in California.  I think she will enjoy her sparkly Halloween card.  Take a peek below:

Recipe:  Darice cardstock: Midnight Black.  The Paper Company cardstock: Victoriana 5-pack (tan).  Recollections Glitter Pad: Haunted (orange/ lime).  SU: Seasonal framelit dies (spooky - Holiday 2015).  Poppystamps die: Kitty Cat Face.  Cottage Cutz dies: Witch Hat.  Pretty Pink Posh: sequins. Size 5" x 6-1/4".

Halloween Glitz

Halloween is coming, and it is one of my favorite cardmaking holidays!  I've been eyeing the Splitcoaststampers Falliday Fall Challenges taking place during with the month of October.  In the back of my mind, I had been toying with the idea of making a card somehow with a big glitzy gold moon and a Halloween silhouette image.  When the Falliday challenge "From Trash to Treasure" came up several days ago to use something recycled on your card, I remembered this pretty black and gold shimmery striped gift paper that I had saved on one of my husband's Father's Day gifts.  I began to get excited and felt the itch to get to my craft table, because I was also remembering my Halloween card idea semi-formed in my mind.  Below is the Halloween card that evolved as I worked on it...

This is the inside design and verse that I created to coordinate with the outside.  I've decided this is the perfect card for my youngest daughter and husband.  I think they will be delighted. . .they are all about Halloween!

Ingredients:  Papers: SU Basic Black cs, Core'dinatins Black Tie Glitter, DCWV Glitzy Glitter Stack (gold), Recycled gold/black stripe gift paper (stablized w/cs).  Dies: My Favorite Things--Stitched Circle STAX, Savvy--Haunted House, Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations--Halloween Shadows (bats).   Busy Kids Flip Flop Rhinestones.  Ribbon/ Twines: Offray--7/8" Black Satin Ribbon, BoBunny--Sheer Dot ribbon, MayArts--Metallic Gold/ Black Twine.  Wink of Stella-Black.  Computer-made verse (inside).  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

A Birthday is Coming!

My son-in-law's birthday is just a few days after my youngest son's birthday.  The family has been celebrating them together, as it is becoming more and more difficult to carve out time when all of us are available at the same time, and my darling daughter-in-law has graciously offered to host a dual party for both of them!

I decided to case and modify a card I saw on Pinterest by Mary Fish using cardstock color strips, the large Stampin' Up "Happy Birthday" die, and a white baker's twine wrap and bow.   Because I wanted my card to lean more toward the masculine side, I decided to make my card horizontal and added more color strips, an Island Indigo (teal) color mat behind the strips on a white cardbase, and leave off the twine and bow.  I cut my "Happy Birthday" die using white glitter paper and used enamel dots that I colored to match my color strips and to change them from their pastel shades to darker shades.  Take a peek below at my finished card for Josh:

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up cardstock:  Whisper White, Island Indigo, Night of Navy, Fresh Fig, Blushing Bride, Berry Burst, Lemon-Lime Twist, Garden Green, Crushed Curry, White Glitter cs.  Stampin' Up die: Happy Birthday Thinlit.  EK punch: Vintage Medium Corner (double off-set layered).  SU Glitter Enamel Dots (Copic color modified).  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".  

A Peek at Fall!

GOOD NEWS!  

THIS CARD IS NAMED A

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS FAVORITE OF THE

WEEK ENDING - SEPTEMBER 23, 2017!!

I have been mulling over creative ideas in order to use my Adirondack chairs, which is part of the new die set in Stampin' Up's annual catalog named, "Seasonal Layers."  It a great set with many different dies besides the chair, and it coordinates with the "Colorful Seasons" stamp set.  I went to a card class in June and made several cards using both items, but I have not cracked the seal on my own set, and I was anxious to do so.

I had an idea for an anniversary card, which was my focus when I started this card, with the sentiment inside..."Life is better when there are two," thus the reason for using two Airdondack chairs, but I am undecided, and may use it for one of the many October birthdays on my "To Do" list.

I also wanted to enter the card in several Splitcoaststamper challenges, which helped me come up with my color scheme and making it a fall card.  Take a peek to see how my Adirondack chair card turned out.  Unfortunately, the colors are a bit washed out.  They are much more vibrant in RIL!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Gold Glimmer.  Stamps--Hardwood, Happy Scenes (retired).  Inks--Crumb Cake, Daffodil Yellow, Pumpkin Pie, Cherry Cobbler.  Dies--Leaflets Framelits, Seasonal Layers Thinlits.  Embossing Folder: Woodgrain.  Linen Thread.  Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.  Glitter Enamel Dots (colored).  Other products:  Inks--Encore Gold Metallic, Memento Tuxedo Black, Colorbox Chestnut Roan.  Copic markers.  Offray Burlap Weave.  Techniques:  Stamping, Sponging, Coloring.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".  (Woodgrain stamped bg  and the chairs are also Woodgrain embossed to add texture.  Chairs are popped up).

Improving on the Christmas Oldie but Goodie!

WONDROUS NEWS!  

THIS CARD IS NAMED A

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS FAVORITE OF THE

WEEK ENDING - SEPTEMBER 16, 2017!!

In my last blog post, I made a card from an old, never used 1995 PBX stamp with a verse from the poem, The Night Before Christmas.  I entered it in several Splitcoaststampers challenges, and one in particular, the Alphabet Challenge, Round 7, it was entered for Letter J = "Just color...no dies."  The kicker is, the very next challenge for Letter I is "Improve upon your last card," which means I needed to do another card using this same stamp, CASE the card, and change it somehow by improving upon it.  Now, I really like my previous card, so all the while I was making it, I kept saying to myself, "Now, don't go overboard, because you have to leave something to do to it to improve upon it."  Take a peek below...here is my improved upon card.  I have also included the original below it so that you may see what I did to improve it:

Newest Version...improving upon the original.

Original version.

Ingredients:  Papers: Master's Touch 140# Watercolor Paper (WalMart); Core'dinations Silk Glitter Opulent Oval cs; Stampin' Up--Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer cs (retired), Night of Navy (card base).  Stamp: PSX (Personal Stamp Exchange)--Dasher Dash Away All!  Ink:  Stampin' Up--Night of Navy, Rose Red, Marine Mist; Versamark--Watermark Ink.  Paint: Folk Art Metallic Pearl White (splatters).  Gelly Roll White Gel Pen.  Stampin' Up White Embossing Powder. Dies:  Spellbinders--Layered Poinsettias; MemoryBox--Poinsettia Trio Blooms.  Offray Ribbon: White/Silver Striped Organdy (stash).  MISTI Stamping Tool.  Techniques: Heat Embossing; Watercolor background; Splattering.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".  Inside: Computer verse.

Christmas Card from an Oldie But Goodie!

 MORE GOOD NEWS!  

THIS CARD IS NAMED A

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS FAVORITE OF THE

WEEK ENDING - SEPTEMBER 9, 2017!!

I own what is now considered a vintage stamp, produced in 1995 by Personal Stamp Exchange (PSX) Stamps.  It is a stamp I have actually never used, but always wanted to.  There is, of course, a story behind my owning it, but never using it.  Well, I decided it was time to dig it out and use it to make my second Christmas card for 2017, and enter some challenges at Splitcoaststampers as well!  Take a peek below at my finished card, and then jump down to "The Story" below if you are interested.

Ingredients:  Papers: Master's Touch 140# Watercolor Paper (WalMart); Core'dinations Silk Glitter Opulent Oval cs; Stampin' Up Night of Navy (card base).  Stamp: PSX (Personal Stamp Exchange)--Dasher Dash Away All!  Stamp: Ink--Stampin' Up: Night of Navy, Rose Red, Marine Mist; Versamark--Watermark Ink.  Paint: Folk Art Metallic Pearl White (splatters).  Gelly Roll White Gel Pen.  Stampin' Up White Embossing Powder.  Offray Ribbon: White/Silver Organdy (stash).  MISTI Stamping Tool.  Techniques: Heat Embossing; Watercolor background; Splattering.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".  Inside: Computer verse.

"The Story"

In 1996, I was the office manager for a brand new elementary school to which our staff had been transferred.  The principal was a very classy lady with whom I got along famously.  She really wanted our Christmas card for our new school to be very original, handmade, and using our school colors, which were navy, forest green, and maroon.  I went out on a search for the perfect idea, thus visiting Joanns, Michaels, and the local craft store.  I found this Night Before Christmas stamp that I fell in love with, but didn't really know if it would suit the principal...I could see it with gold stamping mat layers of navy and forest green, with some possibly in navy and maroon.  

I was crafting, but if you've read my blog at all, you will know that I did not become a cardmaker until 2008!  I knew nothing about papers, stamping, ink, embossing, etc., etc....so I had no idea how any of this could be accomplished, but I decided when we made a decision on what we'd do, I learn somehow!

I bought the stamp personally, because I thought it was too pricey for our school budget, and I love it.  My youngest daughter, who was a teen-ager, loved to stamp thinks and had lots of little stamps and cheap inks, so I figured eventually it would not go to waste, right!  I inked up the stamp and tried to stamp it, and found it had lots of gaps in the printing, and I could not get a good, clean image...so we did not use it at school.

When I began making cards, I did not learn embossing right away, so still didn't use it.  I did find that I did not LIKE wood stamps because it was difficult to tell where they would land and were often difficult to ink up, especially if large...so my stamp continue to stay buried away.  As the years passed, I see it every now and then at Christmas time, but by then I really didn't like wood stamps and knew it didn't ink up well.

A year ago or so, I learned wood stamps can be unmounted and made into rubber stamps used on an  acyrlic block, but not being too familiar with this trick...the stamp continue to sit.  Then came my MISTI, and I seriously became interested in unmounting this lovely Christmas stamp to see if I could get a better imprint with my MISTI.  Recently, I saw a challenge on Splitcoaststampers called "Oldies but Goodies," and I seriously became interested. 

A few nights ago, I wasn't sleeping well, so up I popped, the stamp to the microwave and stripped it with foam pad attached from its wood.  The image on this stamp was not an acyrlic sheet glued to the wood, but rather it varnished right onto the wood, therefore, I could not remove it.  My solution for this problem is to ink up the stamp and stamp on a small sheet of white printer paper just larger than the stamped image.  I take this stamped paper and many strips, vertically and horizontally, of my tape runner, and glued it down to the foam pad.  Next, I cover this stamped paper with 3" wide clear 3M tape covering the entire paper surface (at school, we called this library tape) and then fussy-cut around the taped paper up to the edge of the rubber.  When I'm ready to stamp with it, I run a few very small tape strips on the clear tape and stick it to my MISTI.  Now, it's ready to use just like any other stamp!

My first card above is done with Versamark Watercolor Ink in order to apply an embossed finished...in this case white embossing powder, which is heat set with your heat embossing tool (like a very hot mini blow dryer).  When the powder is heated, it becomes shiny.  The stamp was still difficult to ink up and took 6 applications over and over of Versamark to get it all inked, especially the word Vixen and Away, after Dash!  But, I managed and I do LOVE the stamp!!  I'm so excited that I finally used it!

Let It All Hang Out Birthday!

OVER THE MOON!!!

THIS WAS ONE OF TEN

OF MY 2017 CARDS RECEIVING

A 2017 SCS BEST OF FAVORITES!!

GOOD NEWS!  THIS CARD IS NAMED A SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS 

FAVORITE OF THE WEEK ENDING - SEPTEMBER 2, 2017!!

We are celebrating my daughter-in-law's birthday a little late this year, because we were camping when her birthday arrived.  It seemed only fitting to celebrate her and my birthday celebration together since we are only two weeks apart.

I made her a special card with my new Penny Black kitty stamp called an Uplifting Occasion!  I thought I'd add a little humor by doing a play on words in the birthday verse I composed.  I also like the idea of livening up the card with the Starburst Background technique.  Here is a Splitcoaststampers link to their tutorial: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/starburstbackground/

Take a peek below at Ginger's finished card, inside and out.  I think she will be delighted and get a laugh as well!

I thought I would enter my card into several Splitcoasterstamper's challenges:  Free for All: FA392 - choose your own "National Day".  My day will be National "Let It All Hang Out" Day; Dirty Girls' Monthly July Themes:  "Time to Relax."  Mine will me three challenges provided: CT0717 - make your showing how you Relax; WORD0717: make your card using things that fit NAPS - N=Nestablities, A= Aroma, P= Penny Black stamp, and S=Sponging; DINSP0717 - inspiration photo: a hammock.  Now, that was fun!

Ingredients:   Cardstocks:  Recollections--Essentials (Violet), Soft Side (Lt. Orchid)-inside; SU Sweet Sugarplum. Patterns: Recollections: Purple Ditsy Floral; K&Co.-Watercolor Bouquet-Purple; Floral Bouquet; Lang-West Plaza (damask/ sponged); DCWV Collage Art Stack (words/ sponged).  Darice: Foam Sheet.  Stamp: Penny Black-Uplifting Occasion.  Ink: Memento--Tuxedo Black; Copic Marker coloring.  Die: SU-Oval Framelits (lrg scallop).  Punch: EK Scallop corner-inside.  SU: Glimmer Enamel Dots. Bath & Body Works-Magic in the Air/ Diamond Shimmer Mist. Computer-verse. Technique: Starburst Background. Size: 5" x 6-1/4".

Tweeting a Belated Happy Birthday to a Dear Sister-in-Law!

WOW!  I'M EVEN MORE GIDDY!  

THIS CARD IS NAMED A

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS FAVORITE OF THE

WEEK ENDING - JULY 16, 2017!!

Take a peek below at the card that I designed and sent off as a belated birthday for one of my sister-in-laws on my husband's side of the family.  Also included below is the verse and complimentary design I created as well.  Then, follows The Story behind the creation.

The Story

With the slow recovery from my knee replacement surgery, I am so far behind, and I have missed so many birthdays and other events with my inability to climb stairs to my craft room.  Some are so far back, I will just have to let them go this year and concentrate on keeping up to date in the future.  Yet, I have several sister-in-laws' birthdays that I've missed, and I would really like to send them belated wishes if I can without getting behind with upcoming celebrations.

My sister-in-law, Dianne, is the wife of one of my husband's younger brothers.  They were married within a year of our marriage, and we spent a lot of time together as couples in the early years of our marriages.  This was before we each began a round of transfers around the country due to career promotions, etc.  We have never ended up residing in the same state in more than 30 years.  Just a few years ago, this younger brother passed away from a heart attack, but Dianne is still very much a part of the family, and she is always included in every reunion and get-together!

Since I have a new goal in cardmaking to try to enter more Splitcoaststampers' challenges, I thought I would focus my card design around at least one challenge's requirements.  I chose the Inspiration Challenge IC605 - Dessert Bies: Macaroons & Meringues, but ended up being able to use it in the Alphabet Challenge as well from its tag.   For the Inspiration Challenge, I went to the Pinterest inspiration board set up for the challenge.  Oh my, I learned a lot about macaroons.  While my stomach realized it was hungry and began growling loudly the longer I looked over those delicious-looking, beautifully, colorful morsels that can be any color in God’s Earth from soft pastels to bold and vibrant dark splashes of color!!  Below are the three particular pictures that inspired my card:

    

When I first start creating a card design, if I don't have a particular idea already in my mind, I check out my leftover, partial card pieces to see if there is anything that inspiring me to use it.  I found a yellow tag with pink ribbon and an uncolored birdie stamp tacked to a patterned dsp.  It was pretty bright and cheerful, but had a thanks sentiment stamped at the bottom of the birdies, which was actually part of the original stamp.  I thought...hmmm...trim off the sentiment and make the tag shorter to fit the shorter image.  Then, I separate sentiment tag with belated birthday might fit below the tag...I was in business and started rolling right along!

The little dsp attached had a bit of navy in the flowers; therefore, navy had to be the cardbase after seeing those lovely navy macarons (see above).  I switched out the pink tag ribbon for navy, and then I chose mat layer colors to add to the tag and dsp and layers to add to my cardbase.  Daffodil yellow would be my top layer and I decided embossing it would dress it up and make it more interesting and even better, crop the layer corners with my WRMK Deco Corner Chomper.  

When I began assembling, I popped up the tag and its layers on the yellow layer,  and then decided to pop up the yellow and Melon Mambo on the cardbase.  Before reattaching the stamped birdies to the tag, I colored them with Copic markers and finished with Clear Wink of Stella to add sparkle.  Because my tag was pretty small, I decided to use the Washi punch (SU retired) and modify it by shortening it and only used a one-word sentiment to keep its size in balance with the tag.  I'm pretty satisfied with my card for Dianne...take another peek above!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products: Cardstocks-Night of Navy, Melon Mamo, Daffodil Yellow.  DP: Gingham Garden.  Stamp-For the Birds (retired), Happy Birthday Gorgeous (sentiment).  Ink: Memento-Tuxedo Black, Wink of Stella-Clear.  Embossing Folder: Perfect Polka Dots (retired).  Punches: Washi Label,    1/4" Circle punch.  Ribbon: 3/8" Denim.  White Baker's Twine.  Other products:  Copic Markers; Darice: Foam Sheets.  Computer-verse.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

Lights, Action, Shine...A Son-in-Law's Birthday Celebration!

I'M GLEEFUL!  THIS CARD IS NAMED A

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS FAVORITE OF THE

WEEK ENDING - JULY 9, 2017!!

My oldest daughter's husband is have a milestone birthday this month...the pressure is on!  I wanted to make something really different, and I had just the thing.  I recently bought a darling Lantern die from SugarPeas, and I have been dying to use it.  Since Don and Michele like to camp a lot, I thought the lantern would be perfect for Don.

In addition, I wanted to try and meet some of the challenge requirements on Splitcoaststampers.  As it turns out, I will be able to meet three different challenges with the card I designed for Don.  It will meet the July 6th - Ways To Use It: utilizing stars in your card, the Alphabet Round 7 Challenge: Letter L...some type of light, and the Gallery Monthly Theme for April 2017: #1 - Background Check requiring focusing on the card's background by using a background technique, special paper, etc.

For my background, I decided to make a watercolor background with a night sky and lantern light.  This will be only the third time that I've actually watercolored a background, but this time it will have a totally different style as it is not at all random.  I wanted a light burst of yellows and oranges to represent the lantern light and a night sky with stars.  

I watercolored all over with Crushed Curry ink and then darkened the yellow in the area where the lantern light would be shining using upward brush strokes.  My next color for the lantern light was an streaked application of Strawberry Slush in upward brush strokes as well.  My next step was to make my galaxy-type night sky around the lantern light.  Once again, I used flicked brush strokes, but smaller, toward my lantern light.  The colors and the order I applied them over the yellow base was: Old Olive, Island Indigo, and lots of Night of Navy to finish.  I added stars to the night sky by using a paint brush and flicking it with finger snaps to sprinkle my stars in random sizes, but all very small, using White Pearl Metallic Folk Art acrylic paint watered down.  

I must say it was a challenge.  I had to do a trial run and then re-make my final piece to get my lantern light in exactly the right area without the night sky bleeding to far into it.  All in all, I'm happy I challenged myself, and I'm pretty pleased with my result.  I think Don will be pleased as well.  Take a peek below at my finished card inside and out!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up supplies:  Papers--Basic Black cs, Gold Foil, Watercolor paper;  Stamps--Balloon Adventures (verse); High Tide ("Shine" masked); Inks--Crushed Curry, Strawberry Slush, Old Olive, Island Indigo, Night of Navy; AquaPainter.  Other supplies:  Stamps-MFT/ At the Movies; Die-Sugar Pea/ Lantern; Wink of Stella-Clear (lantern light + sentiment words). Folk Art-White Pearl Metallic Acrylic paint.  Techniques:  Watercolor background; Paint Flicking (stars); Stamped Verse.  Size:  4-3/4" x 6".

Flowers for Daughter's Birthday

OH SO JOYFUL!  THIS CARD IS NAMED A

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS FAVORITE OF THE

WEEK ENDING - JULY 2, 2017!!

My daughter, Michele, is having a birthday at the end of this month.  I wanted to make her a special birthday card, and two challenges on SplitcoastStampers (SCS) gave me some ideas on which to focus.  The Ways to Use It challenge asked that you use strips of paper to create your card, the Inspiration Challenge asked that you make a card using patterned paper, and the Alphabet--Round 7-Red challenge asked that you use a splash of RED.  When checking out ideas presented for the Ways to Use It challenge, I was inspired to use the Herringbone Technique, because I felt it fit the Inspiration Challenge perfectly as well.  I decided to create the background of Michele's card using this technique.

Getting into my creative mojo mode, I pictured the Herringbone pattern being very striking in black and white patterned papers.  Then, I wanted to use flowers in some way, and settled on SU's Botanical Blooms stamps/ Botanical Builder dies.  I thought a vivid contrasting red would be very effective.  Then, I had to find a transition between the herringbone pattern and the red flowers, and the red, black, and white die cuts were born, thus fulfilling the need to use red as well.

I assembled my herringbone bone pattern first, adhering it to a piece of black cardstock cut 5" x 6" because I knew this could be cut to fit the front of my white cardbase, which would be 4-3/4" x 6" finished.  I chose the red pattern for the base die-cut in a simple patterned paper as I needed something calming after the busyness of the herringbone, and finished it by distressing the edges with white craft ink.  I chose to repeat one of my blackish background patterns and white for my two circle die cuts.  I layered them onto my cardbase, and thought spritzing them with my Bath & Body Works Magic in the Air Diamond Shimmer Mist would make them very pretty and sparkly.  I also decided I needed to pop-up my red die-cut upon which the circle die-cuts and flowers would rest.  Assembly complete and I was very pleased with the result, and I think Michele will love it!  Take a peek below:

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up cardstocks:  Whisper White, Real Red, Cucumber Crush, Basic Black.  Patterned papers:  Crate Paper-Paper Heart/ Delicate 2 (red); Bazzill Basics-Licorice; My Mind's Eye: Everyday Basics; DCWV: Jet Black Stack.  Stamps: SU-Botantical Blooms (leaf pattern); Stampendous-Birthday Wishes (sentiment).  Ink: SU-Wild Wasabi, White Craft; Memento-Tuxedo. Black.  Dies:  SU-Botanical Builder Framelits (flowers, leaves), Top Note (retired); Cottage Cutz-Pierced Circles, Double-Stitched Circles; MFT-Photo Corners (inside).  Bath & Body Works: Magic in the Air Diamond Shimmer Mist.  Computer verse. Size:  4-3/4" x 6".

Graduation with Total Honors!

I'M GIDDY!  THIS CARD NAMED AS A

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS CAS FAVORITE

WEEK ENDING - JUNE 18, 2017!!

Boy, you can't ask for much more!  Daughter Jackie just graduated today from the University of Washington with her Bachelors of Science Nursing and with summa cum laude 4.0 honors throughtout her journey to complete her B.S.N.  We are soooooo proud of her...I'm about to bust!

I decided to make Jackie's graduation card in UW colors...purple and gold...unfortunately, the picture shows it up more blue than purple...but really it is purple.  As I did not have any purple papers that were remotely appropriate, I went on Etsy and found some digital paper that I like in purples and gold.  Even though the paper looked purple and gold on the computer screen, they were navy blue and with white fleur de lis.  My next task was to move the two pieces into my PaintShop Pro program and re-color them to the appropriate colors,  That was finally achieve and I resized the papers in Word so the fleur de lis were smaller and the crown in the gold paper were also smaller.

After printing them, I decided to try something I've been thinking I should try.  About three months ago, when I was in Bath & Body Works, I saw a body mist named Magic in the Air, a diamond shimmer mist.  When I sprayed it on the paper sample piece, it put a beautiful shimmery mist all over the paper (and smelled good as well), and I thought, "Wow!  That would be great to use on cardmaking papers."  Now was the time to try it out, and it worked beautifully.  I sprayed it over all the papers and stamped images, except the graduation hat and the gold glimmer stars and tassel.  Unfortunately, the photo shot of the card does not show it off, but it's truly wonderful.  I see I will never have to buy Shimmer White cardstock again, because I can make my own!!!!  Take a peak at Jackie's finished grad card inside and out...I think she will love it.

Ingredients:  Cardstocks: Recollections Cardstock Essentials-purple; Stampin' Up Gold Glimmer (stars/ tassel), Naturals Ivory (retired); Clair Tales Purple & Gold Damask 06 & 07 (color-enchanced); DCWV Glitter Stack-golden yellow.  Stamps: Stampin' Up--Bravo (colored w/Copics).  Inks: Memento-Grape Jelly, Paris Dusk (two-step stamping).   Dies:  MFT-Stitched Star; Stampin' Up-Balloon Framelits (tassel); Impression Obsession-Instant Photo Corners.  Punch: Stampin' Up-IB Accents/ Star.  Bath & Body Works-Magic in the Air/ Diamond Shimmer Mist.  Computer-verse.  Size:  4-7/8" x 6".

Graduation Congratulations!!

A long-time friend of my daughter's son is graduating from high school...boy how time flies!  His mother and grandparents hosted a graduation barbecue picnic in their backyard, and we were invited to attend.  I wanted to make Cody a special graduation card for this big event in his life.

I chose 2 Cute Ink's digital graduation squirrel image, because all the while Cody was growing up, he had a favorite gray squirrel that he even named that lived in Grandma's backyard.  Cody was sure that this squirrel came back every spring to visit with him by running up on  the deck and beckoning and chattering to him each time the squirrel saw him in Grandma's backyard.  I thought it only fitting that his squirrel friend be featured on his graduation card.

I tried my Heidi Swapp Minc foil transfer machine on the "congratulations" tag, using the Royal Blue foil and backed it with a royal blue and Crushed Curry cardstock enchanced with the Clear Wink of Stella pen to given the background a bit of glittery sheen to match the foil sheen of the greeting.  That was lots of fun.  I'm anxious to try more cards using my new Minc machine.  Take a peek below at Cody's "squirrely" graduation card!

My final step was to find just the right verse to add to my card's inside design created to compliment the card front.  I was able to craft Cody's verse from an inspiration that I found on the Internet...I think it has just right message for this special young man.

Ingredients:  Cardstocks: SU-Whisper White, Crushed Curry; Recollections-Royal Blue.  Darice Core'dinations: Dark Blue Plaid. 2 Cute Ink Digi: Squirrely Graduate.  Copic Markers.  Dies:  MFT-Stitched Oval Scallop Frame; Spellbinders-Scalloped Ovals LG.  Punches-EK Scalloped Edges; Scallop Photo Corner (inside).  Minc: Foil transferred sentiment tag; Minc Transfer Foil: Royal.  Wink of Stella: Clear.  Computer-made verse.  Size: 5" x 6".

Daughter's Birthday to Celebrate!

Sorry, I have been most remiss in my cardmaking and blogging for the last three months!  Several bouts of the flu, traveling a bit, and general busyness are the only excuses I can offer.  But, I did manage to get a card made for my daughter, Jackie's birthday.

 

Since Jackie is a big umbrella fan, boasting ownership of at least ten or more, and some with matching goulashes, a card with some sort of umbrella theme is sure to shout out, "THIS CARD MUST BE FOR JACKIE!"  With this in mind, I thought I would like to use my new stamp set by Stampin' Up, Beautiful You, incorporating more than one stamp into my image.  

 

I chose the dancing lady stamp and borrowed the umbrella from the strolling lady stamp.  I stamped with Versamark and white embossed the dancing lady onto a black cardstock background.  I, then, Versamark stamped and white embossed the image again onto my red, black, and white polka-dot paper and fussy-cut the dress out to layer over my black cardstock white embossed image.  I Versamark stamped and embossed her hat and hair onto another red and black muted pattern and overlayed that as well onto the black cardstock image.  Next, I Versamark stamped and white embossed the umbrella from the "walking umbrella lady" stamp and fussy-cut out just the umbrella, which I set aside to adhered onto the black background after my card layers were cut and adhered together.  My next step was to Versamark stamp and white emboss my chose sentiment underneath my lady image.  After cutting and adhering all my mats and layers, the final step was to adhere the umbrella, which I offset to the left leaving it to hang over onto the layer below (see image below).  I used a white gel pen to make my umbrella handle connecting it to her hand.  

Though I'm not sure I like this, I did color my lady's white embossed hair with shades of brown, using my Copic markers.  I did this because Jackie's hair is brown, but I'm not sure I would do that again.

 

The last step to complete Jackie's card was to compose a verse and create an interior design that compliments the card front. . .see the finished inside below.

 

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock:  Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White.  Stamp set:  Beautiful You (Occasions 2017).  White Embossing Powder.  Taylored Expressions Summer Nights dsp.  My Mind's Eye Holly Jolly Winter Branches (hat).  EK punch: Victorian Corners.  Versamark Embossing Ink. Uni-ball Signo White Gel Pen.  Computer verse (odstemplik font).  Size: 4-3/4" x 6". 

My Oldest Son's Birthday is Coming!

My oldest son's birthday is in the early days of March, so I should have been thinking about making his card last week, but alas my calendar was cluttered.  When this happens, I have a difficult time getting myself to my craft table because my mojo has gone out the window, and I have the dickens of a time getting it back! 

Not to fear. . .I went to a cardmaking event hosted by the dynamic duo, Dar Peterson and Luci Kirschbaum, and as I viewed one of the inspiration cards, some ideas flew into my head that I thought would be great additions to an already very cute card (thanks to Luci Kirschbaum).  I decided to complete only a portion of my card and take the pieces home to finish.  Now, I'm thinking it's time to finish it, because it will make the perfect birthday card for my son.

To the original design, I added embossing to the white background layer.  I thought that would be a nice touch, and I knew I had just the right embossing folder for this job!  Then, I decided I wanted to stagger my green color panel instead of stacking all three panels one on top of another.  The embossing texture turned out especially nice...I just LOVE that "Happy Birthday" embossing folder!

Now, I was ready to finalize my card by creating an inside design and verse that was complimentary to the card front design and for the birthday occasion.  Take a peek at the finished product below.

Ingredients:   Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks--Emerald Envy, Crushed Curry, Tangerine Tango, and Whisper White.  Ink--Basic Black; Emerald Envy.  Ribbon--Emerald Envy 3/8" Ruched.  SU-2017 Occasions:  Pattern dsp--Party Animal (2017 Occasions).  Stamps--That's the Tag.  Dies--Timeless Tags Thinlits.  Other:  Cuttlebug EF: Happy Birthday.  EK punch: Zig Zag.  Computer verse.  Size: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2."  (a CASE card...thanks Luci Kirschbaum for original inspiration).

Leftover Christmas to Post!

I had one card left in my "To Do Stash" that was needed for my brother.  It is a Liz Thayer original design that I changed just a tiny bit.  On Liz's card she snowflaked the area that would show through the tree oval only.  I decided to snowflake my entire area so that the edges of the snowflakes peeked out along the layered edges.  In addition, I added a dot of glue here and there and sprinkled Dazzling Diamonds glitter randomly on this layer as well and on the sentiment band to add a little sparkle.  For my sentiment band, I decided to fishtail the ends rather than leave them straight.  I also decided to leave off the twine bow that was on the original and to lower the band more to the bottom of the oval at the base of the tree trunk, rather than mid-way up the trunk.  I then added glitter snow domes to each of the four front corners.  

My changes were subtle, and therefore, my card retains much of the same flavor as its original.   Take a peek below at the card and its inside design with verse that I created to compliment its front.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products - Cardstock:  Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Red Glimmer.  Stamps: Lovely As A Tree; Snow Place (sentiment/ snowflakes).  Ink: Garden Green; White Craft. Dies:  Peaceful Pines (star); Top Note BigZ (retired).  Punch: Itty Bitty Accents-Star (retired).  Dazzling Diamond Glitter.  Rhinestones.  Other - Crystal Stickers: Glitter Domes.

Christmas Elf from Yesteryear!

Last year Liz Thayer did a little elf card at her 2015 Totally Lovin' Christmas, which was colored with Stampin' Up markers.  I promptly ruined my stamped image trying to color and blend with these pens.  I have never been very good getting a good color result using these water-based pens.  It's just me, as I have seen some beautiful coloring jobs achieved by others.

I decided that since I had purchased this stamp set already, I would take my salvageable pieces home and re-do my card in the quiet of my craft room.  Well, that did not happen last year, but I made a goal for this year:  I would try to finished my Christmas cards in my "To Do Stash" that were totally unfinished kits or half-started.  Since little elf fell into one of these categories, he was in luck to be finished this year!

I re-stamped my elf image and colored him using Copic markers, which is my pen of choice.  I like the way they shade and blend and the richness of color that you can achieve.  I also wanted the edges of my mat layers to be more visible to bring out the colors used on my elf's clothing, so I decided to start with a new green card base that would be slightly larger rather than cut down the size of all the layers on top of the cardbase.  I prefer the color edges of my layers to be from 1/8" to 3/16" wide instead of the narrow, almost invisible 1/16" that many cardmakers use.  I also decided to put a green mat layer under my little sentiment tag for even more green accents. 

Liz's original design is so very cute and cheerful, and the stamp set is also very cute and cheerful; thus, the resulting card is sure to make its recipient feel very happy when they open their card!  Take a peek below at both the finished exterior results and the inside design that I made to compliment the front.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up - Cardstock:  Very Vanilla, Garden Green, Real Red, Whisper White, Watercolor paper.  Holiday Fancy Foil Vellum (2015 Holiday). Stamps: Christmas Cuties (2015 Holiday).  Dies:  Top Note BigZ (retired).  Punch: Decorative Label (modified).  Ribbons: 1/8" Red Stripe; 5/8" Vanilla Satin ribbon (retired).  Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (hat trim).  Dazzling Diamonds Gold Glitz glitter adhesive (elf bells).  Stash: Gold sequins.  Size: 4-1/2" x 5-3/4".

More Christmas Tags to Cards Conversions

I got out the Christmas tags that I made last year at Dar and Luci's 2015 Christmas Tags class, which I fully intended to turn into card, but didn't get that far last year.  As I made these tags, I kept in mind that they would become part of a card, so that I modified lengths if needed, etc.  Take a peek below at more of my finished card made from these tags.

My first two tags were designed by Dar Peterson.  The only change I made to the first tag was to make my layers with narrower edges with the goal in mind to shorten the tag, making it more usable on a card front.  I began with a white card base and added a Real Red mat layer on top.  I found some pretty green holly berry paper to use for my center panel directly under the tag, adding a punched border in gold foil to its edges.  I really love the richness of all the red, greens, and gold together. . .it makes for a lovely card.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up - Cardstocks: Whisper White, Real Red, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Gold Foil.  Stamps: Your Presents (package stripe/ sentiment - 2015 Holiday).  Dies: Banners framelits; Mini Treat Bag (bow); Top Note BigZ (inside-retired).  Gold Embossing Powders: Gold; Real Red.  Other - Punch: EK Arrow Border;/ Victorian Corners.  Computer verse.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

With the second of Dar's tags, I made the tag exactly as she designed it because it was the perfect size just the way it was.  I decided on a red cardbase with a gray mat layer, but decided to dress it up the gray with my own stamped silver metallic snowflakes.  I found a mini red Christmas print that would coordinate nicely with the tags delicate diagonal stripe.  It would be the card's center panel, and  I added a petite decorative punched edge to its edges.  With the tag sentiment being "do not open before Christmas," I had to be a little innovative with my inside verse.  Take a peek below at the finished card with the inside designed and verse to compliment its front.

       

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up - Cardstock:  Real Red, Basic Gray, Whisper White, Silver Foil.  Kit: Oh, What Fun Tag Kit (silver snowflake/ tag background-2015 Holiday).  Stamps: Oh, What Fun!; Endless Wishes (snowflakes).  Ink: Real Red. Encore Metallic Silver (retired).  Home for Christmas Enamel Dots (2015 Holiday).  Real Red Thick Baker's Twine.  Other - Echo Park paper: 'Tis the Season.  Recollections punch: Mini Snowflake.  Pink Posh silver sequins.

My second two tag cards were designed by Luci Kirschbaum.  I made several changes to the tag.  I shortened the tags length, scalloped the bottom edge, added a Real Red mat under layer, and changed to a Christmas star ribbon rather than Baker's Twine.  Once all these changes were completed, I was ready to start on my card design.  I chose a Cucumber Crush green cardbase and added a real read mat layer and then topped these layers with a diagonal striped paper with rounded corners.  I banded the card face toward the bottom third tying it in a ribbon knot with the same ribbon used in the tag.  I was really happy with my perky ribbon tagged card.

         

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up - Cardstocks:  Cucumber Crush, Real Red, Whisper White (inside).  This Christmas Specialty dsp/ stripe.  Stamps: Peaceful Pines (+ Peaceful Pines framelits); To You & Yours Too (stars-2015 Holiday).  Ink:  Cucumber Crush, Real Red, Memento Tuxedo Black.  Punch:  Scalloped Tag Topper; Itty Bitty Accents-Star (inside-retired).  Stash: 5/8" Christmas Grograin ribbon.  Sequins.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

 My last tag card was also designed by Luci Kirschbaum, and my alterations to it was, once again, to shorten it a bit to better fit the card front and to add a silver glitter paper mat backing to the entire tag, not just behind the star punch-outs.  I decided my card design would have a Shimmery White cardbase with a Night of Navy mat layer under the silver-striped vellum.  I banded the card horizontally with a one-inch navy bank trimmed with a silver glitter punched border at the top and the bottom.  I finished it with navy blue rhinestones (colored with Copic markers) on all corners.   I finished off the card with an inside design to compliment the card front and added a Christmas verse using my computer.

           

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up - Carstocks: Shimmery White, Night of Navy, Silver Glimmer.  Fancy Foil Vellum/ Silver Stripe (retired).  Punch: Scalloped Tag Topper; Confetti Stars Border.  Dies: Wonderful Wreath framelits; Top Note BigZ (retired).  Other:  Punches: EK-Arrow Border.  Recollections-Mini Snowflake.  Rhinestones colored with Copics.  Computer-made Verse.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".