Let It Snow! (Card #1--Simpler Version/ Card #2--Fussier Version)

For my next card, I really wanted to stick to Christmas cards to build up my 2022 Christmas stash. I started with the Featured Stamper challenge when  I started researching possible Splitcoaststampers challenges to enter that I had not yet participated in. I found a card with snowflakes that got my mojo going, as I've collected many snowflake dies over the years. I had one particular Stampin' Up die set, Snowfall Thinlits, that had all sizes and shapes of snowflakes, including a snowflake swirl. Since I had another challenge I wanted to do that I thought would lend itself well to snowflakes, I decided to give it a whirl and see what I came up with.
 
I continued my search for other possible Splitcoaststampers challenges, both new and old, that might fit my into my snowflake theme. I ended up with 12 challenges that would fit my card if I adjusted the design a bit here and there to meet them.  I got to creating and actually ended up with two cards with similar design layouts. One is a simpler less fussy card using a snowfall embossing folder and snowflakes dies (Card #1), and the other is a bit more fussy using a snowflake embossing folder as well as the snowflake dies (Card #2). I am really happy with the results, but which one do you like the best? I think I'm partial to the simpler version (Card #1). Take a peek below at both finished snowflake cards:

Card #1 - Simpler Version

Ingredients: Stampin' Up-- Cardstock: Night of Navy, Basic White, Vellum (translucent), Basic White (inside); Glimmer papers: White (Myths & Magic 6x6 Glimmer pad--2018 Occasions), Dazzling Diamonds, Silver. Ink: Gorgeous Grape, Balmy Blue.  White Glimmer layer: lightly brushed w/Misty Moonlight ink. Dies: SU: Snowfall Thinlits (2018 November promo); Memorybox: "Let It Snow" (2021 catalog). SU EF: Softly Falling. Copic Markers: snowflake coloring (light/ dark blues). Chatterbox verse (inside). Size: 4-3/4" x 6."

Card #2 - Fussier Version

Ingredients: Stampin' Up-- Cardstock: Night of Navy, Basic White, Vellum (translucent), Basic White (inside); Glimmer papers: White (Myths & Magic 6x6 Glimmer pad--2018 Occasions), Dazzling Diamonds, Silver. Ink: Gorgeous Grape, Balmy Blue (ink brushing). Dies: SU: Snowfall Thinlits (2018 November promo); Memorybox: "Let It Snow" (2021 catalog). Darice EF: Snowflake. Copic Markers: snowflake coloring (light/ dark blues). Chatterbox verse (inside). Size: 4-3/4" x 6."

Candy Cane Wishes for Christmas!

 I still have very few Christmas cards ready for Christmas giving this year. It is starting to weigh heavily on me that I'm so far behind; therefore, my next card must be a Christmas card for my stash! I just received my Sweet Candy Cane stamps/dies and the Christmas Banner stamps/ dies that I ordered from the current Stampin' Up mini catalog so I'm eager to try them out. 

The Sweetest Christmas dsp in that same catalog has a lot of wonderful patterns and strips. I decided on a criss-cross background effect by using a striped diagonal paper pattern overlaid with the diagonal panel die-cut. I used all three colors in the striped paper on my card front stamping and die-cuts: Real Red, Garden Green, and Pool Party, plus I added a bit of aqua glitter paper to add some sparkle and bling! 

As most candy canes come in individually wrapped, clear cellophane wrappers, I decided to cover my Real Red, ink-stamped canes with Scotch clear packing tape to resemble these cellophane wrappers. This is an idea we used in a class card designed by Dar Peterson that I borrowed. I am pretty happy with the way my card looked upon completion...take a peak below at the finished card:

Ingredients: Stampin' Up-- Cardstock: Basic White, Garden Green, Pool Party. DSP: Sweetest Christmas. Stamps/Dies (J-D 2022 Mini): Sweet Candy Canes/ Candy Cane dies; Christmas Banner dies (pine boughs). Ink: Real Red. Punch: 1-1/4" Circle. Ribbon: 3/8" Pool Party Sheer. Gems: Elegant Faceted Gems. Other-- Paper: DCWV 6"x6" Glitter Pastels Mat Stack. Spellbinders Dies: Splendid Circles. Scotch 2" Clear Packing Tape.

Father's Day at the Beach!

Being raised in the Pacific Northwest near the ocean, spending at day at the beach, means the ocean is definitely the scenery.  I thought I'd give my youngest son a day off to enjoy some ocean scenery; after all, he was the only one of the four children who never lived in Hawaii where ocean beaches were very much a part of everyday life!

I used the Stampin' Up Waves of Inspiration stamps and the coordinating Waves Dies with Balmy Blue, Pacific Point, and Night of Navy inks.  I brushed and ink-blended the white cardstock top panel with Balmy Blue giving it a filtered blue sky look (a light blue sky with wispy white clouds blended into the blue).   

My wave was next, which I built with the Balmy Blue, Pacific Point, and Night of Navy inks.  I stamped my colors in layers using these three inks one on top the other...over-stamping...but stamped-off with the two darker colors.  I kept adding over-stamping until I got the look I wanted. I used my Misti to aid me in this process. My last stamping was done by applying Night of Navy on the lower portion of the waves only by using a Stamp Write marker inked onto the bottom of the stamp surface.  After it was completely dry, I ink blended with Balmy Blue until I was satisfied with this lighter color mixed into my waves. 

Then, I had an accident...while trying to stamp my seagulls where I wanted them (before popping on the clouds), my stamp block got ink on its edge, which transferred to my card front next to two of my seagulls!  Whoa as me...not the first time I've had this problem with tiny stamped objects!  So not to lose all my carefully ink waves, which I thought turned out rather spectacular, I fussy-cut the wave off and after preparing a new card front with my Balmy Blue brushed ink blending, I glued my waves to the bottom of my new card front.

I decided not to re-stamp my seagulls, as I just didn't want to chance the same problem, so I practice a little of drawing my own seagulls with a fine mechanical pencil and then flicking over with Copic markers in T5, T4, T2.  It worked so well, and I could make them larger or smaller as desired! I found adding them with Copic markers works best for me! I die cut the clouds and cloud edges, which give the clouds more texture and dimension; I popped the clouds off the card surface; and overlapped two the smaller clouds and popped them off each other.

I originally started this card thinking to make a birthday card for my stash, as I never have enough birthday cards. I pulled out my Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set (retired) and stamped with Night of Navy ink onto Balmy Blue cs and die-cut it with the narrow die that I knew would work well for sentiments.  I attached Linen Twine through the open ends to the sentiment strip and added it to the middle of the card.  Taking a look, I realized it would be a great masculine card, and I still needed another Father's Day card for our delayed family Father's Day get together, which would be taking place next week-end.  I didn't want to re-do the die-cut with the twine, so I carefully made a new sentiment on the computer that I could carefully cut and paste over the happy birthday stamping.  It worked perfect...take a look below:

(NOTE: When I say spatulated off, I used an OLD Cricut spatula, which is irreplaceable and works wonders when for this purpose because of its narrow, thin blade,  Unfortunately, Cricut re-designed their spatula over 10 years ago so these old ones are almost impossible to come by!!)

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up:  Night of Navy, Balmy Blue, Basic White cardstocks. Stamp/ Dies--Waves of Inspiration/ Wave Dies; Teeny Tiny Sentiments (retired). Inks--Night of Navy, Pacific Blue, Balmy Blue, *Basic Gray (seagulls). Linen Twine.  Other: Copic markers--T5, T4, T2 (*Handmade seagulls, rather than stamped). Fussy-cutting. Chatterbox sentiment/ verse. Size--4-3/4" x 6."

Farmyard Favorites for Father's Day!

  Father's Day is coming, and the Virtual Stamp Night Mini Sneak Peek was held just a few days ago.  The first one wants your card theme to be farm animals...like in Old MacDonald's farm.  I'm thinking someway I will build a Father's Day card out of this challenge.

My son-in-law is such a good Dad!  His daughter, and my middle granddaughter, was three this past March.  From the time she was three months old, he has taken her to oodles of animal places and events...zoos, summer fairs, petting zoos, etc. You name it, if it's within 50-miles of their location (even on vacation), he will find an animal place to take Sienna.  As a result, she just loves animals, has no fear, and you can see why. Her first favorite was a cow, and one of her first words was moo-moo! 

I'm a lover of "simple" vintage cards (those without too much frou-frou), and for some reason, I've not made many vintage cards in the last few years. I went to my stash, because I remember a vintage cow image that I almost made into a card a few years ago.  I had to scrap the idea at the last minute, because I forgot to take the image and any papers with me to a retreat where I planned to make the card! I had even mounted it on homemade script paper that I made prior to leaving that talks about medieval farming as I needed a computer and printer to do so. Using it now, was just a matter of deciding the layout, design, and papers!  I actually copied my design layout that I used on the replacement card. Take a peek at my finished card below with its vintage slant!

(NOTE: The ribbon peeking out the right side is attached to the gift card holder.  It's a blue ribbon seal for a First Place Dad!)

Ingredients: Stampin' Up: Cardstocks--Early Espresso, Poppy Parade, And Very Vanilla. Patterned DSP--2012-2013 DSP Stack--Wild Wasabi Stripe. Inks--Soft Suede, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip.  Other: Patterned Paper--Medieval English Farming Script (homemade/ink distressed). Vintage Farmyard print (stash). Gems--Robin's Nest DewDrops-Golden. Technique--Short Front Flap Card. Chatterbox computer verse. 4-3/4" x 6."

Easter's Symbol of Salvation!

Moving on to my second Easter card that I found in my "TO DO" box: a previously finished card from a 2018 class card. When I got home from class, I separated the layers with my trusty spatula (OLD Cricut spatula), because I knew I wanted to elaborate on the card when I had time and I didn't want the glue tape to set. The pieces ended up stashed in my "Need to Finish...TO DO Stash" box and promptly forgotten! The original card's design credit goes to Dar Peterson, one of my two SU demonstrator duos.

      

I got out all the pieces and my photo of the original to see if I could remember what I wanted to do different. My changes do not really change the original design look too much, but adds a bit more sparkle and elegance, I think, with more Gold Foil added. I enlarged the card to a 4-3/4" x 6" card from an A2 by making a larger new white card base, adjusting the Blackberry Bliss larger (I used the original for an inside card layer), and cut and inserted a Gold Foil layer before adding the top white embossed card front layer. I also added a Gold Foil scalloped oval below the multi-color stitched dsp layer.

I was really please with the foil additions as it dressed up this lovely card even a bit more by adding more eye-catching metallic sparkle that coordinates with the gold filigree cross.  Now, here's the rub!  I forgot to take a photo of my remodel before popping it in the post for mailing! 

All I got to say is...woe is me, sigh! I bid you to use your imagination to envision how those changes looked as this is a photo of the original design! Take a peek below at it and my inside design and stamped verse:

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up: Cardstock--Blackberry Bliss, Basic White, Gold Foil. Pattern--Painted with Love Specialty dsp (2018 Occasions).  Stamps--You're Inspiring (sentiment); Easter Promise (inside verse). Dies--Cross of Hope Framelits (2018 Occasions/ 2018-19 AC); Stitched Shapes Dies (oval). Petal Burst EF (2018 AC). Other: Brilliance Chalk ink--Gingerbread. Ribbon scrap.

Little Lamb is Coming for Easter!

Easter is coming, and its time to get busy to allow for mailing.  I checked my "Need to Finish...TO DO Stash" to see if any Easter cards lurked that needed finishing.  I found a lamb image already colored and some paper pieces for possible finishing, but I wanted my card a bit bigger than the original card, so I decided to remodel the original design by Liz Thayer.

I kept the cardbase and first layer the same colors but changed the card face from a vanilla to a very soft yellow that I found in my 12x12-inch paper stash.  It was probably one I picked up from either Joanns or Michaels years ago.  There was a little Mint Macaron banner pre-cut, but I decided I wanted it longer.  I wanted to add some ribbon, and found a pretty Offray pink with white dots sheer ribbon that I thought would go nicely.

Take a look below at the finished card inside and out.  That little lamb is just darn cute!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up:  Cardstock--Blushing Bride, Mint Macaron, Crumb Cake. Stamp--Easter Lamb for Baby (2016 Occasions).  Dies--Layering Ovals. Ink--Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Memento Tuxedo Black. Banner Triple punch. Enamel Dot--It's My Party. Other--Soft Yellow Cardstock (stash, Dot paper (stash), Copic markers, Sergeant Colored Pencils, Offray pink-dot sheer ribbon, Uniball Signo White gel pen.

Bringing Comfort in Loss

One of my Splitcoaststamper friends recently lost her mother, and I wanted to send her a sympathy card in the hope of bringing her comfort, knowing that her friends are thinking about her and sending lots of prayers.

I had a challenge I needed to complete that required a clean and simple style card, using only a small percentage of the front card surface.  Now, this is really a challenge for me since clean and simple is definitely not my style, though I often like cards others have done that have this style.  I would certainly agree that this style lends itself well to sympathy cards; therefore, I thought I'd give it a go.

I'm actually pretty happy with my finished card, and I hope my friend will find it brings that comfort and peace I'm hoping for her.  I do have to admit, I just had to add a very petite mat layer border provided by the card base and in a color pulled from the ink-blended, masked circle behind the bird. Take a peek at the finished card below, both inside and out:

Ingredients:  SU Melon Mambo cs, White Metallic Shimmer cs (Amazon). SU stamps: Best Bird (2016-2018). SU dies: Flourish Thinlits (2016-2018/ trimmed). SU Inks: Daffodil Yellow, Calypso Coral, Melon Mambo. Melon Mambo flicked splatters. SU punch: Curvy Corner Trio (2015-2017inside). SU sequins: Iridescent Assortment. SU: Blending Brushes. Wink of Stella/ Clear. Chatterbox sentiment/ verse. Size: 4-1/2 x 6 inches.

Welcome to the World, Evie!

 I recently order and received SU's Sunshine & Rainbows dsp pack. I LOVE this paper, and it immediately gave me a jump-start to make a long overdue "Welcome to the World" card for my third granddaughter, Evie, who was born in November 2019.  Her birth started a four-month long whirlwind of events that kept me away from crafting.  It started with her early arrival by C-section and a 10-day NICU stay; next, my sister's cancer surgery and needed care; then a four-generation, long-planned vacation; and finally COVID!  With the start of Covid, I entered a year-long cardmaking slump...I call it the great Covid card-block! 

 
Long story short, I just made good on my promise to make Evie's welcome to the world card with a unicorn theme.  Unicorns were an absolute must for its theme!  Evie had an IV line in the NICU unit, but because her veins were too small, it was attached through a vein in her head. It stuck up with a gauze prop that made it look very much like a unicorn horn. Ever since, she has been known as our little unicorn baby. This mythical creature has very much made its presence known in room decorations, clothing, bedding, toys, etc. So, naturally, her welcome to the world needed to have a unicorn theme!

I'd been wanting to try a Card-in-a-Box for several years. For some reason this rainbow paper and my unicorn idea just shouted out Card-in-a-Box and with the help of my Splitcoaststamper challenge research, it solidified into this card below, which I'm sure Evie will enjoy and Mom will put it into her Grandma keepsake box for future enjoyment:

Ingredients:  SU Papers: Cardstock--Island Indigo, Tempting Turquoise, Basic White, White Glimmer (unicorn). SU Patterned Dsp--Rainbows & Sunshine (rainbows, clouds; 2022 SAB). SU stamp: Welcome Easter (sentiment). Cottage Cutz die: Sweet Unicorns, Expressions--Baby/ Girl. Lawn Fawn die: Grassy Hillside Borders. SU dies--Brilliant Rainbow (clouds). Punches: 2-3/8" Circle, 2" Circle, 1-1/2" Circle. SU Ink: Island Indigo. SU Embossing Powder: Clear. ClipArt: Dandelionery (Etsy)--#182-Unicorn Rainbow (rainbow--Copic re-color). Paper Pumpkin "So Cool" sun sticker (Copic re-color). Acrylic Window strips (stand-up strips for pop-ups). Copic markers. Rainbow Duct Tape. Glimmer scraps. Size: 4-3/4 x 6 inches.

January Celebrations...Just A Little Bit Late!

I missed a few birthdays in January and here I am playing catch-up!  I think that word, "catch-up" might be imprinted on my DNA!  I'm still finding myself in the mood to search out oldies to use from my stash.  I've decided if I don't think I'm ever going to reuse it (or even use it for the first time), it might be time to send it on to some other pasture, however that old saying goes!  I found an old 2008 wood stamp set a friend gave me.  Since I really don't like wood stamps, it was time to unmount it if I'm going to keep it and use it an even better idea!  I thought I'd give it a go and see how it might fit my card.  Then, I found the 2013 SAB Feeling Sentimental stamp set...I love the penny-farthing bicycle, I and have used it, but not the sentiment "Celebrate," which could be used for this birthday card.  Before letting my creative mojo get ramped up to far, I needed to take a look at my Splitcoaststampers Challenge List to add those guidelines into my thoughts.

With my two stamps in mind, I was able to find 11 SCS challenges that I could use if I designed my card just right!  Take a look at my finished card inside and out after letting all my notes percolate.  I'm hoping the recipient likes her card when it finally arrives!

Ingredients: SU Cardstock--Early Espresso, Pool Party, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla. Patterned DSP--stash scraps. SU Ink--Soft Suede. SU stamps--Eastern Blooms (2008 Fall-Winter), Feeling Sentiment (2013 SAB-sentiment). SU punch--3/4" circle. Lace--stash. Copic marker (pearl coloring). Colorbox Ink--Dark Brown (edge distressing). Chatterbox verse (computer). Size--4-3/4" x 6".

You Can NEVER Have Too Much Happy!

My friend and former co-worker's birthday falls right after Christmas, and here is another example of missing birthday cards due to my loss of creative mojo during Covid!  I was determined to make a card for her this year as I've finally gotten myself been back to my craft table after an 18 mos. hit & miss hiatus!  It was definitely time to get out of my funk!

My friend and I worked together as a team for 13 years as elementary school office staff.  One of our major functions each year was school start-up in my role as the elementary school office manager and she as the student registrar.  A favorite fun thing we looked forward to each year was welcoming our new little kindergarteners with their smiling, happy little faces and cute antics.

With this in mind, I thought she would really enjoy a kindergarten art easel shape for her birthday card.  I remembered an easel template that I've had in my stash for several years, but it was smaller than I wanted as I prefer cards that are 4-3/4 x 6-inches.  Before getting started, I enlarged the template dimensions.  I am really please with my finished easel card.  Take a look below at my finished card with its inside design and my verse completed on the computer! 

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up Products:  Cardstock--Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Crisp Cantaloupe, Soft Sky.  Stamps--Yippee Skippee (sentiment), Hardwood BG. Dies--Floral Fusion Sizzilit. Ink--Baked Brown Sugar, Staz-On White. Patterned Paper--scraps. Punch--Banner. Linen Thread. Basic Pearl--minis. Other: EK punch--Victorian Corners 

Being Strong!

My brother recently lost his wife quite suddenly and unexpectedly!  It was a shock to all of us.  I wanted to send him a Thinking of You card to let him know I'm keeping him in my prayers and thought each and everyday!

This is a CASE of a card designed by Liz Thayer for her class that I attended way back in the fall of 2013.  It has been lurking in my "To Do" stash of partially completed cards needing to be finished.  I made some of my own modifications and changes to enlarge the card, add a bit of sparkle, and change the sentiment as well.  I added a new Natural Ivory card base plus a dark brown glitter mat layer to the already existing Crumb Cake mat layer and my card became a thinking of you card rather than a thank you card.  I also decorated the inside and added my own computer-made verse.

I'm really pleased with the added layers and glitter paper.  It really dressed up the card a lot.  I think my brother will be pleased with his card and really like the inside verse, as it fits the occasion perfectly.  Take a peek below at the finished card inside and out.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks--Naturals Ivory, Crumb Cake, Bashful Blue. Ink--Crumb Cake, Early Espresso. Stamps--Truly Grateful stamps (circle bg, acorns-2013 Holiday). Dies--Window Framelits Collection ((2013-14 Annual). Embossing Folder--Stylish Stripes. Festive Paper Piercing Pack. 1-1/4" Burlap Ribbon. Linen Thread. Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.  Other:  Recollections Signature 12" Assorted Glitter Pad (dark brown). EK punch: Victorian Corner.

Triangle Christmas Trees!

This is a Christmas card design by Luci Kirschbaum from a Stampin' Up card class I attended at the end of September. I brought it home to think about what it needed, if anything, before I felt it was finished.  It has been sitting in my unfinished Christmas cards for well over a month!  It was time revisit it and make up my mind what I wanted to do. . .leave it as is or add something more.

 

The design is geometric, not normally my style especially in a Christmas card, but somehow I found this card very appealing.  I decided I liked it, but maybe it needed a little sparkle and be a bit larger to fit the card size I generally prefer.   I added some rhinestone tree toppers for sparkle and a new Always Artichoke card base, enlarging its size to 4-3/4 x 6-inches.  I do like the sparkle, extra color, and layering that I added to tweak just a little.  See my finished card below:

Ingredients: SU Cardstock--Evening Evergreen, Basic Gray, Always Artichoke. SU 2021 July-Dec Mini: Peaceful Place Specialty DSP & Sweet Little Stockings stamps. SU Dies--Stitched Triangles. SU Ink--Evening Evergreen. SU Embossing Folder--Evergreen Forest 3D. SU Basic Rhinestones. Colorbox Charcoal ink distressing (trees). Chatterbox computer verse.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

October Birthday with Paper Pumpkin--March 2021--Here's to You Alternative #2!

 

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up Products-- Cardstock/ Papers: Old Olive, Pretty Peacock, Basic White, Paper Pumpkin March 2021 - Here's to You--envelope inserts used as dsp. Stamps: Itty Bitty Birthdays. Ink: Pretty Peacock, Early Espresso. Other-- Punch: EK Medium Victorian Corners. Chatterbox verse (computer). Technique: Front Flap Fold. Size: 4-3/4x6-1/4-inches.

THE CONSTRUCTION STORY

This will be my second alternative card for the Paper Pumpkin March 2021 kit, Here's To You.  You might remember that alternative cards are my goal and personal challenge when making up my Paper Pumpkin kits.

Once again, I fussy-cut, layered, and sponged to get more depth, color, shadowing, texture and definition from the flat scenic papers provided in the kit.  I used the sunset scene again and coordinating cardstock colors in greens, blues, and blue-green to give my card a more masculine look.  This card will be for my son-in-law's October birthday.  Instructions for building your card follow.

1. I planned a Front Side Overlay Flap Fold (aka Front Flap Fold) design with a square flap and three layers, using the mountain sunrise scene from the kit. (Note: Use the finished card picture as your guide throughout the construction process).

2. Here are the cutting dimensions for my card paper, which is for a 4-3/4 x 6-inches finished size:

--Cardbase = Old Olive = 9-1/2" x 4-3/4".  Score at 3-1/2" to form the Front Fold, which leaves a 6" Inside base.

--Inside Middle Layer/ Middle Fold Layer = Pretty Peacock:.  Inside Middle:  Cut to 5-3/4" x 4-1/2".  Front Middle Fold: Cut to 3-1/4" x 4-1/2".

--DSP Layers--Inside /  DSP Front Top Fold:  DSP Inside: Cut to 5-1/2" x 4-1/4".  DSP Front Top Fold: Cut to 3" x 4-14".

--Overlay Flap Square Layers:  Bottom Overlay Flap = Old Olive: Cut to 3-1/2" x 3-1/2".

--Middle Overlay Flap (layer) = Pretty Peacock: : 3-1/4" x 3-1/4" square. 

 

--Top Overlay Flap (mountain-sunrise scene in this card):  Cut two to a 3" x 3" square, removing all the the Petal Pink cardstock framing from arount the scene.

3.  From one mountain-sunrise scene, fussy-cut the sun and its background to remove the lower half of the scene at the mountains.  With Pretty Peakcock ink, ink-distress and sponge lightly along the top edges of the mountains.  This gives the mountains more color, shadowing, and depth.  Set aside.

4. From the second mountain-sunrise scene that is still untouched, carefully fussy-cut off the Old Olive trees from the bottom of the scene.  Working with the Old Olive fussy-cut treets, ink-distress the edges and sponge the surfaces with Old Olive ink.  Set the remaining scene, from which you removed these trees, and the fussy-cut trees.

5. Glue the fussy-cut mountains, created in #3 above, onto the mountain-sunrise scene, created in #4 above, so the top mountains are slightly lower than the bottom layer of mountains. This will give the mountains more texture and definition.  When the gluing is complete, you will have one mountain-sunrise scene unit.

6. Glue the Old Olive fussy-cut trees, created and sponged in #4 above, to the scene completed in #5 above.  (Note: This completed unit will be used for form the 3-1/2" square Front Overlay Flap.)

7. From the kit, sponged one set of die-cut evergreen trees and their land base with Pretty Peacock ink to add texture and depth.  Glue them, starting at the left side, across the bottom of the scene.  They will overlay part of the Olive Green trees (see card picture).  Finally, with Early Espresso ink, stamp a set birds flying near the mountains.

Just an FYI, here is the kit design version using this sunrise-mountain scene:

An Abstract Whimsy Christmas!

Here is a Christmas card for those who like a bold, abstract geometric flair with lots of bright and vibrant colors!  I like the design style, but usually not for Christmas cards, especially in such a non-traditional color combination!  (But, it actually grew on me as I worked with it!)

Ingredients:  All Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Night of Navy, Polished Pink, Mossy Meadow. DSP--Whimsy Wonder Specialty. Vellum--2021-23 In-Color Shimmer Vellum.  Dies--Layering Circles, Whimsical Trees, Christmas Trees. Ink--Polished Pink.  Wink of Stella-Clear.  Chatterbox computer verse (inside).  Size 4-3/4 x 6-inches.

 CONSTRUCTION NOTES WITH A STORY!

This is the first of four cards to be completed from a Christmas card class I attended this month.  Its original design was by one of our hostesses, Luci Kirschbaum.   Abstract Christmas cards are really out of my comfort zone, so it took time working with it before I began to appreciate its bold, totally non-traditional colors and abstract geometric design!  I loved the elements and dies Luci used in her composition, and I really like the changes that I made.

I started by switching the striped paper from a left vertical strip to an angled quasi-banner and built my card from there.  It was handy that I brought my mini-paper cutter with me to class!  The positioning of other elements are somewhat the same as Luci's, though I moved my tree a bit to the left and threw on a few more stars.  In addition, I added a new and larger framing card base in Blueberry Bushel.  I really liked this color addition as I was able to achieve my love of a larger card, plus the blue softened the bold colors and brought out the blue in the dsp stripes, which I liked.

A Sea Life Birthday to You!

 My daughter-in-law's birthday is in a few days, so I needed to get busy with a card.  My son built her a fish pond in their backyard a few years ago, so I thought a card using the new Stampin' Up Seascape stamps and Sea Life dies, which includes a koi-style fish, would make a great card!  I saw two cards that gave me great ideas for using this stamp and die set.

I borrowed some of the colors and card design from Luci Kirschbaum's Sea Life card from a card class from several months ago, plus from SCS Featured Stamper ksenzak1/ Karen Ksenzakovic's Sparkly Fish Birthday card.  Here is a link to my card with a link in challenge #7 to Karen's card: (under construction).

I used the school of fish stamp, bubbles, and the small fish and sparkly goldfish dies from idea cards.  My card changed up the fish and bubble layout, plus I added a gold foil die-cut mat, and  grassy overlays for more texture and dimension.  I wanted depth and texture in my card without using the diorama dies, so I added a wonky stitching gold foil mat layer and two-layer sea grass to the card front.  I accomplished the grass overlays by stamping the first layer onto the card front with a very light stamp-off technique.   I also stamped my fish schools and water bubbles at this point as well.  Then, I  stamped a second set of sea grass onto scrap cardstock and fussy-cut each blade overlaying with a slight offset onto those already stamped on the card front.  Now I was ready to add the die-cut fish, my goldfish, the bubble gems and the happy birthday sentiment.  Take a peak below at the finished card plus the inside design and verse.  I think Ginger will be pleased with her pond-life card!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Mint Macaron, Just Jade, Bumblebee, Gold Foil, Very Vanilla.  Stamps--Seascape, Peaceful Moments (sentiment).  Dies--Sea Life, Stitched So Sweetly (sentiment).  Ink--Mint Macaron (fish/ bubbles), Tranquil Tide (grasses--stamped off, sentiment).  Genial Gems--mint macaron, pale papaya.  Other:  EK Punch--Victorian Corners.  Reverse Confetti--All Framed Up Confetti Dies.

Non-Traditional Christmas Dove!

More Christmas cards to do!!  This card's original design idea came from my Stampin' Up hostess duo's 2020 Covid Christmas Card Make-It @ Home Kits, by Dar Peterson.  It was time to get the last card finished and posted.  I tweaked the card to fit the ideas circulating in my head: enlarged the card, tweaked the dove placement, added more gems, more silver foil, and changed-up color layers...  explanations below:

I scrapped the white cardbase, changing to the dove's Roccoco Rose and enlarging the card to 4-3/4" x 6", which I prefer.  I enlarged my border layers to 1/4" on the bottom two color layers.  I added a silver foil sentiment backing to coordinate with the silver olive branch in the dove's beak.  I added three vertical rhinestones to the upper left corner, coordinating with those in the sentiment.

As I "tweaked and built" this card, its color scheme grew on me.  At first, I wasn't sure I even like it, though I loved the card design.  Now, several months later, I actually really liked it!  Thanks Dar for the original card design and always encouraging us to change-up, tweak, and "build" our cards to fit our own creativity!  See my finished card below: 

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks--Roccoco Rose, Gray Granite, Whisper White.  Ink--Gray Granite.  Patterned Paper--In Good Taste dsp.  Stamps/ Dies--Dove of Hope (sentiment)/ Detailed Dove, Wreath Builder, Ornate Frames (sentiment shape).  Basic Rhinestones.  Recycle: Silver Foil (from package backing).

Magical Birthday Wishes!

My oldest daughter's birthday is at the end of June, but we delayed her family birthday celebration until mid-July as my husband (her father) had knee replacement on her birthday, and a week later, he ended up returning to the hospital for another week with gastric complications.  By mid-July, we were ready to host a barbecue to celebrate Michele and her Dad's continued recovery.  Needless to say, I needed to finish her birthday card!

I have written several times about our little unicorn, Michele's 20-month old, little daughter, so dubbed during her stay in the NICU after her birth.  Because her veins were so small, her care team inserted her intravenous application into a vein in her head, which stuck up almost straight up, giving her the look of a unicorn with its cute little horn.  My inspiration for Michele's card came from this scenario.  I have acquired a multitude of stamps and dies with a unicorn theme because of this story that became part of our lives, and I thought it time the mother of our unicorn received her very own  unicorn card!  Take a look at Michele's finished card both inside and out!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  apers--Bermuda Bay cs, White Glimmer, Vellum. Stamps (2019-21)--Leave a Little Sparkle, New Wonders. Dies--Stitched Shapes--sm. circle. Embossing Powder--White. Ink--Smokey Slate. Ribbon--1/4" Snowflake Splendor (2020 Holiday). Wink of Stella-Clear. Glitter--Iridescent (ret.)  Other: Paper--Recollections 12x12--Mom's Diner/ Salt. Copic Markers. EK punch--Victorian Corners. Chatterbox Computer Verse. Size: 4-3/4 x 6-inches.

Batter Up! Father's Day Alternative #3

My third Father's Day card needed is for my husband!  Guess what!  It will be Alternative #3 card using the May 2021 Paper Pumpkin - Batter Up!  As you have all probably realized by now, an Alternative card using any kit is one that you make your own design using either all kit elements or part kit elements and part other elements.  It is not a reproduction of the card designs provided in the kit itself, although it could possibly be a you CASE one of the original kit designs.  I see a lot of cardmakers like myself who are obviously challenged to make their own designs rather than use those provided.

My Batter Up! cards have all used additional cardstocks and patterned papers, because we live fairly close to Seattle, Washington where the Seattle Mariners play, and their team colors are not at all similar to the colors provided in the kit, except luckily the die-cut sentiments are in a sponged gray background with blue-inked sentiments.  Both of these colors are part of the Mariners colors, but the reds, yellow-golds, and kraft colors also in the kit do not fit so well.  

One die-cut was a replica of a trading card with yellow-gold framing and the word League in red.  I wanted to use this for my husband's card, so I used a black Sharpie to very carefully re-color League.  Success!  I did NOT color outside the lines!  I fussy-cut off the yellow-gold frame and re-mounted it onto a two-layered panel set in navy blue and a Mariners green patterned paper.  I stamped "DAD" from the Hats Off stamp set in the current SU annual catalog and popped it on my newly framed trading card,  The baseball hat was stamped with the kit stamp set onto navy blue cardstock and outlined in a Black Journal pen.  I was able to use one of the patterned card front panels provide in the kit...a blue and light gray mottled white pin stripes., plus added some cardstock layers below.  Take a peek at my finished card...inside and out!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Night of Navy, Tranquil Tide, Smokey Slate (inside). Patterned Paper--Regals 6x6 dsp-Shaded Spruce (2019-20). Stamps--Hats Off (stamp-DAD). Ink--Tranquil Tide, Balmy Blue (hat stamping). Paper Pumpkin/June 2021--Batter Up! Kit--pin-striped paper, stamps (hat), Baseball Card die-cut (modified).  Gems--Glitter Enamel Dots (Copic colored Dk. Blue). Journal Pen-Black (hat markings).  Other: Papertrey die--To Die for Sentiments/-Happy Father's Day (inside). EK Punch--Victorian Corners. Colorbox Ink--Charcoal (ink distressing).  Wink of Stella--Clear. Size--4-3/4x6 inches.

Batter Up! Father's Day Alternative #2

 My second Father's Day card will be for my son-in-law.  Once again, I will use the May 2021 Paper Pumpkin - Batter Up! card kit, but making my own Alternative #2 card design totally unrelated to those provided in the kit.  I will use the Seattle Mariners as the theme for this card as I did on the card for my son.

I will use papers and inks not provided in the kit for the Seattle Mariners team colors, as the kits was off on another color journey totally unrelated to Mariner colors.  I was able to use the pocket die-cut, baseball, bats, and the stamps provided in the kit.  I also used the SU - Hats Off / Hat Builder stamps for the #1 (stamp) and the baseball hat (a die).  Take a peek at my finished card.  I think Josh will like it.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Night of Navy, Tranquil Tide (inside) Smokey Slate (inside). Patterned Paper--Regals 6x6 dsp-Shaded Spruce (2018-19). Stamps/ Dies--Hats Off/ Hat Builder dies (stamp-#1+die-hat). Ink--Tranquil Tide. Paper Pumpkin/June 2021--Batter Up! Kit--stamps, baseball, bats, gray pocket.  Gems--Glitter Enamel Dots (Copic colored Dk. Blue).  Other: Papertrey die--To Die for Sentiments/-Happy Father's Day (inside). EK Punch--Victorian Corners.  Copic Markers.  Wink of Stella--Clear. Size--4-3/4x6 inches.

Batter Up! Father's Day Alternative #1

When I got my May 2021 Paper Pumpkin - Batter Up!, it was all about baseball.  Right then and there, I decided I needed to use the kit to make my Father's Day cards!   Father's Day will soon be upon us and I have three cards to make, so I'd best get started.

The team in our neighborhood is the Seattle Mariners.  The Mariners colors are: Navy, Metallic Silver (gray), Northwest Green (teal-tone green), and Cream, with the accent color Mariner's Yellow.  Unfortunately, the Paper Pumpkin kit colors are navy, red, golden yellow, pacific blue, gray, kraft, and white; therefore, all three of my card will be my own alternative designs for sure, as the kit designs are sure to use colors that do not fit our team colors!

My first card will be for my youngest son, and he is long-time Mariners baseball fan.  His card is definitely my own design and not even close to a CASE of any kit design.  These are the kit materials that I've used:  four precut die-cuts--the "All Star tag," two bats, and a baseball, plus kit stamps for baseball cap and DAD sentiment.  Added materials are:  navy cardstock, gray cardstock, green teal-tone dsp, wood plank stamp, ink (SU: Tranquil Tide, Balmy Blue), and epoxy stars (Copic colored green).  I'm pretty happy with the results, and I think my son will be pleased...take a peek below:

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Night of Navy, Smokey Slate, Tranquil Tide (inside). Patterned Paper--Regals 6x6 dsp-Shaded Spruce (2019-20). Ink--Tranquil Tide, Smokey Slate, Balmy Blue (hat stamping). Paper Pumpkin/June 2021--Batter Up! Kit--stamps, baseball, bats, All Star die-cut.  Stars--Itty Bitty Epoxy Accents (Copic colored Dk. Green). Journal Pen-Black (hat markings).  Other: MFT Stamp--6x6 BG--Wood Plank. Papertrey die--To Die for Sentiments/-Happy Father's Day (inside). EK Punch--Victorian Corners.  Colorbox--Chestnut Roan (ink distressing).  Wink of Stella--Clear. Size--4-3/4x6 inches.