Deborah's Card Exchange

This was my card I sent off to my friend Dawn for the card exchange. Deborah provides three challenges one is color, another sketch and last a theme.

The colors were various shades of green and purple. I immediately thought of my Flourishes violets stamp set. This is what I created with that in mind.

These were colored using my watercolor pencils and accented with stickles. The centers of the flowers are accented with these glittery pearls. I have had them for awhile but didn't have anywhere to use them. After I added the stickles they fit right in. :)

The background is a sizzix embossing folder. The die cuts are both nestabilities.

I laid the die cut over the image after I had stamped and colored and sponged around the frame to create the white border.

The white frame on the large die cut was traced around the outside of the die and hand cut.

I hope you have a lovely day. (Forecast here is for about 6 - 10 more inches of snow by end of tomorrow.) I guess that is why I keep creating spring flower cards. Trying to inspire mother nature to give up on the snow and start moving towards spring.

Have a lovely day!

Suzz

Gift Card Holder

The Hero Arts Blog Challenge for this week and next is gift card holders. I decided to use up a labels 8 shape sitting on my desk to create the gift card holder and then attach it to a card.

The gift card sits in the labels 8 shape and I tied a ribbon around it to be the accent on the top and to allow them to pull it from the slot. This is what it looks like when the gift card is removed.

The background is created using two Hero Arts stamps. One is from a Christmas Borders Clear set and the other is a Poinsettia stamp. The leaves are stamped using Memento Bamboo Leaves and the flowers are stamped using Versafine Toffee.

The tag sentiment is Amuse and is inked up partially several time to make it fit my circle tag.

Thanks for stopping by...

Suzz

Our Christmas Card

This is our family Christmas card or at least half of them. I usually like to have 2 different cards to send out to our family and friends. This is one of them.

I had this idea to use this stamp and color it and then take it to our local copy store and replicate it to save some time.

The stamp is from Serendipity Stamps. I used my copics to color the main images and sponged the edges with Memento Soft Plum.

Products:

• Serendipty Stamps
• Memento Soft Plum
• Copics
• Ranger Stickles - Crystals
• Nestabilities - Labels
• Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Snowflakes

Going to be a little slow on the creativity this week as I am working in another town in all day meetings which means long commute times. :(

Thanks for stopping by..

Suzz

Impression Obsession Challenge - White

The Impression Obsession Challenge this week is White. I love all-white cards. Since I don't own many IO stamps for the holidays, I decided to use a lovely house image (H1745) and stamp it in grey...

Yup! Not in grey... :) I stamped it and played with it and decided I wanted more emphasis so I pulled out my plum and this is where we ended up. There are little snowflakes entwined into the ribbon and glitter everywhere the snow should be.

Very simple and much prettier and softer in real life. (I promise)

Products:

• Memento - Soft Plum
• Spellbinders Nestabilities Label 8
• Impression Obsession H1745 (Cling Mount)
• Glitter
• Glue Pen
• EK Success - Snowflake Punch
• Purple Stones, Ribbon - Unknown
• Cuttlebug Snowflake Embossing Folder

I am off to play with more tags!

Suzz

A busy weekend...

We have had a really busy weekend... Track meet, soccer game, baseball practice, SRE and birthday parties. (One of which was hosted at our house for family for our 2 oldest) You name it we have done it... I only had time to work on one card which was supposed to be for Kwerner's color challenge, but I think the colors might be a little off so I might play with the colors again. The colors for the challenge were red, brown, yellow, turquoise, and white.

This stamp is from Rubber Stampede. I forgot I even had it and was digging out a stamp to send off and found it and thought "Oh I have to play with this again".

The shapes are from the nestabilities and I actually stamped the image twice to be able to get 3 shapes cut out.

Products:

• Rubber Stampede - Wild Rose Background
• Nestabilities
• Versafine - Vintage Sepia
• Watercolor Pencils
• Stampabilities - Happy Birthday 01
• B Line - Lace Background
• Ranger Distress Inks - Broken China

Thanks as always for stopping by... I appreciate all your comments and visits!

Suzz

Window Cards...

The challenge on the Hero Arts Blog this week is window cards... I spent a little time today putting together a little book/card. This has 4 pages and the die cut was put through 3 of the pages to create 3 windows with acetate attached to the three pages. This gives you a window to the back of the card. This card was difficult to get a good picture of which wasn't helped by the gusts of wind we had today in addition to the clouds. :)

The middle and back of card looks like this:


Recipe:

1. Cut 2 rectangles from tan carsdtock 4" x 8". Score to form to mini cards 4" x 4"
2. Lay the 3 front pages centered on the diecut shape and cut out window.
3. Cut 3 pieces of transperancy 3 3/4" x 3 3/4".
4. Cut 3 pieces of tan cardstock 3 3/4" x 3 3/4". Cut out the center of the tan cardstock using the same diecut. This is to cover up the back of each page where the acetate is attached.
5. Stamp the front of the pages with wood grain using brown ink.
6. Attach the acetate to the pages.
7. Stamp the branches on each page using StazOn ink across the frame and acetate. (Tips: Start with Image on back and work forward by laying acetate over stamped image on back. This will help prevent too much overlap on images seen through acetate.)
8. Die-cut a white piece of cardstock in the same shape slightly larger for the back page.
9. Cut a piece of orange cardstock 3 3/4" x 3 3/4" to attach to the last page of the card.
10. Attach the two scored cards using glue dots.
11. Stamp owls and color and cut out to attach to the various pages on acetate.
12. Accent flowers on the stamped images with prima flowers.
13. Add color to stamped image using color pencils.

Products:

• Hero Arts - Sparkle Design - You Hoo Owls
• Hero Arts - Flower and Leaf Branch
• Hero Arts - Wood Finish
• StazOn - Timber Brown
• Versafine - Vintage Sepia
• Prima Flowers
• Primsa Color Pencils
• Nestabilities - Spellbinders Labels
• Gems

Thanks for stopping by...

Suzz

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone... This is a time for family and thankfulness. I am very thankful for my family and friends.

I was just going to post my entry for this weeks Hero Arts challenge and went to pull the link forgetting that today they announce the winners from last week challenge. Much to my surprise I won first place for last weeks challenge! Yeah! Something else to be thankful for today.

This weeks Hero Arts challenge http://heroarts.com/blogs/club/2008/11/24/a-mouthwatering-monday-with-the-web-artists/ is last minute gifts. This card started to come together as a gift card holder or money holder.

This is the full card put together:

This is the card with the inside tag pulled slightly out and with the gift card peaking out.

Here is a picture with both pieces together to show how they look individually.

Recipe:

Outside Card

1. Cut white cardstock 6 3/4" x 4 3/4". Ink Script Stamp with Antique Linen and stamp across 1/2 of the white cardstock.
2. Cut white cardstock 6 3/4" x 3 1/2". Cut patterned paper 6 3/4" x 3 1/2". Ink Flourishes stamp with Milled Lavender and stamp on patterned paper. Attach the patterned paper to the white cardstock.
3. Cut olive green carsdtock 1" x 6 3/4". Cut white cardsotck 1" x 6 3/4". Ink lace stamp using Versafine Vintage Sepia and stamp along edge of white cardstock. Cut out edge of lace.
4. Attach olive green cardstock to top of the patterned paper. Pop Up lace border and attach to center of olive green strip.
5. Cut out 2 1/2" Oval Scalloped Nestability from white cardstock. Emboss edges. Stamp vines and sentiment using light green ink onto scalloped oval cardstock. Lay the acrylic block over the oval. Line up the clear branches and leaves stamp to arrange it in an oval position. After I inked it I wiped off some of the ends to limit the length they ran around the sides of the oval. Ink the dove with the sepia and stamp in the nest of branches and leaves. Sponge the edges of the scallop with brown ink.
6. Attach the oval to the center of the lace.
7. Attach the patterned paper section to the script background. Apply tape around the bottom edge and sides.

Inside Tag:

1. Cut olive green carsdtock 6" x 4 1/2". Punch the doily lace border along one edge.
2. Cut white cardstock 3 1/2" x 5 3/4". Ink flourishes with light lavendar and stamp on white cardstock. Attach flourish background to bottom edge and centered on green cardstock.
3. Cut olive green cardstock 5 3/4" x 2 1/2". Punch border using cornice border punch.
4. Cut patterned paper 5 3/4" x 1 1/4". Ink flourishes with light lavender and stamp on patterned paper.
5. C
6. Cut 3 1/4" x 2 1/2" scalloped rectangle from white cardstock. Stamp sentiment and branches and leaves using light green ink. Sponge edges with brown ink.
7. Attach patterned paper to green cardstock. Attach bottom half of scallop to patterned paper and green cardstock.
8. Attach the green cornice piece only taping around the bottom edges and the side. this forms your inside pocket for gift card or money.

Products:

• Hero Arts - Lace (Stamp set)
• Hero Arts - Sparkle Clear - Hello Birdie
• Hero Arts - DesignBlock Flourish
• Hero Arts - Clear Design - Classic Christmas Borders
• Hero Arts - Old French Writing
• Hero Arts - Sparkle Clear - Holiday Messages
• Hero Arts - Pearls
• BasicGrey - Wassail - Sleigh Ride
• Memento - New Sprout, Rich Cocoa
• Versafine - Vintage Sepia
• Ranger Distress Inks - Milled Lavender, Antique Linen
• Spellbinders Nestabilities - Scalloped Rectangle, Scalloped Oval

Happy Thanksgiving!

Snowman and Snowflakes

I bought this beautiful paper from Basic Grey which was my inspiration for this card:



Recipe:

1. Cut card from brown cardstock. (5 x 7)
2. Cut olive green cardstock 3 x 7.
3. Cut patterned paper 2 x 7. Punch the scalloped border along the edge of the PP.
4. Cut a small strip of the brown cardstock to edge the left side of the pp.
5. Punch 7 snowflakes from the pp and 1 from the olive green cardstock.
6. Stamp sentiment on pp. Cut olive green and brown mat for the sentiment. I actually cut the brown edge with my rotary cutter using the scalloped edge. This was then cut to the little strip that you see with gems.
7. Stamp the snowman on white carstock using stazon olive green ink. Shade the snowman with brown watercolor pencil. Color the nose with the orange watercolor pencil. Color the band of the hat with light green watercolor pencil. Blend all the colored areas with a water brush.
8. Stamp the snowman on an old book page and on the pp. Cut out the hat and brim from the old paper and the scarf from the pp.
9. Cut out the watercolored snowman and attach the hat, brim and scarf.
10. Pop dot the snowman on a piece of patterned paper and mount on olive green cardstock.
11. Die cut the scalloped rectangle from brown cardstock and mount the snowman image and paper to the scalloped rectangle.
12. Assemble the card. Tie sheer white ribbon to the card and attach snowflakes with green gems in the center.
13. Accent the brim of the snowmans hat with gems.
14. Accent the scalloped edge of the sentiment with gems.

Products:

• Kaiser Craft- Gems (I love the adhesive on these gems. You also get quite of few of each size)
• Hero Arts - Clear Design Warmest Winter Wishes
• Basic Grey - Wassail - Snowdust
• Ribbon Unknown
• Spellbinders Nestabilities - Scalloped Rectangles
• Martha Stewart - Cornice Edge Punch
• Martha Stewart - Arctic Snowflake Punch

TFL!

Dragonflies...

Still playing with patterned paper but went a different route... Green and Blue...

I have this pretty paper from Basic Grey that reminds me of lilypads. I had started a card with frogs and a pond made from this paper and ended up doing this instead. :)

I actually cut out two scalloped rectangles and decided to use the frames of the scallops instead of the cut outs. It is hard to tell on this picture but that is actually the cut-outs of the die cuts.

Recipe:

1. Cut 2 rectangles of cardstock in green and blue to use to cut the scalloped rectangles.
2. After the scalloped rectangles are cut use the pieces they were cut from to create the top frame and attach to the inside frame.
3. Cut a piece of white cardstock to the size of the inside frame. Stamp the flowers, dragonflies and stems onto the white cardstock.
4. Using the sponge daubers ink up with the blue and in a circular motion starting off the cardstock and moving onto the white cardstock smear the blue on the top half of the white cardstock. Using the green sponge dauber do the same on the bottom. Mix a little green and blue into the top and bottom halves of the picture. Leave the center lighter in color.
5. I also sponged the edges of my background pieces to give it a more cohesive feeling.
6. Cut all other pieces and round the edges of the cards and background pieces using the corner rounder.
7. Sponge the edges of the background papers using the green and blue used in the center.
8. Stamp dragonflies on white cardstock with same ink as the original picture. Cut out using very fine scissors. :O
9. Add stickles (Light Green) to the circles on the flowers and on the swirls on the dragonflies. I also added some gel pen to the stems of the flowers as the ink didn't show up as much as I would have liked.
10. Assemble and mount.. I did put foam dots between the frame and the picture to give it depth and when I affixed the dragonflies I also did the same with them.

Products:

• Hero Arts - Dragonflies (This set was a special set made for Archiver's)
• Hero Arts - Kaleidoscope Flowers
• Hero Arts - Lily Pad Greetings
• Versafine - Majestic Blue
• Memento - New Sprout
• Memories - Sky
• Basic Grey - Phoebe Pier 39
• Gems, Ribbon Unknown
• Spellbinder Nestabilities - Scalloped Rectangles

Thanks for Looking!

Finally... Some ink time....

The Hero Arts Blog Challenge this week is to use Patterned Paper.... http://heroarts.com/blogs/club/2008/10/13/kicking-off-our-all-star-paper-week-with-ki-memories/


Patterned Paper... I find it lovely but usually prefer to make my own backgrounds using stamps... So this is more challenging for me than some of the other challenges...


Here is my first attempt:

Recipe:

1. Cut card from brown cardstock 11" x 5 1/2". Fold in half and score.
2. Cut patterned paper to 5 1/4" x 5 1/4".
3. Cut pink square at 5 1/4" x 5 1/4" . Emboss all the way around. I then trimmed it down to the edges of the embossing. When I embossed I lined up the edge of the folder with the edge of my paper.
4. Using sponge inked with brown dye ink smear ink on the embossing and edge the pink cardstock with brown dye ink.
5. Using the nestabilities circle scallops cut a light pink circle with the largest die and a brown circle with the next largest die. Sponge brown ink around the edges of the pink scalloped circle.
6. Cut 3 3/4 x 3 3/4" square from brown cardstock and 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" square from maroon cardstock.
7. Cut a 3" diameter circle from glossy cardstock.
8. Ink up the stamp with the versacolor opera pink all over the stamp. Ink up the stamp lightly on edges with brown inks and on the birds.
9. Stamp image on the glossy cardstock circle.
10. Clear Emboss the stamped images.
11. Sponge light pink in across the glossy cardstock. Sponge wild plum ink around the edges. Spong the edges with brown ink.
12. Color pearls with brown sharpie permanent ink. Affix to the centers of the flowers.
13. Mount all pieces and tie bow across the inner squares.

Products:

• Memento - Rich Cocoa Dye Ink
• Versacolor - Opera Pink
• Adirondack Brights - Wild Plum
• Crystal Stickers - Pearls
• Sharpie Permanent Marker - Brown
• Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Just my Type
• BasicGrey Paper - Figgy Pudding - Pepperberry
• Spellbinders Nestabilities - Scallop Circles
• Hero Arts - K4892 CardArt Decorative Birds
• Michaels Ribbon
• Versamark Watermark
• JoAnn's Clear Embossing Powder

Thanks for visiting...

Happy Birthday...

I keep trying to make a masculine card... The problem is when I get done there is bling, ribbons, sparkle... This card was intended for my dad and when it was done I think it is too pretty. :(

I made a second attempt and I still think it isn't right... Maybe I will make one and stop after the basics.

At least the colors are good. :)




Products:

• Hero Arts - Scroll Tree
• Stampendous - Tapestry
• Hero Arts - Good Things Message
• Nestabilities - Rectangle Scalloped
• Crystal stickers Gems
• Ranger Distress Ink - Peeled Paint
• StazOn Solvent Ink - Timer Brown
• Ribbon Michaels
• Ranger Distress Inks - Tattered Roses (Spritzed on the background of the larger tapestry stamped image)
• Small Circle Punch
• The Paper Studio - Corner Punch

Thanks for looking!

Three Little Angels

I recently acquired this beautiful stamp from Stampendous. I love the little angels they remind me of illustrations from children's books.

I couldn't wait to color the little girls carrying the tree.

There is not much recipe to this card other than coloring the girls with watercolor pencils and using a waterbrush to smooth the colors together. I did apply the versamark everywhere and clear embossed the picture to make the colors pop.

Products:

• Stampendous - M227 Cherub Tree Trio
• Stampendous Clear Embossing Powder
• Versamark Watermark Ink
• Penny Black 373B Wondrous
• General Kimberly Water Color Pencils
• Versamagic Chalk Ink - Sea Breeze
• Versafine Pigment Ink - Smokey Grey
• Stickles - Blue
• Hobby Lobby - Snowflake Charm
• Michael's Celebrate Holiday Ribbon
• Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Swiss Dots, Snowflakes
• Spellbinders Nestabilities - Rectangle Scallops
  
  Thanks for stopping by!

Away for awhile...

I have been in meetings every day which takes me 1 1/2 hours each way and then get home and run to student curriculum nights, baseball, gymnastics... you name it... So I am very deprived of my stamping. I am going to stock up this weekend with my projects (hopefully) so next week won't be as bad.. (Although, I am going to be in meetings every day again all week)... (Boo Hoo)


Hero Arts weekly challenge this week is all about yourself. http://heroarts.com/blogs/club/2008/09/08/a-day-in-the-life/ Either to scrap a page about yourself or make a journal... I decided to make a few journals.


I made one for a girl who is going to be in the hospital for an extended stay. I am going to send this with some colored pencils. Her name is Breanna.






Recipe:

1. Spritz randomly across a piece of white cardstock Lemon Zest Glimmer Mist. Spritz in the white areas Patina Glimmer Mist. Using a white paper towel smear together the colors.
2. Ink the flourish stamp with versafine deep lagoon and stamp randomly across the dried yellow/teal background.
3. Ink the flower stamp with deep lagoon pigment ink and stamp randomly across the background.
4. Using a white gel pen trace around the edges of the flourishes. Add dots around the edge of the flourishes on the other sides. Accent all areas of the flourish with gel pen. (Either dots or lines) Outline or dot white gel pen around the flowers.
5. Tie the ribbon around the patterned paper into a knot.
6. Cut scalloped circle from Marvy Uchida Blue Scalloped cirlce punch using teal cardstock.
7. Cut a scrap from the patterned paper using the smallest nestibilities scalloped circle punch.
8. Cut a teal circle from the 1 1/4" circle punch and cut a 1" circle from the leftover paper from the patterned paper. Cut a teal circle from a 3/4" circle bunch.
9. Cover the chipboard B with Light Green Stickles.
10. Mount all circles and scallops together and accent with dots of teal / light green stickles.
11. Attach horseshoe charm to the knot.
12. Pull a sheet of the paper including the circles/perforated edges from inside of the notebook. This is the template for the measurments for the cover of the book as well as where you need to cut the slits in the cover to be able to put it in between the rings of the notebook.
13. Cut your background paper to the full size. Cut the patterned background 1/4" smaller all around. Mount the patterened paper to the teal cardstock. Lay the sheet of paper from inside the notebook on the two papers together and cut slits into the patterned paper mounted on the teal paper where the holes were in the paper.
14. Glue down the paper to the front cover from the bottom to the rings. Push the pieces that are slit between the rings.
    

Products:

• Ranger Stickles
• Hero Arts Clear Designs - CL233 Flower Blossom Borders
• Hero Arts E4813 - Flourish Flower
• Chipboard Letters - Unknown
• Ribbon - Michaels, Hobby Lobby
• Charm - Blue Moon - Lost & Found
• Signo Uni-Ball White Gel Pen
• Hero Arts Gemstones
• Kaiser Gemstones
• Spellbinders Nestabilities Scallop Circle
• Marvy Uchida Scallop Punch
• EK Success Circle Punches
• Tattered Angels - Glimmer Mists - Patina, Lemon Zest

Butterscotch and Lettuce...

Probably not something you would want to eat... :) But I think the alcohol inks together make a beautiful combination.


I mixed the colors together and decided to create 2 cards from the one background. The other card is off for submission.


I made my family vote on which card was submitted and which ended up on the blog.


It was a close call as the other card has buttons and my older daughter doesn't like them very much on cards.. But this card ended up here.

Recipe:

1. Pull a piece of glossy cardstock. Put 3 drops of lettuce alcohol ink on the felt on the applicator. Add 3 drips of blending solution. Smear the entire glossy cardstock using circular motions with green ink. Drip Blending solution directly on the inked cardstock in various places. Drip lettuce in various spots on the surface. Drip Butterscotch in various places on the cardstock. Bring back the blending solution and drip between colors to start the blend and the blurriness. At the end I put blending solution on a new piece of felt on my applicator and dab all over where I think the edges of my drips are too strong in color or don't blend well. It softens the background.
2. Stamp the flowers using StazOn Ink (Timber Brown, Olive Green). Stagger the flowers to give different layers of wildflowers.
3. Using the Signo Uni-Ball White Gel Pen outline the flowers and add details to make the flowers pop even more.
4. The only other unusual thing on here was I used my brown StazOn ink to change the color of the ribbon. I had a orange sheer organza ribbon that was too orange for the colors I was trying to blend. I laid it down on scrap paper and smeared the ink pad on the length of ribbon needed to create a bow. This gave it a slightly iridescent look as it changes from orange to brown depending on the angle.

Products:

• Fred B Mullet - 205 - Clover Group
• Penny Black - 3360k Curlicue Penny Black
• Penny Black - 2666k Blush
• Penny Black 3367H Lace Flower Trio
• Hero Arts - Clear Design Anytime Messages
• StazOn Solvent Ink - Timber Brown, Olive Green
• RiboonFX - Hobby Lobby Orange Organza
• Fiskars - Threading Water Punch
• Brads - Unknown
• Spellbinders Nestabilities - Square Scallop
• Marvy Uchida Oval Punch
• Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Birds & Swirls
• Kaisers Pearls
  

Toodles... Have a favorite Second Cousin who would always say that. :)