Watercolor Roses

Today's card in honor of my friend Susan Bri, who is the Featured Stamper on SCS this week.  If you click on her name above, you can go visit her fabulous gallery.  Scroll down though.  There are so many cards honoring her, that you'll have to scroll to get to her own cards.  What a tribute!

Here's the card I chose to CASE.  And here's what I came up with.

My Papercrafting group worked on these Watercolor Roses a couple of weeks ago and I was so excited to see Susan's card and another way of presenting these pretty flowers.

You can see Sandi MacIver's wonderful tutorial on how to do this technique here.  It's really quite easy and we found it works much better on the Shimmery White cardstock than on watercolor paper.

 Here's another with a vertical layout.

And while I'm at it, here's another that is a CASE of one of Sandi's rose cards.

Fifth Avenue Floral is one of the sets that will retire tonight.  And one of these cards will go to a dear friend who is also retiring tonight.  Fitting, don't you think?

The embossing folder used on the last card is retiring also.  I'm not sure if there are any left, but if you want one, you better try to order today.  The smaller area was embossed with my Whacked Embossing Folder.  Again, it's a Sandi MacIver technique but if you click on the link, I have directions for whacking.

All the leaves were stamped with Garden Green on Shimmery white scraps.  I used one of the leaves from the French foliage set and a blender pen to fill in.

And I still have some painted roses that need a home.  I guess they'll go in my UFO (UnFinishedObject) box for later.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Fifth Avenue Floral, French Foliage, Sincere Salutations, Holidays and Wishes (long retired)

Ink:  Whisper White, Garden Green, Regal Rose (card 1), Rose Red (card 2), Chocolate Chip (card 3)

Paper:  Shimmery White, Whisper White, Regal Rose (card 1 & 2), Cameo Coral (card 3)

Other:  White EP, Re-inkers (Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Cherry Cobbler) card 1-2, (So saffron, Cameo Coral) card 3, Aqua Painter, Big Shot, Elegant Lines, Manhattan Flower, Finial Press EFs

I can't wait to get my order in for some of the new stuff!  I get butterflies just thinking about it.

Thanks for stopping by and many thanks for your kind comments.  They make me smile.

Enjoy!

Happiness with Love

The Less is More challenge this week is a RECIPE

We have a very simple recipe this week and that is simply to make a card which is

NOT A SQUARE

nor a rectangle for that matter.

What we're really trying to say is that we want a shaped card.

I decided to use my Labels Collection Framelit dies.  I'd been wanting to try a shaped card with them and hadn't got around to it.  Nothing like a challenge to spur me on.

I was thinking of last weeks One Layer Wednesday challenge to do something sweet.  What's sweeter than a rose.  Well, chocolate is, but I don't have a chocolate stamp. (I'd give you the link, but whenever I try to get to that blog, I get a virus warning.  Not sure what that means, but I think I'll stay away from there for a few days.)  Here's the link for this week's One Layer Wednesday Challenge.

And the CAS challenge at SCS is LOVE., hence this sentiment.

I shaped the card by folding the card before diecutting and placing the fold inside the edgelit so it wouldn't cut the top.  (You probably already knew that, right?)  I snipped off the point at the bottom too, so it would sit straight.

I used markers to ink the flower then a blender pen to spread the color and add a little more color in some spots.

I thought it could use a frame, so I laid a smaller Edgelit on the front, and traced around it with a marker.  I need to work on that technique, since starting and stopping leaves little dots.  Hence the dots all around.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Happiness Shared, Field Flowers (sentiment)
Ink:  Wild Wasabi, SU Markers (Wild Wasabi, Regal Rose, Soft Suede, More Mustard)
Paper:  Whisper White
Other:  Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits, Blender Pen


Thanks so much for stopping by.  I always enjoy hearing from you.

Enjoy!

Funky Dahlias

I was so excited to be asked to be a guest designer on the SUO challenge.  The theme is Bright Summer Days.

Get out your sunglasses!

A little masking and one of the flowers from the Bright Blossoms set, that you'll see in the new catalog, makes a really bright Summer card. {That new catalog goes live on Friday.}

I used one of the new In Colors, Raspberry Ripple.  I love this color and when paired with Daffodil Delight, it really shines.  New In Color, Gumball Green, is great for leaves.  I stamped it full "strength" first then decided it needed to be stamped off first for the rest of the leaves.  It's a rich, bright green. Umm Mmm!

The little butterfly is from the Kindness Matters set. There are 3 beautiful little butterflies in this set that are perfect for coloring and cutting out to add to a flower garden.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Bright Blossoms, Just Believe, Kindness Matters
Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Raspberry Ripple, Gumball Green, Jet Black StazOn, SU Marker (Daffodil Delight)
Paper:  Daffodil Delight, Raspberry Ripple, Whisper White
Other:  Big Shot, Adorning Accents Edgelit & EF, Narrow Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon


Hop on over and see what the other designers and entrants have done.  It's sure to brighten up your day.

If you don't have a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and would like a catalog, let me know and I'll get one out to you.

Thanks so much for stopping by and a special thanks for your kind comments.

Enjoy!

Merry Monday Trimming the Tree

It's Merry Monday time.

Here's Lesley's sketch

Here's what I came up with.

I don't know why I'm compelled to color these silhouette stamps.  I guess it's the only way I can paint people and I can't seem to get them to look right as silhouettes. Maybe I need to re-ink my pads.  I think the new Stampin' Up! ink pads are going to be a big help with getting ink to cover a stamp.  I have the new In Color pads and let me tell you, there is a BIG difference!

I'm so excited to be on this talented design team...

Lesley Croghan

LeAnne Pugliese

Nina Forsyth

Wendy Aungst

Narelle Farrugia

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Welcome Christmas, To You and Yours (retired), Bells and Boughs
Ink:  Real Red, SU Markers (Real Red, Always Artichoke, Old Olive, Soft Suede, More Mustard, Garden Green, Bashful Blue, Midnight Muse, Sahara Sand, Blush Blossom)
Paper:  Sahara Sand, Real Red, Whisper White
Other:  2 1/2" Circle and 1" Circle Punches, Nestie, Snow Burst and Petals-a-Plenty EF


I hope you'll pop over to the Always Playing with Paper blog and we'd love for you to join us.

I'm so glad you stopped in to visit.  I hope you'll come again soon.

Enjoy!

We Three Kings

It's another Merry Monday on Friday here.  Lesley gave us another fantastic sketch

I was so inspired by my friend Colleen's beautiful neutral card.  Colleen is the Featured Designer this month.  My card doesn't have the elegance of Colleen's but I used one more thing from my UFO box.  That always makes me happy.

The card base is Very Vanilla.  It looks white in this picture.  The Brushed Gold looks best with the Vanilla I think.  

The three kings are stamped with Encore Gold and heat embossed.  After cutting the design piece with the Ovals die, I used the VersaMarker around the edges and embossed that with gold too.  (I didn't do a very neat job with the Versamarker but it will have to do.) I added some Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details to give it a bit of color.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Holy Triptych (retired), Come to Bethlehem (soon to be retired)

Ink:  Encore Gold, VersaMarker

Paper:  Very Vanilla, Brushed Gold

Other:  Scallop Trim Border and Modern Label Punches, Big Shot, Square Lattice EF, Ovals Die, Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details

This will be my last Friday post for Merry Monday as Lesley has invited me to be on the design team for this challenge.  I am so excited to be a part of this design team and love seeing my box of Christmas cards filling up.  Won't you join us?

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Enjoy!

3D Flowers

I've been busily preparing for a Stamp Stack coming up next month and I've gotten behind on everything else.  There just doesn't seem to be quite enough time to do everything I want to do.  Do you have that problem?

 I'm just under the wire on the SUO challenge to create a project with 3-dimensional flowers on it.

I knew I wanted to use this folded flower that was sitting on my desk.  You can find the tutorial for it here.

The Color Challenge at SCS this week is to use the retiring In Colors.  Dessert is to use at least 3 of these colors and tell which color we will miss the most.

I've used Poppy Parade DSP, Blush Blossom cardstock and Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding and ink.  I've loved all of these colors and I'm sad to see all of them go.  Though I didn't use it on this card, I think Concord Crush has been my favorite.  It's such a rich, regal shade of purple.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Loving Thoughts
Ink:  Pear Pizzazz
Paper:  Whisper White, Blushing Bride, Poppy Parade DSP
Other:  Big Shot, Elegant Lines EF, Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding. Pearl (from the retired Pretties kit)


I'm excited about using the new In Colors.  I love the bright shade of Gumball Green, the rosy dark pink of Primrose Petals, the deep rose red color of Raspberry Ripple, the deep yet bright blue of Midnight Muse, and the greenish yellow of the Summer Starfruit.

The new inkpads are terrific.  Just a light tap and the stamp is inked.  I can see now that I'll be replacing all my inkpads.

I had some delightful news on Saturday from The Paper Players.  My Pocket Silhouettes card was chosen as Jaydees Cut Above.  Thanks so much Jaydee.

The same card was listed in the CAS Favorites on Sunday, May 20 and as the Featured Upload this week at Splitcoaststampers.   I'm not sure what this upload thing is.  Hopefully, I'll find out soon.  It sounds good though, doesn't it?)

This card was also a CAS Favorite at Splitcoast Stampers on Sunday.

These kudos, your comments and emails all inspire me to keep creating.  Thanks so much.

Enjoy!

Tree Trimmings

Busy, busy day, but I wanted to post my Merry Monday card.

I love this simple sketch.

 And did you notice that I used DSP?  Yeah, me!

I stamped the ornament on Blushing Bride with Real Red, then smacked it with my VersaMark pad and clear embossed.  I used a glue pen to line the pink parts and sprinkled Dazzling Diamond on it to give it some sparkle.  I wasn't sure whether the glue would stick to the embossing, but so far, so good.  I added some sparkle to the boughs too.  In hindsight, I should have stamped the boughs at a different angle.  Maybe I'll remember that next time.

The ribbon is stamped in Encore Gold and heat embossed with Gold.

The design piece is 2" x 4", the red mat is 1/8" larger and the white behind that is 1/8" larger still.  The red band is 1 3/4" x 4 1/4" and was a scrap piece of textured Real Red.  The DSP is 4" x 5 1/4".  It's actually 2 pieces that were in my scrap box.  The band covers the seam.

I used my Stamp-a-majig for placement and did the sentiment in two steps instead of all on one line.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Lovely as a Tree, Tree Trimmings, Short and Sweet
Ink:  Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Real Red, Encore Gold
Paper:  Whisper White, DSP, Real Red
Other:  Dazzling Diamonds, Gold EP, Basic Pearls


Thanks so much for stopping by.

Enjoy!

Soft Colors

This is the second week of the Dynamic Duos challenge and this week the colors are the soft romantic colors of So Saffron and Pool Party.

I wanted a chance to use this a la carte stamp called Young Vermillion again before it retires.  I can still use it after it retires, but it won't be quite the same.

I used my Pool Party, So Saffron and Crumb Cake markers to ink the stamp.  Then I swiped the Pool Party marker on a clear block and picked up the color with a bender pen to color his back.  I did the same thing with a So Saffron marker for his tummy. I used the Crumb Cake marker to extend the branch too.

I used the retro sketch #11 for the layout.

I love the simple lines of this sketch!

Edited to add:  Oops! I forgot to add that the CAS-ual Fridays challenge last week was

And the Ways to Use It challenge at SCS last week was For the Birds!

See why I don't usually combine challenges?  I can't remember them all when I post.  So sorry.  I hope it's not too late.

The sentiment was stamped on a scrap and I cut the ends with my Paper Snips.  I used 2 Stampin' Dimensionals in the middle and a glue dot on each end to give it dimension.  The sentiment is from a long ago retired set.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Young Vermillion, Bird on a Branch (retired)
Ink:  SU Markers (Pool Party, So Saffron, Crumb Cake)
Paper:  Whisper White, So Saffron
Other:  Pool Party Seam Binding

The design piece of Whisper White is @2 1/2" wide by 2 5/8" long.  The So Saffron piece is cut 1/8" larger.

I'm so glad you could stop by.  Many thanks for your kind comments.  I appreciate your taking the time to leave them.

Enjoy!

Pocket Silhouettes

I'm going to miss using my Pocket Silhouettes on a regular basis.  It's definitely a set that I will keep in my collection.

This card is for several challenges.  It's rare for me to combine many challenges because my brain goes into overload if I try to think of too many things at once.  But things kinda worked out together this time.

First off is the Less is More challenge

ONE LAYER CARD

This time we have the stipulation to

USE THREE STAMPS

not four, not two... but 3!

And the Paper Players challenge.  Ann chose the colors.

And finally the CAS challenge at SCS

CAS170 - Technique Challenge

Divide an image or scene into 3 pieces. 

I didn't divide an image as in stamping it and cutting it apart since I wanted to keep it a one layer card.  I punched 3 squares from scrap to make a mask, held it on my card front with sticky notes and stamped the design in 3 sections then sponged the background before removing the mask.

I used 2 of the stamps from the Pocket Silhouettes set and a stamp from Short and Sweet to make up the three.  I inked the flowers with Poppy Parade and Daffodil Markers.  The stems are Soft Suede and the background is sponged in Baja Breeze.  I outlined the squares with Soft Suede.  The soft squares kinda got lost without it.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Pocket Silhouettes, Short and Sweet
Ink:  Baja Breeze, SU Markers (Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Soft Suede)
Paper:  Whisper White
Other:  1" Square Punch (for mask), Stampin' Sponge

I was so happy to see a shout out from last week's Merry Monday challenge.  Wendy chose my Christmas Rose card as an Honorable Mention.  I'm so glad she enjoyed it.

Thank you for your visits and for the kind comments.  It's always nice to know that you enjoy my cards as much as I enjoy yours.

Again, enjoy!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

At Jingle Belles they're celebrating embossing... dry embossing, heat embossing, or even textured or embossed papers ... whatever you can do to add a little texture to your holiday project.

I love using embossing folders so this was right up my alley!

Another borrowed stamp here.  Our Scrap and Share group worked on Christmas cards last Saturday.  I love this Santa that Barbara brought!

I used a Sizzix embossing folder that looks a bit like Santa's beard.

The sentiment is from the Jolly Jingles Jumbo Wheel that I whacked up.

A super quick and easy card.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! Unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Santa (unknown origin), Jolly Jingles Jumbo Wheel
Ink:  Jet Black StazOn, SU Marker (Real Red, Garden Green)
Paper:  Whisper White, Garden Green
Other:  Sizzix EF, Ticket Corner Punch

We've had a good rain today.  A good day for the boys to take long naps so Nana could stamp.

I'm so glad you stopped by.  Thanks so much for your lovely comments.

Enjoy!

Happy Mother's Day

Enjoy!

Christmas Rose

It's Friday and I have my Merry Monday card ready to share.  Have a look.

Here's the sketch Lesley gave us.

And here's what I came up with.

I've wanted to do this rose in red on a Christmas card since I got the stamp set.  It's about to retire, so I thought I'd better get to it.

It was really hard to get a good picture of this.  The colors in the rose look better IRL and it's done on Shimmery White cardstock so it has a little bit of sparkle and looks like velvet. 

I liked the way the Merry Christmas tucked underneath the branch.

I'll send this to SCS for the Christmas Card challenge there too.  There's a wealth of inspiration for Christmas cards in that gallery.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Happiness Shared, Come to Bethlehem

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn, Always Artichoke

Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Shimmery White

Other:  Reinkers (Rose Red, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Soft Suede), Aqua Painter, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Big Shot, Square Lattice EF

I just received an email telling me that this card won an honorable mention at Dynamic Duos.

That makes me a Dynamic Darling!  Who would have thought?   They will post a new challenge tomorrow.

I'm so glad you stopped by.  Have a great weekend and I hope you get a chance to stamp.

Enjoy!

Let the Sun Shine

Less is More  has a color (or colour) challenge this week.  Can you guess what color it is?

Y E L L O W

Other colours may be in evidence as long as the main focus colour is yellow.

And a confession.  If this looks familiar, it should.  When I was saving this on my flash drive this afternoon, I saw a very similar card from a while ago.  This one's prettier though.  At least I think so.

And this is very Y E L L O W!

I hope it's got enough yellow white space.

This sweet hostess set will be retiring at the end of the month.  I'll miss it, but I can't wait to get my hands on some of the new hostess sets!

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Simply Soft

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn, SU Markers (Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Old Olive)

Paper:  Daffodil Delight, Whisper White

Other:  Adorning Accents Edgelit and EF, 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon

Thank you for stopping by.  I've really enjoyed your comments and visiting your blogs.  You give me so much inspiration!

Enjoy!

Bidding Upsy Daisy a Fond Goodby

There's a new challenge out there.  It's called Dynamic Duos and it's hosted by the lovely Lesley of Always Playing with Paper.  Here's the scoop on this challenge.

Each week we will have two colours for you to use to create a card, scrapbook page, craft or digital project.  Only the two colours, otherwise known as "The Dynamic Duo", may be used for your project.  Neutrals such as black, brown, white, vanilla, skin colours and kraft are also welcome.  

This weeks challenge is

I love blue and green together!

Upsy Daisy has been a well loved set!  I've done the flowers in so many colors and layouts.  I'm not saying that I'll never use them again, because they'll be on my retired shelf and I don't mind pulling out the retirees.

The layout for this card is from Ariel's retrosketches challenge.  I've loved all the sketches she's posted, but don't always get to use one.  I'm so glad I got to use this sweet sketch.

After stamping, I went back with the fine point of the marker and added faint outlines to the petals and colored the centers of some of the daisies with Limeade.  It still has a soft watercolor effect.

A piece of DSP left over from Sale-a-bration was a perfect backdrop to this design.  (Do you think they picked the colors from this paper.)

Do you see that scalloped edge on top of the design piece?  I decided I needed something up there and did some paper piercing.  I had already put the pieces together and had to pierce from the back in order to get the line straight.  I know now that you really need to pierce from the front!  It badly needed a coverup.  I had this scrap of embossed Adorning Accents Edgelit scallops and with just a little tweaking it covered it up beautifully.  This is one case of a boo boo turning out better than planned.  I'm not telling you about all the plans that went in the circular file.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Upsy Daisy

Ink:  SU Markers (Pool Party, Lucky Limeade)

Paper:  Pool Party, Whisper White, Everyday Enchantment DSP

Other:  Big Shot, Square Lattice EF, Adorning Accents Edgelit die and EF, Pool Party Seam Binding

Thanks so much for your visits and  kind comments.  They really brighten my day.

Enjoy!

Lady and the Bling

I finally have a few minutes to post a card.  I'm down to the last couple of hours for the One Layer Wednesday challenge.  Susan and Jennifer had taken a break and are now back in full swing for the challenge.  Two more ladies have joined them and the challenges will be posted on Susan's sidebar each week.  Last week's challenge was Women Rule!

This is for all of my stamping friends that bring so much enjoyment to my life.  Many of  you are "cyber" friends and although I don't get to stamp with you, I get so much inspiration and encouragement from you.  The stamping friends that I can share space with have enriched my life so much.  Being a stay at home Nana to 2 little boys doesn't leave a lot of time or energy for socialization.  My stamping friends bring the outside world in and keep me from being a total hermit.  Thank you all and here's a great BIG HUG!

This is the last of the lovely ladies that I stamped from my friend Peggy's stamp collection. (I still don't know who makes this stamp.)  I embossed the tulip frame around her and thought it looked like she was entering a glitzy garden party.  Did you notice all her "diamonds".  I really got carried away!

The CAS challenge at SCS this week is "It's time to be CHIC".  I think this lady is pretty chic.  Don't you?

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps:  My Friend, Lady (Non SU)

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn

Paper:   Whisper White

Other:  Framed Tulips EF, Basic Rhinestones

Susan said she would give a bonus point for sharing a detail about the gal our card is for.  A love for stamping and cardmaking is something my friends love.

By the way, I've had a peek at the new Stampin' Up! catalog and whoo, hoo, you're gonna love it!  I've had to look at it on the website and that's nothing like having a copy in my hot little hands.  I think I've about worn out the cyber version!  Can't wait to share it with you.  There's so many beautiful, new stamp sets and some new Big Shot goodies and new In Colors and beautiful DSP.  I foresee a fun year ahead!

I'm so glad you stopped by.  I hope you come back soon.

Enjoy!

Another Merry Monday

I know.  It's Friday not Monday.  But I rarely get my Merry Monday card done and posted until Friday.

I finally bought Dasher and now he's slated for retirement.  I'm glad I got him though. He'll probably remain on my shelf for a long time.  SU's retirement plan and mine don't exactly coincide.

Sorry about the paint job.  I tried to remove a bit of color to add some texture.  I ended up giving him the mange look.

Then I added some of the Fine Supernova Chocolate glitter to his antlers.  I was hoping that would take the eye up and away from his body.  Did it work?

The background is stamped in Chocolate Chip with the Baroque Motifs flourish stamp.  It's been one of my favorites since it was introduced and I can't imagine doing without it.

I chose to use little labels made with the Scallop Trim Corner punch for the sentiment.  I hope it's OK to break away from the sketch a bit that way.  I'm never sure.

Finally, here's the sketch Lesley gave us this week.

I used the colors from the CAS challenge at SCS this week to use chocolate, green & white or ivory.

All supplies are Stampin' Up

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Dasher, Baroque Motifs, To You and Yours (retired)

Ink:  Chocolate Chip, SU Marker (Old Olive)

Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Whisper White, DSP

Other:  Fine Supernova Glitter, Old Olive ribbon (retired and my last scrap), Northern Flurry EF, Scallop Trim Corner Punch  

Last, but certainly not least, Jack has discovered the toy box.  Anytime we're willing to hold his hands and let him walk where he wants, he heads there.  He keeps lifting his leg like he wants to climb in.  Oh my, that will come soon enough.

Thanks so much for the visit and have a wonderful weekend.

Enjoy!

Mother's Day Friend

Friends Never Fade is one of the beautiful sets that Stampin' Up! will be retiring.  

Oh, how I've enjoyed this set!

The SUO (Stampin' Up! Only) challenge this week is...

MAY IS FOR MOTHERS!

Robin challenges us to make Mother's Day cards for the special mothers in our life.  This challenge last 2 weeks and participants have to use only Stampin' Up! products.

Speaking of this challenge, I was so excited to be asked to be a Guest Designer there later this month.  It will be the end of May so I have plenty of time to get a project done.

All supplies are Stamin' Up!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Friends Never Fade, Teeny, Tiny Wishes

Ink:  SU Markers (Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, More Mustard)

Paper:  Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White

Other:  Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Scallop Trim Corner Punch

There's still time to order this set.  It's available until May 31st.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope you come back soon.

Enjoy!