Lilac

Hi there.  I'm so glad you stopped by!

A while back Spellbinders had some things on sale that I couldn't pass up.

This lilac die set was one of them.

I have a wonderful memory of lilacs when I was growing up.  The lilac thickets were

perfect for us to play in when we were small. The smell was heavenly and the colors

were so pretty.

I've tried to grow lilacs in North Carolina but didn't have much luck.

This die set brings back the look.  I still miss the smell.

Susan Tierney-Cocburn's how to video about using this die was very helpful.  Susan's 

suggestion to dab ink on the paper before die cutting worked great.  I used two shades 

of purple and a finger dauber on some of Susan's Garden Specialty paper before cutting.

This paper makes it very easy to shape each of the little blooms.  Sticking them down

was a but if a challenge but well worth the effort.

It's definitely a hand delivery card but I have someone in mind.

Challenges:

Colorful Options -  I was inspired by the lilacs in the top left corner

The Flower Challenge #101 - Use Spring Colors

Four Seasons - Spring

NBUS #73 - Lilac Die

 

Card Recipe

Stamps: Heartfelt (PB) 

Ink:   Versafine Onyx Black, Shaded Lilac, Wilted Violet, Rustic Wilderness, Brushed Corduroy (DI)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White Susan's Garden Specialty (SB) 

Other:  Lilac die (SB), Cut & Stitch Circle die (PB)

Enjoy!

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Heart Song

Hi there.  I'm so glad you stopped by!

I have a favorite oldie today.  In fact, two favorite oldies.

This Penny Black die hadn't been used in quite a while.

I die cut it from mixed media paper and colored with Distress Inks.

The background was inspired by looking out my window at a blooming

cherry tree.  And the sentiment is another favorite oldie.

Challenges:

Darnell's I.D.E.A.S. - 1st Monday of the month is Ink

The Neglected Stuff - Die & sentiment

Penny Black Saturday - Penny Black die, stamp & sentiment

Triple B - Bird & Blooms

 

 

 

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Tendrils, Eloquence (PB)

Ink:   Faded Jeans, Prize Ribbon, Crushed Olive, Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Saltwater Taffy, Ripe Persimmon, Vintage Photo, Scorched Timber, Tattered Rose (DI)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore), Neenah Solar White

Other:  Happy News, Classy Frames, Caran d'ache pencils (Ivory, Black, Brown  

Enjoy!

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Easter Eggs

Hi there.  I'm so glad you stopped by!

This month the Group of Seven Cardmakers made cards using embossing paste. 

This is a continuation of this post.  I colored enough paste to get two more

cards out of it.

First up is more stenciled leaves but this time on an Easter egg die cut.

It's hard to see the stenciling with all the flowers and butterflies.

I colored some embossing paste with re-inker, spread some over a stencil and smoothed

it out, then removed the stencil and cleaned it and the palette knife.

After the paste was dry, I sponged a bit of ink around the edges of the egg

to add some depth.  Flowers, grass, a bow and butterflies finished it.

I had some paste leftover and hated for it to go to waste, so I spread it over another

die cut Easter Egg.

I love the texture that was left behind!

The flowers were die cut from scraps of white cardstock.  I added a bit of color to the

centers of the flowers with a finger dauber and some WOS on the bow to make it sparkle.

Challenges:

Double D - Easter

Group of Seven Cardmakers - Use Embossing Paste

 

Card Recipe (card 1)

Stamps:  Just Sentiments - Easter (PTI), Splatters (?)

Ink:   Gumball Green, Mint Macaroon, Primrose Petals (SU)

Paper:   Neenah Solar White, Pink Pirouette, Daffodil Delight

Other:  Slimline Gentle leaves Stencil (TCW), Embossing Paste (Wendy Vechi), Mint Macaroon re-inker (SU), Half a Dozen Eggs die (MB), Grassland Border die (MB), Spring Leaves Cover Plate (HB), Mini Blooms & Sprigs (SB), Fit to be Tied die (Grtry)

Card Recipe (card 2)

Stamps:  Just Sentiments - Easter (PTI)

Ink:   Versafine Onyx Black, Primrose Petals, Gumball Green, Pear Pizzazz

Paper:   Watercolor (Strathmore), Pinkn Pirouette, Daffodil Delight, Neenah Solar White

Other:  Embossing Paste, Mint Macaroon re-inker, Mini Blooms & Sprigs dies (SB), Leaves dies (?), Half a Dozen Eggs die (MB), Fit to be Tied die (Grtry), WOS, 1/8" & 1/16" circle punches

Enjoy!

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Happy New Home

Hi there.  I'm so glad you stopped by!

While I had the stencil out to use with embossing paste for these cards, I did

a piece just using ink.

The hard part was deciding how to use it.

I recently needed a new home card and didn't have any in my stash, so I thought

that a birdhouse hanging on the branch would be a good stash addition.

And since the Birdhouse and Whittle Bird were in the respective die envelopes

just waiting for their turn, the decision was made.

I used a die for the happy and a stamp for the sub-sentiment do I can take

this to Inkspirational.  The die cuts without flowers work for Just Us Girls.

Challenges:

Inkspirational #338 - Sentiments - use two or more

Just Us Girls #769 - Use die cuts no flowers 

Darnell's I.D.E.A.S. - Stencil Week  (thanks for the reminder, Dolly)

  

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Itty Bitty Backgrounds (ret SU)

Ink:   So Saffron, Baked Brown Sugar (SU), Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn (DI)

Paper:   Neenah Solar White, Cherry Cobbler, Natural Ivory, Watercolor

Other:  Slimline Gentle Leaves Stencil (TCW), Whittle Birds die  (PS), Bitty Birdhouse die (SSS), Happy Die (SSS), Caran d'ache Supracolor Pencil (Brown)

Enjoy!

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Thanks to all who have subscribed to my blog by email.

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Orange and Teal for Color Hues

Hi there.  I'm so glad you stopped by!

Time for a new challenge at Color Hues.

Out talented Jules has given us this fun color combo.

I think feathers work well for masculine cards and I liked these colors for feathers.

I've cut them from watercolor paper and colored with re-inkers and water for 

saturated colors.   When the teal feather was dry, I stamped it with a filagree

stamp with teal ink to add a bit of texture.  (It's actually almost invisible

to the naked eye, but I know I did that.)

To get a bit of color on the tag, I used a damp waterbrush and swiped the 

colored feathers to get light color.

An embossed background and twine bow finished off the CAS card.

The very talented Design Team and our Guest Designer Renate, have some 

beautiful cards to inspire you.  I can't wait to see what you can do with these colors!

Please join us at Color Hues

This challenge is open until April 14th at 9:00 AM EDT.

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Filigree (ret SU), Happy Snippets (PB)

Ink:   Taken with Teal (ret SU), Versafine Onyx Black

Paper:  Watercolor (Arches Cold Press), Neenah Solar White

Other:   Feather Dies (?), SU re-inkers (Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie), Pinewood Planks EF (SU), Pinpoint Main Street Tags Die (PS), SU 

Enjoy!

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Turning the Page April 2025

Hi there.  I'm so glad you stopped by!

Time to turn the page on our calendars to a new month.

 

I make calendars each year for my desk and my family.

 

I thought I'd set up a regular post on the first day of each month to share them.

 

I hope you enjoy my “Turning the Page” posts.

 

Here's our April page. 

By the way, the calendars 4 ½ x 7 inches and and can be displayed on an easel

or hung on a push pin or magnetic hook.  We all have a different way to display them.

 

If you would like a word document with the calendar, email me

and I will be glad to send it to you so you can design your own.

Email link is on the sidebar.

Recipe

Stamps: PAF Iris (Alt), Spaltter (?)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, So Saffron

Other: Copics (V04, V05, V06, V15, Y13, Y17, G82,  YG03, G94)  Touch up copies with Arteza ( Burgundy, Moss Green, Sunflower Yellow), stamp dots with Saffron ink:  

Enjoy!

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Seagull Birthday

Hi there.  I'm so glad you stopped by!

I rarely use any of the stash of stencils that I have.  This isn't the first time I used this

two stencil set and I've yet to get it right.  Or maybe the pollen is making my eyes play tricks.

I also rarely do a sketch challenge, but this sketch is one of my favorites and I thought

it would work well for a money holder for one of my grandsons.

Along with the stencil, I embossed two strips and used some Copics to add a

bit of shading to Mr. Gull.  There's a pocket on the inside to hold the money.

That's their favorite part!

Challenges:

CAS Colours and Sketches #556 - See sketch below

Darnell's I.D.E.A.S. - Fifth Monday is stencils

Krafty Chicks #761- Masculine

 

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Banner Sentiments (PB)

Ink:   Versafine Onyx Black, Broken China (DI)

Paper:   Neenah Solar White

Other:  Inquisitive Gulls (WF), Layered Waves Stencil (Honey Bee), Copics (C00, C0, C1, C2, Y15, Y18, YR14), Scattered Shells EF (SB)

Enjoy!

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Thanks to all who have subscribed to my blog by email.

Your sweet and thoughtful comments warm my heart!

Embossing Paste Play

Hi there.  I'm so glad you stopped by!

This month the Group of Seven Cardmakers made cards using embossing paste.

I chose this stencil that has two branches on it and white embossing paste.

I put a drop of Mint Macaroon re-inker on my craft mat and mixed some embossing

paste into it until the color was smooth and even.

Using a palette knife, I added the paste through the stencil and when it was covered

good, I scraped it smooth with the same knife.

I used the larger branch for this first card and made it into a Dogwood tree.

Our dogwoods are blooming now and so pretty!

The leaves weren't quite dark enough, so I replaced the stencil after the paste

was dry and sponged some darker green ink on the base of the leaves.

The second card was done using the smaller branch and I got some smudges of

embossing paste where they didn't belong.

The wings of this butterfly covered the smudges very well.  It was cut from

a piece of silver sparkle specialty paper that had alcohol ink dripped on top and 

moved around with a puffer.

Smaller flowers made this into a cherry tree or some kind of blooming tree.

I've learned to clean the stencil as soon as I finish with the paste.  I keep a dish of

water in the studio to drop the stencil in when I'm finished.  When I'm ready to take

it to the sink, the paste hasn't hardened on the stencil. And it's very easy to add color

to the paste with re-inkers.

The Group of Seven blogsite has some step by step instructions and a linky.

If you'd like to try this you can add your card and let us know how it worked

for you.

Group of Seven Cardmakers

Challenges:

Just Us Girls #768 - ATG using a stencil

Stencil Fun - ATG using a stencil (Option of splatters. I have stamped splatters on card 1)

The Neglected Stuff - Dogwood die hasn't been used in at least a year

  

Card Recipe (card 1)

Stamps:  Just Sentiments - Easter (PTI), Splatters (?)

Ink:   Picked Rasperry, Aged Mahogany, Rustic Wilderness (DI)

Paper:   Neenah Solar White, Shimmer

Other:  Mint Macaroon re-inker, Embossing Paste (Wendy Vecchi), Slimline Gentle Leaves Stencil (TCW), Ribbit Prills, Dogwood Die (Elizabeth Crafts)

Card Recipe (card 2)

Stamps:  Easter Blossoms (ret SU)

Ink:   Versafine Onyx Black, Primrose Petals

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Pink Pirouette (SU), Silver Sparkle (TH) 

Other:  Slimline Gentle Leaves, Embossing Paste (WV), Potpourri Flower Set (PS), Dreamy Butterfly (MB), Alcohol Ink

Enjoy!

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Your sweet and thoughtful comments warm my heart!

Butterfly Birthday

Hi there.  I'm so glad you stopped by!

I got another card done over the weekend.  I'm hoping to get it into

a challenge before it closes.

I found an alcohol inked piece of vellum in my stash and used it with my

Stitched Butterfly.  I also cut a plain piece of vellum to put underneath to five

this butterfly a little more body.

The square piece that the butterfly is perched on was a leftover from watercoloring

a leaf branch.

It's all added to a card base made of Tim Holtz watercolor paper.

The stitches didn't show up well so I used a white gel pen over them to make

them stand out.

Challenges:

Just Us Girls #767 - Mood Board below. I was inspired by the green butterfly

Krafty Chicks #760 - CAS

Seize the Birthday #301 - Anything That Flies

  

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Fun Birthday Sentiments (HLS-OOB)

Ink:   Versafine Onyx Black

Paper:   Watercolor (TH), Neenah Solar White, Vellum

Other:  Alcohol Inks (Ranger), Stitched Squares die (SSS), Stitched Butterfly Trio (ret PS), White Gel Pen

Enjoy!

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Thanks to all who have subscribed to my blog by email.

Your sweet and thoughtful comments warm my heart!

Circles and Magnolias

Hi there.  I'm so glad you stopped by!

The Flower Challenge is celebrating their 100th Challenge .  

Congratulations ladies! Keep up the good work!

It's taken me a while to get to this and the challenge is about to end.

Time goes by faster and evidently I go slower!

The Tulip Trees or Jane Magnolias are blooming in our area and they inspired

this card.  They are so pretty!  My flowers don't come close to the real thing.

A sweet friend gave me the Bubblin' die for Christmas and it was the perfect

way to add circles with my flowers.  I cut them from white cardstock. I

cut the flowers from watercolor paper and watercolored using Distress re-inkers.. 

The circles didn't show up as well as I wanted on the white card so I did a bit

of acetate smooshing on another piece of watercolor paper using the same colors

of re-inkers and lots of water.

Challenges:

The Flower Challenge #100 - Add Circles

Four Seasons - Spring

Memory Box Outside the Box #117 - Petal Power

Darnell's I.D.E.A.S. - 4th Monday Anything Goes

 

 

Card Recipe

Stamps:  

Ink:   

Paper:   Watercolor (Arches Hot & Cold Press), Natural (ret MFT), Neenah Solar White

Other:  Magnolia Blossom Trio, Magnolia Leaf Branch dies (MB), Distress Re-inkers (Picked Raspberry, Fired Brick, Rustic Wilderness, Mustard Seed, Brushed Corduroy), Bubblin' Die (CP), Acetate, Wonderful Script Die (SB)

Enjoy!

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Thanks to all who have subscribed to my blog by email.

Your sweet and thoughtful comments warm my heart!