Roses On Marble And A Speical Friend

Image:
1. A piece of vellum 4"X5" was used for the canvas.
2. The back was painted with a Niji waterbrush filled with Ranger Adirondack® Alcohol Blending Solution and Adirondack Ginger Alcohol Ink. (Label your waterbrush with a Black Sharpie and store it with the brush side up.)
3. When it dried I pounced up and down on it with a cotton ball slightly wet with the same Alcohol Blending solution added from the bottle.

4. Penny Black Love Blush stamp was inked with Encore Gold ink, stamped on the opposite side of the 'marbleized' vellum, and then heat embossed with Ranger Princess Gold Embossing Powder.

Let me just say this about that. I found it very difficult to heat emboss on vellum and have it not flake. I ended up using a **Marvy Uchida Liquid Gold Extra Fine pen for the places that flaked off and even went over a lot of the other that didn't.

5. It was painted with a Niji waterbrush and Twinkling H2O's Sweet Alfalfa and Rose Petal.
6. It was trimmed down as shown.

Backgrounds:
1. A Martha Stewart Embossed Petals border punch was used for the edge on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb. Cover cardstock around the roses. It's hard to see the embossed flowers in the photo of the card, but here is what it looks like up close but with pearls, etc.:
2. The image was mounted in the center.
3. That was mounted on Anna Griffin Pink Paisley DP.
4. The corners were punched with an SU Ticket Corner Punch.
5. An SU Horizaonal Slot punch was used on each side of the image.
6. Hunter Green Satin Woven Ribbon was threaded through the slots.
7. That was mounted on Bazzill Bling Blank Check cardstock.
8. The ribbon was attached to the back of the Bling cardstock.
9. It was mounted on 5.5"X8.5" folded Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb. Cover cardstock.

Tag:
1. The tag is from Spellbinders Tag Trio.
2. The words are from Impression Obsessions Clear Stamp Sets - Sentiments II stamped with Encore Gold ink and heat embossed with Ranger Princess Gold Embossing Powder.

Embellishments:
1. A Martha Stewart bow was tied and mounted with a glue dot.
2. Mark Richards 2mm pearls from the Script Alphabet were used in the hole of the punched embossed flowers. 4mm pearls were used on the coners, 5mm pearls were used on the tag.
3. Martha Stewart's new 3-in-1 Butterfly Punch (the largest butterfly) was used on Anna Griffin Pink Paisley paper. Three 2mm pearls were used down the middle and it was mounted as shown.
4. The stick pin was done using a JoAnn Sew Essential Pearlized Leaf Straight Pin, (it is only found in their stores and not online), and Czech Pink Glass Heart and Pearlized beads. They were secured with a Brass (Gold) Clutch Pin.

I always finish off my cards with something done inside on the left-hand side and on the lower-left bottom side of the envelope.

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BLOG AWARD

Last, but certainly not least, I have an award I want to give to a very special and talented fellow blogger. His name is Sergei and he is the son of Elena at The Red Haired Girl. Sergei has been a follower of my blog and I have really enjoyed visiting his blog too. He loves football and has great artistic skills that he uses on cards, logos and a number of other hobbies as well.

I want to thank you, Sergei, for:
1. Creating such an interesting blog
2. Doing me the honor of following me, and
3. Inspiring me with your wonderful words of praise,
4. Your art and hobbies, and
5. Your patriotism you show in supporting our country.

Below is your award, Sergei, with big hugs and smiles attached:

You should post it on your blog and share it as you want to share.

Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

Damask Soft Thistle Flowers

The above image is Damask Floral by Impression-Obsession.

Image:
1. The image was stamped with Encore Gold ink on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb. Cover cardstock. It was heat embossed with Ranger Princess Gold Embossing Powder.
2. It was then painted with Twinkling H2O's Sweet Alfalfa, Cherry Sorbet, and Wisteria. A Niji waterbrush was used to paint. Don't forget LuminArte is selling all on their site for 40% off.
3. The top portion of the flower was done with glitter glue and Flower Soft Baby Pink. The first time I saw Flower Soft I thought of thistles and moss. :-)
4. The background is a wash done with Twinkling H2O's Sweet Alfalfa.
5. The image was trimmed down to 3.25"X4.75".
6. Martha Stewart Arch Lattice Border Punch was used for the edges. A length of border was punched for each side. Then each end was trimmed as shown and a piece was inserted for the match. It was the only way I could get a corner I liked. Duh Me!!!
7. The ribbon is from the $1 bin at Michaels and was woven as shown. The pearl ribbon slide is from eons ago, well at least 2-3 years ago.
8. The 3mm pearls are from a Mark Richards Large Block Alphabet set.
9. Stickles Golden Rod glitter glue was used to accent the leaves and flowers.

Background:
1. The cardstock is SU Old Olive stamped with Impression-Obsession Swirl Background and heat embossed with Judikins Egyptian Gold.

Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

Beautiful Cards I Received Last Week

This card is from my blogging friend, Anne, 'across the pond' at Stargroves. Take a look at her art. She always has a variety of lovely cards. I don't know if you can see it, but she added some embossed flowers to the background and also created the paper that she used for her Copper peel offs at the bottom. Thank you so much for thinking of me on my BD, Anne.

The very lovely card above is from my TJ friend, Barbara Riefner, who lives in FL. She is such a talented artist. I love her heart both literally and on the card too! It's a Battenberg Heart and I forget what stamp company makes that type of stamp. I really like the pearls and the colors too! Thank you, Barb, for making my day.

This beautiful card is from another TJ friend, Carole Miller. She lives in MO, and is a wonderful artist too! She used Stardream Chiara Rose Quartz on the bottom and then sponged around the edge of her heart. Against the white embossed cardstock it is beautiful. I can't sponge well. Thank you so much, Carole, for thinking of me and making my week extra special.

Cheryl Miller is another of my TJ friends. Although I have never met her in person and she lives in NC too, I feel like we are good friends anyway. Check out her wonderful blog HERE. Her card is such a beautiful and lovely piece of art. I wish you all could see the sparkle on the blue flower in the middle of that gorgeous blossom. Thank you, Cheryl, for sending me a card I thought was really beautiful on her site, but is even more stunning and gorgeous IRL.


This card totally took me by a very pleasant surprise. Another TJ friend, Germana Ferrao-Linn, who is now in the UK, sent me this beautiful card. I know you can't see the sparkle she has here and there throughout this lovely underwater world, but it's there. Her fish and the wave currents have a lovely sheen to them. Very very pretty! Thank you so much, Germana, for thinking of me. Germana travels all over the world due to her husband's employment. I know your birthday is on the 23rd and I hope my card gets there in time. Yikes!!!

Isn't the above card just wonderful! It is from Jackie Kalchert, a TJ friend, who lives in AZ. She is becoming a world traveler as well as an already wonderful card artist. You can check out her blog HERE. I love the embossed left side and the beautiful stamped flowers and flourish on the right. Her printing inside is beautiful and I wish I was that talented on the whole card! Beautiful!! Thank you so much lady. I know you are so busy with Technique Junkies and all.


The above card's background is called Oil Pastel Chic and is from a Technique Junkie Newsletter. It done on Linen cardstock and it is even more beautiful IRL. LaVerne Wilson in TN, another TJ friend, created this work of art. She works part time and does stamping too! I wish you could see the metallic pieces of her image. It has gold on one collar and the hair combs are silver. The coin and it's background are both gold too! Thanks so much LaVerne for sending this lovely card to help celebrate my HB.


I listed the cards alphabetically by first name. I am kind of anal, you could say!!! Anyway this last card, and certainly not least, is from fellow blogger, Linda Bronson in ID. You really need to click on it to see the gold heat embossed detail. It is just gorgeous. The colors here are not exact for some reason. They are more like the one on her blog HERE. Check the rest out too while you are there. It's terrific. I love her butterfly too! Thank you Linda for making my HB even better.

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Also this last week I received the following awards from 2 wonderful blogging friends:

The one above is from Ladydoc at Tilting At Windmills. Her blog always makes you feel like you have stepped right into her livingroom to stop and visit. Thank you so much for such a warm and lovely thank you! This award is given to anyone who reads this message because you are inspiring me with your visit and your comments.


The next one is from Jenny at Crafty Jenny. She is just really a wonderful sweet person with some really pretty cards and other information too! Thank you too for thinking of me. You all deserve this award too because art is in the eye of the creator and the createe alike. Take it and give to anyone who has inspired you like you have me!!!

Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' today to look and share!

 

 Shirley

 

A Touch of Spring

The rose is from Flourishes I Love Roses.

Image:
1. It was stamped with Brilliance Galaxy Gold, on Neenah Classic Crest Natural Super Smooth 80lb. Cover cardstock.
2. Painted with Twinkling H2O's Lemon Yellow, Garnet, and Olive Vine,
3. And then trimmed around and painted with the colors used closes to the edge.

Card:
1. A 12X5" piece of folded Neenah Classic Crest Natural Super Smooth 80lb. Cover was cut using the largest die from Spellbinders Curved Rectangle set. It actually left the shape and cut a little itty bitty piece of the center and ends at the top. Just enough to keep its shape. It was put though a second time to emboss the edges.
2. The edges were sponged as shown with Twinks Olive Green. The inside was painted about an inch in from the border using a Twink Buttercup thick wash.

Background:
1. Spellbinders Curved Rectangles (Next to Largest die) was used with Neenah Classic Crest Natural Super Smooth 80lb. Cover cardstock. It was put through a second time to emboss the edges.
2. The embossed edge was sponged with Twinks Olive Green.
3. Then it was scored using Score-It every 3/4" across the length and then across the width as shown.
4. A really old Rosebud stamp from a Hero Arts container of stamps was used to stamp diagonally across the squares as shown. The images were then painted with the same watercolors used on the Rose.
5. It was mounted on the card.
6. The main image was mounted as shown using large dimensional glue dots.

Tag:
1. The smallest die from Spellbinders Curved Rectangles was used and the edges were sponged with Twinks Olive Green.
2. It was mounted as shown in the lower left hand corner.

Embellishments:
1. May Arts Ribbon as taped across the top of the card. A bow was tied using Martha Stewart instructions.2
2. Mark Richards Crystal Stickers Elements Rubies were added to the center of the rose, tag at the top and bottom right side of the card.

Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share!

 

 Shirley

 

Uptown Roses

The stamp is Rose Pitcher by Uptown Rubber Stamps. The only place I could find it listed today is on EBay. This stamp means a lot to me. I received it from a lady who had a store online 5 years ago and when she closed she sent stamps to some of the people she had known. I hope the like the card as much as I cherish the stamp.

Image:
1. Stamped on Neenah Classic Crest Natural Super Smooth 80lb. Cover cardstock with Brilliance Galaxy Gold. It was painted with Twinkling H2O's Pink Crocus, Cherry Sorbet, Olive Vine, Siam White, Heavenly White, Golden Sand and Pale Porcelain.

2. The edge was torn by hand and then painted with a wash of Twinkling H2O's Warm Pecan.

Background:
1. A 2X6" die from Cuttlebug Floral Borders was used to get 5 of the strips shown. They were mounted on Neenah Classic Crest Natural Super Smooth 80lb. Cover cardstock (Outside edges first, middle and then centered between them).
2. It was then mounted on Stardream Chiara Rose Quartz text weight paper.
3. The image was mount off to the right next to the first die cut.

Embellishments:
1. Mark Richards 5 mm pearls were added to the corners of the image.
2. May Arts ribbon was added as shown and then a Martha Stewart Double Bow technique was used for the bow (the secret to tying this bow is to pull it very tight on the first bow or it will keep slipping with the second one. You will see what I mean once you try it. LOL).
3. The Stick Pin is a Corsage Pin with Czech 6mm Pink Heart, 4mm AB Clear Donut, and 3mm White Pearl beads (very cheap at hobby and craft stores). They were threaded through the ribbon and secured with a Brass (Gold) Clutch Pin.

I received some wonderful HB cards this last week and will be posting them soon. You know who you are and I want to say thanks and big hugs for making my BD extra special this year. Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

I Like Roses And An Award Too!!!

Another big surprise from my fellow Russian blogger, Gvendalen at Ocean of Imagination. Thank you so much Gvendalen. I am very honored that you have picked me. I want to share this award with those who have not received it before. I ask that you link back to me and also check out Gvendalen's blog too! It is wonderful.

To Understand Another Language on a Blog:
I don't speak Russian, but I use Google Translate and bring it up in a tab right next to her tab. If you look at it you will see how easy it is to change from English to whatever other language you need. If you aren't sure of the langeuage it will also Detect Language for you. I keep the Google link in my Favorites so it is always handy. I right click on it to bring it up in the other tab and then cut and paste for the blog I am visiting. Hope this helps some who would like to do it. Different cultures are a love of mine. If you need clearer steps, EMAIL ME.

Please check out my new card below. I hope you like it.

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I had been drooling over anyone and everyone who had this set, I Love Roses, by Flourishes...so I broke with my rules for no new stamps in January and got it and 2 other sets I can't wait to use.

IMAGE:
1. The rose and leaves was stamped on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb. Cover cardstock with Encore Gold .
2. Ranger Gold Embossing Powder was added and heat embossed.
3. A Niji waterbrush was used to watercolor the rose with Twinkling H2O's Cherry Sorbet.
4. The rose and the leaves were trimmed close but not too close to the embossed edges.
5. The edges were then painted with the same colors used to paint inside the images.

BACKGROUND:
1. A piece of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb. Cover cardstock was put through the Cuttlebug using embossing folder Textile Textures.
2. It was put through the Cuttlebug again using the next to the largest Spellbinders Large Oval die cut, a little off to the right. The trimmed rose was used to decide how far so the rose would overlap both the outer edge and part of the oval.

3. It was then mounted on a piece of Bazzill Birthstone October cardstock.


4. The next size down die was used to get the center oval of smooth cardstock. It was also put through to emboss only the edge of the oval.
5. The edges were slid over the surface of a VersaMark pad, then dipped in the same Ranger Gold Embossing powder and heat embossed as shown.
6. It was mounted to the center of the cut-out oval.

7. The rose and leaves were mounted using dimensional glue spots.

Embellishments:

1. The ribbon was tied using a Martha Stewart Double Bow technique and Michaels Swiss Dot ribbon and mounted as shown
2. A brass heart #2046 by Fancifuls online was mounted using glue dots.
3. The corners and bottom of the card were done using leftovers from Peel Offs.

Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

A "Penfully" Short Project

This was a stamped image I had from last year and since it's almost the end of the Valentine season for this year it seemed appropriate to give it a card!! I am going to be guessing a little on how I did what.

1. The image, Valentine's Stamps by Impression-Obsession was stamped with Brilliance Galaxy Gold on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth cardstock 80lb.

2. It was mounted on Stardream Fairway text weight paper that had been embossed with Cuttlebug Textile Texture folder. One edge was punched with Fiskars Threading Water Border Punch and then every other hole was punched with Fiskars 1/4" Heart Punch.

3. That was mounted on Stardream Chiara Rose Quartz text weight paper.

4. Finally It was painted with Twinkling H2O Solar Gold, various Gelly Roll Stardust Pens. and Gelly Roll Glaze Pens. While parts of the Gelly Roll Glaze pens were wet DecoArt Glamour Dust Crystal glitter was added for highlights. The heart punched areas had Gelly Roll Pink Glaze added and then glitter too while wet. A little Ice Stickles Crystal Ice was added here and there.

5. The last step was to tie buttons I've had forever with Krenik Gold #16 Tapestry Braid cord and then mount them on the corners with medium glue dots.

A whole lotta pen action. Thank you to my friend for letting me post this from her computer. As Deb at Paper, Ink, Scissors and Stamps would say 'Easy Peasy'. Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to stop and share.

 

 Shirley

 

My first BD Card From Down Under

I have a TJ friend, Denise Taylor from New Zealand, who just sent me my first birthday card this year. It is so elegant and gorgeous! I hope you will click on it to see all of her detailed work on it. My birthday isn't until February 12, but I couldn't wait. Yep, Pres. Obama and I have someone in common. :-)

What doesn't show are the beautiful specs of deep bluish pink glitter on and about the stamens. The Lillies are gorgeous and she trimmed around them as you can see and mounted them separately. The White background is Cuttlebug embossed using the folder from Combo Love Language . The circle was cut using a die and then mounted on a separate background. That background was first brayered with Gesso and then embossed with Cuttlebug embossing folder Perfectly Paisley. After that it looks like she did Grid lines using a Scor-Pal or Scor-It. How lovely and then look at those beautiful rhinestones. The colors she chose are spectacular together.

I love my card, Denise! Thank you so much dear friend.

Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share! All of your comments and suggestions mean so much to me.

 

 Shirley

 

My Funky Valentine!

This card was so easy! I love the embossed little itty bitty hearts. Click on it and get a better look I hope!

IMAGE:
1. The image, Funky Heart by Impression-Obsession, was stamped with Encore Gold on Neenah Classic Crest Natural Super Smooth Cardstock.
2. Apply Ranger Gold Embossing Powder and heat emboss.
3. Painted as shown with Twinkling H2O's Cherry Sorbet, Warm Pecan, and Rich Cocoa.
4. Apply Liquid Pearls White Opal to small hearts.'

BACKGROUND:
1. Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb. Cover cardstock put through Cuttlebug using embossing folder from Combo Love Language (1 piece 5.25X4.0).
2. Punch top right and left corners with SU Ticket Corner Punch.
2. 1/4 " was cut off the bottom of the already embossed paper.
3. The bottom was then punched using Martha Stewart's Doily Lace Edge Border Punch.
4. One 4" wide piece each of Bazzill Criss Cross Posie Pink cardstock and Stardream Metallic Bronze Text weight punched with Martha Stewart's Doily Lace Edge Border Punch.
5. Attach the last two pieces as shown to the white punched piece.
6. Mount on a 4.25X5.5 piece of Stardream Metallic Bronze Text weight paper.
7. Mount image using dimensional glue dots.
8. Mount ribbon shown below across and under heart from left to right.
9. Tie bow with ribbon using the Martha Stewart technique and mount.

EMBELLISHMENTS:
1. Kaiser Craft Lush Pearls 4mm applied to top right and left corners.
2. Sheer Organza Ribbon w/ Satin & Gold Metallic Edge 5/8 Toffee
3. Using another piece of Bazzill Criss Cross Posie Pink cardstock and the Combo Love Language Love die to do the word and glue to front of cardfront as shown. Mount on folded 8.5X5.5 piece of cardstock.

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I was TAGGED this last week by Lisa at Live, Love, Laugh. Thank you so much Lisa. I am embarrassed because I don't really have any photos except for cards that you all have seen on my blog and Hummingbirds.

With this tag you are to go to your 6th Photo Folder and pick your 6th picture to post. I have already posted mine on Photo Tag You Say. For those of you who haven't played please take this award from me and link back to here. It was fun.

I was also given The Marie Antoinette, a Real Person, a Real Award, by my friend, Easperee, at Two Worlds Meet. Easperee lives where I lived my whole life for 59 years before moving to NC. Easperee, thank you so much and a big hug. I have already listed my recipients for this award at Some Beautiful New Awards. I am excited because I would like for anyone else who has not received this award to take it now from me and follow these rules:

1. Link to the person who gave you the award
2. Nominate 7 more persons
3. Link the nominees and let them know about this award
4. Post the award on your blog

Well, this has been a busy day. I was able to talk with friends I hadn't heard from in a while and I finished a card and have another started. Thank you so much for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share.

 

 Shirley