Faux Pergamano

It's a lot to just pronounce that correctly! I just posted this card to the I/O Blog with all of the details on how I did it. If you would like to know. All of the products used are also there. You can look by clicking HERE.

In the meantime, it looks like I will see you back there again on Thursday for the Greetings for the Guys in our Life -- Masculine challenge...................and don't forget to sign up for the Blog Candy drawing HERE tomorrow. You still have time and I will be announcing the winner here tomorrow. Yikes!! Good luck to all of you and thank you all for joining in the fun.

 

 Shirley

 

Flourishes Waterlilies

I love Waterlilies, so when Flourishes offered theirs it was a no-brainer for me.

IMAGE:

It was stamped on white cardstock with Galaxy Gold pigment ink and then heat embossed to dry it. The Lily-pads were done the same way. All was painted with Twinks using a Niji Waterbrush. The center of the flower has Flower Soft and Orange Stickles applied. The pieces were cut out.

WATER:

Yep, that's water underneath and behind the bow! A Spellbinders Oval Scallop die was used on Glossy White cardstock. First it was stamped with the water ripples using VersaMark. It was then painted with Twinks Caribbean Mist. Stickles Diamonds glitter glue was used to highlight the white ripples, left by using the VersaMark before painting.

The water was mounted on another larger scallop, done with Neenah Classic Laid Solar White. The images were mounted on the water using 3D Pop Dots.

BACKGROUND:

The background is Bacic Grey Ice Cream Parlor mounted on Neenah Classic Laid Solar White.

ASSEMBLY:

The image and water, etc., were mounted on the background using 3D Pop Dots.

BOW: The May Arts Pink Crochet bow was done with by folding the ends of one piece of ribbon across one another and the wiring it. A separated piece was folded in half. A large glue dot was placed on the back of the folded piece.

The rhinestones in the lower right-hand corner are 3MM Mark Richards Orange Crystal Stickers. Stickles Diamonds glitter glue was added to the little white dots on the Basic Grey paper.

SUPPLIES:

Stamps: Flourishes - Waterlilies

Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth and Laid, White Glossy, Basic Grey Two Scoops Ice Cream Parlor

Inks: Brilliance Galaxy Gold, Twinkling H2O's Cherry Sorbet, Olive Vine

Accessories: Stickles Orange and Diamonds glitter glue, Mark Richards Orange Crystal Stickers, May Arts Crochet Ribbon

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

 

 Shirley

 

Another Card You Say

First I want to thank all of you who have signed up for the blog candy. Don't forget there are new images coming to Impression-Obsession in the month of July, so it will be a great time to get stamps. In additions Mitra has some new innovations I think you will alsoi like.


I am experimenting in using DP more often and I find it challenging. I have been so used to making my own designed paper for backgrounds.

Image:


The image is Row of Blooms by Leigh Hannan of Impression-Obsession. It was stamped on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth cardstock with Brilliance Galaxy Gold and then heat embossed to speed up the drying. (See my left side-bar for Embossing Without Powder.) It was painted with Twinkling H2O's. The roses were rubbed with Dorlands Wax and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. (Dorland's Wax has the same properties as Micro Glaze, but sooooo much cheaper.) They were then accented with a fine tipped brush and Liquitex Acrylic Gold Basics. If you click on the image, you will see the Liquitex matches pretty close to the Galaxy Gold on the leaves. It just makes the roses more distinct. The dots in the stripes are Stickles Cinnamon glitter glue.

Punched Background:
Every time I use a border punch for the first time I make a template so I can figure out the corner for then and in the future. I keep them all together in a blister box. This punch is EK Success Fleur De Lis. I suggest practicing at least once to get the feel of it.

Neenah Classic Laid Solar White cardstock was used. I like the texture and tooth it has. You can see it if you click on the image photo above the punch how to. The steps I used to get the edges and corners are above. I should mention that the left hand measurement is also .75. I know it makes sense, but we all aren't mathematically gifted.
Embossed Background:
I used DP from Basic Grey and ran it through the Cuttlebug using the Swiss Dots embossing folder. This card is 4.5"X6". Go figure, because I haven't the vaguest idea how I got there except turning my punched image makes it wider than 4.25 and I bought 6X6 DP pads. LOLOL
Assembling Card And Embellishments:
I mounted the image to the punched edges piece using 3D Pop Dots. It was then mounted to the embossed Swiss Dot background. at an angle as shown.
The ribbon is a deep brown from Michael's one dollar bin. I measure the ribbon for each end and tied 5 knots spaced out. It was lined up horizontally with the image and mounted through the punched edge at each end and attached to the back of the Swiss Dots. Bow was done with the Bow-Easy
The gold flowers are actually 4X7mm gold bead caps that I flattened using rounded needlenose pliers like those shown. The ends are round for bending wire and the inside is flat to flatten things. It is actually pretty fast. To do 3 it took me probably 3-5 minutes. They were mounted with glue dots. The rhinestones are 3mm by Mark Richards.

SUPPLIES:
Stamps: Row Of Blooms G2157
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth and Laid, Basic Grey Porcelain Empress Cream
Inks: Brilliance Galaxy Gold, Twinkling H2O's Warm Pecan, Cherry Sorbet, Olive Vine, Buttercup, Honey Amber .(They are staying in business too.)
Accessories: Dorland's Wax, Liquitex Basics Gold, EK Success Fleur De Lis Edger Punch, Bow Easy, Stickles Cinnamon glitter glue, Mark Richards Amber Crystal Stickers, Ribbon from Michaels $1 bin, Gold Bead Caps 4X7mm
Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share, and don't forget to register for the gift certificate above!

 

 Shirley

 

Well I Tried

To get 2 cards done so I could post one on each site. I had to have the one done for the I/O blog, so my other one will have to wait to be posted for tomorrow and I have to go grocery shopping too! LOL I miss my company though!

The I/O Challenge today is to make a card without using designer papers. You can use any stamp, paints, inks, embellishments and any number of layers. So here's a sneak peak at the one card I finished:




The card is 5.25X5.25. I think you will find it different and I hope you travel on over to check it out. HERE is the link. And here are the links for the others too!

• Jeanne Strife - She was the Guest Designer and now a DT member
  
• Jenny Groop- She is the newest to the DT team
  
• Daniela Dobson
  
• Laura Fulcher
  
• Julie Koerber
  
• Dina Kowal
  
• Deborah March
  
• Kelli Richardson - DT Lead
  
• Shirley Ross

I can also tell you Mitra will be having more new Fall and Christmas stamps out some time in July. Not only that, she has some more innovative surprises where there is something that should please everyone regardless of stamp tastes. See you back here tomorrow too I hope.
Thanks for stopping by to look and share. I am almost certain to have my other card here tomorrow!!!...................and don't forget to sign up for the blog candy. The month is almost gone.

 

 Shirley

 

I Know It's A Stamping Blog........But

Every now and then something catches my eye while blog hopping to say thanks and hi's and ooohs and aaaaaaahs. This was one of them. I have a real soft spot and place of honor in my heart for active and veteran military and their families. They make sacrifices that take such courage that I cannot imagine. Just their absences from their families and that goes both ways. I worked with homeless veterans for 3 years and attended as many 'Stand-downs". Some are torn to pieces in their minds as well as physically by what they see and are asked to do to keep us safe.

I came across this post on Cindy Grigiski's blog, Stamping Therapy, and believe it deserves attention. I hope you will agree and post if you can.

The book has launched and is available for purchase. Here is a link to a blog of one of my brother's contemporaries in which she conducted an interview with my brother about the book. It is very interesting and provides lots of good insight into the book from conception to print. Mary Akers: Interview with Jeffery Hess The book is available for purchase at on the publisher's website Press 53 and can also be ordered through Amazon.com . A portion of the profits go to USA Cares, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that assists post 9/11 military service members and their families to cope with the financial burdens resulting from their service to America. Please help pass the word about the book.
Thanks,
Cindy

Each individual veteran tells his/her actual recall of events during their service for our country. Jeffery Hess, Cindy's brother, has edited their testimonies for publication. If you are interested in buying this piece of history and valor, I will have it listed on my right-hand side bar with the locations where it is available.

Cards to follow tomorrow and the next day. Vacation is over!! Thanks so much for stopping by to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

As Mothermark Would Say

at her blog HERE 'This is my story'. I was just waking up when my front door bell rang. It never rings this early. So I think, who could it be at this time of day? Well, I am putting on my robe and then they knocked. Hmmmmmmmmmm! I hope nothing awful has happened. I open the door and what to my wandering eyes should appear, but a long lost friend from Reno, NV, who I had only talked with in the last year. LOLOLOLOL So she came on a flight at night and didn't think about the fact that I am retired and do not get up usually before 8:00 a.m. She rented a car with a GPS. I'll have to check that out.

We have been close friends for years and did a lot together when I worked at the telephone company and then we kept in touch when I did Social Work. She is staying a week and said she had reservations for a Holiday Inn nearby. I said no, she was staying here. So, this is the rest of the story. I may not be posting again until Monday.

I moved here 6 years ago and have really missed my friends and can't wait to get caught up on all of the 'stuff'. We will probably also do a little stamping, very little actually. She likes to go see things.

You can still sign up for the Blog Candy and then please feel free to Follow Me and look around. Have a great week everyone.

Thank for stopping by to get the scoop!

 

 Shirley

 

Fishing Line Dropped Again

IMAGE:
The image, Polka Dot Fish D2195, was stamped with Brilliance Galaxy Gold on White Cardstock. It was painted with a Niji Waterbrush and Twinkling H2O's. I wanted the dots to show more so I painted them with a VersaMark pen and used Egyptian Gold EP heated with a heat gun. I also used a little Stickles Diamonds and Orange glitter glue to highlight the Jellyfish and the Starfish.

Tip 1. I almost always go around the edges of the image after cutting it out, with a Waterbrush, Sharpie, or Marker of a similar color to give the image more depth, especially if I use 3D pop dots, like I did here.

Background:
I stamped Wave Background F2209 on White Glossy Cardstock with VersaMark.

Tip 2. I used a heat gun to dry the VersaMark. I did want something that was very distinct, and this gives it kind of a muted tone. I actually heat dry almost everything but dye inks and areas done with markers.

I pounced all over the card with Ancient Page Neptune Ink as shown. I highlighted areas here and there with Stickles Diamonds glitter glue. It was trimmed and mounted on Neenah Classic Crest Laid Solar White.
Tag:

Tip 3. I love how I get embossed edges and an edge around the outside too. Reminds me of an old fashioned frame. This is the stack I use in the Cuttlebug to to it. A Plate on bottom followed by: B Plate, Die with sharp side up, Emboss matte from Spellbinders (or gasket mat from Home Depot or Lowes), B Plate.

The words, from Angel Fish MC183, were stamped with Mica Magic Green in the middle of the tag. The raised ridge from the embossing was highlighted with painted with Ancient Page Neptune and then highlighted with Stickles Eucalyptus.

Embellishments:

Tip 4. I love it when others share. I picked up this hint from someone and I need to thank whoever it was. Sometimes I do things out of sequence and don't want to undo what I have done. I needed to thread the gold cord up the Polka Dot Fish rope and the fish hook too. Tiny itty bitty holes. I used a dental floss guide. Yep! Worked like a charm to pull the cord through every teeny tiny space without hurting what had already been mounted. When not that tiny I have also used a crochet hook.

The last thing I did was mount the rhinestones.
SUPPLIES:
Stamps: Polka Dot Fish D2195, Wave Border F2219, Angel Fish MC183
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth and Laid, Glossy White cardstock
Inks: Brilliance Galaxy Gold, Twinkling H2O's Lemon Yellow, Dreamsicle, Cherry Sorbet, Sweet Alfalfa, Warm Pecan .(They are staying in business and the 40% off sale is good until June 14th. Read about it on the link I gave you.) Thanks to all of you who helped. VersaMark, Ancient Page Neptune, Mica Magic Green retired.
Accessories: Judikins Egyptian Gold EP, Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Ovals Large, May Arts and Gold Cord Ribbon, Bow Easy, Stickles Eucalyptus, Orange, and Diamonds glitter glue, Mark Richards Orange Crystal Stickers, Nunn Designs Stick Pin

Thanks for stopping by to look and share. Don't forget the blog candy on my blog. The instructions for entering are there too!

 

 Shirley

 

Impression-Obsession Red, White and Blue Challenge

IMAGE:

The image is Victorian Bloom One F2223, by Leigh Hannan, Impression-Obsession. It was stamped with Encore Gold pigment ink and embossed with Judikins Egyptian Gold Embossing Powder. It was trimmed with scissors and an X-Acto Knife. We have to quit meeting like this. I totally forgot about the challenge again and this was done in 3 very fast hours. Ha! It was painted with Twinkling H2O Garnet. The 2, 3, and 5MM pearls are Mark Richards. The ribbon is Hobby Lobby.

BACKGROUND:

The background paper is Dali Dori Shimmer Navy and I got it on sale at Paper-Papers.com. The White cardstock was put through my Cuttlebug with their With Gratitude embossing folder. The Silent setter was used for the center of the flowers so the Navy would show. The edges were trimmed with scissors and the X-Acto knife. I am getting to be very fast with both. If I were going to add a sentiment I believe I would so a tag tied to the ribbon with gold cord.

SUPPLIES:
Stamps: Impression-Obsession - Victorian Bloom One F2223
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth cardstock, Dali Dori Shimmer Navy (Blumarino)
Inks: Encore Gold, Twinkling H2O's
Accessories: Judikins Egyptian Gold EP, Ribbon from Hobby Lobby, Bow Easy, Mark Richards 2, 3 and 5MM Pearls
Don't forget to check out these Design Team members blogs for their great Red, White, and Blue cards too. We have a new Design Team Member, Jenny Gropp. Check out her blog. You won't be disappointed:

• Daniela Dobson
• Laura Fulcher
• Jenny Gropp
• Julie Koerber
• Dina Kowal
• Deborah March
• Jeanne Streiff

Thanks for stopping by to look and share and good luck on the CANDY!!

 

 Shirley

 

Sweet Peas of Summer

I really fell in love with this stamp and so here it is again. A little different. I am trying to get used to designer papers.

IMAGE:

The main image, from Flourishes Sweet Peas was stamped on white cardstock with Brilliance Gallaxy Gold ink. It was heat embossed to set it so it could be painted with Twinkling H2O's. Spellbinders largest Labels One was used as a template for the outer edge. It was cut with an X-Acto knife.

IMAGE FRAME:

A Magic Matter was used to create the frame around the image. It was then cut with an X-Acto knife. The image was mounted on this.

BACKGROUND:

The corners of the background were punched. The image and frame were centered within the punched corners as they were mounted.

EMBELLISHMENTS:

The pearls were added to the center portion of the punched area. The double ribbon bow was done with the Bow-Easy.

SUPPLIES:

Stamps: Flourishes Sweet Peas

Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth cardstock, Basic Grey Bittersweet and Porcelain

Inks: Brilliance Galaxy Gold, Twinkling H2O's Jasper Red, Buttercup, Lemon Yellow, Moss Green, Sweet Alfalfa .(They are staying in business and the 40% off sale is good until June 14th. Read about it on the link I gave you.) Thanks to all of you who helped.

Accessories: Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels One, Hobby Lobby Ribbon, Bow Easy, Stickles Diamonds Glitter Glue, Martha Stewart Pearl Stickers from WalMart.

If I were to do this card again I think I would use a Red border around the edge. I find thought, that I am loving DP. I didn't think I would like it at all. I just need to get used to layering it and how. Well, thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share!!

 

 Shirley