Prairie Flowers

For my card above I chose Aislinn Adam's new Prairie Plants and a sentiment from clear set Hydrangea.  Below is how I put it together:

• stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa and painted with Twinkling H2O's on white cardstock,
• used Spellbinders die as template to cut-out the image (a little Out-Of-The-Box technique around the edges when trimming).
• mounted flowers with 3D pop-dots
• added White Flower Soft to the left flowers
• used Glossy Accents on the yellow flowers and
• put a little FS in the middle of the flower and painted with orange.
• added 3mm pearl stickers to the corners and added yellow bow.
• stamped sentiment with Memento Olive  on a 1/2"X3.5" strip of white cardstock mounted and trimmed on the cardfront edge. 

Thanks for stopping by to look and share!!

 Shirley

SUPPLIES:

It's Almost Here

And this could be my last post until after Christmas.  It all depends on what I get done.  :-)  This card was done using another Twisted Easel.  It looks like a square easel, but is isn't totally.  If it was a square one it would be 5X5.  I hated seeing the large margin on the right of square easels, so I changed it a little.  The fold for the easel part is the same.  A piece of cardstock cut 5"X10 and folded in the middle for the 5"X5".  Then don't forget top fold the top as from bottom left to right top (to make a triangle).  Look HERE.  Now for the difference.  I made my card front 5.25" and then mounted it so the overhang would be on the right.  Any questions, ask me.

I used Flourishes Poinsettia Boxwood Set for the flowers and the sentiment is from Flourishes Sleigh Ride.  The large flower was stamped twice, cut out, was painted with Twinkling H2O's, bottom and top turned over and embossed on mat with stylus, and layered with 3D pop dots.  3MM Mark Richard pearls were added to the center and Stickles Yellow was added in between them.  The leftover petals from the second Poinsettia were painted with Twinkling H2O's Olive Green and then mounted as shown after the flower was mounted.

The frame for the flower was done using Spellbinders Labels Thirteen.  You can see how I did it HERE.  The white embossed background is Cuttlebug's Kassie's Brocade 5"X7" embossing folder.  Since my card front was 5"X5.25, the next layer is Bazzill's Dotted Swiss Blissful 4.45"X5.0", then Kassie's Brocade at 4.5"X4.75, then Labels Thirteen frame mounted on a white BG, then on Kassie with 3D pop dots, and last the Poinsettia mounted with 3D pop dots.

The layering of the bottom is pretty self explanatory.  I painted the small Poinsettia with the same colors as above.  The pearls are 2MM.  The sentiment was stamped with StazOn Blazing Red and the die from Spellbinders Fancy Tags One was used as a stencil around it.  The die cut was done using more Blissful.  The pearls are 5 and 7MM.  The ribbon is May Arts and done with the Bow-Easy.

I am using the InLinkz Link Manager again.  Some of you said it was helpful.   Hope you enjoyed your visit.  If I don't make it by your blog to say so before Christmas, I hope yours is MERRY and BRIGHT!!  And a very HAPPY NEW YEAR too!!  Thanks for stopping by to look and say hi!!

 

 Shirley

 

SUPPLIES:

CAS That Was Much Fun

I was blog hopping and came across Colleen Dietrich's Pastel Sleigh Ride and knew I had to try something like it!  The sleigh is from Flourishes Sleigh Ride and the Pine boughs are from Impression Obsession's Winter View.  The words are from Flourishes Meet Me Under the Mistletoe.

I stamped the sleigh with Brilliance Galaxy Gold on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, painted it with Twinkling H2O's, cut it out and embellished it with a punched Paper Shapers Small Snowflake, added Glossy Accents and Deco Art Glamour Dust, then set it aside.

I punched a border on pink parchment paper with a Martha Stewart Around The Page Punch as shown.  I used a Spellbinders Floral Doily Motif die with Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Laid paper.  I cut it in half as shown and mounted it on the pink parchment paper.

Another piece was embossed with one of the folders from Sizzix's Flourish, Dots, and Ribbon set.  A piece of SU DP paper was cut for the background.  The white embossed paper was mounted on that followed by the pink parchment, the die cut, a piece of lace, and then the sleigh.

I stamped the Pine boughs using SU Certainly Celery Classic dye ink on some white CS, cut out, mounted as shown.  Snowflakes were die cut with Cuttlebug's Snowflake #2 die and mounted as shown.  I applied Glossy Accents to all of the centers, added pearl stickers to the centers, then dusted with Deco Arts Glamour Dust.  The ribbon was tied with the Bow-Easy and mounted with a glue-dot.

The base below was done with the same white CS and SU DP stamped with Impression Obsession Winter View Pine boughs and SU Certainly Celery.  A Spellbinders Fancy Tags One die was used for the word base, then the top was stenciled.  The words are from Flourishes Meet Me Under The Mistletoe.  If I made some grammatical mistakes, I apologize.  Somehow tonight I seem to be in a fog.  LOLOL  So if you have questions, please feel free to ask!

I must be doing something wrong with the Inlinkz Link Manager.  I liked it, but it just seemed to take so much time always adding new links.  Oh well, hope your weekend was great and thanks for stopping by to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

Supplies:
Stamps:  Flourishes Sleigh Ride and Meet Me Under The Mistletoe; Impression Obsession Winter View

Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White and Solar White Laid cardstock; Pink parchment cardstock; Stampin' Up DP remnants
Inks:  Memento - Brilliance Galaxy Gold; Twinkling H2O's; SU Certainly Celery Classic
Accessories:  Paper Shapers Snowflake punch; Spellbinders Tags One, Mark Richards 3mm white pearl stickers; Bow-Easy; Micheal's ribbon, Martha Stewart Around The Page Punches.

Back With A Tribute And A Card

Tomorrow is going to be a very sad day for me and I think for most of us.  I will never forget where I was while watching it all happening on TV and getting ready for work on the West coast.  I am in awe of those who survived, both rescuers, victims, and their families too.  I found a widget of the official 9/11 flag and a picture of the beautiful Reflecting Pools built at Ground Zero.  Prayers of energy and peace to the survivors, families, and friends, and to those who have used their time and energy to help and encourage those in need because of this horrendous event.

It's been a while and have I been busy!!   IO is planning a new store website and I have been gathering some information for Mitra.  Also, I have been working on some personal things and my yard.  It was so hot here this summer we were in drought again and I didn't do much.  Now is the time for getting the weeds out and seeding my lawn since it is only in the 80's now.


Now for my offering.  I love this Sweet Violets stamp set by Flourishes, but I had never used it until now.  Well, if you know me, you know I have to layer and emboss for depth, so............

I stamped the image on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb. cardstock twice using Brilliance Galaxy Gold.   I painted the images with Twinkling H20's Cherry Sorbet and Moss Green using my Niji Waterbrush.  I cut out my base image using my X-Acto knife and painted the edges with the colors of the violets and leaves.  Everything forward has been turned over on an embossing mat and embossed with a stylus.  Next I cut out the leaves on the second image as shown and mounted with 1/16" 3D pop dots.  I did the same with the backs of the flowers, but mounted them using only Glossy Accents.

I ran my new Marianne Die Cutting Frame Swirl 116 through my Cuttlebug using more Neenah Solar White.  The second time through was to emboss the center.  (Hint:  When it doesn't show enough I turn it over with the die in place and use a stylus to accent it more.  I used 1/16" 3D pop dots on the leaves of the Violets and 1/8" 3D pop dots for the flowers.  I put it aside to wait until I had the second die cut.

I put another piece of Neenah Solar White through the Cuttlebug using Spellbinders Curved Rectangles.  The second time was to emboss the center part.  I used the die as a stencil to get the center part using SU DP.  That was mounted to the center of the Solar White die cut with ATG Gold tape.

I removed the backing on the 3D pop dots of the Violets and mounted them and the Marianne die cut to the Curved Rectangle die cut as shown.  I love both these dies!!!!

I cut a piece of the SU DP to 4.25X5.5.  The image and die cuts were mounted to it using 1/16" 3D pop dots.  May Arts ribbon was run under the Marianne die cut for the outside ribbon.  It was run over and under the Marianne die cut for the center piece of ribbon.  My bow was done using the Bow-Easy.  There are 3 rounds of ribbon.  (Hint:  I hate trying to get the bow layers to stay separate and found that if I twist the flip the ends backward they look frilly, so that's what I did.  I like the look.)

The sentiment is from Impression Obsession's Mini Messages clear stamp set and was stamped using Memento Bamboo Green on Neenah.  The smallest Curved Rectangle on SU DP was used for the frame.

The pearls on the corner were purchased on EBay in the nail art section and were cheap and free shipping.  I think they were in Hong Kong.  Incredible!   The pearls on the sentiment are from Mark Richards 3mm pearl stickers.  The heart pearl is Making Memories and the beads are Czech.

That's it for now.  If you ever have any questions, please feel free to ask.  Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

Supplies:
Stamps:  Flourishes Sweet Violets; Impression Obsession Mini Messages

Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock and SU DP
Inks:  Memento Bamboo Green; Brilliance Galaxy Gold; Twinkling H2O's Cherry Sorbet and Moss Green
Accessories:  Spellbinders Curved Rectangles, Marianne Die Cutting Frame Swirl 116; Making Memories White Heart Pearl stick pin; Mark Richards 3mm white pearl stickers; Czech pink faceted and pearl beads; Bow-Easy; May Arts ribbon.

 Shirley

New Flourishes Stamp Set For Me

I purchased two new Flourishes stamp sets, Country Charm Labels and Country Charm Borders (and a few others too), a few months ago and finally made time to use them..  :-)  These are fun stamps!! Above is my result!

I stamped the label and 3 borders with Momento Bamboo Green ink on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock, painted the little flowers with Twinkling H2O's Cherry Sorbet, using a Niji waterbrush, and cut them out.  One border is for the inside of my card.  I also stamped the envelope bottom with a border too.

I stamped the sentiment, from Impression Obsession's All Occasion I, on the label with Momento Tuxedo Black. flipped it over and embossed the edges on a Pergamano cushion with a stylus.  The white doily die cut is from Martha Stewart Doily Lace Shimmer Die Cuts.  The scalloped edge is from Spellbinder's Scalloped Circles Large cut from Stardream Chiara Rose Quartz text weight paper (a left over and my "GOING GREEN contribution).  The doily was mounted on the scalloped circle.  The label was mounted using 1/16" pop dots on the doily.

A piece of the Neenah Classic Crest Solar White was put through the Cuttlebug using their Victoria embossing folder, and mounted on the Stardream Chiara Rose Quartz.   Two of the border were mounted on top of that as shown.

The main image with label was mounted on top of the background using 1/8" pop dots.   Mark Richards Black Onyx stickers (3mm, 4mm, and 5mm) were mounted as shown.  The Black May Arts Ribbon was placed as shown and the Bow-Easy was used for the bow.  The stick pin is a pearl boutonniere pin with Czech White heart and black onyx faceted beads.

I didn't take pictures of the inside and the envelope with the borders, but the borders were long enough for both.

Last but not least, I am so proud of me.  I finally pulled off making just one card.  You have no idea what a habit it can be to do a certain number each time.  It is so much faster this way and easier to work around doing the IO blog hop and challenge.  Happy camper here!!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Flourishes Country Charm Labels, Country Charm Borders; Impression Obsession All Occasion I.

Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock, Stardream Chiara Rose Quartz
Inks:  Momento Bamboo Green, Tuxedo Black;  Twinkling H2O's Cherry Sorbet
Accessories:  Spellbinders Scallop Circles, Martha Stewart Doily Lace Shimmer Die Cuts, Cuttlebug Victoria embossing folder; White Pearl Boutonniere pin; Mark Richards Black Onyx 3, 4, and 5mm stickers; Czech white heart and black onyx faceted beads; Bow-Easy; May Arts ribbon.

Thanks so much for stopping by to look and share everyone!!

 Shirley

Iris Blooms Floating by Challis & Roo - A Green Card!

First, I would like to report that 2 bloggers have told me that they noticed their Followers were gone and tested my theory. My theory is that by emptying your Google Reader your Followers are somehow connected. Read HERE. They report that the Followers were back after doing that. :-)

I am still using up images I painted this last Winter in an attempt to go 'Green' and not waste! It was kind of fun going through what I have hoarded in backgrounds too.

I created the image by stamping Iris Blooms Floating by Challis & Roos twice using Galaxy Gold on Neenah Classic White Solar Crest cardstock.  I heated it to set and painted with Twinkling H2O's Royal Satin, True Blue, Moss Green, and Olive Green.  Images were trimmed and the edges were painted with Gold Galaxy too.

Two pieces of the Neenah Classic White were run through my Cuttlebug using Spellbinders Labels 13 and repeated to emboss the edges.  One Iris Bloom was mounted onto the embossed die cut with tape, followed by part of the other Iris Blooms and 3D pop dots as shown.  X-Acto knife on a healing mat was used to cut open slots for the ribbon on each side of the die cut. 

I created the back ground when I was doing this card for the Impression Obsessions Blog HERE, if you want to see the tutorial.  So now you know I have had it for almost 2 years. I liked the background so much that I saved 3 more backgrounds to work with later. I used Cover-a-Card™ CC024 Tapestry and CC002 Swirls.

Next I mounted the image with label onto the finished Quilt Background using 3D pop dots.  Michaels ivory colored organza ribbon was threaded through the slots and a double-bow using the Bow-Easy was mounted.  A gold filigree button from my stash was applied with a 5mm pearl sticker and additional Glossy Accents.  I used an acrylic circle and discontinued stamp from Rubber Stamp Tapestry for the tag.  I stamped the image and the edges with Galaxy Gold and heat embossed with Egyptian Gold, and tied it on using left over gold cord.  'Hello' didn't show up well enough, so I went over it with an Olive Green Sharpie.

Thanks so much for stopping by to look and share! 

Supplies:
Stamps:  Impression Obsession Cover-a-Card™  CC024 Tapestry and  CC002 Swirls; Discontinued Iris Blooms, Challis & Roo - Inkadinkado; discontinued stamp from Rubber Stamp Tapestry.

Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth and Natural cardstock
Inks: VersaMark; Brilliance Galaxy Gold; Twinkling H2O's Royal Satin, True Blue, Moss Green, and Olive Green
Accessories:  Judikins Egyptian Gold Embossing Powder, Spellbinders Frameabilities Scalloped Edges (Flower), Fiskars Apron Lace border punch; Michaels Organdy Ribbon, Bow- Easy, Mark Richards 5mm, 3mm pearls; Olive Green Sharpie.

Thanks for stopping by to look and share!

 Shirley

This Card Is For You

Before I talk about this card I would like to give thanks for the inspiration I used for my last card.  You can see it HERE.  I loved the card Colleen Dietrich at Dietrich Designs as seen HERE.  If you have never been there you need to visit and I promise you will want to look for a while!!  Thank you Colleen for your inspiration and creativity!

The card above was inspired by Lynn McAuley at Confessions Of A Left-Brained Stamper.  I was so excited when I pulled the jpg as an inspiration because Lynn had her name on it so I could find her blog.  Do you think I could find the card~!!!!!! Nooooooooo~  So Lynn, if you see this let me know where I saw your card!! :-)

A very simple card.  One piece of paper for the quilt look is hoarded leftovers.  It is called Italian Venetian and is has gold filigree here and there in the leaves and blossoms.  The other is Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb. cardstock.  The pieces were punched with a 1 3/8" Paper Shaper punch and mounted to a piece of  the Neenah White.

The flourish, from Flourishes Siberian Iris, was stamped on the Neenah white cardstock with Brilliance Galaxy Gold.  The pearls are from Oriental Trading Company and they are not sticky and were mounted with Glossy Accents. The green is Twinkling H2O Moss Green.

A Dark Brown Sharpie and a ruler were used for the Faux Stitching.  That was run through my Cuttlebug with their Victoria embossing folder.  I pieced another piece of Neenah white so everything measured 4.0"X5.25".  That was mounted to a piece of Curious Metallic Chocolate text weight.

Now the fun really began.  I used my new PTI Flower Bloom #1 die set with the Italian Venetian paper as shown with my Cuttlebug.  I used a stylus on a piece of stylus foam to give the petals dimension along with 3D 1/16" pop dots under each petal.  The tips of the petals were rounded with the rod of a needle punch.  The buttons are from my stash, as well as the gold thread. One button is crystal clear with a gold trim and the other is a pearl pink.

The tag is from Spellbinder Tag Trio and was saved from a past project.  The sentiment is by Paper Salon and was embossed with Gold EP.  I mounted it on the Italian Venetian paper, trimmed around it, and cut out the ribbon slots with an X-Acto knife.  The dots are Stickles Cotton Candy. The ribbon is from Michaels.  The stick pin and Czech bead are from my stash!.

I am off to do another card.  I am down from 8 cards at a time to 2 and may get to 1.  That should speed up my production rate............maybe!!!  :-)

That's all for today and thanks for stopping by to look and say hi!!

 Shirley

Supplies:
Papers: Neenah Classic Crest, Solar White, Super Smooth cardstock and text weight; Curious Metallic Chocolate text weight; Italian Venetian

Stamps: Flourishes Siberian Iris - flourish; Paper Salon For You

Inks: Brilliance Galaxy Gold; Shaprie Dark Brown; Gold EP

Accessories: Oriental Trading Company pearls; EK Success Paper Shaper 1 3/8" punch; clear and pink pearl buttons; Gold thread from stash; Cuttlebug Victoria; Spellbinders Tags Trio; Stickles Cotton Candy; Michaels ribbon; Bow-Easy; stick pin and Czech from stash.

A Tweet Bird And A New List

I'll want to let you know about my new list tab.  With my new blog layout comes TABS.  Love them.  They are taking some of the stuff out of my sidebars and placing it on top where you can see them if you like.  As you can see, I've added 3 more tabs.  I think you can have a total of 7.

The one tab I would like to bring to your attention is the "Any Stamp Challenges".  I have been blog hopping more recently and noticed all of the Rubber Stamp Challenges in Blogland.  :-)  I had someone ask if I knew where there was a list of challenges for 'using any stamp'.  I said no, but I would collect them while hopping.  If you are interested, check the tab.  I was blown away with the ones I have already found.  If you know of any I don't have, let me know and I will put them on the list.  On to my card!!!

I was over at Stephanie Lanzalotto's blog, My Ink Well, and saw her cute Chickadee card!  I didn't have the stamp set she used, but I did have a button I had been wanting to use on a card for some time.

Construction of Bird:

I applied the button to a remnant of white cardstock and drew the legs, tail feathers, and beak with a pencil. I punched out a wing with one of my tear drop punches and then used it to make a larger one with a pencil. Cut it out and used it as a template on some SU DP scraps for the wing and the background for the flowers. Mounted it with a glue dot.  I trimmed around the bird, nose, and legs. Lined them with Viva Black Pearl Pen and applied a generous dot for the bird's eye.  I used the Viva Hematite Glitter Liner to accent some little dots on DP on the Wing.  Set aside to dry.

Stamped on Neenah White Cardstock with Cover-A-Card Swirls and VersaMark pigment ink.  Embossed with Clear EP.  Used Cuttlebug and Spellbinders Lacey Circles Dies for 2 die cuts.  Used larger die as a stencil and brayered with SU Classic Bashful Blue.  Used as stencil again on vellum to put over the Bashful Blue part to later stamp sentiment.  Used smaller die as stencil for background on SU remnant DP and used Viva Hematite Glitter Liner to accent small circles.

Placed larger die over Vellum as stencil, cut out and mounted over center, placed bird near top, stamped sentiment with StazOn near bottom, created Tweet on computer sticker paper, trimmed around, and placed above sentiment, and used Viva Hematite Glitter Liner over all words.

Mounted bird and words in upper left-hand corner with 3D pop dots.  Mounted May Arts ribbon and bow made with Bow-Easy as shown.

Mounted SU DP remnant in center of smaller die cut.  Mounted Prima flowers as shown.  Used Twinkling H2O's True Blue with Niji waterbrush on edges of larger rose.  I wet the edge of petals first with colorless water and Niji.  Then brushed the color lightly onto edges.  It bleeds and blends on the dampened area for a softer natural look.

It needed something else, so I pulled out a Making Memories Blue Heart Stick Pin and threaded it with a Czech jet black onyx bead and a Blue Moon cultured pearl bead from my stash.

Done except for a little of the DP and Cover-A-Card in thin strips inside the card on the top and on the envelope in the lower left-hand corner.

Thanks for stopping by to say hi and look and share!!

 Shirley

Supplies:

Papers: Domtar White, Super Smooth, 90 lb. Folded card base ; SU Bashful Blue/DP remnants; Neenah Classic Crest, Solar White, Super Smooth; Tan or Bone cardstock;Vellum


Stamps: Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card CC002 - Swirls and Damask; Just Rite Friendship Nested Sentiments; Tweet Computer Generated - Flemish Script BT


Inks: StazOn Jet Black; Brilliance Moonlight White;SU Classic Bashful Blue; Twinkling H2O's True Blue


Accessories: Viva Pearl Pen Black and Glitter Liner Hematite; Niji waterbrush 9mm Small; Cuttlebug; Spellbinders Lacey Circles; Prima Innocence (I think!); May Arts Ribbon; Bow-Easy; Czech black faceted bead, Making Memories stick pin, Blue Moon cultured pearl

An Idea That Went The Other Way

And a little bit of everything!!!  I've had this image forever!  I had stamped Magenta's Dasies In A Rectangle on white cardstock with Encore Gold pigment ink and embossed it with gold embossing powder, probably 4 years ago or more.  I had painted it with Radiant Pearls and they had faded over time, like Radiant Pearls can do.  I went through my "saved images" the other day and decided to do something with it.

The embossed area had tuned a little dark like antique gold.  I painted over the ares with Twinkling H2O's Lemon Yellow, Gold Dust, Mallard Green, and China Black.  They really made the flowers pop.  I added Dimensional glue in dots to the centers sprinkles with AIG Old Gold. 

For the background I embossed on Neenah Classic Solar White cardstock with Cuttlebug Love Language folder and on orange cardstock with Sizzix Floral Flourishes and Vines.  I had a card I had done a long time ago that measured 4"X8.5" and I saved some folded blanks I hadn't used.  I punch the top layer with Martha Stewarts Around The Page Eyelet Lace.   I measured, cut, and mounted the backgrounds as shown.

I taped the back of the May Arts ribbon, mounted it over and under the embossed backgrounds, and mounted the bow, done with the Bow-Easy.  The gold flower finding (bought at a stamp convention) on the bow was bent to fit the knot and a 5mm pearl sticker added with some Glossy Accents.

A corner of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb text was punched with the same corner punch I used for the edge of the card.  The words from Just Rite's Friendship Nested Sentiments were stamped with StazOn Forest Green at an angle to the corner.  A ruler was used to measure where to cut so the punch could be used on the opposite end.  Then the Scor-Pal was used for decorative lines above and below the words.  3mm pearls were added.

Supplies:

Image:  Magenta Daisies In A Rectangle, Just Rite Friendship Nested Sentiments
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth cardstock and text; orange cardstock
Ink: Encore Gold; Stazon Forest Green; Twinkling H2O's Lemon Yellow, Gold Dust, Mallard Green, China Black
Accessories: Niji Waterbrush, AIG Old Gold glitter, Cuttlebug Love Language embossing folder, Sizzix Floral Flourishes and Vines, Martha Stewart Around The Page Eyelet Lace Punches, 5 and 3MM pearl stickers, May Arts ribbon, Bow-Easy, Brass (Gold) flower finding.

Okay, now I am scared.  I just did spell check and it didn't show me any misspelled words.  I just misspelled on purpose and it didn't catch it.  Oh well, you know what I meant to type!! Yikes!!!  I should be back soon.  This Thursday is IO's "Anything But A Card" challenge.  Thanks for stopping by to look and share. Praying for the Middle East and Japan. :-(  Hope your weekend was good!

 Shirley

It's A Blue Challenge, Not A Blue Day!!!

When someone says blue to me and doesn't define anything else, for some reason, I think of Delft art or china.  Soooo here's how I did my card for this challenge.

I stamped Alesa Baker's new image, Wire Garden Bench, with StazOn Ultramarine.  It was painted with Twinkling H2O's Sapphire On Ice.  The great thing about watercolor is the different shades from just one color.  I highlighted the flowers with a Clear Sakuro Glaze Gel Pen

The edge was done with Martha Stewart's Around The Page String Lace and Neenah Classic Solar White Text paper.  I didn't like the white so I ran the StazOn Ultramarine over it and mounted the image on to.

I thought Impression Obsession's Cover-A-Card^TM  Round Floral in Ancient Page Cobalt would look a lot like Delft tiles.  I stamped it once using my  Mega Mount^TM,  for the 5.25X5.25 background, and once more for the left inside of the card, the lower left-hand corner of the envelope and the 4 square tiles you see on the corners. I first punched the three squares like you see in the lower right-hand corner where you see the word "hello" with a .75" punch.  I highlighted them with a Clear Sakuro Glaze Gel Pen.  Then to get the other 3 tiles I used a .5" punch.  They were mounted with 3D pop dots.   One of the left over hollow frames was used for the word "hello",  from Impression Obsession's Sentiments II Clear Stamp Set.

The image was placed on the background with 3D pop dots.  I mounted the white seam binding ribbon and then mounted all to the folded card, added the pearl embellishments, did the inside and the envelope and done.

Now there's more fun waiting for you.  Below are the blogs of the DT members with more wonderful "Blue Cards".

• Daniel Dobson
• Deborah March
• Dina Kowal
• Jeanne Streiff
• Jenny Gropp
• Julie Koerber
• Kathy Menzies
• Shirley Ross

Supplies:
Image: Impression Obsession - Cover-A-Card^TM Round Flowers, Alesa Baker Garden Bench, and  Sentiments II 

Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth cardstock and text
Inks: Stazon Ultramarine and Ancient Page Cobalt; Twinkling H2O's Sapphire On Ice
Accessories: Niji Waterbrush, Clear Sakura Glaze Pen, Martha Stewart Around The Page String Lace Punches, 5 and 2MM pearl stickers, White Seam Binding,  Bow-Easy

Thanks for stopping by to look and share.  Hope to see you all soon!!

 

 Shirley

 

Is It Spring Yet Challenge

I can't think of more appropriate words, can you?  Yes, "Is It Spring Yet?" is the name of the IO challenge today.  IO is offering a $25 Gift Certificate to be won in a drawing on Friday, 9 p.m., that can be used in their online store.  All you have to do is enter a card following the rules posted in the sidebar at the IO blog site.  You can find them by going HERE!

This was a fairly easy card to create.  All of the stamps are NEW for SPRING, except the Dots.  The NEW STAMPS can be veiwed  HERE.

I created the background using using the Mega Mount^TM, and Cover-A-Cards^TM, Large Dots inked with Memento Dandelion ink, and Wallpaper inked with Mica Gloss Green on White cardstock.  It was mounted on a yellow ochre cardstock. It sure didn't look like that after I took the picture.  LOLOL

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE MEGA MOUNT USED WITH THE LARGE 5.75" STAMPS YOU CAN VIEW IT HERE.  *Note - I happen to stamp on enough cardstock to take the whole stamp.  I like the leftovers for the inside and envelope. etc.

Then I stamped Alesa Baker's Delicate Daffodils on White Cardstock, painted them with Twinkling H2O's, and then I cut them out.

I stamped Alesa Baker's Lovely Tomorrows on White cardstock, used one of my Circle dies by Spellbinders as a stencil, cut it out, and then edged it with the Mica Gloss Green.  I die cut the white Spellbinders pendant and slipped the circle with the words into it.

I mounted the daffodils on the pendant with 3D pop-ups,  mounted the pendant on the background with 3D pop-ups, tied the May Arts bow with the Bow-Easy and mounted it with glue dots, mounted 3mm pearls on the pendant, used gold cord through the heart buttons and mounted with glue dots!  Done

As a finishing touch to the card,  I edged the inside of the card and evelope with remnants from the background.  Then I stamped one of the daffodils inside on the left and on the lower left side of the envelope and painted with the watercolors too.

Now check out the DT members creations on their blogs below for more beautiful cards created with the NEW SPRING stamps too:

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

Supplies:
Image: Impression Obsession - Cover-A-Card^TM Large Dots and Wallpaper; Lovely Tomorrows
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth cardstock, yellow ocher cardstock
Inks: Memento Dandelion, Mica Gloss Green, Twinkling H2O's Dandelion, Sunburst, Buttercup, Warm Pecan
Accessories: Niji Waterbrush, Glossy Accents, Spellbinders Circles and Heart Renaissance Pendant, 3MM pearl stickers, May Arts Ribbon, Bow-Easy, 3 faux mother of pearl heart buttons; gold cord.

I keep hoping I will get caught up enough to start doing some different stamps more often and maybe some tutorials too.  It has been too long.  Thanks for stopping by to look and share all!!

 Shirley

A "Bootiful" Halloween Card

This card is 5.25X5.25".  I couldn't resist using these great Leigh Hannan Halloween Window and Pumpkin Patch stamps with the season upon us!   I stamped the Window stamp on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth cardstock with Stazon Jet Black.  The image was painted with Twinkling H2O's.  2 and 3MM pearls were mounted with Glossy Accents to the areas as shown.  Stickles Diamonds glitter glue was used for the frost on the windows.  A piece of the Solar White cardstock was put through the Cuttlebug using their Distressed Stripes (it reminds me of vinyl house siding).  The image was cut out and then the edges sealed with Twinks China Black.  The window portion was glued to the "siding" and then the shutters on the side had 3D pop dots put underneath to give dimension. 

The pumpkin with vines was stamped again and painted with twinks. The berries were painted orange and then Stickles Orange glitter glue was applied for effect.  The eyes and mouth of the pumpkin were painted and then Stickles Yellow used.  The pumpkin was cut out with an X-acto knife.   The edges were sealed with China Black and then it was turned over on a Pergamano mat and embossed for depth using a stylus.  If you click on the image below you can get a close up.  Just enough raise to give it depth.  It too was mounted with 3D pop dots.

The envelope is handmade from Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb. Text paper.  The image is the Pumpkin Patch mentioned above.  The punched edges are from the DP used on the front with Martha Stewart's Modern Garland Corner and Edge Punches.

Designer paper was used behind the Distressed Stripes siding.  A piece of Solar White 80lb Text paper was punched also using Martha Stewart's Modern Garland Corner and Edge Punches.  It was first mounted on a piece of SU Orange cardstock.  The DP was mounted on that and then the main image was mounted using 3D pop dots.  The 5MM pearls were then mounted using Glossy Accents.  The pearls all have sticky on the back, but it doesn't hold nearly as well as being reinforced with Glossy Accents.  May Arts Deep Green Ribbon was sealed to the cardfront back and passed under the Distress Stripes as shown.  The bow was done with the Bow-Easy.

The stick pin is a pear shaped boutonniere pin.  The heart is a Czech glass bead with a Clear Czech bead below that.  All were sealed in place with Glossy Accents.

The inside (shown below) was done with the same DP used on the front with the same Martha Stewart punches.  The image is IO Leigh Hannan's Pumpkin Patch.  It too was stamped, cut out, sealed edges with China Black, turned over on the mat and embossed with the stylus, and then mounted with 3D Pop Dots.  The words are my own and computer generated.

The edge of the envelope flap is using the same Martha Stewart Garland punches.  The tiny pumpkin is from IO Leigh Hannah's  Candy Corn Tree.  It was trimmed, sealed, and embossed from the back too.  Mounted using a 3D pop dot too.

Hope you enjoyed the card.  Thanks for stopping by to look and share!!  Hope your Labor Day is great too!

 

 Shirley

 

Well It's About Time, Shirley

I honestly have to say that the detail in this card is not what has kept me from posting.  I am still working on getting my house ready to sell and that means going through my stash in the garage.  LOLOL

The main image is Hero Arts Friend.  I stamped it with Brilliance Galaxy Gold and thought it would be perfect for layering, so I stamped the flower three more times.  After cutting out each layer, the images were then painted with Twinkling H2O's Lemon Yellow, Mallard Green, Royal Satin, and Pink Grapefruit.  The images were then turned over and a stylus was used on each petal on my Pergamano mat.   Each layer was mounted using 1/16" pop dots.

I did the same thing with each of the flowers and also the leaves.  On the tiniest leaves I used Glossy Accents.  I used 2MM pearls on the large flower and the smaller yellow and purple flowers. 

Mark Richards has quit offering 2MM pearls and I couldn't find them anywhere so I went to EBay and guess what?  I couldn't believe my eyes.  I found I could get 1500 in a little compact for $3.60 from Hong Kong and the shipping was free HERE.  It did take 6 days, but that is nothing when you want something.  LOL No kidding!! I applied them using dots of Glossy Accents (I use this to cement all of my pearls, rhinestones, etc.) and a Sticky Stick, found HERE.  I still buy the other larger ones from craft vendors here.

The smaller of the pink flowers has Liquid Pearl White Opal with a touch of Glossy Accents.  And what do you know, they look like tiny pearls too.  LOL

I used my Martha Stewart Scroll Lace Around The Page Punch for the edge you see.  Bazzill Bling Petty Cash cardstock was used for the mat behind the image.  The image was mounted on it with pop dots and then it was attached to the white punched edge mat.

I wanted a pink design for behind the image so I got out my Impression Obsession Mega Mount and used the Cover-A-Card Circle (5.75X5.75) stamp, added some Ancient Page Pink Pizazz and off I went.  Not only did I have enough paper for the background you see, but I also had enough for the inside of the card and the bottom left-hand edge of the envelope too.  Then I used my Martha Stewart 3-in-1 Butterflies punch to get a butterfly for the main image, attaching (3) 2MM pearls to the middle.  Check the details out in my pictures above and below.

For embellishments to the card I used some 3MM pearls for the edges of the punched edge.  I added a May Arts bow using the Bow-Easy, and the last Nunn Design pin I had like this.  I embellished it with some Stickles Yellow and another 2MM pearl.  The pins are discontinued! :-(

For inside the card and the envelope bottom left hand corner I used a flower from the main image.  I added ink with my sponge dauber for the image and then painted, punched and cut out and there you go.

Supplies:
Image: Hero Arts - Friend - CG111 and Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card Circles - CC012
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth cardstock, Bazzill Petty Cash
Inks: Brilliance Galaxy Gold, Ancient Page Pink Pizazz, Twinkling H2O's
Accessories: Martha Stewart Scroll Lace Around The Page Punches, Stickles Yellow and Orange Peel Glitter Glue, Glossy Accents, Mark Richards 3mm pearls and 2MM from Hong Kong , Liquid Pearls White Opal, May Arts Ribbon, Bow-Easy, Nunn Designs Stickpin.

A really fun and detailed card. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

It's The IO Lazy Days Of Summer Challenge Today

And since I am back at the blog, I decided to submit my card too, along with the IO DT.  My card is pretty straight forward.  It was inspired by many of the cards, using Alesa Baker stamps, I have seen Julie Koerber do on her blog, Out To Impress, and she does!!

The image was stamped with Brilliance Galaxy Gold on 2 pieces of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White CS and then heat set with a heat gun. They were painted with Twinkling H2O's Dreamsicle, Olive Vine, Sweet Thistle, and Warm Pecan (wash to shade background). I trimmed around the best image and mounted over the other one with pop dots. That whole image with background was mounted on a scrap piece of Bazzill Clover Leaf Dotted Swiss. I trimmed around that with scissors, leaving about a quarter inch, letting the edge of the mounted image decide were to cut.

The greeting plaque was stamped by using a dauber for that piece of the stamp. Then it was trimmed around and mounted using ATG 1/4" tape. The faux brads are bead caps I flattened with a bead crimp tool. They were mounted using pieces of ATG tape and Mark Richards 2MM pearl stickers were mounted on top using Glossy Accents.

The white matte is Neenah Classic Crest Solar White text weight paper created using Martha Stewart's Eyelet Lace Around The Page punches. The image was mounted on top as shown.

To create the background mattes I ran a piece of SU Apricot Appeal through my Cuttlebug using the dots embossing folder from Just My Type around the edges. I mounted another piece of Bazzill Clover Leaf Dotted Swiss that had the corners punched using the Eyelet Corner Punch.

I really like the SU small slot punch, but it doesn't reach far enough, so I punched out a 'slot' with it and then drew the slots on my CS where I wanted to put my ribbon through. Then I used my X-Acto knife to cut them out. Didn't take that long at all.

I mounted May Arts ribbon and used the Bow-Easy to create the bow. I glued Mark Richards 2MM and 5MM to the eyelets and corners of the Dotted Swiss cardstock as shown, using Glossy Accents. What you see next to the card is the corner of the handmade envelope stamped with the bud image. Below you can see what I did with the envelope's flap edge and also the image stamped and painted inside the card.

SUPPLIES:
Stamp: Stampassions: Summer Thyme Bouquet by Shara Reiner.
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb. cardstock and text weight for the punched edges, Bazzil Bling, Stampin' Up and Anna Griffin.
Inks: Brilliance Galaxy Gold, Twinkling H2O's Cherry Sorbet, Heavenly White, Orange Peel, Dreamsicle, Cool Waters
Accessories: Glossy Accents; Deco Art Glamour Dust; 1/8" pop dots, Heart button, Mark Richards 2mm pearl stickers, Martha Stewart Double Loops Punch Set and EK Success Paper Shaper Butterfly punch.



You should also take at look at the wonderful cards that the IO DT did and the other cards the customers are entering for a chance at the $25 Gift Certificate.  See the IO DT cards at their blogs below:

First take a look at the Design Team's creations:

• Daniela Dobson
• Dina Kowal
• Jeanne Streiff
• Jenny Gropp
• Julie Koerber
• Kathy Menzies 
• Rosemary Marino

And now take a look at the beautiful cards the customers are entering for a chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate by going HERE.  For those of you who are new to IO Blog Challenges, follow the guidelines below and you too can get a chance to win the $25 Gift Certificate for free stamps of your choice in IO's online store:

• Challenges are held the First and Third Thursdays of each month, unless otherwise noted.
• Please use at least one Impression Obsession stamp.
• Please provide the name(s) and/or stamp number(s) of IO stamps only with your email to me.  If you have a problem finding this information, sometimes I can help.
• Let me know if you want me to post on the IO blog, using only your blog with hyper-link, or both, etc. 
• Entries will be accepted until that Saturday 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
• Email your entry to me using the Email Shirley link provided near the top of the second sidebar to the right on the IO blog.
• All participants' cards will be posted the way you choose the day they are entered.
•  Cards with only all IO Stamps will permanently be added to the IO Customer Album in the very next sidebar over.
• ALL participants in the current challenge will be entered in the drawing for the Impression Obsession $25 Gift Certificate. We use Random.org to select the winner.
• It is for use at our ONLINE STORE.

  

Don't forget a list of our challenges is on the sidebar to the right.  If you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask.  So get busy out there!!  Stamp up a Lazy Crazy Day of Summer card and send  it to me.  Hope your week is starting out great!!  Thanks for stopping by to say hi!

 

 Shirley

 

It's A Green Thing

Challenge that is!!  It IO Thursday and time for a Green Card Challenge....and Green either brings to mind Irish, St. Patrick's Day or broccoli.  Hee hee!  As you can see, I thought a little bit about the Irish and also about love.  The Fountain of Love., since Valentine's Day is just around the corner.

The image is Valentine Fountain by Leigh Hannan over at Impression Obsession.  I stamped it with Brillianced Galaxy Gold on Neenah Solar White, and painted it with Twinkling H2O Moss Green.  Highlights are Stickles Lime, Mark Richards pearls, and Glossy Accents.

The frame is Scalloped Fram by Splellbinders with Neenah Natural cardstock.  The ribbon is May Arts and the bow was done with the Bow-Easy.  The little wing on top was attached with a Glueo-Dot.  Shamrock, right? The heart is a button from my stash.

The background is Bazzill Dark Green Polka Dot cardsstock stamped with the Impression Obsession Mega Mount and their Cover A Card Hearts with Brilliance Galaxy Gold.  I used Bazzil Bling behind that..
Below is a list of the Impression Obsession Design Team so you can raeally be inspired:

• Daniela Dobson
• Dina Kowal
• Jeanne Streiff
• Jenny Gropp  ( Will be posted around 11 a.m. EST)
• Julie Koerber
• Kathy Menzies
• Rosemary Marino

If the rest of you would like to enter the challenge and the fun, here are the guidelines:

• Impression Obsession stamps only please.
• Please provide the name(s) and/or stamp number(s) with your email to me.  If you have a problem find this information, sometimes I can help.
• Entries will be accepted until this Saturday at midnight.
• You email your entry to me using the Email Shirley link provided near the top of the second sidebar to the right.
• All participants' cards will be posted on the IO blog and also permanently in the IO Customer Album in the very next sidebar over.

The drawing will be the following day, on Sunday, for the  Impression Obsession $25 Gift Certificate, to be chosen from those customers participating in this challenge. I will be using Random.org.  It is for use at the ONLINE STORE. The Winner will also receive the "I'm A Winner at Impression Obsession" blinkie.  It appears at the top of the IO sidebar to the right of their post column.

Another note, before closing, about the IO blog.  The albums have hundreds of cards and each one has a link to the stamp in the IO online store.  What a place to spend a while.  Thanks for stopping by to look and share everybody!

 

 Shirley

 

A Poinsettia Card

Before we get started on this post, you will find how to do the snow flurries for your blog on the next post down. This card was a real trip in learning what not to do. :-0 Yikes

I fell in love with the stencils from The Crafter's Workshop, after seeing Suze Czosek using them on her cards at Suzanne's Stamping Spot. As a matter of fact I found a bunch of them very cheap at the time and now they are much cheaper. You can check them out on thefind.com. Sear for Crafters Workshop 6X, because they also come 12X12 of course.

IMAGE:

1. Stamped Impression-Obsession Poinsettia and Holly on watercolor paper with Brilliance Galaxy Gold. (I usually use Neenah Solar White and it totally reacts differently than on Watercolor.)
2. Painted the image with Twinks Garnet Red, Moss Green, and Sweet Alfalfa. Ran it through the Cuttlebug using Spellbinder's Large Circles die and then put it through again to emboss the edge. A Dark Green marker to do the Faux Stitching. (I see Jenny Gropp, at One Krafty Kat, use Faux Stitching and it is always just so gorgeous. I feel like I need to sit and practice. If anyone has a tip for me, tip away by EMAIL ME on the left or in the post area. TIA)

Card and Cardfront:

1. Next the Lotus Stencil TCW 142 (5.5") from Crafters Workshop was used to trace the base portion of the card and cardfront on a folded piece of Neenah Classic Crest Natural. The watercolor paper for my image matched!! If you look close you can see the top two points aren't really pointed (a little flat). It was cut out with scissors.
2. The little dots and Marquise shapes were traced at the same time as the card. The Silent Eyelet Setter was used on the holes and the X-Acto knife for the Marquise shapes.
3. A piece of Neenah Solar White was put through the Cuttlebug using their Textile Texture embossing folder. The dots on the Lotus Stencil were used to get the shape for the matte underneath the image.
4. The thin green ribbon from Michaels was threaded through the holes using a dental floss guide. The bow is by Bow-Easy...who else lately? Pearl beads were added to 2 of the ends.
5. One more shape of the base was traced on 2-sided scrapbook paper and used to line the inside of the top part of the card. It shows through on the front where the Marquise shapes are.

Assembly and Embellishments:

1. The squiggles were placed using a Sweetwater template and Copic Spica At You Gold pen. The 2 and 3mm Mark Richards pearls were placed using Glossy Accents.
2. The image was mounted using 3D Pop Dots.
3. The Pink Holly Pearls were done using Pinata Senorita Magenta Alcohol Ink and a Niji waterbrush I keep filled with Adirondack Alcohol Blending Solution. I just rub the tip of the brush on the lid for a little bit of color and dab on the pearl. It dries quickly. ( I keep the brush marked with a Sharpie and stored with the brush side up.) Pinata Sunbright Yellow was used the same way for the 2mm pearls in the middle of the flower. Just a dab of Stickles Yellow glitter glue was also added.
4. The outside edge stitching of the cardfront was done with the same Dark Green marker.

It was a fun card, but for some reason I had to think harder what to do with the shape once it was cut out.

Thanks for stopping by to look and share. Hope your holiday shopping is coming along well and that you stay safe and healthy too!

 

 Shirley

 

Late For A Very Important Date

I missed the IO White Challenge because I could not believe how my card looked when I took its picture. It literally made me laugh. Now it is a little better at least and I will share. LOLOL

I embossed the background behind the trees using Cuttlebug's Snowflakes folder.

The foreground is Cover-A-Card Dots. I stamped it on Neenah White cardstock with VersaMark and then applied Heat & Stick Embossing Powder and heated until clear. I added the glitter and heat embossed again. Then I brush the extra glitter off with an art brush.

I also embossed some additional white cardstock using Swiss Dots. I tore it at an angle to get the layered look. Next I used IO Alesa Baker's Clear Stamp Set Swirl Tree to get the outline for the trees. The trees were mounted with 3D pop dots.

I applied glitter to the embossed background and Swiss Dots with a Quickie Glue Pen and added the glitter and then shook off extra.

I punched 1/4" holes with a punch along the top of the card. I threaded the ribbon through the holes as shown and then created a bow with the Bow-Easy. I tied the tail on the right with a slip knot.

Left over buttons were added to the trees and a brass snowflake to the bow. Pearls and glitter were added as shown.

The tag is from Spellbinders and the words were stamped with Galaxy Gold and pearls added as shown.

Supplies:
Stamps: IO Clear Set Swirl Tree and Cover-A-Card Dots used with the Mega Mount
Inks: Brilliance Galaxy Gold,
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White
Accessories: Cuttlebug Embossing Folders Snowflakes and Swiss Dots, Sakura Quickie Glue Pen, Deco Art Glamour Dust, Mark Richards 3mm and 5mm Pearl stickers, Spellbinders Ribbon Tags Trio, May Arts Ribbon, Bow-Easy, Fancifuls Inc. Brass Snowflake

Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

 

 Shirley