Happy News Flower Patch

This is a card made for a gal who is retiring, my office will all be signing this.

I had an idea for the Flower Patch set, which honestly I have barely used.  And I'm so glad I did.  Fabulous!

Stamps: Flower Patch, Gorgeous Grunge, Happy Happenings
Paper: Whisper White, Gold Glimmer
Ink: 2014-2016 In Colors: Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey, Mossy Meadow, Lost Lagoon, Tangelo Twist
Accessories: Lots of Labels Framelits, Flower Fair Framelits, 1/8" and 1/4" Handheld Circle Punches, Dimensionals

The card base size is 5.5 x 8.5" to start.  Stamped the flower images in all the in colors, using the framelits to cut them out.  The largest flowers are adhered with dimensionals, the smallest flowers and leaves adhered flat for added dimension.  Flower centers punched out of Gold Glimmer paper with the handheld punches.  Stamped the grunge splatter in Blackberry Bliss.  I adhered strips of gold glimmer paper around the white middle layer edges for added "layering".  Used thick white for the base since this is a substantial weight card!  Thanks for visiting today!

Tempting Bohemian Ikat Whisper of Tangelo

This card was created for another color challenge, and somehow the Bohemian suite seemed to be perfect with these colors.

Stamps; Bohemian Borders, Crazy about You
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Tangelo Twist
Paper: Tangelo Twist, Tempting Turquoise(regular Cardstock and Coredinations CS), Whisper White
Accessories: Metallic (Gold) Washi Tape, Washi Label Punch, Boho Chic Embossing Folder, Gold Wink of Stella

The challenge was to use: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, and Tangelo Twist.  As an added bonus, use Metallic.

Well, the ikat stamp in the Bohemian Borders makes really fun patterns, so I alternated with the Turquoise and Tangelo, coloring the center of each ikat diamond with gold Wink of Stella.  Cut around the stamped piece, raised with dimensionals over top layered gold washi tape. The base turquoise layer is embossed onto the Core'dinations paper, sanded to let the middle layer show through the design.  Love all the bright colors together!  I tried to keep my sentiment simple and understated to let the pattern shine through!

Water Lily Bamboo

This card used a beautiful technique created by Lyssa Zwolanek that you can find here on her blog: Lyssa's Bamboo Background Technique

It took a few practice rounds, but wow what a technique this Bamboo Background is!

I created a water lily to go with it, which turned out pretty well, if I do say so myself. ;-)

Stamps: Remarkable You, Everything Eleanor
Ink: Early Espresso, Crushed Curry, Pear Pizzazz, Calypso Coral, Watermelon Wonder, Mossy Meadow
Paper: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Brick Wall Embossing Folder, Aqua Brush, Metallic Sequins, Gold Thread, Dimensionals, Sponges

I will let you follow the above link for the instructions from Lyssa on how to create the awesome Bamboo Background.

For the flower, I stamped the blossom in Calypso Coral onto Very Vanilla.  Using the aquabrush, I colored in the petals using Crushed Curry, then highlighted the petals most of the way with Calypso Coral, then highlighted the edges with Watermelon Wonder.  It's actually much darker IRL.  I used an Early Espresso Color to color the flower stamen.  Then I cut it out to adhere with dimensionals to the card front.

Stamped the swirl onto the background with Mossy Meadow.  I used a Mossy Meadow marker to fill in the gaps from the areas where the cardstock was impressed so to have a solid swirl image.

Looped a few loops of gold thread and adhered to the back of the flower before adhering to card.  Added a few gold sequins for extra bling.

I was going to add a sentiment, but I decided to leave it just as it is.

Calista's 10th Birthday Bouquet!

This card is for my daughter Calista's 10th Birthday!  Official in 2 digits.  I can't believe how fast it has gone by!

Her favorite color is purple, and I thought it looked beautiful with these colors.  I hope she loves it!

Stamps: Number of Years, Balloon Celebration
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Blackberry Bliss, Memento Black
Paper: It's My Party Designer Series Paper, Blackberry Bliss, Rich Razzleberry, Black Glimmer Paper, Silver Glimmer Paper, Silver Foil, Whisper White
Accessories: Large Numbers Framelits, Little Letters Thinlits, Rhinestone Jewels, Birthday Bouquet Punch, Dimensionals

The hardest part of this card was getting the bouquet of balloons to be put together just right.  Stamped the string bundle, then played around with the positioning of the multiple balloons until I got it just right before adhering.

You Make Me Happy!

This card is made with a fun sketch tonight.  For some reason Smoky Slate was on the brain tonight.  But that's good, it looks fabulous with silver and shiny!

Stamps: Crazy About You

Ink: Smoky Slate

Paper: Whisper White, Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack (in Smoky Slate), Silver Glimmer

Accessories: Vintage Faceted Buttons, Jumbo Rhinestone Jewels, 1/8" Silver Ribbon, Hello You Thinlits, Hexagon Punch, Dimensionals, Fine Glue Pen, Glue Dots

Cut the panels for the front of the card (Largest Panel: 4x2.5; Medium Panel: 2.5x2.5; Smallest Panel: 1.25x2.5).  Wrapped silver ribbon around, threading through button holes of button, tie in a knot.  I arranged the ends to lay out, adhering down with glue dots. Add Glue dots to button to adhere onto card.  Added a rhinestone to the button center. Cut out Happy in silver glitter, then cut out in white to create a shadow behind it, mainly to make it stand out more against the paper behind it. Stamped the sentiment, cut to shape, use the Hexagon Punch on one end to create the banner. Used dimensionals to adhere the banner to the card.

For The New Two in Timeless Elegance

Timeless Elegance Designer Series Paper may be some of the most gorgeous papers I have seen.  I have a big thing for black and white, and even more so, a black and cream or vanilla.  It really says elegance, classic, and beauty.  So here are three simple wedding cards using this beautiful paper.

Card #1:

Card #2:

Card #3:

Stamps: For The New Two, Blessed By God (Card #3)
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Timeless Elegance Designer Series Paper, Very Vanilla, Basic Black (Card #2)
Accessories: Gold Thread, Pearls, Dimensionals, Rose Garden Framelits (Card #1), Lots of Labels Framelits (Card #2), Butterflies Thinlits (Card #2), 2 1/2" Circle Punch (Card #3)

Each Card features the Timeless Elegance Paper, as well as a stamp from For The New Two, and Gold Thread.  I picked unique dies or punches for each sentiment.  Very fast and simple but classy!

Blushing Blissful Bride Timeless Kindness

This card features a color combination that is quite charming together!  I used classic textures with these colors to create a lovely background.

Stamps: Timeless Textures, Me = Grateful
Ink: Blackberry Bliss, Blushing Bride, Mint Macaron, Basic Black
Paper: Whisper White
Accessories: Rhinestone Jewels

Started by stamping the flourish in Blackberry Bliss, then layering some of the texture strip stamps beneath it in the same color.  I used the splatter, starting with Blushing Bride around the flourish.  Spreading in a sort of diagonal direction.  Switched to Mint Macaron for the remaining splatters around the edges.  Added a few Blackberry Bliss splatters nearest to the flourish.  Sentiment stamped in Basic Black, and used a marker to fill in the spaces of the lettering to make it bold. A few rhinestones completes the look!

Thinking of You Classic Branch

Pulled out a classic stamp set, one of my older sets I still have.  Having a MISTI to reink images allows me to make a much cleaner looking image!

Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers
Ink: Mossy Meadow, Pink Pirouette
Paper: Mossy Meadow, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White
Accessories: 2014-2016 In Color Baker's Twine
Tools: Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder, Tags & Labels Framelits, Corner Rounder Punch, Clear Wink of Stella, MISTI

Used Markers to color the image of the branch, Mossy Meadow and Pink Pirouette, using the MISTI.  Stamped and reinked until I got the color distribution I wanted.  Added some clear Wink of Stella to the blossoms for a touch of sparkle (love this stuff!!)

It's Your Party Day!

Keeping the cards simple today so far.  Letting the stamps, and paper speak for itself!

Stamps: Party With Cake
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: It's My Party DSP, Mint Macaron, Whisper White, Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo, Sahara Sand, White Glimmer
Tools: 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Party Punch Pack, Dimensionals

Espresso Cake Celebration

A clean and masculine design showcasing the fun words of this stamp set!

Stamps: Party With Cake
Ink: Early Espresso
Paper: Early Espresso, Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack
Tools: Dimensionals, MISTI

Turquoise and Red Pedal Pusher

Another challenge, this one the sketch (Layout).  Definitely adds a unique quality!  Goodnight, I stayed up late to finish this one!

Stamps: Pedal Pusher

Ink: Memento Black, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie

Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White

Accessories: Stacked With Love Washi Tape, Real Red Woven Satin Ribbon

Tools: Glue Dots, Paper Trimmer

Stamped the bike in black and the birds, used Markers in Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, and Pumpkin Pie to color the images. Stamped sentiment in Memento Black.  The corner diagonal stripes are washi tape pieces.  The black "layer" around the main side of the card is actually 1/8" cut strips of cardstock adhered. Ribbon wrapped around and adhered to back, a bow tied and adhered with a glue dot.

Crisp Sahara Cake Blossom

Another challenge card.  I really seem to be into those the last few weeks.  They keep me really thinking and getting out of my comfort zone.

I honestly didn't think I would care for this color combo, but it has turned out beautifully, especially with this stamp set!

Stamps: You've Got This
Ink: Basic Black, Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake, Crisp Cantaloupe
Paper: Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Shimmer White
Accessories: Sahara Sand Lace Trim, Crisp Cantaloupe Thick Baker's Twine, Pearls, Clear Wink of Stella
Tools: Blender Pens, MISTI, Glue Dots

Stamped the crosshatch background in Sahara Sand on Whisper White.  Set aside.  On Shimmer White, stamped the blossom in Basic Black.  I used a blender pen with Crisp cantaloupe on the petals, and Crumb Cake on the leaves and stem.  I went over them once to coat with color, and a second time to add some shading. Cut out by hand.  Wrapped lace trim along bottom edge of Whisper White layer, adhering the blossom over top.  Used a glue dot to adhere a bow to the stem. Sentiment stamped in black, and a few pearls for added bling.

Clean and Simple Sweetest Pear

A CAS (Clean and Simple) card incorporating green.  I just had to use this pretty paper and the stamp set coordinates so well!

Stamps: Apple Of My Eye
Ink: Old Olive, Soft Suede
Paper: Farmers Market Designer Series Paper, Very Vanilla
Tools: Banner Framelits, Dimensionals, Glue Dots
Accessories: 2014-2016 In Color Buttons (SAB 2015)

For the pear, inked up in Old Olive, and stamped it off to create a lighter shade, then stamped again.  Did the same with the stem and Soft Suede.  The leaf I kept in the original shade of Old Olive.  Cut it out by hand, adhered with dimensionals. Banner cut out, stamped the sentiment in Soft Suede. Adhered buttons using glue dots.  Adhered to the card base covered with the gingham pattern from the DSP.

Thank You (...a bunch?)

The first time I saw this stamp set, I knew I wanted to make a bunch of grapes with it.  It's been begging me to.  And I finally got my hands on the set, and here is my creation!

(All Supplies Stampin' Up!)
Stamps: Apple Of My Eye
Ink: Raspberry Ripple (retired color), Hello Honey, Pear Pizzazz, Garden Green, Memento Black
Paper: Raspberry Ripple, Basic Black, Whisper White
Accessories and Tools: Sponges

Just started stamping the "Berry" at the bottom, working my way up, filling in gaps, stamping with Raspberry Ripple.  I think that color makes a perfect red grape color. Stem stamped in Pear Pizzazz, leaves in Garden Green.  I used a sponge in Hello Honey around the edges to fill in the white space.  Thank You stamped in Memento Black.

Look Who's Turning 2!

I made this card for a friend's 2 year old daughter.

(All Product Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted)

Stamps: Number of Years, Balloon Celebration
Paper: Sahara Sand, Daffodil Delight, Soft Sky, Wisteria Wonder, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White, Gold Glimmer 
Ink: Early Espresso, Soft Sky, Wisteria Wonder, Pear Pizzazz
Accessories: Balloon Bouquet Punch, White Baker's Twine, Heart Confetti Punch, Flower Fair Framelits, Circle Framelits, Large Numbers Framelits, Dimensionals

Started with the sun, shaping the stamp a little more to get it to fit perfectly into the circle for the sentiment.  Stamped in Early Espresso onto Daffodil Delight.  Cut strips of Daffodil Delight at angles for the rays. The circle is raised on dimensional stickers for effect.

The clouds are die cuts of one of the large flowers in the Flower Fair framelit set, cut in half, in white.

Stamped and punched out with the matching punch the balloons in Soft Sky, Wisteria Wonder, and Pear Pizzazz.  Some of them were raised up with dimensional stickers.  I tied a small bow around one of each of the colors of balloons in white twine as well as added a few randomly placed confetti hearts as it needed a little something.

Google It! Inspiration Challenge

From time to time I participate in challenges on my favorite stamping website, Splitcoaststampers .  It helps keep my creativity challenged.

Today's challenge is an inspiration challenge, in this case taking the Google art that inspires you and creating something themed from it.

So I chose this Google Doodle celebrating Charles Addam's 100th Birthday.

I wanted to use the shades of black and gray.  I was hoping for something cartoon-ish but I went with a Gothic Tongue-in-cheek instead.

(All Stampin' Up! products and images)
Stamps: Age Awareness, Gorgeous Grunge, Everything Eleanor
Paper: Basic Black, Basic Gray, Smoky Slate
Ink: Basic Gray, Smoky Slate
Accessories: Raven Lace Trim, Rhinestones (I colored with a black sharpie)

Really, this is a pretty clean and simple design.  And no shades of white!

Thanks for visiting!

Fab Friday 83

It's been quite a while for me since posting to my blog, but I thought it would be fun to participate in the Fab Friday challenges again for the first time in several years.  Here is the challenge blog:
http://fabfridaystampinchallenge.blogspot.com/

This week's Challenge:

What a fun sketch this was!  I needed some inspiration, plus I had some new goodies to play with so I needed a reason.

My Creation:

(Almost all materials used are Stampin' Up! Brand Products)
Stamps: Helping Me Grow, Timeless Textures, Hardwood
Ink: Memento Jet Black, Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey, Old Olive, Crumb Cake
Paper: Farmers Market Designer Series Paper, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Basic Black
Accessories: Decorative Label Punch, Washi Label Punch, Metallics Sequins, Gold Wink of Stella, Blender Pens, Dimensionals, Sponges

Started with the Floral Image in the center, stamping the flower in black, as well as the corner decoration around the three corners.  Used Blender Pens to color in the blossoms with Blackberry Bliss, and an Old Olive Marker for the stem.  Sponged with Hello Honey around the edges.

The Background is stamped with Hardwood in Crumb Cake.  I took the splatter image from Timeless Textures and colored with the Gold Wink of Stella to stamp the golden splatters.

The Strips of Paper are cut at the ends by inserting the strips of paper from the reverse direction to cut the design, using the Decorative Label Punch.

I hope you like my art work! Happy Friday, Everyone!