Bloom

 . . . and the fun with Concord & 9th's Turnabout system continues!  This sample is called Dahlia and it shows a little more of the wonders that are possible with this ingenious idea.  I suppose there are some stamp artists out there who could compose a multiple petal, multi-colored arrangement like this, but assuredly, I am not one of them.

Enter the Turnabout system: in this example, the four different colors show the results of four separate stampings.  Using the MISTI, all of the blacks were stamped at one time.  Then the cardstock was rotated one quarter turn.  The inked stamp was blotted clean and the second color was dabbed on and stamped.  After each stamping, the cardstock gets rotated a quarter turn and the stamp gets cleaned and inked with another color.  In less time than it takes to describe the process, the multi-colored flower is completely filled in, looking as if it took hours instead of a mere minute or two.

Most of the Turnabout stamp sets come with coordinating dies.  The Dahlia set has a petaled die that I positioned over the black petals.  It cut them out completely and I then backed the layer with black glittery cardstock for a little added interest and texture.  I then used the die to make a mortise out of scrap paper.  I laid the openings over the tan petals and stamped them with a tiny speckled image.  The mortise kept the speckles neatly confined to the petals.  I then moved the mortise to expose the orange petals and stamped them with a tiny leaf vein.

More fun and games to come with the Turnabout, so please join me in this exploratory adventure!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Pomegranate, Strathmore Ultimate White, Love

                     Nicole Licorice       

Stamps:       Concord & 9^th Dahlia Turnabout, Outlines Bits & Pieces

                     Set 6, Purple Daisy Sand, Angel Co Speckle

Inks:             Ancient Page Henna, Mandarin, Saffron, Hero Black,

                     Distress Ancient Page

Dies:            Gina Marie Stitched Rounded Squares, Concord & 9^th

                     Dahlia Turnabout, Papertrey Ink Mighty Bloom, Bitty

                     Button Stacks,  DieVersions font Noodles

Doo Dads:    American Crafts Jute Red, Inkssentials Enamel Accents Black        

All Kinds of Wonderful

Having just stumbled onto Concord & 9th's amazing Turnabout system, I plan to play with it exclusively over the next several weeks.  As I am brand new to this system, you may expect numerous flights of fancy as well as some less-than-lovely hard landings.

Basically, the Turnabout system is a way to make multi-colored, layered patterns without having to individually ink  each image.  The background on the following card was done with this method and because I went crazy with die cuts, most of it is not visible.  Hopefully, I'll plan ahead better as time passes . . .

In order to better understand the system, check out the following:  the first link HERE is to the product page of Concord & 9th's Turnabout collection.  The strange-looking stamp images won't make much sense until you see how they are to be used.  Hence the second link HERE which will take you to lots of short videos showing you the basics. 

The system is very simple and takes much more time to explain than to actually do.  Concord & 9th have thought of every single detail.  Their packaging is lovely and informative, the instructions are extremely clear, and the whole concept is truly innovative.  Many of the designs have coordinating dies which compliment the stamped design without always being a carbon copy of it.  Very creative . . .

I cannot wait to play with the rest of the sets I've ordered . . . 

Cardstock:   Unknown Textured Purple, Strathmore Ultimate White           

Stamps:       Concord & 9^th Everyday Bouquet Turnabout Set, Stampin’

                     Up Itty Bitty Background

Inks:             Sea Brights Mussel Black, Hero Arts Shadow Soft Brown,

                     Hero Black, Adirondack Eggplant, ColorBox Gold

Emb Powder:   Ranger Gold

Dies:            Concord & 9^th Everyday Bouquet Turnabout Set, DieNamics

                     Wonky Stitch Rectangle Stax                       

Doo Dads:    Viva Paper Pen Gold         

Be True

A friend of mine made a very successful career change rather late in her life and after fifteen satisfying years, has decided that retirement is next on her list . . .

 . . . so I thought a card with three freely soaring and very sparkly birds along with a few verbal reminders to live her new life to the fullest would certainly be in order!  I hope the glimmer shows up . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill White, Strathmore #100 Bristol    

Stamps:       Great Impression Random Dot Background, Fiskars

                        Brayer Mesh

Inks:             Archival  Brilliance Peacock, Hero Mid-Tone Pool

Emb Powder:   Pipe Dream Ink Bluegum

Dies:            Lil Inkers Stitched Mats: Rectangles, Impression

                        Obsession Shore Birds    

Stencil:        Wendy Vecchi Artful Words

Doo Dads:    Wendy Vecchi Embossing Paste White, Prima Say it

                        in Crystals      

Happy Birthday

When Papertrey Ink came out with this succulent set with matching dies awhile ago, I quickly decided it had my name on it . . .

 . . . it was the adorable plant hanger that really grabbed me and I was powerless to resist.  I see lots of suspended foliage on my cards in future . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Simon, Strathmore Ultimate White, Generic

                        scrap Brown      

Stamps:       Carabelle Texture in My Journal, Papertrey Ink Super

                        Succulents

Inks:             Distress Brushed Corduroy, Bundled Sage, Evergreen

                         Bough, Tumbled Glass, Antique Linen, Walnut Stain,

                        Ancient Page Deep Harbor

Emb Powder:   Vippies Transcendence

Dies:            Mama Elephant Peek A Frame, Memory Box Grove

                        Branch, Papertrey Ink Super Succulents, Carl punch

                        Flower                

Doo Dads:    Stampin’ Around glitter Gold Dust           

Thank You

Inspired by two blogs, this card was the result . . .

I had me a world of fun slathering on three inks and five of my favorite shimmery, glimmery enhancements - the more the merrier was the clarion call for the day.  As usual, the camera doesn't do it the remotest justice, but in real life, this thing really speaks. 

It had been awhile since I'd used any of my Nuvo Mousses and I figured that the platinum one would be just right for this card.  At first, I thought I could use my palette knife to apply a very light, random coat.  But it proved too overwhelming for the lightly gleaming look I was after.  So I used a sea sponge to press into the Mousse and then dab onto the surface.  Worked like a charm:  the textured sponge made it possible to apply a light and lacy layer randomly.  This was just the effect I wanted and I'll be doing this again on future projects.

Cardstock:   American Crafts White, Strathmore #90 Mixed Media,

                        Generic Vellum        

Stamps:       Rubber Moon “Thank You”

Inks:             Distress Stormy Sky, Tumbled Glass, Chipped Sapphire

Colorants:    Lindy’s Stamp Gang Shabby Turbine Teal, Cosmic Shimmer

                        Pixie Powder Silver Dream

Emb Powder:   Stampendous Shabby White, Vippies Transcendence

Dies:            Tim Holtz Paper Snowflakes                     

Doo Dads:    Nuvo Embellishment Mousse Pure Platinum, Metalix

                        Ultra Fine Glitter Silver        

Wild About You

Last year's Valentine cards never happened:  with both of us ill and a triple-break in my right ankle, I finally realized I needed to put my initial design ideas into a plastic bag and hold off until next year.  And here we are . . .

Was it worth the wait?  You decide . . . meanwhile, Happy Valentine's Day to one and all!

Cardstock:   Bazzill White, Conqueror Lightspeck Sky, Wausau

                     Firecracker Red           

Stamps:       Stampin’ Up By Definition: Love, Our Daily Bread Boho

                     Love, Stamp Warehouse Squiggles, All Night Media XOXO,

                     Inky Antics Wild About You, Vippies Dotty Snow

Inks:             ColorBox Frost White, Black, Hero Black, Distress Pumice

                     Stone

Emb Powder:   Sweet Stamps Fine Detail White

Dies:            Memory Box Wrapped Stitch Rectangles, DieNamics

                     Hearts a Plenty, Cottage Cuts Nested Stitched Scallop

                     Square, Spellbinders Shoot!, All Night Media punch

                     Tiny Heart 

Doo Dads:    Viva Pearl Pen Ice White, Glossy Accents   

Butterfly

Although I dearly love color and lots of it, I thought that doing a frosty, all-white card would be a fun departure . . .

Doing an all-one-color layout - especially white - is risky, as the details can certainly get lost without contrast.  The embossed background really helps to provide the texture that can emphasize the two-layer butterfly.  I sure hope the camera shows at least some of what can easily be seen in real life . . .

Cardstock:   Stardream Cover Quartz, Stampin’ Up Vellum White   

Stamps:       Hero Leafy Vine Background, Stamp Camp "Butterfly"

Inks:             ColorBox Frost White, Chalk Warm Red, Rouge,

                        Rose Coral

Emb Powder:   Hero White Satin Pearl, WOW Clear Sparkle,

                         Metallic Silver Sparkle

Dies:            Savvy Butterfly, Momenta Thanks            

Doo Dads:    Pilot Marker Silver, Viva Perl Pen Rose 

Thanks So Much

My adorable former neighbor Justin is twelve years old and was the very happy gift bearer of two lovely poinsettia plants during the holidays . . .

 . . . so I thought a poinsettia-decorated thank you note would certainly do the job.

Interestingly enough, I had some difficulty with the background embossing folder.  It was so thick that none of my embossing sandwiches fit.  I tried them in two different machines and got nowhere.  So I replaced the top clear plate with a stiff piece of cardboard instead.  Worked like a charm.  With all of the new and very thick 3D embossing folders coming out, I won't be surprised to find that my cardboard shim will be getting a regular workout.

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Wausau Firecracker Red, Scraps Green,

                        Yellow          

Stamps:       Lawn Fawn Thank You Tags

Inks:             ColorBox Frost White

Emb Powder:   Sweet Stamps Fine Detail White

Dies:            Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia, Lawn Fawn Thank You

                        Tags, 1/16” hole punch            

Emb Folder: Sizzix Cobblestone

Doo Dads:    The Paper Studio Red Burlap, WOW Metallic Silver Glitter,

                        American Crafts Jute Red