Journey

Birthday Category – Red Ribbon Winner

This is another blogger-inspired layout that bears little resemblance to the original . . .

Once I get started layering, it’s hard to stop.  Good thing I don’t have to worry about mailing this one . . .

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute 

Stamps:       Yvonne Albritton Wild Roses, Rubber Trouble Roma

Postoid, Hampton Art Text Borders, Raindrops on Roses

Watercolor Splashes, Judikins Celtic Background,

Zettiology Journey

Inks:             Hero Soft Brown, Distress Brushed Corduroy

Emb Pwdr:   Stamp ‘n Stuff Ivory Pearl, Vippies Transcendence

Dies:            Spellbinders Wonderful Wings, Flutters, Impression

Obsession Deckled Tag, Memory Box Grove Branch            

Doo Dads:    Jute cord, American Crafts Grosgrain Cream, Viva

Pearl Pen Cream    

Dream

Art Category – Blue Ribbon #7

The Art category always encourages me to go a little wild – and so I did . . .

A hefty dose of glitz and glamour for sure!  I dived into my supply of crunchy, crusty glittery embellishments and went to town.  Sometimes, more really is better . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Burning Ember, Generic Black, Metallic Gold

Stamps:       Appaloosa “Dream”

Inks:            ColorBox Gold, Marvy Marker Gold, Copper
Emb Pwdr:  Ranger Gold
Dies:            Spellbinders Fanciful Flight, Wplus9 Banner Trio
Doo Dads:   Various colors of Judikins Rox, USArtQuest Perfect FX,

                     GildenGlitz

Beloved, Treasure, Forever

 Wedding Category – Blue Ribbon #6

For the Wedding category, I thought the text best expressed the hopes of every newlywed couple . . .

 This image is one of my favorites as it’s quick to color and looks good with almost any color combination I use . . .

Cardstock:   American Crafts Brights set, Strathmore Ultimate White,

Love Nicole Licorice          

Stamps:       Dreams Come True Sketched Floral

Inks:             ColorBox Black, Distress Mermaid Lagoon, Dusty

Concord, Spiced Marmalade, Mowed Lawn, Old Paper

Emb Pwdr:   Judikins Detail Black

Dies:            Rubbernecker Rectangle Combo #3                 

Doo Dads:    Mini Beads Orange         

Love You

Anniversary Category - Blue Ribbon #5

For the Anniversary category, I used the Slimline size.  An anniversary is a big deal, so the card size should reflect that . . .

The original inspiration for this layout came from a blog, but my results bear almost no resemblance to the original.  I didn’t have the leaf and twiggy dies she used, so adjustments had to be made.  Coloring was quicker than it may look:  I dabbed the whole twiggy arrangement with the orange ink pad and when dry, I did the dark brown twigs with a marker.  A rather quick operation, actually . . .

Cardstock:   Premiere #140 Watercolor 

Inks:             Distress Spiced Marmalade, Vintage Photo, Vintage

Photo, Copic Apricot

Dies:            Memory Box Berkshire Leaf Border Background,

Butterflies: Kaleidoscope, Moonlight, Sue Wilson

Meandering Twigs, Simon Says LOVE YOU

EK Success Scalloped Corner Punch

Doo Dads:    Nuvo Crystal Drops Dark Walnut 

Your Prerogatives

“Other” Category – Blue Ribbon #4

The “Other” category lets you toss in a card that doesn’t fit into any of the other categories.  I’ve actually turned it into an Encouragement/Support card via the message inside – it reads: “I’m pulling for you” . . .

 

The red window was made by stamping flourishes onto the four corners of a die cut panel, then cutting out the center rectangle.  Panes are suggested by adding two textured strips crossed in the middle.  All of the old-fashioned images make for a rather nonsensical card that has a bit of humor in it.  I know, because I smile every time I look at it!

Cardstock:   Navy Bazzill, Wausau Firecracker Red, Beckett Iceberg      

Stamps:       All are from 100 Proof Press:  Millie Barbells Up, Millie

Barbells Out, Moiré Rectangle  Large, Left Flourish,

Right Flourish, Circle of Dots, “Exercise Your Prerogatives”.

Inks:             ColorBox White Frost, VersaFine Majestic Blue

Emb Pwdr:   VIP’s Transcendence, Judikins Opaque White

Dies:            Sizzix Large Jelly Frame, EK Success Arrows               

Emb Fldr:     Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes 

Doo Dads:    White brads, Red floss

Summer Solstice

Holiday Category – Blue Ribbon #3

I can never stray very far from beading options for my layouts . . .

For the holiday category, I don’t think anyone has ever used the Summer Solstice theme before so I decided to go with it.  Using gold, silver, and copper all on the same card was a first for me and I wasn’t convinced it worked.  Happily, the judges liked it!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Rain Forest, Scraps: Rust, Dull Silver, Scrap

Box smooshed green alcohol ink panel   

Stamps:       Rubber Moon Dragonfly Sheet

Inks:             ColorBox Silver, Distress Forest Moss, Gelly Roll Clear

Emb Pwdr:   Stampamania Silver Dollar

Dies:            DieVersions Hint of Lime: “Summer Solstice”

Doo Dads:    Beads, Copper brad, leafy corner punch, pierced edging

on the rust layer done with a dress marker

Back in the Swim

Get Well Category – Blue Ribbon #2

The text was what turned this layout that was suggestive of a living room arrangement into a Get Well card . . .

Regretfully, I’ve forgotten who blogged a way to do realistic reeds but the process is simple:  take a piece of Kraft cardstock that is long enough to make your reeds.  Score it crosswise at varied intervals.  Lightly scrape an ink pad over it in one or two colors. The scored areas will pick up more color and will look like the natural joints that reeds have.  Cut the panel into very narrow strips and arrange to your liking.

Cardstock    Bazzill Raven, Marcos Jute, Beckett Candlelight, Scrap

Black 

Stamps:       Fiskars brayer Mesh, Fred Mullett Boarfish, Sunfish,

Comotion Indian Pottery

Inks:             Superior India Ink Black. Distress Fired Brick, Peeled Paint

Emb Pwdr:   Judikins Detail Black

Dies:            Family Treasures punch Oval Scallop, Cheery Lynn

Expandable Quilling Strips           

Doo Dads:    Brads Red, Green, Fiber Black    

Baby

FAIR TIME!  Yep, the NJ State Fair has rolled around once again and I shall share my entries with you throughout the month of September, with a final post to start off the month of October.  The Fair organizers list eight categories we are allowed to submit cards for:  Birthday, Holiday, Wedding, Anniversary, Baby, Art, Get Well, and Other.  There is also a Decorative Recipe Card category you can enter in case you have time left over after putting together eight cards.  I actually did, so I shall finish off this series with my recipe card.  Let’s get started!

 Baby Category – Blue Ribbon #1

For the Baby category, I opted to use the Mini Slimline size – perfect for such a small creature about to make an appearance into the world, I thought . . .

 My collection of alphabet beads has never been used and so it was time to put a few of them to work. The white die cut layer looked like a cute little embroidered receiving blanket to me and it fit the theme nicely.  The buttons that anchor the flourishes are there to cover up oozed liquid dimensional dots that decided to spread beyond their planned-for territory after I added them.  I love how this hobby provides so many ways to hide boo boos!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Splash, Wisteria, Stedner Bright White  

Stamps:       Studio G 9 Months

Inks:             ColorBox Black, Distress Milled Lavender

Emb Pwdr:   Judikins Detail Black

Dies:            Kat Scrappiness Mini Slimline Double Stitched, Frantic

Stamper Slimline Frames, DieNamics Scrolled Flourishes,

Memory Box Stitched Buttons, EK Success Scalloped

Corner Punch

 Doo Dads:   Baby beads, Inkssentials Enamel Accents Black, Wink of

Stella Clear