Bloom

For this post and the next one, I’ve used two elements from the same embossing folder: the frame for today, and the center panel for my next post on Monday . . .

After die cutting the frame and panel, I inked the concave side of the embossing folder by dragging the ink pad over the surface, inserting the cardstock, and running it through my die cutting machine.  After repeating this three times, I got the aged look I was after.

I brayered the edges of the card front with the same ink to match.  Then I assembled various elements from The Greetery’s Rosemal collection and added them to the card.

 

A major part of the fun in working with this multi-die collection is playing around with the countless ways the various elements can be put together.  I really don’t think there’s a limit!

 

Cardstock:   Strathmore #100 Bristol Vellum, Bazzill Crimson, Hanko 

Echizen Gold

Inks:             Distress Old Paper

Dies:            The Greetery Capsule Basics, Capsule Filigree Borders,      

Regency Bow #1, Bigger Holiday Botanicals: Amaryllis,                   Impression Obsession “Bloom”, DieVersions font Hint of

Lime: “Happy”   

Emb Fldr:     The Greetery Rosemal Reflections, Sizzix Textured

Impressions 

Happy Birthday

A birthday card for my lovely college roommate of many decades ago . . .

 

After die cutting the frame and center panel, I dry embossed the frame and then skimmed over it with a flat stamp having no image. The embossing folder is 3D which made it very easy to pick up just the design and not the background.

 

For the center panel, I brayered light blue over the oval shape and when dry, I embossed it in the same folder.  Then I lightly sanded over the design.  This exposed white highlights from the original cardstock which emphasizes the pattern.    

 

Cardstock:   Bazzill Arctic, LCI Paper Tindalo Brown, Strathmore 

#140 Watercolor     

Stamps:       Sizzix Banners & Labels

Inks:             Distress Faded Jeans, Weathered Wood

Emb Pwdr:   Vippies Transcendence

Dies:            The Greetery Regency Bow #1, Capsule Basics,

Capsule Filligree Borders, Sizzix Banners & Labels        

Emb Fldr:     The Greetery Rosemal Reflections

Doo Dads:    Wink of Stella Clear

Thanks So Much

My wonderful neighbor kindly gifted me with a fruit basket, so naturally I have a delightful reason to make a Thank You card . . .

I decided to make a mini slimline version using my favorite new products from The Greetery . . . there are so many creative options in their Rosemal collection that you’ll be seeing plenty more samples in my upcoming blog posts.

 

Cardstock:   Bazzill Lilac, Hyacinth, Tim Holtz Silver Sparkle

Stamps:       Patelai Words: “Thank you”

Inks:             VersaMark, ColorBox Frost White

Emb Pwdr:   Hero White, Stampamania Silver Dollar

Dies:            The Greetery Mini Frame, Capsule Basics                  

Emb Fldr:     The Greetery Rosemal Reflections

Blessings

 This one uses some of the smaller elements in The Greetery’s Rosemal Collection . . .

 

In addition to the neutral colors I’ve been using with this collection, I’m branching out with some lovely colors.  These two shades of green seem to fit the design style perfectly . . .

 

Cardstock:   LCI PaperTindalo Brown, Strathmore #100 Bristol

Vellum Finish, Scraps Dark & Light Greens, Dull Gold  

Dies:            The Greetery Mini Frame, Bigger Holiday Botanicals

Holly #1, Capsule Basics, Capsule Filigree Borders, 

TKOnline “Blessings” 

Emb Fldr:     The Greetery Rosemal Reflections

Celebrate

 This card is for a March birthday and I like it so much, I hate to wait so long to send it . . .

 

The Greetery produces a unique line of gorgeous products and I admit I’m hooked.  Each set in their Rosemal collection is filled with highly creative elements that are interchangeable, producing a virtually unlimited variety of layout options.

 

Cardstock:   LCI Paper Tindalo Brown, Strathmore #100 Bristol Vellum

Finish, Scraps Dark Green, Dull Gold     

Inks:             Distress Brushed Corduroy

Dies:            The Greetery Regency Bow #1, Hang It Up, Bigger

Holiday Botanicals Paper White, Capsule Basics,

Capsule Filigree Borders 

Emb Fldr:     TKOnline Celebration Set: “Celebrate”, The Greetery, 

Rosemal Reflections

Cheers

I had fun creating a stone background topped with a little texture and a couple of perky flowers . . .

 

Then I gilded the lily, so to speak, when I got the idea to brush on some Perfect Pearls.  These are mica powders mixed with fixatives that will permanently anchor the powders in place.  You can draw with a Dove marker and then just dust on the powders.  The excess is lightly buffed off.  A pearlized gleam remains and it lights up the whole layout.  Most likely, the camera won’t pick it up, but in real life, it’s so very pretty.

 

I haven’t used Perfect Pearls in years and have no idea why.  That changes now!  I have a nice collection of these lovely powders and I can’t wait to put them through their paces . . .

 

Cardstock:   Bazzill Cinder, Strathmore #100 Bristol Smooth

Stamps:       AlteNew

Inks:             Superior India Ink Black, Memories Soft Stone

Waterclrs:    Zig Clean Color Pink Flamingo, Bright Yellow, Yellow,

Mid Green, Olive Green

Dies:            Simon Says Layered Scallop Tags, TKOnline 

Celebration Set: Cheers, The Greetery Regency Bow #1

Stencil:         Tim Holtz Stone, Frantic Stamper Stitched Quilt, 

The Greetery Regency Bows #1

Doo Dads:    Wendy Vecchi Embossing Paste, Perfect Pearls 

Perfect Sparkle, Lemon Sparkle    

Home

My long-time friend, stamping buddy, and fellow church-goer Anna is moving from NY to Delaware.  Closing on her home is next week and I’m hoping this will be the first mail she gets in her new home . . .

 

I wanted some high contrast and that’s what I got.  However, instead of a daytime scene, I now have an unexpected evening one.  I like it!  I hope Anna does too . . .

 

Cardstock:   Bazzill Bazzill Blue, Strathmore #100 Bristol Smooth, 

Scraps Yellow, Green, Brown      

Dies:            Impression Obsession Congrats Word Set: “Home”, 

Spellbinders Home Sweet Home, TEMU Christmas

House (trees only), Divinity Designs Clouds & Raindrops, 

Hero Cloudy Sky (birds only), DieNamics Grassy Edges            

Cheers

Blue and icy white – perfect colors for a January birthday card, yes?

As this is a guy card, I thought a dry-embossed birch tree background would look good. The tag is deckle-edged and instead of a bow, I just passed the ribbon through the tag hole and anchored it with a sticky dot.  A few frosty drops and we’re done!

Cardstock:   Stedner Bright White, Neenah Bright White      

Inks:             Distress Faded Jeans, Stormy Sky

Dies:            Impression Obsession Deckled Tag, TKOnline Celebration Set:                                  “Cheers”  

Emb Fldr:     Stampin’ Up Woodland Textured

Doo Dads:    TEMU Clear Drops, Blue & White fiber   

Ornaments 2025

Every year, I make ornaments for two of my grandchildren.  My mother did that for her two and I thought it was a great idea . . .

 Cardstock:   Neenah #110 Solar White,  Marcos Carnival Cover

Red, Concord & 9th Glitter Paper: Gold, Silver

Inks:             ColorBox Silver, Gold

Emb Pwdr:   PastTime Glitter Silver, All Night Media Glitter Gold Tinsel

Dies:            Spellbinders 2013 Heirloom Ornament, Pretty Quick 

Poinsettia Bauble & Banner, Memory Box Garden

Sprig, Concord & 9th Take a Bough                   

Doo Dads:    Mark Richards Metal Stickers Silver, Gold        

 

Here are the boxes I make to mail them.  The ornaments are dimensional and a little on the delicate side, so some extra protection is a good idea.  Since each is labeled, it also helps to keep them organized.

 

BOXES

Cardstock:   Recollections #110Kraft

Dies:            Papertrey Ink BulkMail Envelope, Tim Holtz 

Alphanumeric, Pretty Quick Poinsettia Bauble

& Banner