Love

Here’s a background I did with the crushed wax paper technique . . .

After ironing the crushed wax paper onto my cardstock, I used blending brushes to smooth on two shades of blue.  I love the subtle interest this technique gives to the background . . . the texture is a nice backdrop without taking away from the floral focal points.

Happily, the perky flowers will stay perky, even after their wild ride through the USPS system.  That’s because they’re made with Foamiran.  Once heated for 3 seconds with a heat gun, the petals curve upwards and stay that way.  Cardstock flowers will always get crushed in the mail, but Foamiran flowers will look just as good for the recipient as they did when I made them.  Miraculous stuff, for sure!

Cardstock:   Bazzill White, Neenah Bright White        

Inks:             Bazzill Oxide Evergreen Bough, Faded Jeans, Copic 

Rose Mist

Dies:            DieNamics Pierced Rectangle Frame, TEMU Zinnia,

 Papertrey Ink Super Succulents Set: “Love”                

Doo Dads:    waxed paper, The Art Institute Floral Transparent Set, 

Foamiran, American Crafts Jute Pink 

Hello Fall

This one uses a technique I had fun with decades ago.  Thanks to Gina K’s video on Wax Paper Techniques, I’m hooked on it all over again . . .

I took a 4” x 5” piece of wax paper and crumpled it into a small ball.  Then I smoothed it out over a piece of cardstock, covered it with another piece of cardstock, and ironed it with the hottest setting and no steam.  When cool, I used blending brushes to smooth on color.  The wax residue resisted the ink while a wonderfully textured pattern was left behind.  After toweling off any ink left on the wax, job done.

You’ll be seeing more of this easy technique for sure!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Rain Forest, Hershey, Neenah #80 Bright White, 

Fox River Cream    

Stamps:       Memory Box Maple Leaf

Inks:             Archival Coffee, Distress Antique Linen, Oxide Walnut

Stain, Brushed Corduroy

Emb Pwdr:   Vippies Transcendence

Dies:            DieNamics Pierced Square, Memory Box Maple Leaf, 

TEMU Autumn-themed Set: “Hello Fall”,

Spellbinders Fall Botanical           

Doo Dads:    Crushed Wax Paper

Cheers

As with my previous post, most of these layout elements came from my beloved Scrap Box . . .

I backed the cutwork leaf with white cardstock so it wouldn’t be lost against the busy background.  Still and all, I love how the background turned out and am quite happy that it shows up so well behind the leaf . . .

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Strathmore #100 Bristol Smooth  

Stamps:       Technique Junkies Watercolor Flowers, Travel

Documents

Dies:               Kat Scrappiness Woodgrain Framed Diamond

Wire, Prima Forest Leaves, Lil Inker Stitched Mats

Rectangles, Simon Says Cheers

Inks:             Distress Peeled Paint, Brushed Corduroy, Antique

Linen, Black Soot

Cheers

Having endured a few months of annoying health issues that completely put me off my game,  I am more than ever grateful for the time-saving treasures in my Scrap Box . . .

Everything except the text came from that box . . . I am so glad to be a saver and not a tosser!

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Strathmore #100 Bristol Smooth  

Stamps:       Technique Junkies Watercolor Flowers, Travel

Documents, Fiskars Mesh roller

Inks:             Distress Brushed Corduroy, Shaded Lilac, Wilted Violet,

Dusty Concord, Faded Jeans

Dies:            Mama Elephant Peek a Frame, TEMU Dandelion

Pattern, Cheery Lynn Cheers                 

Stencil:        TEMU French Letter

Celebrate

I tried out a new die/embossing folder combo on this one . . .

After the petals were cut out, I inked them with small blending brushes.  When dry, they were inserted into the matching embossing folder and run through my machine.  This gave the petals and flower centers their wonderful textures.  This set is going to get a lot of use!

Cardstock:   Stampin’ Up Dove, Strathmore #140 Watercolor         

Inks:             Distress Hickory Smoke, Seedless Preserves,

Wild Honey

Dies:            Memory Box Pinpoint Leaf Plate, Kat Scrappiness 

Woodgrain Framed Diamond Wire, AlteNew African Daisy, Craftsless Branches, TEMU Sentimental

Shadow Words set: “Celebrate”                   

Emb Fldr:     AlteNew African Daisy       

Fun

 Start with a colorful, smooshy background rescued from 

my Scrap Box . . .

 . . . add some glittery fireworks and some cheerful text, and we have a layout fit for a sixteen year old boy, yes?

Cardstock:   American Crafts Brights set: Blue, Strathmore 

#100 Bristol Smooth, Ranger Silver Sparkle, 

Scrap Black    

Stamps:       Eureka Fireworks, Impression Obsession Oh Happy

Day!

Inks:             Distress Wilted Violet, Salty Ocean, Superior India

 Ink Black, ColorBox Silver

Emb Pwdr:   All Night Media Silver Sparkle

Dies:            Lil Inker Stitched Mats Rectangles, Our Daily Bread 

Sparkling Stars, Recollections Word Fetti Set: fun

250 YEARS!

The Glorious Fourth is especially glorious this year as our wonderful country celebrates its 250^th year . . .

As I often do, I’ve used USPS postage stamps from my own incoming mail to add to the layout.  I love the designs and colors and I think they add a lot to the look.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Admiral, Strathmore #100 Bristol Smooth, 

Wausau Firecracker

Stamps:       Eureka Fireworks

Inks:             ColorBox Silver

Emb Pwdr:   All Night Media Silver Sparkle

Dies:            TEMU Creative Grid, DieVersions Noodles, 

Our Daily Bread Sparkling Stars                 

Doo Dads:    USPS Postage Stamps, Wink of Stella Clear    

4th August

My middle brother lives near the beach in sunny Southern California, so I always use at least one of those themes in designing his birthday cards.  This year, the sun won out . . .

The little brass charm of a crown acknowledges that he is indeed King for the day.

Happy Birthday dear Bro!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Carrot Cake, Canson Mixed Media #98  

Stamps:        Impression Obsession Summer: August, Motivet 4th

Inks:             Ancient Page Saffron, Mandarin, Sunburst, 

ColorBox Gold

Emb Pwdr:   Ranger Gold

Dies:            TEMU Rectangle Dotted Effect, TEMU Circular          

Stencil:        Honey Bee Radiant  

Doo Dads:    Nuvo Gold Leaf embossing paste, Prima Say it in

Crystals: Brass Crown embellishment

UH OH

 Having some computer and camera problems - will be back on schedule ASAP!

It's the Journey

More fun from my Scrap Box . . .

This is a Guy Card, so I kept the basic layout fairly simple and with a minimum of fuss.  The background is the piece from my Scrap Box and I liked the gentle energy it adds to the composition.

Cardstock:   Unknown Brown textured, Canson Aquarelle #90        

Stamps:       Purple Daisy “It’s not the destination…”

Inks:             Distress Black Soot, Brushed Corduroy, Walnut Stain,

Tea Dye, ColorBox Gold

Emb Pwdr:   Hero White, Ranger Gold

Dies:            Lil Inker Stitched Mats Rectangles, DieNamics 

Stitched Mini Scallop Rectangle, Marianne Rectangles             

Stencil:        Hero Zig Zag Pattern

Doo Dads:    Prima Say it in Crystals     

DAD

Dads are famous for being able to fix just about anything.  My Dad sure could!  So I thought a few tools might bring back memories of how grateful we always were for their skills . . .

The faux magnetic panel behind the tools looked a little flat, so I took small pinches of silver embossing powder, scattered them over the panel, and heated to fuse.  I left the particles grainy instead of heating them until they were smooth . . . the slightly rough texture seemed right for the theme.

Cardstock:   The Paper Cut Fossil, Bazzill Raven      

Inks:             Superior India Ink Black, Distress Brushed Corduroy, 

Encore Silver

Emb Pwdr:   StampAMania Silver Dollar

Dies:            Sizzix Sassy Labels & Stitched Frames, TEMU Gear, Repair

                    Tools, DieNamics Bright Lights Alpha: “DAD”

Emb Fldr:     Spellbinders Blistered

Make A Wish

After a deep dive into my scrap box . . .

I unearthed a few textured pieces I thought went well together.  A few added inks to enrich the colors, plus some shredded edges for added dimension and a bit of bling at the top, and my card is complete!  I think I’ll keep my Scrap Box on my worktable for the time being . . .  

Cardstock:             Bazzill Tan, Scrap Box: Matted Background     

Stamps:                Unknown Texture

Inks:                      Distress Walnut Stain, Brushed Corduroy, Peacock Feathers

Dies:                     InLoveArts Make a Wish   

Doo Dads:              Prima Say it in Crystals

Happy Birthday

My first birthday card to my new nephew-in-law . . .

My niece Becky really scored when she met Mike, our newest addition to the family.  He's a great guy and just right for her.

I thought a leafy spray against a brick wall background would work for this Guy Card.  A raffia tied knot instead of a bow also seemed to fit.

Welcome to the family, Mike!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Palo Verde, Scraps White 

Inks:             Distress Peeled Paint, Mustard Seed

Dies:            Ellentina Whimsical Brick, Lil Inker Stitched Mats

Square, Memory Box Lorelai Leaf, TEMU 

Happy Birthday                  

Doo Dads:    Sparkle & Sprinkle Fantasy Gold, sequins        

Cheers!

My latest craze?  Layouts with some fun stitching on them . . .

A stitched panel topped with a Foamiran flower  adds some cheery perkiness to the layout.  Stitched cards take a little longer to make, but the needlework is so therapeutic that I think it’s well worth the time.

Cardstock:   Recollections Purple, Strathmore #184 Mixed Media, 

Bazzill Rainforest    

Dies:            Tim Holtz Stitched Rectangles, Pink Fresh Nested

Squares Diagonal Stitch, AlteNew Cute Open Rose,

 Simon Says “Cheers”                 

Doo Dads:    Foamiran White      

A Starlit Strip

This sympathy card features my all-time favorite sentiment for such cards . . .

I was hoping for subtle shades of color for the background.  Unfortunately, the purple and green shades were too intense for a sympathy card.  My favorite solution to this problem is either a vellum or Dragonfly tissue layer on top of the coloring.  The vellum wasn’t sheer enough so the Dragonfly tissue was the answer.  I got just the soft results I was after.

Cardstock:   MatteSilver, Strathmore #184 Mixed Media,

 PaperArts Dragonfly tissue

Stamps:       Wordsworth Christ has made

Inks:             Superior India Ink Black, Encore Silver, VersaMark

Colorants:    Lindy’s Stamp Gang Pop Rock Purple,

Merry-go-round Green

Emb Pwdr:   Stampamania Silver Dollar

Dies:            Lapoo Scallop-Top Frame, Spellbinders 

Sparkling Stars         

Emb Fldr:     Sizzix Starry Night

Thinking of You

My dear friend and stamping buddy Carol has really been through the medical mill lately, and has had a variety of issues to deal with.  Hence the card . . .

After stenciling the flowers and butterflies, I felt the need for more definition around the edges.  So I used some coordinating markers around most of the edges to set them off a bit more.  I’m not sure it worked as well as I’d hoped, but I still think it’s an improvement.

Cardstock:   Bazzill Leapfrog, Strathmore #184 Mixed Media

Stamps:       Judikins Celtic Background

Inks:             VersaColor Cyan, Lagoon Blue, Marigold, Rubber

                    Stampede Wheat, ColorBox Chalk Yellow Ochre,

Olive Pastel, Moss Green, Encore Gold

Dies:            TKOnline Celebration Set: Thinking of You                 

Stencil:        Waffle Flower Butterfly Blossom

Emb Fldr:     Spellbinders Fabric Weave

Doo Dads:    Gold mini beads     

With Sympathy

It seems the month has ended before I was ready to let it go.  Having broken an ankle last week, I am somewhat discombobulated, which likely explains my lack of perception re the fleeting days of May.  So to compensate, I’ve decided to re-print a posting from my early years of blogging.  This one comes from February 24, 2014.  Hopefully, my skills for stamping, blogging, and photographing have improved since then . . .

I thought the only annoying thing about my camera was the fact that sparkle and shine rarely show up in my photos.  Now, I’ve another annoyance to add to the list:  Color Corruption!  The phlox are actually purple – not the blue that is pictured . . .

 . . . OK, I guess this is a good time to use your imagination.  Think a rich dark purple with a few mauve accents to match the butterfly . . . whose color reproduction is accurate.  Go figure . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Rope Swing, Beckett Candlelight

Stamps:       Inkadinkado Tall Phlox

Inks:            Marvy Wet Looks Markers #8, 11, 72, Copic G24

                          Willow, V15 Mallow, Distress Stain Dusty Concord,

                          Distress Old Paper

Emb Powder: Vippies Transcendence

Dies:              Spellbinders Petite Scalloped Ovals, Grommet tags,

                           McGill Butterfly punch

Doo Dads:      Gelly Roll Clear Star, Light Green grosgrain ribbon

 

Good Vibes

What more appropriate background on the card for my computer-savvy friend and neighbor Richard than a circuit board?

I used a favorite technique to add definition to the dry embossed background:  I inked the convex side of the embossing folder, added the cardstock, and ran it through my machine.  Normally, I repeat the inking 2-3 times in order to get an even coverage, but I inked this one only once.  The color dispersal is uneven and I really like that!  I also love the partial, grainy look the single ink application rewarded me with.  To heck with evenly applied coverage . . . this is far more interesting!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Raven, Marcos Jute, Scrap Metallic Gold         

nks:             Superior India Ink Black

Dies:            Impression Obsession Mid-size Frame, Tim Holtz 

Gears, Memory Box Alphabet Soup                  

Emb Fldr:     Tim Holtz Circuit

Doo Dads:    Marvy Marker Liquid Gold 

Alexa

My very dear and lifelong friend Sandy gifted me with an Alexa+ recently and for her Thank You note, I had fun replicating this amazing machine in cardstock . . .

 . . . right on down to the plus and minus signs it uses for volume control.  My Alexa has a textured surface so I used a spatter dot image to suggest that.  My card is very close to square, so I’ll mail it in a slightly larger rectangular envelope.  Postal sorting machines go bonkers trying to figure out which way is up on a square envelope.  This is why they charge extra postage in order to cover the labor of hand cancelling.

Cardstock:   Bazzill Admiral, Strathmore Mixed Media #184 

Stamps:       Purple Daisy Sand

Inks:            Distress Candied Apple, Chipped Sapphire, Faded

Jeans, Peeled Paint

Dies:            TEMU Love, Honey Bee Blanket Set: “my”, Hero 

Alphabet Uppercase “Alexa”, Cheery Lynn Lace Corner Deco B           

Doo Dads:    Wink of Stella Clear