Floral Sympathy

In a rush to get this Sympathy card on its way, this re-vamped card wound up with the focal panel glued on upside down . . .

 

I still think it works, so I am taking artistic license and proclaiming it DONE.  But if my friend Trish wants to display it upside down, that’s fine with me . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Lemonade, Nicole Black, Scrap Purple  

Stamps:       Dreams Come True Sketched Floral

Inks:             ColorBox Frost White

Waterclrs:    Twinkling H2O’s Green, Gold

Emb Pwdr:   Ranger White

Dies:            Fiskars Corner Punch Leafy Spray                   

Doo Dads:    Fabric Flowers, Brass brads        

Love

It’s hard to beat Black, White, and Silver for an eye-catching layout . . .

When mailing cards with beading, I use thin foam sheets to cushion them from the postal mangling machines.  So far, I’ve never had a problem . . .

Cardstock:            Bazzill Raven, Neenah Bright White, Unknown

Dull Silver

Stamps:                Alias Smith & Rowe Splots & Dots, Unknown

small stamps

Inks:                      ColorBox Frost White

Emb Powder:         Ranger White

Dies:                     Recollections Word Fetti: “Love”

Doo Dads:              Class A’Peels Silver stickers, beads

Birthdays Are the Best

For a variety of reasons, I’m currently in a time crunch, so I’m having fun digging up a bunch of cards from earlier days and re-vamping them with some current ideas . . .

I like the energy that a diagonal treatment brings to the layout and I think I’ll do more of them . . .

Cardstock:            Bazzill Raven, Neenah Bright White

Stamps:                Unknown Leaves, Stampin’ Up Itty Bitty

Background,

Inks:                      VersaFine Spanish Moss, Superior India Ink

Black, Assorted colors

Emb Powder:         Vippies Transcendence

Dies:                      Creative Expressions “Birthdays Are the

Best Days”

Doo Dads:              Burlap strip Black

Celebrate

With time and a few health issues at stake, I thought a repeat of a rather successful card was in order . . .

Washi tapes can really make a statement – especially when applied on the diagonal . . .

When using pop dots for a panel attached to the card front, shadow dies intended to back coordinating text can really be useful for cutting out the shape that surrounds the text.   This frames the text nicely . . .

 Inks:            Wink of Stella Black

Cardstock:   The Paper Cut Eames White       

Dies:            TEMU Sentimental Shadow Words: “Celebrate”          

Doo Dads:    Assorted Washi Tapes      

Love

Here’s a re-work of an older card . . .

I like the leaves and flower with their wonderful gleaming Pearl Ex colors, but I do wish I’d chosen a different color for the background.  It’s a bit gloomy for my liking.  Oh well, there’s always a next time and a chance to make better choices . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Dark Green, Raven, Scrap Dull Silver

Stamps:       Great Impressions Carved Leaves, Checkerboard

Flower                  

Inks:            Dove Blender, Pearl Ex True Blue, Misty Lavender,

Hunter Green

Emb Pwdr:   Judikins Detail Black

Dies:            Honey Bee Blanket Set: “Love”

Doo Dads:    Seed beads Black, screening mesh Black, Silver

dragonfly brads

Dig It

For this one, I used the crushed waxed paper technique to make a frame . . .

If you’re new to this blog, scroll back a few posts to learn the simple technique.  It involves crushed wax paper, a piece of cardstock, and a hot iron . . . doesn’t get much easier than that!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Hershey, Bon Bon, Strathmore #100 Bristol

Smooth

Inks:             Archival Coffee, Distress Antique Linen, Candies Apple,

Carved Pumpkin, Mustard Seed, Peeled Paint,

Stormy Sky, Dusty Concord, Oxide Walnut Stain,

Brushed Corduroy

Dies:            Impression Obsession Large Frame, Garden Tools, 

Alibbon Pot Plants, TEMU Let’s Dig it

Doo Dads:    Waxed paper

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