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

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

 

With Sympathy

How I adore bundles which include stamps, plus matching dies, embossing folders, and stencils . . .

Yes, they are an investment, but their versatility is almost without limit.  Each piece can be used by itself or paired with any or all of the others.  Coupled with the amazing Life Changing Blending Brushes, those wonderful tools make me look more skilled than I actually am.  No wonder I love them!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Rain Forest, Fabriano #140 Artistico     

Stamps:       Pink Fresh Lovely Blooms

Inks:            Distress Peeled Pant, Dried Marigold, Spiced Marmalade,

 Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, ColorBox Black

Emb Pwdr:   Judikins Detail Black

Dies:            Pink Fresh Lovely Blooms, Tattered Lace Everyday

 Sentiments: “With Sympathy”           

Stencil:        Pink Fresh Lovely Blooms

Emb Fldr:     Stampin Up Fancy Fan

Doo Dads:    Kat Scrappiness Sparkling Clear Droplets       

Gone . . .

Recently, my friend Lynn had to put down her beloved cat Jasper as his senior years had become a struggle . . .

I thought a simple layout would work the best here.  He was a much loved and long-time member of the family.  RIP, Jasper . . .

 

Cardstock:   Bazzill Parakeet, Canson Montval Watercolor #140    

Stamps:       Simon Says “Loved & missed”

Inks:             ColorBox Black

Emb Pwdr:   Judikins Detail Black

Dies:            Pretty Pink Posh Stitched Film Strip, Impression

Obsession Cat Set, Elizabeth Craft Ribbons 1,

DieNamics Stitched Rectangle Word Windows,

Marianne Butterflies set                   

Doo Dads:    Wink of Stella Black

Thinking of You

How I love making layered butterflies . . .

  . . . I think vellum gives the most ethereal effect.  The problem is that while I want the top layer to be raised and look floaty, the post office is not going to let that happen – through no fault of their own.  Formerly, I have lifted the wings and paper clipped them together to get them out of the way.  I’ve then squeezed a drop of clear dimensional glue like Glossy Accents at the base of the wing and right next to the butterfly’s body.  This works, but then I have to wait a few hours until it dries.

This morning, it occurred to me to use a rolled up clear glue dot instead.  I lifted the edge of the glue dot with the tip of my craft knife and touched it to the rest of the dot.  Removing the dot with the knife finished the rolling and I put it under the wing and alongside the body.  It worked perfectly – I had to really look to see the rolled dot through the vellum.  At most, it looked like a very light shadow, which I noticed only because I was examining it closely.

Whether I use vellum or any opaque cardstock, this is now my new go-to method, especially as I no longer have to wait for any liquid glue to dry.  Love that!

 

Cardstock:   Bazzill Lemon Tart, Beckett Iceberg, Stampin’ Up vellum       

Stamps:        Stampin’ Up Thinking of you, Prickley Pear Butterflies

Inks:               ColorBox Frost White, Black

Emb Pwdr:   Hero White, Judikins Detail Black

Emb Fldr:      Taylored Expressions Brick

Dies:              Tim Holtz Tattered Banners, Prickley Pear Butterflies           

Doo Dads:    Yellow floss, black pearls, black glitter, American

Crafts yellow grosgrain ribbon     

Sympathy

This one is a little bolder than my usual Sympathy card designs are . . .

 . . . I think it still works, however.  The tulips are a new die I love because even though the flower head is in one piece, it has sections than can be popped up for added dimension.  It’s a wonderful look and I hope the camera will do it justice.

 

Cardstock:   Bazzill Parakeet, Fabriano #140 Artistico Watercolor,

Love Nicole Licorice

Stamps:        Purple Daisy Sand

Inks:              Hero Black

Waterclrs:     Iuile Christmas Set Orchid, Silver

Dies:             Butterfly Iron Tulip Flower, DieNamics Wonky Stitch

Rectangle Stax, Memory Box Stitched Rectangle

Trimmings, Tattered Lace Everyday Sentiments:

Sympathy, Goodculler Stitched Rectangles, EK Success

punch Scalloped Corners         

Doo Dads:    Inkssentials Enamel Accents Black        

With Sympathy

It has been a good while since I've used any of my Hero Shadow stamps, so I took this opportunity to put three of them to work. . . . 

The result was more subtle than I was going for, but given that this is a Sympathy card, that's probably best.  Shadow stamp images were all the rage back in the day, and for very good reason:  they create instant backgrounds in all sorts of shapes and textures. There probably isn't a card theme out there that cannot be enhanced by the use of these creatively artsy tools. I just might challenge myself to go through my stash of Shadow stamps and see how many different looks I can get with them.  Stay tuned!

 

Cardstock:   Strathmore Bright White, #149 Watercolor, Unknown

                     Gray  

Stamps:       Hero Large Shadow, Background 11, Paper Background,

                     Endless Creations “With Sympathy”

Inks:             Hero Unicorn, Distress Tattered Rose

Emb Pwdr:  Hero White

Dies:            Lil Inker Stitched Mats Rectangles, Memory Box Single

                     Rose Stem, Frantic Stamper Striped Frame and Insert set,

                     Punch Bunch Flowers                  

Doo Dads:   Distress Clear Rock Candy

With Sympathy

 This is the first use I've made of this lovely, tree-shaped leafy die . . . 

The underlying layer is dark green for this Sympathy card.  But for Fall cards, I'm thinking of gluing small scraps of red, orange, and yellow for the bottom layer.  Hopefully, that will get me an Autumn tree . . . I'll have to give that a try!  Should make a neat Thanksgiving card if it works . . .

 

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Scraps Dark Green, Brown, Cream          

Stamps:       Endless Creations “With Sympathy”

Inks:             ColorBox Cream White

Emb Pwdr:  Stampendous Aged Ivory

Dies:            Memory Box Leaf Canopy, Twiggy Tree, Mama

                     Elephant Peek A Frame, Lil Inker Stitched Mats:

                     Rectangles                

With Sympathy

In a recent blog, Stamper Extraordinaire Jennifer McGuire noted that while Distress inks blend beautifully, Distress Oxide inks are even better when it comes to blend-ability . . .

  . . . so with my Life Changing brushes, I gave the Oxide inks a try on the background panel after putting it through an embossing folder.  She was right . . .  I got the lovely, subtle results I was after.  The Oxide line has a chalky finish which is good for some effects, but I wanted a tiny bit of gleam here, so I spritzed twice with Perfect Pearls spray in gold.

Cardstock:   Simon Says Fog, Strathmore #100 Bristol

Stamps:        Endless Creations “With Sympathy", Vertical

Inks:              Distress Oxide Weathered Wood, Bundled Sage, ColorBox Gold

Emb Pwdr:   Ranger Gold, UTEE Gold

Dies:              Top/Under “Three Lobed Flower”, Spellbinders Hemstitched 0

                        Rectangles   

Emb Fldr:      Gemini Regency Swirls

Doo Dads:    Perfect Pearls spray Gold, Viva Paper Pen Gold          

 

With Deepest Sympathy

I recently had the opportunity to teach a rubber stamping class at the local library.  There were five students and none of them had ever picked up a stamp before.  We had a wonderful time and I'm looking forward to another teaching opportunity in the Spring.

For the first card, I thought that the Resist technique would be a good place to begin . . .

 A slightly different look was obtained by using a more delicate-looking leafy image . . .

 The method is a simple one:

1.On white cardstock, stamp the leaves in clear ink and clear emboss.

2. Sponge over the background with two shades of brown and spritz with water for added texture.

3. Stamp the leaves again in dark brown ink.

Cardstock:   Value Pack White

Stamps:       DRS  Silhouette Branch, or Printworks Leaf Pattern

                      (thicker leaf), Inkadinkado  With Deepest Sympathy

Inks:               Distress Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy

Emb Pwdr:   Ranger Super Fine Detail Clear

Dies:            Lychee Flower Stitched Circle

Doo Dads:    Pearls

With Sympathy

A Sympathy card for Mike, a former neighbor who lost his father . . .

I decided on a leafy background instead of flowers, and popped up some of the larger leaves with foam dots for dimension.  But it still looked rather bland, so I sponged on some Distress Brushed Corduroy and feel that it made the difference. 

The black "berries" were punched out, glued down, and topped with Glossy Accents.  I think this simple layout works well for a guy card . . .

Cardstock:   Papers by Catherine Ivory, Beckett Candlelight, Marcos

                     Jute, scrap Black

Stamps:       Alias Smith and Rowe With Deepest Sympathy

Inks:             ColorBox Black, Distress Brushed Corduroy

Emb Powder:   Judikins Detail Black, Stampendous Shabby White

Dies:            Spellbinders Deckled Rectangles Large, Blessings Vine 
                      Frame                    

Starlit Strip

Grief happens at any time, but it is particularly painful to suffer with it during what is ordinarily the happiest time of the year . . .

A simple reminder that our Savior offers us hope in the midst of devastating loss was all that I wanted this card to provide.  

Rest in peace, Andrew -  Memory Eternal . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Admiral, Strathmore #100 Bristol

Stamps:       Wordsworth Christ Has Made . . ., Rubber Moon

                        Starry Stroke

Inks:             VersaFine Majestic Blue, Encore Silver, VersaMark

Emb Powder:   WOW Silver Sparkle, Clear Matte Dull

Dies:            Spellbinders Small Deckled Mega Rectangles,

                        EK Success Cross              

Come to Me

I like using purple on a condolence card as I think it is both beautiful and peaceful . . .

The inspiration for this layout came from my own personal Pinterest-type file.  It's filled with pictures of hundreds of blogged cards that have caught my eye and it comes in very handy when The Muse has temporarily abandoned me.

But here's the funny thing:  my cards bear little resemblance to the inspiration cards!  I never know what elements on an inspiration card will turn the key and open up the creative possibilities.  So I never try to figure it out - I just collect pictures of whatever appeals to me and look for the fun of putting it all together at my worktable.  The Muse usually comes out of hiding at that point and the two of us have a really good time!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Blackberry, Beckett Moonlight   

Stamps:       Hero Vine Swatch, Petite Flower Swatch, Mod Swatch,

                        A Stamp in the Hand Words Background Script,

                        Rubbernecker “I will give you rest”

Inks:             Distress Dusty Concord, Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy

Emb Powder:   Seth Apter Dirty Sand

Dies:            Lil Inkers Stitched Mat Rectangles, Memory Box Prim

                        Poppy, Arich Rounded Corners Stitched Rectangles,

                        Punch Bunch Tiny Flowers punch                   

Doo Dads:    Wink of Stella Clear           

Memories

This is the third version I've done of this gorgeous tree . . .

 I think it's the textured gold embossing powder that draws me in - especially on the leafy background.  Ranger makes it, and while it's not advertised to be textured, it clearly is.  The result looks like hammered gold and I so wish they did a silver and a copper version as well.

Yes, you can practice under-heating a metallic embossing powder and it will cure to a little texture, but the results are unreliable and when powders are not heated long enough, they will usually flake off.  That's been my experience, at least.  The Ranger gold stays evenly textured, even when slightly over-heated.  And, it stays put.

Cardstock:   Bazzill Admiral, Strathmore Soft White, Generic Dull Gold     

Stamps:       Impression Obsession Greenery, Just For Fun Memories

Inks:             ColorBox Gold, Distress Chipped Sapphire, Pine Needles

Emb Powder:   Ranger Gold

Dies:            Memory Box Stitched Rectangle Trimmings, Arboscello Tree,

                        Marianne Banners and Text, DieVersions Hint of Lime Font,                                DieNamics Sentiment Strips              

Memories

After searching awhile for a nice oatmeal-colored cardstock, I finally found this at Marco's and am very pleased with it . . .

Happily, the Distress Antique Linen embossing powder is a perfect match.  Unhappily, Ranger isn't making it anymore - wish I'd collected the whole line of it as it has the textured matte finish I love . . .

Cardstock:   Fox River Crushed Leaf: Cream, The Paper Cut

                        Watercolor paper   

Stamps:       PSX Clematis, Just For Fun “Memories”

Inks:             VersaMark, Distress Dusty Concord, Old Paper, ColorBox

                       Cream White

Emb Powder:   Distress Antique Linen

Dies:            DieNamics Single Stitched Line Rectangle Frame,

                        Momenta Thanks Set 

Doo Dads:    Viva Pearl Pen Cream        

With Sympathy

For the time being, I am enjoying a very simple water coloring technique, using water-based markers and my water brush . . .

While my troublesome camera may not show it, the color is softly blended with no harsh lines - something I usually have difficulty in pulling off.  Working one leaf at a time, I laid down one line of color next to the bottom edge of the leaf, and then I simply added water with my water brush to the whole leaf as per Jennifer McGuire's video in my post of last week.  The color moves wonderfully well and blending/shading almost take care of themselves!  It's so simple to do that calling it a technique is almost pretentious.

While watercolor paper is your safest bet, other cardstocks can be used as long as you don't work the area too much and cause pilling.  As always, experiment!

Cardstock:   The Paper Cut Eames White, Bazzill Raven, Beckett

                        Moonlight       

Stamps:       Stacy Fern, Stampin’ Up Itty Bitty Backgrounds, All Night

                        Media “With Sympathy”

Inks:             ColorBox Black, Hero Black

Colorants:    Tombow #98 Avocado

Emb Powder:   WOW Black Puff

Dies:            Gina Marie Stitched Rounded Squares, DieNamics

                        Horizontal Stitched Strips                   

Doo Dads:    Offray 1/8” satin ribbon Cream     

Deepest Sympathy

Recently, Heather Nichols (Design Team Member on the Papertrey Ink site) showed how you can get lovely color on Kraft cardstock.  Here are two examples showing my take on her idea . . .

Stamp the image first in white ink and heat dry.  Then overstamp with your chosen color(s).  Off-setting the second stamping just a smidge will produce a misty look along with a sliver of white alongside your images.  This will help to set them off against the dark-ish Kraft.

This is most effective when images having a lot of solid area are used . . .

1^st card:

Cardstock:   Bazzill Lilac, Marcos 110# Jute, Generic printed vellum

Stamps:        Rubbernecker Flowers in the Breeze, “In Our Thoughts”

Inks:              Distress Dusty Concord, Forest Moss, Old Paper, Papertrey

                          Ink Fresh Snow

Emb Powder:   Vippies Transcendence

Dies:              Lil Inkers Stitched Mats Rectangles, Tim Holtz Labels,

                           Paper Smooches Butterfly Duet

Doo Dads:    Viva Pearl Pen Ice White

2^nd card:

Cardstock:   Bazzill Forget Me Not, Marcos 110# Jute, Generic printed

                           vellum

Stamps:        Hero Blooming Meadow, Alias Smith & Rowe “With

                           deepest sympathy”

Inks:               Distress Dusty Concord, Forest Moss, Old Paper, Papertrey

                            Ink Fresh Snow

Emb Powder:   Vippies Transcendence

Dies:              Lil Inkers Stitched Mats Rectangles, Tim Holtz Labels,

                           Paper Smooches Butterfly Duet

Doo Dads:    Viva Pearl Pen Ice White