Fleur

My former priest's wife Kathy has such a special sense of style that I thought this card would work well for her . . .

 One of the few cards I've made that really pleased me, I especially liked the deep burgundy, grey, white, and silver combination of colors.  The result is serene and stylish, just like Kathy herself . . .

Cardstock:   Champion Snow Day, Beckett Iceberg, Generic Dull

                     Silver, Eggplant      

Stamps:       Impression Obsession Greenery, Stampland Lotus

                     Flower Block, Unknown "Fleur"    

Inks:             Distress Stormy Sky, ColorBox Silver, Frost White

Emb Pwdr:   Judikins White Diamonds

Dies:            DieNamics Wavy Banners, Prima Donna Petals                      

Doo Dads:    Gathered Silver net ribbon, Silver glitter 

Happy Birthday

Justin is turning nine yrs old today and is probably ready to move on from teddy bears and little boy themes.  So I thought some really happy candles would do the trick . . .

The candles are clear-embossed scraps of colored papers left over from another project.  Some mirror cardstock and multi-colored fibers will hopefully add to the excitement of his special day. 

Cardstock:   Beckett Iceberg, Generic scraps Black, Silver, multiple

                     colors from my Scrap Stash                 

Stamps:       Hero Sparkle Background, All Night Media "Happy Birthday"               

Inks:             ColorBox Silver

Emb Pwdr:   Ranger Silver

Doo Dads:    Eyelash fiber, Silver bead, Silver glitter stickers           

Explore

I originally made this card for an article on acetate stamping that I did for RubberStampMadness . . .

I've been saving it for a special occasion.  My dear friend David is celebrating an amazing 32 years of sobriety and I thought this layout captured the hope and encouragement of his continuing journey.

Cardstock:   Bazzill Splash, Marcos Jute, Scraps Brown               

Stamps:       Stampscapes Man with Dog, Birch Trees, Snowy Field,

                     Stacy Antique Background, Starving Artistamps Feather

                     Stitch, "Explore"       

Inks:             Distress Brushed Corduroy, Adirondack Snowcap,

                     Papertrey Ink Snowcap, Staz-On White,

Emb Pwdr:   B'Muse Eggshell White

Dies:            Wplus9 Banner, punched Birch Leaves                       

Doo Dads:    Jute fibers              

Celebrate

Another re-vamp from the Stash Box . . .

I never thought the camera would overdo the glow from an outline of glittery crystal mini beads.  Quite the opposite, in fact.  But here it is:  lots of glimmer and shimmer!  Trust me, it's not quite so dramatic IRL.

The background was done a little differently than I do normally . . . I went for stippling this time.  I like the texture that's created, as well as the fresh look you get when the white cardstock peeks through the bright colors.

This one goes to my wonderful nephew Steve.  He lives in the great Pacific Northwest where he's surrounded by water in one form or another year 'round - hence the rippling, water-themed card front . . .

Cardstock:   Beckett Iceberg, Unknown Sky Blue

Stamps:       Stampin’ Up “Celebrate”

Inks:             Whispers, Sky Blue, Turquoise, Green, Distress

                     Peacock Feathers

Emb Powder:   Vippies Transcendence

Doo Dads:    Mini Beads Turquoise, Navy, Green, Crystal, Kat

                     Scrappiness Droplets      

The Best

It's New Jersey State Fair time again, dear Readers, and that means the first eight posts in September will be given over to the eight cards I submitted, win or lose.  Because of a crippling time crunch that just won't stop no matter how hard I am chipping away at it, I'm submitting entries from my card stash, collected over many past sessions of workin' the rubber.  Cards I have never sent but have enjoyed making have been pulled out of the box, edited with fresh new looks, and submitted with fingers crossed.  So stay tuned for further information in September!

Meanwhile, today's post showcases my middle brother's birthday card .  As Don lives by the ocean, a sea-themed card seemed a good choice for him . . .

I've used intense glitter on this card and I do hope at least some of it gets picked up by the camera.

Friends of mine love the ocean and are always bringing back various wonders they have discovered on their many nautical journeys.  One of their most unusual finds were fish scales, which is what the three largest "bubbles" are on this card.  They are translucent with an extraordinary design in the center that looks almost like an imbedded fossil.  Normally convex in shape, I weighted them down after wetting them.  Once dry, they stayed flat.

I don't know what else I can do with these, but I was given a bag full of them and will certainly enjoy figuring it out . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Light Denim, Strathmore #90 Watercolor paper,

                     Acetate                 

Stamps:       Stamp Zia Grass, Fred Mullett Boarfish  

Brayer:         Fiskars Mesh

Inks:             Ancient Page Lavender, Foxglove, Pine, ColorBox Silver,

                     Stamp Zia Spray Jewels Blue, Green, Purple

Emb Pwdr:   Delafield Silver

Dies:            Spellbinders Classic Squares Large                             

Doo Dads:    Fish scales, Metallix Moondust

MSG:            Stampin Up "Birthdays are the Best Silver emb          

You're Amazing

A great way to use up small scraps . . .

My dear friend Lynn gifted me with a lovely book on paper crafting and I immediately pounced on one of the layout ideas I found inside.  After die cutting the frame, four different embossing folders were used on half of the inserts.  Four leaf dies embellished the remaining four pieces.  This took a little longer to come together, but the whole process was fun and relaxing.  I'll be playing with this idea again . . .

Cardstock:   Papers by Catherine Ivory, assorted scraps Brown,

                     Beige, Cream   

Stamps:       Simon Says Sketchy Banner Greetings

Inks:             Distress Brushed Corduroy

Dies:            Alexander De Grote Comic Frame, Spellbinders Signs

                     of Spring 1, Floral Berry Accents, Joy Leaves, Simon Says

                     Sentiment Labels, Sketchy Banner Greetings      

Emb Folder: Taylored Expressions Burlap, Cuttlebug Oxford, Lifestyle

                     Linear, Stampin’ Up Fancy Fan

Doo Dads:    My Mind’s Eye Just Splendid Wood Dots           

The Best!

My white Prisma pencil was the key in making both the background and the focal points work . . .

After using VersaMark ink for a tone-on-tone background, the lightness of the cardstock kept the leaves from being clearly visible.  So I lightly filled in between the  veins with the white pencil.  In real life, it worked beautifully but I don't know if the camera will show them very well.  Crossed fingers . . .

On the focal point leaves, I did just the opposite by using the white Prisma on the veins.  With the leaves lightly edged in Plum, the contrast is much greater and I'm very happy with the results . . .

Cardstock:   Conqueror Lightspeck Dune, Bazzill Orchid      

Stamps:       Stampin Up Oak Leaf, Purple Daisy Mega Maple, Amuse

                     “Birthdays are the Best”

Inks:             VersaMark, Vivid Taupe, ColorBox Amber Satin, Royal Silk

Colorants:    Prisma pencil White, Tombow #603

Emb Powder:   WOW! Clear Matte, BMuse Eggplant

Dies:            Spellbinders Ribbon Tag Trio                  

Doo Dads:    Brads Purple, Ric Rac Taupe