Bloom

Here's another version of the same two background stamps used in Monday's post . . .

Framing a part of the card front really changes the look and is an option I enjoy using often.  It's remarkable how well a frame can punch up a layout that just doesn't seem to be working

I think I'm gonna be stuck on this background stamp duo for awhile yet as I really love the results I've gotten so far . . . I hope they continue!

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Strathmore Ultimate White  

Stamps:       Technique Junkies Watercolor Flowers, Travel Documents,

                     Memory Box Simple Columbine

Inks:             Distress Antique Linen, Weathered Wood, Chipped

                     Sapphire, VersaFine Majestic Blue

Colorants:    Inktense Peacock Blue

Emb Pwdr:   Vippies Transcendence

Dies:            Lil Inker Stitched Mats: Rectangles, Impression Obsession

                     Mid-Size Frame, Memory Box Simple Columbine,               

Emb Fldr:     Taylored Expressions Burlap

Hugs

Pat Huntoon of Technique Junkies just introduced two new background stamps that look terrific when used together . . .

After stamping the text in a medium brown, I overstamped with the flowers inked in  light, medium, and dark versions of warm, compatible colors.  The focal point is from an adorable envelope die whose main appeal is an overlay that emphasizes the edges of the envelope's panels.  The die's designer cleverly provided a slit below the top flap that makes it easy to insert some die cut flowers and greenery in the envelope. 

I love all the elements used on this card and will be using all of them a lot  in future!

Cardstock:   Generic Burgundy, Strathmore Ultimate White  

Stamps:       Technique Junkies Travel Documents, Watercolor Flowers

Inks:             Distress Brushed Corduroy, Tattered Rose, Rusty Hinge,

                     Aged Mahogany

Dies:            Lil Inker Stitched Mats: Rectangles, Mama Elephant

                     Botanic Envelope, Recollections Word Fetti: Hugs    

It's Your Day

On this card, I took the masking tape stripes and made a narrow strip to back the focal point.  I like the subtle color and texture it gives . . .

It's a guy card, so I decided to use leafy sprigs instead of flowers for the design.  Happy Birthday to my grandson Nick!

Cardstock:   Strathmore Ultimate White

Stamps:       Too Much Fun “It’s your day”

Inks:             Stampin Up Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard,

Emb Pwdr:   Judikins Detail Black

Dies:            DieNamics Vertical Stitched Strip, Spellbinders Ribbon

                     Tags Trio, E-Scenery Idyllic                   

Doo Dads:    Inkssentials Enamel Accents White        

Get Well

My neighbor Susan has just had both her knees AND kneecaps replaced.  This means that  a card with a couple of popped-up band aids on it would certainly be on-theme . . .

Susan is a golfer, so I gave her the closest thing to a golfing hat I could find in my stash.  The torso and head are propped up with pop dots but the arms and legs move freely.  To add a little femininity, I gave her patterned arms and legs, along with a sparkly necklace and earrings, both of which the camera has likely swallowed. 

A fun card to make, for sure - may it brighten up what I hope is a rapid and complete recovery.

Cardstock:  Bazzill Kachina, Strathmore Ultimate White, Nicole Black 

Stamps:       Limited Edition Spirit Doll Lg, Stampin Up Pin Dot Plaid,

                     Brutus & Monroe Watercolor Background, Tim Holtz

                     Crazy Things

Inks:             Vivid Aqua, Teal, Gina K Amalgam Black, Stampin Up

                     Going Grey

Colorants:   Copic T1 Toner Gray

Dies:            PinkFresh Slim Stitched Rectangles, Tim Holtz Crazy

                    Things, Paper Smooches Get Well Phrase, DieVersions

                    Noodles Font, DieNamics Band Aids

Doo Dads:  Nailene Nail Art Crystals    

America

With the horrific anti-American behavior raging in our beautiful country right now, I thought that the use of distressed imagery would be particularly appropriate . . .

Some of the red ink got smeared here and there - always a danger when using the color red, for some reason - and I decided to leave the smears where they were, as they are certainly theme-appropriate.

America may be battered and bloody at the moment, but we will not be beaten.  

May God strengthen and bless our beloved America and may her enemies be vanquished . . .

Cardstock:   Halcraft White, Generic Navy, Concord & 9^th Glitter

                     Paper Silver      

Stamps:       Technique Junkies Patriotic Fragments, Art Warehouse

                     Summer Pride

Inks:             Distress Candied Apple, Chipped Sapphire, ColorBox

                     Frost White

Emb Pwdr:   Hero White

Dies:            DieNamics Sentiment Strips, Our Daily Bread

                     Sparkling Stars, Frantic Stamper America                       

Happy Birthday

For this guy card, I used another masking tape background . . .

A couple of greens plus some soft grey made a good backdrop for the tree, I thought. The balloon was a little touch of whimsy that I highlighted with some Glossy Accents for shine and dimension.  But for the first time, it didn't dry crystal clear and remained a little cloudy in the center.  I wonder if that means it's old and I should get a new bottle . . . if anyone knows the solution, I'd love to hear back from you!

Cardstock:   Strathmore Bright White, Bazzill Rain Forest     

Stamps:       Lil Inker Balloon Builders

Inks:             Stampin Up Going Gray, Lucky Limeade,

                     Always Artichoke

Dies:            Goodculler Stitched Rectangles, Marianne Tree,

                     Lil Inker Balloon Builders           

Doo Dads:   NUVO Glitter Gloss, Glossy Accents       

Happy Birthday

Thanks to Pinterest, an older technique has been getting some attention lately and I decided to go back to my stamping roots and have me some fun with it . . .

The technique is called Masking Tape Stamping and via Google, you'll find plenty of short and very useful videos to get you started.  This is quick, easy, has no learning curve, is not necessarily messy, and you'll love the results right off the bat.  The look is artsy, wonderfully textured, and you'll wind up with a stack of backgrounds in mere moments.

This card was my first attempt and I wish I'd shown a whole lot more restraint with the stenciled dots.  WHEW - talk about overkill . . . how come I never see these things until it's too late to do anything about it?

One request:  if anyone knows of a truly pure white embossing paste, would they please let me know the brand name?  All of my white pastes dry to a cream color and I very much want a crisp, chalk-white finish.  Thank you!

Cardstock:   Generic Aqua, Bazzill Leapfrog, Strathmore Ultimate White   

Stamps:       Wordsworth Vertical Happy Birthday

Inks:             Ancient Page Jade, Leaf Green, ColorBox Frost White

Emb Pwdr:   Vippies Transcendence

Dies:            Tim Holtz Stitched Rectangles, Kat Scrappiness Stitched 

                     Fishtail Banner   

Stencil:        Simon Says Bokeh Lights

Doo Dads:    Wendy Vecchi Embossing Paste White, Vippies Crystals