Thoughtful Lilacs

Only a couple more days til the Thoughtful Branches Set is available for purchase WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!

 

Yes, I know that this is a tree set, BUT I love the flower combinations that can be created. So here is one more :) !

Wish you could see the Wink of Stella that I added to the flowers. They really sparkle!

I stamped the petals with Elegant Eggplant on to Perfect Plum cardstock. Use the die to cut out the "flower" plus a solid cut from Elegant Eggplant.

Here is where I found the idea and the cutting design. I actually cut out an extra one and placed the pieces in with my dies as a pattern for future flowers! Don't have to think about it so much then.

The card base is Daffodil Delight, cut at 4 1/4" x 11", scored at 5 1/2", forming a top fold. After cutting out the stem and leaves, I actually pushed out the leaf pieces with the idea of adding them in later. Next time I will just leave them in and add it to the base.

After trimming the petals, I offset the two pieces and glued them together, then glued the two smaller sets to each side of the stem. Add dimensionals to the larger set and place in between the other two.

I then took a sponge and Daffodil Delight and sponged around the whole image and around the edges of the card base. The sentiment is also from the set and stamped with Elegant Eggplant.

May decide to add a bow, but haven't decided yet.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you are having a great day!

Sympathy Lights

Guess we have to go through these times to help remember to enjoy EVERY moment! So here is a card in memory of another soul that is no longer physically with us.

The base is Night of Navy, cut at 5 1/2"x 8 1/2", scored at 4 1/4", matted with Rich Razzleberry (4"x5 1/4").

The image is Whisper White, cut at 3 7/8"x 5 1/8". HERE is a video that shows you the technique so much better than I could describe it. I did use Rich Razzleberry as my "color" and sponged a bit of black around the edges and bottom to get a bit more darkness. My spots are actually clear Wink of Stella. I tapped the brush onto the cardstock, but next time with try splattering it instead.

I used the retired set, Warmest Regards, for the sentiment.

Not only do I think this scene is soothing but so fitting for the man who is missed by so many.

I hope that you will try this technique, hopefully for a happier occasion, like celebrating life.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

Thoughtful Hydrangea

One last peak at a sample from the Thoughtful Branches set that will be available WHILE supplies last on August 2, 2016. Don't forget to place your order on Tuesday or soon after, so you don't miss out!

Stamp the bundle of leaves on Very Vanilla with Temping Turquoise, cut them out with the thinlet, plus a set from Tempting Turquoise card stock. Wad up the stamped image just a little to give it some character. Stamp two of the leaves with Old Olive onto Very Vanilla and cut out with the matching die. Cut out the stem from Old Olive cardstock. Using liquid glue, adhere the leaves to the back of the cut outs. Glue this down to the cover of a Pool Party base card (5 1/2 x 8 1/2, scored at 4 1/4). Add dimensionals to the solid "leaves" and place at the top of the stem. Carefully unfold the crumpled flower piece without making it too flat. Cut down some of the dimensionals and add them to the back, placing it on top of the solid piece. Not only did I spin it around, but I also offset it a bit, so that the color shows through. Stamp the sentiments from the same set in Tempting Turquoise and Old Olive.

This one was okay, but a bit plain for me, so......

Using Tempting Turquoise, I sponged the ink around the edges of the card. I did the same on the inside. That helped, but still.......

I had a small piece of Pool Party ribbon from my stash of retired ribbons, so made a bow and using liquid glue, added it to the stem. Now I feel that it is completed.

So this post shows what a difference just a little bit more can make.

Now, here is a picture of the bundle you really don't want to miss out on!

I hope you enjoyed this sample. Have a great day and thanks so much for stopping by!!

Perfectly Wrapped alternatives

I am not usually interested in kits, but this one kept calling me, so I broke down and ordered it. The ideas in the kit/catalog are great, but I had some of my own, so thought I would share them with you.

This kit can be found on page 159 on the catalog. It is very inexpensive at only $25 for product to create eight bags and eight boxes. All you have to add is adhesive, ink and stamps. The stamp set that is used in the catalog examples in on the same page.

This gold polka dot box is one of the projects. I used the sentiment from my favorite Hostess Reward stamp set, Gift of Love. The kit shows to attach a different fringe around the box, recommending that you fill it first. Instead, I used two of the black strips included in the kit and created a sleeve to wrap around the box. I glued two strips together then wrapped it around the box and glued the ends together on the top to create the sleeve. Use your fingers to curl up the fringe. I misted two of the scallop circles with water and wadded them up. I unfolded them carefully and let them dry before sponging the edges and the top with Peek-a-boo Peach ink. Add a dimensional to attach them together and one to attach this to the top of the sleeve. Create one of the bows in the kit and glue to the top of the circles. Sponge around one of the small tags with the same ink, stamp the sentiment with black and tie it to the bow.

This project uses one of the cellophane bags and insert that comes in the kit. I used one of the large tags, sponged around it with Tangerine Tango, then stamped it with the flowers in the Perpetual Birthday Calendar stamp set. Cut a strip of sequins (I put a drop of glue on the end to prevent unraveling), glue it to the top of the tag. Sponge ink around one of the circle tags and stamp your sentiment. (This one came from the set, Thoughtful Branches, available Aug 2, ONLY while supplies last!) Add a dimensional to the center and attach to the tag between the sequins. Add the tag and hold the bag closed with a mini clothespin. (Green ones are included in the kit, but I chose a natural one from my sash).

There are SO many ideas to create flowers with punches and dies! I chose this one from my stash of flowers that I have created. (I usually have to try the different tutorials).  NOTE: the clear sleeve fits over the open box to create a cover.....bet you can guess how I know haha..., making sure that the seam is on the bottom. I used two of the leaves and a large tag from the kit, sponging around all with Emerald Envy and stuck it all with strong tape to the acetate sleeve. Very simple and very nice, I think. The sentiment is from Suite Sayings stamp set.

I saved this one for last, because to be perfectly honest, I was not thrilled with the sample. It took me a bit to decide what to do with it after putting together the bag. Take your time with this one. Finger crease the scores in both directions. This will help you make the correct folds when putting it together. Another hint for this one, the instructions refer to a couple of images that I didn't find right away. They are actually on the back with the sample images. It also tells to curl the bag first. Just roll it around your arm.

Now for what I created. After putting the bag together, I used the retired window punch to place a handle in the top. The current classic label would do the same thing. Mist and wrinkle three of the large flower petals and two of the small petals. After they dry, sponge the edges and across the top with Tangerine Tango. Attach and offset the petals together with dimensionals. Using your thumb, curl each petal upward. Tear one of the black fringe pieces to about one third, loosely roll and glue the end down. I cut about half of the bottom off and glued it to the center of my flower. After it dried, I fluffed out the fringe with my fingers. Glue this to the center of the bag front. Sponge two of the leaves and glue them to the bag also.

Sponge around one of the small tags and add the sentiment. Add it to one of the binder clips with a small piece of the white twine. Cut a larger piece of twine and add the gold dots to it, sandwiching the twine between two dots. I also caught the corner of the tag between two of the center dots, to help hold it in place. Drape this over the clip and use it to close the bag.

REMEMBER: You only need to add ink, stamp, and adhesive. Everything else in included to create FOUR of each of the samples shown in the catalog.

After reading all this, maybe I should have done it in several different posts instead of just one!!!

Hope you give this one a try. I would love to hear what ideas you come up with! Have a great day and thanks so much for coming by!

Writing Note

I have been unable to find a selection of stationary for letter writing (yes, I still do that), so when I saw the Writing Note stamp in the catalog, I had to give it a try.

I actually have an unlined notepad that measures 6"x9", so I cut a sheet in half. It is now 4 1/2"x 6" and perfect for the large stamp. I stamped an image from the Flower Shop set in the bottom corner, then using the pansy punch and a large post it note, I punched out a flower to use as a mask. Stick the mask over the flower image.

With the larger stamps like this one, I tap the ink pad onto the stamp rather than the usual way of tapping the stamp onto the ink pad. This way you can make sure that you have a good coverage of ink. Then there are several ways to apply the image to the paper.

1. Stamp as usual, making sure to give even pressure all over the stamp.
2. Lie the paper on top of the stamp, cover with a larger scrap piece and
     a. use your hand to smooth over the stamp area
     b. use the brayer to give even pressure over the stamp area
     c. use one of the longer clear blocks to smooth over the stamp area
3. Use the MISTY (my favorite)

Remove the mask and turn the paper over to stamp the lines onto the back. This was my first try. Afterwards I trimmed the left side of the stamp so that it would fit up to the MISTY edge and not leave so much space on the paper.

NOTE: When finished, add the mask to the stamp set, so that you can use it over and over.

I hope you are having a wonderful day. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Twisted Gatefold!

I almost double posted yesterday! I was that excited about sharing this new project!

If you know what has happened in my life these last few months, you can appreciate the return of my enjoyment of crafting! I sure do!

So here is my newest fun creation with my new toys;

Isn't that fun looking?

Ready for the details? Here they are:

The base of the card is Very Vanilla cut at 5 1/2" x 8 1/4", then scored at 2 3/4" and 5 1/2".

NOTE: You can actually make this any size as long as the three sections are the same.

Now score the left panel from the top left corner to the bottom score line. Score the right panel from the top score line to the bottom right corner.

Stamp your sentiment onto the middle panel. Trust me on this one. It is so much easier to do it now than AFTER the card is created! I used one from the upcoming NEW set, Thoughtful Branches. Check out my previous post to find out how and when you can order this great set!

NOTE: If using a dark base then just add a mat to the center panel using a lighter color.

Cut two pieces of Designer Series Paper a bit smaller than one of your panels. I chose Playful Pallet Stack, cut at 2 1/2" x 5 1/4". Cut one from the top left corner to the bottom right corner and the other one in the opposite direction, from the top right corner to the bottom left corner. Adhere them to the outer triangles formed on the base (front and back). I prefer to use the liquid glue for this step. It allows time to position the pieces just right.

Crease the scores with the bone folder, making sure that the outer triangles come together in the center. Create an image to adhere to one of the triangles. I used the Painters Pallet stamp set. The easel was stamped on Very Vanilla with Peek-a-Boo Peach, then the sentiment was stamped in the middle with Emerald Envy. I fussy cut it out, meaning to just cut around the image, leaving a bit of an edge. Place a tiny piece of double stick tape to the back and stick it to black cardstock. Fussy cut around the image. Pull these two pieces apart and add dimensionals to the back of the image, then attach it to the black cutout.

Decide where you want your image to be and add strong tape to the area you need to stick to ONE of the triangle fronts. That is all there is to it!!!

OH! and don't forget to sign your artwork on the back of your creation!!!!

Here is another one with the image in a different position:

!

I added extra DSP to the inner triangles (had to use the pieces I cut incorrectly and make a "mistake" into a "Perfect"

Have fun with this one! Thanks for stopping by and have a GREAT day!

Preview of Thoughtful Branches

Received my order with the new limited time stamp set and thinlits bundle. I couldn't wait to put some of the stamps to ink and this is what I came up with.

This is a new fold for me, shared by my friend, Bonnie. I think it is really nice! Want to see more? Here is the inside of the card:

Now for the specifics:

The base, which is also the back of the card is Watermelon Wonder, cut at 5 1/2" x 4 1/4". (this is also one quarter of an 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock). The mat for the back piece is Pink Pirouette, cut at 5 1/4" x 4".

Now for the "cover". Cut 5 3/4" x 2 3/4" from Flirty Flamingo (love the new In Colors!) and score at 5 1/4". Give this a sharp crease using your bone folder. Add adhesive to the 1/4" flap and add it to the back of the top of the mat, lining up the bottom and left side edges. Now attach the mat to the Watermelon Wonder piece. Your card fold is now completed.

For the image, stamp the triple tree trucks with Soft Suede to a 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" piece of Pink Pirouette. With Flirty Flamingo, stamp the small set of dots over the two outside trunks, and with Watermelon Wonder over the middle trunk. I used Cucumber Crush for the grass. Add this to a 2 3/4" x 3 3/4" Flirty Flamingo piece, then add this to a 3" x 4" Watermelon Wonder mat.

Stamp your sentiment to the base mat. Add adhesive to the left side of the image piece and attach it to the cover flap, positioning  it so that the sentiment doesn't show. And that is it! :)

Curious about the stamp set that I used??? Watch for it on August 2! It will only be available "while supplies last", so don't put off ordering it! You will be able to purchase the stamp set, thinlits, or as a bundle (which saves you money!) Check it out:

Enjoy and have a great day!

My Sympathy

I recently lost another special someone in my life, so maybe this card is for me.

The card base is Daffodil Delight, 4 1/4" x 11", scored at 5 1/2". This is what is called a tent fold with the fold at the top of the card. On the cover I scored at 1/4" all around along the inside, to add a bit of interest.

Stamp the line flowers from one of my favorite sets, Gift of Love, three times on Whisper White with Daffodil Delight ink. Emboss with clear embossing powder and color in with a blender pen, using Daffodil Delight and Old Olive inks. Just highlight the stamped image with the color. You can use ink refills or before opening the ink pad, give it a quick squeeze in the middle. This will give you a paint pallet in the middle of the lid. Now fussy cut out each image. This just means to cut around the image. Leave a bit of an edge around the image and you will have a cleaner cut look.

Using the Fine Tip Glue Pen, center the doily towards the top of the card base front. Place one of the floral cut outs in the center of the doily towards the top. Add dimensionals to the other two images and position them onto the card.

The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes (one of the greatest sets you can have!) stamped with Daffodil Delight onto Whisper White. Cut out two banners, using either the Banner punch or the thinlits, one of the sentiment and one from Daffodil Delight. Trim down the sentiment to fit on top of the Daffodil banner and glue together. Add dimensionals to the back and add to the bottom of the flower stems.

It had to have some more pizazz, so I used the clear Wink of Stella pen on the flowers and onto the tails of the sentiment. Still needed something, so added gold sequins around the flowers and to the sentiment. (NOTE: I wish I had sponged Daffodil Delight around the banner and flowers, before attaching.)

I know it seems like there are a lot of steps to this card, but it really is a fast and simple project. I hope you give it a try AND I hope that you won't need to use the same sentiment.

Have a great day and thanks so much for stopping by!

Bonus!!

Who doesn't love a great deal!!



Check it out HERE

Safe and Happy 4th of July

This is one of my favorite cards. And although it is from last year, I wanted to share it again, along with my wishes for a safe and happy fourth of July to all of my friends/family/customers!

If you want more info on the makings of this card, HERE is where you will find them!

Thanks for stopping by!!!