Sea Themed Tunnel Card

I have a friend over once a week to make cards. Recently we've been trying out different techniques and card designs together. This card was the product of one of our recent get-togethers where we tried out the Tunnel Card Technique. (You can find a tutorial for this design HERE)

Side Note: I always photograph my cards in natural lighting, but not usually in direct sunlight. However, I thought these shots with sun rays across my card turned out kind of neat. They make me anxious for a  warm spring day when I can relax by the sea shore for an hour or two.

Supplies and Tools:

• Cottage Cutz Dies from The Scrapping Cottage:
• Sand Castle
• Lighthouse w/Clouds
• Sailboat
• Crab
• Paddles & Rope Ladder (net)
• Distress Oxide in these colors:
• Salty Ocean, Faded Jeans, Worn Lipstick, Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• White Gel Pen
• Shifting sands stamp (Posh Impressions)
   

This post linked to:
Love to Scrap - Male Call
Time Out - Playful (playing in the sand)
Dare 2B Artzy - Animals (crab)
Simon Says - Anything Goes

Flowers are like friends

Here's another card featuring some beautiful digis from Polka Dot Orchard. To create the flowers on this card I covered a piece of watercolor paper in Color Burst powders, spritzed with water, and heat set. Then I printed two of each flower (one slightly smaller than the first), fussy cut, and layered the flowers for dimension.

Supplies and Tools:

• Flowers in Bloom digital stamp set (Polka Dot Orchard)
• Color Burst Powders (Ken Oliver)
• Merlot
• Fuchsia
• Alizarin Crimson
• Weaving Stencil (Stamplorations)
• Salty Ocean Distress Oxide (Ranger)
• Prismacolor Pencils
• Black Sharpie Marker 

This post linked to:
Little Red Wagon - Everything's coming up... poppies
As You liked - Ribbon or Flowers 
(definitely flowers - they're great as accents/embellishments, or the main focus)
The Paper Funday Challenge - Anything goes + Optional Easter 
Allsorts - Mother's Day or Feminine

Retro Typewriter

As I mentioned in a previous post...... I recently received a special order (from an "older" gentleman) for twenty-four handmade cards.  Today I'm sharing the design of the next to last set .... (Click to view Set #1 and Set #2 and Set #3 and Set #4)

Supplies and Tools:

• Vintage Text Background Stamp (Wendy Vecchi - Stampers Anonymous)
• Mixed Media Grunge (Stamplorations)
• Typewriter (Stampabilities)
• Hello Friend (Wordsworth)
• Typewriter Alphabet Embossing Folder (The Paper Studio)
• Black Soot / Candied Apple Distress Oxide (Ranger)
• Brilliance Moonlight White Ink (Tsukineko)
• Dotted Ovals Nesting Dies (Sizzix)

This post linked to:
Tuesday Throwdown - Sketch (mine is reversed)
Simon Says - Anything Goes
Love To Scrap - Male Call
Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
Mix it up - Black + White + one other color

The Lord Is my Shepherd

As I mentioned in a previous post......An older gentleman from the area really likes the cards I make, and recently placed an order for twenty-four of my handmade creations. I'm planning to make four each of six different designs. They all have to be fairly flat for mailing (so as to not cost him extra postage), and fairly simple in design (so as to not take me forever to create in multiples).  Today I'm sharing the design of the fourth set with you... (Click to view Set #1 and Set #2 and Set #3)

BTW -- I'm probably the last person on earth to figure this out but.... here's a tip for heat embossing vellum without causing it to wrinkle: Heat it from the reverse side! Yep, it's just that simple.....and I can't believe I just learned that last week!!

Supplies and Tools:

• 3D Botanical Embossing Folder (Sizzix - Tim Holtz)
• Broken China Distress Oxide (Ranger)
• Mini Brayer
• Oakberry Lane Blossoms Cling Stamp Set (Heartfelt Creations)
• Oakberry Lane Blossoms Dies (Heartfelt Creations)
• Album Tags and Accents Die (Heartfelt Creations)
• Bible Journaling Stamps (American Crafts)
• Vellum
• Versamark Watermark Ink
• White Embossing Powder
• Eyelet Lace Border Punch (Martha Stewart)
• Scoring Board (Martha Stewart)
• Mini Pearls

This post linked to:
Simon Says - Anything Goes
Little Red Wagon - Everything's coming up....flowers
As you like - Flower or ribbon
(definitely flowers -- they're my go-to for embellishments)
Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
Stamping Sensations - April Showers bring May Flowers

A dog loves you...

It's time for our Wednesday challenge over at The House That Stamps Built. This week the theme is --- ANYTHING GOES!  I think this is the shortest supply list I've ever had -- mainly just RI stamps and one color of ink! The adorable puppy on the stamp reminds me of our two sweet labs --- they're definitely among the "world's most spoiled pets!"

Supplies and tools:

• Repeat Impressions Stamps:
• 8121-P, Golden Retriever
• 8117-E, A Dog Loves You
• 8122-C, Paw Prints
• (or Plate 8100)
• Walnut Stain Distress Oxide (Ranger)

For my blog readers:

• Enjoy the 10% discount code to the Repeat Impressions Store  by using the code: rr10ea
• There's a new challenge every week over at  The House That Stamps Built 
• you don't have to use Repeat Impressions stamps to link or win
• One lucky person will win a $25 Repeat Impressions Gift Certificate on the first Wednesday of every month

Check out what the other design team members created: 

Cheri  ~ Shirley ~ Heather ~ Laurie ~ Donna ~ Joy

This post linked to:

As You Like - Favorite Animal (dog - they are loyal, smart, and such good friends!)

Love To Scrap - Male Call

God is love

As I mentioned in a previous post......An older gentleman from the area really likes the cards I make, and recently placed an order for twenty-four of my handmade creations. I'm planning to make four each of six different designs. They all have to be fairly flat for mailing (so as to not cost him extra postage), and fairly simple in design (so as to not take me forever to create in multiples).  Today I'm sharing the design of the third set with you... (Click to view Set #1 and Set #2)

Supplies and Tools:

• Mixed Media #2 Dies (Sizzix - Tim Holtz)
• Hello Doily Dies (Sizzix)
• Circle Dies (Spellbinders Nestabilities)
• Bible Journaling Stamps (American Crafts)
• Mini Pearls
• These colors of distress oxide (Ranger)
• Twisted Citron, Broken China, Worn Lipstick
• Perfect Plum ink (Stampin' Up)

This post linked to:
Simon Says - Going Round In Circles
If You Give A Crafter A Cookie - Inspiration Photo (pastel colors)
The Cat's Pajamas - Spring (pastel spring colors)
Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes

Hello Sunshine

Today I have a somewhat clean-and-simple card to share with you featuring Graciellie Design's "Summer Sunflowers."

One of the things I love about digital stamps is how flexible they are. You can re-size them, create a collage with them, crop them, invert or change their color,  ..... and the list goes on and on. You'll notice that the image I used on today's card does NOT appear in the set Gracie has for sale ....that's because I created it myself by cropping and rearranging the flowers in the Summer Sunflowers set to make my own unique digi! Fun - right?!

I created my background by stamping distress oxide ink on a narrow acrylic block I have. I spritzed it with water and stamped it on my paper...allowing the colors to run a bit before heat setting.

Supplies and Tools:

• Summer Sunflowers Digital Stamp Set (Graciellie Design)
• Salty Ocean / Faded Jeans Distress Oxide (Ranger)
• Prismacolor Pencils
• Sakura Clear Glitter Pen

This post linked to:
PINspirational - Create Your Own Sunshine
Color Throwdown - Orange, Yellow, Blue
Krafty Chicks - Flowers
The Paper Funday challenge - Anything Goes + optional twist Easter

Flowers are in bloom

Hello friends, I have happy news!!! Jessica Burnham has  invited me to design for her digital stamp shop called Polka Dot Orchard. You'll want to stop by Jessica's store and check out all the lovely digis she has for sale.
For this first card,  I went for contrast with bright flowers and a black embossed background. I covered my flowers with one layer of UTEE to add a dewy texture to them.
 
Supplies and Tools:

• Flowers In Bloom Digital Stamps Set (Polka Dot Orchard)
• Prismacolor Pencils
• Versamark Watermark Ink
• Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE)
• 3D Botanical embossing folder (Sizzix - Tim Holtz)

 

This post linked to:
Use Your Stuff - Easter/Spring
Krafty Chicks - Flowers
Simon Says - Beautiful Blooms
The Paper Funday Challenge - Anything goes + optional Easter
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes

Weathered Spring Window Card

It's been a while since I've created one of those "stain your fingers" mixed media cards, so I pulled out my paints, inks, and stains and made a royal mess making this spring window card.

I created my weathered background using the same technique I shared in THIS POST and the following supplies:

• Cardboard
• Martha Stewart Scoring Board (scored every 1/2 inch)
• Elemer's Glue
• Hickory Smoke Distress Paint (Ranger)
• Blueprint Sketch Distress Paint - Ranger (rubbed over the paint when dry)
• Picket Fence Distress Stain - Ranger (rubbed over portions of the wall)
• Sandpaper

To create my flowers I:

• stamped the Oakberry Lance Blossoms (Heartfelt Creations) in Perfect Plum Ink (Stampin' Up) on purple card stock
• inked their centers with Seedless Preserves Distress Oxide (Ranger) and their outer petals in perfect plum
• die cut my flowers using Oakberry Lane Blossoms Dies (Heartfelt Creations)
• inked the reverse side of my flowers in perfect plum
• using my Craft Foam Mat (Paper Blossoms) and a stylus I cupped three flowers and layered them together 

Other supplies used:

• Albums Tags and Accents die (Heartfelt Creations)
• Be Encouraged Stamp Set (Sweet n Sassy)
• Romantic Vines Dies (Spellbinders)
• Mowed Lawn / Pine Needles Distress Ink (Ranger) 
• Conservatory Window Die (Sizzix) 
• Old Dictionary Page

This post linked to:
Frilly and Funkie - Re-purpose, Re-Use, Recyle
Use Your Stuff - Easter/Spring
Simon Says - Beautiful Blooms
Allsorts - Blossoms, Butterflies, Bugs
Addicted to Stamps - Lots of Layers
Krafty Chicks - Flowers
The Cat's Pajama's -Spring

Be Strong...

It's time for our Wednesday challenge over at The House That Stamps Built. This week we have an inspiration board for you. This challenge is a fun cross between a photo challenge and a color challenge. You can choose to be inspired by the colors, the photograph, or both! I used both sides of the board in my card for today.

Supplies and Tools:

• Repeat Impressions Stamps
• 10307-H, Patti's Flower Outline
• 10315-E, Leaf Outline Wavy
• 1905-I, Be strong . . .
• Brilliance Moonlight White Ink (Tsukineko)
• Weaving Stencil (Stamplorations)
• Peeled Paint, Mowed Lawn, Black Soot Distress Oxide (Ranger)
• Pearls
• Sequins
• Small Window Die (Memory Box)

For my blog readers:

• Enjoy the 10% discount code to the Repeat Impressions Store  by using the code: rr10ea
• There's a new challenge every week over at  The House That Stamps Built 
• you don't have to use Repeat Impressions stamps to link or win
• One lucky person will win a $25 Repeat Impressions Gift Certificate on the first Wednesday of every month

Check out what the other design team members created: 

Cheri  ~ Shirley ~ Heather ~ Laurie ~ Donna ~ Joy

This post linked to:
Use Your Stuff - Easter/Spring
Simon Says - Beautiful Blooms
Time Out Challenges - Embellishments (pearls and sequins)
Mod Squad - Use A Stencil 
Simon Says - Spring Mood Board (below)

Summer Sunflowers

Oh my....isn't this coordinating set of Summer Sunflowers from Graciellie Design's just gorgeous?!?!

I had so much fun creating with these stamps and papers!

To create my sunflowers I printed six of the single bloom in varying sizes on yellow cardstock. I fussy cut each flower (and between each petal) and inked the edges with distress inks. I layered tehm together for more dimension and added ground coffee to the centers.  The vines were cut from green and blue card stock and inked with three colors of distress oxide (below). I spritzed them with water and heat set so the color would blend and sink in.

Supplies and Tools:

• Summer Sunflowers Digital Stamp Set (Graciellie Design)
• Summer Sunflowers Digital Paper (Graciellie Design)
• Romantic Vines Dies (Spellbinders)
• Vintage Photo / Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink (Ranger)
• Salty Ocean / Peeled Paint / Mowed Lawn Distress Oxide (Ranger)
• Ground Coffee

This post linked to:
Simon Says - Beautiful Blooms
Allsorts Challenge - Blossoms, Butterflies, Bugs
Mix it up - Anything Goes (optional black/white/one other color)
PINspirational - Create Your Own Sunshine

He stilled the storm...

As I mentioned in a previous post......An older gentleman from the area really likes the cards I make, and recently placed an order for twenty-four of my handmade creations. I'm planning to make four each of six different designs. They all have to be fairly flat for mailing (so as to not cost him extra postage), and fairly simple in design (so as to not take me forever to create in multiples).  Today I'm sharing the design of the second set with you...

I used the Mojo Monday sketch as the starting point for this set of cards.

Supplies and Tools:

• True North Stamp Set (Stamplorations)
• Mixed Media Grunge (Stamplorations) 
• Prismacolor Pencils
• Black Tuxedo Ink (Tsukineko)
• Black Soot Distress Oxide (Ranger)
• Cheesecloth Background Stamp (Stampin' Up)
• Brilliance Moonlight White Ink (Tsukineko)
• Collage Embossing Folder (Sizzix - Tim Holtz)
• Vellum
• Anchor Die (Cottage Cutz)

This post linked to:
Stamplorations Never Ending Challenge (use Stamplorations products)
Mojo Monday #513
Love to Scrap - Male Call
Crafyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes

Be Still...

An older gentleman from the area really likes the cards I make, and recently placed an order for twenty-four of my handmade creations. I'm planning to make four each of six different designs. They all have to be fairly flat for mailing (so as to not cost him extra postage), and fairly simple in design (so as to not take me forever to create in multiples).  Today I'm sharing the design of the first four with you...

Supplies and Tools:

• Oakberry Lane Blossoms Cling Stamp Set (Heartfelt Creations)
• Oakberry Lane Blossoms Dies (Heartfelt Creations)
• Distress Oxide in these colors
• Salty Ocean, Seedless Preserves, Black Soot
• Lace Embossing Folder (Sizzix -Tim Holtz Texture Fades)
• Labels 10 Nestabilities (Spellbinders)
• Bible Journaling Stamps (American Crafts)
• Brilliance Moonlight White Ink (Tsukineko)
• Craft Molding Mat (Paper Blossoms)
• Stylus

This post linked to:
Mod Squad Challenge - 3's company
Tuesday Throwdown - Anything goes
Allsorts - Blossoms, Butterflies, and Bugs
Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
The Cat's Pajamas - Spring

Joy in the ordinary

Ok so  Shery Russ has really inspired me (with her recent creations) to use my mixed media stamps more bravely instead of being so calculated and careful with them! (smile) She creates some awesome one-layer mixed media cards with the coolest backgrounds, so I thought I'd have a go at it. Mine isn't one layer, but it is stamped and stenciled all over! 

To create my background: I scrunched up a cool piece of tissue paper I found in my stash, unfolded it, and glued it to a piece of white card stock.  It adds a nice texture to my tag shaped card.

Supplies and tools:

• Mixed Media Grunge Stamps Set (Stamplorations)
• Joy Say It Big Series (Stamplorations) 
• Weaving Stencil (Stamplorations)
• Tissue Paper
• Midnight Black Embossing Powder
• Tattered Florals Die (Sizzix - Tim Holtz)
• These colors of Distress Oxide (Ranger)
• Peeled Paint / Salty Ocean / Black Soot
• Evergreen Bough Distress Ink (Ranger)
• Album Tags and Accents Die Set (Heartfelt Creations)
• Elegant  Pocket Accents Dies Set (Heartfelt Creations)

This post linked to:
TAGplorations All About Recycling (optional tissue paper)
Stamplorations Never Ending Challenge (use Stamplorations products)
Mod Squad Challenge - 3's company (I layered three flowers together)
Allsorts - Sentiment in Focus
Simon Says - No Designer Paper (I glued crumpled tissue paper to white card stock)