Pale Plum Sketch Challenge

Today was another day that I had a chance to do a card for the Splitcoast Stampers sketch challenge. I am always anxious to see the sketch even when I don't have a chance to make a card.

Today's challenge --

I was not sure where I was going when I started out. Layer # 3 was tall and narrow. I thought that it needed a large, tall image. I found this one in the set called "Insightful Meadows" by Unity Stamp Company. I also wanted to do something using the emboss resist technique. I stamped the image with VersaMark ink and used a fine detail clear embossing powder to do a heat emboss. I also used a large background stamp to add some interest to the background. For adding the background I used Memento Gray Flannel ink. I then sponged very lightly over the embossed image using Perfect Plum ink. Then I discovered that the retired card stock color "Pale Plum" was a perfect match. To add some depth to the color I used a paint chip that I had picked up the other night while out shopping at Lowe's. It was just what I needed. The sentiment on the vellum was from a 2004 Stampin' Up retired set called "Sweet of You".

I hope that you have some time to be creative today.



August 20, 2017
My card was mentioned in Favorites for the week ending August 19, 2017 at Splitcoast Stampers.

Updated Post

I was doing some updating and editing of my blog and found that this post had never been finished. It was still in the draft mode. I decided that it was time to finish it or delete it. I really like this card so it is time to "finish" what I had started. I made this card some time ago basically using a piece of SU designer paper. The paper has some of my favorite colors and "flowers". I love the delicate feel of the paper and the design. The "thank you" sentiment is from a Unity Stamp Co. set called "Butterflies and Sunbeams," the August 2015 Sentiment Kit. The little flowers are from the SU set "Petite Petals".

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and letting me share my love of card making with you today.

A New Stamp Set

Earlier this month I received a new stamp set "Beautiful Day" from Altenew. I started playing with this set a few days ago. I finally got my birthday card finished using this set along with numerous other sets from my collection.

After practicing on several flowers this is the final card.

Because the flowers are so large, I made my card 5 1/2 x 5 1/2-inches. I found a 12 x 12-inch sheet of paper that was the perfect color to go with my Pool Party card. I used the masking technique on the two pink flowers when adding the leaves. The center flower was stamped on a separate piece of card stock and cut out.

This flower has several parts and each was stamped using a different color ink. The outlines were stamped using Memento Tuxedo Black. The pink flowers were stamped using SU Blushing Bride and Primrose Petals ink.The center flower was stamped using SU Soft Sky and Pool Party inks. The leaves were stamped with Memento New Sprout and Bamboo Leaves colors.

The verse was from Our Daily Bread Designs set called "Happy Birthday". This was the first set I purchased from ODBD.  The inside verse was from Unity Stamps set "Butterflies and Sunbeams".

I love creating flowers so I expect that this will be one of my favorite sets. I hope to acquire some more sets in the near future.

Have a wonderful day.


Added to "Favorites for the week ending January 22, 2017"

Another Pop Out Swing Card

This is the type of card that we will be making at Altered Art Addicts on Saturday, April 16. This is such a fun technique. It creates a really stunning card.

For this card I used Stampin' Up's Lost Lagoon card stock, a little black for an accent and white. The stamp is from the Unity set "Butterfly Endearment". Because I cut part of the butterfly off when I trimmed my piece of white card stock, I stamped the image again, cut out the butterfly and glued it over the original image. This is a cool technique which adds dimension to your focal image. The sentiment is from the Unity set called "Lilacs and Birthdays".

Looking at the open card--

Looking from above--

A Flower For A Friend

Made this card this morning for a friend who has not been feeling well. It is a mixture of several new items and some older tools. The leaves are from a SU set that I just got -- "World of Dreams". I have wanted this set for a long time. The embossing folder is also new called Softly Falling Textured Embossing Folder. The sentiment is from a Unity set punched out with SU's word window and layered with the coordinating punch which has been retired. The flower was made using a punch, sponging the edges and running it through an embossing folder. Lastly, I added an organdy bow made with a fork.

Praying that your day will be beautiful.

SC556

Finally found time to make a thank you card using today's sketch challenge at Splitcoast Stampers.

Stamps used -- Leaves from SU's " Crazy About You", flower from SU"s "Secret Garden" and sentiment from Unity Stamp Co.'s set called "Butterflies and Sunbeams".

SC554

I am actually getting my card posted today for this week's sketch challenge at SCS. It was a rather simply sketch but it took me a while to get started.

I used a stamp from the set called "Insightful Meadows" by the Unity Stamp Co. I used VersaMark ink and heat embossed the image with clear embossing powder. I sponged distress ink over the embossed image. Love this technique which is called "Emboss Resist".I then used a stencil to add the texture. I found the deep rose card stock in my scrap box and used an embossing folder to create the design. I did not add a sentiment; that can be added later if I decide I need one. The card base was done with SU's Pretty in Pink.

CAS338

Want to post my card for Monday's CAS challenge at Splitcoast Stampers. The theme was "Cute Critters". I used stamps from the Unity Stamp Co. and added a little watercoloring to accent the main image.

I will also post this card to "Friends with Flair" Friday on the Unity Stamp Co. blog.

PP257 and SC553

This has not been a week for "creating". Too many other things have needed attention. I finally got my card finished just before bedtime last night. My card turned out to be for two challenges -- The Paper Players color challenge #257 and the Splitcoast Stampers sketch challenge #553.

 The stamps I used are from a new set that arrived yesterday from the Unity Stamp Co. called "Blossoms & Blessing". When I saw the set I, knew that it was one that needed to go into my collection. I struggled with the sketch for several days. I knew what I wanted to do, but I could never get beyond choosing the papers. Once I thought of using the color challenge, things began to fall into place. These colors are beautiful together -- Bermuda Bay, Crumb Cake and Old Olive. I stamped the bird on Crumb Cake card stock, cut it out and turned it over before attaching it to my card. There is no sentiment on the card front so it can be used for most any occasion or I can add one later.

SC552

I am just now getting my card finished for last Wednesday's sketch challenge at Splitcoast Stampers. I had started on Thursday, but could not get it together. It probably took me an hour or more to finish it this afternoon.

Lots of layers! Maybe that was the problem. I started with panel # 4. Not sure why but that is just what happened.

The card base is Stampin' Up's Hello Honey card stock. Each panel was made using white card stock. The image was stamped with VersaMark ink and colored with Pan Pastels (Yellow Ochre and Bright Yellow Green). Card stock in Old Olive and Crushed Curry were used as the accent layers. I used two Unity stamps from the sets "Love {Webster's Itty Bitty" and "Your are Enough Raindrops". Two Impression Obsession large background stamps were used -- Rain and Distressed Corduroy. The greeting came from Stampin' Up's set called "Moon Lake".

Whispy Prairie # 2

It seems that it has been almost impossible to find time to create this week. Don and I have been trying to clean out closets and get rid of unused "things". This is a task I have been putting off for a long time. As his Parkinson's continues to progress, there are more and more things that he cannot do thus I have to step in and try to do "that" also.

I needed a thank you card, and since I had so much fun with "Whispy Prairie" last week, I decided that I wanted to try using it again. I stamped the image on watercolor paper with VersaFine Black Onyx ink, used clear embossing powder and my trusty heat gun to finish the process. I used distress markers and an aqua brush to do the coloring. I wanted to follow through with the square background from the stamped image. I do not have a background stamp with that design but I pulled out a piece of plastic canvas, applied some ink, laid my paper over the canvas, gently rubbed the card stock and you can see the result. Perfect (in my opinion). The card base was SU Pool Party card stock stamped with SU Pool Party ink. Loved the result.

This card has been posted to "Friends With Flair" Friday on the Unity Stamp Co. Blog.

SC551 -- Whispy Prairie

For the sketch challenge at Splitcoast Stampers on Wednesday, July 29, I chose to use a new stamp that was given to me by my daughter-in-law last week. The set is called "Whispy Prairie" from The Unity Stamp Co.

I stamped the image on watercolor paper with VersaFine Onyx Black ink and embossed it with clear powder. Distress markers and an aqua painter were used to color the image. For the card base I used SU Primrose Petals card stock. I added some Wisteria Wonder designer paper with strips and a white piece with Old Olive dots to finish the sketch/card.

Feel Better Soon

I needed a get well card earlier in the week. I decided to make a card that I could use as a post to Unity's "Friends with Flair" Friday. I am looking forward to seeing what everyone has been working on. This is a stamp that I got a few weeks ago. I love a stamp like this on a monochromatic colored card. The card base is SU Crumb Cake. I used Memento Rich Cocoa ink and stamped on Couger natural colored card stock. I found the dark brown card stock in the scrap box; it matches the ink very nicely.

Unity {be inspired} Challenge 30

For this month's challenge, I chose the scrapbook sketch. I wasn't sure if I could make it fit my 6 x 6-inch page, but it was quite easy. I am working on creating a small scrapbook containing favorite Bible verses and quotes. I love these verses. The sketch gave me a chance to use some of my new stamps and try a few techniques that I don't often use.

 My page uses stamps from the Unity sets called "Vintage Scripture" and "Feel The Joy". I also used a stamp from my collection to create the background. After applying SU Lost Lagoon ink, part of the ink was wiped off before stamping onto SU Pool Party card stock. Then before assembling the page, I sponged Lost Lagoon ink around the edges with a large sponge dauber.

Lots of Butterflies

I needed a get well card this past week so I set to work. Love this pretty butterfly from the Unity Stamp Co. I stamped the image on watercolor paper using VersaFine Onyx Black ink and clear embossing  powder. Then I watercolored the entire piece using ink from markers scribbled on my craft mat. The card base is Stampin' Up's Bordering Blue (retired), Crushed Curry and black card stock. I will be linking this card to "Friends with Flare" Friday on the Unity Stamp Co. blog.

I posted the following card on Monday. I am re-posting it with this card because it fits with the "Friends with Flare" Friday. I think it is my favorite!

PP253 -- Color Challenge

This is the week for the color challenge at The Paper Players. 

"Mint Macaron" -- I have. "Smoky Slate" -- I have. "White" -- I have. "Sahara Sand" -- I do not own one sheet. So it's off to find a substitute. I finally decided on "Crumb Cake". It is much darker but it was the best choice I had. Now for the inks. "Mint Macaron" -- I do not have. Decided that I could use the color Celadon by VersaColor, a close match. "Smoky Slate" --  I have that one. "Crumb Cake" -- Don't have that color ink but I think that Memento "Peanut Brittle" will work.

Now -- "What stamps will I use?" "What layout will work?" "What, What, What?" So many questions and so many decisions.

 Here is the result. "My Card"

I got some new stamps last week from the "Unity Stamp Co." Found one that I had fallen in love with. It is from the set called "Delightfully Dainty". Stamped it in the three colors and layered the image with the same color. The background paper was made using white card stock, a Tim Holtz stencil and was sponged with Memento Peanut Brittle ink. The sentiment was first stamped with Stampin' Up Pool Party ink. I really didn't like the result. I stamped the sentiment again in VersaFine Onyx Black ink (using the stamp-a-ma-jig for placement) and let the first stamping create a shadow. I really like the result. I want to try this again.

Thanks for your visit today.

SC548

Wednesday came and went. Seemed like I had so much to do that there was no time for stamping. Thursday night our stamping group had our annual picnic at my house. Set up took some time, but it was well it. Husband were invited so that my husband had someone to hang out with.

Here is the sketch for this week's challenge at Splitcoast Stampers. I thought it was one of the harder sketches but I was determined to use it to make a card.

This is my card--

I don't really like the way the focal image turned out, but I just didn't want to start over. I stamped and embossed the butterfly three times on watercolor paper using VersaFine Onyx Black ink and clear embossing powder. This is a new stamp from Unity Stamp Co. that arrived just yesterday. The set is called "Butterfly of Peace". Using ink from three markers and my aqua brush, I colored the butterflies in SU's Lost Lagoon. I used the Hello Honey ink to create a halo around the butterflies. Lastly, I used the marker Mossy Meadow for the background. That is the part I don't like. I got it too dark in the center. The more I messed with it, the darker it seemed to get. Well, I guess that is a part of learning.

"Friends with Flair" Friday with Unity

What a busy week! I did get some stamping done early in the week. This is the project I would like to share with you today. I have been working on a small 6 x 6-inch scrapbook containing favorite scripture verses and quotes that have spoken to my heart over the past years. I had put the words to a song on the refrigerator a few years ago that expressed my desire to follow my Lord. I wanted to include those words in my little scrapbook. I retyped the words on a piece of white card stock, stamped the circle doily around the typed words and then cut it out using the matching Spellbinder die. Here is the result. The Unity stamp (from the set called "Blossom Stackers") is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Here is a link to the "Friends with Flair" post on the Unity Stamp Co. blog

I offer My Life

Lord, I offer my life to You,

Everything I've been through

Use it for your glory.

Lord, I offer my days to You,

Lifting my praise to You,

As a pleasing sacrifice

Lord, I offer You my life.

"Friends With Flair" at Unity Stamp Company

I made a card on Monday for the Clean and Simple challenge at Splitcoast Stampers. It was a sketch challenge and I loved it so much that I made another card just like the first one but in a different color. This would make a great card set especially to use as a gift. The stamps are from the Unity Stamp set called "Blossom Stackers". Love this set; there are so many wonderful stamps in this set to use alone or to use together to create your own unique look

.

For "Unity {be inspired} Challenge

I have been thinking about this challenge for weeks it seems like. Just didn't have any good ideas. I started working on it today and ended up with a card that meets the sketch challenge and also the color challenge.

I received an order of stamps last week so this was a good time to use them. The flowers are called "feel the joy" and colored with SU markers Crushed Curry and Old Olive. I used SU Night of Navy and Old Olive CS and Night of Navy ink to stamp the "Thank You" which is from the "Blossom Stackers" set. I added a piece of Crushed Curry ribbon and for the final  touch I did a little sponging with a stencil around the flowers.