By the Beautiful Sea

Since making the castle bridge card back in February, bridge cards have become one of my favorites!  They are so versatile and you can make lots of different things with them, especially when you add hidden insert tabs like those used in a shadow box card!!  The inspiration for this card was a card I saw on Pinterest made by Monica Maier.  I made a beach scene using the Life is Good stamp set from Lawn Fawn.  It is a cheery little set that is fun to use and to color.  Who doesn't love a day at the beach?!

Before starting assembly I stamped the background with a tiny honeycomb pattern in a color close to the card stock I used.  I stamped some seagulls from the Life is Good set in black ink, too.  I cut some waves using a retired wave die from MFT.  They have this one now and it would look just as good!  I put some insert tabs spaced evenly into the U shape of the bridge card onto which I attached the waves. Next I cut some hills using Lawn Fawn's Stitched Hillside Borders out of a camel colored card stock for the sand and glued them on to form the bridge card.  I just love how the stitching detail looks on my beach!!  I just found Scrapbook Pal for ordering stamping supplies.  They are great!  They have discounted prices, they ship quickly and they offer free shipping on orders over $25!

Next I cut out two little sailboats using the sailboat die from Impression Obsession (IO).  I cut them out of white card stock and used Copics to color the bottom of the boats.  The last step was to stamp and color the cute little beachy elements from the Life is Good set.  I stamped them onto Papertrey Ink's Select White card stock.  It is heavy weight so it's good for die cutting and works well for blending with Copics.  Here is a close up...

I hope  you liked seeing my card today.  Thanks for stopping by, wishing you a happy heart and a happy day!!
Janet

Halloween Shadow Box Card

This shadow box Halloween card looks a lot more complicated than it was to make!  The pieces were all made with dies except for the shadow box part.  I was really happy with how spooky it looked when it was finished!

The back layer was made with pieces from MFT's Spooky House die set.  I used the house, the moon and the bat.  The next two layers were made using a die set from Impression Obsession called Halloween Landscapes.  I die cut them in white and used Copics to color the pumpkins, tree and grave stones.  I left the little fence white.  I didn't want to dry out my dark green marker so I used acrylic paint to do the ground.  Painting was a much quicker way to color the grass and it dried to a nice chalky finish!  I used the fence die from MFT's Spooky Scene.  I just looked for a link and it's been retired :(

To make the card as dimensional as possible, I glued the 2nd layer in between the 2 shadow box pieces on the left side and glued the front layer with the gravestones between the shadow box pieces on the right.  Here's another close-up picture...

I saw this quote somewhere and thought it was funny and perfect for a haunted house card!!    I used my computer to make the message!

Have fun tonight and be safe!  
Janet 

Build-able Bouquet

I finally had some time to play with my new MFT Build-able Bouquet stamp set.  I just love how whimsical they are.  They are beautiful flowers but don't look like any real flower so you can color them any way you want!  I did have one bit of trouble when I went to cut the flowers out with the dies.  When I tried to line up the flowers with stems inside the dies, they didn't line up and didn't cut right.  If I lined up the flowers, the stems weren't right and if I lined up the stems the flowers didn't line up right.  I'll have to give some thought to this the next time so it will work.  I stamped 2 of each stamp in the set and then colored them all in coordinating colors and cut them out.  I used most of the flowers and leaves on my first card.  It was fun arranging them and rearranging them until I got a flowery corner that I liked!  

For my second card, I used the left over flowers and my Blueprints 13 dies.  I used Peerless Watercolors to make both backgrounds.  I got some good news about Peerless Watercolors today.  I've had mine for a long time and I am just about out of my favorite colors.  I contacted the company and found out that they will be selling individual dry sheets of color very soon!!!  I was thrilled!

Thanks for looking and for visiting!

Janet

Supplies Used:

Stamps: MFT Buildable Blooms

Dies: MFT Build-able Bouquet, MFT Blueprints 13, Lawn Fawn Hugs, Impression Obsession 

                 Get Well Soon

Cardstock: Black Linen, SU Garden Green, Canson Aquarelle Watercolor paper, White  

                 Cougar Opaque

Miscellaneous:  Peerless Watercolors

  

Lovin' the Penguins in Paradise Palm Tree!

I don't know if you are like me, but I am very influenced by my friends.  They buy something, I need it...they make something, I want to make it...they try a new technique, I want to try it!  Well that's been happening to me a lot lately and I ended up making cards because of them!!  First my friend, Tina, has been making and posting some REALLY cute dog cards.  Of course, this made me think of making a dog card.  I had a cute little dog stamp from a discontinued MFT set called Cupcake Cutie and I decided to use that stamp with the MFT Penguins in Paradise palm tree stamp that I LOVE!!  Here is how it came out...

Don't you love that palm tree???  It's so much fun to color and it isn't bad to cut out either.  There are dies to match the set if you don't like cutting, but I didn't want the white border so I cut it by hand. To frame out my scene I used MFT's Stitched Rectangles Frames.  I didn't add a sentiment yet because I'm not sure what I'm using this card for.  I'll add a Happy Birthday or Thinking of You later.  Here's an angled picture so you can see what's popped up.

The right side of the card looked bare so I added the little sand pail.  It's a die from Impression Obsession.  It comes in a set with sand castles, an ice cream cone and the pail & shovel.  Oh...almost forgot the sun, that's a Lawn Fawn die called Spring Showers.  I colored the sky with blue and purple Pan Pastel tints.

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Janet

Supplies Used:
Card stock: Papertrey Ink white, Stampin' Up Confetti Kraft, Summer Sun and 
Bermuda Bay
Stamps: My Favorite Things - Penguins in Paradise and Cupcake Cutie (retired)
Copics:  Sand - E42, Water - BG13, Palm Tree Leaves - YG01, YG03, YG 17 & YG67, 
Palm Trunk - E59 & E87, Dog - W0, W03, W05, E42, E43, E44, B23 & E21,
Balloon - RV00, RV02, RV04 & RV06
Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangle Frames, Lawn Fawn Spring Showers, IO Mini Beach Fun Set
Miscellaneous:  Silver metallic Pilot marker, Pan Pastels - Pthalo Blue and Purple tints

Happy Easter

I found the most beautiful die on a recent trip to Violette's in Lakeland!  It is an Impression Obsession die called Easter Cutout Square.  It is so delicate and pretty that I knew I needed it to make Easter cards this year.  I got out a bunch of pastel card stock and had a great time mixing and matching them to make my cards!  I kept them simple because I wanted the die cut image to stand out...

I was a little bit nervous because we all know how tricky intricate dies can be and I was cutting out a lot of them.  I decided to use folded dryer sheets underneath the die and card stock to help in removing all of the tiny little pieces.  It worked great.  I still had to poke some of the pieces out but lots came out on the dryer sheet too.  Here's a close-up of the pink version... 

I used a bunch of different colors of card stock and I honestly can't decide which one I like best!  I wanted the die raised off the surface of the card so I put foam tape behind the larger areas and used dots of silicone glue on the tinier ones.  Once the glue dried, the square was very sturdy!

Supplies used:

Stamps: none
Dies:  Impression Obsession Easter Cutout Square
Cardstock: Stampin' Up: Almost Amythest, Pixie Pink, Mint Melody and Coastal Cabana and    
White Cougar Opaque

Thanks for stopping by, have a wonderful weekend and a happy holiday!
Janet

Heartfelt Thanks

Hi,  I came across this card and realized that I hadn't posted it yet.  I used it as a thank you card but it would also make a good Valentine's Day card!  I used an Impression Obsession die called Heart Stems.  To make it look more like a bouquet, I cut the stems out of various colors.  I also cut some out of white card stock so I could layer the stems to make some of them thicker.  Then I cut the stems out of a craft card stock background to build the bouquet on!!

Thanks for stopping by today,  have a good weekend!
Janet  

Get Better With Age

I saw this card in an Impression Obsession advertisement a few years ago...I bought everything to make it...and never did until now!  I wonder if any of you do things like that??!!  I made it now because I thought it was perfect for friends who like wine as much as I do!  I like how all of the stamps coordinate with each other.  Here is the front of the card...

There is a little pocket on the front of the card to hold the wine bottle.  If you wanted to, you could write a special message on the back of the bottle.  That would be cute!  I didn't have a die to make the pocket so here are the measurements in case you ever want to make one...
     •  Cut card stock 3"x 4 1/2"
     •  Stamp grapes in random pattern 
     •  Holding in landscape position, score at 1 1/2 and 3 1/2
     •  Turn so card is in portrait position and score at 2 1/2
     •  Fold 2 sides in and fold bottom up
     •  Using fold lines as a guide, cut out rectangular section on the bottom right and left
     •  You should be left with a flap in the center section. Angle both sides of this flap so it         
         will fold up neatly and won't show from the front.
     •  Glue or tape back seam and bottom flap
     •  The mat for the pocket is 1 7/8 x 2 3/8

Here's a picture of the wine bottle out of the pocket...

This is the inside of my card.  I found the sentiment on-line and used my computer to make it.  The side is decorated with Washi Tape!

Please comment if you have time.  I love reading what you think!

Thanks for visiting. 
Janet

Supplies used:
Stamps:  Impression Obsession:  Leigh Hannan Flourish, Grapes, Wine Bottle 
               and Wine Vine (they have a clear set now that includes all but the flourish)  
Cardstock:  Stampin' Up: Gumball Green, Rich Razzleberry and River Rock
Inks:  Momento Tuxedo Black, Stampin' Up Old Olive
Copics:  
     Grapes on pocket: V06, V09, V17
     Wine bottles: V04, V06, V09, V12, V17,  YG17 & YG67
     Cork:  E43 & E45
Miscellaneous:  ribbon, washi tape, clear Stickles glitter glue 

Let It Snow

I saw a wonderful card on the Lawnscaping Challenges blog this week and had to try it!  It is an entry in the White on White challenge sponsored by Simon Says Stamp!  I have a ton of Lawn Fawn stamps but of course I didn't have the ones used for the sample card.  I wasn't going to let that stop me from making the card though!  You can see the inspiration card by Yainea here.  You will have to scroll down a bit to find the inspiration card but there are some other great entries to this challenge for you to enjoy, too!  Here is my version of the card.  

I really like how the acetate shaker part is like looking into a snowstorm!  I took a trip to Micheals and Hobby Lobby and found a good assortment to make the snow more interesting.  I used chunky glitter, mica flakes, white and silver sequins, silver star sequins and pearl micro beads (they've been in my stash forever)!  Here's a close-up of the shaker part...

Here is another close up picture taken at an angle.  You can really see the micro beads in this one.  They help to move everything else around and tend to keep static cling in check.  Putting the letters on top of the acetate causes a shadow of the letters on top of the "snow" inside the window!  Love this effect!

I had a hard time photographing this card to show how sparkly it is...but this shot came out better.  Pretty!!!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock: Cougar Opaque 80 lb., Red and green scraps

Dies:  My Favorite Things: Stitched Rectangle Stax, Little Lowercase Letters; 

          Impression Obsession: Holly Leaf Cluster

Embossing Folder:  Cuttlebug Dotted Swiss

Miscellaneous: clear chunky glitter, clear mica flakes, silver and white sequins, silver star sequins, pearl micro beads, acetate, foam tape

Thanks so much again to Yainea for the inspiration!  And thanks to you for visiting, please come again!

Janet

Always Something to be Thankful For

I've seen a lot of cards made with Papertrey Ink Autumn Hills and thought they were so pretty that I had to buy the set!  I moved to Florida from Massachusetts and I get a little nostalgic in the fall because I miss seeing the leaves changing colors and the smell of the air.  Coloring the image on this stamp made me happy and made me remember all the things I like best about Autumn in New England!  

I really enjoy doing paper mosaics and used a bunch of leaf stamps to make the one I put on this card.  Here's a close-up of the mosaic before I cut it into strips to put on the card.  You can't tell from the photo, but the cut pieces are very shiny and really do look like pieces of broken china!  If you are interested in the steps for making this let me know in a comment and I'll do a tutorial.

This is a picture of the stamped and embossed piece that I cut up to make it.  The leaf stamps are from a set by Impression Obsession called Wreaths and Garlands and the swirl is from a Hero Arts set called Fancy Scrolls.  I couldn't find a source for purchasing it on-line so it may be retired, but a different scroll stamp would work, especially since you cut it all up into pieces.

I used a tool that I made myself to add some texture to the background and then spritzed a little Melted Chocolate Dylusions spray and Tattered Angels spray to add some more interest and a little bit of sparkle.  Here's my tool!!

I use it like a stipple brush...pounce the ends into ink and then onto the card stock.  It gives a flecked look to your piece.  It's easy to clean, too!

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Janet

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Autumn Hills, Impression Obsession - Wreaths & Garlands, 
              Hero Arts - Fancy Scrolls
Ink: Momento - Tuxedo Black; Adirondack - Sunshine Yellow, Pesto, Sunset Orange, 
              Lettuce, Red Pepper, Ginger, Butterscotch; Stampin' Up - Bashful Blue
Copics: B21, B23, Y26, YR24, YR18, E99, YG95, YG97, W2, W3, W5, E43, E07, YR07, 
             Y18, R29, C3
Dies: My Favorite Things - Stitched Tags Die-namics; Impression Obsession - Wheat die
Cardstock: Stampin' Up: Old Olive, Basic Gray, Black, More Mustard; 
                  Little Yellow Bicycle - Hello Fall-Walnut Knit 
Embossing Powders: Judikins Amazing Glaze; 
                 Tim Holtz Distress Powder - Weathered Wood (I just read that this powder has        
                 been discontinued.  It's still available so if you would like some, you should get it 
                 now.  It makes really good grout!)
Miscellaneous: Dylusions Spray - Melted Chocolate; 
                Tattered Angels Spray - Inchworm Glimmer Mist; 
                Sparkle & Sprinkle 2 1/2" Tear-ific Tape; 
                Mark Richards metal nailheads - black

Purple Onion Happy Holidays

I'm so happy that I discovered Purple Onion Stamps!!  They are such fun to make cards with.  I'm starting to think about the holidays and decided to use Juniper, Silver, Winter Bough and Winter Adornments to make a snowy little winter scene card!  Here is how it turned out...

I'm a huge fan of stamping and coloring on Kraft card stock with Prismacolor pencils.  They work so well together.  I don't think I've ever seen a card done using this technique that I didn't love!  Hmmm...I'm thinking I might need a new Pinterest Board!!  Here are some close-up pictures.  I live in Florida now and I don't miss shoveling snow, but I do miss the storms and watching the snow falling and blanketing everything in white so adding the snowstorm to this card brought me home!  

Here is how the card looked after coloring it and before adding the snow.  I think it needs the snow don't you? The chunky embossing enamel from Stampendous does the trick!!

I hope you like this card and it inspired you to start working on your own holiday cards!  Thanks for visiting.

Janet

Supplies used:
Stamps:  Purple Onion: Juniper, Silver, Winter Bough, Winter Adornments, Winter Wishes  
                                      Sentiment Set
Cardstock:  My Favorite Things Kraft Cardstock, Stampin' Up Ballet Blue (discontinued)
Ink pads:  Memories: black, Versafine: black
Prismacolor Pencils: 
•  Medium blue - Blue Lake (1102) 

highlight color - Light blue - Powder Blue (1087) 

shading color - Dark blue - Ultramarine (902)

• Red - Crimson Red (924) and shading color- Mahogony Red (1029)

• Dark brown - Chocolate(1082)

• Medium green - True Green (910) and shading color - Dark Green (908)

• Lime green - Chartreuse (989) and shading color - Olive Green (911)

• White (938)

• Black (935)

• Pink (929)

• Sunburst Yellow (917)

• Colorless Blender Pencil

Miscellaneous: Impression Obsession: small snowflake dies, Stampendous: Shabby White Embossing Enamel