Watercolor And Embossed

Yesterday I watched a video that Jennifer McGuire made showing various ways to use Versamark Ink, Distress inks and background stamps to make watercolor background layers for cards.  I tried several methods that she showed on the video and some turned out and some didn't.  I have some very pretty watercolored papers now that I can use for stamping, card bases or to make watercolor die cuts.

Today's card was made using one of her techniques:  Ink up a background stamp with Versamark Ink and stamp on watercolor paper; add embossing powder and heat set.  Add Distress Ink on an acrylic block and spritz with water; spritz the embossed card base with a light misting of water; paint brush the ink/water from the acrylic block on that embossed paper; and, there is your card base. 

The label on the card was originally a shape from a Stampin' Up framelit.  I resized it twice on my Scan N Cut, using Dimensionals between the two labels.  A  little sponging on the top layer, a sentiment and pearls make the background look even prettier!  (And the ribbon covers up a couple of areas that I didn't cover with embossing powder~~lol!)  Have a great day!

Sweet Celebration

Playing with MFT's Sending Sweet Celebration Wishes stamp set, trying to get the Scan N Cut to cut out the fox, the penguin and the bunny.  Since the animals in this set don't have completely closed outlines, the SNC is not cutting clearly.  In addition, it sees darker parts, such as the eyes, and cuts those out.  I know there are ways to fix it, but I finally gave up and colored in the images I successfully cut on the SNC.  I used alcohol markers to color.  For the cake and the pennant banner I used SU's Flirty Flamingo Blends.  I was disappointed as the fine point of the lighter alcohol marker had no ink in it.  It couldn't have dried up in less than a month and not much use.  I will be sending a note to Stampin' Up.  For $4.50 plus shipping and tax, I would expect the marker to last more than a month.  Stacy Yakula does it again with a very cute stamp set.  Have a great day!

Lift Me Up

I haven't made an easel card in ages.  Over the weekend I changed that.  Today's card was created using Stampin' Up's Lift Me Up stamp set and framelits.  The background paper is from a retired pack of SU's Designer Series Papers.  The hot air balloons were stamped using retired Almost Amethyst ink and the large balloon background layer was die cut using Almost Amethyst cardstock.  Have a great day!

Happy New Baby

Our friends, Nick and Nikki, had a beautiful baby boy on July 10th.  I had made this card for Nolan a few weeks before he was born and then Nikki showed us pictures of  hot air balloons that decorate the little baby's room.  I was silently pleased because I had already used My Favorite Things stamp set, Birdie Brown's Up In The Air for his card.  After stamping the hot air balloon on the white cardstock layer I stamped it again on the green and white polka dot paper.  I fussy cut the polka dot paper and adhered three panels to the balloon stamped on the white cardstock layer.  For the sentiment I used a combination of stamps.  So happy for Nick and Nikki! Have a great weekend everyone!

Same Design

Last week I received a pretty card from my friend, Nancy.  She used Stampin' Up stamps and Night of Navy ink, twine and paper.  As soon as I saw her card, I knew I would use that layout to make a card.  I colored the little swimming pool girl from MFT 's Drink Up The Sunshine with Flirty Flamingo and Pool Party alcohol markers from Stampin' Up.  The paper is retired SU Designer Series Paper.   Each card has about an inch cut from the right side of the card front.  On the inside, we adhered a one inch wide strip of Designer Series Paper which is visible when the card is closed.  Same card; two looks~~one elegant, one fun.  Have a great day!

Heartfelt Sympathy

Today's card was created using Stampin' Up's Papillon Potpourri stamp set and coordinating punch for the butterfly.  The sentiment is from a retired Close To My Heart stamp set.  I also used SU's layering circle framelits and Layered Leaves embossing folder. Rather than using Dimensionals between the layered squares, I cut craft foam squares and adhered that to each layer.  I saw this layout on Pinterest and thought it was very pretty.  I will be making more of these in the future.  Have a great day!

Cute Birthday Fox

Yesterday Sydney celebrated her 15th birthday.  Since she is at camp she was celebrating with many new and old friends.  This is that card I made for her  using the My Favorite Things stamp set, Sending Sweet Celebration Wishes. The image was stamped directly on the white layer which was then embellished with the little streamers and stars.  The sentiment was stamped on white cardstock and then die cut using MFT's Fishtail Flags Trio Dies.  Before adhering the white layer to the card base, I decided to use WPlus 9's Sunshine Layers scalloped rectangle die.  Have a great day~~especially with another beautiful weather day here!

Under The Sea

I had a weekend guest~~little Sadie.  She is so sweet and such good company.  If I was going to get a puppy, I would want one just like Sadie!  Sydney got off to camp and Mark and Jen now have a couple of somewhat quiet weeks at their house.  (Of course, Dexter is there and talking all the time; Piper is there and running in her cage during the night; and Everly will just be singing for them.)

Today's cards are cute "kids" cards.  The net and fish were created using dies from Impression Obsession.  The mermaid is from My Favorite Things.  The background on the mermaid card was created using watercolor paper that was brushed with ink and water.  The fish card background was created using ink and sponges.  Both were quite easy to make and perfect for kids' birthdays.  Have a great day!

Sail Away

A couple of weeks ago the three children from across the street came over to make cards.  The girls are 11 and 10 and the boy is 7. While the girls colored images with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Connor stamped an image in black ink on red cardstock.  We then die cut the image and he put his card together.  They each made three cards and were all very happy with the cards they took home.

Since Connor is younger, today's card will be good for him to make.  All of the pieces are cut with dies and he can create a scene while his sisters work on more advanced things. I want to be sure that what they do is age-appropriate and leaves them proud of their creations.  Their mom told me that all three came running into the house with their handmade cards and were thrilled to show her what they made.  Connor was especially proud of the birthday card he made for his dad.  It was a happy morning at my house!  Have a great weekend and stay hydrated!

Birthday Penguin

 I have been making some cards for Sydney when she is at camp.  So, I needed to make a quick card I could post.  This cute penguin is from the  My Favorite Things set, Sending Sweet Celebration Wishes.  After stamping him on white cardstock, I colored him with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers. The little ribbons and the sentiment are from the same set.  Have a great day and keep cool and dry!  .

You're The Sweetest

The images and sentiment on today's card are from Avery Elle's Sweetest stamp set.    After coloring the ice cream treets with alcohol markers, the images were adhered to white cardstock.   That white cardstock had been cut using a WPlus9 die and then a Stampin' Up embossoing folder for added texture.  The sentiment was stamped in Versamark and then white embossing powder.  Little bits of Poppy Parade cardstock add a pop of color to the card.

In yesterday's post I mentioned that I used some shimmery spray when doing the pool water.  The shimmery spray is Distress Resist Spray.  Jennifer McGuire has a great video demonstrating various techniques you can use with the Distress Resist Spray.  Have a great day!

Sunshiny Birthday

Yesterday we celebrated Sydney's birthday.  This is the shaker card I made for her using MFT's Drink Up The Sunshine stamp set together with the pool die.  My Favorite Things also has the shaker pouches that fit the pool die and makes it much easier for me to make shaker cards.  The water in the pool was created by spraying some shimmer paint on white cardstock.  When that spray dried, I sponged blue Distress Ink over the sprayed area. (I am not sure what product the spray was that Dawn shared with us last week but it helped to create pretty pool water!)   For the cute inner tube,  I stamped the image on pattern paper, fussy cut the inner tube and adhered that to the stamped image.  It would be nice to have a swimming pool this week!  Have a great day!

New Houses

Later today we are celebrating Sydney's 15th birthday.  It is a week early, but she will be at vet camp on her birthday.  This year she is going for two weeks and will be an "Animal Specialist In Training".  Children are invited to participate in this leadership training program.  Not only will she be a role model for younger campers, she will also work with the Animal Care Team each morning feeding and caring for some of the animals.  If you have a child or know of a child who is interested in animals, this is a great camp.  This will be Syd's sixth year at Cub Creek.  Here is the link to the Cub Creek Science Camp in Rolla, Missouri:  www.cubcreeksciencecamp.com

Today I am posting some of the little houses favors I made for her party.  These are the favors the boys will get.  They are more nautical than beachy, but still cute.  Inside is salt water taffy~~a beachy snack.  Have a great day!

The Cutest!

I went from beaches to a swimming pool for today's post.  Isn't she the cutest little swimmer?  My Favorite Things had a new release of products on the 10th.  When I saw the Drink Up The Sunshine stamp set I had to order it.  I needed the swimming pool die, too.  While I waited two days for the order to arrive, I brushed white cardstock using two shades of blue Distress Oxide inks.  I then dripped drops of water on the cardstock to make the water marks.  I added some sequins to the pool water.

My Favorite Thing is having a special for the month of July~~free shipping after spending $25 after any discounts.  I also was lucky enough to take advantage of a 13% discount which goes thru July 13th with code BDAY13.  I ordered on Tuesday and it was in my hands on Thursday!  How about that for customer service?  Over the weekend I will be making a couple more cards using this stamp set. It is just too cute!  Have a great weekend!

Paper Pumpkin Shaker Card

This is another card I made using the June Paper Pumpkin.  Once again, I followed along with what Call Me (Crafty) Al showed on her video.  This time I used Coastal Cabana  cardstock.  For that layer, I used the sand dollar, starfish and coral stamps and Versamark ink to create the background layer.  Aside from the white and Crumb Cake cardstock and the acetate sheet and sequins, everything is from the Paper Pumpkin kit.   Now I am wondering what the July Paper Pumpkin is all about.  Have a great day!

Alternative Paper Pumpkin Cards

A few weeks ago I posted cute little cards from the June My Paper Pumpkin.  They are very cute, but too small to mail.  I mentioned I would be making larger cards using the same supplies, adding things to create 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" cards.  Yesterday I decided to watch a video on making cards using supplies that were included in June's My Paper Pumpkin.  Today's card was quite easy.  Of course, the reason why is that I watched a video by Call Me (Crafty) Al.  She shared some very cute ideas.  For card one I used the top part of a Paper Pumpkin card and some of the embellishments included in the kit.  I colored in the vellum coral and added white, Crumb Cake and Bermuda Bay cardstock layers.  The little seagulls were cut from a Lawn Fawn die.  I did not add a sentiment so this card can be used for any occasion.  It is a pretty card. Tomorrow I will share a shaker card she made.  Have a great day!

Sand Castle On The Beach

Today's card was created using Lawn Fawn's Tropical Backdrop die set and their Life Is Good stamp set and dies.  The sand castle, crab and sand pail were colored with alcohol markers.  The backdrop die was used to cut the first layer of the backdrop in white cardstock.  The set contains the palm fronds and palm tree trunks which I then cut in green and brown cardstock, adhering those pieces over the white backdrop.  I also cut a section of the frame that is the sand.  That was sponged and then adhered to the backdrop frame.  I used another little die set to cut the spaces on the sand for the crab's claw and the sand pail.  Have a great day!

Beach House Card

I saw a card on Pinterest that caught my interest.  I decided to make one similar.   A few weeks ago I had created favor boxes using Lawn Fawn's Scallop Treat Box and the Beach House Add-ons.  I used the same die sets for today's card.  After cutting the pieces, I did a little sponging and then adhered the pieces to the card front.  The sentiment is from Stampin' Up's Teeny Tiny Wishes, my  most used stamp set ever.  The card turned out so cute!  Have a great day!

Cute Little Girl

Isn't the little girl so cute?  The girl and the basket of flowers are from My Favorite Things' Bring Out The Sunshine.  After stamping and embossing the images, I colored them with alcohol markers.  I had a leftover piece of green sponged cardstock, so I added that to the Bashful Blue cardstock layer with grass cut from a die for the ground.  I then added the little girl, her flowers and some loose flowers.  The sky needed something so I colored in a hot air balloon from MFT's Up In The Air stamp set and diecut a couple of clouds.  This card can be used for any occasion as I did not add a sentiment,  It still needs a little something, so I just might add a little butterfly or two.  Have a great day and a great weekend! 

Happy Birthday, America!

Have a wonderful day!

Cheers

I received my order from Lawn Fawn which included Double Stitched Rectangles.  Before taking the dies apart, I used them to create the Regal Rose background layer.  The stamp set I used for this card is Newton Nook's Cocktail Mixer.  The most I drink in the alcohol department is a a strawberry daiquiri every once in a blue moon.  These pretty and festive drinks might have me trying them all!  Have a great day!

And More!

The first card is from my friend, Kathy W.  She is using Art Impressions Watercolor Stamps.  With these particular stamps, you use a variety of stamps and create a scene.  On Kathy's card, the dog is from Art Impressions' Dogs stamp setKathy combined the dog with one or two images from other stamps from Art Impressions; i.e., the cart is another stamp. After stamping the images, you watercolor them, getting this pretty image.  I tried my hand at this and it was just not working for me~~very unlike Kathy's card which is extremely pretty.

The next card is from my friend, Cherie.  She used Stampin' Up stamps, punches, paper and cardstock to create her very pretty card.  I love the z-fold design and one I should use more often.  Thank you all for the beautiful cards you sent.  I am very impressed with the creative ladies I hang around with!  Have a great day!

Two More

 Today I am posting two more birthday cards I received.  The one on the left is from my friend, Paula.  She created this card using Stampin' Up's Sale-a-bration set, Painted Seasons.  The sentiment is from a set that was in Stampin' Up's retired Occasions Catalog, Life Is Good.  I love it that you only had to stamp the image once and yet it looks as if you did some layering.

The card on the right is from my friend, Nancy.  She used Stampin' Up's new Daisy Lane stamp set and the coordinating Daisy punch.  Perfect!  Thank you both for thinking of me and for taking the time to create a card especially for me!  Have a great day!