Make Mine Stamps

Yep...I've still got that paper!

If you could see the paper collection I've amassed, you would be amazed...dazed...and confused.  You would wonder why I'm not using any of my paper.  Trust me on this -- for the past two years I've held events where we donated over 1,000 cards (at each event) and all of the paper came from my massive collection.  When I do those events, I really do try to use a great deal of patterned paper to give the card some "pretty" while using a stamped image.  My paper is in crates, hanging in 2.5 gallon zip lock bags from pants hangers in two closets and in various other "hiding" places.  My brother refers to my paper as "that precious paper." 

I wanted to find something that was more masculine for the Prayer Committee to use at church.  The cards I've donated over the past few weeks are more feminine and I wanted to give them some variety.  Here is what I came up with and it was done for a sketch challenge.  Because I haven't been able to post much in the past few weeks, I cannot remember which challenge and I apologize.

I started with a Wild Wasabi basecard and took my cue from the stripe in the Woodland Park Designer Series Paper pack (retired).  I layered the stripe on Garden Green and then matted the Wild Wasabi dotted paper on Garden Green as well.

I pulled out Strength and Refuge (retired) for the image of the Cross.  I stamped this in Soft Suede on Very Vanilla and matted it on Soft Suede, using dimensionals to add it to my card.

 I have tons of buttons -- both current and retired -- and rarely use them but I'm such a collector of things I MIGHT NEED SOMEDAY that I decided I'd pull one out.  I loved the addition of this Soft Suede button with the hemp twine tied into it and added it to my card with a glue dot.  I stamped the sentiment on Very Vanilla in Soft Suede and punched it out with the small oval punch.  Instead of matting it with the large oval punch (I'm not crazy about the two sizes together), I punched two of the small oval from Soft Suede,  cutting one in half length-wise and one in half width-wise.  I used them to mat the oval and the sizing is perfect -- you really can't tell that is what I've done and I like it.

This one worked for me.  I wasn't really crazy about this suite of papers but really liked them on this card.  The said part is that my uncle passed away two weeks ago and I had to use one for a sympathy card.  I do hope that it gave my aunt some comfort because it looks like my uncle -- manly man.

Have a fabulous weekend.  I'm off to stamp!  God Bless and thanks for stopping!

 

I Never Know What To Do...

...with those big sheets of Designer Series Papers with the large patterns.  They are a struggle for me and I love them so much that I almost wish I would just create wall art with them like they do on HGTV.  You know what I mean -- they put the paper in a picture frame, slap it up on the wall and it becomes the inspiration for the entire room design.  How cool is that?

But guess what I saw over the weekend?  A Verve sketch on Splitcoaststampers that immediately sparked a card in my brain.  This one is going down in the books and will be used over and over and over again.  I'd love to hear your take on this one!

I completely followed the sketch, but added the flower I fussy cut from the paper.  And when I saw the sketch, this card came to mind RIGHT NOW.  I cut the paper, then cut the flower out of another piece and trimmed it very close.  Next, I cut into all the flower petals "seams" and sponged Not Quite Navy on those edges to deepen the color a bit. 

After I cut the vellum and stamped the sentiment in Not Quite Navy (not a SU sentiment so don't go looking for it!), I used my heat gun to dry the sentiment.  I used glue dots to place the vellum over the flower on the DSP since I knew I was going to place the flower I had cut out over the glue dots so they wouldn't show.

I used dimensionals to place the fussy cut flower on the card and then completely covered it with crystal effects.  I love this look when I remember to use Crystal Effects.   I actually let it dry just a bit, then played with the position of some of the flower petals above the others to give the flower some dimension. It stayed very soft and really looks pretty.  My final step was to add the brads -- and it looks fabulous to me!

So, I'm off to search the paper stash to see what else comes to mind -- there are more cards to be stamped this week!  Thanks for stopping and I hope you experience a grace-filled day!

 

Off He Goes.....

I finally had time to stamp yesterday and went trolling through some sketch challenges for inspiration.  One of my favorite sketch sites, The Sweet Stop, had a great sketch for what I had in mind.  Friends from church have a son who is joining the Navy and he leaves next week.  I wanted to make this joy-filled child (who is a giant!) a card.  As is my routine, I find the sketch, search the paper stash (which is also giant) and set to work.  Here is the card that evolved.

First of all, I have to say that I have loved this paper so much I pulled it out of its coordinating pack and have no clue what it goes to, what it is called, or even what the true colors are.  I used Going Gray, Cherry Cobbler and Black here, but I really think the colors are Early Espresso, Kraft and Cherry Cobbler.  My eyesight is such that I'm never sure and even though I have an Ott-Lite in my stamp room, I'm going to have to add another to see if it helps.  This color combination works for me and it is going to have to work for him.  Somehow, I think it will suffice!

I used Unchartered Territory to stamp the main image in Black Staz-On on Going Gray cardstock (retired).  When I mounted this stamp set, I cut the moon and the birds off this image and use them only when I choose.  It took many years for me to realize that I can change a stamp by cutting something off of it without penalty -- there are no stamping police who will arrest me for "abuse of a stamp".  Once I discovered this freedom, I really started to enjoy my stamping much more.

The inside verse is not Stampin' Up! but reads "For I know the plans I have for you," Declares the Lord.  "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11.  These words are important to me as they were given to me in a picture when I had cancer and I clung to them.  To this day, this particular scriptures mean so much to me and I hope Max realizes what I am saying is to experience everything that comes your way, but turn your face to the Lord, acknowledge Him always and His plan will come true in your life. 

I don't know if I could turn Andy loose to the Navy and am so grateful I don't have to find out.  Enjoy your life, Max, and know that we will all be praying for you and watching the wonderful things that God has in store for you.  God Bless! 

Enjoy your week and make it God-filled!

 

New Purpose in 2012

Over the holidays, I didn't do much stamping other than our Christmas cards.  Although I miss stamping, lately I haven't been in the mood.  There is nothing like the right sketch or color challenge to get me in the mood and I found both today.

Here's a card for my sister who is really going through some tough stuff right now.  She's heavy on my mind, in my prayers and in my thoughts. 

I combined a Verve Sketch challenge I found on Splitcoaststampers with a Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge.  The colors are Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy and Very Vanilla.  I remembered the floral paper in the Springtime Vintage paper pack and immediately pulled it out.  I followed the sketch exactly but added the pearls to dress up my card.  I'm finding that my style is evolving into more simple stamping to pump out cards with a purpose.  When I found this verse in my stash, I determined this was the perfect card to give my sister some renewed hope that things will ultimately improve.

If you click on the picture, the card will enlarge and the verse will become clearer.  And it is a beauty...just what God ordered for Carrie today.

My posting is going to be spotty at best for the next few months.  I'm stamping, but I just haven't taken the time to post because I've been so busy. 

Check out the Verve challenge on SCS and check out the Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge if you haven't done so already!  All cardstock and DSP for my card is Stampin' Up! 

Happy Stamping and a blessed New Year!  Make God-filled activities your focus this year and watch the miracles unfold....

 

What WAS She Thinking?

You are going to take one look at this card and ask yourself that question!  I used the Mojo Monday sketch challenge because I didn't see it...and still don't!  I love the cards that others have posted but the Inspiration Fairy was not present in my stamp room when this card came together.  In my defense, it looked much better in my mind, but my fingers just weren't getting the vision.

I started with a Very Vanilla base and that doesn't happen a lot when I'm layering.  It really seemed to be the best option, but now I'm not so certain.  The DSP is from an old retired package and I've still got lots of it to use.  I love the red and ivory polka dots and I like the stripes.  I guess I was thinking that the dots in the stripe would pull this together and would give me some color options.  NOT!

The top Ornament is from Delightful Decorations and the sentiment is from Word Play.  The second ornament is a Sizzix ornament I bought for the Movers and Shakers Die.  I love using that die and may try this again, but stamping a sentiment inside the cut out of the ornament, using the ornament on the inside of the card to dress it up a bit.  We'll see....Because this card wasn't looking so lovely, I shimmered it with homemade shimmer spray.  You can't see it, but it did help the card...a wee tiny bit and at this juncture, every tiny bit helps.

Hopefully you are enjoying a fabulous week and have huge plans for the weekend.  I'm getting into the swing of the season and am buying some of the gifts for the two children we have adopted for the holiday.  I told them I wanted girls because I don't have girls to buy for (yes, this is selfish, but I love buying pink!).  See you tomorrow and God Bless!

 

 

Christ is Born!

I did not purchase any new Christmas sets this year and I'm kind of kicking myself.  I cannot tell you how many times I have used Christ is Born for our Christmas cards.  I prefer cards that are Christian based and want to somehow incorporate the "Wisemen still seek Him" theme this year.  I've got a picture in my mind and I also have the perfect image and card idea -- now to just take the time to make the card.

Did you check out MaryJo's sketch this week?  If not, hop on over to the Technostamper Lunchtime Sketch Challenge (google it and it will come right up!).  I followed the sketch pretty much, but used a ribbon and bow in place of the embellishment.

MaryJo actually colored her sketch in Bravo Burgundy and Pink and I chose to follow right along.  I personally love Bravo Burgundy and Blushing Bride together and used this color combination for our family card last year.

My basecard is Bravo Burgundy textured cardstock.  I used my Big Shot and Petals a Plenty (at least I think I am giving it the right name) embossing folder to emboss the Blushing Bride.  Once it was embossed, I adhered it directly to the card base.  Still have pieces of Shimmery White out on my stamping desk so I pulled out a scrap (I keep them ALL!) and used my Watercolor Crayon in Bravo Burgundy to color the image.  Because I am lazy and didn't have any water in a mister, I used Stampin' Mist to wet the stamp -- didn't hurt a thing.  Chalk one up for lazy and it working.....

I used the Stamp A Ma Jig to line up the sentiment and stamped it in Bravo Burgundy ink.  Because the Blushing Bride piece was already attached to the card, I actually wrapped the Bravo Burgundy 5/8" grosgrain ribbon around the card and tied it, clipping the ends to make it pretty.  It isn't a big WOW but it works and I will use this card for someone this year.

I hope your day has been a good one and that you are also praising God today because it is HUMP DAY!  I love Wednesday afternoons -- the weekend is sliding on in here and this is our last OSU Football Game of the year.  Can you give me an AAAAAAA-MEN!  These games wear on me after awhile and Thom absolutely loves them so I am trying to keep my mouth shut, a smile pasted on my face (whether my teeth are chattering or not!) and have a good time.  I've been praying for the last game for a good long while now and it's almost here.  Hooooooo-Ray!

See you tomorrow and God Bless!

 

It's My First Winter Card of the Season!

I'm still working on Fall Cards, but found a new sketch site that I thought I should try.  It's called Sunny Challenges and Creations and you should definitely check it out.  Even though I'm not really happy with this card, I am posting it because I didn't stamp on Monday.  So if I want to post on Wednesday, I need to very quickly get inspired!

This would not be a card I would duplicate or send for Christmas, but I had trouble coming up with anything on Sunday when I was stamping and this is what you get.  Here's my take on the sketch (you definitely have to check the cards on the site -- there are some beauties there!).

My card base is Not Quite Navy and when I think of snowflakes, I love to use lavendar and blues, along with silver.  For this card, I didn't want to use shimmer spray, so I chose to use the Shimmery White paper.  If you have never stamped on Shimmery White, you need to try it -- gorgeous paper and works for so many great techniques as well because it is thicker. 

The colors are Wisteria Wonder, Marina Mist (which has been stamped off before stamping on my card) and Night of Navy.  The snowflakes are from Serene Snowflakes and the ornament is from Delightful Decorations.  The sentiment is from Petite Pairs.  I used Marina Mist 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon and the Silver Cord is retired from waaaaay back.  Both the sentiment and the ornament were added with dimensionals.

As my darling hubs would say, "This sure doesn't make me go ooooh and aaaaah".  I get that, but I did at least get something stamped.  Sunday was tough -- all day to stamp and nothing worked.  Ever have one of those days?

On to bigger and better things.  We'll see where the Inspiration Fairy takes me today so I have something to post tomorrow.  I have tons of sketches but my mind is a complete blank.  Inspiration Fairy...where art thou?

Have a fabulous Tuesday!  God Bless!

 

Another Great Sketch Site!

As I was surfing the net the other day and checking out the fabulous creations that were submitted to one of the Demo Groups I belong to, I came across a sketch site that I wasn't aware existed.  This one is called Freshly Made Sketches.  I added them to my list and over the weekend, I completely re-organized all my favorite sites and put the sketches in a folder for the days they actually go live.  I feel like I'm finally getting organized, but I'm not totally there...YET!

Here is the website for Freshly Made Sketches.  I followed the sketch but I have to tell you that I wasn't feeling all that well this weekend and it shows in my card.  I had all day Sunday to create and couldn't make piddle-squat that looked great.  So here's my card for Sketch Challenge #10.

I still had the Well Worn DSP out on my desk (I said I wasn't completely organized...YET!).  And for whatever reason, I had scraps of Almost Artichoke and River Rock on my desk as well.  As a result, I used the Always Artichoke as my base card and layered on a piece of River Rock.  In keeping with my layered theme, I added another layer of Always Artichoke, a piece of that fabulous Well Worn DSP and added them to the base card. 

For me, it was easier to add another layer of River Rock matted in Always Artichoke to the card versus cutting strips and adding them.  I Stamped Happy Thanksgiving using my Stamp A Ma Jig.  What does it need?  Leaves!  Using the Autumn Splendor leaves again, I stamped them in Always Artichoke on the coffee filter background I had left and fussy cut them out.  They were both added to the card with dimensionals. 

Am I happy with this card?  Not on your life, but at least I stamped it, it's done and I can move on from here.  I know I'd still like a few more Thanksgiving or Fall cards and have a couple of other sets that are begging for ink, so I'll work on those sometime this week.

Check out the Freshly Made Sketches and those who have entered their challenges.  Some great cards as well as some great inspiration.

Thanks for stopping!  I'll see you tomorrow with a card created for another new sketch Challenge site.  If you are seeking inspiration, there is no reason you can't find it!  God Bless!

 

Coffee Filters Make Great Leaves...

Clean and Simple had another fabulous sketch this week that I absolutely adore and will use over and over.  When I saw it, I wasn't certain how I would use it...but I knew I would take up the challenge.  When the inspiration finally hit, the card came together so very quickly...and it is fabulous!

First, let me share the sketch: 

Isn't it fabulous for snowflakes, flowers, fireworks, buttons...the list goes on!  What would you use it for?  Onto my creation...

The basecard is Crumb Cake.  For the card I envisioned, neither Whisper White or Very Vanilla would have complemented the colors I wanted.  I added a 1 1/2" strip of Soft Suede and covered the line with a 1/4" strip of Cajun Craze.  Now the fun begins!

I flattened out a white coffee filter, scrunched it up and flattened it several times over.  Once it had enough "wrinkles" in it, I pulled out the Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Always Artichoke and Soft Suede ink pads and several sponges.  Using the colors in the order they are listed, I sponged color onto the coffee filter.  Once I was satisfied that I had enough color and it looked "mixed up" enough, I completely saturated it with Stampin' Mist and scrunched it some more, making certain not to tear it.  Using my heat gun, I dried the filter, spritzed it with Log Cabin Smooch (very delicately) and then some homemade shimmer mist.  Once I was satisfied with how "dirty" it looked, I used Snail to adhere the filter to a square piece of white cardstock and stuck it down.

Using the Autumn Splendor stamps and Early Espresso ink, I stamped the two leaves I wanted to use, choosing their position by the colors on the filter.  I fussy cut them out and love how they actually look like Fall leaves with some beautiful fall colors.  When I was working them onto the card, I decided to add the large leave with dimensionals and the small leaf was directly to the card.  I didn't think the acorns would look good any other way except stamped in Soft Suede directly onto the card.  Using my blender pens, I used Crumb Cake and Soft Suede to add color to the acorns.  I'm very pleased with how they look.

The final step was to stamp the sentiment.  This is one of my retired SU sentiments and it isn't in the correct container so I can't tell you which set it comes from -- Sorry!  I just love the font and think it is so pretty -- worked well on this card.

If you've never tried the coffee filter technique, give it a whirl.  It's perfect for leaves and you can work so many colors into this technique.  I have lots of this filter left and will be working on some additional fall cards.  I hope you enjoy this one as much as I do.

God Bless!  Thanks for stopping and I'll be back on Monday.  Have a terrific weekend!

 

Happy Accidents are sometimes Fabulous Creations!

When I made the card earlier this week with the Well Worn Designer Series Paper, I saw the back side of this two-sided paper and knew it was going to have to be involved in a card for this week.  I am not a fan of River Rock, but this DSP combined it with Very Vanilla (that is what I see anyway) and Cajun Craze (another of my not-so-favorite colors) and I adore the patterned paper.  I set out to create something that immediately came to mind when I saw this pattern.  I already had a sketch on my desk that I knew was going to have to become a card this week and I thought the two together would be perfect.  The sketch is from Verve and I grabbed it from their forum on Splitcoaststampers.  Verve has fabulous sketches!

I really enjoy resist techniques and wanted to create a soft background for this paper.  Sometimes what my mind envisions and my hands accomplish are two very different things.  I didn't get the exact look I was seeking, but I do really like what I did create.

I actually started with a River Rock card base and the color is slowly growing on me.  You know what they say:  Use it and you will eventually like it.  Taste it and it will grow on you -- same principle, right?  I used my Very Vanilla craft ink pad and stamped the large leaf from Autumn Splendor.  First, I inked the stamp in Very Vanilla, then I spritzed the stamp with Stampin' Mist Cleaner before I stamped it.  I didn't want a really crisp image but something a bit muted and mushy, although that isn't really the right word.  Funny coincidence -- this method of stamping helped the craft ink image dry very, very quickly and it didn't need to be heated.  Love that!

I stamped all my leaves using this method.  Next, I added some Cajun Craze re-inker to my misting bottle, and instead of water, I added alcohol.  I think I really like the water method better, but once I got going, I wasn't going to stop, so I liberally spritzed the entire card to bring out those leaves and add some color to the River Rock cardstock.  Yep, that pretty blush color is really River Rock spritzed with Cajun Craze and Alcohol. 

While the card base was drying, I cut a piece of Cajun Craze cardstock and rubbed my River Rock inkpad all over it.  Next, I smacked it a couple of times with my Very Vanilla ink pad and let that dry.  Once it was dry, I added this piece directly to my card base.

Finally, I get to the DSP that started the whole creative process.  I inked up my sentiment (not from SU) in Cajun Craze and stamped it on the DSP, then punched it out with the 2" Circle Punch.  I added this to the card with dimensionals and then added the brads (retired).  It really grew on me!  Thom really liked this card and that helped give me some confidence that this was a "happy" accident.  As a result, I will probably play with this method of stamping some more to see what other eye-catching combos I can come up with during playtime.

This one will be for my mom and dad for Thanksgiving.   If there is one thing I know, it is that they love me.  They don't always agree with me, but that's a family for you.  They raised us with Christian values, morals and with a whole bunch of love.  The lessons they taught me have stood me in good stead for all of my years and I can only hope that I've taught half of those lessons to my own child whom I love with all my heart and soul...always and forever...no matter what.

See you on Friday!  God Bless!