Mother's Day 2016 Series - Card 3

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you are having a great day.

Welcome to day three of the Mother's Day 2016 series! When I think about Mother's Day, it still feels so far away, but I thought that with Easter too, and that creeped up on me before I knew it; and I don't really want that happening again, I didn't get nearly as many posts in that series as I wanted. Sorry guys.

To create today's card, I began by sponging Twisted Citron and Peacock Feathers Distress ink onto the panel and the tag.

I sponged the same colours onto a scrap of paper and die cut the butterflies. I covered the butterflies with glossy accents and set them aside to dry.

I used a sheer ribbon around the panel and up through the hole in the tag. Before tightening it, I added foam tape to the back of the tag to keep it in place.

I then put the panel onto a coordinating piece of cardstock cut slightly larger, then onto a lighter coloured piece cut to a standard A2 card base.

Once the butterflies were dry I adhered them with Ranger Multi Medium Matte to ensure they weren't going anywhere.

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own.

Mother's Day 2016 Series - Card 2

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you are having a great day.

Welcome to day two of the Mother's Day series for 2016. I actually created this card a couple months ago for a friend who wanted to get a jump-start on the holidays for the year.  Usually when I create a card that I really like, I'll post it quickly. In this case I decided to wait until the series started.

To create today's card, I began by sponging Tattered Rose and Milled Lavender Distress ink over the entire back panel. I used the same distress inks to sponge colour onto the tag.

I then used the same colours, but in distress makers to colour directly onto the flower stamp. I also added a darker shade of pink to add depth, and two shades of green for the stem and leaves. I stamped this in first, second and third generation on to panel. When doing this, you have to work very quickly otherwise the maker will dry on the stamp and your impression won't be clear. Immediately before stamping, huff on the stamp to add moisture.

I wrapped the ribbon around the panel and through the hole in the tag. I added foam tape to the back of the tag and put it in place before tying the ribbon in place.

I then mounted the panel on a dark pink piece cut slightly bigger and then on a lighter pink piece cut to the same size as the card base.

Finally I added a scattering of pearls to finish it off.

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own.

Watercolour | Apple Blossom Birthday

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you are having a great day.

While I was very inspired by Tracey's card (shown at the bottom), the full idea took a few days to come to me. I wasn't sure what image I wanted to use nor did I know what kind of card I wanted to create.

Once I knew what I was looking for, all that was left was choosing the colours. The versatility of design is great, I can easily swap in a Mother's Day or Sympathy Greeting and still have a very elegant piece.

To create today's card, I began by stamping the image in Versa Mark, a clear sticky ink, and heat embossing it with clear embossing powder, on 140lb coldpress watercolour paper.

I then used Tim Holtz Distress inks to watercolour the image. The colours I used were: Tattered Rose, Picked Raspberry, Bundled Sage, Forest Moss, Gathered Twigs, Ground Espresso, Wild Honey and Tumbled Glass.

I stamped the greeting using archival black ink and mounted the panel on a standard A2 size card base.
I thought it needed just a touch more so I added the shimmering clear sequins with Ranger Multi Medium Matte adhesive.

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own.

This card is for:

Muse Challenge #158

Inspired by Tracey's Card

Update:
Thank you so much to everyone that voted for my card in the Muse Challenge! Thanks to you, this card won "Featured Member"!

Bundle of Joy

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you are having a great day.

Today I have a sweet card to welcome a new baby.

The arrival of a new baby is a wonderful albeit scary occasion for the parents to be. There is so much to prepare and make ready, all the while juggling work, any other children, doctor appointments and a home.

Some parents know exactly what they are having and some want to keep it as a surprise either for the people around them or for themselves as well. I could never do that, I wanted to know immediately what I was having. But not everyone feels the same.

For a Boy

For a Girl

It's a surprise - Green

It's a surprise - Purple

All of these cards were created exactly the same way, just using different colours.

To begin, I stamped the sheep on heavy weight cardstock, I used Copics to colour his face, legs and tail. For the wool, I used a liquid glue and added flocking powder in pink, blue and white depending on which card the sheep was to go on. Once that was completely dry I fussy cut them out.

I choose coordinating colours for the background, using the cloud board to sponge in soft colours starting at the bottom and working my way up the panel. I used the same ink for the greeting, but stamped it twice using the MISTI to make it darker.

I added enamel dots for interest and balance to the card and matted the card panel with a matching pastel cardstock.

There is no perfect sentiment for a card like this, everyone has their own message so I left the inside blank.

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own.

Mother's Day 2016 Series - Card 1

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you are having a great day.

Now that Easter is over, it's time to turn our attention to Mother's Day. That being said, welcome to day one of the 2016 Mother's Day Series. Today's card is featuring the new Mom and Me stamp set from Lawn Fawn, as well as a few "new to me" items that I am just loving!

To begin, I stamped the owl on Copic friendly paper and coloured them with Copics. I don't have the coordinating dies for this set, so I fussy cut the image out and put foam tape on the back.

I stamped the tree stump directly onto the card base using CTMH Saddle ink with the MISTI. I also stamped it a second time on some post it tape to create a mask. 

After putting the mask over the tree stump, I stamped the tufts of grass. The mask makes it appear as though the grass is behind the stump. I used the larger flower and used first, second and third generation stamping to vary the shades of red. I stamped the butterflies using CTMH Honey ink. 

I stamped the "Happy Mother's Day" greeting from Lawn Fawn's "celebration scripty sayings" using Golden Glitz Delicata Ink from Tsukineko. The picture does not do the shimmer of this ink justice. I have tried several metallic pigment inks, and this is by far the best I have every seen. 

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own.

This card is for:

Fusion Challenge: Everything's Owl Right

Update:
This card was selected for Honorable Mention on the Fusion Challenge!

Easter Series 2016 - Card 6

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you are having a great day.

Welcome to the sixth installment of my 2016 Easter Series. I can't believe how quickly Easter is coming!

With a little practice colouring on craft can be one of the simplest techniques to master. The thing to remember is to use brighter or deeper shades than you would on white paper. The shades I used in this piece are not the same as I would use if this were on white or cream cardstock.

To begin, I stamped the image directly on the front of the card base. I generally keep a scrap of the same paper (if not from the same sheet, then from the same package) to test my colours. There is nothing worse than putting all your time and effort into a piece only to dislike it at the end because the colours don't work the way you thought they would.

I began by colouring the flowers, I lay my lightest colour down over the entire area and gradually begin by building up the colour in areas that I want to be in shadows. This image takes a lot of the guess work out of figuring out where the shadows are. 

After the flowers were completed, I moved on to the leaves and stems. 

The trick is to use an incredibly light hand when adding layers of colour. Pencil crayons are wax based and once you reach a certain point, adding more layers of colour becomes nearly impossible. 

To finish it off, I used a gelly roll glitter pen to add dots to the centre of each of the flowers, and to trace the stamens.

A piece like this, takes a great deal of time. But if you keep at it, you will be very pleased with the results. 

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own.

Congratulations | Bridal Shower

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by, I hope you are having a great day.

I may have mentioned that I was recently asked to create 25 bridal shower invitations; and after finishing that many, it is no wonder I had weddings on the brain.

This card came to me while I was sleeping and when I woke up in the morning, I couldn't work on anything else. It was so clear in my mind.

To create this card, I began by cutting my top panel into two pieces. I then measured out where I wanted the eyelets and punched them using my 1/8" hole punch. I added the eyelets using silver. I'm not an overly huge fan of yellow gold, so I went with silver to look like white gold.

I added foam tap to the back of each of the pieces and threaded the satin ribbon loosly and tied a bow at the top.

I adhered the pieces one at a time, lining them up carefully. Once the pieces were in place, I began to tighten the ribbon, ensuring there was no twisting. I used a glue dot behind the bow to keep it in place.

I bent a clear "Congratulations" stamp and stamped the greeting in the corner. I added a scattering of tiny pearls for interest and keeping with a bridal theme.

There are a couple things I would do differently if I were to recreate this card, for instance I would use a shimmering white paper instead of the matte. Perhaps I'll make another, who knows. For now, I'm just happy I can think of something other than this design.

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own.

Floral Thinking of You

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you are having a great day.

It has been a super busy week for me here, not only has my creative energy been through the roof, I've also been making multiple cards at the same time. I have been trying very hard to do more than one card at a time; I mean, why wouldn't I? All the stuff is already out on my desk and I can always use an extra card.

To create today's card, I began by masking off a stripe about an inch and a half from the top of the panel, on Copic friendly paper.

I then stamped the open flowers using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. Leaving the mask in place, I stamped the foliage with the new Color Splash ombre ink.

I coloured the flowers using copics, then removed the mask and stamped the greeting in the same ink. I prefer to use Lawn Fawn Black Licorice ink for greetings and sentiments, but I wanted the blacks to match.

Finally, I adhered the panel onto the front of an A2 card base.

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own.

This card is for:

Muse Challenge #157

Inspired by Anita Bowden's Card

Update:
This card was selected for Honorable Mention!!!

Thank you so much to everyone who voted for my card! I can't even begin to tell you how much it means to me.

Easter Series 2016 - Card 5

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you are all having a great day.

Welcome to the fifth installment of my 2016 Easter Series. This card is an example of having an idea and then creativity taking it in a different direction. While I have read that other bloggers find that frustrating, I rather enjoy the process. For me it is like getting in my car planning on going to a particular destination, getting distracted and ending up somewhere completely different.

To create this card I began by die cutting three rectangles out of Copic friendly paper and stamping this tulip from Clearly Besotted Miniature Florals Collection. I coloured them in with Copics and set them aside.

Originally I wanted the panels to be white on white, but it just didn't look right to me. I didn't want to have a greeting on the front of the card, I wanted the tulips to be the star of the show, but it wasn't coming together.

It was then that I cut the lighter patterned paper and adhered the tulip pieces to it. I used foam tape on the back and adhered it to the card base.

It was at this point that I decided I didn't like how much white space there was above and below the piece. But as it was already adhered down, what was I to do?

I grabbed the darker pattern paper and cut two 1/4" strips and tucked them under the panel to make a layerd look.

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own.

This card is for:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: A Bit O' Green

Showcasing Clearly Besotted Products

Delicate Spring Birthday

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you are all having a great day.

I didn't really realize until I was editing and uploading the picture for this card that I have some crazy sunlight coming into my art room in the mornings. You can really see the shadows on the left of the sequins and the raised greeting. I had no idea!

Anyway... I needed (yet another) birthday card but didn't really have a plan. So the plan I went with involved using the stuff that was already on my desk because I was too lazy to put it away the night before. The only thing I had to get out was the rectangle die, because I never leave dies out. Mostly.

To create this card, I began by stamping the middle flower on Copic friendly paper, masking it off and stamping the one above and below it. Then masking those off and stamping the top and the bottom flower.

I then die cut the panel using my largest stitched rectangle die and die cutting the greeting several times to layer it up.

I coloured the flowers in with Copic markers using a very gentle hand, and coloured the top layer of my greeting using my darkest Copic colour.

I adhered the greeting down using Tombow Mono Multi glue, and the sequins down with Ranger Multi Medium Matte to make sure they weren't going anywhere.

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own.

This card is for:

Time Out Challenge #51

Easter and/or Spring with the Optional Technique Twist of Masking

Easter Series 2016 - Card 4

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you are all having a great day.

Welcome to day four of my 2016 Easter series. I thought I would do a fun one today, not only to keep things nice and balanced, but because it was a special request from my friend Karen, and it turned out super cute.

To create this card, I began by stamping the bunny in the pot directly onto Copic friendly paper with Memento Tuxedo black ink, as well as the carrots. I had to use a lot of masking for this one, as the carrot is a single stamp and I wanted a whole pile of them. There are three carrots that were stamped separately and fussy cut out to add dimension. Once the stamping was completed I coloured them in with Copic markers.

I used very light copics to colour the background, and die cut clouds from vellum and adhered them in place with vellum adhesive. While super expensive, it is the best adhesive I have found for keeping vellum in place without seeing anything through the piece.

I die cut two pieces of grass and taped them down, using the same colour for the matting around the panel.

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own.

Raised Birthday Greetings

Hi everyone, thank you so much for stopping by.

I swear, every time I turn around I'm out of Birthday Cards, and to be honest I don't even know where they go.

My oldest daughter's 10th birthday is coming up right quick and I wanted to create something that was fun, but a little more mature because she isn't so little anymore. I loved the design so much (Thanks to Michele for the inspiration!) that I ended up creating two cards.

I really do need to create more backgrounds, I love to do it and I always end up wondering why I don't do it more often. Funny how that goes.

In Cracked Pistachio

In Tattered Rose

To create these cards, I masked at a diagonal an inch and a half away from the corners. I created both backgrounds by sponging on the colour (Cracked Pistachio for the first, and Tattered Rose for the second), then used the same colours to stamp the fern in a repeating pattern.

I then die cut Lawn Fawn's Happy Birthday to You die, four times for each and stacked them up. I masked halfway through and used the same colours to sponge the bottom half.

I adhered the die cuts down with Ranger's Multi Medium Matte and used a long block to hold it in place while it dried.

I added three gems to the top of the card for a bit of balance, using colours as close as possible to the inks.

I hope you like today's cards and are inspired to create something of your own.


This card is for:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge:

 Create Your Own Background

and

Muse Challenge #156

Inspired by Michele Ferguson's Card

Lucky Day

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you are having a great day.

I wasn't planning to do anything for St. Patrick's Day because Easter is just around the corner, but then I was laying in bed trying to sleep and this idea popped into my head. The idea was so clear, I had to get up and sketch it out, or I would have had no chance of sleeping at all.

I decided to not have a greeting on the front of the card, because I didn't know if I was actually going to use it for St. Patrick's Day, or if I was going to hold on to it and give it away as a good luck card.

To create this card, I started by using half inch Skor tape at a diagonal. Before removing the backing from the top side, I coloured the white areas with a super light green. I then removed the tape backing and covered it with emerald glitter.

I die cut a piece of Copic friendly paper and stamped the kitty, masked it off and stamped the clovers around him. I coloured them all in with Copics, and used just a touch of glossy accents for the tag on his collar. I mounted the piece onto the back panel with foam tape.

When mounting over top of glitter areas, be careful to avoid getting the tape on the glitter. You run the risk of it not sticking properly and potentially falling off or looking lopsided.

I hope you like today's card are inspired to create something of your own.

This card is for:

Fusion Card Challenge: Lucky Days

Easter Series 2016 - Card 3

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you are having a great day.

Welcome to day three of the Easter 2016 series. I thought I would do something a bit more "fun" for today's card. When it comes to fun, I immediately think of Lawn Fawn. These guys know their critters and make for great cards no matter who you intend to give them to!

To create today's card, I started by stamping the two bunnies and the eggs onto Copic friendly paper and colouring them in. I wanted to keep this card super simple and incredibly adorable.

I then fussy cut everything out and placed them where I thought they should go. I then stamped the hop lines directly onto the background panel, and adhered the elements in place. The greeting is stamped with Lawn Fawn Black Licorice ink.

I then mounted the panel onto a piece of soft purple striped pattern paper and put the entire thing on a standard A2 card base.

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own.

Easter Series 2016 - Card 2

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you are all having a great day.

Welcome to day two of my Easter Series. I can't believe how close Easter is already! So let's dive right in.

To start this card off, I stamped the flowers on Copic friendly paper and coloured them in, using two shades per colour. I then used oval dies to cut them out.

I used Victorian Velvet distress ink to sponge the edges of the card base and the oval to add some colour to the background.

I used a sheer ribbon to add a bit of interest and then popped the oval up on foam tape. I was going to leave it as is, but then decided it needed just a little something extra. I had the little butterfly left over from another project and used the same distress ink to colour it.

I hope you like today's card are inspired to create something of your own.

Easter Series 2016 - Card 1

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you are having a great day.

With Easter less than a month away, I thought it would be good to do a mini Easter series. While sending cards for Easter isn't an overly common practice (at least not here in AB), I wanted to usher in Spring sooner rather than later and Easter seemed like a perfect way to do that.

To create this card, I began by stamping the tulips onto Copic friendly paper and coloured them in using two shades per colour. I then used my oval dies to die cut them out. I cut a slightly larger oval with the next size up and used the same red as the third tulip to create a coordinating layer.

I then stamped the greeting using a CTMH stamp and cut that into a banner. I wanted the two red layers (the banner and the panel) to be close but not the same as the red in the flower, I mounted the banner using foam tape and then put everything on the card base.

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own.