Birthday Smiles and Hugs

Hi everyone.  Today I've made a CAS card for a few challenges.  This card uses a new-to-me die from Temu (Peony Layered die).  I cut all the pieces from white card stock and sponged with distress inks (mustard seed, kitsch flamingo, picked raspberry).  Love this combination! :)  The die didn't come with leaves, to I used another die (Simon Says Stamp Abundant Leaves), sponged in mowed lawn distress ink.

I cut a panel from the middle size of the Semi-Circle Stackers die set (Penny Black), popped up on my card base and added the leaves and then layered Peony (also popped up) on top.  The sentiment is stamped with Archival Shadow Grey ink to finish.

It took me a little while to figure out all the pieces of this beautiful flower die, but I'm so happy with how it turned out. :)

Close-up ...

Sending this card to the challenge below:

Seize the Birthday #320 - CAS with Dies

NBUS Challenge #83

Die Cut Divas - Feb. Challenge - Red and/or Pinks Challenge

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Banner Sentiments (Penny Black

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Kitsch Flamingo, Picked Raspberry, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz); Archival Shadow Grey (Ranger) 
Accessories:   Peony Layered Flower dies (Temu), Abundant Leaves die (Simon Says Stamp), Semi-Circle Stackers dies (Penny Black), sponges

Challenges:

Seize the Birthday #320 - CAS with Dies

NBUS Challenge #83

Die Cut Divas - Feb. Challenge - Red and/or Pinks Challenge

Thinking of You

Hi everyone.  Happy Valentine's Day to all who celebrate!  The last few weeks I haven't been on-line much.  I'm back to making cards and spending time in my studio.  I hope to catch up soon on visiting others.

Today I'm sharing a card I made using one of my favourite PinkFresh Stamps and die, Amazing Things.  I just love the beautiful image that has so much movement to it.  

I stamped in Brushed Corduroy distress ink (a few times), and heat embossed in clear before watercolouring with more Distress Inks (mowed lawn, rustic wilderness, spiced marmalate, candied apple).

I added a bit of grounding for the flower with more brushed corduroy ink and also one of the sentiments from the same stamp set, popped up for dimension.  Before assembling, I used the matching die to emboss an outline around the flower.  I love this technique, which just adds a bit more emphasis on the image. :)

Close-up ...

I'm sending this card to the folowing challenges:

Darnell's IDEAS Challenge - Week 2 - Dies

Simply Clean  & Simple February Challenge - Greenery

We Love Stamping February Challenge - Anything Goes Stamping

  

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Amazing Things (PinkFresh Studio)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Brushed Corduroy, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Spiced Marmalade, Candied Apple) Tim Holtz
Accessories:   Amazing Things matching die (for embossing image), w/c paint brushes, rolled glue dots

Challenges:

Darnell's IDEAS Challenge - Week 2 - Dies

Simply Clean  & Simple February Challenge - Greenery

We Love Stamping February Challenge - Anything Goes Stamping

Remembering Mom ...

Hi everyone.  Today's post is dedicated to my caring, compassionate, sweet Mom who passed away six days ago, just a few days shy of her 97th birthday.  She was an amazing person, loved by all who knew her.  She lived a very long life, dedicating it to her family (husband, three children, six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren).  She was always willing to lend a hand to those in need.  After retirement, Mom volunteered for over 15 years at Meals on Wheels and Grocery Shopping for Seniors, at a time when she herself, was a senior.  

Mom spent a lot of time in her garden.  It was her passion to grow flowers and she passed along her love of gardening to me.  Nowadays, most of the flowers I tend are on my cards.  Today is a tribute to her, with a pretty floral card, that I know she would have loved.

Below I'm sharing a few photos of my Mom; a portait taken when she was twenty, a photo of the two of us at a family dinner, and a birthday photo taken 10 years ago.

She was beautiful inside and out.  I will miss her dearly.

Mom ...

1949

Mom & Me - 2009

Mom's 87th Birthday - 2016

You brought light to so many.  Rest now, my sweet Mom ...

Love you always,

Layered Scene Cards - Design Element - Group of Cardmakers

Hi everyone.  This month at Group of Cardmakers, we are playing with Layered Scene cards.  There are several ways to create these cards.  Today, we are showcasing three; 1)  Layered Scene on regular card bases; 2) Layered Step Cards; 3) Faux Tunnel Cards (with Nesting Dies).

Please check out the details for Layered Scene Cards and link to videos on the blog, along with more card samples from Christine & Pat.

Group of Cardmakers - Layered Scene Cards 

These cards take a while to design and make, but they are so worth it as you end up with a unique and beautiful card.

I have been totally in awe of Kittie Carcciolo's creations for many years.  She is a master at making layered scenes and I'm sure you will be inspired when you check out the Group of Cardmaker's blog for links to her blog posts.

* * * * *

I'm going to write a fairly brief description of each of my cards.  If you have any questions, please feel free to send me an email using the form located on the sidebar of my blog. :)

The first card (above) is a basic step card.  For measurements, please check out the link to the page on the Group of Cardmakers post this month.

I used heave white card stock for my base (110 lb.), adding a larger panel (5 1/2" x 4") at the back of light blue "sky" with lattice.  The lattice is filled with leaves and hollyhocks.  On the next step of the card I added a piece of green card stock and then placed bright and cheerful Daisies in front.  The flowers and leaves are all sponged with distress inks (colours listed below).  The lower step has the sentiment "Happy Birthday in blue to tie it to the background of the card. :)

Here are some close-ups of the card ...

You can see the "steps" of the card in this photo

This is a close-up of the card when it is closed to go into the envelope.

Sending the above card to the Beautiful Blossoms Challenge - Mood Board #37.

* * * * *

Next card is a Layered Card using a regular card base.  I made the card slightly smaller (5 1/4" x 4") than an A2 card.  Even if there is more "bulk", it fits inside a regular A2 envelope. :)

Layered Christmas cards are so fun to make.  I added layers of snow, popped up with foam.  And then added my sweet little houses, lamp posts, and trees from the Lawn Fawn Winter Village stamp set.  The green, red, and white colours just add to the Christmassy-look. :)  For the final touch, I added some Clear Wink of Stella to the trees, roofs, and lamps.

Sending this card to Rudolph Days January Challenge.

* * * * *

Lastly I'm sharing a  FauxTunnel Card.  This is inspired by the talented Caroline Paton.  I saw her card and couldn't wait to try making one.  So much fun!!!  You can add foam or pop-dots inbetween the layers of apertures, or you can adhere them flush.  I'm pleased with my happy birds and tree die that are loosely watercoloured.  I popped up the layers on foam, so the card is quite thick.  Reduced the size to 5 1/4" x 4" and it fits nicely inside an A2 envelope.

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:

Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Bashful Blue card stock (SU! - probably retired); Granny Apple card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Saltwater Taffy, Abandoned Coral, Candied Apple, Mowed Lawn, Mustard Seed, Tumbled Glass (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Garden Trellis Cover Die (Altenew), Hollyhocks die (AliExpress), Daisies die (AliExpress), grass die (C.C. Designs - long closed)

Card #2:

Stamps:  Winter Village (Lawn Fawn)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Black ink (Versafine); Distress Inks:  Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Mustard Seed (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Curves Border dies (AliExpress); Winter Village Lawn Cuts (Lawn Fawn), paint brushes, Clear Wink of Stella

Card #3:

Stamps:  Free as a Bird (Jane's Doodles - sentiment only)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Gumball Green and Soft Sky card stocks (SU!), Two other shades of green cards stock (unknown)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Gathered Twigs, Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Spiced Marmalade, Candied Apple, Salvaged Patina, Salty Ocean (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Birds on a Wire die set (Temu), Stencil Tree die (AliExpress), paint brushes, Black marker

Challenges:

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge - Mood Board #37

Rudolph Days January Challenge