A Thank you with Zinnias!

One of the latest releases from Flourishes was this beautiful Zinnias Floral Set. As most of Flourishes sets go, I can't want to color them and this was no exception. 

 One of the great things about Zinnias is that they can pretty much be any color! Being a non-gardener, I am often googling flowers to make sure that I am coloring something somewhat realistically.... so I can avoid any comments from my gardening friends about how WRONG I got it, lol! But no worries with the Zinnias.

 I cut a square and stamped the Zinnia bundle twice. You can see the colors that I used to bring the flowers to life.

Here's a close up of the card. Pretty simple lay out adding a few Spellbinder's dies in the mix and some ribbon and pearls... what card is complete with out them? 

• Stamps: Flourishes Zinnias
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Bo Bonny Red Double Dot, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Black
• Other: Sizzix Embossing Folder, Bow Easy Tool, Misc. Ribbon, Copics, Spellbinder's Labels 12, Spellbinder's Petite Ovals Sets

Outlines - Bleach it or Not....

It's Monday... time for another challenge from the Outlines Design Team. There is a series of stamps from Outlines that were created with the bleaching technique in mind -- "Bleach it or Not". The challenge this week was to use one of those stamps and to bleach it or not. You can play along with us and have a chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate. Find all the challenge rules on the Outlines Blog. 

Check out what everyone else came up with this week:  Bev Gerard, Jeanne Streiff, Lisa Silver, Robin Kirkpatrick, Sandy Hulsart and Vicki Garrett.

This was one of the very first Outlines stamps I ever bought. I loved the detail and shading and easy layering possibilities... still do! This image offers a lot of options. I kept it super simple this week, stamping the image in Versafine Black three times on white card stock. No bleaching this time. 

I cut the squares out of the second image and popped those up using foam tape. From the third stamped image, I cut out the flowers and added those on the top. I curled them gently before gluing them down. I used a Viva Black Pearl Pen to add a pearl center, while the pearl was still wet, I pushed a Clear Crystal in to the center. 

• Stamps: H-209 Triple Black and White Daisy by Outlines
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: White, Black
• Other: Black Viva Decor Pearl Pen, Clear Swarovski Crystals Size 9, Foam Tape

Beach Vacation Spot

The Serendipity Design Team is sharing cards with a vacation theme today. 

Check out what everyone else came up with today:

Miriam, Amy,  Anya, Kathie and Lynda.

Here is my vacation beach scene... looks like a good relaxing spot to me! Add a little beachside bar serving something cold and fruity... perfect! 

You can see here the Copics I used to color it. I colored the sand with marker to paper. The sky and the water I airbrushed using paper masks to get it darker in some place and then moving them around. I used Copic Blending Solution and a rag to blot off some off the color.... and I did not like how it looked.... I took off too much color and lost the definition of the airbrushed layers. Lesson learned. To sort of try and "hide" my mistake I used a CB folder and embossed the entire scene. 

I added a few layers and a crazy jute string bow. I found this little gold shell in my stash and threw that in the corner. I covered the entire card front with paper from Graphic 45's on the Boardwalk 8x8 Collection. 

• Stamps: #004QCL Palm Tree Cling Set by Serendipity Stamps
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: Neenah Peppercorn, Kraft, G45 On the Boardwalk 8x8, Gold Metallic Card Stock
• Other: CB FOlder, Jute String, Shell Embellishment, Paper Piercer

Outlines - Krafty Country

This week's Outlines challenge was "Keeping it Krafty"! All we had to do was use kraft card stock on our card. Play along with this week's easy challenge for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Outlines! Check out all the details on the OUTLINES BLOG! 

See what the team cooked up this week:  Bev Gerard, Jeanne Streiff, Lisa Silver, Robin Kirkpatrick, Sandy Hulsart and Vicki Garrett.

Super quickie card today! I thought the kraft paper, the paper from Cosmo Cricket's Togetherness and the wood flourish kinda made it have a little "country charm" feel to it. When I need a fast and fun card... I grab my Outlines Mix and Match Flowers... they all mix and match and can be used for so many occasions... definitely some of my most used stamps! No Copics, quick stamping on pattern paper and a little cutting is all it takes!

I added the little wood cut flourish under the flower and curled my flower leaves, using foam tape in between the flower layers to add dimension. Sweet and Simple!

• Stamps: G-1022 Oval Posy Large, E-1043 Pointed Posy Med., D-1028 Wavy Posy Small
• Ink: Versafine Sepia Brown
• Paper: DO Cosmo Crickets 6x6 Togetherness 6x6 paper pad, Kraft
• Other: Wood Flourish by Kaiser Kraft, Pink Embroidery Floss, Button, Sizzix Folder

IO Challenge - Summer Greetings

This week the Impression Obsession team is bringing you summer themed greetings... As always you can play along with us, with a chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate! Check out all the details on the Impression Obsession Blog. Check out what everyone else came up with today:

Daniela Dobson - Laura Fulcher - Julie Koerber - Dina Kowal

  Deborah March - Jeanne Streiff - Kathy Menzies

 Summertime in the South and ice cold watermelon... nothing better! This stamp is on sale right now too, you can find it on the Impression Obsession website at half price ----> Watermelon Slices. I used a Tim Holtz embossing folder in the background. A few layers and little embellishments, but a fairly simple card!

 Here are the Copic Markers I used to color the watermelons. I cut the image out and used the edge of my scissors to rough up the edges. I used a stylus on the backside of the image to puff out the center, using foam tape I added it to the additional layers. 

I have to say my latest addiction is the Spellbinder's Pennants dies - they include all the little banner dies.... and I can not stop using them. I gently bent the banner and used dimensional silicone under it to keep it raised. I added a button and a bow to finish it off.

•  Stamps: #F2338 Watermelon Slices, A3558 So very Sweet - all stamps by Impression Obsession
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Bo Bunny Wild Berry Double Dot, Green, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White
• Other: Spellbinder's Nested Lacey Pennants, Tim Holtz Embossing Folder, Dimensional Silicone, Button, Red Ribbon by May Arts, Bow Easy Tool

Peas in a Pod

 Loved these peas from Flourishes last release "Garden Fresh". I paired it up with the green checker paper from Kaisercraft's Nan's Favorites 6x6 paper pad. I used a Checkerboard CB folder to emboss the green paper along the bottom. The little banner was cut out using Spellbinder's Nested Pennants. I bent the banner and used dimensional silicone to pop it up.

 I used Spellbinder's Labels Two to cut out the peas image. I used G24 to airbrush the edges on both elements before I removed them from the nesties. I also outlined the inside edge of the nestie with a black Micron pen.

I added the jute string, just wrapping it around the panel before adhering it to the card. A little button and bow to finish it off. I aded a row of paper piecing along the ivory top of the card. Finished card is an A2.

• Stamps: "Garden Fresh" by Flourishes
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: DP by Kaisercraft - Nan's Favorite 6x6 pad, Neenah Classic Crest Natural White, Kraft, Green
• Other: CB Embossing Folder, Jute String, Bow Easy Tool, Black Micron Pen, Copic/ABS, Spellbinder's Labels Two, Spellbinder's Nested Pennants, Dimensional Silicone

Outlines - Ribbons and Bows

This week's Outlines challenge was EASY PEASY! All we had to do was add ribbons or bows to our card. Play along with this week's easy challenge for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Outlines! Check out all the details on the OUTLINES BLOG! 

See what the team cooked up this week:  Bev Gerard, Jeanne Streiff, Lisa Silver, Robin Kirkpatrick, Sandy Hulsart and Vicki Garrett.

 I thought I would do something with this cute little fairy image this week! The image is actually part of a larger rectangle shape, but I cut out just a portion with a round Nestie highlighting the little fairy girl. I totally forgot to take a pic of the Copics I used when coloring her. Sorry! I airbrushed lightly using B41 and G24, after airbrushing I used a towel and the blender solution to lift some of the color leaving a washed out looking background. After completing the background I went on to color the rest of the image with Copics.

I used foam tape in between the layers of nesties adding dimension. The large doily looking circle is from Spellbinder's Parisian Motifs Set... I love how the pink circle tucks right in to parts of it, kind of framing it. Lots of layers in the background and I also added a border punch along the top and bottom... accenting it with tiny blue pearls with a Lt. Blue Viva Pearl Pen... still hooked on those pens!!! 

• Stamps: F-1165 Mini Fairy Ring by Outlines
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Pink, Blue, Kraft
• Other: Ribbon by SU, Border Punch by SU, Copics/ABS, Bow Easy Tool,Spellbinder's Parisian Motifs Set, Spellbinder's Classic Circles, Lt. Blue Viva Pearl Pen

Fisherman Father's Day

Flourishes TImeless Tuesday Challenge "FTTC121" this week is all about cards for Fathers Day. Check out all the challenge rules on the Flourishes Blog. Keeping it pretty simple again for the Dads cards! I used one of the newer sets "What a Catch" for my card. A few layers and manly jute string bows to embellish. 

You can see here the Copics I used to color the image. Before removing the image from the Nestie, I outlined the inside frame and airbrushed a little G21 around the edges. I added a small amount of Glossy Accents over portions of the rod and reel to just add a touch of shine. Finished card size is an A2.

• Stamps: Stamps by Flourishes- What a Catch Set
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Brown, DP from Basic Grey's 6x6 Cappella Collection, Kraft 
• Other: Felt Ribbon by SU, Micron Black Pen, Spellbinder's Labels 13, Copics/ABS, Buttons, Jute String

Something fishy...

I thought this little fishy would make a cute summertime "hi" for someone. This weekend I was asked what my process is to make a card so I thought I would share that today. I usually pick the image first. Then I scrounge though my patterned paper stash to see what grabs my eye and might pair up nicely with my stamp choices. I use the printed paper as my guide to choose corresponding colors of card stock that will serve to create the remaining layers and card base. Next I will color the image. I use my paper choices to determine what color markers/pencils I use, trying to match colors as closely as I am able. Then I sort of plan out the card base... this is always changing though! A few friends that have seen me make a card from start to finish can vouch for this! I will arrange, rearrange and change! So the original idea sometimes evolves to a completely different card in the end! I have to say that is my favorite part! This card was actually a bit of an accident.... I had planned on stacking all the die cut circles in a nice neat round way. BUT when they were all heaped together on the desk... I thought it looked kind of interesting... so I heaped them on the card in the same disorderly way!

 You can see here the Copics I chose to color the little fishy. I airbrushed the circle first using B04. I tried to lightly airbrush the color, airbrushing from higher than I normally would. I am way too lazy to mask all the elements in the image, lol. And I thought the other colors would be able to go over the lighter blue with out a problem. After I airbrushed the blue, I used an old washcloth and the Copic Blender Solution to dab away some of the color, leaving a slightly mottled watery look. Then I added color to the fish and weeds. 

On the little air bubbles I added a touch of Glossy Accents to give a hint of shine. You can see I went crazy with the polka dot Embossing Folder... and layering all the Nesties... lol! I used a white gel pen to add some faux stitching around the first orange layer. Foam tape adds dimension between each of the piled up circle elements. The little "Hi" was popped up using dimension silicone. I added a dab to the back, kissed it to the paper and raised it up so it actually "floats" a little bit. 

Boy.... I was really wordy today.... did I put you to sleep... anyone still reading??? If you popped over here from the tease on the Impression Obsession Blog, well I hope I haven't scared you away!!! 

• Stamps: All stamps by Impression Obsession - E1632 Round Fish, CL43 Clear Set - Anytime Sentiments
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: DP by Bo Bunny 12x12 "Barefoot Snorkel" - from the new Barefoot & Bliss Collection, Orange, Blue, Green, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White
• Other: Misc. Ribbon by May Arts, Bow Easy Tool, Polka Dot Sizzix Folder, Glossy Accents, Spellbinder's Classic Circle Nesties, Glossy Accents, White Signo Gel Pen, Dimensional Silicone, 1/8" White Rainbow Tape, Copics/ABS

Wrap it up....

The Serendipity Design Team is showing off boxes and bags. Hand made gift wrapping is the name of the challenge this week. We also have a new member joining the Design Team too... Welcome to Miriam Napier!

Check out what everyone else came up with today:

Miriam, Amy,  Anya, Kathie and Lynda.

I made a slider box.... my stamp choice was totally inspired by the cute bike paper! The box top fits snugly on the brown base box and the top will slide up to open the box. I followed easy instructions on the Scor Pal site to create the box. There are three box sizes listed in the tutorial created by Valerie Stangle. Her is a LINK to her wonderful instructions on how to make the slider box. This is the largest box in the tutorial and finished it measures 5 5/8" square.

I jazzed up the box with layers and silver pearls, but it was an easy peasy project!!

• Stamps: 1164 QCL - Life is like Riding (Cling Set) by Serendipity Stamps
• Ink: Versafine Sepia Brown
• Paper: Bike paper by Jillibean, Neenah Ivory, Red, Brown
• Other: Border Punch by SU, Ribbon by SU, Silver Adhesive Pearls, Spellbinder's Mega Ovals Large, Mega Classic Scalloped Ovals Large, Scor Pal Board, Bow Easy Tool

Outlines -D.A.D.

Monday brings another challenge from the Outlines Design Team. This week Jeanne came up with our color combo.... Brown, Aqua and White... any theme goes just use those colors to create with! 

You can hop over to the Outlines Blog and find out how you can play along with the challenge for a chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate!

I thought these colors would work perfectly for a Fathers Day card. I was able to keep the bling to a very modest three crystals for Dad, but had to add a bow! This was a really easy card to make. Along the bottom edge I used an EK Success border punch to add a little extra with out being too girly!

You can see I stamped the image twice, coloring with Copics... of course. After coloring the second set of "DAD" letters I cut them out and used them to pop over the original stampings adding a little dimension.

I used Glossy Accents to add a glossy coat over the hat and also the aqua dots on the "D". Blue Zircon Swarovski Crystals were a perfect color match to my aqua card stock, and I added three along the bottom of the swirl. I used Size 5, 7 and 9... one of each! A little bow wraps around and adds the finishing touch. Final card size is an A2.

• Stamps: All stamps by Outlines Rubber Stamps - H-1014 Sketchy DAD 
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: Brown, Aqua, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White
• Other: Brown Ribbon, Bow Easy Took, Blue Zircon Swarovski Crystals, Glossy Accents, EK Success Plaid Border Punch, Foam Tape, Copic Markers, Picksey Pick Ups

Birthday Flowers

Look at the fluffy fru fru bow I added on this card. So.... for a bow like this I would not put it in an envelope but rather include it in the gift box or put it in a clear card box to give. I had a long length of purple silk ribbon and I just keep winding it around the bow easy making my bow, lol! A few simple layers and a Sizzix Embossing Folder create the simple background. 

When it comes to a specific flower, and me not being a real green thumb kind of gal.... I go to Google and look up some images to get ideas from. What did we do before Google? So I googled Crocus and to choose my color scheme. I found this purple sketchy looking DP in my stash and pulled that in to coordinate too. You can see I outlined only a portion of the Nestie inner frame. I left a blank spot to go back and add in a few jewels to jazz it up. Finished card size is an A2.

• Stamps: All stamps by Serendipity Stamps - #995G Crocus, #469J Everyday Small Words Horizontal
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: Misc. Purple DP, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Black
• Other: Copics, Sizzix Folder, Spellbinder's Labels 11, Micron Black Pen, Purple 1/4" Silk Ribbon, Bow Easy Tool, Misc. Jewels/Pearls