GREENHOUSE SOCIETY POPPIES

If you enjoy using botanical stamps, check out the Greenhouse Society at Technique Tuesday HERE!

This poppy stamp is so delicate, it doesn't need much embellishment.  I stamped it with MementoLuxe Pistachio ink and clear embossed over it.  Using the same ink smeared on the acrylic holder, I watercolored the leaves.  I used Memento Rhubarb Stalk the same way for the blossoms, adding the black seeds with a SU marker.

After spritzing with a red marker, I mounted the panel on a piece of black cs and tied the embroidery floss around it.  Next I glued a scrap piece of green dsp to the red cs piece and mounted it on the white card front.  The finished poppy panel was then added using SU dimensionals.

Stamping with the light colored ink and using the same color for the leaves kept the image softer and less defined.  Clear embossing gave it just a bit of shine and also made it easier to stay in the lines with the water coloring.

REMEMBER DEW DROPS?

I came across some dew drops in my stash yesterday and decided to use them on this card.  It seems appropriate on a card with water splotches!

The leaf is an Impression Obsession die.  It has a matching stamp which I did not use here.  After sponging three Distress Inks onto a white panel and die cutting the leaf, I splashed some water onto the panel.  Then I stamped the verse in Versafine Olympia Green ink and glued the panel to the Always Artichoke card front. 

After cutting three more leaves from white cs, I glued them together, glued the green one on top and mounted them in the opening with foam tape.  For embellishments, I added an embroidery floss bow on the stem, 4 pearls and 5 dew drops.

This is the second card I submitted to the Impression Obsession challenge.  Scroll down to view the previous card.

IMPRESSION OBSESSION CHALLENGE

To think outside the box, I used the swirls from the branch on one die to create the "steam" for the latte in another stamp set.  I used vellum so that it is see-through in order to make it more realistic. 




The stamp set I used is "Smell the Coffee" which has the mug, the saying, and several other images.  By cutting off the steam after I stamped it, I was able to add my vellum pieces behind the mug.


The die is pictured here and is #058N.  It's a die I've used often and is especially useful for Anniversary cards.  When you use it, there are two hearts and two bird wings that are also cut.  However, until today, I never noticed them before because they're so tiny.
I happily used them on another card today.

LAST BOX CARD THIS SPRING!

This one's going to my Dad for Easter.

JUST TRUCKIN'

 I discovered this really simple slider mechanism on YouTube the other day and had to try it out!

This stamp set from Stampin'Up is an oldie but goodie.  I purposely hid the "punchline" so that it is revealed only when you pull the tab and move the truck forward.

To create the scene for this red pickup, I sponged the clouds with Broken China Distress Ink.  The truck, road and grass were done with colored pencils.
The flowers and the driver were done with markers.
The hub caps are candy dots from Stampin'Up.

For  the video on how to make this slider,
visit Meg Loven's blog HERE and look for the
Slider Card video.  Thanks,  Meg!

Since this is going to someone recovering from surgery, I wrote:  "Why is it that when we want to take it easy, we can't.  But when the doctor says to take it easy, we don't.  So follow doctor's orders and milk it for all it's worth!  Happy Healing!"

HEAVY METAL

This was my first attempt at using copper on a card.  I really like the color effect you get when it is heated.  After a half hour of trying to use my heat gun, I finally gave up and headed for the kitchen.  I placed the punched piece of copper in the toaster oven, and after 6 and 1/2 minutes on "toast" it finally turned deep orange.  It looks much better here; but IRL it is all one color.  The center flower was punched from an unheated piece for contrast.

Although it didn't turn out the way I had hoped, it will still make a nice Easter card.  Meanwhile, I plan to try again tomorrow morning with my BIC candle lighter in the hopes that an open flame will do the trick.  I'll be doing it in the driveway so I don't set the house on fire!

BACK FROM DISNEY WORLD!

Rick and I had a wonderful time in Florida soaking up the bright warm sun--it was wonderful!

Once we got home, it was back to the normal routine with Mothers Class on Wednesday.  Thankfully, I had made up the kits for class before we left.  Then it was off to Wegmans to do the grocery shopping.

UPDATE ON CHALLENGE:  Yesterday, I HAD to buy a few things at Michael's for the class next week  We are going to CASE a card posted by Bonnie Klass HERE..  (April 10 post)   I also wanted to do some mini milk cartons for Easter treats and was going to use a template I found online.  However, while looking in Michael's for the copper sheets needed for the card, we (Evelyn and I) found a pkg. of 24 milk cartons which we decided to share.  With a 50% coupon, it cost only $5.  With some additional watercolor brushes for the class, a pkg. of mini-clothes pins to hold the cartons closed and some embroidery floss and twine, I spent less than $20.  Not bad for holding down the spending since February 1st--and mainly for the class!

OH!  I ALMOST FORGOT!  I WON A STAMP SET FROM PENNY BLACK!!  It should be in the mail on Monday, and I'll show it to you then.

Meanwhile, I hope you're all enjoying some mild, sunny Spring weather this weekend!

PSALM AND STAMP

This combination of  a Sweet n Sassy stamp and a stamp/die set from Papertrey Ink make a great Pastor card.  The dark blue cs and striped dsp keep it masculine in spite of using a flower.  The pearls are just enough embellishment, and they pick up the dots in the dsp.

I enjoy making these pastor cards and he enjoys using them...couldn't ask for a better combination!

A LITTLE HUMOR!

This stamp was sooo me, I couldn't resist adding it to my collection!

After stamping it on a scrap of white card stock, I cut it apart so that I could put the punch line inside.  The "confusing" arrows seemed the best way to convey the thought.


TIP:  Before gluing down the arrows, I placed them on the card and took a picture of them with my Iphone so that I could remember how I had them arranged.

Hope this gives you a laugh!

HAPPY SPRING SLIDER CARD

This card is going to a friend in Florida, but is also the card we'll be making in Mothers Class next week.  The card base is from a kit I purchased at the Allentown Stamp Show from the Paper Cut booth.

For class, since we've already done a card with the tulip stamp, we'll make it an Easter card.  The kit makes it easy to assemble once it's stamped and decorated.  I'm looking forward to seeing what they come up with!

THE VELLUM TOUCH

Vellum softens a card so beautifully, I really should use it more often. 

After white embossing the sentiment, I attached the vellum to dsp and white card stock with silver brads.  Then I mounted the panel to a darker gray card front with dimensionals.  The leaf is attached with vellum tape which doesn't show through.  For embellishment, I added some white and silver bakers twine.

This is another pastor card.