BRRR...

I've used this Greenhouse Society stamp set for several cards, and every one of them has turned out great!  It looks so realistic, and even has lines for where to place the Stickles or glitter for the snow.

The image is stamped with Versafine Smokey Gray ink on Very Vanilla and then torn along the bottom.  Before coloring it in, I glued it to a piece of gray textured cs; then glued both to the card front.  Usually I would mount it with dimensionals, but this time I must confess that I had to cover up my first attempt at stamping it directly on the card.  Then I added the jute on the left.

The berries were colored with an orange glitter pen and the "snow" added,  working from left to right so as not to smear the ink or Stickles with my right hand. 

The Bible verse was stamped in the same Versafine ink directly on the card, and I was sooo happy that it stamped straight!


(The stamp set is from Technique Tuesday and the Bible verse is from Our Daily Bread Designs.)

ANOTHER PASTOR CARD

Thanks to the extreme cold this week, I've been on a roll for making pastor cards!

This one took all of 5 or 6 minutes to layer.  First I stamped the verse on a scrap of vanilla cs and set it aside.  Next, I cut the two layers of dsp, the woodgrain being the reverse side of the other.  Then I attached some coiled jute to the paper with plain ol' Scotch tape which is covered by the verse mounted with SU dimensionals.

After adding some pearls, the card was done!

MY FAVORITE STAMP

This is my favorite stamp for 2 reasons:  one because it's just a natural backdrop for so many themes and two because my dad gave it to me many years ago.  So here it is for another pastor card this week!

First, I stamped the tree on a white panel and then stamped twice more without re-inking.  I used Versafine Olympia Green ink and a brown marker on top.  I stamped the top again on a scrap and used Chestnut Roan for the verse over it.  I had a tree brad in my stash that I added.

After punching a hole in the top left corner, I added some gold twine and mounted the layers as shown.  Since the tree panel is mounted with dimensionals, the verse is attached with dimensionals on the right side only so they would both be the same height.

This is one of those cards that just "evolves" as you go along, and I love how it turned out!

BTW, did you notice that the last few pastor cards had a woodsy theme?  I didn't realize it until this post, so I guess that trees must symbolize strength to my way of thinking...

SECOND DAISY CARD

 The first card I made with this stamp was a lot more vibrant, but I like the softness of this one also.  I started out with clear embossing over Versamark ink, then watercoloring.  After cutting down the watercolor paper to the size I wanted, I sprayed the panel with Shimmer Spritz Sparkle for an equally subtle effect.

Next, I added the greeting and embellishments,  mounted the panel to a golden cs and attached it to the deep purple card base.

Done!


(Click to enlarge for a closer look.) 

SIMPLE SATURDAY #32

IS IT SPRING YET????

Here's the first card I made with the other new stamp set shown in the previous post.

Enjoy!

New Stamps!

Yesterday I stopped in at Hobby Lobby to pick out a numbering set, and here's what I came out with.  Not only does it have numbers in a variety of styles and sizes, but it also has some bar codes for the back of my cards!  The narrow bar code says "expensive"--very appropriate for all of us who create cards, dontcha think???

The card I made started out with a white side-fold base with the top piece cut shorter than the inside.  Since I wanted to use blue and yellow (avoiding red and green after Christmas) I found this yellow floral dsp in my scrap box and worked with it.  After mounting it on the card base with dimensionals, I glued on the "happy" die cut and stamped the numbers individually onto a piece of white scrap.  Stamping them one at a time allowed me to fit them closer together.  Next, I added the gems and rounded the top right corners.  To make the cardfront stand out better, I glued a strip of the same dsp on the inside to serve as a border.

This should make a nice notecard during the month of January. 

TIP:  When gluing down delicate thin pieces like this word die cut, I use TomBow Mono glue.  First, I put tiny dots on the back at the widest spots.  After mounting it on the card and letting it dry, I place a dot of glue on a piece of scrap and gently slide it underneath any loose spots.  This applies the smallest amount of glue so that it doesn't ooze out all over the front.

WINTER TREE

What better symbol of winter is a barren tree (except, perhaps for a snowman!)  Imagine if you had never seen a tree with leaves how impossible it would be to imagine what this tree would look like in the summertime.  Then try to imagine the things referred to in this Bible verse.

Even more impossible is to imagine the eternal future of God's people!

SUB-ZERO WEATHER...

...EXCELLENT STAMPING OPPORTUNITIES!

I saw this designer paper on the rack at Hobby Lobby months ago, and today is the day I decided to use it.  What better use than for one of the cards I've made for our pastor.

After cutting a piece to size for the card, I matched it up with a larger piece of kraft paper from my stash.  When I cut it, I made sure to center the main design for a simple card with an emphasis on the Bible verse presented on the front.

The Martha Stewart punch seemed to fit the pattern perfectly, allowing a little more of the kraft paper to show through.  The dots matched the colors in the design, as did the jute.

This was an easy card to layer and finish.

WINTER BIRTHDAY CARD

When I came across this card already embossed, I thought it would make the perfect card for my friend who will be celebrating her birthday on January 10.  Although it's hard to see here, I painted the flower petals with Star Dust Stickles and added crystal gems in the centers.  The twine is white with a silver thread, and the greeting is silver embossed.  It's very sparkly IRL!

CLEMATIS IN JANUARY

I joined the Greenhouse Society at Technique Tuesday and believe me, that's the only way I like to get my hands dirty around plants!  Whether stamping or gardening, I have a black thumb--except that with stamping, it's a lot safer for the plants...

I used watercolor pencils for the image, Olympia Green ink for the greeting and inside message, and yellow Stickles for the flower centers.

If you like to use botanical images on your cards, check out Technique Tuesday's monthly stamp, discount and automatic delivery HERE.

ONE LAYER SIMPLICITY CHALLENGE

Being restricted to only one layer really is a challenge for me!  I do like how this one turned out, however--in spite of the fact that I could have used the matching die cut ;)

To start, I masked the card with a 4x5" piece with the oval cut out and sponged a background with Tumbled Glass Distress Ink.  Next I stamped the image and colored the bird and branches with chalks.  I then stamped "thanks" (a little too far to the left than I intended) and finished by coloring the berries with a Jelly Roll pen.

To bring out the white of the bird, I used the Picket Fence Distress marker which covers the blue ink from the background nicely.

This stamp is a favorite of mine since we have so many Black Capped Chickadees at our bird feeder.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

...AND HAPPY STAMPING IN 2014!

A CLOSER LOOK

 Here's my desk blotter and most-used items surrounding it.  I recently came up with a way to maximize the stamping area with a very simple product by Crayola.  It's a sheet of thick frosted plastic I got at Hobby Lobby and cut to fit the blotter.  (Sorry, I forget what it's called.)  Underneath, I placed a sheet of SU grid paper which I use to line up my stamping or to center something on a card front.  What a help that is!  As you can see, I keep my Cuttlebug handy on the right since I use it often.

One of my most annoying problems was having to waste time looking for things that got buried under scraps, etc.  Clear acrylic handles were the items "lost" most often.  I used to store all my embossing folders and dies in the top drawer underneath the Cuttlebug; but I moved them elsewhere.  In the front of the drawer, a plastic container holds all my adhesives so that I can put them back as I use them--no more hunting for them on the table!  I just keep that drawer open whenever I'm working.  On the right side of the drawer is a container for my acrylic handles, which you can hardly see--proof of just how easy it is for one of them to "hide" on the table.  Behind those containers is a shallow one to hold incoming cards that need to be answered.

 Having a small space forces me to be more efficient and to purge my supplies often, so bigger is not always better!

DE TOWER DECLUTTERED!

 Compared to previous post, notice the absence of clutter on desk and table tops.  No more piles on the floor, either.  Plus I got all the work done in time to meet Jackie for lunch at Wegman's...

Hope this inspires YOU to start off the New Year with a more orderly creative space!

DECLUTTER DE TOWER!

 Was I busy this Christmas or what????

It's time to put the tower back together, but first I thought I'd give you a tour of the "before."  The first photo was taken from my desk chair toward the closet and Jenny's (my cat) chair.  In the foreground is the edge of my table with a pile of papers on the end.  Next is my desk with the monitor and keyboard.  The waste basket is pulled out from underneath the desk.  In front of it is a stack of 2 plastic containers filled with Christmas stamps, with even more on top.  Behind the waste basket is a box on the floor with a duplicate order that came in on Christmas Eve that I have to return -- like I needed the extra work!  To the right of that on the floor is a pack of printer paper, which belongs in the white cabinet currently blocked by two tote bags.  Behind the chair is the closet, which remained fairly neat, probably because everything I needed is pulled out!  This part of the room shouldn't take long to get back together.  The real challenge is my stamping table area.

The second photo shows my Cuttlebug still open from the last use.  Paper piles in several spots have to be sorted and put away, as well as some punches, stamps and inks.

But first, I need to go downstairs and have my coffee.  See you back here later for the "after" photos!

MODERN CHRISTMAS CRACKERS

I saw a video on YOUtube for making these Christmas Crackers with the Envelope Punch Board, and they couldn't have been easier!  Since our house is a contemporary, I decided to keep the ends pushed in instead of tying ribbons around the narrow parts as is usually done.   They each hold two Lindt truffles and will also serve as place cards for the table setting.  I thought I'd try the less traditional look for a change.

There were lots of versions of these on YOUtube, some large enough to use as small gift boxes.  (Just do a search for Envelope Punch Board.)

BIRTHDAY DEER

Click on the photo to see the glitter on the snow.  I used Star Dust Stickles, and it really glistens the way snow is supposed to!

The birch trees are from a new set I just got in the mail last week from Sweet 'n Sassy.  First I cut down the stamp so that I could use them separately or all together for whatever effect I'm after.  This one is the left 2/3 of the whole stamp.  The deer are from a Memory Box die, which also has another deer with antlers; but I thought these two were a better balance.  In fact, they show up a lot in the headlights around here ;)

The birthday greeting is from a Simon Says Stamp set, and I used Versafine Smokey Grey ink to keep it softer than it would be in black or dark brown.  The twine also came last week, and I love the silver thread running through it.  It's also a bit heavier than bakers twine.

Although it could be a nice Christmas card, this card will go to my son for his birthday on Jan. 8th.

WARMTH AND WONDER

I just love this Hostess Set from SU because it has everything you need for a card, including the inside and outside greetings.  I've already made several cards in different variations and colors, some with emphasis on the tree, some with the deer, and even a background panel with white snow flakes on kraft.

This card started out with sponging the background in Broken China and Tumbled Glass Distress inks.  Next I inked up the tree in Versafine Olympia Green and stamped off before stamping the main tree on the card.  Then without reinking, I stamped the tree a second and third time (very faint here.)  The snowflake was inked with Broken China and stamped off before adding to the card.  The tree ornaments were stamped with Encore Champagne Metallic ink.

The reindeer was stamped in dark brown twice:  once on the card base and once on a scrap of white.  After adding the light green overlay, I cut the deer out (minus the antlers) and mounted it over the first one with a piece of  foam tape.  After applying Tombow Mono glue to the greeting , I was able to slide it in place underneath the deer legs to finish the card.

The inside greeting from the same set is stamped in the dark brown.  This set made it soooo easy!

TIP:  Since this is a wood mounted set, I came up with a way to center the ornaments perfectly on the tree.  I turned the ornament stamp upside down on the tree and marked on the side of the wood mount with a pencil line exactly where the tree trunk is.  Now I can line up the dots every time!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!