Water Color & Embossing

Hello! I have another water color pencil practice card to share with you today that includes heat embossing. As I mentioned yesterday, Fun Stampers Journey is releasing a set of watercolor pencils with the new 2016-2017 catalog and I've been spending time this week getting better acquainted with this medium. 

For the sun I stamped this lovely new Stained Glass sun image with Journey Gold embossing powder before coloring and fussy cutting it. My technique for painting was to add a few drops of water to one of our clear blocks and rub my pencil in the water before using a small blending brushes to paint the image. 

The background was done the same way except that I dried it with a heat gun when finished. For the speckled bits of embossing, I spritzed the paper with water from a fine mist sprayer and then applied the embossing powder which only stuck to the fine drops of water. 

I love the results. I think this technique would work great with so many themes...a midnight sky or maybe an under the ocean look. 

Tip: When I was done painting and embossing my background the paper was rather warped! To straighten it back out I misted the back with a little water and then let it dry under one of our acrylic blocks. Worked perfectly! 

Well...time to play some more. It's fun to experiment and see what happens! 

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Stained Glass SS-0314 (available July 1st)

Journey Color Splash JM-0078 (available July 1st)

Clear Pigment Ink IP-0102

Journey Gold Embossing Powder IP-0101

Color Splash Sheets JM-0076 (available July 1st)

Whip Cream CS-0040

Trying New Things

Hello! Did you hear that the new 2016-2017 Fun Stampers Journey catalog includes colored pencils, watercolor pencils and Panpastels? So exciting! I have very little experience with pencils and never even heard of Panpastels until recently!  And I can't wait until they arrive in my studio so I can play, learn and share my projects and experiences with you! 

This week I decided to sit down with an old set of colored pencils I have and practice a little before my FSJ sets arrive!

I'm always humbled when I work with new mediums! It's not easy to go from one that I've worked with a lot and have success with to learning all over again! I'm remember last year when the new Fusion Blender solution and re-inker system debuted and my first attempt to use them was so intimidating! I smeared things, colored outside the lines, etc. My work looked like a Kindergartner did it! lol 

Today's card turned out okay. I have so much to learn. For instance, I think my flower would have turned out prettier had I used a blending tool. And no matter what medium I'm working with I'm always learning about shading, etc! 

So...an appropriate sentiment for this card is that "imperfection is beautiful!" It's what I tell my son when he tries things for the first time and wonders why his dad or I can do it better. I tell to practice, practice, practice. Everything that's done well takes lots of patience and practice.

For this card I embossed the image, colored it with pencils and sponged a little Whip Cream ink around the edges.

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Summer Garden SS-0078

Text Happy SS-0168

Black Licorice IP-0041

Whip Cream IP-0009

Clear Pigment Ink IP-0102

Journey White Embossing Powder IP-0098

Oatmeal Cookie CS-0023

Reach for the Stars

Hi! Today I have a card to share with you created with one of the brand new Fun Stampers Journey lines that debuted at the 2016 convention just last week. It's called Celebrate You which was also the theme for this year's convention.  

Did you attend? I was supposed to but got sick at the last minute, as I mentioned in Monday's post. So...like many of you, I've had to rely on social media for all the highlights and what a party they had!!! And how about the new catalog? 

It was an honor helping to create some of the artwork for it and just knew all of you would go crazy for all the new product! Amazing, isn't it?!?! It was so hard to keep it all a secret! 

I made this card for you using some new goodies...blended with some of last year's Journey Media paints. I simply dabbed a bit of paint on a finger and wiped it across some card stock before stamping it with the sentiment.

Stay tuned for lots more projects created with FSJ supplies...a lot I've haven't even got a hold of yet! 

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Celebrate You Stamps & Patterned Paper (available July 1st)

Journey Circles DI-0039

Star-Dom DI-0052

Pineapple Smoothie Paint JM-0023

Cool Pool Paint JM-0020

River Stone IP-0053

Rock Candy IP-0028

Whip Cream IP-0009

Journey Silver Silk IP-0090

Journey Silver Splash IP-0082

Journey Sequins Special Celebration AC-0115

Whip Cream Journey Thread AC-0128

Oatmeal Cookie CS-0023

River Stone CS-0094

Live in the Moment

Hello! The weather has been absolutely gorgeous here in North Carolina making it perfect for getting outdoors for a little exercise, vitamin D and N (nature)! 

I've been going on a walk almost everyday and plan to go hiking this weekend. How about you...any plans to get outside and to enjoy some sunshine and a little fresh air? 

All my outdoors walks inspire projects like this card with lots leaves and earth tones. 

I used the variety of foliage stamps included in the Lead Me and Bird Sketch stamp sets and one tiny little log stamp from a brand new set that just debuted at the Fun Stampers Journey 2016 convention. Do you know which set it's from? Do you have a catalog yet? 

I just got to see the entire thing and it's something special! Hope you enjoy it, crafting and the great outdoors!

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Lead Me SS-0207

Bird Sketch SS-0230

Howdy Notes

Journey Ovals DI-0042

Summer Branch DI-0162

Limeade Splash IP-0019

Lemongrass IP-0022

Kiwi Slice IP-0024

Oatmeal Cookie IP-0011

Hazelnut Blend IP-0012

Mini Wooden Clothespins AC-0029

Natural Journey Twine AC-0005

Kiwi Slice CS-0016

Green Olive CS-0113

Oatmeal Cookie CS-0023

Pinspired

Hello! I had one of those mornings where I couldn't find my creative mojo. That happens sometimes when I've been away from my studio for too many days which has been the case. I was supposed to be in Arizona this past week for the Fun Stampers Journey (FSJ) 2016 convention, but I came down with the flu instead! Ack! 

Well, I'm thrilled to be feeling better and back to crafting up some fun things to share with you...except that I didn't quite know where to start after a week long break! Thank goodness for Pinterest because I found the following card. 

(source)

Isn't it gorgeous?!?! Swoon! I thought trying to recreate it with FSJ supplies would be a fun exercise to help me get back into my groove. 

I used the Bird and Circle Sketch stamp sets and the Summer Branch die. 

 The background was created with inks, ink pads, Silk, and a stencil. I've listed all the supplies I used below.

What do you think? I think I like the softness of the inspiration piece better. And I really enjoyed just playing around with our inks and sponges to see what I could come up with! It's good to be back getting my fingers all inked up again! 

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Bird Sketch SS-0230

Thread Sketch SS-0169

Summer Branch DI-0162

Chevron JM-0011

Sweet Berry RI-0010

Lemon Drop RI-0026

Limeade Splash RI-0025

Pool Play RI-0050

Rock Candy IP-0028

Whip Cream IP-0009

Journey Silver Silk IP-0090

Lemon Grass Thread AC-0132

River Stone CS-0094

Whip Cream CS-0040

Patterned Paper

Today I have a card to share with you using patterned paper as a focal point. It's clean and simple and the perfect way to use up left over scraps of your favorite patterned papers. 

I used the Fun Stampers Journey Fun Filled Prints for my card and the smallest of the Journey Square dies. 

I love the combination of colorful patterns on one side and lovely black and white prints on the reverse. 

For the sentiment I used my go-to stamp set called Text Happy. 

Here's to doing more of what makes us happy! Like making cards! 

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Text Happy SS-0168

Journey Squares DI-0038

Black Licorice IP-0041

Journey Sequins Special Celebration AC-0115

Black Licorice Journey Twine AC-0004

Fun Filled Prints PP-0024

Whip Cream CS-0040

Hello

Today I have a card for those of you who adore flowers and butterflies. It's a clean and simple creation using a negative die cut butterfly as the focal point. 

The Fun Stampers Journey die set I used is from Butterfly Prints and the patterned paper is from the summer catalog and it's called Fun Filled Prints. 

To make these layers really stand out I used foam squares to adhere them to my card base. I love the dimension it creates and that you can see some of the gingham print through the butterfly 'window.'

A few drops of silk, some thread and a trio of assorted gems finish the card. It's the perfect for an all occasion greeting! 

Enjoy!

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Howdy Notes SS-0170

Journey Rectangles Long DI-0040

Butterfly Prints DI-0015

Black Licorice IP-0041

Journey Silver Silk IP-0090

Whip Cream Journey Thread AC-0128

Spring Accent Dots - AC-0179

Cut Rhinestones AC-0023

Pearls AC-0024

Fun Filled Prints PP-0024

Pool Play CS-0092

Brave America

Happy Memorial Day to all of you in the United States! In honor of this special day I have a patriotic card to share with you. 

I created this greeting with the Fun Stampers Journey Brave America stamp set. 

Techniques include embossing, ink sponging and layering. Notice I was able to add a bit of white ink to the Metal Accents, toning the shine down, giving them a grungy look like the rest of the card. 

After I sponged and embossed my card background I also spritzed it with some Journey Silver Splash which gives it lovely sparkles that I really like. 

Hope you all enjoy this Memorial Day and thanks to all of you that serve and have served this beautiful country of ours. 

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Brave America SS-0215

Star-Dom DI-0052

Star-Dom Piercing Elements DI-0099

Catalina Splash IP-0073

Whip Cream IP-0009

Clear Pigment Ink IP-0102

Journey White Embossing Powder IP-0098

Journey Silver Splash IP-0082

Journey Silver Silk IP-0090

Metal Accents AC-0176

Natural Journey Twine AC-0005

Cranberry Bliss CS-0090

Denim Days CS-0082

Oatmeal Cookie CS-0023

Happy Hello

It's another glorious spring day! And I have a another outdoorsy kind of card to share with you. This one was created with a new Fun Stampers Journey summer stamp set called Anchor Me. 

Do I have any sailing fans out there? I love to watch boats from the shore, but I'd rather not be on one! lol  Unfortunately, I get rather sea sick! 

You know...this card reminds me of a vacation Dan and I had at the Outer Banks a few years back. We got to visit some of the east coasts most infamous lighthouses. What beautiful memories! 

To create this stripy background I used some patterned paper from the Nautical Adventure Prints, cut into stripes, folded in half lengthwise and added the card base by applying glue just along the fold. I love the texture it creates along with the twine and wood accent. Hope you enjoy! 

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Anchor Me SS-0256

Tag Elements AT-0130

Journey Circles DI-0039

Denim Days IP-0010

Journey Silver Silk IP-0090

Summer Fun Chips AC-0214

Natural Journey Twine AC-0005

Nautical Adventure Prints PP-0025

Buttercream CS-0006

Oatmeal Cookie CS-0023

Smile

Today I'm posting another nature inspired bee-utiful card created with the Fun Stampers Journey Summer Garden Stamp set. 

I love bees! We wouldn't have the amazing variety of produce without them, would we? 

And I think they're quite fascinating to watch swarming busily around the garden! 

For this bee background I used the Vintage Screen stencil, a sponge and Summer Days ink. Keeping my design clean and simple I added just a little Silk, Twine and a mini paperclip for accents.

Enjoy and have a fa-bee-lous day! 

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Summer Garden SS-0078

Text Happy SS-0168

Vintage Screen JM-0002

Black Licorice IP-0041

Summer Days IP-0042

Journey Silver Silk IP-0090

Fusion Blender IP-0088

Lemon Drop RI-0026

Paper Clip Elements AC-0102

Black Licorice Journey Twine AC-0004

Whip Cream CS-0040

Life is Beautiful

I love this planet of ours, full of amazing creatures and exotic places. And I love how one doesn't have to search far and wide to find nature's beauty. If you look, it's right under your nose. Or at the front door! 

For a second time this spring we have a pair of house finches nesting right outside our front door in the light fixtures. And it's wonderful to take a few moments throughout the day to watch this new mama coming and going with food for her little ones! 

Today's card is inspired by nature and all it's amazing creatures, like seahorses. Aren't they magnificent? 

This particular seahorse is from the Fun Stampers Journey Beach Soiree stamp set. Such an easy card to create...just color and die cut the seahorse and add it to a card base that's been sponged with some Whip Cream ink, splattered with a bit of Silk and stamped with a sentiment. Finally, add a few sequins and a bit of Thread and you're done! Now time for a little vitamin - Nature!  

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Beach Soiree SS-0277

Text Happy SS-0168

Beach Soiree DI-0168

Black Licorice IP-0041

Whip Cream IP-0009

Journey Silver Silk IP-0090

Fusion Blender IP-0088

Cool Pool RI-0073

Grape Fusion RI-0033

Journey Sequins Blue Skies AC-0113

Whip Cream Journey Thread AC-0128

Journey Basics Black & White Paper Pack PP-0012

Black Licorice CS-0003

Whip Cream CS-0040

Sweet You

Hello! I have a clean and simple card to share with you today that combines two of my favorite new stamp sets from Fun Stampers Journey summer catalog...Too Cool and Summer Fun. 

These work perfectly together, the pineapple with a pineapple pop. Yum! And the sentiment is from a gorgeous blooms stamp set called Sweet You. 

To create this fun and colorful background, I combined a few strips of card stock and die cut them with  Journey Circles and added a portion of the Summer Branch die.  

Accents include a little twine and sweet pink sequins. I love it! How about you?

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies:

Summer Fun SS-0252

Too Cool SS-0255

Summer Branch DI-0162

Journey Circles DI-0039

Summer Fun DI-0156

Too Cool DI-0157

Black Licorice IP-0041

Cool Pool Silk IP-0105

Fusion Blender IP-0088

Lemon Drop RI-0026

Pumpkin Bread RI-0056

Limeade Splash RI-0025

Kiwi Slice RI-0020

Oatmeal Cookie RI-0041

Hazelnut Blend RI-0034

Black Licorice Journey Thread AC-0004

Journey Sequins Pink World AC-0112

Bubble Gum CS-0099

Sweet Berry CS-0034

Pineapple Smoothie CS-0026

Limeade Splash CS-0020

Whip Cream CS-0040