Beautiful Blessings of Spring

I'm on a spring card kick if you haven't noticed! I treated myself to a few of the new goodies from Honey Bee Stamps that I simply couldn't resist! The tulips are getting ready to bloom here and I can't wait....so, in the meantime, I will make some paper versions!

For this card I used the delightful Lovely Layers: April Showers-Honey Cuts and the Blessings of Spring Stamp Set. A few additional products found their way into my shopping cart, so I'm hoping to sneak more crafty time to play with those soon!

I die cut the umbrella pieces from Bitty Big: Pink Posey pattern paper, with the exception of the black stem and the pink handle, and then added some SU! Regal Rose ink around some of the edges. I used the layering guide that came with the dies, so I used that for shading cues. I glued everything together with liquid glue and foam squares to create the illusion of a real umbrella.

I set that aside and got to work on the flowers. I die cut all of the pieces I planned on using to create three flowers each, but as you can see, I didn't end up using that many. These are good sized blooms, so you don't need too may to fill up the boots. I die cut all of the pieces from white cardstock and then colored them with finger daubers and distress oxide inks.

The boots are die cut from Lemon Tart cardstock with some shading using SU! Crushed Curry ink around the top portions. I used liquid glue to add the bottom portion that is covered up by the sentiment! ha ha!

The bird was die cut from Fine Linen cardstock for all three layers. I added dark brown distress oxide ink to the base , left the middle layer as-is, and then added lighter brown to the top layer and then glued it all together. There is an impression where the eye is so all I needed to do was use a fine-tip sharpie marker and a white gel pen to create a realistic looking eye.

I cut a piece of Echo Park gingham pattern paper to 4 by 5 1/4 inches and adhered it to a top-folding A2 card base using a tape runner. I added the boots using foam squares and then the umbrella. I had fun filling the boots up with the bloom and additional leaves. The birdie is perched on the toe of the boot. I added the sentiment and some glitter and a few dew drops for a raindrop feeling! I can't wait to play with these darling dies again soon! Thanks for fluttering by!

 

Beautiful New Baby

Hello and welcome! I was agonizing the other day that I couldn't get these pictures to load, but they seemed to do fine when I tried them by themselves! I made this card clear back in December, took the time to hurry and photograph it, but then I never did anything with it. Since things have been quiet around here, I decided to share it today. I also enjoy having things documented so I can remember different ideas I've tried when I'm in a creative slump!

This card uses a mash-up of products, but I just love how it turned out! To begin, I die cut the floral piece using the Floral Arches Die and then brought it to life using the coordinating Floral Arches Stamps + Stencil Combo. I chose colors that matched the baby outfits that I bought for the gift; I always love a coordinating ensemble! I also used the A2 Arches Die and the Arched Sentiments Stamp Set for a portion of the sentiment and then I finished it off with a retired sentiment from PTI. 

I ordered the cute Bundle of Joy-Honey Cuts quite a while ago and was thrilled to use them on this card. I absolutely love how you can customize the little clothes using different pattern paper. I die cut the hanger using metallic gold cardstock.

I actually die cut the romper twice; once from white cardstock and once from the green polka dot paper and then tore off the ruffles from the green portion (very easy to do) and then glued them together. I layered everything onto a Sweet Blush panel that was stamped using the Pinkfresh Sudio Diamond Tiles Background Stamp. 

I finished it off by adding another sentiment to the inside; I'm sad this particular sentiment and die set is retired, but I'm sure many of you have it in your stash! Thanks for fluttering by!

 

Even More Wildflower Sympathy

I had every intention of coming here to post a few card ideas for babies and sympathy, but blogger has decided that it doesn't want to post the baby card pictures, so today you get sympathy! ha ha! I shared cards like this a few months back but in a different colorway, so  even though they're pretty much identical, I thought you might like to see how bright and cheering they look in yellow. You can see the previous post HERE.

I've already sent 5 sympathy cards this month and I wanted to replenish my stash. As soon as I finished these, I found out that they would both be needed, too! Looks like I'll be working on even more sympathy designs and I promise I won't copy myself again! ha ha!

I cut two panels of Harvest Gold cardstock measuring 3 3/4 by 4 3/4 and embossed them using the Regency Swirls 3D Embossing Folder that was included when I got my Gemini Jr. for Christmas a few years ago. I do believe it is still included when you buy the machine. I added some More Mustard ink from SU! around each of the edges for added depth and definition. I also die cut two ovals from Rustic White cardstock using the Pierced Feature Frames: Ovals and just used the middle portion and saved the frames for another project.

I die cut two each of all of the pieces included in the Lovely Layers: Wildflower Honey Cuts and colored them using Distress Oxide inks. I glued them together using liquid glue and a few foam squares on the poppies for added dimension.

I desperately wanted to do something different with the sentiment this time, but in the end just heat embossed it in gold onto a strip of vellum and wrapped it around the focal panel.

I realized after I took the pictures that I forgot to add a touch of glitter, so I will add that before I need to mail them. The blue version that I linked above has glitter on the flowers, and I really like it. I usually don't add glitter to sympathy cards because I feel like it isn't always appropriate, but I think it works on these pretty wildflowers. Anyway, this gives you the option to see it with or without and you can decide which you like best! ha ha! Thanks for fluttering by!

 

Friends Are Like Seashells....

Hello friends! I treated myself to a few goodies from the latest Honey Bee Stamps release and couldn't wait to start playing! I decided to use the new Lovely Layers: Seashore dies first paired with the new Seas The Day sentiment stamp set.  I had so much fun coloring these beautiful layered shells!

To begin, I die cut all of the pieces for the three shells and the sea grass. I colored the grass using Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, and Rustic Wilderness Distress Oxide inks. I actually ended up using two clusters of the grass, but torn into different pieces so I could use them here and there as I liked.

The shells got just a hint of ink and then the rest of the details were enhanced using an assortment of  different colored pencils! I really like the deeply etched lines so you can let the pencil easily fall into the grooves.

I cut a panel of cream cardstock and added some Vintage Patina and Unchartered Mariner Distress Oxide ink in the bottom left corner and then spritzed it with Vintage Patina Distress spray. I adhered the shells onto the panel using foam squares and then tucked the grass bits here and there until I was happy with the arrangement.

I had originally stamped the sentiment directly onto the panel, but it stamped a little uneven, so I decided to use the coordinating Seas The Day Honey Cuts so I could cover it up with a new stamped/die cut sentiment! ha ha!

I also die cut a panel of Kraft cardstock using the Waves Pierced A2 Cover Plate and added it to a top-folding A2 card base. I used a bit of Walnut Distress Oxide ink around the corners for contrast. I layered the focal panel onto the cardbase using foam squares. A bit of glitter and dew drops finish off this fun sea-inspired design! Thanks for fluttering by!

P.S. I bought a few more things from this release, so stay tuned for more inspiration!

 

Sending Sunshine

Hello! I hope you're all having a great day! If you read my post yesterday, then you know that I did some organizing in my studio! I also went through my basket of "must-have" products that I haven't had a chance to use yet! I found the beautiful Lawn Fawn Happy Hibiscus Dies that I was so excited about last summer, yet never made time to use them! I'm so glad I rediscovered them because they are so much fun!

I took my kids swimming the other day and as usual, I was inspired by swimwear; in this case, dark backgrounds with bright pops of tropical flowers! I got to work die cutting all of the pieces that I would need to create the three flowers as well as the little pink flowers and foliage. I die cut everything from white cardstock and then used SU! inks to color them using blender brushes.

 I added the color to the stamens of the flowers by selectively inking the bottom in orange, the top in green, and then added color to the tips using a marker. I chose three different colors for each bloom; yellow, mustard, and rust. I also added a hint of shading and detail using a colored pencil.

I cut a panel of black cardstock measuring 4 by 5 1/4 inches and then added some white paint splatter. I set it aside to dry and finished up the flowers. I wanted them to be sparkly, but didn't want glitter all over the black cardstock, so I added the glitter separately. 

I added the larger leaves using liquid glue as well as the flowers. The smaller leaves are adhered using foam squares for dimension. The sentiment, which is from the MFT Sunny Vibes set (apparently retired), is heat embossed in white onto a strip of black cardstock. I adhered it using black Stampin' Dimensionals for a seamless look. I also added a few cupped sequins to the centers of the pink flowers for some added detail and sparkle.

Once I was finished with the black card, I just wasn't ready to be done playing so I had some fun creating a companion card. I'm obsessed with the Honey Bee Stamps Flip Flop Builder die collection so that was the starting point of my second card. I used Raspberry Fizz pattern paper to die cut the pieces for the base and the straps and then used Raspberry Fizz cardstock for the bows. I also die cut the foot part out of white cardstock as well so I could glue them together for a sturdier piece.

I decided to quickly put together a few more Hibiscus flowers to tie the two cards together. I assembled these ones slightly different than the first card. I hid the stamen part underneath the smaller bloom on each flower; sure which I like better!

The background was created by cutting a 4 by 5 1/4 inch piece of white cardstock and then I used the Taylored Expressions Breezy Stencil to create the pattern. I used the same two inks that I used for the leaves to keep it cohesive.

The sentiment for this card is from the Papertrey Ink Just Sentiments: Everyday stamp set and I heat embossed it just like I did for the first card. I cut it at angle for something a little bit different and for visual movement.

I also rounded the corners on two sides for something unexpected as well. I used to be a lot more creative with things like that but haven't done that as much recently. I spritzed the entire card with Shimmer Spray for some sparkle. I also added some glitter and sequins to the flowers as well. I decided to keep the sentiments clear of anything "summer" related, but rather general salutations that can be used anytime!

I mounted the entire focal panel onto a top folding black card base using foam squares for added dimension!  Thanks for fluttering by!

P.S. I wanted to thank you all for the sweet comments you've been leaving here for me! I'm struggling with a glitch that is making replying back somewhat of a nuisance! I hope I can get it figured out quickly, but in the meantime, thank you so much! I appreciate them so much!

 

Summer birthdays are the most fun!

Happy August friends! I thought I'd pop in here to share a summer-y birthday card AND to let you know what's been going on around here! You all probably think that I've dropped off the face of the earth, which I guess I have! ha ha! I had already planned to take the summer off from most of my design work, but I guess I never really said anything here! I have some projects coming up later this month using some new products that I KNOW you'll love! Other than that, I'll be returning to all of my normal work in September, so things will definitely pick up then! In the meantime, I have a card I created yesterday for a new friend's birthday. I know I've mentioned it a time or two, but making summer cards is my favorite and I haven't done as many as I would have liked, so....I decided to whip something special up for here using a mashup of supplies! 

To begin this tropical design, I die cut a panel of Fresh Snow Linen Cardstock using the largest die in the Love to Layer: Notched dies set. Once that was done, I stenciled the background using Salvaged Patina Distress Oxide Ink and the Taylored Expressions Breezy stencil. I blended from the middle outward, leaving a bit of white around the edges. I also gave the bottom portion a light spritz of Salvaged Patina spray stain for a watery look! I wanted a bit of shimmer and shine so I added some shimmer spray over the top.

I set the background panel aside to dry and got to work on the leaves, flowers, and flip-flops! I die cut the leaves and flowers using the Tropical Bouquets Honey Cuts from white cardstock as well as the flip-flops using the Flip Flop Builder Honey Cuts. I bought these last summer because I HAD to have them and I just barely used them! ha ha! I colored all of the leaves, flowers and flip-flops using assorted Distress Oxide inks.

Before I began assembling the card, I stamped the sentiment, which is an old one from Papertrey Ink that has been retired. You could use any of your favorite summer sentiments in its place. Once the sentiment was stamped, I was able to add the flip-flops, leaves, and flowers using liquid glue and foam squares. 

A few dew drops here and there add just the right amount of detail to finish off this design. I layered the notched panel to a Berry Sorbet card base using foam squares. I added some glitter as well, but only after I took the pictures. I was going back on forth on whether I should add it, but it looks really nice! Thanks for fluttering by!

 

Sending you Sunshine!

 

Happy Sunday friends! I've got a busy week ahead of me and you'll be seeing the blog go from Summer to Fall before your very eyes! Before that happens, I still have summer projects that I'm wanting to share AND more summer projects I'm still wanting to make! How about you...are you ready for Autumn crafting, or are you still hanging on to Summer?  

I was thrilled to have been asked to be a guest designer for the Honey Bee Stamps Hello Summer release back in July! You can see my projects HERE. I fell in love with many of the other products from the release and ended up buying a few of my favorites! They've been patiently waiting for me to use them and I finally did! LOL!

For today's card, I used the fabulous Tropical Bouquets Honey Cuts to create this Summer-y design! I had originally planned on putting everything on a black panel, but in the end, this beautiful teal blue won! I love how well it complements the bright colors of the flowers and foliage!

I die cut everything out of white cardstock and then just used ink and blender brushes to give them their color. I also added some ink splatter to the Hibiscus blooms for added detail.

Before I arranged them onto the blue panel, I added some darker ink blending to each of the four corners to give it some added contrast. Once that was done, I added the leaves and flowers using foam squares and liquid glue to get everything in place.

I heat embossed the "sending you sunshine" sentiment, which is from the Wish You Were Here stamp set, and then die cut it with the Wish You Were Here Honey Cuts. I used the same cardstock as the background to give it a seamless look! I added it over the top of one of the leaves using additional foam squares.

The flowers each have a jewel glued in the center for some sparkle and shine. I also added some Nuvo drops here and there to give the card additional contrast. It helps balance the white of the leaves and the heat embossed sentiment. This was a fun "just because" card that I thoroughly enjoyed making! I think today might be the day to sit down and write out a few notes inside the rest of my summer cards! Thanks for fluttering by!

Honey Bee Stamps Hello Summer Blog Hop

Hello and welcome friends! I am so excited to be participating in the Honey Bee Stamps Hello Summer Blog Hop! I'm sharing 4 projects with you today using some of the fabulous new products that are now available for purchase! They're packed with all of the summery goodness you can stand! 

My first two cards use the new Flippin' Fabulous stamp set which is so much fun! Each image has a coordinating die included in the Flippin' Fabulous Honey Cuts collection! I love when sentiments have coordinating dies because it makes more options for design layouts.

As you can see, both cards are almost identical in layout, with just a few tweaks. My background was created using Tumbled Glass and Scattered Straw Distress Oxide inks to create a beachy feel. I spritzed the panel with Shimmer Spray and also some ink splatter over the sand portion for extra "grains"! LOL!

The flip flops are so much fun...they are large in size so they make a real impact as a focal point. I colored all of the images with Copic markers. The shells have some Nuvo Crystal Glaze over them and some coarse crystal glitter for some added shine and detail.

I love making summer birthday cards so I chose to use this particular sentiment for both cards. The sentiments included in this set are so much fun...I can't wait to use them again!

Another reason why I like that the sentiments have die cuts is because I find it difficult to get a good impression with black ink onto Distress Oxide ink. These die cut sentiments are the perfect solution!

I added a little bit of added detail to the flip flops by adding the orange stripes at the bottom. I love fun and cute flip flops for the summer!

I added the shadow detail to these as well as some white polka dots with a white gel pen. Each card also has a trio of sparkling clear sequins for added sparkle.

I added a die cut sentiment to the inside of both cards to keep up with the theme. I like adding a little something to the inside  for added detail as well.

My next two projects use the fun new Luau stamp set. I don't have any images like this so it was such a fun set to add to my collection! I had a lot of fun coloring the different tiki masks and other images.

Once again, I created some ink blended background using Peacock Feathers, Twisted Citron, and Squeezed Lemonade Distress Oxide inks. As you can see, I chose to use the blue at the top for the stacked tiki card and the yellow at the top for the Sunshine card. It just seemed to make the most sense!

I heat embossed this particular sentiment, which is from the new Wish You Were Here stamp set, in white onto black cardstock and then die cut it using the coordinating Wish You Were Here Honeycuts. I love the white against the black!

I used the line stamps and the solid stamps to create the pots. The foliage is stamped in Lucky Clover Distress Oxide Ink and the pots are stamped in Picked Raspberry.

I added the different images to the card using foam squares for dimension. I also added some sparkling clear sequins for added sparkle.

I'm not sure if Tiki Totems are a thing, but they are now! ha ha! I thought it would be fun to stack a few of the masks on top of each other for a whimsical look!

I chose bright, fun colors that matched the theme of the card and the feel of the background.

Once I had all of the images colored, I die cut them using the Luau Honey Cuts and added them to the card with foam squares.

The sentiment is stamped in black and added to the top of the totem using additional foam squares.

I had so much fun on all of these projects! Here is the list of the other designers on the hop!

Honey Bee Stamps Blog

Laura Bassen

Carol Hintermeier

Channin Pelletier

Lisa Mensing

Laurie Willison

Leanne West

Seeka

Becky Roberts

Yasmin Diaz

 Enjoy and thanks for fluttering by!