Just a Bit of Silver

Glad to be back to stamping this week.  Since finishing up my part of the VBS decor for the 3 & 4-year olds' room, I've simply been enjoying some play-without-a-purpose.  If you've never tried it, it's a great way to just relax and enjoy your supplies without making yourself accomplish a specific goal.  

What next?  I started seeing possibilities for some of my new stencil arrivals .... yay!  Here's the first, and simplest card coming from that mini-adventure in the stampy zone:

This one is so easy!  The image card stock was trimmed to 3.75" X 5" before stenciling.  This allowed me to precisely place the stencil in the upper corner.

The silver embossed sentiment is from a retired Gina K stamp set, Punchy Words.  I've had this set nearly 12 years!  Thus, I'm adding this card to the Retro Rubber Challenge 113.

I used Life Changing Blending Brushes to apply Distress Oxide Broken China to the Layered Mandala Base stencil.  Remember that using code BevFan10 will give a discount on your stencils purchase at A Colorful Life Designs!

Inky (((huggss),

Mimosa Sympathy

One of my very favorite subjects in stamping and card making is florals and foliage.  Over the years and across my previous blog as well as this one, I've likely revealed this from time to time.  Today's card is from the heart of me for special cousins.

A few years ago I was literally browsing along the fence line, simply enjoying the leaves of bordering trees and shrubs.  Among them stands one mimosa tree that actually reaches over from the neighbors' yard.  On that day, I plucked a couple of the leafy mimosa stems with an idea of pressing them onto card stock ... just to see what might result.  I so enjoyed the result that I made nearly 30 of those prints for cards to be given to friends at an upcoming retreat.  

The sentiment was embossed on vellum card stock, then framed with a muted metallic gold card stock 'frame'.  Although it might appear as 'copper' on some screens, the embossing and framing are both a lovely, soft gold color.  I was happy to see the green showing through the vellum, just as I had hoped.

For me, this is the one of the most natural of all the card making techniques or styles I've utilized.  I believe that I shall love it always.  

I hope you've found some inspiration here today!  Thanks for having visited.

Inky (((hugs))),

Easter Simplicity

Just taking a few minutes to share my Easter card for this year.  While I do plan to do something light-hearted for the younger ones in my life, April is a time of incredible highs and extreme lowness in my heart.  It's a month of amazing blessings, and a month of tremendous loss.  As such, it always prompts a lot of reflection ... and that can be a very good thing.   

Far more CAS (clean 'n simple) than my usual style ... but this is almost precisely what I envisioned as I sat down to create with this long-time favorite stamp set from Sweet & Sassy Stamps.  I know ... I happily stamp with SU stamps the majority of the time.  But in reality I have a love of rubber stamps that crosses over a lot of companies.  And I have a semi-impressive collection of all sorts + brands of stamps.  ***It's okay!  Please forgive me if I made anyone utter a wee little gasp.***   😊

So back to this particular card:  Quite simply, there are times when gold embossing on vanilla cardstock speaks volumes on its own ... in my stampy opinion.   The sentiment?  I love that it gleams in gold and is a favorite refrain from Christian music.

Easter seems to be arriving so 'late' this year ... but last year it seemed 'early'.  Funny how synchronized we become to our 12-month calendar, isn't it?  I wonder if children feel they're waiting an extra few weeks for the joy of scampering around in search of eggs filled with happy surprises and treats?  Well, at least I have a few more days to come up with just the right Easter fun goodies for the littles and the not-so-littles in my life this week.  Whew!

Wishing you a blessed Easter week, beautiful reflections of your own, and hopefully a bit of inspiration for you in some positive or creative way!

Inky (((hugs))),

Product List

Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder [109129] $5.00	Embossing Buddy [103083] $6.00	Heat Tool [129053] $30.00	Layering Ovals Framelits Dies [141706] $35.00
Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [127821] $7.50	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101650] $9.00	Medium Very Vanilla Envelopes [107300] $6.50

Glimmer, Glitter, & Awesome!

OMGosh!  I'm so excited to share this with you today!  

It all started with this week's inspiration challenge at SCS ... IC559, featuring the EcoCycled Etsy shop for visual inspiration  Keyword through it all is:  text .   Not the messages sent via smart phones ... but literally pages of printed information.  

When I began to browse, I immediately thought of the great contrast created with black paired with red or yellow.  As it turned out, I managed to avoid making a choice ... go for both!  

Say "Hello!" to one of the coolest new products coming up in the Holiday Catalog ... Real Red Glitter Embossing Powder.  I knew it would be a favorite for me ... and I was right.  It's glitter packed into embossing powder for a super-jazzy look!  Stamp with the VersaMark pad, use your Heat Tool to melt the embossing powder, and let it sparkle up your coming Christmas creations & more!

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Faux lightbulbs are made by punching Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper with the 1/8" Handheld Circle Punch.  The continued the lightbulb effect features punched Red Glimmer Paper, all adhered with bitty little dots of Multipurpose Liquid Glue.  Remember to grab your Stampin' Write Markers to add some extra oomph to the marquee!

Thanks so much for your online orders!  Remember that I'm always happy to answer your questions & assist in any way I can, so don't be shy.  ;)

Inky (((hugs))),

Product List

Marquee Messages Photopolymer Stamp Set

[141727]

$21.00

Real Red Glitter Stampin' Emboss Powder

[142635]

$6.00

Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper

[135315]

$5.00

Red Glimmer Paper

[121790]

$5.00

Brights Stampin' Write Markers

[131259]

$29.00

1/8" Circle Handheld Punch

[134365]

$9.00

Liquid Multipurpose Glue

[110755]

$4.00

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

[121045]

$8.00

Daffodil Delight 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

[119683]

$8.00

Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

[102482]

$8.00

Versamark Pad

[102283]

$8.50

Versamark Ink Refill

[102193]

$5.00

Do You Stamp with a Purpose or Just from Inspiration? **DTGD

There are times when I create with a particular person in mind.  Of course, there are times when I create simply 'because', or because I'm preparing for a class, or an event, or maybe I'm adding to my supply of cards to be sent at another time ... i.e. the stash.  This one came about with a someone in mind who lives near an ocean.  Can you see it?   

This week over at Splitcoaststampers features the annual Dare to Get Dirty Challenges!  These challenges are presented by SCS Dirty Dozen members and alumni as a special 'thank you' treat to all who are members of the SCS Fan Club.   

My sweet friend Judy Rozema (StampingQueenJAR) posted the DTGD16StampingQueenJAR challenge that just reached right out to me ... I was compelled to participate by the challenge itself, without obligation but just that 'need'.  KWIM?

   

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Inside I create a super-simplified echo of the front view.  The awesome sentiments are from the new Flourishing Phrases stamp set.  It's such a beautiful 2-box set that has sentiments for front and interior, and meets a multitude of needs.  Texture on the front comes from the new Seaside 6"X6" embossing folder.

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Meanwhile, back to getting ready for next weekend's 1st Saturday Stampin' class.   If you're in the area, you're invited to click to check my class calendar to select a stampin' opportunity coming up!

Inky (((hugs))),

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Farewell to Big News in Formal Attire

Count me in as a big fan of big sentiments!  
If it's heat embossed ... that's even better.  Case in point:

"Ever after" ... an amazing concept when pondering life itself ... the stuff of fairy tales!  Certainly something newlyweds hope to achieve.  Here it is in a lovely script font made even better by embossing in silver.  

The 'Big News' stamp set offers several delightful sentiments, all ready to make a 'big statement' on your creations.  

Since my easy tuxedo look requires no special measurements or folds, this is actually a quick card to reproduce.  The combination of the satin ribbon, silver embossing, silver foil layer, and black embossed designer paper all contribute to the elegant look with only a minute or two required to create the 'happily ever after' statement layer.  

Like it?  Uhhmmmmm ...  Time is running out to order the retiring products I've used, which include the Big News stamp set, Ovals Framelits, Color Me Irresistible dsp (at a reduced price), and White Satin 5/8" ribbon.  I'm happy to accept your order today!  Click here to shop while supplies last.

Inky (((hugggsss))),

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Product List

Big News Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[134018]

$32.00

Big News Wood-Mount Stamp Set

[134015]

$44.00

Ovals Collection Framelits Die

[129381]

$27.00

Color Me Irresistible Specialty Designer Series Paper

[138439]

$13.00

Whisper White 5/8" Satin Ribbon"

[114616]

$8.95

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.00

Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder

[109131]

$5.00

Silver Foil Sheets

[132178]

$4.00

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

[140272]

$7.00

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

[100730]

$8.50

Punch Corner Project Life

[135346]

$8.00

Heat Tool

[129053]

$30.00