So Very Blessed

I had fun creating these scrapbook pages using photos of the wonderful women in my family at my niece's bridal shower earlier this summer.

I used Core'dinations Crisp Cantaloupe cardstock for the base and the Dots Decorative Mask to create the polkadot background. It went pretty quickly using a Sponge Dauber and Crisp Cantaloupe ink right from the ink pad. (I only sponged the area that would be seen instead of entire 12x12 piece.) While the Core'dinations Cardstock is now retired, you can still pick up certain colors on the Clearance Rack.

I love the layered flower embellishment created with the Daydream Medallions & Mixed Bunch stamp sets. I stamped the title onto Vellum Cardstock and embossed with Pool Party EP. The stamp set is an old SAB set called So Very. (I keep all my old word sets because you never know when you'll need them!)

The papers are from the Watercolor Wonder DSP and were in the now retired Occasions Catalog. I saved these sheets with the pretty watercolored roses for a future scrapbook pages...so glad I did! Good news is...you can still get these beautiful papers as a Digital Download for My Digital Studio.

This time I layered the flowers with a Stampin' Up! Tea Lace Paper Doily. The swirls are from a Bigz Die by Tim Holtz called Elegant Flourishes.

Thanks for stopping by! Make sure to check back next week as I finally received my order from the Holiday Catalog and have been having fun playing with new items. That means I'll have new things to share with you! Have a wonderful weekend!

Look Up to Father

I just love this tree & sentiment stamp called Look Up to Father. This is a single stamp and is available in the current Occasions catalog. It is perfect for upcoming Father's Day cards or masculine cards for any occasion by simply omitting the sentiment.

While this is a single image, with the quote directly below the tree, I decided I would get a lot more use out of it if I cut the sentiment off and mounted it separately. So that's what I did.

The Hardwood background stamp works perfectly with this stamp....I inked it in Crumb Cake and stamped right over the tree. I'm using one of the new In Colors here too...Mossy Meadow. I'm lovin' that color! Always Artichoke has always been a favorite, and this is a lighter, brighter, less gray version of Artichoke. I think this will be wonderful to use on Christmas cards this year.

There are some new weekly deals...have you checked them out? Two of my absolute favorite Big Shot dies that are retiring are included this week at a nice discount. If you don't already have the Tasteful Trims or Perfect Pennants dies I'd recommend treating yourself to these while they are still available.

Vibrant Peaceful Petals for Mom

I hope you had a wonderful Mothers Day! The weather here was absolutely beautiful and I was happy to spend it with my Mom & my sons...perfect day!

Have you seen the NEW batch of In Colors for 2014-16 yet? I think they are just gorgeous, rich & vibrant colors! Here is my first creation using them...along with the Blendabilities.

I stamped the flowers from the Peaceful Petals set in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink while masking the largest flower with an image cut from a post it note. Then I had lots of fun coloring in the flowers with my new Blendies! I really like working with them! It's nice to even be able to color pearls & rhinestones to match! As you can see here, I've colored Basic Pearl Jewels in Razzleberry & Daffodil. Here's a closer look...

The rich colors achieved using the Blendies work really well with the new In Color card stock...I used Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey and Tangelo Twist and threw in some Cherry Cobbler for good measure. So, basically fruit with a bit of honey...and who doesn't like that!?

Isn't the new 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon luscious? It will be available in the five new In Colors...I used Blackberry Bliss.

I used each of the Blendability Color Sets shown above:

• Rich Razzleberry
• Pumpkin Pie
• Cherry Cobbler
• Daffodil Delight
• Old Olive

The label was created using the Creative Elements set along with the Apothecary Accents Framelits. I cut just the edge off...I shared how to do this on this post. 

Enjoy your day! We have a thunderstorm going on here right now...it's pouring down rain. Guess I'll be "forced" to stay indoors and stamp instead of working outside cleaning up the flower bed today. 

Peaceful Blendabilities

Guess what showed up at my house on Wednesday??? Here's a hint...

I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I've been to try the new Blendabilities!!! and to see the NEW IN COLORS and the NEW CATALOG in real life!!! I can happily say I sure wasn't disappointed in any of the above! Actually...they all exceeded my expectations! The new catalog is one of the best since I've become a demo (has it really been over 9 years now!?) and the new In Colors are just luscious...but the new Blendies were the first thing I had to try!

Let me start by saying that I have never used Copic markers, but I love to watercolor.  So that being said, I cannot compare one to the other.

When coloring, I usually use the aqua painter and our inks and had nice results. However, if I wanted a deep, vibrant look to my watercoloring, this method would sometimes take a while to build up the color to be as deep as I wanted. With the Blendabilities it was so much quicker & easier to get beautiful, vibrant color. Here is a look at my first attempt at trying out these markers...

They are laid out in the order of how I tried them...I think, with each flower I colored, I improved a little bit on the blending. I could still go back and blend a little more if I wanted to.  I stamped each image on Whisper White card stock using the Black Memento Ink pad. On the top right you can see a color swatch of each of the 3 markers. Here's a closer look at each one...

Now I need to get busy and make some cards using these colored images...but I just couldn't wait to share my first experience using the new Blendies with you.

Saying Goodbye: Pennant Parade Trio

Today is day four of my farewells...let me wipe away my tears so I can type up my blog posting. Yesterday said that Creative Elements may be "one of the most versatile sets on the retiring list"...then I played with Pennant Parade and I must say...Creative Elements has some stiff competition in that category! I'm thinking that Pennant Parade may just win the title of "Most Versatile Set"! Seriously...I sat down to make "a card" and when I was done I had three...a feminine one that could be any occasion, a masculine birthday card, and even a Christmas card. Sounds pretty versatile to me, don't you think?

Lets start with the feminine card that is good for any occasion...

Along with Pennant Parade, I also used the Petite Petals stamp set. (the little pot and "hello" stamp are from Pennant Parade.) I also used several other retiring products...can you spot them all? Maybe this photo will help...

• Gumball Green Core'dinations Cardstock & Ink
• Petals-a-Plenty & Designer Frames Embossing Folders
• Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack - flower punch
• Pool Party Seam Binding Ribbon*

*I almost died when I saw Pool Party Seam Binding Ribbon on the list! I was afraid that ALL the seam binding ribbon was going bye-bye. Thank goodness it was only one color...even though Pool Party is one that I use a lot, I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing more colors in the new catalog!

Now...on to the manly birthday card...

In addition to Pennant Parade, this one uses a few different retired items than the last card...can you spot them all?

• You're Amazing stamp set
• Timber Wheel & handle
• 2012-14 In Color Markers 
• Raspberry Ripple Cardstock
• Midnight Muse Cardstock
• Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack - 1/4" circle punch

I'm really glad that the Petite Pennant Punch is not retiring! That means we can still create cute banners like the one above for cards and on scrapbook pages, using DSP.

The last card I have to share is the Christmas version of the top card....

The retiring supplies that are different from the top card are:

• Raspberry Ripple Cardstock & ink
• Raspberry Ripple Stitched Satin Ribbon
• Silver Glimmer Paper 

Do you agree that Pennant parade is super versatile? Do you have it in your collection? If not...get it while you can! What is your favorite/most versatile set that is retiring? 

Check back tomorrow to see more of mine.

Simple Monochromatic Birthday

With it's monochromatic color scheme and clean & simple design, this birthday card using Another Great Year is the perfect card for a guy. (at least I hope my son thinks so!)

I stamped the image twice...once onto the Island Indigo layer stamped with the hardwood background and again onto a plain piece of Bermuda Bay card stock. Each time I embossed the image using Pool Party Embossing Powder. I cut out the Bermuda Bay banner and watercolored the letters and the shadowed areas using Island Indigo ink and my Aqua Painter.

I popped up the banners using Stampin' Dimensionals and finished off the card with Candy Dots in each corner from the Brights Collection.

Have a great day!

Flippin' Friday: Purple Peaceful Petals

Happy Friday! It's been a while since I did a Flippin' Friday post...so here's one for you that's pretty & purple!

This ruffley looking dahlia is fun to watercolor! First, I stamped the image in Black Stazon onto Whisper White card stock. As usual, I used my Aqua Painter and inks pooled in the lids of my ink pads. These are the colors I used:

• Wisteria Wonder
• Rich Razzleberry
• Elegant Eggplant
• Crushed Curry

Then I punched out the flower using a 2-1/2" Circle Punch which fits perfectly onto the Thinlet Flip Card base.

I used the Needlepoint Border Embossing Folder to decorate the edges and the Beautifully Baroque EF to give a nice pattern to the base of the card.

Many times when I'm watercoloring, I will stamp numerous images and color all at the same time. That's exactly what I did this time...one of each flower in the Peaceful Petals set. I've already shared the other two cards in the past week. Here is a look at the Peaceful Petals Trio.

This would make a nice set of cards to give as a gift...make a pretty box that coordinates and include matching envelopes.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Purple Rose Candle Wraps

I love the way my Think Spring Rose Candle Wrap turned out so much that I had to make a couple more. This time I used some pretty purple roses...all created with the Spiral Flower Bigz Die. Many of you who visit my blog regularly may have guessed that purple is among my favorite colors...and you would be correct! I have a shade of deep plum color as an accent in my living room, so I made these to go in there.

These roses were created using Wisteria Wonder card stock for the small roses and a combination of Elegant Eggplant and Perfect Plum for the large roses. (layered Plum on top of Eggplant and rolled up together)

As you can see, I used the Hardwood Background stamp to stamp the band...which is a strip of Sahara Sand card stock with coordinating ink. I use small dots of extra thin velcro to attach them to the candle. This way I can easily change them out seasonally.

I'm really happy with the way these came together...the combination of feminine & masculine accents were just what I had in mind. The rustic wood mixed with the bold pattern and texture of the Natural Chevron Ribbon combined with the dainty Tea Lace Paper Doily and the Crochet Ribbon...all come together to make the perfect backdrop to showcase these pretty roses. Here's a closer look...

Here is how they look in their "natural habitat" sitting happily on candle stands in my living room.

I'm looking forward to seeing what the new batch of In Colors are this year...I'm really hoping that there is a nice shade of purple in the group! 

Thanks for visiting today.

Product List
Stamp

• Hardwood [clear] [133035]

Ink

• Sahara Sand Classic Stampin' Pad [126976]

Card Stock

• Sahara Sand 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [121043]
• Wisteria Wonder 8-1/2 X 11 Card Stock [122922]
• Perfect Plum 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [101889]
• Elegant Eggplant 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [105126]
• Pistachio Pudding 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131294]

Punch

• 2-1/2 Inch Circle Punch [120906]

Ribbon & Trim

• 5/8 Inch Crochet Trim Victoria [118481]
• Very Vanilla 1/2 Inch Seam Binding Ribbon [120999]
• Natural 5/8" Chevron Ribbon [132982]

Accessory

• Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper [133521]
• Tea Lace Paper Doilies [129399]
• Large Pearl Basic Jewels [125577]
• Basic Pearls Jewel Accents [119247]

Big Shot

• Spiral Flower Originals Die [129379]
• Autumn Accents Bigz Die [127812]

Peaceful Petals Sympathy

We all hate having to make sympathy cards, but unfortunately sometimes we need to. Here is one that I had to make this week.

I always try to keep them fairly simple, yet elegant. If you saw my last posting, you can see that I made this card at the same time, using the same products. I watercolored the pretty floral image from Peaceful Petals using my Aqua Painter and inks pooled in the lids of my ink pads. These are the colors I used:

• Wisteria Wonder
• Elegant Eggplant
• Rich Razzleberry 
• Wild Wasabi
• Crushed Curry

To add a little detail I punched the bottom edge using the Scallop Trim Border Punch and added some Basic Rhinestone Jewels. The Elegant Eggplant panel is embossed with the Beautifully Baroque EF. I used the Loving Thoughts stamp set for the sentiment and the little butterfly was made using the Beautiful Wings Embosslit. 

I hope this card brings the recipients some comfort. 

Thanks for visiting today...have a wonderful weekend!

Purple Peaceful Petals

I just love the beautiful images in the Peaceful Petals set...especially this one!

Doesn't it look pretty in purple? I watercolored it using my Aqua Painter and inks pooled in the lids of my ink pads. These are the colors I used:

• Wisteria Wonder
• Elegant Eggplant
• Rich Razzleberry 
• Wild Wasabi
• Crushed Curry

I think the Tea Lace Paper Doily accented with Basic Rhinestone Jewels makes a pretty background against the Elegant Eggplant panel embossed with the Beautifully Baroque EF. 

Thanks for visiting today!

Think Spring: Sweet Sorbet Banner

Are you ready for Spring yet? This Think Spring banner will certainly make you think of Spring!

The colors of Pool Party, Crisp Cantaloupe & Pistachio Pudding were chosen from the Sweet Sorbet DSP. Don't tell me you haven't got a pack of this beautiful paper yet?! It's FREE during Sale-a-Bration!

I cut each letter out of chipboard using the Typeset Bigz Dies. Each pennant has lots of little details...like the adorable stamped & punched flowers using the Banner Blast set & Itty Bitty Punches. Here's a closer look...

With just a little inspiration from the beautiful colors in the Sweet Sorbet DSP and my new Spiral Flower Die I created this entire Spring-themed set to decorate my antique side board just in time for Spring. If you don't have this great new Spiral Flower Die yet...I highly recommend it!

Here's a little closer look...

Pssst...Mother Nature, I'm all ready for Spring!

Have a GREAT weekend!
Product List

• Occasions Alphabet - Clear-Mount Stamp
• Banner Blast Wood-Mount Stamp Set
• Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper
• Pool Party 8-1/2 X 11 Card Stock
• Crisp Cantaloupe 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
• Pistachio Pudding 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
• Blushing Bride 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
• Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad
• Crisp Cantaloupe Classic Stampin' Pad
• Extra-Large Oval Punch
• 1/2 Inch Circle Punch
• 7/8" Scallop Circle Punch
• Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack
• Perfect Pennants Bigz Die
• Typeset Alphabet Bigz Die
• Spiral Flower Bigz Die
• Beautiful Wings Stampin' Up! Embosslits Die
• Set Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die
• Whisper White 5/8 Inch Organza Ribbon
• White Baker's Twine
• Basic Pearls Jewel Accents

Think Spring: Vintage Rose Candle Wrap

I'm back today to share the third piece I created for my Think Spring Decor Set. I just love the flameless, battery operated candles...but lets face it, they really are kind of plain all on their own. I like to cover mine with candle wraps that coordinate with the season or my room decor. Like this...

I started with a strip of Sahara Sand card stock that fits all around my candle with a 1/2" overlap in the back. I attach some thin velcro strips there so that I can easily remove the candle wrap to change with the season. The Sahara Sand layer was then stamped with the Hardwood background stamp and layered with a Tea Lace Paper Doily in the center and Natural Chevron Ribbon which wraps all the way around. A few roses created with the Spiral Flower Die, some Crochet Trim & Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon and some Basic Pearls finish it off nicely. Here's a closer look...

Here is my decorated candle in it's natural habitat...

Thanks for visiting today...make sure to check back to see the last piece in my Think Spring Decor Set.
Product List

• Hardwood [clear]
• Sahara Sand 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Pool Party 8-1/2 X 11 Card Stock
• Pistachio Pudding 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
• Crisp Cantaloupe 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
• Blushing Bride 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
• Strawberry Slush 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
• Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Sahara Sand Classic Stampin' Pad
• Spiral Flower Bigz Die
• Autumn Accents Bigz Die
• Natural 5/8" Chevron Ribbon
• 5/8 Inch Crochet Trim Victoria
• Very Vanilla 1/2 Inch Seam Binding Ribbon
• Tea Lace Paper Doilies
• Basic Pearls Jewel Accents