Flashback Friday: Timeless Textures Pup

Each Friday I am going to try and share a post using an old favorite along with something new. I'm sure if you have been stamping for a long time like me, you have lots of old favorites that maybe don't get used as often as you would like. For me, I think it's because I tend to grab the latest and greatest while my old favorites are stashed away. This weekly post will remind me to use these oldie, but goodies. This weeks Flashback Friday project uses this adorable puppy image from the retired set For Father, which appeared in the 2008 Occasions Catalog. Can you spot the new items used with it?

Along with my old favorite stamp set I used a new favorite...Timeless Textures. This stamp set can really add nice subtle detail to any project. The die cut flower is one of the dies included with the Bloomin' Heart Thinlits Dies. I used two prints from the Love Blossoms DSP Stack as well...they are such cute prints!

After water coloring the sweet pup and allowing it to dry, I went over the top of the image with the wood grain looking stamp from Timeless Textures inked lightly in Crumb Cake. I also did the same to the strip of Love Blossoms DSP. Here's a closer look...

Notice the touch of sparkle on the little die cut flower? I used the clear Wink of Stella Glitter Brush to do that. It's an easy way to add a touch of glitter to your stamped or die cuts images with no mess. I love it!

Have a GREAT weekend!

Thoughtful Pup

Not exactly sure what this cute little puppy is thinking about as he relaxes on this boot, but I thought he would be perfect for a "thinking of you" card.

This adorable puppy image is from a retired stamp set called For Father, and I stamped him in Black Stazon on Very Vanilla card stock. I used my Aqua Painter and Classic Inks to color him. I used Woodland Walk papers, so I used Garden Green ink to color the boot and tie in with the paper. Since this card was made for a man, I used Twill Tape in place of my usual ribbon. I held it in place with some brads and stamped the sentiment (from Level 1 Hostess set - Silhouette Sentiments) right onto the twill.
Thanks for stopping by today...have a GREAT weekend!

Last Stamp Club Meeting

Wow! The past 6 months sure went flying by! I cannot believe that last night was already the last stamp club meeting! I hope everyone has had as much fun coming to these club nights as I have had holding them. I'm lucky to have had such a great group of women! I will be starting up another group of 6 in August...let me know ASAP if you are interested in joining, and I'll fill you in on all the details.

Last night I prepared several projects, which everyone completed in between chit chat, laughs, good food and wine, provided by our hostess Tami. Thanks Tami! Here's a look at the projects we did.
I'll describe each one a bit because unfortunately one member of our group couldn't make it last night. We missed you Miriam! I stamped your projects, but you'll still have to assemble...that is if Rach gives them up! hehehe

I think everyone's favorite project of the night was the glass coaster. I found them at Target in their Dollar Spot a month or two ago. Unfortunately even after searching several stores I wasn't able to get more than 4 packs, so everyone had to choose either the butterfly or the bird from my favorite retiring set - Touch of Nature.
I photographed them here with the box in case others want to try and find them at your local Target. They come 2 to a box. All you need to do is stamp your image and insert it inside the pocket on the back. That way if you get sick of a design you can swap it out...or even change for the season. To add extra detail we also stamped the front with White Stazon. The bird coaster uses the fern image from the TON set. The butterfly has the swirl from Baroque Motifs. I also promised a masculine card so we used my favorite masculine set at the moment- For Father along with a couple retiring sets- Flannel Plaid and Trimtastic. Color combo is: Bravo Burgundy, Creamy Caramel, Always Artichoke & Chocolate Chip with Antique Brass Hodge Podge Hardware.
This is a trio of note cards using the new Fresh Cuts set with the die cut note cards. Everyone got to select their favorite color combo and make one note card. To add a little extra detail to these otherwise quick & easy cards, I added a little faux stitching on the layer behind the die cut opening. That layer was then attached on the inside using dimensionals to show off the die cut flower.

Last but not least, we did this adorable little boho bookmark. This cute project uses a variety of punches: Scallop, 1- 1/4" circle, Ticket Corner & Boho Blossoms. The scallop topper is held in place with a bit of adhesive at the top and the Jumbo Pewter Eyelet, this allows the scallop to slip over the page to hold your place. I didn't come up with this idea, but saw a tutorial on another blog...check it out here. Thanks for sharing this project Mary Jo!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend!

Apples and Pup For Father

I think that poor old pup was tired of smelling that nasty old work boot so he moved on to the pile of apples! Good choice! ;-) This is the card I made for my hubby for Father's Day. He is the produce manager at a large grocery chain so I figured he'd love to see a stack of apples on his card (hehe)...along with the cute puppy of course! That took a little bit of doing...

First I stamped the crate of apples, omitting the leaf on the right side. Then with the help of my stamp-a-ma-jig I positioned the puppy where I wanted him. I carefully inked him up using my Basic Black Journaler pen (because it is water proof) and stamped him next to the crate. The pile of apples that he is resting his head on are hand draw using a .20mm Pigma Micron pen by Sakura. It has a super fine tip and is also water proof. After that, I was ready to water color...the fun part!

I used various classic inks and my aqua painter. When I was done painting the image and adding a bit of shadow underneath, I used my pastels to create the background. This is an easy way to add a bit of blendable color to show the sky and ground.

Stamps: For Father, Riveting (retired) Print Pattern & Weathered backgrounds (soon to be retired...sob)
Card stock: Blue Bayou, Ruby Red, Old Olive & Very Vanilla
Ink: Black Stazon, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive & various to water color.
Accessories: Photo corner and circle punches, Vintage brads, Pewter Jumbo Eyelets, Blue Bayou Double stitched and Artichoke grosgrain ribbons.

Hope your day is a good one!

I thought & I thought....

...and then I forgot! Doesn't it look like this poor little puppy could be thinking this? I needed a belated birthday card for one of my nephews and I thought this adorable image would be perfect. Plus...I just LOVE this little puppy so I'll find any excuse to use him.

I really like this color combo for a masculine card...Bravo Burgundy, Always Artichoke & Creamy Caramel. The green in the ribbon is a bit off but the other two stripes are dead on color matches. Not sure where I got the ribbon, but everything else is SU!.

My nephew probably won't pay much attention to the card, but I'm sure he'll like what's in it. ;-)

Looks like I gloomy day here today...rain will soon be on it's way. Maybe it will pass through quickly and clear up later so I can get outside and do a little planting. If not...guess I'll have to stay inside and do some stamping...er, I mean cleaning! Have a good one!

For Brother

Here's a card made with the For Father set, but it's for my brother...not my Dad. I'm such a rebel! hehehe Actually, when I first saw this set I thought of my brother and his favorite dog who was a chocolate lab. So I'm sure he will like this card I made him for his birthday.

I used a bit of Artichoke Prints paper, but the striped paper looked a little too new and perfect. So to age it a bit and make it blend better with the other colors used, I stamped it with the Sanded background inked in Chocolate Chip just like I did on the other layers. Then I sponged the edges with some Old Olive ink. With that little extra detail, the once perfect stripe now looks aged just like the rest of the paper. I did get the background a little heavier over the main image than I would have liked...even though I used Close To Cocoa for that part, but I still like the over all look.

I stamped the words "my brother" on the twill tape using Every Day Flexible Phrases. The Happy Birthday sentiments bordering the image came from Big Bold Birthday & Birthday Whimsy.

At this time tomorrow I will be on a plane heading to sunny Florida! I won't be doing any blogging while I'm gone, but I'm sure I'll have things to share when I return. Have a great week!

Pretty Puppy

I wanted to make a feminine card using this set since all of my other creations using the images from the new For Father set have been masculine. I think it turned out pretty cute! I used the color scheme from the Berry Bliss papers as my color inspiration. (I just love those papers!) Don't you just want a pair of these pink boots now?

The word "Thanks" is from the Make it Count hostess set. I've had that set since my first big catalog order in January, but wasn't sure if I should mount it the way I was considering mounting it or just leave it the way it was. If you're not familiar with the set, each word has a {bracket on the left side of the word. I wasn't too sure I liked having just the one { as much as I would have liked having one on {either side} of each word. So I finally decided and separated the { from each word and mounted it on the side of the block. I think it makes this set a lot more versatile, and I'm glad I did it. I'll try to take a photo of how I mounted it and add it later so you can see what I mean.
Edited to add photo ~ I finally had a chance to take a photo of this set. Just so you know that there is definitely room to trim off the { on each stamp and mount it on the side. I mounted the rubber on the right side of the block so that I could still easily use my stamp-a-ma-jig with the set if I choose to. Also, instead of centering each word, I mounted them on the left edge so it is easier to see where I'm stamping.


The girls loved the cards we made using this set at my card class yesterday. I know I enjoyed my afternoon of stamping, snacking and girl talk with you! Thanks for signing up for my class ladies! You guys made my day yesterday!



Today Denise made my day for passing on the "You make my day award!" That was so sweet! You need to check out her blog...she always has great projects, plus...she started another blog called Lovin' Stampin' Up! which lists tons of other awesome Stampin' Up! only blogs. Also making my day was Laurie at Tip Junkie for show casing an altered notebook I made on her blog along with many other beautiful altered journals and notebooks. Thanks Laurie! I am also passing on this award to everyone who stops by here regularly and takes the time to leave me a comment...especially my friend Cheri who has always taken the time to leave me comments of encouragement from the very beginning...I used to joke saying I think she was my only reader. She doesn't have a blog, but I still wanted to pass this award onto her anyways...because she's one of the nicest people I know and she always makes my day!

Have a wonderful day!

How do ya like them apples?

I told you I've been having fun coloring the images from the new For Father set! I spent all my stamping time the other day just coloring a bunch of different images. Now I have a bunch of things I need to put together. For me that is the hardest part. Sometimes it seems to take me forever...moving around the different elements and deciding which embellishments to use. Luckily this one came together easily.

Like yesterdays card, this one also uses the Weathered background. The greeting is from the Love & Happiness SAB rub-on pack. It was so easy to add it to the twill tape and I think it's a great look.

Stamps: For Father, Weathered
Card stock: Runby Red, Blue Bayou, Kraft & Very Vanilla
Ink: Black Stazon, Close to Cocoa, various others to water color
Accessories: Antique Brass HPH, Twill Tape, Photo Corner punch, Aqua painter, Rub-ons

Thanks for stopping by...have a good one!