Botanical Bliss Easel Card

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day! I made an easel card for my Mom using a favorite photo from last Mother's Day.

I used some favorite retiring products to create this card...Botanical Builder Framelits for the flowers and Stylish Stems Framelits for the leaves.

The butterflies are from the much used Papillon Potpourri stamp set and coordinating Bitty Butterfly Punch. I stamped in Rich Razzleberry on Whisper White and used Clear Wink of Stella pen to add some shimmer. Blooms & Bliss DSP was embossed with the Hexagons Dynamic Embossing Folder for the base. I'm happy to see that this awesome EF will be available in the upcoming Annual Catalog.

I used the Thoughtful Banners stamp set for the greeting and the Stitched Shapes and Layering Ovals Framelits to cut and layer the greeting. Sweet Sugarplum Ruched Ribbon and lots of Basic Rhinestones were used to embellish.

I shared a 2 page scrapbook layout using some of the same products here. Have a beautiful day!

Papillon Potpourri Serene Spring

HAPPY EASTER! This morning I have an Easter card that I created for my grand daughter's 1st Easter. The adorable baby bunny in a basket image from the retired hostess set Serene Spring has long been a favorite of mine and I thought it was the perfect choice for a baby's first Easter card.

I stamped the image in Basic Black ink, but first masked off the little bird that sits on the basket handle because I wanted to use a butterfly from one of my favorite retiring sets instead. I've used the Papillon Potpourri set so often since it first came out. I just

love it! Especially for accents on cards. I'm sure you already have it...but if not, you need to add it to your collection before it retires!

I watercolored the image using my Aqua Painter and these inks: Blushing Bride, Rich Razzleberry, Sweet Sugarplum, Soft Sky, Mint Macaron & Tip Top Taupe. The last two inks listed are part of the In Color collection that is retiring this time around. Here's a closer look at the sweet bunny.

The flower and butterfly were both painted with Clear Wink of Stella for some sparkle. The DSP used here is from the Blooms & Bliss pack. The cute Lace Doily under the image and the Ruched Sweet Sugarplum Ribbon are also retiring...so be quick like a bunny and get yours before they're gone! Here are a few of my favorite past creations using the retiring Papillon Potpourri set where the beautiful butterflies were the main focus:

Easy Watercolor Background Papillon Potpourri Card

Hello In Colors Card

Butterfly Bookmark Pocket Card

Have a wonderful Easter Sunday!

Sayonara Serene Silhouettes

Serene Silhouettes...another favorite that is soon to be retired. We used it at my Retiring Favorites Class last week to create this card along with the beautiful retiring In Colors.

Swipe each of the five In Color Markers across a clear block and mist with water to create the background. Then just stamp your image with Black Stazon after it's dried. I shared this free tutorial a while back if you want more info.

The sentiment is from Petite Pairs...I use that set a lot, but it is retiring as well. A pretty bow tied with White Seam Binding Ribbon finishes off the card. I'm sad to see all the Seam Binding Ribbon retiring...it is so soft and easy to work with. The stamped Whisper White layer is adhered to a Blackberry Bliss base...which is my absolute favorite retiring In Color.

For this next card, I swapped the Seam Binding Ribbon for Gold Sequin Trim and stepped up the card a bit with a few extra details...

Dazzling Details in Gold Glitz to be exact! I used it on the flowers and the added butterfly from Papillon Potpourri. 

The third card uses retired Blackberry Bliss Striped Satin Ribbon and some Basic Rhinestone Jewels.

The "HELLO" sentiment is from the Crazy About You stamp set...that one will be sticking around for a while longer. Here's a look at all three of the cards...

Which one do you like best?

Wild About Flowers Trio

Last week I shared a couple cards using the Wild About Flowers stamp set. Today I have a third card I made to create this trio of cards.

All three cards use the same stamp sets...in addition to Wild About Flowers, Papillion Potpourri and Hardwood background are also used. The background panel for each uses Sahara Sand cardstock, but a different embossing folder for each card. As you can see, different colors of ink and framelits were used to create the main stamped piece, yet I matted them all in the same color...Soft Sky.

Using the same colors and the same stamps sets help to make this a coordinated set, yet using different embellishments, colors and shapes makes this set more interesting and versatile.

For more info on the first card see this post and for more info on the second card see this post.

Thanks for visiting today!

Blackberry Wild About Flowers Congrats

Today I have another card to share using the Wild About Flowers and Papillon Potpourri stamp sets.

I used the same basic supplies as the card I shared in my last post, but made a few changes...the color of ink for the flowers, the embossing folder and ribbon.

In this case, the colors I used for the flowers are Wisteria Wonder along with Blackberry Bliss. I inked the whole stamp with the lighter color, and then used a Sponge Dauber to add the darker color. I used the same method to ink the leaves. The colors I used are Wild Wasabi and Mossy Meadow. While I had everything out, I also added a stamped flower on the inside of my card and onto the envelope as well.

The small butterfly from the Papillon Potpourri stamp set and each of the flowers were colored using the Clear Wink of Stella Brush. I tried to capture this in my photo without much luck...but trust me, in real life its nice and sparkly!

Thank you for visiting today!

Watermelon Wildflowers

One of my favorite floral sets has got to be Wild About Flowers. I love that the stems and buds are separate stamps...and photopolymer so that it is super easy to ink in the appropriate colors and line up.

In this case, the colors I used for the flowers are Blushing Bride along with Watermelon Wonder. I inked the whole stamp with the lighter color, and then used a Sponge Dauber to add the darker color. I used the same method to ink the leaves. The colors I used are Wild Wasabi and Cucumber Crush. While I had everything out, I also added a stamped flower to the inside of my card and to an envelope as well.

I used the Hardwood stamp inked in Sahara Sand to lightly stamp over my floral scene. After layering the stamped diecut onto the next larger Soft Sky diecut using Lots of Labels Framelits, I pierced around the outside for extra interest.

The small butterfly from the Papillon Potpourri stamp set and each of the flowers were colored using the Clear Wink of Stella Brush. I also used Dazzling Details on the center of each flower. I tried to capture this in my photo without much luck...but trust me, in real life its nice and sparkly!

Thank you for visiting today!

Wild About Flowers Trio

This set of cards created using the Wild About Flowers stamp set would be perfect for any occasion. I changed up the look simply by changing the background stamp and the color of the main panel.

The flowers and leaves on all three cards use the same color of inks: Tangerine Tango, Blackberry Bliss, Wild Wasabi and Mossy Meadow. I created the card in the center first and actually shared it a while back in this post. I used that card for my inspiration when I needed some cards with more of an autumn feel to them.

I swapped out the Hardwood background used on my first card and used the crosshatch texture stamp from the You've Got This stamp set inked in Sahara Sand in it's place.

I love Blackberry Bliss paired up with Sahara Sand. It also looks good here with Tangerine Tango.

Thanks for stopping by.

Butterfly Bookmark Pocket Card

It's a card! It's a bookmark! It's...a bookmark pocket card! Sorry...not enough coffee yet this morning to come up with a more creative name! Anyways, here it is...

I started with the very versatile set, Work of Art to create the colorful, watercolor look background on the Whisper White bookmark. Then I stamped the butterflies from Papillon Potpourri and filled in the blank space with the swirl from Everything Eleanor. Last, I used a splatter image from Gorgeous Grunge.

Since there is so much color and detail on the bookmark, I opted to go with a solid color (Coastal Cabana) for the main panel of the card and just add some texture using a couple favorite embossing folders...Decorative Dots & Zig Zag. I positioned the butterflies on the base of the card to line up with the bookmark when it was inserted in the pocket. Here's a closer look at the bookmark...

After stamping, I laminated it using my Xyron machine and added the large eyelet and some pretty fibers I had on hand. The colors of the fibers coordinate surprisingly well with the colors of ink I used...which was a happy coincidence because I didn't plan it that way. Here's a look at the back...

The quote used here is from a favorite retired hostess set called The Art of Life.

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

Summery Butterflies

In honor of these last few days of August, I created this card that feels like summer...

From the color combo of Strawberry Slush, Daffodil Delight & Coastal Cabana mixed with Basic Black & Whisper White to the butterflies from the Papillon Potpourri stamp set it reminds me of carefree summer day watching the pretty butterflies fluttering around the garden.

Summer sure went by too quickly...enjoy the long holiday weekend!

Colorful Corner Garden

I'm back today to share another card created with a brand new stamp set from the new catalog! This is a beautiful, background sized stamp called Corner Garden.

Aren't these flowers pretty? It's a lot of fun coloring them with the Blendabilities! After coloring all I did was add a little detail with some score lines created along the opposite corner of the floral design using my Simply Scored Scoring Tool and a butterfly punched out using the Papillion Potpourri set.

Have a great weekend!

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. 

Everything Eleanor Birthday

This card uses the technique emboss resist to achieve a really pretty background. The final result looks kind of like batik or tie dyed fabric.

I started with a piece of watercolor paper and stamped the swirl image from Everything Eleanor in VersaMark and then embossed it in Clear Embossing Powder. Then, spritz the paper with water and proceed to sponge on several different colors. Depending how much water used, the colors will start to softly flow and blend together. I used these four colors:

• Pear Pizzazz
• Coastal Cabana
• Strawberry Slush
• Calypso Coral

Tip: certain colors do not look good when blended or mixed together. The Pear Pizzazz for instance looks great blended with the Coastal Cabana, but if mixed with the other two colors would appear brownish & muddy. I made sure to sponge the CC next to the PP and not the other colors. 

Continue to sponge on color and spritz on more water to get the desired effect. Keep some paper towels handy to blot up any extra water and to also wipe up extra ink off the embossed areas when finished. After I was finished sponging on my color, and then wiping down the embossed areas,  I heat set it with my Heat Tool to help dry the paper. Then I added a few of the smallest flowers from Everything Eleanor inked in Coastal Cabana. 

I couple pieces of scrap sponged with the same colors, stamped with a couple of the butterflies from Papillon Potpourri and punched out with their coordinating punches finishes off the card. I was inspired by this very pretty card and video by Cindy.  

Have you checked out this weeks Weekly Deals yet? If you don't have the Secret Garden Framelits yet...I highly recommend them! 

Thanks for visiting today!

Box of Petite Petals

I've been seeing those cute card in a box cards all over Pinterest recently and have been wanting to try one. (I ended up making two!) I love that there is so much dimension to them and then they easily fold flat for mailing.

I used an assortment of stamp sets and punches...

• Flower Shop Clear-mount Stamp Set [130942]
• Pansy Punch [130698]
• Petite Petals [clear] [133155]
• Petite Petals Punch [133322]
• Banner Blast Wood-Mount Stamp Set [133551]
• Punch Pack [118309]
• Papillon Potpourri Clear-Mount Stamp Set [123759]
• Elegant Butterfly Punch [127526]
• Bitty Butterfly Punch [129406]
• Bird Punch [117191]
• Secret Garden Framelits Dies [129372]

I used the same colors for both of these cards, but just by changing the base color and pattern of DSP for bottom panel, it has a real different look.


Ink

• Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad [126983]
• Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad [126944]
• Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad [131175]
• Island Indigo Classic Stampin' Pad [126986]

Card Stock

• Calypso Coral 8-1/2 X 11 Card Stock [122925]
• Gumball Green 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [126840]
• Pistachio Pudding 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131294]
• Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730]
• Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper [132994]

The hardest part for me was trying to get all these small pieces arranged on the little brackets inside the box...it was quite tedious and a little challenging to keep the little parts in the proper size limits so that when it's folded it will still fit inside the envelope. Here's a view down inside the box.

Here's what it looks like closed up and ready to slip into the envelope. (it folds totally flat, but starts to pop up when you let go...as shown here)

I've seen these done in large variety of sizes...and you could make your own envelope using the Punch Board, but I chose to do mine to fit into a standard card sized envelope. So that means you start with an 8- 1/2 x 5- 1/2" base like any other card. I found very helpful directions to create the base shared by Gwen on her blog, Create With Gwen.

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