A Fall Anniversary Card

For this card, I used a layout based on one used in a Gina K YouTube video. 

I used the following:

• Various Distress Inks 
• Gina K Designs - Bodacious Bloom Stencil
• Gina K Designs - Foliage Fillers Die
• Gina K Designs - Fresh Asparagus, White Pigment Inks
• Gina K Designs - Master Layouts 2
• Clearly Besotted - Tiny Type Stamp set
• Stampendous - Detail White Embossing Powder
• Honey Bee - Banner Builder Dies

To make the card, I did some ink smooching using Distress Inks on watercolor paper, using a variety of fall colors.  Once the panel was dry, I cut the leaves from the panel using Foliage Fillers.  A piece of white paper was cut using Master Layouts 2 (along with the black mat). In the center of the white panel, a portion of the background part of the stencil was inked using Fresh Asparagus Ink and a blender brush.  The leaves were then added on top of this inked area.  The sentiment was stamped on black paper using white pigment ink.  Embossing powder was added and heat set.  The sentiment was then cut using the banner builder dies and added to the white panel using foam tape.  The panel was then added to the black mat, and the entire piece added to the card base to complete the card.

Happy Anniversary Butterflies

Here is a cheerful summer anniversary card:

For this card is used:

• Gina K Designs - Never Lose Hope, Summer Silhouettes stamp sets
• Gina K Designs - Black Onyx Ink
• Distress Ink - Lucky Clover, Mermaid Lagoon, Blueprint Sketch
• Masking Paper

To make the card, I first masked the top and bottom portions of a piece of white cardstock.  Then using blender brushes, I added the distress ink. The masking paper was removed, and the butterflies were stamped.   The sentiment was added.  The image was matted with a piece of black cardstock and the entire piece added to the card base to complete the card.

Combining Blue Knight Rubber Stamps sets and creating backgrounds

I decided to create backgrounds for a Blue Knight Rubber Stamp - Seasonal Woodland.  For one card, I used Distress Inks, for the other Pan Pastels.  I definitely liked creating the background with Pan Pastels better, I was able to work with them and until I got the look I liked.  I liked the  Distress Ink background but it was harder to add and move the color.

I also decided that just the Seasonal Woodland stamp wasn't enough!  So I added the Horse and Sleigh stamp.  Here are the cards I made (the Pan Pastel background is the lighter one):

 

I used the following for the cards:

• A variety of Pan Pastels or a variety of Distess Inks
• Blue Knight Rubber Stamps - Horse and Sleigh stamp set
• Blue Knight Rubber Stamps - Seasonal Woodland stamp set
• White Gel pen
• VersaFine Onyx Black Ink
• VersaMark
• Stampendous Detail White Embossing Powder
• Gina K - Sentimental Holiday Stamp Set
• Gina K - Master Layouts 1

To make the cards, I created the sky background for one card using Pan Pastels and for the other Distress Ink.  I then stamped the Seasonal Woodland Stamp with VersaFine Onyx Black ink.  The image was then cut with the Gina K Master Layouts 1 die (and the associated black mat was cut).  The Horse and Sleigh was then added to the cards using the VersaFine Onyx Black Ink.  The grassy area was then colored.  I used a white gel pen to add a bit of fallen snow. The sentiment was stamped with VersaMark, embossing powder added and heat set.  The image was then matted with black and added to the card base to complete the cards.

Sailboat Window View

 I gave this card to my Husband for Father's Day, but it could be used for a Birthday card as well.  

For the card, I used:

• Gina K - By the Sea 2
• Simon Says Stamp - Waves Stencil
• Distress Ink - Stormy Sky, Tumbled Glass, Mermaid Lagoon, Squeezed Lemonade
• Memory Box - Grand Madison Arched Window
• Acetate
• Prismacolor Colored Pencils

To make the card. I cut the window twice, once from a wood grained brown card stock, and once from a wood grained yellow card stock.  I then pieced the brown window frame into the yellow paper, and attached it using a little bit of tape.  Acetate was added to the window. Using the stencil and the blue distress inks, the water was created on a piece of white card stock.  I then created the sun with a blending brush.  The sailboat was stamped on white card stock, and colored with colored pencils.  It was fussy cut and added to the background piece. Foam tape was used to attach the background to the window.  This was then added to the card base to complete the card.

Challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge  - Lazy Days Of Summer

Love card

I really like the flowers from Gina K Designs Watercolor Flowers stamp set.  I used two of the flowers to make this card.   

I used the following to make this card:

• Gina K - Watercolor Flower Stamp set and dies
• Gina K - Master Layouts 4, Small and Large circle dies
• Gina K - Lucky Clover, Wild Dandelion, Tangerine Twist, Red Hot Ink
• Gina K - Angel Aura Rhinestones
• Distress Ink - Broken China
• Picket Fence Studio - Floral Damask Stencil
• Cricut - Love (Home Accents)

To make the card, I stamped the flowers and stems from the Watercolor Flowers stamp set onto white card stock.  These were then cut with the associated dies.  The circles were cut from white and blue cardstock using the Small and Large circle dies.  The background was created using the Floral Damask stencil and the distress ink.  This was then cut using the scalloped rectangle from Master Layouts 4. Using foam tape the background was attached to the card base.  The flowers were arranged on the circle and attached.  The white circle and blue circle were attached together and added to the background.  Something was still needed, so I cut the love sentiment using my Cricut and attached it to the card.  I felt that something was STILL missing, so the Rhinestones were added. I decided to stop at that point and call the card complete!

Hands of Love Birthday Card

 This was a fun card to make.  I've had the stencil for a while, and wanted to use it.  The hand stamps fit so perfect that they had to be used as well.  It was then just finding a sentiment that would fit into the hands.

I used the following for the card:

• Gina K - Master Layouts 2
• Gina K - Hands of Love Stamp set
• Gina K - Black Onyx Amalgam Ink
• MFT - Delicious Birthday Stamp set
• Tim Holtz - Rays Stencil
• Distress Ink - Dried Marigold, Ripe Persimmon, Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed, Wild Honey

To make the card, I placed the stencil on my paper and using my blending brushes added the distress ink from lightest to darkest.  The image was then cut using the Master Layouts dies (along with the black mat).  I then stamped the hands and sentiment using the Onyx ink.  Everything was then attached to the card base to complete the card.

My version of a Cathy Zielske Card.

When I saw this card on Cathy Zielske's blog, I knew I needed to recreate it.  I like Cathy's style, and this was a card that really caught my attention.  Here is my version of the card:

To make the card, I used:

• Various colors of Distress Ink
• Taylored Expressions - Ray Of Sunshine die
• Watercolor Paper
• Recollections - Foam Squares
• The Sentiment was from an old set.

The Distress Ink was used like a watercolor and added to the watercolor paper.  This was then cut with the die.  I made sure that the pieces stayed in the die and purple tape was added to the back to keep everything in place when it was removed from the die.  I then used Glad Press n' Seal to hold all of the pieces in place from the front, and the purple tape removed.  Foam Squares were added to all of the pieces and the entire thing was added to an A2 size card base.  The frame was then removed leaving the rays in place.  The sentiment was added to complete the card.

Snowman Christmas Card

When I made Christmas cards last year, I had a lot of extra parts.  I decided to use some of them this year.  This is one of the cards made with the leftovers (the snowman and the background).  Making this card was easy, since the hardest parts were done last year!

I used the following to make the card:

• Tim Holtz - Holiday Knits Stamp
• Distress Oxide Ink - Lucky Clover and Cracked Pistachio
• Zing - Clear Embossing Power
• Versmark
• Stampendous - Detail White Embossing Powder
• Copic Markers
• Gina K - Snowone Like You Stamp Set
• Lawn Fawn - Merry Messages Stamp Set

To make the card,  I stamped the background image with Versamark, added the clear embossing powder and heat set it.  The two green Distress Oxide inks were then added with the lighter color at the top of the panel, blending to the darker color.  The snowman was stamped and colored with various Copic markers, and then cut out with a circle die.  The background panel and snowman were both matted with green card stock.  The sentiment was stamped with Versmark, white embossing added and heat set.  The strip was cut to size and added to the panel along with the snowman to complete the card. 

MFT Beach Day Birthday Card

A bit of a story behind this card.  My daughter-in-law loves pigs.  When she heard that you can swim with the pigs in Exuma, Bahamas they went! Well, she got bit by one of the pigs ... nothing serious - more of just a bruise.  So I just had to make this card for her for her birthday!

(and the red mark on her leg is not an ink blot!  Its to symbolize where the pig bit!)

I used the following for the card:

• MFT Beach Day Stamp set
• Prickley Pear - Pig stamp
• Simon Says Stamp Wave Stencil
• Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass, Broken China
• Various Copic Markers
• MFT Handwritten Happiness Stamp set
• Ranger Caribbean Coast Ink

To make the card, I used the Wave Stencil and sponged the Broken China ink over it.  After removing the stencil, I sponged Tumbled Glass over the entire area.  The Pig was then stamped (I needed to learn how to reverse the image!), and masked.  The Girl was then added.  Both were colored with carious Copic markers.  The sand and Sky were then added with Copic Markers.  The sentiment was added last.  The entire panel was matted and added to the card base to complete the card.

MFT Recipe for Happiness Birthday Card

I have a co-worker who loves to cook.  We have been fortunate to have some of his creations!  I thought that this card would be perfect for his birthday.

I used the following for the card:

• MFT Recipe for Happiness Stamps and Dies
• MFT Hybrid Black Ink
• MFT Small Brick Background Stamp
• Distress Ink - Fired Brick
• Versamark
• Stampendous Detailed White Embossing Powder
• Various Copic Markers
• Lawn Fawn Scripty Sayings stamp set

To make the card, I stamped all of the Recipe for Happiness stamps with the MFT Hybrid Black Ink.  These were then colored with Copic Markers, and then cut with the matching dies.  For the background, the Small Brick background stamp was inked with Fired Brick ink and stamped on watercolor paper.  I then sponged the whole area with the same ink.  Water was spritzed on the panel to add texture.  The images were added to the panel.  The sentiment stamped with Versamark, and white embossing powder added and heat set.  The entire panel was added to the card base to complete the card.

Out of this world Brithday Card

A while back, I saw a similar card on the Altenew YouTube channel (see it here).  While I don't have the same stamps or dies, it was a chance for me to try the techniques shown in the view, using what I have on hand.

I used the following to make the card:

• Distress Ink: Chipped Sapphire, Black Soot, Seedless Preserves
• A variety of dye inks
• Simon Says Stamp - Lots of Dots
• A wood grained stamp
• Hero Arts Infinity Circle dies
• Versamark
• Stampendous Detail White Embossing Power

To make the card, I used one of the larger dot stamps, inked it with one of the colors of ink, then stamped it off a bit on a wood grained stamp.  This was then stamped on white card stock.  I made several of these circles.  These were then die cut using a variety of sizes of the circle dies.  The galaxy background was made by blending the Distress Inks on white card stock, and then adding several spritzes of water.  The planets were then added to the background, and the sentiment added to complete the card.

Styled Woodland Christmas Cards

I took a class a few years ago, where we made a card similar to this one, since I had the stamps and stencil, I decided to make a few of these for Christmas this year.

I used the following to make the card:

• Tim Holtz Holiday Knit Stencil
• Tim Holtz Styled Woodlands Stamp set
• Various Distress Markers
• Distress Ink - Tea Dye
• Ribbon

To make the card, I colored one of the wreath stamps with the Distress Markers.  The stamp was then spritzed with water, and stamped on a piece of watercolor paper.  The stencil was then placed over the image and distress ink added.  The sentiment was added to the middle of the wreath. The panel was then cut to size, ribbon added and added to the card base to complete the card.

Technique Junkies - Tropics

This stamp from Technique Junkies reminded me of our many cruises to the Caribbean, so I had to get it!  Here is the card I made with it:

I used the following to make the card:

• Technique Junkies - The Tropics (S150)
• Versafine Black Onyx Ink
• Zing Clear Embossing Powder
• Various Distress Inks

This was a very easy card to make!  The images was stamped with Versafine Black Onyx ink, and then covered with clear embossing powder and heat set.  I then used various colors of Distress Inks to color the sky, water and beach.  The image was then matted, and added to a card base to complete the card.  

Art Impressions Watercolor Mothers Day Card.

Here is a card I made with Art Impressions Watercolor Stamps.  I plan on using this one for a Mothers Day card.

I used the following to make the card:

• Art Impressions Watercolor stamps: WC Containers, Flower Set #4052, Foliage Set #051
• Distress Markers Picked Raspberry, Pine Needles, Ripe Persimmon, Gathered Twigs, Wilted Violet, Hickory Smoke
• My Favorite Things Watercolor wash paper
• Spellbinders Classic Ovals
• Lawn Fawndementals Fake Tan
• Close To My Heart Just to Say

To make the cards, I colored the stamps with the Distress Markers, then stamped the images. Water was then added to give a water colored image.  The image was then cut with an oval die.  A piece of the Watercolor Wash paper was cut to slightly smalled than the card base.  The sentiment was then added, using one of the stamps form the Just to Say stamped set, using the Lawn Fawndementals Ink. Ribbon was added.  This was then added to the card base.  The image was then added, using pop dots.  A bow was added to complete the card.

This card was entered in the Art Impressions "Let's Watercolor" Challenge

Witchy Halloween

Here is one of the cards I made for Halloween.  Somehow its become a tradition for the Grand-kids to get a card to celebrate Halloween.

For this card I used:

• Witch Stamp 
• Versafine Black Onyx Ink
• Zing Clear Embossing Powder
• Spellbinders Circle Dies
• Distress Ink - Black Soot, Old Paper, Pumice Stone
• Recollections Halloween Paper
• Recollections Halloween Sayings Stamp Set

To make the card, I stamped the witch on white card stock with the Versafine ink.  I then covered the image with the clear embossing powder and heat set.  I used a Spellbinders circle dies to cut the moon behind the witch.  I used the distress ink on the moon.  The background was made using three coordinating Halloween papers.  The witch image was then added along with the sentiment to complete the card.

Lawn Fawn Baked With Love Card

A co-worker make me a very nice home made lunch for my birthday this year.  This is the thank you card I made for her.

I used the following to make the card:

Lawn Fawn - Baked with Love Stamps and dies
Various Copic Markers
Distress Ink - Tea Dye
Versamark
Zing Clear Embossing Powder
My Favorite Things - Stencil Stripes
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

To make the card, I stamped the images with Memento ink, and then colored them with Copic Markers.  The images were then cut using the dies.  For the counter top, I sponged an area using Tea Dye Distress Ink.  I stamped through the Stripes stencil with Versamark, and then added clear embossing powder and heat set.  The images were then added.  The panel was them matted and added to the card base to complete the card.

Fathers Day Cards

Fathers day snuck up on me this year, and I needed to make some quick cards!  I decided to use a technique I previously used, and based on one I saw on a Jennifer McGuire blog post.  You can see my original cards here.  Unfortunately, I mailed most before I took a picture.

To make the card I used:

• Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass, Broken China Peacock Feathers
• Perfect Pearls - Perfect Pearl
• We are Memory Keepers Next Level Embossing Folders - Geometric
• CTMH Framed Stamp of the Month Stamp set
• Versfine Black Onyx Ink
• Zing Clear Embossing Powder

To make the card:

1. Mask the edges of 4.25  x 5.5 of white card stock (I used Neenah Solar White 80lb).  
2. In the center area, starting with the lightest color, I sponged on the distress ink, then added the darker color blending well.
3. Perfect pearls was then added on top of the distress ink.
4. The masking tape was removed, and the card stock trimmed slightly.
5. I then stamped the sentiment with the Black Versfine ink in the center of the distress ink area. Clear embossing powder was added and heat set.
6. The piece was then embossed using the embossing folder and added to the card base

Faux Hand Painting

Well, its Day 7 of the Watercolor for Card Makers (at Online Card Classes) Faux Hand Painting. I find myself really stretching myself.  I'm also finding it harder to find stamps that will work with some of these techniques!  (It may be time to order some more stamps!)

So far, I have only completed one of the techniques for Day 7.  Here is the card that I made using one of the Faux Hand Painting Techniques:

I used the following to make the card:

• Close to My Heart Floral Happiness Stamp Set
• Distress Ink: Worn Lipstick, Bard Door, Fired Brick, Crushed Olive, Forest Moss
• Memento Ink Angel Pink
• Versamark
• Stampendous Detailed Gold Embossing Powder
• Close to My Heart Framed Stamp of the Month Stamp Set

Water coloring Stamped Images (Day2)

Day 6 of the Watercolor for Card Makers (at Online Card Classes) was water coloring Stamped images. 

Here are my versions of the cards from Day 6 of the class.  I won't go into specific of how the cards were made (for this you should take the class), but will provide the supplies I used. Here are the 3 cards I made using the techniques from the class.

Card 1:

 Card 2:

 Card 3:

For Card 1 (One of my favorites!) I used the following:

• Versafine Black Onyx Ink
• Zing Clear Embossing Powder
• Penny Black Blooming Garden Stamp Set
• Distress Ink: Wild Honey, Tumbled Glass, Squeezed Lemonade, Dried Marigold, Worn Lipstick, Mowed Lawn
• Close to My Heart A Little Note Occasions Stamp Set
• Spellbinders Square Dies

For Card 2 I used the following:

• Simon Says Birthday Celebration
• Versafine Black Onyx Ink
• Kuretake Water Colors: 10, 20, 34, 63, 54, 58, 139, 43
• Close to My Heart Joyful Birthday Occasions Stamp Set

For Card 3, (this one has a lot of sparkle and shine, since I used perfect pearls in the water used), I used the following:

• WPlus9 Flora & Fauna 2 Stamp Set
• Versmark
• Stampendous Detailed White Embossing Powder
• Distress Ink: Weathered Wood, Shaded Lilac, Squeezed Lemonade, Spiced Marmalade, Candied Apple, Salty Ocean
• Perfect Pearls
• Close to My Heart Just to Say Stamp Set

Bird Crazy Anniversary Card

Here is a card I made for my husband for our Anniversary.  Unlike most of my cards, this on is 5.25 x 6.5.  I needed the extra space for both birds.

I used the following to make the card:

• Tim Holtz Bird Crazy Stamps and Dies
• Tim Holtz Crazy Things Stamps and Dies
• Copic Markers:  E50, E53, E57, E59, Y11, Y13, Y15, YR16, YR18, YG63, R20, R21, R24, R29, R59, R81, R83, R85, B0000, B95, B97, C3, C5
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• Lawn Fawndementials Mermaid
• Seaside Stampin' Ink Cloud Stamp
• Distress Ink - Lowed Lawn
• Lawn Fawn Scripty Sayings Stamp Set
• Taylored Expressions Many Mini Occasions Stamp Set

To make the card, I stamped the birds with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink,  I also stamped the accessories that I would be using.  The birds and the accessories were then colored with the various Copic Markers.  I then cut out the birds and accessories using the dies.

The grass on the card base was colored with Mowed Lawn, and the sky was stamped with a Cloud stamp and Mermaid ink.  The Birds and accessories were added, a bit of shadow added under the birds, and the the sentiments added to complete the card.