Blue Blossoms

My box of new SU! goodies arrived the other day and also helped jump start my mojo a bit.  I had impulsively purchased "Easter Blossoms" from the Mini, having fallen in love with the sweet silhouette of the little girl.  Unfortunately, I wasn't sure what I was going to do with her...

I also rather impulsively picked up a pack of "Springtime Vintage" DSP--I have NO idea what possessed me, as "vintage" is not something I'm very good at--and it seemed to be made to go with the dancing sweetpea.  I loved the tiny little blossoms on the blue and determined that was the paper I was going to work with. 

From there, it all seemed to fall into place.  (I assure you, even though it looks as if the image has been mounted crooked, it is in fact straigt IRL.)  The only other hurdle I had to cross was the vast emptiness of white space in the background--it just seemed too bright somehow.  I picked up the apple blossom branch and stamping off, used Baja Breeze in the background. 

I think she's pretty sweet and can't wait to play with her a little more. :o)

This card uses:
Stamp Set: "Easter Blossoms"
Inks: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy
Papers: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla, "Springtime Vintage DSP"
Accessories: dimensionals, Victoria lace

I'm not sure to whom I'll be sending the card, but I know it will be someone who likes blue. ;o)

--Rach

A Thank You for Sister Rose

Our girls were baptized two weeks ago, and my dear friend, Sister Rose was such an amazing help that day I wanted to send her a thank you note. 

Alas, I was stymied, I had no idea what to do, how to do it.  I have been out of the studio so long the ideas were stalled and NOTHING was coming to me.  OH NO!  My mojo was gone!

Thank goodness for Jaydee!  She posted her card for this week's Paper Players challenge--a color challenge--and I was immediately struck with inspiration.  :happy sigh:

The challenge was to use Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze, River Rock and Rose Red in a project.  I wanted the Rose Red to be a little "pop" of color to draw interest to the sentiment, so I stamped the sentiment in the Baja Breeze and then had a butterfly from my "Beautiful Wings" embosslit resting on it. 

But, then I worried, maybe the sentiment was lost?  Maybe it needed to have a little more "pop" to it? So, I created this card:

I'm not sure which one I like more.  I'm leaning towards the first one, as it is a bit more subtle, but this one is lovely as well.

I lined the inside of the card and added another butterfly to tie the front and inside together.

This card uses:

Stamp Set: "Short and Sweet"
Paper: Very Vanilla, River Rock, Baja Breeze and Rose Red
Inks: Baja Breeze, Rose Red
Accessories: "Elegant Bouquet" embossing folder, "Beautiful Wings" embosslit

I'm hoping this has now opened the floodgates and I'll be back to stamping once more.  :fingers crossed:

Happy Birthday, Brien

Today is my sweetheart's birthday and I needed a card.  I knew it was going to be tough to get something together today, for you see, Miss Ellie is teething and as such is a wreck of gigantic proportions. 

I was able to pull out a card I had previously made and repurpose it by simply changing out the sentiment.  No, it's not particularly masculine, but it's not too feminine either.  I happen to love this card and this is really a go to set for me because it is so versatile. 

This card uses:

Stamp Sets: "Sincere Salutations", "Inspired By Nature"
Papers: Early Espresso, More Mustard, Garden Green, Whisper White
Inks: Early Espresso, More Mustard, Garden Green
Accessories: hemp twine

One of my goals for this year is to get more time in my studio, so hopefully my poor neglected blog will be up and running once again. :o)

--Rach

Something Sunshine-y

This wonderful, sunny creation was inspired by the fabulous Jaydee.  A while back, she posted this card and I fell in love.  Daffodil Delight paired with Basic Black?  "Medallion" stamp? Sunshine?  Yup, all three things I adore and I was ready to CASE it the moment I saw it.

Alas, I had to get through the piles of Christmas cards and tags that needed making.  Finally, I was finished with all that, and then I couldn't find the time to get in the studio.  Crud. 

Then, Jaydee posted THIS on her blog, and I knew I had to make the time to get in and make the card--not so much for a chance to win the blog candy, but because the cards are going to such a worthy cause. 

Besides, it was a CASE challenge, and goodness knows I've had this card just sitting in the back of my brain for goodness knows how long (since December 8, maybe??) and I was ready to do it.

I sincerely wish I had the "Wishing You a Day Bright With Sunshine" sentiment, and will now be searching for it.  I did the best I could with the sentiments I had available.  (As an aside, anyone else out there think they have plenty of sentiments and then see one they just have to have?) I'm pleased as punch with the results. :o)

I used the Eyelet Border Punch on the inside to mirror the lacy look of the Medallion stamp.

This card uses:
Stamp Sets: "Medallion", PTI's "Signature Greetings"
Papers: Basic Black, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, "Sunny Garden" DSP
Inks: Daffodil Delight, Staz-On Black
Accessories: rhinestones

--Rach

Aaaaand, the Tags are Finished!

I think I'm all done with "Christmas" this year.  :o)  The cards are finished and in the mail.  The tags are completed.  Life is happy.  It's time to get in the studio and begin making some "sunny" cards to brighten up this grey day. ;o)

I made ten of each.  That should be more than enough.  ;o)

I tried to make sure each design had something "special".  The top of the ornament is has been "Smooched" in silver.

 The "Snow" sparkles with millions of "diamonds".

The ornaments on the tree have been "blinged". 

These were just too much fun to make!  Heck, who doesn't enjoy playing with 1.25" grosgrain?  I LOVE that ribbon! :o)

And, here they are in the their temporary home.

These just make me smile. :o)

--Rach

Gift Tags

As I was wrapping gifts the other day, I realized I had no gift tags.  Wait a minute, what?!? I had no gift tags??  How is that even possible?

Obviously that had to be remedied, and I went at once to the studio.  (Okay, maybe not "at once", what with having a Bitty and a Beanie around, but I did eventually get in there...)

I have once more pulled out "Big On Christmas" (I can't seem to get enough of it this year, not to mention it's SO stinkin' easy to work with!) and gone to town.  :o)

I was trying to decide whether to go with the Old Olive or Riding Hood Red on these two.  Riding Hood Red it is. :o)

I'm not finished yet, but getting there.  I'll post them all when they are completed.  :o)

These have used:

Stamp Set: Big on Christmas
Inks: Black Staz-On, Copics in Olive and Cardinal (I have no idea the color number, sorry), Peach Parfait, Basic Black
Paper: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler (OMG I LOVE Cherry Cobbler!)
Accessories: Ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds

I'm getting there, I'm getting there.  :o)

--Rach

They're Done!

All 90 of 'em.  Finished.  I had them completed by midnight Friday evening, having worked on the last three sets from 2-4:30 and again from 8-midnight.  Insides, outsides, upside downs, all finished.  Whew!

(I know the image is a bit hot, there's not much I can do about it.  I MISS my flash!!)

I changed the sentiment on this one at Brien's request--he just liked it better.  Hey, they're our FAMILY cards, so who was I to judge?

Last night, Brien spent some time printing out the envelopes (he found a fun Dashboard widget (for those of you who use Macs) that would print the address and our return addy) and I'll work on these while the girlies nap today. 

Tomorrow begins the great gift tag adventure...

--Rach

And Another Stack is Finished

 Between making lentil soup, three batches of fondant (not the kind that goes on cake, the candy kind), and two loaves of bread, and between teaching and cleaning, I managed to find some time for ME. ;o)

I hit the studio at nap time (both girlies are sick so there is definitely a need for naps) and managed to knock out the snowmen.  Yay!

I tweaked the original just a bit.

Can you see the difference?

I popped the snowman up on dimensionals.  As I was painstakingly coloring and glittering each one (have I mentioned my studio is now coated in Dazzling Diamonds? You're shocked, I'm sure...) it came to me that these guys needed to be lifted off the embossing just a bit.  I'm thrilled with the results. :o)

I use a heavier weight paper when embossing using white.  I LOVE the SU! Whisper White paper for stamping on, but it's rather thin when it comes to embossing. I picked up some heavier stuff from PTI and I've been very pleased with it.

Of the designs I came up with this year, this one is Brien's favorite.  I think the non-traditional colors combined with the striking contrast of the Cherry Cobbler with Basic Black really does it for him.  He's typically a traditional kind of guy, but hey, this is one fun card! :o)

--Rach

One Stack Down...

...4 more to go.  I tackled the most time consuming card yesterday afternoon.  It took me nigh on four hours to do all the coloring and cutting required.  Oh my.  What was I thinking?!?

 It is a pretty good looking card, though.  I guess that's what I was thinking. ;o)

--Rach

Making Progress

No, no cards to post, just an update on the saga of the Christmas cards.  Time sure has gotten away from me this year...

It's funny, now that I'm staying home, I seem to have less time to work in the studio, and less time for myself than I used to.  How is that even possible?!? Hm.

Because I'm so behind on my Christmas cards, I came home from church last night, got things settled in the house and hit the studio.  It took me an hour and a half, but I managed to get ALL my materials cut for the cards. 

 

There are at least 16 of each card.  Sometimes my love of layers really IS a problem...:eye roll: 

I know there are those who would go out of their minds if they had to make more than one or two of the same card, and here I am, making 16 at the minimum, lol! That's one of the things that's so great about stamping and card making, everyone can do that which they like best. 

I'm hoping to get a bit of time in the studio this afternoon or evening after church and get started on these guys.  I'd LOVE to be able to get them in the mail by Monday or Tuesday next week. 

--Rach

Playing with My New Goodies

Okay, so I fibbed.  I had no idea I would have a couple of minutes to play around in the studio before we left Friday.  Heck, who can resist the lure of new goodies?  A better person than I, that's for sure.

Getting out the "Holly Jolly" paper and the copics, I made the card above.  I can't believe how intense the Cherry Cobbler looks in that light.  That does it, I MUST get my bounce flash fixed...

I love the intensity of the copics in that image, as opposed to the one a few posts ago.

And, here, I don't think you can see it,  but I played with the VersaMark Dazzle.  IRL, it gives the tiny snowflakes a hint of shimmer and makes them a bit more visible than with VersaMark alone.

Again, I tried to capture the shimmer.  "Tried" being the optimum word, of course...

These are pretty much facsimiles of cards I've already created so you can find recipe details below.  :o)

--Rach

Hung Up on Christmas

 

When I first began stamping in 2007, it was November, right around Christmas time and I knew I just had to make my own cards.  I was still learning the basics and quite overwhelmed, but gosh darnit, I was going to make it happen. I had figured out that I wouldn't have to color in solid images--which was a good thing as I didn't have any markers yet--and I thought the stamp set "Hung up on the Holidays" was the cutest thing EVER. :o)  

I purchased it, I made some cards, and I let it sit unused for the next two years as I used other "fancier" stamps to make my Christmas cards. What was I thinking?!? This is a darling set!

I don't know about you, but I will lie in bed at night and card ideas will flit through my head.  This one kept coming to me and I got in the studio and had to make it.  Initially, I was unimpressed.  Somehow, it didn't quite meet up to the vision in my head.  Okay, more to the point, it wasn't this card I made.  I initially used Very Vanilla instead of the Whisper White and instead used only the ornaments.  It was a bust.  It was too symmetrical (is there such a thing?), and too yellow. I changed the paper and added the gingerbread man, and was somewhat pleased with the results, but still not sure. 

That led to this card:

After putting it together, I realized I actually liked both cards and will be making them both this year. (Yes, I know the string is a little off from that red ornament, remember, these are just mock-ups.)

In other exciting news, I picked up some VersaMark Dazzle to use on the snowflake cards.  It has a hint of shimmer that it adds to the watermarking.  I also picked up...drum roll please...red and green copics.  Oh my.  Oh my oh my.  I found two colors that are so close to Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler and my plan is to use them on the Noel cards. :o) I still need to play around with them--a LOT--but I'm getting the feel for them, and they're pretty nice. :o)

As for this card, it uses:
Stamp Sets: "Hung up on the Holidays"(retired), PTI's "Signature Christmas"
Papers: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Soft Suede, Whisper White
Inks: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Soft Suede, Brilliance's Starlite Silver

I'll be out of town this weekend, so no stamping for me.  And then, we're having a church retreat from 7-8 Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday--during my typical stamping time--so I don't know if I'll have anything new to post until next Friday.  Maybe Lissie can pick up the slack? ;o)

--Rach

Big On Variations

As I mentioned, I wanted to use my "Big on Christmas" stamp set this year, and did so yesterday with the snowman.  I also decided to pull out the "Noel" stamp and work with it.

My plan is to use my "Holly Jolly" paper when it arrives, so I needed to use a stand-in until then.  I dug into my retired DSPs and used "Dashing".  I LOVED this paper when it was out and enjoyed using it the other night.  I may make a few cards with this paper and color combo, as well as the "Holly Jolly".  In fact, Brien said, "But I like this one!" 

I know the image is stamped crooked, and the coloring is crappy, but remember, this is a mock-up.  I'll do a much better job on my actual cards.

And, since these were mock-ups, I decided to show you another I created when trying to decide which color card base to use:

B said the red was a bit too intense and I agree, although, it's a pretty lovely card as well.  Someone will receive this card. ;o)  Additionally, I'll have to do a couple mock-ups with the "Holly Jolly" and the Cherry Cobbler to decide for certain if I'll use the red or green base.

This card uses:
Stamp Set: "Big on Christmas"
Papers: Real Red, Old Olive, Dashing DSP (retired)
Inks: Black Staz-On, Old Olive, Real Red
Accessories: dimensionals

One more improvement to this card will be to color the top of the ornament.  I've got to purchase a gold metallic ink pen...:sigh:

I played around again last night and should have  card for you for tomorrow as well. :o)

--Rach

Something a Little Non-Tradtional

Alas, my plans to get in the studio last night were thwarted by creating two gifts for the grandparents in our lives.  I'll just have to do it tonight instead. :o)

This is another of the cards I created Monday evening.  I adore Cherry Cobbler, it is so rich and almost decadent feeling.  I knew I wanted to make a card using "Big on Christmas", and I knew I wanted to use Cherry Cobbler.  I decided to pair it with Basic Black, and it all came together. :o)

I love that this one isn't a "traditional" card, and yet, is so visually appealing. I'm not sure if you can see it (maybe enlarge the photo?), but I added Dazzling Diamonds to the S, N, and W. I'm playing around with the idea of cutting out the hat and carrot and making them three dimensional, but I'm not sure if I'm up to all that work on 15+ cards...We'll see how the time works out.

This card uses:

Stamp Set: "Big on Christmas"
Papers: Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Inks: Black Staz-On, and Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Real Red, Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green markers
Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds, Cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder

Now, if only it would snow here...it was almost 70 this morning.  :sigh:

--Rach

I'm Baaaaaaaaaaaaaack! :o)

There really is no excuse I could give about why I have neglected my poor blog for such a long time.  None whatsoever, so I won't even try.  I'm back, the creative juices are flowing, and I'm ready to share once more.  :o)


After tallying more than 75 people/families to whom we will be sending Christmas cards, I came to the conclusion I would go NUTS if I had to make 80 cards of the same design.  Last year I made two different designs and I loved them both.  You can see them here and here.  I absolutely ADORE "Dasher" and keep wondering if I could just work him in somehow again this year.  Hm...

Anyhow, I've decided to go with five or six different designs and I spent last night making mock-ups.  Nine cards later, I had three I liked.  Here's the first:

 

 It is absolutely a CASE of one Jaydee's cards.  I saw hers, fell in love (I have this thing for snowflakes) and went about making it "mine".  Can you see the little snowflakes VersaMarked on in the background? I'm pretty pleased with the results. :o) 

This card uses:

Stamp Sets: "Serene Snowflakes", PTI's "Signature Christmas"

Papers: Bashful Blue, Night of Navy, Whisper White

Inks: Bashful Blue, VersaMark, Night of Navy

Accessories: rhinestones

I'll be back in the studio this evening, playing around with a couple more sets.  I'll have a new card for you tomorrow.  Hooray! :o)

--Rach

Excuses 'R Us

I'm SO sorry I've let you lie here neglected and abandoned, little blog.  There was SUCH enthusiasm when I began you, and now that autumn has arrived, I've lost steam.  More to the point, I've lost precious time.  Because we travel so much in the fall (at least every other weekend), my card making time has been greatly reduced. :sniff sniff: 

I'm so sorry, sweet blog.  With Brien out of town the next two evenings, I'm going to try to do better.  I'm going to pop in some old movies, get the stamping juices flowing and see what I can create.  I'll check out a few challenge sites as well, and see if anything catches my fancy. 

I hope to see you in the morning, my friend.

Sincerely,
Me

Busy, Busy, Busy

It is true that I am mostly retired, that is, I do not have a full-time job or a job to which I must go. However, I do work for a publisher, and, lucky me, I get to work from home. The work is sporadic, though lately, there seems to always be something to do. Mostly, I oversee the development of materials and review them. Recently I received a new title, Director of Special Projects, which basically means I do a wide assortment of things. The company I work for is small—a husband and wife comprise the company—and I cannot express how much I love working with them. Unlike large publishers I’ve worked for, all the work for this company is done with a verbal handshake, and they truly value my opinions. We trust each other and it is a lovely arrangement, one that I hope continues for many years. Just the other day, the husband contacted me to see how much they owe me for my work in September. We both had to think through everything I’ve done for them in the past month. Being able to trust someone 100% as I trust this husband and wife is a great joy. I love the loose arrangement, and I much enjoy the work I do. So, why am I telling you this? Because this week I’ve been up to my ears reviewing a new book, reviewing a revised book, working on a presentation I will give on Saturday, and planning how to proceed with a new project, among other things. As a result, I have no time to stamp. So, I looked through my cards and found one I created last summer when I had lots of time on my hands. To make it, I used these supplies:

• Stamp Set—Simply Said
• DSP—Delicate Dots
• Card Stock—So Saffron, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
• Twill Ribbon—Certainly Celery and So Saffron (layered)
• Ink—Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery
• Nesties—Circle and Scallop

--Lissie

Sparkly Birthday Wishes

When I made Ella's birthday card back in July, I made two (as is typical for me), but instead of keeping one as a model, I made the second for my niece Jocelyn's birthday in September.  When I first saw the "Pony Party" stamp set, I just knew it would be perfect for birthday cards (and "just because" cards) for little girls.  How right I was.  :o)

Because Ella is the child of the original "Pink Bunny", I made the card as pink and sparkly as possible.  It is an easel card so it can be propped up and long admired. ;o)

To create the shades of pink in the mane and tail, I simple got out my blender pen and the Melon Mambo stamp pad.  Then, I layered more color on where I wanted it darker and less where I wanted it lighter. 

Using my two-way glue pen, I added Dazzling Diamonds here and there on the pony/unicorn.  For the glittery images in the background, I used VersaMark and heat and stick powder. 

It really was a fun (if time consuming!) card to make. :o)

This card uses:
Stamp Set: "Pony Party"
Papers: Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White
Inks: Black StazOn, Melon Mambo, VersaMark
Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds, 1 1/4" Pink Pirouette grosgrain ribbon, heat and stick powder

Autumn Gift Enclosure

Rachael is away for the weekend so I decided to post a small card, one I'll use as a gift enclosure. I like to make square cards, but it can be tricky designing a card for a small space ... at least it is for me. I rummaged through my Designer Series Paper and was surprised to find a favorite paper with designs I had not yet used that would work for this card. (Don't you love it when that happens?) I finished the card and then realized it was out of balance so I added the two buttons. Here's what I used to make this card:

• DSP--Autumn Traditions
• Card Stock--Always Artichoke; Soft Suede
  
• Buttons--Always Artichoke

--Lissie

Sisters

My sister's birthday is coming up, so I decided to make her a card using one of m new stamp sets, The Nicest Things. I'm still struggling to learn how to effectively use watercolor paper, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. I also wanted to use a color I haven't played with much--Baja Breeze. I made it the main color for the card. The colors on the card itself are far more muted and pastel-like than they show up in this picture where they appear much darker and more vibrant, probably because of the auto-correct feature I used in iPhoto. Here are the other supplies I used:

• Inks--Baja Breeze, River Rock, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Blush Blossom, and Crumb Cake
• Stamp Sets--The Nicest Things and Well Scripted
• Crochet Trim--Victoria
  
• Embosslits--Beautiful Wings
• Designer Series Paper--Baja Breeze
• Card Stock--Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze

--Lissie