More NBUS Cards

I've now worked 2 shifts to help the full-time nurse since my 4 months off.  Things went fine, but my next 2 shifts will be covering for her, so I'm back on my own.  Trying not to think about it & glad I have a week off now!  
There are so many videos--sometimes I get overwhelmed with all the ideas.  However, I was energized & inspired by Jennifer McGuire's Ombre Backgrounds.  Emboss resist is a technique I use a lot & I have tons of neglected background stamps. I'd been trying to figure out what to do for a sympathy card to send overseas & thought Jennifer's design was perfect.  I already had in mind using my NBUS Avery Elle dies & bundled sage Distress Ink.  I was debating about various leaves when I came across my forgotten Hero Arts Flower Medley Background--perfect!

I finished ink blending a white embossed panel & thought I should have left the top of the card plain--no stamping.  That's why I cut the panel down & eventually ended up with the 2 strips at the bottom.  Today I looked at Jennifer's cards again & realized most of hers do have the stamping over the entire panel.  Oh well, I like how this turned out & I'll be doing it her way soon.
I'm entering Darnell's NBUS #10, CropStop & HLS CAS (using "blue" as feeling sad).

My next card was inspired by Cornelia's Stamplorations Spotlight Project using Alcohol Inks--something I seriously struggle with.  I didn't end up with a card anything like hers--maybe next time.  However, I was successful getting a panel I could actually use, so I'm thrilled!  

Yes, it looks like Fall, but I'm fine with making all kinds of cards all year long.  The gold splatters were done with Distress Stain tarnished brass. The Poppystamps leaf was die cut from another scrap of glossy photo paper & I brushed it with the tarnished brass.  Jennifer's video also reminded me of the JudiKins Irridescent Sparkle embossing powder I've had forever.  I absolutely love the look it gave the leaf!

The frame is made with Lil' Inker stitched rectangles & is attached to the card front I covered with a panel of self-adhesive cork.  This is the first time I've used this sentiment stamp from Stamplorations Boxed Blooms & Bold Sentiments set.  I'm entering Darnell's NBUS #10, Stamplorations Spotlight Project Showcase & Word Art Wednesday.  Thanks so much for taking time to stop by.

NBUS

I've been trying to make my card for Ellen Hutson Mix it Up with Avery Elle for the last 3 days.  Couldn't get it to work, so went ahead with another idea.  Unfortunately, I discovered that VersaMagic goes through micropore tape, so that card had to be cut down leaving no room for my EH sentiment. Turned out with a card I like that will only need 1 stamp, so that's good. I'll show it to you next, but here's my EH card using AE Winter Wreath.  

Every time I saw it used on a card I was drawn to it, so finally got the stamps & dies last year.  Have no idea why I didn't use them for any 2016 cards, but now it's going to be hard to put them away!  The wreath is stamped first in Brilliance Thyme & then in Pearlescent Olive which gives a beautiful goldish sheen. The bow & berries are stamped in VersaMagic Red Magic & Diamond Glaze is added to the berries.  I splattered the 2 green inks before attaching the EH sentiment made with dies from the Merry & Bright set.  You can't see in the photo, but they have sparkle from a Spectrum Noir clear pen.  I'll use this for a winter birthday card, so I'm also entering SSS Wednesday & Word Art Wednesday.

Here's the first card I made.  The sentiment is from the same stamp set & is stamped in Versafine Vintage Sepia.  I used a PTI balloon string to stamp the red lines.  

Here's a close up showing the wreath colors--same for both cards.

I'm entering the Flickr Love Group, Christmas Card Challenges & HLS Christmas Challenge.  Thanks so much for taking time to stop by.