Memory Box and Poppystamps

What a time to be an American.  RFK in charge of our health?!  I told myself even Trump wouldn't do that.  But turns out sometimes things really are going to be as bad as you think.  

The background of my card for the Memory Box Monthly challenge was an experiment with gesso and Lindy's Magicals using a brayer over a stencil.  Need to try again without a stencil, but I didn't want to waste the panel. 

I used a splatter stamp with Versamark ink and Wow! Sea Turtle embossing powder.  Really like the result.  I used the same powder for Memory Box Verdant Leaves.  The sentiment from PTI's Essential Sentiments was stamped in Versafine Clair Acorn.  Really like PTI Rustic Cream cardstock with the soft green.  Usually my sympathy cards are simpler, but I think this soft, monochromatic look also works.  I'm also entering WAW. 

Simple, elegant cards are my favorite, so this one makes me happy.  It's prettier in person, but this gives you the idea.

Memory Box Blooming embossing folder is definitely one of my favorites!  It's white here, in case you can't tell.  Poppystamps Dream Butterfly was die cut from cardstock covered with a double sided adhesive sheet so I could cover it with WOW! Celebration Sparkles--a bit chunkier, champagne glitter.  The butterfly needed something solid behind it and I ended up using Spellbinders Labels 18.  Instead of leaving them white, I brushed Altenew's Minty Mint ink on the larger one.  I used the next darker shade, Hunter Green, to stamp the PTI Scripted sentiment.  I'm entering Poppystamps and TTTC272 where my friend, Betty, developed the board.  I used Layers/Free/Floral-Foliage.

Thanks so much for taking time to stop by.  If your blog address is in your profile or comment, I will visit you.

Friendship and Sympathy

I received a lot of beautiful, new products thanks to being a guest designer for Altenew's April release.  One of the 2 layering floral die sets is called Anemone Blue Poppy.  The first time I used it, I cut the flowers from colored cardstock.  For the Altenew May Inspiration Challenge, I wanted to try blending white diecuts with inks matching the challenge colors.  Boy does that give a very different look and really is my favorite.  

I used a variety of Altenew inks for the flowers and the leaves and splattered with white gouache.  Hopefully you can tell that the bottom flower is shades of majenta and the top one is shades of red.  Wasn't sure that would work with just 2 flowers, but I actually like them together.  The Deck Planks folder is one of my favorites.  This time I used a black panel and lightly swiped the debossed side with white pigment ink which really brings out the design.  

The sentiment is from one of the stamp sets in the April release: Morning Glory Outline.  I black embossed it on vellum and used the matching die.  I received 3 sets of Gem Sparkles--all beautiful!  Each set has 3 different colors that go together.  The ones I used here are the lightest in the Smoky Quartz set.  They actually have a pink cast to them, so were just right for this card. 

It's always sad when a sympathy card is needed.  But it's especially heartbreaking when a young wife and mother is lost to cancer.  

I embossed a beautiful Penny Black floral image on a panel blended with Distress Oxides bundled sage and speckled egg.  It was given to me without the packaging, so I don't know the name.  I wanted a soft look, so instead of gold powder, I used Stampendous Moonstone. 

The sentiment from another old PB set called Eloquence was also embossed.  I added a couple cardstock layers before attaching the panel to a white card.  I'm entering Penny Black Saturday Challenge and Word Art Wednesday

Thanks so much for taking time to stop by.  If your blog address is in your profile or comment, I will visit you.

Friendship and Sympathy

The Altenew April Inspiration Challenge is about to close.  I've seen a lot of embossed black out cards lately.  Two of the designers are Barbara Tarayao and Karen Dunbrook.  Decided to give the technique a try using Altenew's Floral Acanthus embossing folder. 

I colored the images on the debossed side using a small blending brush and Distress Inks fired brick, dried marigold and weathered wood.  Have to say, I love those colors together!  Then I used my Versafine Clair Nocturne ink pad to cover the panel.  I love how there's a bit of the black on the images that gives them more definition.  Almost forgot the white splatters and they really do step it up. I used black glossy cardstock for the mat and Altenew's Fancy Hello.  Finished with black enamel dots.  Now I'm anxious to try more folders and different color combos.  I'm also entering SSS Wednesday.

I needed 2 sympathy cards for sisters who lost their nephew to colon cancer.  I prefer simple cards to send condolences and usually use nature images.  

My stencils from The Greetery have been waiting to be used and made the perfect background for the silhouette image from The Cat's Pajamas.  The stenciling was done with Brilliance Pearlescent Ice Blue and the silhouette was stamped in PTI Weathervane.  I used Versafine Morning Mist for the sentiment from PTI Wildflower Garden.  I used MFT rectangle dies to cut the Weathervane and white panels.  

Thanks so much for taking time to stop by.  If your blog address is in your profile or comment, I will visit you.

Three Cards

I've been doing quite a bit of ink blending lately & here's another one.  My color inspiration came from JUGs challenge where my fellow Schnauzer mom, Carol, wants us to use pink, yellow & green.  

I used Distress Oxides kitsch flamingo, squeezed lemonade & cracked pistachio.  I splattered the inks (looks like water spots) & white gauche.  The Memory Box challenge is to make a white focal point, so I die cut Tall Poppy Left Corner twice from white cardstock, stacked them together & attached the die cut to my mini card.  The sentiment from Poppystamps Grateful Heart was stamped in Versafine Clair Nocturne & I finished with Shimmer Pico Embellisher dots.  I'm also entering DRU & SSS Monday.  

AAA Card Challenge is calling for a one inch strip with the optional twist of a colored card base.  To be honest, I did 4 or 5 different strips before being happy with this one.  

I love pink & gray together, so I used PTI Pale Peony to stamp the small bloom from SSS Anna's Flowers. The sentiment from Stamplorations Bloomfully: Thankful was stamped in Versafine Clair Morning Mist. So glad I have a MISTI for the stamping! Really love the look of the gray card & couldn't resist adding 3 little pearls. I'm also entering SSS Flickr & SSS Wednesday.

Thought you might like to see a sympathy card I made a few weeks ago for an in-person blogging friend who lost her dad.  I was ready to try & sell my Altenew Layered Laurels stamp set. 

I've had so much trouble lining up the layers.  However, this time I finally realized to just stamp each one so the leaves are coming off the stem.  Starting with the darkest layer instead of following the guide worked for me.  The exact placement really doesn't matter.  I added splatters & a PTI sentiment.

Fritz has had quite a few bumps--none the vet is concerned about.  However, the other day a large sebaceous cyst on his back ruptured.  Luckily, it doesn't bother him, but the vet said big ones like this usually don't heal.  So, he may have a little surgery coming up.  Thankfully, his tummy problems are now much improved.

Thanks so much for taking time to stop by.  If your blog address is in your profile or comment, I will visit you.

ITP PTI Challenge Cards

We had fun yesterday with family visiting.  So wonderful to have that freedom with all of us vaccinated.  Here's a picture of one of my favorite roses, Chicago Peace.

ITP PTI has frequent challenges which I love to enter.  Thought I'd catch you up on some cards I haven't posted here.  First is a gratitude card made with the Bold Borders: Foliage die cut which I ink blended with a couple shades of green.  

The blooms are from Gathered Garden & the sentiment is from Counting my Blessings.  

Next is my entry for the challenge to leave the negative pieces in a border die. I colored Bold Borders: Yuletide using a Fantastix tool & Distress Oxides for my messy coloring.  

Then I used a waterbrush & Gansai Tambi Starry Colors Yellow Gold to color the negative areas.  The sentiment that comes with the border die was stacked 3 high & brushed with the gold paint--beautiful shimmer in person.  

I dry embossed the center area behind the sentiment & blended it with DO rustic wilderness.

It was challenging for me to make a layered sympathy card, as I generally make them pretty simple & often one layer.  

I kept my card monochromatic using 2 PTI printed papers a friend gave me along with Fine Linen, Vintage Cream & vellum.  The background panel is die cut with Scalloped Stackers: Small & behind the sentiment is Shape Shifters: Circle 3.  The sentiment from Through the Trees was stamped in Cocoa Bean on vellum backed with a strip of  Vintage Cream & embellished with Garden Gild die cuts & a KaiserCraft Chino pearl which goes perfectly with Fine Linen.  Finished by wrapping twine & tying a bow.   

My final card also uses Bold Borders: Yuletide, but looks entirely different than the card above.  This one is for another challenge to use embossing powder accents.  

I saw the white die cut on my table & thought it'd be fun to just add touches of color with embossing powder.  Worked great to use a Quickie Glue pen, which has a fine tip.  The embossing powders are glittery red & glittery gold.  I tried several card colors, but kept coming back to the white.  

The sentiment was cut from white & gold metallic cardstock with the white used for dimension & the shadow.  I kept the embellishments subtle, using PPP Marshmallow sequins.

Thanks so much for taking time to stop by.  If your blog address is in your profile or comment, I will visit you.

Three Cards

One of the family members I mentioned in my last post was my little brother.  I always adored him--5 years younger than me.  This week he worsened & we lost him.  My heart is broken.  Just have to take a day at a time & treasure the happy memories.  So glad my nephews are with their mom.

Thought I'd share my last 3 cards posted on IG.  First is a Valentine for a friend made with Poppystamps Grateful Heart & Double Stitch Scalloped Rectangle Frames. 

The Distress Oxides are spun sugar, worn lipstick & picked raspberry.  I used white gauche for splatters & added some Shimmer Pico Embellisher dots.  

I added a couple layers of cardstock for just a bit of dimension under the heart panel.  I'm entering Poppystamps January challenge & DRU.

Next is my entry for Gina K January Monthly Mix.  I used 2 GK sets:  A Big Hello & Sketched Wreath Builder.  I never think to stamp flowers in black on colored cardstock, but I do love the result.  

The embossing folder is Cuttlebug Anna Griffin's Rosa--one of my favorites.  I'm also entering The Flower Challenge & Time Out.  Time Out wants a card that shows something about yourself.  I have lots of rose bushes & bought my first die cutting machine when I learned they could be used for dry embossing.  At the time I said I wouldn't buy any dies, but we know how that turned out!

My last card is for ITP PTI Sending Love challenge.  I stamped PTI Corner Adorner: February in Berry Sorbet, Melon Berry, Green Parakeet, Hawaiian Shores & Cocoa Bean.  

I stamped 2 words of the included sentiment & then Love from Poppystamps Grateful Heart.  The frame is PTI & I added splatters using several of the inks instead of my usual brown or black. 

Stardust Stickles covers the flower center & the tiny heart in the sentiment.  So glad I had already made this card.  It was just what I needed to send a note to my sister-in-law & nephews. 

Thanks so much for taking time to stop by.  If your blog address is in your profile or comment, I will visit you.