Just a quick Hello!

A quick hello....How often I start an e-mail or text this way, especially when the hello is overdue. Don't know how I missed posting this week as I had some cards ready to go. 

I recently pulled out some designer papers to use and today's card was planned around the pretty floral pattern from the Beau Jardin paper pack from Penny Black. I rarely use black as a background but decided it was about time to! Love the dramatic effect. 

Using the My Whole Life stamps and dies and the Welcome dies from WPlus9 made it easy to create the focal point.

I stamped a few black dots - meant to be flower centers - to anchor the sentiment die. The sentiment continues at the bottom of the card with "I just miss you" from the Hello and Thanks set. 

That's it for me today, hope your summer is going wonderfully! 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

MACRA Made for You

Welcome! Here is one more for you.
I guess it's no secret that I've been enjoying my supplies from the June release at The Greetery! I spent my birthday gift money almost exclusively on these delightful sets.

 New to me is the Macra-Made for You die that depicts the cute macrame hangers I used to make for gifts for all the plant lovers on my list! (roll eyes here) -  LONG AGO. 

Isn't this just what they looked like? I die cut the pots and the hangers from watercolor paper that adds a bit of texture and painted a wash of Kraft ink over them to mimic jute. 

I die cut the smaller hanger a second time from dark green card stock and inserted those tiny pieces into the hanger like heart-shaped beads. Topped with a touch of glossy accents.

I couldn't resist adding the panel to lemon yellow polka dotted paper which just seems to fit the retro vibe. 

Hope you got a kick out of today's card. 

It came together much faster than the knot-tying of the real thing. And it makes me happy. Thanks for stopping by!

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Supplies used from The Greetery:

Pot-Pourri Stamp set and dies, Macra-Made for You dies,

Sentiment Suite: Thinking of You stamp set

The Greetery - Robins and Wrens Tips for You

Hi everyone! I hope your July 4th celebration if you're in the USA was fun and happy. 

If you're like me, after all the hubbub of family visits and cookouts with friends died down, you got to refresh yourself in your craft space. I had a great time experimenting with the Robins and Wrens set from The Greetery over the weekend. I am head over heels in love with Betsy's innovative designs!

I kept my card simple and the lines clean for a summer birthday using the larger wren from the set. I love how pert and cute this little birdie looks on the branch.

Here are a few tips for stamping this and other multi-layered images:

• Order of stamping - the first image includes all of the bird and the underbelly, the second layer adds detail. I found it really helped to stamp the second image, THEN the first image. That way they are easier to line up, since the darker image shows up and the first stamp image should be lightest.  
• I found I could stamp the second image and then use the same color for the first image, by stamping it off once to make it lighter the way the underbelly would be.
• Remember, you don't need four different colors of ink to stamp the bird. Experiment with generational stamping, or sponging the ink onto the image for a softer look.
• As with all layering stamps - take time to set up your best lighting even if you use a stamp positioner. 
• No worries if you don't line things up perfectly. These stamps are easy and so forgiving! 
• I stamped all the parts of my bird, EXCEPT the beak and legs, then die cut the image. Stamping the beak and legs after the image was die cut assured that I placed them at the correct angle. 
• Have fun adding details! I used a white gel pen on the wings area and Nuvo drops for the eyes and flower centers.

I guess those tips were more than a few, glad you read to the end! I hope that you've enjoyed my post today and found the tips helpful. I enjoy sharing the things I learn and create with you! Hope your Monday goes wonderfully well.

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Supplies used:

Stamps: The Greetery - Robin & Wren stamp set and dies, Blooming Branch stamp set, Sentiment Suite: Birthday and Basics Dies

Paper: Neenah Solar White, WPlus9 - Fog card stock

INK: the blues on the bird are from Altenew

Accessories: twine, Nuvo gloss dots, Plus 9 - Clear Cut    Stackers Hexagon Dies, white embossing powder

The Greetery - Just Mason Around

Hello! Here I am back again with another post using my new supplies from The Greetery store. Nothing like very hot weather and new schtuff to keep me busy stamping, lol!
I played with the Mason jar from the Just Mason Around stamp set, stamping each of the three layering stamps in different color combinations and types of ink.

 I LOVE the way this jar image comes out any way you try it! So easy to layer, and with highlights and shading built in that make the jar appear almost three dimensional. 

Creating the rest of the card involved stamping the Summer Sketches florals with Warm Wool ink (WPlus9) and watercoloring the images with Zig Clean Color markers in a loosely flowing style.

 I assembled the card using gingham patterned paper, and elements of black for contrast. This set has a good variety of sentiments. With all the possibilities for filling the Mason jar, I'm sure I'll be using this set often!

I'm playing with the Inspired By Challenge, picking up on the barbecue party theme or in this case, a country kind of picnic. 

I hope good things are coming your way today! Thanks for coming by. 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

The Greetery - Summer Sketches

Hey friends! What's up with this - I'm posting again! You can picture me playing with the new stamps from The Greetery every chance I get. 

Today's card features the Summer Sketches and Comforting Commands sets stamped with WPlus9 inks. I love the fresh clean colors of these inks, especially the pinks for layering! Old Gold was used to stamp the sentiment and is my new favorite neutral. 

I created a blended background in the top right portion of my panel using Distress Oxide inks in Antique Linen, Tattered Rose, Spun Sugar and Worn Lipstick. Adding spatters of Old Gold was the finishing touch.

That's all for me today. I do have other things I love to do in summer, and they are calling me! Have a great weekend. 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

The Greetery - He Cares for You

Hi there! 

How are things going for you? We've had some delightful summer days. I've had snippets of time in the craft room to pull out my stamps from The Greetery. 

I've long been a fan of Bestsy Veldman's stamps and now that she has her own store, I'm inspired!  If you'd love to see her new offerings, check her out HERE. 

When I first got my new stamp sets, I die cut a bunch and stamped them in different colors. This bouquet was just laying around on my desktop.I stamped the sentiment with Oxide inks in layers of color, then with a paintbrush I softened them with a dab of water to give the look of watercolor.

I was inspired by THIS card from Kay where she used a paintbrush and water added to Distress Oxides to paint a background. I just had to try this! 

 I LOVE using the Scriptural quotes to encourage on my cards. Thanks so much for visiting my blog today. I hope you've been cheered and inspired. 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Supplies used:

Stamps: The Greetery - Summer Sketches, Fleur Impressions, Comforting Commands and dies

Paper: Neenah Solar White, PTI - Lavender Moon

INK: Distress Oxides - Tumbled Glass, Broken China.   WPlus9 - Wild Mango, Miami Spice, Old Gold, Limelight, Little Piggy, V.I.Pink, Cockleshell, Bloomberry

Accessories: sequins

Bright and Cheery Thanks

Hello,  how are you today? 

I'm in the mood for something bright and cheery, how about you?

Have a peek at the photo for the challenge at Inspired By. 

I fell in love with the bold patterns and the pop of pretty colors! 

My card uses the No One Else stamps and dies from WPlus9 Designs, featuring the color palette from the inspiration photo. 

The sentiment is embossed on white card stock that was inked with Lime Green.

Thanks for visiting today! 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!