Simon Says.....Anything Goes!

Happy Wednesday - welcome to our challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog!

 Our theme this week is the ever-popular Anything Goes, and my teamies and I are playing with Kitchen Sink stamps.  You don't need to use them to enter, but if you have some, we'd love to see your creations, too!  I chose a stamp set that has lots of options to make your own plaids and ginghams.

supplies: white cardstock, Kitchen Sink Stamps Gingham and Plaid clear stamps, oxide inks in kitsch flamingo, broken china, and twisted citron, Simon Blooming Meadow stamps and dies, sentiment from (retired) Birthday Bits, and a Stitched Circle die, adhesive foam to lift circle and flowers

I used just 2 of the 5 different stripes in this set to stamp my plaid.  I used a yellow marker and a ruler to add some stitching in between some of my stamping, to mirror the stitching in the sentiment circle. I had some already-made flowers and leaves in the same colors, so they were added to my sentiment circle and then popped above the card base.

Now it's your turn!  We have a $25.00 gift certificate 

to the amazing Simon Says Stamp store for 1 lucky random winner of this week's challenge!  I can't wait to see what you all make this week!

English Garden Washi Tape!

Today's cards couldn't have been easier to make!  

supplies: white, Cotton Candy, and metallic gold cardstock, PinkFresh Studio English Garden washi tape and matching dies, The Greetery Fit to be Tied bow, sentiment from Simon Spring Bouquets, gold embossing powder, Lawn Fawn Fancy Scalloped Rectangle die, adhesive foam squares

Can you believe this is Washi Tape?  PinkFresh Studio has a lovely collection of these, and they are easy to apply to cardstock and then die-cut.  For this card I used the wreath, and added an extra bunch of flowers to the bottom right, plus my own gold bow and a gold stamped sentiment.  This design would be suitable for so many occasions, just by changing up the sentiment.

I tilted my card a bit to show the gold outlines in this washi - you can see it best on the right side of the card, but it is across the whole design.

Next, I was wondering how hard it would be to fussy-cut the images after the washi was applied to cardstock.  So I placed the little florals over pink cardstock and hand-cut them out.  No different than cutting out anything else .......this may be a money saver when I get future Washi tapes; those dies to match can really boost up the price, and I enjoy fussy-cutting anyway!

supplies: white card base, Cotton Candy top panel, PinkFresh Studio English Garden washi tape and a gold-embossed Perfect Sentiment, matching sentiment die, Simon Blossom Field embossing folder

I cut a scalloped window in the pink card before embossing it, then attached that to my white card base and added the little florals and my sentiment.  You need to use your imagination to see the gold highlights in the florals, but they are just as lovely as in the photo above.

Thanks for coming by today - have a good one!

In Stitches

 I recently received the Spellbinders Large Dies of the Month for May, and have been having fun!  Here are my first 2 cards of what I think will be many - these dies are timeless, and so easy to mix and match colors!

This first one uses the large cover die.

supplies: white and periwinkle cardstock, May Large Die of the Month, embroidery floss in shades of purples and green, sentiment from Simon Beautiful Day, Doodlebug heart sprinkles

I haven't cross-stitched for years, but our home has many of my samplers on the walls.  So of course I have floss in all the colors.  I spent an enjoyable afternoon making this one.  

And my 2nd card uses the border dies and the flower and leaf dies also in the set.

supplies: white and Audrey Blue cardstock, Spellbinders' May 2021 Large Die of the Month set, embroidery floss in cornflower, jade, and purple,  (retired) MFT hello die, large enamel dots

Thinking of You, Take 2

 I really liked this cover die set from Concord & 9th called Thinking of You Perfect Pairings, and made THIS card just by cutting out the border and sentiment in white and adding it to a blended ink background.  This time I've added the coordinating stamp set to the mix and embossed my background.

supplies: white and mauvy-pink cardstock, Thinking of You Perfect Pairings dies and stamp set, markers to color, a retired Sizzix floral embossing folder

I did my die-cutting, and before separating out the waste pieces, I moved the whole panel to my Misti and overstamped the floral spray.  It was easy to line up.  Just for fun this time, I embossed my pink background panel for some more texture.

It's Friday!  Hope your weekend is a great one!

Simon Says.......Red, White, and/or Blue

Happy Wednesday - welcome to our challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog!

This week our theme is "Red,White,and/or Blue" and the team is playing with Avery Elle products.  Here's my card.

supplies: white cardstock, red, white and blue star and grid patterned papers from Sunny Studio, Avery Elle Loads of Wishes sentiment, flower and leaf sprig dies, enamel dots, adhesive foam

Now it's your turn!  We have a $25.00 gift certificate 

to the amazing Simon Says Stamp store for 1 lucky random winner of this week's challenge!  I can't wait to see what you all make this week!

 

Garden Greetings

 I received my July Card Kit from Simon Says Stamp over the weekend, and I chose my favorite products from it for today's card.

supplies: white and Doll Pink cardstock, vellum, new Blossom Field embossing folder, Zig markers and water, Big Scripty Hugs die, Hero Arts Nesting Rectangle dies, adhesive foam 

This dainty floral embossing folder is right up my alley, so I took my time and watercolored the design with some zig markers and water.  The trick is to relax and enjoy the process.  Then I cut out a rectangle from the center, and framed up both pieces with Doll Pink card.  The center panel was lifted above the rest of the card, and then I just added the sentiment die.

This kit is loaded with goodies, don't wait too long if you want it!

Hugs For Andy

 I'm honored to be participating in an InstaGram Blog Hop to honor my Simon teamie Andy Granick, who has some challenging health issues to face soon.  Sweet Sidnie organized the hop to let him know how much we're all pulling for him.  Here's the card I made.

supplies: white, Lipstick Red, Audrey Blue, Green Leaf, and Gumdrop cardstock, woodplank dp, Simon Clouds for Days stencil and salvaged patina oxide ink, Lawn Fawn Birdhouse die set (includes house, bird and wing, branches, and heart), stamped sentiment from Simon Beautiful Butterflies, PinkFresh Studio Stitched Scallop Rectangle die, adhesive foam 

The bird house is lifted a bit above the rest of the design, and then I inserted the sentiment circle down inside. I hope this simple design makes Andy smile!

To see a wonderful lineup of cards for Andy, use this hashtag on InstaGram: #HugsforAndy2021.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Wildflower Fields

 Simon's new Wildflower Fields is my favorite new thing!  Here are 2 cards that I will be expanding into a set using other pastels.

supplies: white and a green from Memory Box Lush Green Collection paper pad, Simon Wildflower Fields embossing folder, white pigment ink, Just Because die, white pearls

My first thought was to use this sage green, and after finishing it, I think I'll try it in lots of different colors, just switching up the sentiments.  Here's a pink version.

supplies: white and pink cardstock, Wildflower Fields embossing folder, white pigment ink, Sending Smiles die

For both cards, I embossed the colored cardstock, then gently rubbed on white pigment ink.  The hearts in the daisy centers are part of the sentiment die.  I added white pearls to the green card.

Envision this in yellow with a Hello Sunshine sentiment.

Hope you have a great day, thanks for coming by!

Simon Says........Animal Antics

Happy Wednesday - welcome to our challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog!

Our theme this week is Animal Antics, and the team is featuring Lawn Fawn products.  I made a hugger bear and gave her a bouquet of daisies for someone special.

supplies: Surf Blue, Green Apple, white, brown and tan cardstock, Lawn Fawn Woodland Critter Hugger dies, Impression Obsession birch tree dies,  black pearl eyes and yellow enamel dots, sentiment from Heffy Doodle Bold Banner Sentiments stamps and matching dies, adhesive foam squares

I changed up the ears for my bear by using 2 sizes of oval dies.

Now it's your turn!  We have a $25.00 gift certificate 

to the amazing Simon Says Stamp store for 1 lucky random winner of this week's challenge!  I can't wait to see what you all make this week!

Playing with the Tartan Builder

I've always loved plaids, so when The Greetery brought out its Tartan Builder stencils last month, I was in!  Here's my first play with them.

supplies: white cardstock, The Greetery Tartan Builder set of 5 layering stencils, oxide inks in faded jeans, mowed lawn, and black soot, Memory Box Antique Corner Rose Label die and Big and Little Words sentiment

I spent a fun afternoon playing with these layering stencils, trying out different colors and combinations of these stencils.  This one turned out to be my favorite, probably because I tried to approximate my family tartan (my Dad's side is Scot).  I left a bit of the design white, and then used white elements to finish the card, popping up the sentiment die to create some dimension.

Here's a picture of some of the backgrounds I made in this first go-round, using oxide inks.  These layering stencils were part of a masculine release, and I was trying to use anything but masculine colors.

These tartan stencils also come in a diagonal version, too, for any of you who would like to be enabled; they're already on my wishlist!

Thanks for visiting today - enjoy your weekend!

Simon Says.....Create a Scene

It's Wednesday - welcome to our challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog!

This week we'd like you to "Create a Scene"!  The team is showcasing Lavinia Stamps this week, and I had such fun that I made 2 cards.

I envisioned this Faith Fairy in a garden, of course, so I chose some pretty floral colors to simulate that. Since she is a solid image, I decided to make my own oxide background and put everything in silhouette.

supplies: watercolor and black cardstock, kitsch flamingo, wilted violet, and squeezed lemonade distress oxide inks and water, Lavinia Stamps Faith fairy stamp, Your Next Stamp Mini Flower Splatter stamp, and sentiment from Impression Obsession In a Garden, MFT Wonky Stitched Rectangle die, flower sequins, glue pen and prisma glitter

I added some glitter to her wings for some sparkle.

Next I went with an evening mood.

supplies: watercolor and black cardstock, salty ocean, mermaid lagoon, lucky clover, and blueprint sketch oxide inks and water, Lavinia Stamps Faith fairy stamp, Impression Obsession Full Bloom Hollyhocks, Tim Holtz Small Talk sentiment sticker, clear irridescent sequins

Isn't this Faith Fairy lovely?   As above, I added some irridescent clear sequins to the centers of the hollyhocks.

Now it's your turn!  We have a $25.00 gift certificate 

to the amazing Simon Says Stamp store for 1 lucky random winner of this week's challenge!  I can't wait to see what you all make this week!

Happy Anniversary!

I've been wanting to make a white-on-white card, and today is the day!  

supplies: white cardstock, white glitter cardstock, vellum, Taylored Expressions Damask embossing folder, PTI Scallops Mix & Mat die, Simon Says Stamp Leanna and Chrissy butterfly dies, pastel pearls, adhesive foam strips to lift lacy panel

Fifty years ago today, my Denny and I were married; it was a Sunday, then, too, the day after I graduated from college.

The ceremony was in the college chapel, and our reception was cake and ice cream outside in the chapel gardens.  My bridesmaids wore pastel shades of yellow, pink, green, and lavender, and our Moms wore aqua and yellow.  It was HOT and we had a thunderstorm, but it held off for most of the time.

"Way back in the dark ages" they didn't do digital photography yet, so I don't have a good quality photo to show you, and the pictures we do have have faded over time - just like us!

My dress was ivory lace, long-sleeved, with tiny satin buttons all the way down the back; thus all the lacy detail on my card today.  I added pastel pearls to the centers of the flowers in the colors of the dresses, and a glitter and vellum butterfly for new beginnings, with an ivory pearl for mine.

What's our secret?  Lots of laughter.  

Thanks for coming by today!

Simon Says.........Masculine

Welcome to our challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog!

This week we'd like to see your Masculine cards.  The team is featuring Tim Holtz products. 

supplies: slate, kraft, and white cardstock, Tim Holtz Feathered Friends and Wildflower Stems 1 dies, lucky clover, rustic wilderness, ripe persimmon, mustard seed, gathered twigs, and black soot distress oxide inks,  Lumber embossing folder, Wplus9 sentiment

Now it's your turn!  We have a $25.00 gift certificate 

to the amazing Simon Says Stamp store for 1 lucky random winner of this week's challenge!  I can't wait to see what you all make this week!