Woodblock Wednesday!

It's time for Amy's Woodblock Wednesday and I made 2 cards this month!  First, since February is the month of hearts, I decided to use this little woodblock stamp.  It's unmarked except for a sticker that says "Anita's @2002 Sugarloaf, Lithonia, GA  made in China".  I also used a Hero Arts Simple Frame from 2010.

supplies: white cardstock, dotted pink design paper, Anita's Fruit of the Spirit woodblock, Hero Arts Simple Frame

My next card uses a Hero Arts stamp from 2009 called Silhouette Meadow Flowers.  It stamps a negative image which you then color in to see the details.  I clear embossed it over music paper, then blended in some pink and green inks.

supplies: cream and bright pink cardstock, a Hobby Lobby music design paper, vellum, Hero Arts Silhouette Meadow Flowers, VersaMark ink and clear embossing powder, pink and green inks, Spellbinders Floral Expressions 3D folder, Simon Says Stamp/CJ Design Just a Note dies

The flowers on this stamp looked like roses to me, so I paired them with this lovely embossing folder that features large roses.  Since I used a music background, the sentiment seemed fitting.

You can see more cards using woodblock stamps at Amy's blog HERE.

Woodblock Wednesday: Dots & Flowers

 Here's my card for this month's Woodblock Wednesday over at Amy's blog!  I chose a background stamp dated 2009 from Hero Arts called Dots & Flowers.

supplies: white cardstock, a woodgrain dp, Hero Arts S5213 Dots and Flowers woodblock, embossed in white, Memory Box (retired) Daisy Silhouette dies, natural twine, Pink Fresh Studio Perfect Sentiment stamp and matching die, Fluttering Butterflies washi tape and matching die

 

I'm so glad Amy is keeping her Woodblock Wednesday challenge going again this year - otherwise I'd probably just be admiring these treasures from afar!  Thanks, Amy!

Woodblock Wednesday!

 Time for my Woodblock Wednesday monthly post!  This time I chose a wood stamp from Stampendous called Autumn Words.

supplies: white, gold, pale and darker orange, and aqua cardstock, Stampendous Autumn Words, inks in Altenew Fresh Lemon, Chamomile, Orange Cream, Ocean Waves, and Dusk inks, blending brush, Spellbinders Autumn Leaves die, sentiment from Concord & 9th Harvest Wreath stamps

This stamp is dated 2012, and it's one I try to use every year.  

Do you have a favorite fall woodblock?  

I'll be entering this card into this week's Simon Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes.

Woodblock Wednesday!

 I was thrilled to be asked to be a guest designer at Amy's Woodblock Wednesday challenge this month!  

I had fun trying to decide which of my wood stamps to play with, and in the end, I chose this one by Hero Arts from 2010, and updated it by making it into a mini slim-line.  Since it's almost officially the end of summer, I thought I'd showcase this lovely stamp that features a summer hollyhock.

supplies: white card base, peach and black cardstock, Doodlebug peach gingham, and a script pattern paper, Hero Arts Garden Silhouette woodblock, VersaMark ink and white embossing powder, peach and green inks, blending brushes, sentiment from Clearly Besotted Sweet Little Sentiments

Starting with a skinny panel of a script pattern paper, I stamped using VersaMark ink, and white embossed the image.  This particular stamp inks the negative of the image, leaving the details alone so that the background paper shows through.  Then I used small blending brushes to add peach ink to the flowers and green to the leaves and bugs.  The panel was then matted in peach cardstock, and affixed to a mini slimline card base 3" X 6" on which I'd added panels of peach gingham and the same script I used to stamp on.  To finish I added a simple script sentiment embossed in white on black.

Since woodblock stamps are how most of us began stamping, I think it's genius that Amy gives us a forum for bringing back these beauties!    I hope you'll play along, too - you can find more information HERE.

Emboss Resist

I wanted to make another card with this sweet sentiment die, and took my inspiration from a couple of cardmakers, Yoonsun and Barbara.  Then I remembered this old favorite Hero Arts cling background from 2012, and I was off and running!

supplies: white cardstock, (retired) Hero Arts Leaf & Floral Background cling stamp, saltwater taffy and worn lipstick distress inks, VersaMark and clear embossing powder, Paper Rose Sending Love and Hugs die, little flower and leaf dies, Doodlebug Tiny Heart sprinkles

Do any of you remember that background stamp?  It's a classic!

I enjoyed making that so much that I dug out another oldie background and made a blue version.

supplies: white cardstock, (retired) 2012 Penny Black Floral Thread cling background, salvaged patina and broken china distress inks, VersaMark and clear embossing powder, Hero Arts Thinking of You  Stamp and Cut die, enamel hearts

What a beautiful font, don't you agree?  Wish my handwriting looked like that!  The process is the same for both cards.  Brush on the lighter of 2 inks, dry thoroughly, stamp and emboss in clear, then brush on a darker shade of the same color.  My sentiments were cut multiple times for stability and stacked.

It's fun to mix your old stuff with brand new, isn't it?  Gives us more possibilities!

Simon Says.....With Love!

Welcome to the new challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge blog!

Our theme this week is "With Love", and the team is showcasing Gina K. Designs products.  I used a favorite stencil from Gina K for my card today.

supplies: white, black, and Lavender card, vellum, Gina K. Floral Stencil, Altenew Hydrangea and Grass Field inks, blender brushes, Simon Love Is Background cling stamp, VersaMark and white embossing powder, Paper Rose Lace Heart Frame sentiment dies, Hero Arts Nesting Rectangle dies, Doodlebug heart sprinkles

After stencilling the design, I overstamped it with the text cling stamp, then cut out a rectangle from the center, and framed it and it's "frame" in lavender card, popping the inner one above the card base.   Then I just added my sentiment and some tiny hearts.

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!

 

Birthday Wreaths

 I need several birthday cards this month, so over the next week or so, I'll be sharing some of them.  This first one came about because I've been lusting over the new Pink Fresh Studio Washi Tapes with gold accents in them.  The ones I want are currently sold out, so I thought I'd take an old Pink Fresh Studio stamp and die set and try and get the same results with gold embossing.  I'm very pleased with how it turned out, but now I can't get a decent photo of it to show you!   So I'll show you the card first....

supplies: white and distress watercolor cardstock, Pink Fresh Studio Floral Elements Wreath and matching die, gold pearl and Super Fine Detail Gold embossing powders, Zig markers and water, Wplus9 Doodle Buds sentiment, Pink Fresh Studio Stitched Scalloped Rectangle die, adhesive foam 

.....and a much better picture to show you the lovely glow the pearl gold embossing gives.

The gold pearl is on the light side, so for the sentiment I switched to a regular gold embossing powder.

If you have this gold pearl powder, give this a try if you've never done so - I think you'll love the results!

While I had these Floral Elements out I made another card, this time using brighter colors, alcohol markers, and a real potpourri of supporting elements.

supplies: white cardstock, aqua gingham patterned paper, Floral Elements wreath and matching dies, Paper Smooches Fab Frames die, Simon Happy Everything die, Memory Box Open Studio Big and Little Words sentiment, adhesive foam to lift wreath and words

As always, thanks for coming by today!

Sunny Days Ahead Blog Hop, Day 1

Simon Says Stamp has released a new bevy of products, called Sunny Days Ahead!  I'm thrilled to be participating in the first of 2 days of blog hops to show off all the new goodies!

You should have arrived here from Bobby Lemanski's blog.  If you have just happened upon me today and want to start the hop from the beginning, go to the Simon Says Stamp blog to start.  We'll be giving away a $25.00 coupon at every stop on the hop, so don't forget to leave a comment!  The winners will be announced at the Simon Says Stamp Store Blog next Wednesday, April 29.

Today I have 4 cards, 3 of them featuring the new Stylized Tulips die and 1 card using the CZ Design Extra Large Congrats die.

One of the prettiest spring plantings I've seen prominently featured pale pink and yellow tulips.  This first card is inspired by that garden.

supplies: white, Surf Blue, Cotton Candy, Green Leaf and a pale yellow cardstock, Stylized Tulips and Thanks dies, adhesive foam strips

I popped the pink tulip up and paper-pieced the sentiment in the same colors that I used for my flowers.

Next up, I used some subtle prints to piece my tulip in brighter colors.

supplies: white and black cardstock, various Doodlebug patterned papers, Stylized Tulips die, 4 Seasons die and sentiment

And lastly, I added some shading with oxide inks and colored pencils before piecing them back together for this one full of warm sunshine.

supplies: white, yellow, and Green Leaf cardstock, MFT gingham dp, Stylized Tulips and Painted Hello dies, mustard seed and mowed lawn oxide inks with pencil shading

And finally, I have a card using the new  CZ Design Extra Large Congrats die; I decided to use it for a wedding card, using the colors from the invitation we received.

supplies: eggshell cardstock, Simon CZ Design Extra Large Congrats and Elegant Roses dies, stamped sentiment from Floral Bliss,  (retired) Modern Rose Blooms cling stamp, broken tumbled glass oxide ink, a off-white enamel dot, foam squares to lift up rose

This card started with a white-embossed panel of Modern Rose Blooms.  Next I sponged on some tumbled glass oxide ink.  I die-cut the big word from it, and 4 others from eggshell and glued them together, then attached them back into place.  Then I added an Elegant Rose to mimic the background, and a stamped sentiment.

Don't forget to come back tomorrow for Day 2 of this Blog Hop.  Again, it will begin at the Simon Says Stamp blog.  Don't forget that each stop on both days will be offering a $25.00 coupon to the store for a random commenter, and if you buy anything on either of these 2 days, you can also get a free gift!  Use the code sssink to get a free Intense Black ink pad (see the banner at the top of this post to see it).

You'll be glad to know that the Simon Says Stamp store is shipping again!  For more information, you can watch this video.

Click HERE for all the new goodies, and for more inspiration, don't forget to visit our Sunny Days Ahead gallery.

Thanks so much for coming by today.  Here's today's Hop Order.

Simon Says Stamp Blog   

Jennifer McGuire

Kristina Werner

Cathy Zielske

Nina-Marie Trapani

Nichol Spohr

Lisa Addesa

Heather Ruwe

Suzy Plantamura

Kathy Racoosin

Barb Engler

Cheiron Brandon

Lea Lawson

Betty Wright

Bobbi Lemanski

Lin Brandyberry

Simon Says........Party Time!

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

Our theme this week (and for 2 weeks until the New Year!) is Party Time, and we are playing with our very own Simon Exclusive products.

With the timing, my mind jumped to a Happy New Year's card - here's what I came up with this week.

supplies: white, black, and gold metallic cardstock, Simon's Stitched Alphabet, Holiday Hellos, Your Next Stamp Mini Star Splatter, Liquid Platinum embossing powder, MFT Wonky Stitched Rectangles die, star sequins, adhesive foam strips

I first stamped my "party" letters, then masked them and overstamped the star confetti, embossing it in liquid platinum.  The letters were colored in in black, the panel was trimmed using a stitching die, and I spaced out Happy, New, and Year over the letters.  For more glitz, I mounted the panel on gold metallic cardstock.  The small words were raised over the letters and I added a couple gold star sequins.

Here's another angle to see more of the gold embossing.

And a closer shot so that you can see the little words.

 Now it's your turn!  We have a $50.00 gift certificate 

to the amazing Simon Says Stamp store for 1 lucky random winner of this week's challenge!  

We'll be taking a break from challenges until 2020 arrives - enjoy your holidays and see you back here then!

Simon Says...........Thank You/Thanksgiving

If you're here to see my 25 Days of Christmas Tags, please scroll down 1 post, or click HERE.  

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

This week our theme is Thank You/Thanksgiving and we're using Hero Arts products.  I chose a large cling background stamp and a floral cover die and made 2 very different cards for today.  Coincidentally, both products are called Flower Garden!

supplies: ivory and Tim Holtz Metallic Kraft cardstock, Hero Arts Flower Garden Bold Prints, stamped in VersaMark and embossed in gold, colored with Yasutomo gold pearlescent watercolor paint, sentiment from Gina K. Designs Autumn Wreath Builder, Sunny Studio Fancy Frames Circle die, Impression Obsession Small Leaf die, adhesive foam to lift sentiment circle

I was completely taken with a card that Betty Keefe made a few months ago, and used her idea for this card.  I stamped the design on ivory card, gold embossed it, then used some gold watercolor paint to add a bit more gold to the leaves.  The panel was mounted on a gold metallic cardstock, which was also used to make a circle frame for my sentiment.

My next card uses a favorite cover die that I got earlier this year.  It is really fun to work with!  Today I used my Zig markers and some water to color all the flowers and leaves, then mounted it onto a white card base and added my sentiment in black.

supplies: white and black cardstock, Bristol paper, Flower Garden die, MFT Thanks die, sentiment from Wplus9 Hand Lettered Thanks, Zig Markers and water

Now it's your turn!  We have a $50.00 gift certificate 

to the amazing Simon Says Stamp store for 1 lucky random winner of this week's challenge!  

Variations

Hi!  Here's a CAS card using a phrase I use often for a special person......

supplies: white, Audrey Blue and Green Leaf cardstock, Memory Box Antique Corner Rose Label die and Big and Little Words stamp set

And here's a variation of this design, following the same sketch, the same sentiment set, but using stamps instead of dies.

supplies: white cardstock, Altenew Bamboo Rose stamps, white embossed and colored with Zig markers and water, Memory Box Big and Little Words sentiment, Sunny Studio Frilly Frames Lattice die

With pink flowers, this is obviously for a girl, so I used a frilly frame to trim out my panel.

As always, thanks for your visit.  I especially value yours today!  

Simon Says..........Make Your Own Background

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

This week our theme is Make Your Own Background, and we're playing with Tim Holtz products.  We'd love to see you using them, too, but you can use anything  you'd like, as long as you follow the theme.

I have 2 cards today.

supplies: white cardstock, Tim Holtz Plaid stencil, Wildflower die, cracked pistachio, peacock feathers, and salty ocean distress oxide inks, Tammy Tutterow Tiny Sentiment

I used all 3 oxide inks with the plaid stencil, and splattered with the same inks.  Then I trimmed out the panel, edged it with peacock feathers, and attached it to a white card base.  I stamped and heat embossed my sentiment, then cut my flowers, sponged them with the same inks, then attached them, extending them just a bit beyond my inked background.

Next I played with some Distress Resist Spray and oxides.

supplies: white cardstock, Tim Holtz Flourish die and stencil, distress resist spray, picked raspberry and squeezed lemonade distress inks, Simon Painted Hello and Leanna Butterfly dies, rainbow heart sprinkles

To make this card I first used the flourish die to make a cut on an A2 sized panel, in essence making my own stencil.  That was placed over a plain white cardstock panel of the same size, put inside a cardboard box, and spritzed with distress resist spray.  Then I removed the "stencil" to allow the plain panel to dry naturally (maybe 15 minutes or so). When dry, the flourish image is raised slightly and shiny, just like if it had been heat embossed.  Next I sponged on my oxide inks diagonally.  After a little more air-drying, I used the flourish stencil to apply the same inks in the areas that were not embossed.  I also splattered more of the inks and some plain water.  Then the panel was trimmed, attached to my white card base, and I added my sentiment and butterfly die-cuts, along with a couple tiny heart sprinkles.

The distress resist spray acts just like embossing powder, allowing the white card to show through. As you can see, I could have spritzed it a little more in the upper part of the design to get a more even, less splotchy, pattern, but that's a lesson learned which I'll remember next time!

Now it's your turn!  We have a $50.00 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!