Take Care Wreath

 I went diving into my scrap basket again and here's what resulted this time.

supplies: white, dark green, and pink cardstock, vellum, Pink Fresh Studio Stitches Background cover plate, Blossoms & Berries washi wreath, Take Care die, circle die, enamel dots

Everything is retired, but each is easily replaced with one of your favorites.

Can you believe we're heading into September in a few days?  Since I love fall, that's just fine with me; we're already seeing fall temperatures here; it's was just too hot for me this summer!  What's it doing in your neck of the woods?

A Simple Window Birthday card

 Here's a card that couldn't have been easier to make.

supplies: white cardstock, My Favorite Things Peek a Boo Window and Wonky Rectangle dies, Pink Fresh Studio washi tape, Hero Arts woodblock Happy Birthday Message, adhesive foam squares

Unfortunately, almost everything is retired, except maybe the washi butterfly.  The Hero Arts woodblock sentiment is one of a 2001 4-piece set, and it fits perfectly into this fun MFT window die.  After cutting it from an A2 white panel, I then trimmed it with the wonky rectangle die, then popped it above the stamped sentiment before adding the flowers and butterfly.  

Love this design, because it could be varied with whatever you have in your scrap basket!  

Hello Sunshine!

 It's been a very cool, rainy spring this year, but I think, if the weatherman is right, we have finally turned the corner!   So here's a card to welcome back that big yellow ball in the sky.....

supplies: white, yellow, and green cardstock, washi tapes, My Favorite Things (retired) Blueprints 20 heart strip die, The Greetery Botanicuts Sunflower dies, sentiment from Technique Tuesday (retired) Bring on the Sun, Hero Arts Soft Granite ink, tiny yellow heart sprinkles

This is a CASE of a card I made 10 years ago this month.  Amazingly all of the washi tapes were still usable (can't say that for many of them anymore).  The yellow dot is a Doodlebug one, I believe.  I changed up a few of the supplies from my original card, using die-cut flowers instead of stamped ones, and substituting a heart strip for the original cross-stitch one, but it's like finding buried treasure to bring out the oldies and show them some love once again.

These are technically sunflowers, but I made them white so that they look more like daisies - love all the layers.  I used scraps of whites and off-whites for them.  Such a happy flower! 

Hope you're able to get outside wherever you are.  Wonder what summer will look like this year?

Washi and a Turnabout!

 It's gardening season!  From now through June is the best time of year for enjoying our gardens, before they get to the "jungle" stage!  Recently I was in the mood for making a turnabout background, but then set it aside until now, when I paired it with some washi florals.

supplies: white and green cardstock, Concord & 9th In the Garden Turnabout stamp set, Sunny Studio Fancy Frames Circle die, Hero Arts Infinity Nesting Circle die, Waffle Flower Full Bloom Sentiments, Pink Fresh Studio Fluttering Butterfly Washi and matching die,  (retired) English Garden washi, adhesive foam squares

I don't use circles enough, so I chose this pretty scalloped one and one from a nested set to use as my focal point.  After stamping my sentiment, I added the bits of washi, then lifted the whole thing above my garden background.

Are you a gardener?  My husband does all the hard work, and I just choose the flowers and admire them!  Thanks for stopping by!

Abstract Triangles

 My dear friend Linda had an extra foiling plate, and generously sent it to me!  She also came up with the idea for both of us to use this plate to make a Valentine's card and post our cards on the same day, what fun!

Here's mine.

supplies: white and Cotton Candy cardstock, Pink Fresh Studio Abstract Triangles hot foil plate, Gold Matte glimmer foil, Paper Rose Lace Heart Frame die, Pink Fresh Studio (retired) English Garden washi tape, Spellbinders/Tammy Tutterow (retired) Sew Tiny Sentiments, gold embossing powder, tiny gold sequins

I like the modernity of the abstract triangles background against the traditional heart and flowers motif.  The gold foiling is subtle, as is the gold highlights in the washi flowers, so I also embossed my sentiment in gold and added some tiny gold sequins to the centers of each flower.  

Here's Linda's version - she used hers with her BetterPress machine, isn't it cute?  Thank you, Linda, for this fun challenge!

Hope Your Day is Full of Joy

I haven't done a glimmer card for awhile, so I went back through my glimmer plates and pulled out the one that came with my machine.  It has no name that I'm aware of, and it isn't being included anymore with the machine, so I guess it's retired. Story of my life!!

supplies: white cardstock, (retired) oval doily frame and Anytime Sentiments glimmer plates, champagne glimmer foil, (retired) English Garden and Fluttering Butterflies washi tape

I chose this sentiment because it was a vertical one, something I don't have many of.  I thought I was making a possible birthday card, but the more I look at this with the pretty gold foiling and accents in the washi elements, it would work for a wedding or anniversary card, too, don't you think?

Thanks so much for stopping by today - I hope you're enjoying your day!

Lilac Clusters

 I got this lilac embossing folder maybe a year ago, but then was a bit intimidated by it.  But I was encouraged to give it a try after seeing Caly's beautiful results.  Here's my first play with it.

supplies: white cardstock, Lilac Cluster embossing folder, distress inks in shaded lilac, wilted violet, blueprint sketch, salty ocean, mowed lawn, and tumbled glass, sentiment from (retired) Simon Joys of Spring, a Pink Fresh Studio washi butterfly

May is the month for Mothers here in the states, and I will always associate lilacs with it.  My Mom has been gone for 2 years now, but it's nice to remember her with a card like this.  

Thanks for visiting!

Washi Butterflies!

It's May!  

Here are a couple of cards that I made after receiving the Pink Fresh Studio Fluttering Butterflies washi and matching dies.  I have a lovely collection of their floral washi designs, and thought that these butterflies would be a nice accompaniment to them.

First I used just the elements in this set, which are lots of butterflies, along with some leafy stems.  I simply arranged them on a pierced leafy background and popped up a sentiment.

supplies: white cardstock, Memory Box Pinpoint Leaf cover plate, Pink Fresh Studio Fluttering Butterflies washi, matching dies, Perfect Sentiments foiling plate and die, gold glimmer foil, adhesive foam

Next I mixed 2 of the butterflies with a floral washi design, Hydrangea and Rose.

supplies: white cardstock, Paper Smooches (retired) Fab Frames die, Pink Fresh Studio Hydrangea and Rose washi, Fluttering Butterflies washi, and matching die, Taylored Expressions (retired) Handlettered Sentiments cling, gold embossing powder, adhesive foam

These washi tapes are beautifully designed and colored, and are a joy to work with!  Hope your day is full of joy!

I'm entering these into the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Feminine.

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!

Washi Postage Stamps

Happy Labor Day to my US friends - enjoy! 

Today's card is a mix of some new washi tape, a set of dies that Jenn McGuire MADE me buy awhile back :)), and a Spellbinders glimmer sentiment coming in October!

supplies: Simon Says Stamp Pastel Color Blend cardstock, white cardstock, Gina K Designs Master Layouts 11 dies, Pink Fresh Studio Garden Bouquet washi tape, and glimmered sentiment  coming soon

This set of washi tape has 1 large bouquet, plus 8 small floral sprigs like you see here.  This tiny circle sentiment that is foiled works perfectly with the sprigs, which have gold-foiled details.  And the sprigs are the perfect size to fit inside these postage-stamp shaped openings.  

I love it when you can put together items  and make them your own!  Thanks for stopping by!

Summer Fruits

 I have 2 neglected rolls of washi tape that I thought I should give a little love to; they both feature summer fruits and flowers.

supplies: white cardstock, Doodlebug Gingham dp, Pink Fresh Studio Blossoms and Berries washi sprigs, Sunny Studio Fancy Frame Circle die, sentiment from Berry Bliss

supplies: white cardstock, green dotted dp, Pink Fresh Studio Lemons and Blueberries washi sprigs, Stitched Scallop Rectangle dies, sentiment from Altenew Painted Greetings

I think these little sprigs are perfect for last-minute cards.  I have found that fussy-cutting the designs is pretty easy, though there are dies to match.  I store what I don't use all together.  Then it just takes some color coordination with design papers or inks and you've got a card!

Hope these have given you some inspiration!

For the Pink Fresh challenge

 I am all about flowers, so I had to enter this month's Pink Fresh Challenge: flowers!  Here's my card.

supplies: white cardstock, PinkFresh Studio Dainty Plaid cling stamp and matching stencils, Altenew Cotton Candy and Peach Perfect inks, Joyful Bouquet washi tape and matching die, Perfect Sentiments hot foil plate and matching die., gold glimmer foil, Altenew Fine Frames die

I really like this combination of products!  

Thanks for your visit!  Have a lovely Sunday!

Simon Says........Shaped Card

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

This week we want you to make a Shaped Card - anything except a square or rectangle.  The team is working with Mama Elephant products.

supplies: white cardstock, Pink Fresh Studio Rainbow Floral washi tape wreath, Mama Elephant Paola's Wishes sentiment, Fairy Jewels, Circle die, adhesive foam squares

I love the size, beautiful font and nice variety of these sentiments in this stamp set - you'll be seeing lots more of them going forward!

My card measures 4" in diameter, so it fits into an A2 envelope easily.  I applied the washi tape to white cardstock, then trimmed it with a circle die, also cutting 2 more circles from white cardstock with the same die.  I fussy-cut out the center of the wreath.  After stamping my sentiment centered on one of the cardstock circles, I popped the wreath above it.  Then I scored the 2nd cardstock circle about 3/4" down from the top, and glued the 2 circles together from the score-line up to make my card.  To finish I added some tiny pastel gems for sparkle.

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!  

AllAll rea

Happy Birthday

 The little sprigs that are included in the Pink Fresh Tape washi rolls can be very useful.  Here I mixed 3 of them with some gold leaf sprigs and a floral embossing folder to make a birthday card.

supplies: white and gold mirror cardstock, Hydrangea and Rose washi tape, Hero Arts Envelope Accessories leaf die, Simon Picnic Floral embossing folder and sentiment from It's Your Birthday, Super Fine Detail Gold embossing powder

This particular washi tape has fine gold foiled details, so I like to add more gold to my design when I use it.  And let's not forget the lovely effect that an embossing folder adds!  At least for me, it is the perfect finishing touch!

I'm adding this card to the PinkFresh Studio April challenge: Flowers!

Thanks for your visit today!  I hope you have a great weekend!

Some New Washi Tapes!

 I'm a big fan of Pink Fresh Studio's wide washi tapes, and they recently brought out a new group of them.  Today's post has cards using 2 of the new designs, Chrysanthemums and Whimsical Blooms.  I learned awhile back that I can usually fussy-cut the designs without much trouble, it just takes a bit of patience and good lighting, so I saved myself a bit of money and did just that.

supplies white and a dark coral from Memory Box Berry Red collection paper pad, Chrysanthemum washi tape, Spellbinders Hemstitch Rectangle die, sentiment from Simon Leafy Frames clear stamp set, adhesive foam squares

I grouped together 3 of the flower sprigs from the washi and popped them above a cutting of  my old favorite Hemstitch Rectangle die.

My 2nd card uses the largest sprig from the Whimsical Blooms washi roll.  

supplies: white and Doll Pink cardstock, Whimsical Blooms washi tape, Spellbinders Floral embossing folder, Paper Smooches Fab Frames die, Honey Bee Bitty Buzzwords stamp and matching die, adhesive foam 

For this one, I wanted to make my colored background textural, and in looking through my embossing folders, I found this doll pink panel already done - I think it matches the flowers perfectly!  Then I proceeded to cover up most of it......This time I lifted everything above the card base.

And one more, using another of the little bouquets in this set.

supplies: white and  a lilac from the Memory Box Twilight Purple paper pad, Whimsical Blooms Washi, Ornate Oval die, Hero Arts Sending Love Mail sentiment and Boutique Accessories fishtail die, Simon Blossom Field embossing folder, white pigment ink

This ornate oval is the perfect place to hold this delicate little bouquet; it reminds me of a cameo!   And this time you can see more of my embossing - I swiped the background with white pigment ink gently to bring out the details even more.

These washi tape elements certainly make for easy and colorful designs.  I always make up 2 or 3 panels of them when they arrive, cut them out, and store them so they're ready for last-minute cards. 

Simon Says......Fun with Washi!

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

 This week we want you to use some Washi tape on your creations!  The team is featuring Doodlebug products; you don't have to use this brand to enter, but we'd love to see you using it if you do!

I have a huge collection of washi tapes, so I thoroughly enjoyed this week's challenge!

supplies: white cardstock, unknown gingham and leaves washi tapes, Doodlebug Rocky Doodle Pop stickers, Penny Black Stitched Stacker die, sentiment from Sugar Pea Fall Fox

I simply added 2 strips of fall-themed washi tape to a card panel, along with a die-cut border above and below them, then stamped my sentiment and added this adorable little racoon and leaves.  Doodle Pops are stickers that are layered up for lots of dimension, and Doodlebug has a really fun assortment of them, adding to them each time a new collection is released.  I like to have some in my stash at all times, as they come in handy when you need a fast card!

Here's a 2nd card for this week - I used a washi tape from one of Doodlebug's latest collections, along with papers from the same collection..

supplies: white cardstock, Doodlebug My Happy Place 6" paper pad, Flower Garden washi tape, from the same collection, Pretty Pink Posh Spring Foliage dies. Simon Joys of Spring sentiment, Your Next Stamp Mini Flower Splatter clear stamp, pink ink

The washi is the floral strip - everything else is from the coordinating paper pad.

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!

A Summer Card

 With all the Christmas stuff I've been posting lately, I felt a real need to return to present day, so today's card feels like summer to me!  There have been lots of lemon-themed cards showing up lately, which reminded me about this washi tape.  Love this sweet shade of yellow, too!

supplies: yellow, white, and metallic lavender cardstock, (retired) Lil Inker Circles and Diamonds cover plate, Pink Fresh Studio Ornate Oval Frame and Lemons and Blueberries washi tape, Memory Box Just Because die, adhesive foam

This Ornate Frame is new to me, and I think it's the perfect vehicle to pair with all of the washi tape sprigs that I have.  I cut my sentiment from a foiled lavender kraft cardstock to bring out the blueberries in the design.  I wanted to pop the frame above something subtle and this cover die that is sadly retired fits the bill perfectly!

My mouth is watering thinking about some sweet concoction that blends lemons and blueberries!  I have a story to share about a baby blueberry bush that our oldest son brought home from a nursery that he was working in for the summer, probably 28 years ago.  We planted it, but probably in not the best location at the time.  Over the years it has come back year after year and gotten bigger and bigger, but until this year it's never produced any fruit.  This year it did (it's in a sunnier location now)!!  Now all I need is a lemon tree - unlikely in our northern location here in Ohio!

Enjoy your Sunday!

Rainbow Wreath

 I love Pink Fresh Studio's washi tapes;  here is a CAS card using one of their latest.

supplies: white cardstock, Tim Holtz rose gold Metallic Kraft stock, Pink Fresh Studio Rainbow Floral Washi wreath and Folk Edge Rectangle dies, Simon Blessings die, gold sequins, adhesive foam squares

With this sentiment and the softness of the washi wreath, this card could be used for many occasions, from a sympathy card to a feminine birthday one.

I lifted the inner rectangle and the wreath for some dimensional interest.  

Thank you for stopping by - enjoy your weekend!

Some Easter Cards

 Happy Monday!  I have a pretty little Easter die that I haven't used nearly enough, so today I pulled it out and made 2 cards.

supplies: white cardstock, Simon's Center Cut Flowers cling stamp, markers to color, The Greetery Easter Jubilee Easter die and stamped sentiment, Pink Fresh Studio Folk Edge Rectangle die

I centered and stamped the floral circle on white card, then colored it with markers. Next I centered the Easter die and cut it from that panel.  Separately, I cut the word again from a white scrap and inlaid it back into the design, then stamped my sentiment.  Then I remembered this Folk Edge Rectangle and used it to border my panel - I think it picks up nicely on the details in the letters.

Next I tried to think of a different way to use this die.  I came up with cutting it from some washi tape and making it into a mini slim-line card - here's the result.

supplies: white and light coral card, The Greetery Easter Jubilee die and stamped sentiment, Pink Fresh Studio Hydrangea and Rose washi tape

There is a large element in this washi tape that is the perfect size to fit the Easter die.  So after cutting out my letters, I affixed them to a skinny rectangle, framed it with coral, and then surrounded it with more of the other florals from the same washi set.  This is one of the washis that have gold line accents, so that added feature makes this even prettier in the flesh!

It's a bit early, but I wish you a lovely Easter!

Foiling and Washi for a Birthday Card

 I needed some birthday cards this month, so I pulled out my new Scattered Dots glimmer plate for a background and topped it with a washi tape wreath.

supplies: white card, Spellbinders Scattered Dot glimmer plate and Aura glimmer foil, PinkFresh Studio English Garden washi wreath topped with Joyful Bouquet washi floral sprigs, Perfect Sentiments hot foil plate and matte gold glimmer foil, Perfect Sentiments cutting plate, adhesive foam to lift sentiment

These washi tapes have gold foiled outlines and details, so I piled on more gold with my background and sentiment - makes for a festive card in these dull days of January!

Thanks for stopping by!