Flower Soft in Glass Vase

Time for another bouquet of Flower Soft! What a great way to add dimension and texture to a design!


I began with some Pink Passion cardstock from Stampin' Up, creating the base and panel. I then used a Scor-bug Embosser and Scor-Pal to create a diagonal dotted grid on the main panel, as well as the horizontal lines running at top and bottom of the card base. What a fun little tool--I bought mine at Joan Fricker's Monday sale, found here.

I stamped my Northwoods Rubber Stamps image onto SU Shimmery White cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I then colored my image with multiple Copic markers.

After coloring my image, I applied SU Crystal Effects for the vase of the card. You can see the glassy effect and Flower Soft much better in this picture:

Once my Crystal Effects had totally dried, I began my work with my Flower Soft colors. I used Sweet Pea, Lemon Yellow, and Lavender, as well as Flower Soft Glue.

I finished my design with some lovely May Arts Ribbon, purchased from the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.

I hope your Sunday is wonderful--we will be travelling about two hours away to visit my youngest son who has flown in from Colorado for a wedding.

Thanks for stopping by!

A Squirrel's Work is Never Done!

Today's design was created for the Splitcoaststamper's Limited Supply Challenge: Chinese Takeout. We were to chose from three different "menus," all to create a design that would be suitable for a boy or man. I chose a red/blue color scheme, textured plates/punches and diecuts, and a non-floral nature theme.

I purchased this cute little fella from a stamping store in Appleton, WI. He is Memory Box's "Nutty Squirrel." I paper pieced him using Bazzill textured and smooth papers, as well as Crafty Secret's red plaid from their "Earthy" pad. The red cardstock is PaperTrey Ink, and the navy is unknown (probably SU).

After layering the plaid background, I ran a navy strip through my Cuttle Bug for some added texture. Spellbinder's Assorted Leaves Shapeabilites provided my leaves, and their Wizard Tags Trio providing a sentiment tag.

The sentiment is PaperTrey Ink's Mega Mixed Messages, stamped with Versafine Sepia ink and tied with a bit of twine.

Hope this little fella brightens your day! Thanks for stopping by, and have a great weekend!

Stamp Simply Blue, Green and Piercing

For this week's Stamp Simply challenge (ssnotime93) we were to create a design using blue, green and paper piercing.

I chose this beautiful My Mind's Eye BellaBella French Flea Market dp, which has lovely shades of blue and green in it. I paper pierced each point of the Bible verse panel, then threaded May Art's narrow silk ribbon through the holes (a bit difficult to see in the pic), then tied the top holes off with a silk bow.

My Bible verse is from Our Daily Bread's Scripture Collection 1, stamped with Versafine Sepia ink and heat embossed with Stampin' Up's Clear EP. The verse was then diecut with Spellbinder's Labels One and decorated with two sticky back pearls from Ellen Hutson.

We're welcoming two new ladies to the Stamp Simply team: Jenny Group and Barbara Anders. So happy to have you both join us!

Check out everyone's blue and green designs:
Sabrina, June Guest Designer
Janine
Jennifer
Julie
AJ
Tammy
Barbara
Jenny
Sharon

Have a great week!

Our Daily Bread Designs Sneak Peek!

It's time for a Sneak Peek at one of Our Daily Bread Designs July sets! And why am I giving a sneak peek? Well, I'm thrilled to announce that I am now a part of the Our Daily Bread team! I have admired this company for sometime, and are so excited to take part in it!

My design today also fits the Sketch Challenge (SC234) over at Splitcoaststampers.

Today's sneak peek features "Mother Teresa." This set includes four of Mother Teresa quotes, as well as a beautiful lotus flower: the national flower of India, where Mother Teresa served.

I began with Stampin' Up's Old Olive cardstock, layering it with a Little Yellow Bicycle Vita Bella Collection Green Floral panel.

I stamped my lotus flower image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto PaperTrey Ink's Stamper's Select white cardstock. I then colored it with numerous Copic markers, then die cut it with Spellbinder's Small Deckled Rectangles.

I also die cut another larger deckled panel (Spellbinder's Large Deckled Rectangles) and added two dp corner rectangles to fit in between to follow the sketch challenge.

Robin's Nest Fresh Mown Grass Dew Drops finish this design.

Hope you like it!

Stamp Simply "Summer Recipes"

This week's Stamp Simply Challenge (ssnotime92) is to create a project or card using recipes. I decided to make a folder which will hold six recipes for my future daughter-in-law, Jennifer. I will fill it with our family's favorite appetizer, Salad, Main Dish, Soup, Pasta, and Cookie recipes.

I began with with a stiff piece of posterboard for the two covers. I cut the posterboard into 8" X 12" rectangles. I then found a piece of 12" decorator paper from my stash to cover the outside covers of the folder. I chose Kaiser Crafts Country Grove--Daisy Chain dp. My inside is covered with Stampin' Up Old Olive cardstock, as well as more of the Daisy Chain dp for the pockets.

My pockets for the recipe cards measure 2" X 6". I corner rounder punched the upper inner corners of the pockets, and only sticky taped the three other edges, so the recipes could slide in and out easily. I placed the pockets with a larger space at the bottom--perfect for larger or longer recipe cards.

I decorated my Family Favorites Recipe Holder with JustRite's new Recipe Set. What fun to play with! Check out the JR "Recipe Set" here. I punched the circles out with Stampin' Up's circle punches and taped them to decorate the pockets.

My recipe cards are printed on PaperTrey Ink's Vintage Cream cardstock, using this link for the free recipe card download.

The outside cover of my recipe folder is decorated with Spellbinder's Peony Nestabilities, as well as their Long Rectangle and Long Rectangle Scalloped dies. I stamped the title of my holder with JustRite's Brayton Font (my very favorite!), Versafine Sepia ink, and Stampin' Up's clear detail ep.

Some of the finishing details include SU Build a Brad, yummy ribbon, and a bit of sponging. I hope that Jennifer will enjoy the recipes that I add!

Make sure that you check the rest of the Stamp Simply teams projects:

Sharon, Jennifer, Janine, Julie, AJ, Tammy, Becky, and June's Guest Designer: Sabrina.

Thanks for stopping by!

EDITED TO ADD:

OH MY! I have been on vacation in Washington D.C. and just found that my blog post did not post on Thursday night! So sorry to Sharon and all who came by and found NOTHING!!! I was so excited about this one too!

Blushing Butterfly

Life is so busy! But I don't have to tell you that, do I? I wanted to share another of my Splitcoaststamper gallery pics, created last summer. I adore butterflies--and this retired Stampin' Up (Stipple Butterfly) is one of my favorites. Even though this stamp is retired, there are many beautiful butterfly stamps out there!

As you can see, this is a fictional butterfly--colored far from what nature intended. I love trying to achieve a realistic look, but this time went in the opposite direction!

The base of the card is retired SU Groovy Guava cardstock, topped with Blush Blossom and Groovy Guava textured cardstock. I used an Anna Griffin punch to add interest to all four corners.

My image is stamped with Adirondack Pitch Black ink on PaperTrey Ink's Stampers Select White Cardstock. I colored it with numerous Copic markers, then ticket corner punched (SU) all four corners. The image panel is layered on a Blush Blossom (SU) panel. As you probably have noted from all of my designs, I rarely use a sentiment. I like to create cards that can be used for just about anything, stamping a suitable sentiment inside before I give it.

Dimensional tape and Martha Stewart ribbon finish this butterfly.

I will be away on a little trip with my husband for a bit, and not able to post except for Friday, for Sharon's Stamp Simply Challenge.

Hope your weekend is great!

Splitcoast Fan Club June Sneak Peek!

How about a sneak peek for this month's Splitcoaststampers Fan Club!?! Yes, this sweet little bunny is part of the gallery!

Please join the Fan Club members for an exciting reveal June 15th! Not a Fan Club member? Well, take a look HERE, and consider joining up! Membership is so very reasonable, considering the numerous projects and ideas you have access to! It's also very inexpensive when you compare it to the cost of just one stamping magazine!!!

Hope to see you on the 15th!

Wheelbarrow of Flowers

This week's Stamp Simply Challenge (ssnotime91) is Half Circles! We are to use a half circle in our sketch design. Well, my circle is a bit bigger than half, so I hope it counts!

All of the cardstock and decorator paper used in this design were from a Valentine Kit from Taylored Expressions Shop.

I used a Spellbinder's Nestabilities Circle and Circle Scallop for my circle, a Spellbinder's Label One for the image panel, and a Martha Stewart Border punch for the fencing.

I stamped my image (Stampin' Up Blooming with Love) onto PaperTrey Ink Stamper's Select White cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I colored portions of the image with Copic markers, paper pieced the wheelbarrow body with dp, and used Sweet Pea and Nut Brown FlowerSoft to create beautiful texture and dimension. A BasicGrey Porcelain brad in the upper corner finishes off the design.

If you would like to see the other Stamp Simply team's designs, follow these links:

Sharon, Jennifer, Janine, Julie, AJ, Tammy, Becky, and June's guest designer: Sabrina.

If you would like to play along with us, please link your creation to Sharon's blog! Hope to see your design!

Butterfly Moments

"Biddies," the stamping group that I belong to, hosted a stamping event (Stampin' in the U.P.) in the Upper Peninsula last summer. It was well attended, and we all had a great time! We had a swap, shoe-box swap, and a demonstration from Sharon Johnson. Fabulous prizes, stamping, and new friends made for a wonderful weekend. Our second annual "Stampin' in the U.P." will take place July 31-August 2 in Baraga, Michigan. There still are a few spots left, and you can read about it HERE.

I made this card for the general swap last year. I began with a base of retired Stampin' Up Cool Caribbean (I loved that color!!!). I used a Stampin Up background stamp (Posy--sorry, also retired) along with Cool Caribbean ink to create my next panel.

The border strip was made with a Martha Stewart border punch. The panel was cut from white cardstock, and stamped (Flourishes Butterfly Moments) with an Essential Glue Pad. Microfine glitter topped off the image to create glimmer and gleam. Ribbon and a little tag finished off the design.

Hope your week is going great! Take Care!

Fresh Raspberries!

Yesterday at our school picnic the children (and staff!) were able to enjoy fresh and dried fruit, veggies, and nuts, compliments of a health grant that had been written by a couple of the teachers. It included fresh raspberries-- YUM! The berries reminded me of a card that I had created previously that I wanted to share with you.

The image is from a retired set called, "Sun-Ripened." I stamped it with Versafine Black Onyx onto a heavy watercolor paper, then watercolored it with my Lyra watercolor crayons and brush. After the image dried, I sponged around the berries with SU Barely Banana, then used Creamy Caramel ink, Itty Bitty and Sanded bg stamps for a bit of distressing. I then used a Spellbinders Oval die to punch it out.

The base of the card is made from SU Ruby Red, then layered with Basic Greys Aged and Confused Sublime paper.

SU HodgePodge Hardware, twill, and twine finish off the design. Hope these berries tempt you into a treat of fresh fruit today!

Hope your week is going well-- today is the last half day of school for me, and it is my party for our "Biddies" (stamping) group tonight.

Stamp Simply Pot-pourri

The Stamp Simply challenge (ssnotime90) for this week is "Gone to Pot," using some sort of pot in our design. Examples could range from: coffee pots, plant pots...you get the idea...I choose to create a design of lavender potpourri. I have a beautiful row of lavender that I planted years ago running along the front of our home-- it is so lovely and fragrant when it blooms! My house smells great when I trim it!

I began with a SU Lavendar Lace cardstock base, layered with Barely Banana and K and Company Addison dp. My layer beneath my image was run through my Cuttlebug with the textile folder.

I stamped my Rubber Stampede Lavender image onto PaperTrey Ink Stamper's Select white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, then coloring it with Copic markers. I then used Lavender Flower Soft and Flower Soft glue to add dimension to the image.

I finished the design with a sheer ribbon, tied with my Bow Easy device. I added a twine/Foof-a-la button to the center of the bow, then attached it to the card.

Please check out the Stamp Simply team to see what they've come up with!

Sharon, Jennifer, Janine, Julie, AJ, Becky, Tammy and June guest designer: Sabrina Jackson.

If you decide to play along this week, please link back to Sharon's blog to show us your design!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Exciting News!!!

I am pleased and honored to announce that I am a member of the Flower Soft Design Team! I am so thrilled to join with a group of super talented ladies: Jennifer Buck, Carole Burrage, Niki Estes, Charmaine Ikach, Sharon Johnson, AJ Otto, and Valerie Stangle! Our first team effort is for each to create a bouquet--be sure to check out everyone's beautiful designs!

Flower Soft is a fabulous product--little sprinkles of color and happiness!!! Okay, I know that sounds a bit over the top, but I am in love! LOL!!! The texture and color cannot be beat!

I wanted to create a little flower bouquet for a friend that has been ill. Fresh flowers are marvelous, but Flower Soft flowers will last much longer!

I began with a 3 3/4" tin watering can (Darice) that I purchased from Michael's. I added some Desert Foam from Walmart to the inside of the can to become the base of my bouquet. I spread Flower Soft glue onto the top of the foam; then sprinkled Nut Brown Flower Soft to act as a blanket to hide the foam.

My next step was to create the flowers. I began with Flower Soft wire that is covered with paper. The gauge of the wire is sturdy, yet easily cut with an older pair of scissors. It also bends easily, which makes it suitable to form into different shapes. After cutting the wire into stems, I used a Copic YG63 Pea Green marker to color them.

I then used Flower Soft Sunshine Yellow, Summer, Sweet Pea, Lavendar, and Violet to create the blossoms. The white daisies were created with PaperTrey Ink Linen Vellum, punched with a Martha Stewart Cosmo Punch, with Sunshine Yellow Flower Soft for the centers. I also punched a few vines (Martha Stewart) from Stampin' Up Garden Green cardstock for a bit of greenery.

A PaperTrey Ink "Mega Mixed Message" stamped with Versafine Sepia ink onto PaperTrey Ink Stamper's Select White Cardstock became my sentiment to "get well." I die cut the tag with Spellbinder's Wizard Tag Trio, then threaded a sheer, yellow dotted ribbon through. A bit of rick-rack finishes my design.

Check out the Flower Soft blog for some fab blog candy...all you have to do is leave a comment, and you will be entered. The winner will be chosen June 8th.

Hope you enjoyed my first bouquet! If you would like to make one, check out all of the Flower Soft products here.