Rolling Cards!

Animal Outing Rolling Card

Stained Glass Rolling Card

Super easy and the possibilities are endless!

Want to learn more?

My July Fresh Card Making Tutorial will feature the Rolling Card Technique.

The tutorial will feature two designs.

One made using the  Animal Outing stamp set.  We are expecting our second grand baby the end of August, so I created this card to welcome him into the world!

The  second card was made using the stamp set Painted Glass and Stampin' Blends.

This tutorial will hit e mail inboxes at 9:00 am (MST) on July 23, 2019.

Please add your name to my mailing list by 8:00 am (MST) on July 23 to receive this tutorial complete with step-by-step color photographs in a pdf format.

To sign up, please use the Sign Up Box located in the upper right hand corner of this page.

Once the sign up process has been completed, you'll receive my Adhesives 101 tutorial via email in pdf format as my gift to you.

I hope to hear from you!

Anne

Faux Denim Pocketful of Happiness

The new Pocketful of Happiness stamp set with coordinating Pocket Dies just makes me smile.

For this card, I combined them with Faux Denim, one of my favorite background techniques.

Here's how:

1. To create the Faux Black Denim Technique, swipe Smoky Slate ink onto a piece of Whisper White card stock.
2. Next, swipe on Memento Black ink. Set aside to dry.
3. Swipe on White Craft ink. Set aside to dry.
4. Rotate the card stock 90 degrees, and swipe on Memento Black ink.
5. Add Smoky Slate and White Craft ink as desired.
6. Stamp pocket image from Pocketful of Happiness on a scrap piece of Whisper White card stock using Memento Black ink and the Stamparatus.
7. Cut pocket using the Big Shot and coordinating Pocket Die.  Fold pocket tabs along the score lines.  Apply Tombow Multi-purpose glue to the tabs and attach to the Faux Denim card front.
8. Cut a Pearlized Doily in half with a pair of scissors.  Sponge or swipe Real Red ink on the back side of the doily.  The ink will not stick to the pearlized finish on the front of the doily.  Apply a small amount of glue to the doily and slip it inside the pocket.
9. Cut a 1/4" strip of Basic Black card stock and attach to the top of the pocket.  Add 2 red rhinestones.
10.  Attach card front to Real Red mat.  Attach to Whisper White card base to complete.

Pocketful of Happiness

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Pocketful of Happiness

Ink: Memento Black, Smoky Slate, Real Red, craft white

Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Basic Black

Accessories: Big Shot, Pocket Die, Pearlized Doily, red rhinestones out of my stash, Tombow Multi-purpose Glue, Stamparatus

Embossed Moonlit Waterfront Card

It's easy to create this striking card using the masking and heat embossing techniques, paired with Waterfront stamp set.

Click HERE for step by step instructions in a pdf format

This is a great masculine-themed card.  Perfect for any occasion!

Waterfront

Metallic Gears Floating Frame Card

I seem to be on a masculine-theme card kick.

Masculine cards always seem to be a little tricky in the designing.

This idea came to me after creating my Steam Punk Gears card HERE

The embossing technique is pretty much the same, although this card ended up being a Floating Frame card.

You know, the Floating Frame technique, which is all the rage?

Usually, you end up with two cards with the technique, but I actually didn't like how the first of the two turned out.  I learned from that card that you need a lot of pieces (whether it be gears, flowers, butterflies etc) to fill in the frame or it looks empty.  That was the case with the first card which I just tossed.

But, I did really like this second piece.

If you'd like instructions on how to create a Gears Floating Frame Card, please add your name to my mailing list.

I will send you a tutorial in a pdf format as a thank you.

The sign up box is located on the upper right-hand side of this page.

Here's how I created the metallic gears.

1. Place the Garage Gears Dies on a piece of Champagne Foil paper and cut out using the Big Shot.  Again, for the Floating Frame technique, cut out more gears than you think you'll need.  You'll probably use all of them to fill in spaces.
2. Sponge Cherry Cobbler ink over the die cuts.  Cover with clear embossing powder and heat emboss using a heat tool.
3. Dip the edges of the pieces in Versamark and heat emboss using black and copper embossing powders.  Switch powders in different areas so you have a mix of the two colors.

That's it!

You'll have some interesting pieces with a burnished metal look for your masculine-theme projects.

I added the gears frame to a piece of Silver Foil paper which I had stamped and embossed the greeting using black embossing powder.  I added enamel dots to the centers of the gears as well as next to the greeting.

Garage Gears Dies

(coordinates with Geared Up Garage stamp set)

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Detailed with Love

Ink: Versamark, Cherry Cobbler

Paper: Basic Black, Champagne and Silver Foil Paper

Accessories: Big Shot, Garage Gears Dies, Embossing Buddy, heat tool, clear, black, and copper embossing powders, Adhesive Strips for the Floating Frame, enamel dots

Faux Flocked Sheltering Tree

Spring has sprung and the trees are in full bloom!

Create your own tree in full blossom using the Faux Flocking Technique.

Faux Flocking was one of the techniques featured in my April newsletter.

You can still receive the FREE tutorial when you add your name to my mailing list through the end of April.

Use the sign-up box located in the upper right hand corner of this page.

Once the easy sign up process has been completed, you'll also receive my Adhesives 101 tutorial as my gift to you!

I hope to hear from you soon!

Anne

Sale-A-Bration ends just days away on March 31!

(For every $50 spent in catalog merchandise, you can choose a free SAB item!)

One of the great Level 1 product choices is the fun Home to Roost stamp set.

I paired the rooster in the stamp set with the Tin Tile Embossing Folder, both embossed in copper for a rustic metallic look.

I swiped Versamark inside the folder (on the side with the word Sizzix on the front so I would get a raised versus an indented image) then inserted a piece of Basic Black card stock and ran it through the Big Shot.

Then, I added copper embossing powder and heat embossed it with a heat tool.

I also dabbed the edges of the card front in Versamark and heat embossed them with black and copper embossing powders.

I swiped a scrap piece of Basic Black card stock with the Embossing Buddy, then stamped the rooster in Versamark.  I heat embossed him using copper embossing powder.

I then punched him using my 2 1/4" circle punch and matted it to a piece of copper foil paper punched using my 2 1/2" circle punch.

The edges of the copper foil circle were dabbed in Versamark and heat embossed using copper embossing powder.

Don't miss out on the last days of Sale-A-Bration!

It's a great time to stock out and earn some free goodies!

Tin Tile Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Home to Roost, Level 1 Sale-A-Bration

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Home to Roost

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Basic Black, Copper Foil

Accessories: heat tool, black and copper embossing powder, Buddy, Big Shot, Tin Tile Embossing Folder, 2 1/4" and 2 1/2" circle punches, Dimensionals

Raised Embossed Image

Indented Embossed Image

Sale-A-Bration ends just days away on March 31!

(For every $50 spent in catalog merchandise, you can choose a free SAB item!)

One of the great Level 1 product choices is the pretty Country Floral Embossing Folder, perfect for your spring creations.

I decided to add a metallic look to the embossing for the 2 creations above.

I swiped Versamark inside the folder, then inserted a piece of copper foil paper and ran it through the Big Shot.

Then, I added black embossing powder and heat embossed it with a heat tool.

I also dabbed the edges of the copper foil in Versamark and heat embossed them with black and copper embossing powders.

The greeting is from another Level1 SAB choice, Home to Roost.

It was heat embossed on a piece of Basic Black card stock using copper embossing powder.

I matted it to a piece of copper foil that the edges were heat embossed with black and copper embossing powders.

For the first card, I swiped the Versamark on the inside of the folder with the raised embossing (the side with the word Sizzix on the front). 

For the second card, I swiped the Versamark on the other side of the folder with the indented embossing.

Two different looks made with one technique and one embossing folder.

Country Floral Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Home to Roost

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Basic Black, Copper Foil

Accessories: heat tool, black and copper embossing powders, Embossing Buddy, Big Shot, Country Floral Embossing Folder, Dimensionals

Sunrise over the Mountain Faux Postage

Add a unique look to your creations using the Faux Postage Technique.

Use a template/mask to create individual blocks of faux postage stamps.

This project uses Waterfront stamp set, and also includes the Clear-block Watercolor Background Technique.

Want to learn more?

My February Fresh Card Making Tutorial will feature this technique.

This tutorial will hit e  mail inboxes at 9:00 am (MST) on February 19, 2019.

Please add your name to my mailing list by 8:00 am (MST) on February 19 to receive this tutorial complete with step-by-step color photographs in a pdf format.

This tutorial will also include the Faux Postage template which can be printed on regular copy paper for future use.

To sign up, please use the Sign Up Box located in the upper right hand corner of this page.

Once the sign up process has been completed, you'll receive my Adhesives 101 tutorial via email in pdf format as my gift to you.

I hope to hear from you!

Anne

Polished Stone Golden Afternoon

When I first started stamping 15 or so years ago, Tammy Fite, my Stampin' Up! Demo at the time (and later Upline), showed me the Polished Stone Technique.

With veins of metallic ink running through the colors, it does indeed look like a high-end marble.

To this day, it is still one of my top 5 favorite stamping techniques.

You need: glossy card stock,  ink refills, cotton ball, isopropyl alcohol and metallic ink (gold, silver, copper refill or shimmer paint).

Here's how:

1. Place drops of ink refill onto a piece of glossy white card stock.  Place drops of metallic ink refill or shimmer paint on card stock.  For this card, I used  Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry, Mango Melody, and Smoky Slate ink refills.  My metallic was Bright Copper Shimmer Paint that was sold in the Holiday Catalog.
2.  Wet a cotton ball with isopropyl alcohol (don't make it too wet), and dab the alcohol onto the glossy card stock, mixing and moving the drops of ink.  The metallic ink will start to vein.  The shimmer paint will add shimmer highlights.  Add more ink or alcohol if desired. Set the piece aside to dry completely. 
3. Place card front in the Stamparatus, securing it with a magnet.  Position small tree image from Golden Afternoon on card front, and close the Stamparatus hinged plate, picking up the stamp with the plate.  Ink with Memento Black ink and stamp.  Repeat as needed to get a good stamped image. 
4. Remove tree image and place bird image on card front.  Close the Stamparatus hinged plate, picking up the stamp with the plate.   Ink with Memento Black ink and stamp.  Repeat as needed to get a good stamped image.
5. Remove the bird image and place greeting on card front.  Close the Stamparatus hinged plate, picking up the stamp with the plate.  Ink with Memento Black ink and stamp.  Repeat as needed to get a good stamped image.
6. Attach card front to copper foil mat.  Attach to Basic Black card base to complete.

Golden Afternoon is one of the new cling stamps from Stampin' Up!

Cling stamps, featuring red rubber with a strong, re-positional backing.

Easy to set up, use, and clean to get those perfect stamped images.

You can learn more about the new cling stamps in this video HERE

Golden Afternoon cling stamp set, found in the 2019 Occasions Catalog!

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Golden Afternoon

Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry, Mango Melody, and Smoky Slate ink refills, Memento Black

Paper: Basic Black, copper foil, glossy white

Accessories: isopropyl alcohol, cotton ball, Bright Copper Shimmer Paint, Stamparatus

Bokeh Falling for Leaves

The changing leaves have been so pretty this year here in the mountains of southern Colorado!

This card was inspired by this photo of  one of the wild Choke Cherries growing on our property.

It always is a show-stopper!

Choke Cherry fall color, Wetmore, CO

To create the bold colors of my card, I did the Bokeh Technique.

According to Wikipedia," the bokeh is the blur or aesthetic quality of the blur in out of focus areas of an image."

It is one of my favorite stamping techniques.

I first created a card stock  template of circles using my 1" and 3/4" circle punches.

Then, with sponge daubers, I added Mango Melody, Crushed Curry, Poppy Parade, and Old Olive inks, overlapping the colors to create the Bokeh effect.  Once the ink was dry, I added circles of Whisper White craft ink.

The leaves were cut out of Old Olive and Gold Foil paper using the Big Shot and Detailed Leaves Thinlits Dies.

The greeting is from Falling for Leaves and was stamped using Poppy Parade.

Happy Fall!

Falling for Leaves Bundle

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Falling for Leaves

Ink: Mango Melody, Crushed Curry, Poppy Parade, Old Olive, Whisper White craft ink

Paper: Whisper White, Poppy Parade, Old Olive, Goil Foil

Accessories: 1" and 3/4" circle punches, sponge daubers, Big Shot, Detailed Leaves Thinlits Dies, Tombow Multi-purpose glue, Mini Dimensionals, enamel shape

Fall is my favorite time of the year!

I love the cooler temps and the changing colors.

To celebrate the arrival of fall, I've been busy creating some fall-themed cards.

This card features the Clear-Block Background Technique paired with one of my new favorite stamp sets, Dandelion Wishes.

Here's how:

1. To create the clear-block water color background, tap ink pads onto a clear-block, spritz with water so the ink runs and pools, then stamp onto a piece of card stock.  Let the block set for a few seconds, then lift.  Set the piece aside to dry completely.  For this card, I used Pool Party, Crushed Curry, and Mango Melody inks on a "F" clear-block.  I stamped the block on a piece of Shimmery White card stock.  You could also use watercolor paper.
2.  Stamp the images from Dandelion Wishes using Early Espresso ink.  Sprinkle clear embossing powder over the images and heat emboss using a heat tool.
3.  Mat to a piece of Early Espresso card stock and attach to Mango Melody card base using Mini Dimensionals to pop it up.
4.  Add enamel shapes to complete.

I stamped the greeting from Dandelion Wishes on the inside:

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Dandelion Wishes

Ink: Pool Party, Crushed Curry, Mango Melody, Early Espresso

Paper: Mango Melody, Early Espresso, Shimmery White

Accessories: Clear-Block "F", spritzer bottle with water, clear embossing powder, heat tool, Mini Dimensionals, enamel shapes

Field of Fall Flowers

After a very warm summer, I think fall has finally arrived here in the mountains of southern Colorado!

Cooler temps and changing colors.

Fall is my favorite time of the year!

To celebrate, I have been busy creating fall-themed cards which I will be sharing over the next few days.

This one was quick and easy using the Clear-Block Background Technique mixed with the dainty flower images found in the stamp set Daisy Delight.

Here's how:

1. To create the watercolor background, tap ink pads onto a clear-block, spritz with water so the ink runs and pools, and stamp on a piece of card stock.  Let the block sit on the paper for a few seconds, then remove.  Set it aside to dry completely.  For this card, colors used were Pool Party, Pacific Point, Crushed Curry, and Pear Pizzazz on a "E" clear-block.  I stamped the block onto Shimmery White card stock which holds up well to the water.  You could also use water color paper.  
2.   Stamp stem image from Daisy Delight using Color Me Clover ink.  Stamp full strength, then again without reinking.  Stamp flower image using Mango Melody.  Stamp full strength, then again without reinking.
3.  Attach to Crushed Curry mat using Mini Dimensionals to pop it up.
4.  Stamp greeting using Pacific Point ink.  I used the retired stamp set Teeny Tiny Wishes (still my go-to greeting stamp), but choose a greeting that is appropriate for your occasion.  Attach to Pacific Point card base.
5. Color rhinestones using a blue Sharpie pen and attach to complete.

Supplies Used:

Stamp Sets: Daisy Delight, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Pool Party, Pacific Point, Crushed Curry, Pear Pizzazz, Color Me Clover, Mango Melody

Paper: Pacific Point, Crushed Curry, Shimmery White

Accessories: Clear-block "E", spritzer bottle with water, rhinestones, Sharpie Pen, Mini Dimensionals

Fremont Brewing Sun and Moon Card

One of my favorite crafting techniques is to cut shapes out of aluminum cans using the Big Shot and framelits dies or punches.

Please check HERE to see some of my other aluminum can and Big Shot projects, along with video tutorials.

I'm always on the look out for cans with interesting designs and colors.

My husband is a craft beer drinker,  and whenever he purchases a new brand, I always take a look the cans.

Well, he recently brought home some Summer American Pale Ale brewed by Fremont Brewing in Seattle, WA.

I thought I had died and gone to heaven when I saw this bright sun and moon!

Oh my, I couldn't wait for him to pour the beer into a pint glass so I could wash out the can and get started!

This card was so simple to create, and it took about 5 minutes!

I let the design on the can do the heavy lifting.

Here's  how:

1.  After washing it out thoroughly, I removed the top and bottom of the can (see video for instructions), and flattened it out.  As always, be careful with the cutting step as the can will be sharp.  After it has been run through the Big Shot or punched with a punch, the edges are no longer sharp.
2. I trimmed the piece down a little so my 2 1/2" circle punch would fit around the sun and moon, and then punched.
3.  I added the punched circle to a Basic Black mat using Dimensionals to pop it up.
4. I stamped the greeting from Painted Glass onto the Mango Melody card base using Memento Black ink.  I added the matted sun and moon to the card front using Dimensionals to pop it up.  Enamel shapes were added to the four corners to complete.

Simple, that's it!

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Painted Glass

Ink: Memento Black

Paper: Mango Melody, Basic Black

Accessories: tin snips, heavy crafting scissors, Summer  American Pale Ale beer can, 2 1/2" circle punch, Dimensionals, enamel shapes

You Move Me Emboss Resist

You Move Me stamp set is retiring.

 I combined it with the Emboss Resist Technique to make this colorful, spring-themed card.

Here's how:

1. To do the Emboss Resist Technique, first, swipe a piece of Glossy White card stock (you can also use regular matte Whisper White card stock) with an Embossing Buddy.  Then, stamp the images from You Move Me using Versamark or Whisper White Craft ink.  For this card, I used Whisper White craft ink. 
2.  Heat emboss the images using a heat tool and white embossing powder.
3. With a sponge or brayer, add different colors of ink over the embossed images.  For this card, I sponged on Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo, Marina Mist, Elegant Eggplant, Tangerine Tango and Daffodil Delight inks.  Wipe excess ink off using a tissue or paper towel.  The embossed white images will pop!
4. Attach card front to Elegant Eggplant mat.  Attach to Tempting Turquoise card base.
5. Stamp greetings onto scrap pieces of Daffodil Delight card stock using Elegant Eggplant ink.  Attach to card front using Mini Dimensionals to pop them up.
6. Add enamel dots to complete.

You Move Me stamp set

 To view all of the Stampin' Up! retiring products, please click HERE

Items are available through May 31 or while supplies last.

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: You Move Me

Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Marina Mist, Elegant Eggplant, Tangerine Tango (all retiring), Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight

Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Elegant Eggplant (both retiring), Daffodil Delight, Glossy White

Accessories: Embossing Buddy, heat tool, white embossing powder, sponge, Mini Dimensionals, enamel dots

Definitely Dahlia is retiring!

This bold stamp is one of my favorite background stamps.

I will miss it.

I thought I'd revisit one my favorite ways to use this stamp, the Emboss Resist Technique.

Stamp the image onto Whisper White card stock using Versamark, then heat emboss using a heat tool and white embossing powder.

Sponge or brayer on color. 

Then wipe excess ink off using a tissue or paper towel. 

The white embossed image will really pop!

To see details  for A Note of Thanks Definitely Dahlia Emboss Resist Card, please click HERE

To see details for Thank You Definitely Dahlia Emboss Resist Card, please click HERE

The Definitely Dahlia stamp set will be available through May 31 or while supplies last.

Don't miss out.  Get yours today before it is gone!

Definitely Dahlia Eclipse Card

Eclipse Cards are all the rage! 

Cut out a shape using punches or dies, then layer the pieces back into the negative space creating dimension. 

It's like working a puzzle!

I decided to create this card using the Eclipse Technique paired with the retiring stamp set Definitely Dahlia.

Here's How:

1. Ink up the Definitely Dahlia stamp first using Peekaboo Peach ink.  Tap the edges of the stamp using Flirty Flamingo ink.  Stamp on Whisper White card front.  Repeat to fill in the spaces.
2. Place card front onto the Big Shot using the Magnetic Platform as part of your cutting sandwich.  Place the letters from Large Letters Framelits Die onto the card front.  Run through the Big Shot to cut out the letters.  Remove card stock from the dies, making sure to save all the pieces.
3. Attach the stamped card front to Soft Suede card base using SNAIL Adhesive. 

4. Replace the letters into the negative space using Mini Dimensionals to pop them up. 

5. Use Tombow Multi-purpose glue to add the inserts in the “B”, D”, and A”.  They lay flat while the rest of the letters pop up.  Use a paper piercing tool to move the inserts into place as needed.

6. Stamp greeting from Floral &Fauna onto a scrap piece of Peekaboo Peach card stock using Soft Suede ink.  Banner cut one edge.  Attach to Soft Suede mat, banner cutting one edge to match.  Attach to card front using Mini Dimensionals to pop it up.

7. Attach enamel dots to card front to complete.

Definitely Dahlia stamp set is retiring!

Click here to view the retiring Stampin' Up! product

Product is available through May 31 or while supplies last.

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Floral & Fauna (Paper Pumpkin)

Ink: Peekaboo Peach, Flirty Flamingo (both retiring), Soft Suede

Paper: Soft Suede, Whisper White

Accessories: Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Large Letters Framelits Dies, Mini Dimensionals, Tombow Multi-purpose Glue, paper-piercing tool, enamel dots

I recently needed a quick birthday card.

  It was a bright and beautiful day here in the mountains of southern Colorado. 

This was the inspiration needed to create this quick and simple clear block watercolor background paired with the sun image found in the stamp set Pocketful of Sunshine!

Here's how:

1. To create the watercolor background, tap ink onto a clear-mount block, spritz the ink with water, and stamp onto a piece of watercolor paper.  Let it sit for a few seconds, then lift.  Set the paper aside to dry completely.  For this card, I tapped on Crushed Curry ink in the middle of the block, Calypso Coral on the bottom right of the block, and Dapper Denim on the bottom left and upper part of the block.
2.  Once the paper is dry, swipe an Embossing Buddy over the card front.  Stamp the sun and ray images from Pocketful of Sunshine using Versamark ink.  Heat emboss using a heat tool and copper embossing powder.
3. Stamp greeting from Teeny Tiny Wishes using Versamark and heat emboss using a heat tool and copper embossing powder.
4. Attach card front to a copper foil mat, then attach to a Crushed Curry card base.

Done!

I like how the mixing of the Calypso Coral, Crushed Curry, and Dapper Denim inks created a slight lavender and green tint to the watercolor paper.

Pocketful of Sunshine

Supplies Used:

Stamp Sets: Pocketful of Sunshine, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Crushed Curry, Calypso Coral, Dapper Denim, Versamark

Paper: Crushed Curry, copper foil, watercolor paper

Accessories:  Clear Block "E", spritzer bottle with water, Embossing Buddy, heat tool, copper embossing powder

I wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!

This card was created from a scrap piece of baby wipe left over from my tie dye leaf background card found HERE.

I often use baby wipes that I have used to clean my stamp sets in my crafting.

They provide interesting backgrounds. 

The card above was inspired by one of our sunrises!

The colors were only on a small portion of the baby wipe, so the card itself turned out to be smaller in size.

That's ok though!

I placed a piece of multi-purpose adhesive sheet onto the back of the baby wipe.

The glue left from the adhesive sheet allowed me to place the baby wipe on a scrap piece of Whisper White card stock.

The baby wipe was trimmed down, and the edges were folded over and secured onto the back of the card stock. 

I stamped the trees, leaves, and ground from Wonderful Branches using Early Espresso ink.

I used this retired stamp set from my stash because the image was small enough to fit onto the small card front piece.

The greeting is from Teeny Tiny Wishes.

The Tie Dye Background Tutorial hit e mail inboxes on November 14.

If you'd like to learn how to create the tie dye background, please sign up for my mailing list by December 1st, 2018 using the signup box in the upper right-hand corner of this site.

I'll e mail the tutorial to you.

Thanks!

Supplies Used:

Stamp Sets: Wonderful Branches, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Cajun Craze, Old Olive Curry, Early Espresso

Paper: Whisper White, Early Espresso

Accessories: baby wipe, multi-purpose adhesive sheet

Lovely as a Tree is one of my all-time favorite stamp sets.  It is one of the first stamp sets I purchased when I started stamping many moons ago. 

I think it is the oldest set found in the SU! Annual Catalog. 

I hold my breath every year when the retiring list is published, and I breathe a sigh of relief when I see that it is not on that list!

For this card, I combined Lovely as a Tree with the Faux Metal Technique. 

Perfect for a fall-themed card!

Also perfect for those sometimes hard to create masculine-themed cards too!

The Faux Metal Technique is very easy to do.

You will need a Versamark pad, embossing powder, heat tool and a stamp.

That's it!

Here's how:

1.  Ink up your stamp with Versamark and set it aside.  This is an important step.  The Versamark protects the rubber from the melted embossing powder in the last step.

2. Dab Versamark ink onto a piece of Whisper White card stock.  Pour embossing powder over the Versamark, and heat emboss using a heat tool.  For this card, I used copper embossing powder.

3. Repeat that step 2 more times.  On the third time, make sure the embossing powder is melting and flowing, like melted wax.

4. Quickly remove the heat from the card stock, and stamp your preconditioned stamp into the melted embossing powder.  Lift the stamp, and your image should be burnished into the embossing powder.  It's  the same principle as wax sealing an envelope. 

5. If you don't like the image, simply add more heat to the embossing powder, so it is melted and flowing and try again.  Remember to condition your stamp with Versamark before stamping.

6. Swipe Embossing Buddy over piece of Perfect Plum card stock.  Stamp leaves and pine cones from Lovely as a Tree using Versamark ink.  Heat emboss using copper embossing powder. 

7. Dab edges of Perfect Plum into Versamark and heat emboss using copper embossing powder.

8.  Attach to front of Whisper White card base.  Attach Faux Metal piece to front of card base , popping it up using Dimensionals.

9. Stamp greeting from Teeny Tiny Wishes using Elegant Eggplant to complete.

I  hope you'll give it a try and will share your creations with me.

Lovely as a Tree, timeless tree images!

Supplies Used:

Stamp Sets: Lovely as a Tree, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Versamark, Elegant Eggplant

Paper: Whisper White, Perfect Plum

Accessories: Embossing Buddy, heat tool, copper embossing powder, Mini Dimensionals

My plan for this week was to create cards for birthdays coming up in July. 

I try to tailor-make each card for the person I am going to give it to.

I created this one for a special neighbor who will be turning 84 this year.

She loves the wildflowers that grow around our properties here in the mountains of southern Colorado, so I decided to create her a watercolor landscape that might look familiar to her.

I used the Clear Block Watercolor Technique paired with the 2-step stamp Wild About Flowers.

To create the landscape, I tapped Marina Mist, Dapper Denim, Fresh Fig and Tranquil Tide onto my clear block "E." 

I spritzed the ink with water until it started to pool and run. 

Then, I stamped the block onto my Whisper White card front, letting it sit on the paper for a few seconds.   I lifted the block and set the paper aside to dry completely.

Once it was dry, I stamped the leaf image from Wild About Flowers using Tranquil Tide ink.  Then, I stamped the coordinating flower stamp using Fresh Fig ink.  The grass image is from In the Meadow (retired) using full strength Tranquil Tide and stamped again without reinking.

The greeting is from Dragonfly Dreams and seems to be my latest go-to for birthday cards.  I think it is the perfect sentiment for the occasion!

I really like the bold colors on this one. 

I think our neighbor will like it too!

Supplies Used:

Stamp Sets: Wild About Flowers, In the Meadow, Dragonfly Dreams

Ink: Marina Mist, Dapper Denim, Fresh Fig, Tranquil Tide (3 of the 2016-2019 In Colors)

Paper: Dapper Denim, Whisper White

Accessories: clear block "E", spritzer bottle with water