Thursday, December 27, 2018

Exotic Little Black Dress


Well!  I hope y'all aren't gonna think I'm really weird or something! One just never knows from where inspiration is gonna strike! When I first saw these two particular prints in Graphic 45's Flutter designer paper, I immediately thought of Victorian "beetle wing" dresses.  They were, at one time, all the high fashion rage and they're stunningly gorgeous in an exotic, odd way.  Here is a link to one and a little history, since it is possible or maybe even likely that you've never seen or even heard of the Victorian version, although you might have seen beetle wings in Egyptian fashion and art.  


Then I came across this easy origami video for folding a cute little dress!  I used a scor-pal for some of the folds of mine since this paper is a little thicker than traditional origami paper.  A little bit of sponging with Black Soot distress ink helped to add the illusion of even more dimension to the folds and edges of the dress, and also helped the bright yellow paper underneath to recede into the background instead of being so boldly prominent.  The camera didn't really pick up the added sparkle of the clear Wink of Stella that I added to the beetle wings of the dress, but IRL it is readily visible.

I used a fishtail banner die to cut the stamped sentiment into two separate pieces to dangle from the ribbon "belt" and added a little sparkle there too with the Wink of Stella markers.  With a change of sentiments inside and out this would make a fun birthday card, something for bridal, prom or girls' night out.


I just love the dimension of the folds of the skirt and how 3-D it sits on the front of the card, and how appropriate is it that there is a peek of beetle wing in the background paper right at the hemline!?! 


The paper (and sponging) that I used on the card front was repeated on the inside along with a favorite scripture.

I suppose a card and a post like this shows how completely enthralled with Victorian fashion I have become!  For much of this year I was immersed in research for one period or another, grateful for knowledgeable friends to show me the ropes in the reenacting world.  They would totally comprehend and appreciate the strange inspiration for today's project!  I know exactly to whom I should send this card!  ❤️
All of the supplies used for today's card are from Stamp Simply:
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Thursday, December 20, 2018

The Rose of Sharon


Today's Stamp Simply card features an everyday stamp set with a Christmas set in a clean and simple card design.  I'm really pleased with the way it turned out, quite simple and yet still elegant.


The rose was stamped with Memento ink, then colored with Copic markers and highlighted with a white Prismacolor pencil.  All of the card stock edges were distressed with tea dye distress ink.  I wanted wood dots that were a little greener blue than what was in the package, so I colored the natural wood ones with a Copic marker.  


Inside there is just a hint of Winter designer paper, two prints from Authentique's Solitude.


The "rose" sentiment inside was stamped with shimmering Celestial Copper Delicata ink onto the dark card stock, then die-cut and mounted on top of the designer papers with dimensional adhesive.

Supplies:
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Thursday, December 13, 2018

Holly Jolly Envelope Project


Hello friends!  I'm here with another easy peasy fun project for Stamp Simply using kraft card stock, a few stamps and dies, and some lovely Graphic 45 designer paper!


I started with an 8 1/4 x 7 piece of card stock.  With the 7 inch side along the top of the Score-Pal, score at 1/2 and 3 3/4 inches.  Add scor-tape along the 1/2 inch flap, and along the top and bottom of the inside of the adjacent section as shown in the photo.


Create a flap using Spellbinders' classic circle dies.  To make it, die cut a circle that is approximately 3 1/4 inches in diameter.  Fold it in half, then score 1/4 inch on either side of the score line before cutting the flap in half (save the other half for envelope #2!). Because my kraft card stock was rather thin and I love layers, I chose to add a smaller half-circle of contrasting card stock with a strip of designer paper to accent.  

I used the smallest circle die and a 1/2 inch circle punch to create the tabs for the closure.  I used a crop-a-dile to place an eyelet in the center of the unglued circles, then glued them to the flap in the desired placement.  Leaving the layers unglued will give the string a place to easily lace to hold the flap closed.  Adhere the flap to the inside top of the envelope, then fold and adhere the bottom and side to create the envelope.


Add designer paper if desired, then add a corresponding eyelet circles to the envelope to complete the closure.  


I also chose to punch three holes in the side of my project so that I can add more pages and make them into a little book.  Punching the holes into the side that was taped to close the envelope adds an extra layer to provide a little reinforcement so that hopefully the holes will not rip out quite as easily.


The leaf was stamped with Memento ink, colored with Copic markers, then given a bit of sparkle with clear Wink of Stella.  It harmonizes beautifully with the designer paper tag from the 8 x 8 paper pad, especially with the added splash of a little gold Delicata ink and a few pretty pearls.


A little burlap string holds the flap closed, with a couple of sparkly tags dangling from it.  

This project can stand alone as is, but would also be beautiful as an embellishment for a gift box or bag.  It is perfect for enclosing a personal letter, gift card, or small trinket.  

Here are the supplies I used:
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Thursday, December 6, 2018

Holiday Wishes


Hi everyone!  Happy December!  

For today's Stamp Simply project, I couldn't resist adding some pearls, a bow and blossom to what started out as a masculine card inspired by this awesome plaid designer paper.  The bird print and the woodgrain stencil both add to its woodsy feel, and although it is in Christmas-y colors, with this sentiment and a change of designer paper it could easily be adapted for other Winter holidays/occasions.


This is a flat, unfolded pocket card.  One could attach a gift card to the back of the pocket insert if desired.


If you look closely, you might be able to see a little of the sparkle of clear Wink of Stella on the snowy branches of the tree...very difficult to try to capture on camera and much prettier IRL.

Supplies:
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Thursday, November 29, 2018

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!


Hi everyone!  Are you starting to feel the Christmas spirit?  I usually struggle to get into it but once Thanksgiving has passed, especially if the temperatures plummet as they have in the last day or two (I'm sitting before a warm, crackling fire as I type) and the neighbors begin putting up their Christmas lights, the enthusiasm is contagious.  I adore this season and always wish that it lasted longer than a single month.  Every year I vow to do my best to savor it, but it always seems to just fly by.

My Stamp Simply project for today is a quick CAS card that lets sparkly designer paper, punch-outs and metallic ink speak for themselves.  Although it does have popped up elements on the front and a trio of tiny pearls on the inside, it is still relatively flat for mailing.  


The focal point is a holly leaf colored with Copic markers and Wink of Stella pens.  The sparkle of the Wink of Stella helps to unify the leaf and the glittery designer paper background.


The inside could just as easily be the outside of another CAS card! I used one of the boughs from A Godly Man to stamp a Christmas tree bough decorated with a few gold baubles.  Here too, there is the sparkle and softness of clear Wink of Stella and gold Delicata ink.

Here are the supplies used for today's project:
I'll be saying farewell to November Friday night with a ukulele workshop, then welcoming December with a celebration of Colonial Nightwatch Saturday evening in St. Augustine, and a community Advent service closer to home on Sunday evening.  Hopefully there **might** be some time to get a little decorating done in between!  
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Thursday, November 22, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving! Christmas is coming!


Happy Thanksgiving to all of you who are celebrating today!  I am so thankful for my family and friends, for each special relationship and for the time we share together.  I'm grateful every single day, but I'm glad that Thanksgiving and Christmas give us the opportunity to celebrate each person in an extra special way.


I know some of you are probably finished with your Christmas shopping by now, but in our household Thanksgiving Day heralds the real beginning of the Christmas season, when the list-making gets into high gear!  My Stamp Simply project for today is a little decorated notepad to keep all of those Christmas lists in one place.


I like using an electronic calendar, but I still really like thinking things through on paper...I enjoy using something that is not too precious but still a little more special than a sheet of scratch paper, something that looks cute instead of adding clutter to a landscape that is already filled to the brim with decorations and sentimentals.  


I don't want my cute list keeper to be disposable, though!  I want to be able to change the tablet when I run out of paper, and I'd like to re-use the cover and start fresh each year, so instead of gluing a notepad to the back cover, I made the project with a slot to slide a fresh pad in when the time comes.  It's just another sheet of card stock with part of an oval die cut into the top, glued into the back cover only on the sides and bottom.  


If you have ever made a slot like this, you know that they're pretty tight and require extra width in order for a tablet to fit easily. Rather than adding extra dimension to the entire notepad, I opted to adhere a piece of narrower card board (from the inside of a bias tape package) to the back of the notepad so my cute little project doesn't take up much real estate on my coffee table.  A small piece of  gold mirror card stock also covers the not-so-cute office supply store label at the top of the pad, so the inside is pretty too.  I'm debating going back to add a pocket of a coordinating designer paper to the inside front so I can stash loose papers/receipts and maybe even a pencil.  

Here are the supplies I used for today's project:
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Thursday, November 15, 2018

Another Window Card


Hi everyone!  A few weeks ago one of my readers asked for instructions on making a window card so I'm back with another one, this time with traditional Christmas colors and imagery.  These are really simple to make, and can be left simple or fancied up depending on the occasion.  They are also a good way to create an interesting yet relatively flat card for mailing when made without bows, flowers, enamel dots and other bulky embellishments.


This card starts with a standard 8 1/2 x 11 inch piece of card stock cut in half vertically and folded to create a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch card front.  

The window, using the larger of two coordinating dies, is first cut into a 4 x 5 1/4 inch piece of designer paper.  After adhering the designer paper to the card front, it is easy to then position the smaller die within the negative space and run the open card back through the die machine to make the actual opening that allows the inside of the card to peek through.  What a fun "teaser."

Adhere another piece of 4 x 5 1/4 inch card stock to the inside, close the card, and stamp the image or quote to properly position it within the window.  It helps, especially with solid stamps, to use a platform so that the stamp can be repetitively inked and stamped to get adequate coverage.  One advantage of the Tim Holtz platform is that one of its edges is open...even if you've already completed your card front, you can position it off of the edge of the platform to stamp the inside.


Here's a full view of what is peeking through from the inside.  I included a die cut tree and sentiment, which adds a bit more dimension and interest for both the "peek" and the full reveal, especially with shimmery ink and some textural snow.

Today's version of the window card uses coordinating dies and the contrasting colors of the designer paper and card stock to create a simple border.  Another option as seen here, is to die cut a fancy die shape, and then use a smaller basic shaped die (the same size as the one used to cut the actual opening on the card front) in its center.  This creates an actual frame that can be layered directly onto the card front, with a stamped image or designer paper tag peeking through.  It's especially fun because in this case the window design is not quite as obvious until the moment the card is opened.

I hope you have fun playing around with coordinating dies in graduated sizes and varying shapes to make some window cards of your own.

Here's what I used for today's card, all from Stamp Simply:
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Thursday, November 8, 2018

Time for a Cup!


I absolutely adore Authentique's new Jingle designer paper!  Just look how darling this vintage image is!  As I flipped through the pad and came across this image and the cute coffee cup paper, it made me think of stopping in the midst of a Christmas shopping spree for a cup of hot coffee with a friend and a rest from the frenzy!  And so...I just had to make a k-cup holder for today's Stamp Simply project.


There are a lot of different designs for k-cup holders on YouTube. Here's a tutorial for how this particular one is made.  These go together really quickly when you use dies, quick solid stamps that do not require coloring, and printed tags/images.


All of the supplies I used are listed here:
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Thursday, November 1, 2018

Celebrate Fall!


Between my recent foray into historical fashion and Halloween this week, it seems like Life has centered around costuming, so I could not resist this "not quite Little Red Riding Hood" image for today's Stamp Simply card.  I love the soft misty greens of the printed image and tried to incorporate the colors and haziness into the background of my card using distress oxides and splashes of glittery Delicata ink.


The flurry of leaves surrounding the girl inspired the addition of a few stamped, Copic colored die cut leaves as accents to carry the theme further.


The inside is simple, with a bronze wheat sheaf and the script from our newest Autumn stamp set.  I love how well our older sets coordinate with the newer ones to give even more versatility.

Here are the supplies:
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Thursday, October 25, 2018

You Color My World


and I'm thankful for you!  

I just got a box of some beautiful new supplies from Stamp Simply, including this lovely package of Fall paper from Authentique.  In addition to some gorgeous prints it includes several sheets of small printed rectangular images and sentiments, which inspired this peek-a-boo style window card.  The opening of the window is embellished with a lovely scrolling frame and a distress-oxide-inked spray of leaves and glittering roses


Once opened, the "Thankful for You" sentiment from our new Autumn Blessings set is revealed.  I'm so grateful for the friends who color my world and help to make my life vibrant, interesting, and exciting!  


This card is going to one of my reenacting friends who went way above and beyond to help me get my 1888 bustle dress ready for an event that we had last Friday night at the Lightner Museum in St. Augustine.


Here are the supplies I used for today's project:
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Thursday, October 18, 2018

Autumn Blessings


I've been seeing beautiful photos of lovely Fall colors lately, but Fall has not yet arrived here in NE Florida.  Supposedly yesterday was forecast to be our last 90 degree day of the year!  Ha!  We'll see!  

I have a relatively clean and simple Autumn card for today's Stamp Simply project.  The tiny floral print on this rust-colored designer paper harmonizes beautifully with our new Autumn Blessings stamp and die combo.  I used fired brick distress ink to sponge the edges of the ivory card stock to soften the contrast.  


I stamped the wheat sheaves using antique linen distress oxide ink and after it was dry, went over it with a glitter marker.  So sparkly and simply beautiful!  The rope tie was colored with a Copic marker.  


The inside of the card has the same sponging along with a little fishtail banner strip of the designer paper and a die-cut sheaf of wheat.  I love that we have the coordinating dies for these images because it increases the options for using the stamps and makes a popped up image so easy.  

Here are the products I used for today's card:
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Thursday, October 11, 2018

Good Treasure


Last week my two brothers and sister-in-law spent the week at Cruisin' the Coast.  The cool thing about it is that Tom and Bridget drove their 1950 Buick Super that Tom had just finished restoring all the way from Dallas to pick up Jerry in Louisiana and then head on over to Pascagoula, MS.  The car had been owned by a Buick salesman and had sat unstarted for 30+ years...Tom bought it from its second owner, and spent three weeks short of a year polishing it up, replacing the interior, and getting it running.  All that elbow grease to get the original paint job and chrome sparkling and gorgeous is what inspired today's project.  That kind of perseverance takes (and makes!) character!   

Yep!  I'm more than a little proud of my brother(s)!   

Authentique's retro Dapper designer paper (especially this particular print!) was absolutely perfect for this project!  I just had to combine it with some shiny silver mirror "chrome" paper and a few clear rhinestones for the "checklist" that runs across the top of the paper.  


This sentiment is from one of our newer Stamp Simply sets, A Godly Man.  Tom, through patience and diligence, brought out the good treasure hidden in that old car.  I love allegory and metaphor...this makes me think of the way the Lord transforms our hearts and minds and renews our spirits.  Then, from that good treasure, something good can come forth to bless others.


Since the design of this card is relatively flat it should be easy to mail, although with the larger square format and a few rhinestones it will require hand cancelling.  Inside...three rhinestones, one for each week short of a year that it took to do the work!  ;)

Here are the supplies that I used for today's project:
And here are before and after photos of "Sweet Thang" in all her glory!  It's amazing what Turtle Wax and elbow grease uncovered!



And just to be fair...here's my other brother's beauty!  This is what a 23 year old paint job on a show winning 1965 426 HEMI Belvedere should look like!!!  Well taken care of by my brother Jerry.

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Thursday, October 4, 2018

Seek First the Kingdom


We have more new stamps from Stamp Simply!  It is so inspiring to have new stamps to play with, especially when they're great scripture sets!  This project was inspired by the awe of God that is the heart's response to the majesty and glory of His creation.  The paper reminds me of a trip that my husband and I took to Yellowstone.  God's creativity on display at every turn!  

The sentiment on the front is from our new Pastor and Ministry Appreciation set, stamped directly onto the designer paper.



The one on the inside, stamped on one of the paper pad's punch out elements, is from Autumn Blessings.    

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