Thursday, August 31, 2017

Bear One Another's Burdens


Since September is fast approaching and I didn't have an insert for my Chic Sparrow traveler's notebook, I decided to make one for it using papers and stamps from Stamp Simply.

This week has been a rollercoaster of emotions since Hurricane Harvey hit Texas (including where I graduated from PT school in Galveston) and then turned to make its way right over my brother's home in Westlake, Louisiana (next to Lake Charles).  The devastation was so widespread and so literally close to home and heart that it was completely overwhelming, although seeing the rescue operations and the way strangers have worked together to help each other has really bolstered my faith in humanity!  

As I sat down at my studio desk to create, these stamps practically cried out, "Use me! Use me!"  Certainly in times like these we can all use reminders to be thankful and to not grow weary doing good.
  
I didn't want to have to choose between verses, and so I decided to make a little "least of these" up-cycled paper bag tag album to go along with my TN insert, adding extra sentiments to the tags inside the pockets and leaving some extra writing room in case I decide to document some of what I've been feeling.  (I am broken-hearted over what Texas is experiencing, and so relieved that my hometown did not also get the heavy, flooding rains that were predicted, especially since the storm passed directly through it.)


This designer paper has so many cute cut-apart pieces and coordinating prints it is really fun to use.  I tore this one in half so I could use it on the front and back, adding verses to each half.  For the front I added a die-cut flower.


To the back I added a cluster of enamel dots to mimic the floral/berry clusters printed on the paper.


This pre-printed strip was the perfect size for the center fold.


These are the tags that slide inside the pockets.  This is the verse that really spoke to me in the midst of this tragedy, inspiring the entire project.


The actual TN insert is very simple, with few embellishments because it makes it easier to write when things are flat!  


The pages inside this particular insert are cut from Strathmore mixed media paper, and I used a lace stencil and some distress oxides to dress the first one up a little.  This paper is ok for journaling and light artwork, but  I would like to have another insert made with watercolor paper so that I can do some more extensive watercolor should I get the notion.  The mixed media paper absorbs differently and doesn't hold up to a lot of water the way real watercolor paper does.  This TN has four elastics, so there is definitely room for another insert.

Art has a way of helping to express and diffuse those painful emotions, at least for the moment!  I'm grateful for that, and also very encouraged by the outpouring of compassion and help for Hurricane Harvey victims.  I would like to encourage everyone to contribute to the relief efforts and to keep them all in your prayers!

Here are the Stamp Simply stamps and supplies I used:

Friday, August 25, 2017

Let's Go Glamping!


Do you have friends who like to "glamp?"  If I'm gonna go camping, girlie glamping is the way I want to go!  This retro-style card would be perfect for the girlie girlfriend who likes to camp in style!


It is the glow of glossy enamel dots "lights" in a rainbow of colors that really brings this card to life!  Most of these are from Eyelet Outlet's line of multi-sized enamel dots (bluegreenaqua...they come in a huge selection of colors!), but some are from packages that include other shapes like stars or hearts so you can mix and match.


Easy peasy and so cute!  

I hope you get to relax and stamp some this weekend!

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Sending Love & Hugs!


I am loving my new colors of distress inks and wanted to play with them and a new stencil, so I created this easel card for Stamp Simply with some lovely MME designer paper.  This weathered wood floral is beautiful, and the tiny yellow flowers seemed to mimic the shape/design of these Altenew stamps.  I was noticing just yesterday that even though it is still blazing hot, the light is changing.  It seems warmer and golder,  signaling that Fall is coming!  I think that's why these warm golden yellows really spoke to me!  


There's lots of layering going on here...in the papers, the stenciling and splattering, the dies, the ric rac and ribbon.  I love that you can stamp directly on this faux canvas ribbon!  It holds a nice, crisp line.


There is a bit of stenciling and weathered wood designer paper on the inside of the card, too.  

Here are the Stamp Simply supplies I used:

Friday, August 18, 2017

Made With Love!


We just got back from vacation in upper Michigan, visiting my husband's family and attending our nephew's wedding.  What a great trip!  This card was inspired by all of the love poured into cooking for a larger-than-usual crowd!  My husband and SIL always have fun in the kitchen cooking up sentimental favorites for the family.    


I love all of the great details on these adorable brads!  The measuring cup (from our mixer and cup brad set) has little red lines on it just like the real thing, and you can see the wood grain on the spoon (part of the baking brads set)!  They are so CUTE! We have a real wooden spoon just like this that belonged to my husband's grandmother!


On the inside, there's a strip of silverware washi tape, and of course, inside and out, some enamel hearts to show the love!  

As much fun as we had, it sure is great to be home and back in the craft room!

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Fall Fun Fold


A new box of goodies from Stamp Simply was waiting for me when I got home from Bible study yesterday, and of course, I couldn't wait to play with it!  I fell in love with this paper and decided that a fun fold was in order!  Then the card needed a dressed up envelope because this paper pack is full of fun little cards that make dressing up an envelope really easy!  They'd be great in planners or traveler's notebooks too!


The die-cut leaf sits along the fold line of the card center.  I love that this fancy fold fits in a standard envelope.  Here you can see the inside of the envelope, embellished with watermarked and distress-oxide-splattered paper.


The inside of the card is stamped with a scripture sentiment, and here's one of those pre-printed cards...all it needs is to be cut apart and glued to the front of the envelope.  

Supplies:

Friday, August 11, 2017

1...2...3...Smile!


We just got back from a vacation at my in-laws, spending most of our time visiting with family and fishing on the lake, but evenings and rainy days were filled with Nona's favorite old classics on TCM and Me TV, some even in black and white!  So here's a card to go along with the black and white movie night theme!  

This layout started with a criss-cross of film strip washi tape (also available in gold) and camera washi tape along with a sprinkling of black enamel stars, dots, and hearts.


More dots, stars, and hearts carry the theme to the inside of the card.  I love this quote!  

As fun as vacation was, there's no place like home! (Couldn't resist an old movie quote!)  I'm glad to have the weekend to recover and get back into the groove.  I hope you have a great weekend too!

Thursday, August 10, 2017

Star of Wonder!


Hello everyone!  I'm here with a monochromatic Christmas card using a print from Kaisercraft's Outdoor Trail designer paper and Stamp Simply's Merry Christmas stamp and die combo.  The paper measures 6.5 inches square...after trimming the paper down to fit on a 5.5 inch card with a bit of a border, I used the leftover pieces to emboss and die-cut the star and sentiment.


I had a very difficult time trying to get a clear photograph of the silver embossing against the background paper...these pale blues and all the shimmer confused my camera!  In real life, it shows clearly, and this seam binding and paper flower, both tinted with Copic refill ink, harmonize in color much better.


The Ice Blue rhinestones shine brightly against the darker background.


Inside, a fancy tag with a light brush of silver frames the verse.  

Here are the Stamp Simply supplies I used for today's card:

Friday, August 4, 2017

Let Minnow!


I'm still having a great time with my distress oxides!  They make the best backgrounds, especially for watery scenes!  I absolutely love these aquas, blues and purples.


The bubbles in this Hero Arts set were the perfect size for Eyelet Outlet sticky-back enamels.  I used several colors and sizes along with some glittery inks for this punny funny, fishy card.  


Here are links to the colors of enamel dots I used:

Enjoy your weekend!



Thursday, August 3, 2017

Deck the Halls!


With our most recent Stamp Simply release, we not only added new stamps and coordinating dies to our collection, but we also added dies for some of our existing stamp sets and so those are now available individually and as combos.  It's so nice to not have to fussy cut!


The holly and berries were colored with Copic markers, and the ribbon was given a coat of glittery Wink of Stella.


This particular print in the Limelight designer paper had hints of Christmas colors in the design, so I pulled out a coordinating Petaloo flower and some seam binding to bring out those colors. The design of the paper is enameled...if I had it to do over again, I would probably opt to heat emboss the sentiment so that it would be inked more evenly.  The date tag is a punch-out from the designer pack (I added the 12-25 with a snap-together date stamp).  


The berry cluster brings just a hint of color to the inside.

Here are the Stamp Simply supplies I used: