Cas-ual Friday Stamps Challenge - No Dies

Hi Everybody,

I am taking a Copic Marker coloring class at www.kitandclowder.com and I love them!  Alyce Keegan is such a wonderful teacher and friend.  The leaves on the card are from the Nature Class colored with Copics.  How realistic are those droplets.  She teaches how to add detail to your images such as that to make them realistic.  I stamped and embossed daisies on the background with the Ranger Silver Pearl Embossing Powder that I love.  It's so much softer than white I think.  I wanted a light, soft, pretty background and have the leaves popped up to stand out and be the star of the show. I used Platinum pigment ink, which I never use, for the background.  It called out to me for some reason and I colored the flowers with Zig Watercolor Markers.  I added a few black dots.  I always tend to lean toward using sequins but the dots seemed better for this one to me.  Then used the Misti to stamp the sentiment at the bottom.

I am entering this card into a challenge over at CAS-UAL FRIDAYS STAMPS.  Have you been to their store to check out all of the cute stamps and dies??  Here's a link to their ONLINE STORE.  The challenge this week is NOT to use dies on your card, only stamps.  Lately I've been using a lot of dies, not only because they are quick, but also because there are so many cute word dies out that I tend to use one on most of my cards now.  I probably would've used a Hello word die on this one but I really like how the stamped sentiment looks on this card.

The name of the challenge is CFC-170  No Dies Allowed.  Pretty simple so check it out and enter for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the fabulous store.

Supplies Used:

• Gina K Designs 120# Heavy Base Weight White for base, Grass Green
• Strathmore 140# Cold Press Watercolor Paper
• Technique Tuesday, Budding Poppies
• Gina K Designs, Especially For You
• Versafine Black Onyx
• WOW Clear Gloss Embossing Powder
• Ranger Silver Pearl Embossing Powder
• Brilliance Platinum Planet Ink
• Copic Markers
• Zig Watercolor Markers
• Faber-Casteel Black Waterproof Pen for the black dots

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Regina

Silver Pearl Dandelion Sympathy Card

Hi Everybody,

Seems like I have been making more sympathy cards and thinking of you cards than anything else.  I used to dread making sympathy cards but now I look at it as a way to send something pretty to the recipient that hopefully will make them smile and feel a little better.  I do not use drab colors for sympathy cards.  On this card, I struggled with whether to add sequins because I don't want anything flashy but it needed a little something so I added a few clear sequins.

 I apologize if this is a little difficult to see. The silver pearl embossing powder is hard to photograph I'm finding out.

Supplies Used:

• Gina K Designs White 120# Heavy Base Weight for the base, 80# for layer and Turquoise Sea
• Stamp Sets Used:  Technique Tuesday, Dandelion and Close To My Heart One Way Borders
• Ranger Silver Pearl Embossing Powder
• Versamark Ink
• Pretty Pink Posh Clear Sequins

I originally thought I would emboss the dandelion in white but I thought that looked too bright, I wanted something softer so I think the silver pearl turned out good.  I went over the border a couple of times with the embossing powder to make it look more even.  

I have made brighter color sympathy cards in the past but only because I knew the recipient loved the colors.  I hope I inspired you to make your sympathy cards with pretty colors, not just neutrals.  

I am entering this card into a challenge over at CAS-UAL FRIDAYS STAMPS.  Have you been to their store to check out all of the cute stamps and dies??  Here's a link to their ONLINE STORE.  The challenge this week is NOT to use dies on your card, only stamps.  Lately I've been using a lot of dies, not only because they are quick, but also because there are so many cute word dies out that I tend to use one on most of my cards now.  I stamped the border, dandelion and sentiments outside and inside with Versamark Ink and Embossed with Ranger Silver Pearl Embossing Powder.  

The name of the challenge is CFC-170  No Dies Allowed.  Pretty simple so check it out and enter for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the fabulous store.  

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Regina

Altenew Layered Daisy Thank You Card

Hi Everybody,

I made a card that I think is so pretty I may make one for myself lol.   I love the colors in this card.  I used the Altenew layered Daisy stamp set.  I think this set was something like $4.99, well worth the money for sure.

If I went a little overboard with the sequins, it might be because I'm covering up a boo boo lol.  I'm going to also put some glossy accents on the thanks die to shine it up a bit.  Who wouldn't want to get this in the mail right?  As you can see I'm not planning on writing very much in this one. :)


Supplies Used:

• Recollections White 120# for the base
• Neenah 80# White, Papertrey Ink Berry Sorbet and Patterned Berry Sorbet Paper Pack
• Hero Arts Thanks Stamp and Die Set
• Altenew Layered Daisy Stamp Set
• I used these inks for the flowers:  bottom to top, light to dark... Tim Holtz Spun Sugar, Gina K Designs Innocent Pink, and Papertrey Ink Berry Sorbet.  
• I used these inks for the leaves:  bottom to top, light to dark... Tim Holtz Twisted Citron, Gina K Designs Jellybean Green and Tim Holtz Mowed Lawn
• Pretty Pink Posh Clear Sequins

I spent a lot of time playing with ink combinations for the different layered stamp sets I have which was actually fun to do.  Some of them surprised me looking so good and some surprised me looking so awful together. 

I don't think you can go wrong sending someone a card with the layered flowers on them.  I hope I inspired you to try them if you haven't.  Like I said the Altenew set I used has 6 stamps, 3 for flowers and 3 for leaves and is around $5.  

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Regina

Poppies

Hi Everybody,

I made another card with a poppy image that I colored as part of the Nature Class at Kit and Clowder. Keep in mind when you see my coloring of flowers in this class, I drew in all of the detail.  That is what you learn in these classes as well as color combos, technique, etc.

I made this card as a Thinking of You card for someone going through some things she shouldn't have to be dealing with.  I hope it puts a smile on her face.  I also made a matching envelope liner and stamped the flap of the envelope.

(I apologize for awful inside photo.  I forgot it when I was taking other ones)

Do you think I could've popped on a few more layers??  LOL!  I couldn't decide what colors I wanted to use so it looks like I used everything I had in my head and then some.  :)

I know the card doesn't have a lot of detail to it but I think when you color an image, it doesn't need much more than that, do you?

Supplies Used:

• Gina K Designs White, Red Hot, Black Onyx Cardstock
• Close To My Heart Slate Cardstock
• Poppy Image from Nature Class at Kit and Clowder
• Rectangle die with the x's (my mind just went blank on what these are called)
• Copic Markers
• Clear Sequins, Pretty Pink Posh (LOVE THESE)
• Wink of Stella Clear Shimmer Pen
• Lawn Fawn Scripty Sayings Stamp Set
• Paper Smooches Religious Words Die Set
• Right At Home Happy Mail Year 2
• Papertrey Ink Envelope Liner Die

I hope I have inspired you to color up an image as the focal point of your card.  Layer it up like I did as well!  :)

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Regina

Hand Colored Daffodil Sympathy Card

Hi Everybody,

Sympathy cards are not my favorite cards to make for obvious reasons but in my opinion, they don't have to be in colors such as black, kraft, etc.  I try to make them pretty and actually use cheerful colors.  I want them to smile when they get the card. What do you think?

I am taking coloring classes at www.kitandclowder.com, the marker and pencil classes.  I've been taking them since January 2016.  I should post some of the scenes I've colored.  Anyway, the reason I'm telling you this is because I colored the daffodil on my card today using copic markers.

I thought it would be extra special to put something cheerful that I colored on the card.  This flower is part of the Nature Class at Kit and Clowder so if you love to color flowers, you should check this class out.  I also found it interesting to compare this daffodil that I colored a year ago and then this one.   Here is the one from a year ago....

Please excuse the bad photography on the first one.  I have noticed that I am learning to not be so afraid of using the darker colors and I am using more of the strokes/flicks.  What do you think?  What a difference a year can make!  Anyway, just thought I'd share this with you lol.

I've been wanting to use this leaf cut out die for a long time so I thought it would add a lot of interest to the background without taking away from the colored image.

Inside Card...

Supplies Used:

• Gina K Designs 120# White Heavy Base Weight Cardstock, Layering Weight White and Sweet Corn 
• Daffodil Image from Nature Class at www.kitandclowder.com
• Sentiment on front of card, Gina K Designs stamp set, Delicate Damask
• Sentiment Inside, Gina K Designs stamp set, Botanicals 
• Leaf Cut Out Die, Gina Marie Designs
• Impression Obsession Small Butterfly Dies (does not have name on package, just a number, Die 046A
• Memento Black Tuxedo Ink
• Copic Markers
• Eyelet Outlet White Enamel Dots

If you would like to improve your coloring skills, I highly recommend the Kit and Clowder classes and check out their Facebook page.  There are always give a ways, free digis, etc.  I hope I've inspired you to use cheerful colors to make a sympathy card if you're used to using neutrals.  

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Regina

Clueless Card

Hi Everybody,

When I saw this stamp that I'm using on today's card, it just made me smile because I can think of a few people it would be perfect for lol.  This stamp is called Clueless from I Brake For Stamps.  If you like this stamp, if you use the Code, SAVE10CRYSTAL, you will receive 10% off your order.  


I used Zig Real Brush Markers to color him using Canson Montval Watercolor Paper.  I have to admit that I like my Zig Markers a lot better since I bought this paper.  It blends easily and can take a few layers.  I was using other papers in which the Zigs would seep into the paper and not blend and the fibers of the paper would pull up after one layer.  Try it! 

Supplies Used:

• Canson Montval Cold Pressed 140# Watercolor Paper
• Gina K Designs Cardstock in Turquoise Sea, Black Onyx, and Jellybean Green
• Clueless Stamp, I Brake For Stamps 
• Versafine Black Onyx Ink
• Versamark Ink
• Hero Arts White Embossing Powder
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Rectangles Die
• Gina Marie Designs Stitched Squares Die
• Fun Foam
• Scor-Tape

Every so often you need to make a silly card.  I had fun with this one.  I hope I inspired you to watercolor and get out one of your silly stamps.  

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Regina

Altenew Wishing You Stamps and Watercolor

Hi Everybody,

I did a little watercoloring today.  I used Altenew stamps called Wishing You.  This is such a great Springtime set.  I also got the matching dies.

I used Gansai Tambi watercolor paints on the hummingbird and flower and also a little of some shimmer paints by Yasutomo.  Oh, I just looked and these shimmer paints are $7.95 on Amazon, here a link to the shimmer paints.  Here is a link to the Gansai Tambi watercolor paints, 36 set. There is also a 24 color set.  I used the light blue Zig pen to make a wash background and stamped the sentiment with Memento Lilac Posies.  Added some clear Pretty Pink Posh sequins and used a Tim Holtz distressing tool to go around the edges to give them some interest.

This card is for my Mom.  I took her to the doctor yesterday and then we went to lunch and we had a great time.   I'm giving this card to her to tell her how much fun I had and love her. :)


Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!


Regina

Stampin' Up Just For You Card

Hi Everybody,

I am loving the large stamps and dies lately like I'm sure you are too.  I ran across a Stampin' Up set called Botanicals For You and just had to use the huge stamp, Just For You. This would be great on a tag as well.

The recipient of the card likes blues and greens but as I was putting the card together, I saw that coral piece of patterned paper on my desk and thought it would look good with a little pop of that color,  I sponged with Tim Holtz Tumbled Glass and Hero Arts Mint Julep.  I embossed the Just For You stamp with Stampendous Fine Detail Gold Embossing Powder.  I used Gina K Designs Turquoise Sea Cardstock and a Gina Marie Designs Banner Stitched Die on the inside.  The inside sentiment also is a part of the Stampin' Up Botanicals For You stamp set.  The rectangle stitched die on the front of the card is from Lawn Fawn and I am in love with these clear sequins from Pretty Pink Posh.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!


Regina

Hello Card - Two Altenew Stamp Sets Used

Hi Everybody,

I just wanted to share a quick card that I made for someone going through a rough spell.  I hope this made her smile.  I forget about coloring my stamps with Memento Markers and stamping so that's what I did here.  You can also color your stamp with the markers and then spritz with water and stamp if you want more of a watercolor look.  

I used a hello die and sponged part of it with the same color Memento Ink as the marker I used.  Next I stamped Versamark over the hello and sprinkled sparkly embossing powder on it and heat set.  I cut out on top of fun foam and using Stick It.  

Supplies Used:

• Gina K Designs White 120# Cardstock, the purple is hers as well and I'm so sorry but she doesn't sell it currently.  It was a limited edition color a couple years ago I believe. 
• Altenew Stamps on front, Botanical Garden
• Altenew Stamps for inside, Wishing You 
• Memento Markers, Lilac Posies and Bambo Leaves
• Memento Lilac Posies Ink
• Hello Die, Lawn Fawn
• Envelope Liner Die, Papertrey Ink
• Judikins Sparkly Embossing Powder
• Versamark Ink
• Fun Foam
• Clear Sequins, Pretty Pink Posh
• Scor-Tape

If you need a quick card, pull out those Memento Markers and color your stamps.  I hope I inspired you today.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!


Regina

Persian Motif and Gansai Tambi Watercolors

Hi Everybody!

I've been experimenting with watercolors lately, different kinds, different papers, and brushes.  Wow what a difference products that aren't high quality can make or not exactly suitable for the technique.  

I saw a YouTube video showing Jennifer McGuire using some watercolor paints that I have had for 2 years and never used so I blew the dust off of them and followed her video.  I LOVE these paints.  It was SO relaxing to paint.  I was slow at it and felt myself want to rush since I'm used to coloring faster with Copics or Prismacolors, and then I finally let my mind slow down and I went with the flow.  Here is Jennifer McGuire's video on Stamping and Watercoloring.  I love the Ranger Silver Pearl Embossing Powder she used.  It is so pretty in person, not as bright as white, much softer.  

I used a beautiful stamp set by Altenew called Persian Motifs.  I just happened to have had this set and had never used it.  Thank you Jennifer for causing me to use my supplies lol! 

I used Tim Holtz watercolor paper and I love his inks but I'm not crazy about his watercolor paper.  It is convenient because it is already cut to size for a card but that's about it for me.  This paper couldn't withstand layers, the fibers of the paper started coming loose in my paints.  I'm just being honest.  People ask me sometimes my opinion so I hope this helps someone.  

Supplies Used:

• Gina K Designs Turquoise Sea and Denim Blue Cardstock
• Tim Holtz Watercolor Paper
• Altenew Persian Motifs and Layered Lily (the sentiment) stamp sets
• Ranger Silver Pearl Embossing Powder (for the flowers)
• Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor Paints
• Princeton Artist Brush (the one Jennifer used in her video)
• Stampendous Fine Detail Gold Embossing Powder (for the sentiment)
• Versamark Ink
• Misti
• Craft Medley Sequins, Rhythm & Blues

I hope I inspired you to get your watercolor paints out.  When I bought my set, they were around $58 on Amazon and now they are $28.99 on Amazon as of today.  Wow, pick them up now if you don't already have them. Each color is in a separate little container so you can pull out just the colors you are working on.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Regina

My Favorite Things Blueprint Happy Birthday Card

Hi Everybody!

Trying to get caught up on posting cards I've made.  This card was made for an Ole Miss Football Fan.  Every year I incorporate Ole Miss into his card.  I made a fun one this year, if you love dies, then you will love this card because I went DIE CRAZY!  

Everything is made with a die except the words Ole Miss.  I used the My Favorite Things Blueprint 26 Happy Birthday Die Set.  I love this set!!!  I use pieces out of it all the time.  There is also a word happy in it but I used another die for the word happy from Winnie and Walter. I embossed it with red and blue.  I tried to get it perfect, half and half but I kind of like it mixed a little.  It was a lot of fun to make.  Here's a link to the MFT Blueprint 26 Happy Birthday Die Set

Supplies Used:

• Gina K Designs white 120# card base, Red Hot, In The Navy, Metallic Silver. (Gina's metallic card stocks are awesome!)
• My Favorite Things Blueprint 26 Happy Birthday Die Set
• Happy Die, Winnie and Walter
• Red and Blue Embossing Powders, Zing
• Clear Vellum, Grafix 48#
• White Fun Foam under Happy Die
• Red and White Twine, WeRMemory Keepers
• Silver Glitter Stickers, Sticko by ekSuccess
• Tombo Mono Adhesive
• Scor-Tape
• Zig Glue Pen
• Close To My Heart Gray Glossy Chevron Cardstock (from a paper pack no longer sold)

Check out the My Favorite Things Blueprints, they include all the dies to make a card and so much fun!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Regina

Altenew Layered Lily

Hi Everybody!

I've been making cards but not blogging them in the last few days, oops.  I've had some kind of sinus crud stuff going on and yesterday I got my first sinus cocktail shot!  I feel so much better today.  This must be a Southern thing because when I lived in St. Louis and asked for one, they looked at me like I was cray cray lol.

I made this card for a friend to tell her how awesome and talented she is and I know she loves Altenew Stamps so I used the Layered Lily set.  I love this set because it is so quick but so impressive like you spent a lot of time on it.  I did actually spend a lot of time in the beginning going through my inks and figuring out color combos.  If anyone is interested in what I came up with I'll be glad to share.

I meant to stamp a lily inside the card.  My hands were faster than my brain and I adhered the layer before I realized it.  I wanted it stamped off the side.  

I will list the colors I used below.  If you haven't already tried layered stamps, I highly recommend them and this set was fairly inexpensive at $15.00.  Here is a link to Altenew Layered Lily Stamp Set


Supplies Used:

• Gina K Designs Cardstocks, white 120# for base, Passionate Pink, Bubblegum Pink, and Dusty Rose
• Altenew Layered Lily Stamp Set on front of card
• Stampin' Up sentiment on inside from a set called, Botanicals for You
• From Light to Dark Inks Used:  Memento Angel Pink, Gina K Designs Bubblegum Pink, Memento Rose Bud, and Tim Holtz Picked Raspberry
• Clear Sequins, Pretty Pink Posh
• Tombo Mono Adhesive
• Ranger Multi Media Matte 

I hope you liked this card and will try some layered stamps soon! 

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Regina