Inspiration Thursday 43-2019

It is Thursday - time for a little inspiration!

And here is my card:

I LOVE this stamp!  It is the first stamp I bought when I started making cards WAY BACK in 1997.  I unmounted it from it's wood base so I don't remember the maker.  I stamped it on cream colored card stock with Expresso Memento ink and colored the image with Spectrum Noir markers and sponged the image with Frayed Burlap Distress ink.  I added Crystal Effects to all the fruit.  I stamped the "Give Thanks" sentiment from Raisin Boat with clear Versamark ink and embossed with copper embossing powder on navy blue card stock to create my panel.  I adhered the wreath with Art Glitter Glue.  I placed the navy blue panel on an orange panel and used burnt orange card stock for my card base.  By the way - have a safe Halloween!  ~  Gracie

Sketch Wednesday 43-2019

It's Wednesday and time for a sketch!!

And here is my card:

I started today's card with a stamp from Whimsey Stamps.  I stamped it on white card stock with Expresso Memento ink and colored the image with Spectrum Noir markers.  I die cut the image with a scalloped circle..  I went through my stash and found some coordinating paper with this month's colors to create the panel and the center panel.  I used a scrap to cut the banner.  I attached the circle with foam tape and hot glued a twine bow.  I sponged the edges of the panel with Fired Brick Distress ink.  I used burnt orange card stock for a card base.  ~  Gracie

Technique Tuesday 43-2019

It's Tuesday!  Time to watch a video and learn a new technique!  Today we are going to try creating a trapped color embossed background.

Here is the link:

Trapped Emboss Resist by Jennifer McGuire

And here is my card:

I have had this stamp set from Stampin' Up quite awhile and have never used it.  I started by applying Distress Inks in Fired Brick, Spiced Marmalade, Frayed Burlap and Faded Jeans liberally to a white card stock panel that I set aside and allowed to dry.  Once dry, I stamped the image with clear Versamark ink and heat set with clear embossing powder.  I lightly spritzed the image with water and let it dry then  followed with white ink and wiped as much as possible off with a paper towel then re-heated the embossing.  I trimmed the panel down and placed it on a panel of burnt orange card stock.  I cut a second smaller panel of yellow card stock and tucked it underneath.  I die cut and embossed some leaves and sponged the edges with Fired Brick and tuck them beneath the panel and attached them with Art Glitter Glue.  I used dark red card stock for the card base.  ~  Gracie

Mistletoe Monday 43-2019

Oh, my goodness!  I want to put up my tree but my husband says I have to wait until after Halloween!  So I have to settle with making Christmas crafts!  Today is Mistletoe Monday and I made a Christmas card:

Glitter, glitter everywhere!!!  I started my card with a piece of navy blue card stock and a snowflake background stencil.  I sponged clear Versamark ink then peeled off the stencil and applied sticky embossing powder and heat set it.  I added Dazzling Diamonds glitter then heat set a second time.  I trimmed the panel into a triangle and applied it to a white card stock panel.  I die cut the large snow flake and the sentiment from peach card stock and attached them with Art Glitter Glue.  I then placed the white panel on a peach panel and used navy blue card stock as my card base.  I added some clear rhinestones.  I love the way the stenciling turned out!  ~  Gracie

Sweet & Simple Sunday 43-2019

Hello and Happy Sunday!  It's Gracie here this week as your designer.  Today we start off with our Sweet & Simple card.  Our theme for November is Thankful and our colors are navy blue, burgundy, burnt orange and peach.

Here is my card:

I started with a House Mouse stamp and stamped the image on white card stock with Tuxedo Black Memento Luxe ink.  I colored the image using Spectrum Noir markers and added glitter to the leaves with a clear glitter Spectrum Noir pen.  I fussy cut the image and placed it on a dark yellow striped card stock in my scraps with Art Glitter Glue.  I die cut the "thankful" sentiment from the same background card stock and touched it up with the Spectrum Noir glitter pen.  I cut a panel from a piece of Graphic45 card stock and glued the sentiment.  I stamped the "for you..." sentiment with Love Letters Memento ink.  I placed the small panel on navy blue card stock and attached it to the larger panel with foam tape.  I used navy blue card stock as my card base.  I added some deep red rhinestones for embellishment with Art Glitter Glue.  ~  Gracie

Stand Out Saturday 41-2019

I have another box card for Stand Out Saturday.

I have been doing box cards for my close family the last two years.  I love svgcuts.com for these box cards and this one was perfect for my niece's birthday at the end of the month.  I did tweek the file a little bit because the original had a crow in the middle and I thought a cat would be better for her.  After loading the cut into Design Space, I sliced out the crow and then added the cat from one of my cartridges. I used a flower mold from Heartfelt Creations to give the flower petals a wonderful texture.  The front was embossed with the Sizzix 3D embossing folder called Lumber.  For the straps I rubbed them randomly over a Rusty Hinge Distress Oxide ink pad then added clear embossing powder and heat embossed it.  It looks like rust bands around it and really made a pretty cool texture. I think she will like it and have to come up with a new technique for the birthday cards next year because I have run out of special box cards just for them, lol. - Denise

Color Me Friday 41-2019

The colors for this month are rust (orange), browns, reds.  I pulled out an embossing folder and tried different things with those colors.

These cards were made by rubbing various color distress inks over the inside of the front of the embossing folder before adding the paper, then running it through my Cuttlebug.  The top left had a little water spritzed on the ink and the bottom card had even more water spritzed before running it though the machine.

This card used orange cardstock and after embossing I ran a distress blending sponge over it with a brown distress ink.  

The final card started by embossing white cardstock and then going over the high areas with Distress Oxide inks using a small Picket Fence life changing brush.  I didn't really like the look so I cut the image using a set of nesting dies and alternated colored cardstock with the rest of the nesting dies and liked that look better.  

The embossing folder used on all of the cards was Fall Leaves Swirl by Darice.  The sentiments came from Altenew "Beautiful Inside" and Unity KOM August 2017 "Never Be Afraid".  Come back tomorrow for my favorite card of the week. - Denise

Inspiration Thursday 41-2019

This great board is the inspiration for today.

I used the pumpkins, colors, and wreath as inspiration for a trio of cards using the same stamp.

This is background border stamp called Pumpkin Patch from Unity that reminded me of the wreath shape.  The top card was stamped and heat embossed with gold embossing powder.  Spectrum Noir markers were used to color it.  The sentiment is from Unity August 2018 KOM called Faith Sees Beauty.  The bottom left card was also stamped and heat embossed in gold, then using a smaller blending brush by Picket Fence, I used various Distress Inks and just rubbed the brush around to messy color the various areas.  The sentiment is from the same kit as the first card.  The last card was my favorite, but took the most time.  I stamped the image with a very light Distress ink and then colored it with my Zig true brush pens and a water brush.  This creates a no-line look that I really like.  The sentiment was stamped after it dried with a stamp from Unity August 2019 KOM called Warm & Cozy.  I matted the images in complimentary colors and mounted them on cream card bases.   Try using your stamps with different methods to see what you can create. - Denise

Sketch Wednesday 41-2019

We have this cute sketch for our inspiration today.

I used the same Fall Market collection by Carta Bella in yesterday's cards for today's cards.

Using tags that come with this kit make it really quick and easy to put together these cards. - Denise 

Technique Tuesday 41-2019

Bridge cards are the technique this month and you can see Jennifer McGuire explain this technique here.

These cards were super easy and quick to do by using various papers and ephemera by Carta Bella called Fall Market.  Since Carta Bella and Echo Park are some of my favorite papers, I joined Club EP which sends a collection of 12 x 12 paper, a 6 x 6 pad, ephemera, dots and other goodies every other month.  The paper is double sided which means it is pretty on the other side too.  I added a few enamel dots on the top card. - Denise

Mistletoe Monday 41-2019

While it is called Mistletoe Monday, we can do a different holiday in the current month, so I chose to do Halloween.

I had a new stamp from Unity called Entanglement.  It is what they border background stamp which fills an A2 size space but leaves a blank middle to add a sentiment. I heat embossed on both an orange and black card stock.  One in platinum and one with Brutus Monroe Rainbow Sparkle.  The set also comes with two different spiders which were stamped on velum and heat embossed, then fussy cut.  I stamped the sentiments from Halloween Chatter by Unity also on velum using a dye ink and letting it dry overnight before cutting them out.  One was stamped directly on the card stock.  I mounted the orange on a black card base and the black on an orange card base. These were pretty fast and easy to do, but look great with the embossing.  Closeups of the sparkle are below because it is hard to capture that in a picture. - Denise

Sweet & Simple Sunday 41-2019

While I don't do a lot of embellishments on my cards, I sometimes struggle keeping something simple but I think these turned out well.

I started with a piece of watercolor paper cut 4 1/4 x 11 inches and folded in half to make a top fold card.  Using a stamping platform I stamped a leaf from Unity's August 2019 KOM called Warm & Cozy. I stamped it with a light color Distress Ink and then sprayed liberally with water.  After drying it with a heat gun, process was repeated in a darker color and more water.  After drying that, I stamped once more with a dark color and didn't use water so that the definition stayed.  For the card on the left the colors used were Fossilized Amber, Rusty Hinge and Aged Mahogany.  The card on the right had four layers, Scattered Straw, Dried Marigold, Rusty Hinge, and Aged Mahogany.  The sentiment is from the same kit. - Denise

Stand Out Saturday 40-2019

It's Saturday and time to make a 3-D card or card that stands out!  Today I went with an easel.

Here is my card:

Glitter glitter everywhere...  I found a pretty pumpkin print card stock but it just looked so dull so I got out the Sticky embossing powder and covered a panel with Versamark ink and heat set it.  I added Dazzling Diamonds glitter and again heat set.  I attached two large red metallic leafs with a glue gun.  I stamped my sentiments on orange card stock using Brown memento ink and heat set with clear embossing powder.  I made an easel card base using a dark red card stock and attached the panel with Art Glitter Glue.  I attached the sentiments with foam tape.  It's really prettier in person.

I have had fun making Fall cards and hope I have inspired you.  I will be back next month.  Happy Fall, Y'all!!!  ~  Gracie

Color Me Friday 40-2019

Happy Friday!!  Time to get out those colors, markers or inks!  Our colors this month are rust, orange, brown and red.

Here is my card:

I started today's card with a stamp from Whimsey's Stamps called Vegan's Rock.  He is holding Pumpkin Pie (one of my favorite's!)  I stamped the image with Tuxedo Black Memento Luxe ink on white card stock and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored the image with Spectrum Noir markers.  I fussy cut the image.  I made a panel from light brown card stock and added a strip of orange patterned card stock and tan card stock with Art Glitter Glue.  I attached the image with foam tape.  Now to find some pumpkin pie...  ~  Gracie

Inspiration Thursday 40-2019

Who's ready for a mood board?  This one makes me want to take a trip to the coffee shop!!

Here is my card:

I started today's card with a digital image from Dearie Dolls.  I tried something a little different - I colored the image with my Spectrum Noir markers AND my Prismacolor pencils to add a little more depth.  I trimmed the panel and rounded the corners and placed it on a panel of brown card stock cut using a Pink and Main stitched rectangle.  I placed the panel on a green patterned card stock and used orange card stock as my card base.  I added some red enamel dots for embellishment.  ~  Gracie

Sketch Wednesday 40-2019

Happy Hump Day!!!  Time for a sketch!!

And here is my card:

I started my card with a digital image of a basket of apples and a digital sentiment (I am unsure where I purchased it from!)  I printed the image and sentiment on white card stock and colored it with Spectrum Noir markers.  I fussy cut the image and placed it on burnt orange card stock and again fussy cut it.  I cut a tag from red checkered card stock and placed a strip of gold card stock on the lower portion.  I tied an olive green crepe ribbon bow to the tag.  I placed the sentiment on a panel of the burnt orange card stock catty cornered then attached the tag with foam tape.  I used dark red card stock for a card base.  I added Crystal Effects to the apples.  ~  Gracie

Technique Tuesday 40-2019

It's Tuesday!  Sit back, relax, drink a little pumpkin latte and watch a Jennifer McGuire video!

Here is the link:

Bridge Cards by Jennifer McGuire

And here is my card:

These cards are so pretty because they an be easily displayed but they lay flat for mailing!  The hardest part for me is measuring and scoring - I always have to be sure and do it twice before I actually do it!  I used burnt orange card stock from Fun Stamper's Journey and a fall patterned paper from Creative Memories.  I die cut the leaves and the "Thankful" from glitter card stock (bronze for the leaves and orange for the Thankful).  I used a scrap of patterned card stock and stamped "For You" from Simon Says Stamp with Espresso memento ink.  ~  Gracie

Mistletoe Monday 40-2019

It's Monday and time to make a Christmas or Holiday card!  I tried to stick with the color theme!

Here is my card:

While searching through my stamps I found a simple little pine cone with a bough (unbranded from China) and stamped it three times using my MISTI with Brown Memento ink on craft card stock.  I colored the pine cones brown and the boughs green using Spectrum Noir markers.  I tore the edges and inked them with Antique Photo Distress Oxide ink.  I added the sentiment from Raisin Boat  using Red Memento ink.  I placed the panel on another panel of dark red card stock with Art Glitter Glue and used craft card stock as my card base.  I added Wink of Stella in gold to the pine cones and silver to the boughs.  I tied a bow from twine and attached it with a glue dot.  Simple and festive!  ~  Gracie

Sweet & Simple Sunday 40-2019

Hello and Happy Sunday!  It's October - the days are getting shorter, the nights are getting cooler!  This month our theme is Fall Everywhere and our colors are rust, orange, brown and red.  Today we start with our Sweet & Simple card!

Who doesn't love House Mouse??  My card started with an image stamped on white card stock using Tuxedo Black Memento ink.  The image is colored using Spectrum Noir markers.  I die cut the image with a Pink and Main stitched rectangle and a panel one size larger with gold card stock.  I found a gold checkered card stock in my scraps and placed it on a card base just a shade lighter than the panel.  I stamped the sentiment from Raisin Boat using Orange Memento ink.  ~  Gracie

Stand Out Saturday 39-2019

Happy Saturday!  I hope you have had a wonderful week and have a happy weekend!  Today we will make a card that stands out (3-D or Dimensional).  I chose to make a Joy Fold card.

Here is my card:

Joy Fold cards have been around awhile and are really fun and easy to make.  The base is a A2 size card with the front panel trimmed in half.  The second part is a 3 1/2 x 4 inch card.  I used dark red card stock for the card bases and went through my scraps stash and found some card stock I thought coordinated well.  Each part of the cards are covered in the coordinating paper.  I stamped the images (I am unsure where the set is from - it is small with just the sentiment, pumpkin and leaves) using Espresso memento ink.  I colored the pumpkin using Spectrum Noir markers.  I attached the smaller card to the larger card using Art Glitter Glue.

I have had fun this week!  I will be back next week with more Fall cards!  ~  Gracie

Color Me Friday 39-2019

It's time to color and our colors this month are rust, orange, browns and red!

Here is my card:

I started my card with a digital image printed on white card stock.  I colored the image using Spectrum Noir markers and fussy cut the image.  I attached it to a panel of light brown card stock using Art Glitter Glue.  I stamped the "For You" sentiment from Raisin Boat with Orange Memento ink.  I stamped the "Thankful" using Espresso Memento ink on a slightly darker brown card stock and trimmed it and attached it to the panel with foam tape.  I inked the edges of the panel with Antique Photo Distress Oxide ink.  I placed the panel on an orange card base.  ~  Gracie

Inspiration Thursday 39-2019

It's Thursday and time for a mood board for inspiration!

And here is my card:

This card was super easy!  The pumpkins are simply patterned paper cut into ovals and the leaves are punches.  I inked all the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.  My card base is burnt orange card stock.  I made a panel of brown striped card stock and attached it with Art Glitter Glue.  I cut a smaller panel from patterned paper and tied a brown ribbon around it and attached it with a glue dot.  The sentiment is from May May Made It and is stamped in Espresso Memento ink.  The pumpkins and leaves are attached with art glitter glue.  ~  Gracie  

Sketch Wednesday 39-2019

I love Wednesdays!  I don't have to think so much!!  Here is our sketch for October:

And here is my card:

I started my card with a craft brown card stock base.  I added a panel of dark brown.  I went through my stash and found a red and brown striped paper (Creative Memories from way back in the day - yes, I am a paper hoarder...).  I stamped a twig wreath from Raisin Boat on light brown card stock with Espresso Memento ink then stamped the leaves and bow from the same set using red, orange and yellow inks.  I fussy cut the wreath and bow and attached it to the patterned paper with foam tape and trimmed it into a tag shape.  I attached it to white card stock with Art Glitter Glue and trimmed again before adding it to the card to make it more sturdy.    I stamped the sentiment with Espresso ink on the light brown card stock and attached it to the card with Art Glitter Glue then added the tag using foam tape.  ~  Gracie

Technique Tuesday 39-2019

It's Tuesday!  Time to play with a technique!  Sit back and enjoy a YouTube video from Jennifer McGuire on Bridge Cards!

Here is the link:

Bridge Cards by Jennifer McGuire

And here is my card:

My best friend lives next to me and has a dairy farm.  They milk almost 300 cows twice a day and they have been hauling silage past my house by the truck loads (18 wheeler truck loads).  When I started going through my stash this paper (from Walmart clearance section for 50 cents) screamed Betty!!  I made my card base using brown craft card stock per Jennifer McGuire's instructions to make an A2 sized card.  The scare crow was received in a stamped image swap.  I colored him using Spectrum Noir markers and fussy cut him and attached him to the "bridge" with Art Glitter Glue.  The sentiment is from Raisin Boat.  ~  Gracie