Have a Beautiful Day Card Set

I've had such a delightful time with my The Greetery Print Shop Fresh Floral stamp and stencil set.  I was able to also pick up the dies on a separate order and I'm here today to share these delightful cards made using some of the blooms stamped with Distress Oxide inks and die cut using the dies.  I also included some shiny gold paper die cuts from The Greetery Let's Have a Word - Beautiful die and mounted on a foam mounted frame die cut using The Greetery Postage Stamp die.  I'm in love....

So pretty and fun!

A Psalms Notecard Set - More Hopeful Makes

It's no secret that one of my favorite tools is my Papertrey Ink Year of Psalms stamp sets.  The Psalms are such comfort and strength and these stamps are beautifully delightful.  This time, I paired them with some Simon Says Stamps Spring Flowers, More Spring Flowers and Even More Spring Flowers stamped images colored on Bristol cardstock using my Clean Color Real Brush markers.  I used various frame dies to dry emboss a frame and arranged the floral bits on each card.

Oh my, some of my very favorite cards!

Happy Father's Day Cards

Father's Day is almost here and I was thinking of what card design I wanted to make.  Then I saw a video from Taylored Expressions using the Brushstroke sentiment stamp set and a plaid stencil.  I was very inspired, so much so, I ordered the Brushstrokes stamp set.  I had the Gingham background stamp from Concord & 9th in my stash, so I used it instead of buying the  TE stencil.  I am really pleased with the plaid results.

Also, in the stash was the Concord & 9th Floral Print Silhouette Dies that I used to cut out the bears. 

The log die is actually paper that was ran through the Tim Holtz 3d embossing folder Lumber. 

I like to make my dad special cards, I hope he enjoys this one.  My dad called me Sugar Bear when I was a little girl, and that meant he was Daddy Bear; making this card appropriate and special.

I made extras of this card to send to the Scrapbook.com card drive.  I really enjoy donating cards to card drives and I am hoping these will find their way to helping someone brighten their father's day.

Flowering Trees

I was so inspired by Betsy Veldman's technique video using The Greetery Budding Beauties Spring stamp set that I just had to try it for myself.  My first few attempts were simply a follow along to the tutorial, though I did use a sentiment from my Simon Says Stamp Tiny Words - Faith stamp set. 

Some of the elements of each card are more or less successful.  I really wish I had used the "branches" more sparingly which would have allowed me to use the "blooms" more sparingly as well. 

These two green versions though are my inspiration as green is my favorite color.  I just couldn't resist making a bright green version and these two are simply my favorite of the bunch. 

Huge thanks to Betsy Veldman for the tutorial.  My bestie and I actually had a conversation before the launch of the Budding Beauties Spring stamp set.  I was enamored with the cherry blossoms branch (which I see as a dogwood, but that's me being wrong) and just had to have the stamp set.  We both expressed that we could see using the cherry branch and the tulips, but found the baby's breath to be a bit odd and clunky.  Both of us agreed (at the time) that the baby's breath stamp would be one of those that we ultimately couldn't see using.  Clearly, I decided to not let that thought keep me from buying the stamp set.  Wow!  I'm glad I did as this card set is in the top two cards that I have made this this stamp set (and I've made a few!).

Better Together - A Mix and Match Challenge Week 7 by Brandy

During this time of quarantine, Brandy and I miss crafting together.  It isn't that we did so often - we didn't see each other every week sometimes.  It's more that we can't see each other.  So I had an idea to create a challenge each week - one just for Brandy and she could create one just for me.  Brandy has to amp the idea up and came up with our official title.  This is our seventh week of challenges.  I present to you Week Seven of the Better Together - A Mix and Match Challenge.

Andie's Challenge for Brandy:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         This week’s challenge is as simple as can be.  You are to be inspired by this picture of the sea.  A quote from George R R Martin will help to guide.  No palette was given, though the picture cannot be denied.   Begin and dream of balmy days.   Return on Monday with something to praise!

My official submission for this week's challenge.   I so love the beach and the ocean. I really liked the inspiration photo, it made me miss my travels to the beach.  I decided to use some products that I purchased more recently and went with the Prima Surf journaling cards for the sentiment and the printed paper is from the 6X6 paper pad.

I believe I cut the palm tree from a MFT die set I bought a long, long time ago and had never used.  The surf boards and beach ball are from Spellbinders Large Die of the Month form well over a year ago and had never been used.

I made the second card using the same supplies.  However,  the flower in the MFT set is shaped like a plumeria, but has the stamen of a hibiscus.  I wasn't as happy with the second card as I was the first, but I enjoyed making them both and I got to use supplies that I might not have gotten to for a while.

Better Together - A Mix and Match Challenge Week 7 by Andie

During this time of quarantine, Brandy and I miss crafting together.  It isn't that we did so often - we didn't see each other every week sometimes.  It's more that we can't see each other.  So I had an idea to create a challenge each week - one just for Brandy and she could create one just for me.  Brandy has to amp the idea up and came up with our official title.  This is our seventh week of challenges.  I present to you Week Seven of the Better Together - A Mix and Match Challenge.

Brandy's Challenge for Andie:

Your Week 7 Challenge is Welcome Home or Welcome to the Neighborhood, home sweet home, you get it. Home is such an important place, now more than ever.

The color pallet is provided for inspiration only, you can add more colors as you wish.

The card shape is the special guest this week.  Please make the card in any shape other than the standard rectangular A2,A7, or even slimline.  This means circles, ovals, square, or even the shape of an object.

I hope you enjoy!

When I read this challenge there were two different types of cards that I had in mind.  The first that came to mind was a circle card design using my WPlus9 Welcome Wreath stamp set.  The color palette was a good challenge - I didn't have the exact colors in my inks.  I ended up making it work and I think these two first challenges using a bit of liberty in my interpretation worked well.  For this first shaped card I used a Rubbernecker die to cut two of the doily images from white cardstock and then scored one approximately 1/2 inch from the top.  I glued the scored and folded version behind the first to create my card.  I really love this card best - the colors would be my mom's favorite and it is just the right sentiment for a casual note to a neighbor.

For the second card it was a shake up of the colors in my wreath and a combination of fussy cut sentiment from the WPlus9 stamp set and the use of my Concord and 9th Sketched Stripes background die for the base of this card.  The card base was cut by folding a white cardstock in half and partial die cutting the Waffle Flower Lacy Square die to create the decorative edge on this square card.

My second thought when reading this challenge is that I should use my Art Impressions watercolor stamps to create a scene with a house.  I decided (when those above turned out as well as they did) to give this card design a try too.  I tried to stick with the palette as well - making it a challenge.  I think it works, though it is alternative too loose and not loose enough from a scene standpoint.  I like the final result though.  This first card was created by die cutting two of the Spellbinders frame die cuts and scoring about 1/2 in from the left side to create a side-folding card.  I really like how this turned out.

The last card was an attempt to put together the watercolor look and I'm not sure it really works well.  However, it is tolerable.

So very much fun!  I'm grateful for a friend who will walk through my creative adventures and challenge me so wonderfully.  I'm still hoping there is a day soon when we can spend time together.  I'm hopeful it is closer than ever, but we might have to discuss continuing the challenges!

Smile! It Looks Good on You

Brandy's week 6 challenge really spoke to me.  For the challenge, I was constrained by a color palette so I didn't post this card inspired by the challenge.  However, I couldn't miss the opportunity to share this card with you as I am very pleased with how the cards turned out.  The image and sentiment are both from the Waffle Flower Doily Circle stamp set which I white heat embossed onto the cardstock base and some vellum.  I fussy cut the vellum and then adhered by gluing along the lines.  These cards are more striking in person.

Smiles always look good on you.  I'm smiling right now.

Welcoming a Baby Boy Amidst Tragedy

The friend of an acquaintance recently had a preemie baby boy.  The family then, tragically, lost a close family member.  This sort of tragic situation brings home the concept of a bittersweet blessing.  This baby boy is so sweet and brings joy with his (early) arrival, with steady progress towards health and coming home.  When you lose a close family member, death is not sweet in any way and the providence of a newborn baby takes on a bittersweet sentiment.

Even more reason to celebrate the new arrival.  My friend and I decided to create a basket of gifts and I made this card using my Hero Arts Fun in the Sun stamp set. I watercolored the images stamped onto watercolor paper and die cut using my Waffle Flower Moon and Stars die to create the visual interest in the front of the card.  A little bow and some foam squares and this simple, but pretty card is completed.  We purchased some rubber duckies for the basket and this seemed appropriate.

I also went into the stash and found some soft, pretty yarn that matched the rest of the gifts and crocheted up this blanket for the baby and mama.  So fun and I hope a blessing in the midst of their sorrow.

I Admire You

I had previously shared this on Instagram and forgot to include here on the blog.  Ann Corbiere-Scott is a local artist who is responsible for the stamp sets featured in these cards and these and these.  I really enjoy shopping local so when Ann launched her website featuring digital images, I went ahead and purchased some.  These were printed onto Bristol cardstock at the local Kinkos and colored with my Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers.

So fun!