More Cards Made with Supplies from the Stash

Today's post is a mismatch of different bits and pieces from the stash.  I continue in my determination to use up these bits and make pretty cards from them.  I think these cards were worth putting together so I'm once again pleased to use the supplies.

These next two cards are made using blooms created with Heartfelt Creations Delicate Asters stamps and dies.  They are some of the original matching stamps and dies and I forgot how much I enjoyed these blooms!

Happy Mother's Day

I decided to glam up the packaging for my mother's gift on this Mother's Day.  I turned to my Heartfelt Creations Delicate Asters stamps and dies to create these beautiful three dimensional flowers on the card front.  They are so delicate and in pink, so pretty.  I recycled a butterfly tag from Brandy's gift to me to finish the look and tie in the kraft/gold box top.

So much fun!  I hope your celebrations are filled with joy.  Wishing you a cheerful mother's day.

More Sympathy Cards

Sympathy cards are difficult to make - especially since they come upon you all unaware and unprepared.  I'd like to tell you that I made these cards in an effort to be a little more proactive, but those in my social, familial and professional circles have all experienced loss recently.  It has felt a little like being in a boxing ring.  I have become clearly aware that they only productive and useful thing that I can do in the face of death is to pray to the One who is able.  Able to comfort, strengthen and heal.

These two cards were made with a combination of stamps and dies.  Using my retired Heartfelt Creations Delicate Aster stamps in black Archival Ink on Bristol I was able to color the images with my Zig Clean Color markers and add just a hint of glitter pen.  The sentiment was stamped using the same black Archival Ink and my Hero Arts Prayers stamp and die set.  I think the result is stunning and hopefully comforting, letting them know how cared for they are with something made using lots of care.





For both cards, a simple sentiment on the inside where I write my note.  There have been too many of these lately...

Art in all it's forms is a reflection of God's love - He created and painted this world with beauty to remind us of who He is.  I sent these cards with the same intention - created and painted with beauty so that those of us left behind could remember there is good when we are hurting from the loss.

My instinct is to apologize for getting somber, but I'm not going to do that trusting this blog community with tender feelings and knowing that one of the best parts of the community is the fact that we encourage one another.  Thanks to all for your encouragement through comments on my creativity.  It has meaning and I am grateful.

Another Peacock Pretty

I promised to share another peacock card.  This is the result of that effort.  I stamped my Peacock Swirls stamp  using Peacock Feathers Distress ink onto watercolor paper and then colored using my Mission Gold watercolors.   The peacock was then die cut using the coordinating die.

The frame is a Spellbinders die and the flower was cut from yellow cardstock using my Heartfelt Creations Delicate Asters die finished with some Art Glitter Institute Bee Hive Elements.

I'm not super pleased with the sentiment stamped with some antique linen embossing powder.   It is easier to read I in person,  but sit exactly what I was going for.  Still, a nice card for a friend's birthday celebration.

Simon Says Stamp's June Work It Wednesday

Come join the fun!

A Sweet Treat for the Sweathearts at Work

I made these treat bags for the ladies at work.  The tag was cut using my paper trimmer and watercolored to create an appropriate background for these Delicate Asters.  A simple sentiment to encourage and this tag was stapled to the bag which contained a scones mix and small jar of jam/jellies.  Just a little treat to make them smile.

Spreading cheer through crafting - I'm not sure who enjoyed this more - me as I made the tags or them as they ate thier scones!

A Delicate Aster Kind of Card

I believe this to be the last of the Mother's Day cards that I made for the fundraiser at my work.  There could always be a stray set of photos which haven't been edited, but I think this is it.

I'd mentioned earlier this week that I always thought these asters were a bit prickly in shape, but this set of cards demonstrates why I've come to love my Heartfelt Creations Delicate Asters dies.

I used an older Heartfelt Creations border stamp and gold ink to add the filigree to the left of the card and lots of pearl elements to embellish and accent these cards.

The set really turned out to be lovely and somethig I thoroughly enjoyed making.  I am hoping that the receipients of these cards felt special and cared for too!

I'm linking this card up with the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Challenge Simon Says Flowers

Word Art Wednesday's  Challenge #230-231 Anything Goes

I thought I'd share a few photos of the cards sale at my work.  It was a very good idea and something fun to do.  I'm pleased we were able to help those who help our soldiers.

These cards were made by Bonnie Grassi, the person who led the fundraiser and a very creative sister at my workplace.  She's so creative and these cards are lovely.

In the end, only two cards were left unsold.  I am unsure who had more fun - us as crafters or the people who purchased the cards.

Our beneficiary was Soldiers Angels who support our troops and send care packages to soldiers overseas  A fantatic charity that I had the pleasure to join.  Check them out at the link provided.  Have a fantastic day!

City Crafter Challenge - Feeling Prickly

I decided to join the City Crafters Challenge Blog in their challenge this week by sharing this card made for the fundraiser at my work.  The Feeling Prickly challenge is to make a project using something prickly.  I always thought these Heartfelt Creations Delicate Asters flowers and leaves looked prickly.  This is one of the reasons that I didn't purchase them at first. Then, I worked with them in a class and fell in love.

I used a Spellbinders die to make the light green frame in the background and my Heartfelt Creations Delicate Oval die for the white lacey piece.  Come on over and join the fun at the City Crafter Challenge Blog.  Their Feeling Prickly challenge is full of unusual and fun takes on the challenge! Time is short to join, but you can do it!

Prima Oil Pastel Watercolor Crayons

I've been playing around with my Prima Oil Pastel crayons.  This water soluble oil pastel media is so creamy and the colors so wonderful, I just couldn't stop creating images.  I used the technique found in this video for reach of these stamped images.  The leaves were stamped using my Heartfelt Creations Classic Leaf stamp.    The rose is a wood stamp from way back.

Fail - Used too much water on the brush to fill in the gaps

My Heartfelt Creations Delicate Asters stamp provided the detail for these images.  Since this is not a solid stamp, I finished the look with a waterbrush and some water - filling the centers of the petals in with the oil pastel transferred to the page.  It's a different look that I'm sure to explore some more.












One shouldn't end on a disappointing note, but these wings stamps just didn't retain the fine detail in the stamped image.  They are lovely in their own right, but I'm not sure they worked out the way I'd like.  Just proof that I need to keep on experimenting with my new tool.  As so I shall.  If I end up making these into anything, I'll share that with you here as well.  Hope all is well in your world as we look forward to November being here.  Isn't time flying by?

An Aster for Your Birthday

Another co-worker birthday card to share with you today.  I needed something simple and sweet. So I turned to my puppy dog (10 1/2 years old!) for inspiration.

I picked up some asters at Trader Joe's, stuffed them into a vase and my dog, Abby, always demands to smell the flowers.  Which reminded me of my Heartfelt Creations Delicate Aster dies.

Using an online color inspiration, I went to the stash and found the grey patterned paper and the neon green scraps.  I swear the green isn't quite so neon in real life and the Aster really shines.  Simple, but effective to let someone at work know I thought of them on their birthday.

ETA:  I'm linking up to Ruby's Rainbow challenge #111 Diecuts or Punches and CropStop's Linky Party #7 and a Give-Away

Day 1- Stretch Your Dies Online Card Class - Heat Shrink Craft Foam

I've had a very busy week with a trip to California crammed in for work.  I signed up for the Stretch Your Dies Online Card Class and found it to be, once again, the busiest week to have homework.  I've tried to catch up this weekend, but find that I am woefully behind.  This card was created using a technique taught on Monday- die cutting with craft foam.  Each embellishment except the purple border was cut from craft foam.  The Hello die is a Paper Smooches die, the flowers are Heartfelt Creations Asters and the leaves come from a Spellbinders set.  I cut everything out of white foam and shrunk them with a heat tool.  I used my distress inks (Shaded Lilac, Shabby Shutters and Seedless Preserves) to color the images.  There is quite a bit of dimension on this card and I'll admit to being skeptical of the technique.  i thought it might look cheesy.

Well, it doesn't.  It is unique and different and though I might not use it on a lot of cards truly represents a reason to take an online card class.  I find plenty of technique videos for free online and I can follow those instructions.  However, I find myself watching the same kinds of videos over and over and using the same kinds of techniques.  This card is an example of how I can spice up my mojo by stretching a bit.

It's not too late to join the class, just click the link to sign up.  Maybe I'll see you over there as I catch up on my homework.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Challenge #175: Anything Goes

Simon Says Spring Pinterest Inspiration Challenge - I used the colors in one of the photos (purple and green) to inspire this card.

Inspiration Emporium's Spring Blooms challenge

Come join the fun or just look at all the inspiration.