Happy Easter

With both children grown, Easter is a different event at our house.  A better event, truthfully, as we are able to focus more clearly on celebrating our risen Lord!  As morning dawns, you'll find the Millers who are home this morning off to sunrise service - a special treat reserved for Easter morning. 

Another plus is that I have time to create and send Easter cards, something I never had time for when the kids were little.  You'll remember I stamped and colored these cards, sharing with you here.  That was in August 2016.   

These cards have sat in the stash since then, not quite pleased with the finish, but not quite certain how to "fix" them.  I decided to match them up with some kraft card bases and coordinating stamp sets to finish into these cards.  I've sent them to family and friends to celebrate Easter this year.


I think that the colorful solid cardstock backing creates just the right frame for the card - making the size a standard A2 which is more pleasing to the eye that the original, created following the package instructions from the Art Impressions Blessings to You stamp and die set.  The color teases out a focal color on each card and coordinates with the patterned papers that I had previously used to line the inside flaps.

The Easter sentiment was stamped using my Heartfelt Creations Dogwood Chapel cling stamp.  I white heat embossed a piece of the cardstock to create the flag and then stamped and colored the three crosses onto Bristol cardstock, coloring with my Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers.  I fussy cut the crosses out  and glued everything flat to the cards since the folded nature of the card design created enough layers which to place in a standard A2 envelope.

I left the rest of the card just how I originally assembled and I am really pleased with each of the cards and how they turned out.  The Art Impressions stamps have never let me down - great stamp quality and interesting designs that tug at the heart.

I'll hope your Easter celebrations - if you do so - are filled with hope and joy. 

Happy Easter!

Blessings to You

I recently picked up the Art Impressions Blessings to You Tri-fold stamp and die set.  I so thought this tiny little bunny was adorable so I gave it a try stamping and die cutting using the instructions provided with the set.  The following (picture heavy!) post is my effort to share with varying success the results.  I hope you brought an afternoon cocktail (or a morning coffee) with you because there is lots to see.

After watercoloring the images with my Mission Gold watercolors, I used my Wink of Stella to add a bit of shimmer to each of the flowers.  I tried different color combinations and color intensities in an effort to learn a little more about watercoloring.  I'm no expert, but maybe an inspiration that even a non-expert can create a beautiful finish with a little effort.  If you haven't tried watercoloring, let me encourage you.  I didn't think I could do it either and look....

Each card was made using Strathmore Bristol paper.  This paper is good when you are only using small amounts of water for the watercoloring.  I have to stop and come back after the image was dry often, but the paper never pilled or lost it's integrity.

I used various patterned papers from the stash to create interest on the opposing panels as you open the card.  This was a fantastic way to finish the cards.  In the end, I made eight of these cards and haven't yet decided what I'll do with them.

Wow - you made it to the end.  I hope you are inspired by my lovlies.  I thoroughly enjoyed making them and actually want an excuse to use or gift them away so I can try a different technique out with this stamp and die set.  If you haven't used the Art Impressions stamps - they are a dream to stamp with.  The instructions are easy to follow and helpful in creating your project.  I'd recommend give it a try!