"Friendship is Golden" Slim Line cards

 Happy New Year, friends! Before my six cards are shared, may I ask a big question?

Has anyone heard from Carol Hurlock? She is a fantastically gifted crafter/artist who is quite unique and prolific in her endeavors. She is awe-inspiring! Carol stopped posting in 2022 (during Pandemic). She is such a gracious, kind, beautiful soul who is wonderfully talented in every way, and I miss her. Please let me know if you have heard anything. Thanks!

Hoping your family is safe and healthy, enjoying all the good things Life has to offer. Yesterday at Dusk, we had several "dancing deer" skylarking across the front pasture. It's always fun watching them, especially when frolicking is the main activity at the moment! 😁

 Slow and steady eventually gets to the finish line, right? Today's share is six "skinny" cards 8.5" x 4", using Anna Griffin dies in the background and an assortment of patterned papers and vellums.

Three cards sport woven satin ribbon frames. This is one of my favorite techniques, especially if the ribbon is "puffy" and "imperfect" in its display of shiny fabric. I start in one corner, and slowly make my way around the frame:

Once the ribbon has traveled around the die cut, it is cut in the corner and "tucked under" to look finished:

The smaller, focal die images are mostly from Gold Glossy card stock, and shadowed with black card stock:

First, ink some of the background papers for better dimension and a more finished look:

For some of the shadows, I outlined the die with a light-colored pencil, and fussy cut them out. This made the black portion slightly larger than the die cut itself:

These two cards show off dimension and texture by using glitter on the leaves, dimension tape circles, and glitter behind the glossy card stock. The second card has three butterflies with three layers, each featuring vellum or patterned card stock. It also has printed vellum in the background.

The first card (also shown below) has glitter on the glossy card stock (in real life, it is quite shiny and sparkly). The "dots" are 1/8" high dimensional dots that have been dredged with glitter. Notice the butterfly on the right side has been dimensionalized a little differently, with the butterfly body glued flat to the base, puffed up in the middle, and then flattened again on the edges. Not sure how that will make it through the post office machines, so it may be hand delivered. 

sigh...

I long for the "olden days" post office when we could send anything through the mail as long as long as we put enough postage on for weight. (do you?).

Sometimes, less is more:

Alas, I decided MORE is more:

more sparkle

more glitz

more shine

more butterflies

more jewels...

This one escaped the glitter, but the vellum under the butterfly is shimmering gold with bejeweled brads, shiny ribbon, and a sentiment made on the label maker:

Layers include the base, printed Vellum card stock, gold Anna Griffin solid piece, an ivory filagree die cut, ribbon, Spellbinders glossy leaves, label maker sentiment, hand traced and cut black shadow, hand traced and cut sparkling vellum, and finally patterned paper, frilly butterfly die cut:

This card showcases textures:

The sixth card:

The interiors are just as unique:

The interior here is glittered on one side:

Thanks for wading through all the photos.

Thinking of you all, with gratitude. Thank you for your fabulous inspiration, and caring comments.

Products: Stamps A-Line Stamping F-487 (2000? or 2001?), Penny Black 1785E Lovely Day (2000),  Really Reasonable Satin Ribbon ButterCup 5/8", Dies: Anna Griffin AG-1239H-AS Slimline Concentric Die, IO Monarch DIE059-N, Cheery Lynn Butterfly, Tonic Studios Celebrate, Cardstock: pattern paper (REALLY OLD from a store in Tampa called "Tamp-a-Stamp" back in 2001.), Marcos Gold Glossy, Bright Ivory CS, Golden CS, Inks: Walnut Distress, VersaMark, Acorn VersaFine Clair, Other: (mixed gold and clear glitter). Dimensionals

Gratefully playing in the following fine challenges:

1. A Perfect Time to Craft #1 (Jan 1) AG 2/1 (sep post 3/29)
2. Crafts Galore Encore #143 (Jan 1) AG (sep post 2/1)
3. Love to Craft Challenges #90 (Jan 1) AG 2/15 (nxt chal 3/1)
4. Mix It Up Challenge #81 (Jan 1) AG with Ribbon  2/15 (nxt chal 3/1) 3 cards have ribbon woven in them.
5. Moving Along With The Times #185 (Jan 1) AG us stencils and/or dies (several layers of dies on each card). 1/31 (sep post 1-2 weeks later)
6. Paper Rocks Scissors Challenge #12 (Jan 2) AG using Paper and/or Scissors 1/31 (The shadows have been fussy cut, to make them slightly larger than the die itself. The Cheery Lynn butterfly die only had the frilly version, so the background vellum was fussy cut, then the shadow also had been fussy cut slightly larger. Several types of papers/card stock were used.
7. A Cut Above (Jan 5) AG with die cuts (used multiple dies: Dies: Anna Griffin AG-1239H-AS three Slimline Concentric Dies, IO Monarch DIE059-N, Cheery Lynn Butterfly, Tonic Studios Celebrate 1/28 (sep post 2/1)
8. Pammies Inky Pinkies Challenges #2602 AG 1/18
9. Cut It Up Challenges #347 Favorite Dies 1/19 (Gosh! It was fun looking at everyone's favorites this time. My favorites are my butterfly dies, but I also love my Spellbinders foliage sets. Both are featured here. Are we allowed to have lots of faves? LOL Thank you for the fun challenge.
10. Elliebelle's Garden Party #11 (Jan 8) Anything in or from a Garden 2/9

fondly,

Home Sweet Home and a Vintage Country Home freebie

"True friends are never apart. Maybe in distance, but never in heart."

I'm so happy to see you, my dear blogging friends! 

Paula has moved into a new home, so a card was in order! 

QUESTION: This is the first Altenew Pigment Ink I've purchased, and the first time used. It already requires reinking. Are you familiar with this brand? Does it mix well with other brand pigment reinkers? "Back in the Day..." pigment inks used pretty much the same formulas and reinkers could be interchanged. But nowadays, I hesitate doing that with all the special formulas. Do you absolutely need to use their reinkers with their pads? Altenew's seem to be a bit more expensive. I appreciate the feedback!

After running old, old, old designer paper through the embossing folder, white pigment ink was swiped across the top, dredged with clear detail EP and heat set:

Using the die as a stencil, Pumice Stone was applied in the openings and scenic background. VFC Morning Mist was applied to the lace punch for dimension, before layering.

Using the same die on the inside sentiment, and more stenciling in the same color made for a pretty card. The house was originally colored with Copic Markers and scanned:

By cutting 3 more "blank" die pieces, and adhering them together, a dimensional centerpiece was created.

Finally, white cardstock was adhered to the back of the embossed designer paper, cut with deckle scissors, with lacy trim attached.

Small sentiment was added before adhering to kraft cardstock:

On the inside, the original designer paper, layered with the stenciled sentiment:

A gift for you: 

If you would like a freebie set featuring this Vintage Country Home digital, please email me, and a ZIP file will be sent your way. It includes colored versions and black and white. For your use as a gift, not for resale/sale. Please refer to set #911.

Products: Images: My Digital Set Vintage Country Home (free to you if you wish to email me), Inks: Altenew Cloud White Pigment ink, VersaFine Clair Morning Mist, Distress Pummice Stone, Copic Markers, Embossing: folder Anna Griffin Baroque Vine Frame, Clear Detail EP, Paper: 20 years old pattern paper, white, and craft, Dies: Spellbinders 5x7 Elegant Labels 4, Martha Stewart Doily Lace Deep Trim Punch

Grateful to be playing in the following challenges (thank you, design teams, for hosting challenges):

1. A Perfect Time to Craft Open Challenge #8 AG 08/28 (entry #2)
2. Ally's Angels #97 AG (entry #2) 9/12
3. Crafter's Cafe #322 AG with Patterned Papers 9/12 (entry #2)
4. FarmQuest General Store Challenge #31 AG Farm and/or Country (my digi set is titled Vintage Country Home - be sure to email me if you would like the set for free) 9/5
5. Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2533 AG (entry 2) 8/25
6. CD Sunday Plus Challenge #165 AG using a CD, USB, or digital [using My Digital Set Vintage Country Home (free to you, my blog visitor, if you wish to email me) 8/31
7. Crafts Galore Encore Challenge #138 AG 8/31

Stamping Hugs,

Left Over Pieces + New Pieces = Finally-Finished Cards

Welcome, Blogging friends! I have missed you!

Still plugging along in my "unfinished stuff" boxes, these creations have been in the works for the last 6 weeks. I came across some pink and white Spellbinders decorative squares elements already cut out - probably 15 years ago - they were crying out to put put on a project! So I added some Impression Obsession butterflies and Tattered Lace flowers, enjoying designing The Old dies with The Virginal dies. The designing was fun, too - especially with the addition of sparkle in one of my favorite colors PINK!

Here are some of the pieces I started with before adding the whimsy:

Because the bottom layers overlapped in some places, shims were needed:

With the shims prepared and glued in place, the diagonal square in the middle could be added:

Next... to adhere the fun die cuts:

To shade some of the pink areas (included the pink glitter paper), Worn Lipstick DI was applied. See the difference?

The vellum "butterfly shadow" is pearly, so it picked up the pink tones without coloring. The other butterflies with pink frames around them were "inked" with Worn Lipstick atop pale pink cardstock. The die cut sentiments were cut from pink glitter paper, darkened with Copic Marker RV32, and shadowed with a pale slate blue cardstock:

Two more cards, one using Ana Griffin's sentiment set:

Upon finishing the cards, I decided some pop up elements on the inside would be fun. It sure would have been easier had that been done before adhering all the layers! Front facing:

Top facing - notice the notched element under the butterfly to minimize the popup feature:

Thanks for visiting my little blog! Your encouragement and friendship means so much. I am permanently homebound, leaving only for medical appointments. Each excursion takes tremendous toll on my body, but I'm still able to do "small things with great love".  I'm so grateful to still be living in this wonderful world, surrounded by beautiful people!

Products: Anna Griffin "You Are" sentiment stamps (set of 9), Inks: VersaFine Clair Nocturne, Distress Worn Lipstick, Dies: Tattered Lace Michaelmas Daisy, Imp Obs Butterfly DIE059-N, SB Marvelous Squares, SB Adorning Squares, LifeStyle Nesting Frames 7, MS Floral Crochet PAP, MS lace heart edge punch, Die-Versions Express Banners "Happy Day" and "Make a Wish", Cardstock: pink glitter, pink, white, white glitter, slate blue (shadow on sentiment) Other: Gold Detail EP, Copic RV32, 

May I please play in the following challenges?

1. Seize the Birthday #303 Layer it Up Birthday 4/2 (each card has multiple layers inside and out)
2. Triple B Challenge (April 3) inspiration board for birds butterflies blooms 5-1
3. Crafting A Cut Above (April 7) Spring Time with Dies 5/1 (Dies used: Tattered Lace Michaelmas Daisy, Imp Obs Butterfly DIE059-N, SB Marvelous Squares, SB Adorning Squares, LifeStyle Nesting Frames 7, MS Floral Crochet PAP, MS lace heart edge punch, Die-Versions Express Banners "Happy Day" and "Make a Wish")
4. Colorful Options (April 1) choose color(s) from the inspiration photo. I chose pink. 5/1
5. The Four Seasons Challenge (April 1) Anything Goes Spring 5/1
6. Craft Rocket Challenges #124 "Layer it Up" 4/28 (each card has multiple layers inside and out)
7. As You Like It Challenge (April 17) Fussy & Fancy and Why 4/30 (while CAS are amazing, I have trouble keeping it simple. It's always satisfying to add more layers, more sparkle, unexpected details, and products to cards, and see the faces of the recipients - or to hear their sweet voices - exclaiming "how did you do that?" giggle)

Thanks for stopping by!

Orange Rose Fiesta Time at Beautiful Blossoms Challenges

Hello, blogging friends!

It's time for a new Challenge at Beautiful Blossoms.  A fun "mood-board-inspired" monthly challenge which features Flowers as the main focus.  

 The Mood Board is a starting point, and your artwork is where your imagination takes you! 

 I was inspired by: 

1. The letters in the word "fiesta" are separated by squares. The "square triad rose image" is "separated" by the same shape.
2. The gold glitter embossing tinsel is inspired by the pretty jewelry in the mood board.
3. And those brilliant colors, so these orange roses are shaded with pink tones, and boast green leaves.

I rummaged through my "needs to be colored" bin and found this Pink and Main rose awaiting its completion. It was heat set with gold glitter embossing tinsel, and is quite sparkly in person.

The sentiments are from a stamp set purchased nearly 25 years ago, by Anna Griffin. The die set is also by Anna Griffin. Her dies are deeply etched, easily cut, and always emboss well:

While coloring with Copic Markers, I carefully avoided the marker tip with the gold EP. You cannot see it well in the photos, but the orange is shaded with deep pink Copics. The "tall flower" was cut into thirds to mimmic the scrabble words in the mood board, but it also allowed me to introduce the bright green color as well. (apologies for the dark photo)

Looking forward to seeing your floral masterpiece at at Beautiful Blossoms Challenge!

Products: Stamps: Pink and Main Tall Flowers set, Anna Griffin "Sentimental Statements" stamp set, Inks: Cheerful Yellow and Green Oasis VersaFine Clair, Copic Markers, Gold Glitter Embossing Tinsel, Dies: Anna Griffin Gentleman's Study Concentric Slimline Die set, 2 old SU punches, old EKSuccess corner punch.

Playing in the following fine challenges please:

1. Worldwide Crafters and Colorists Challenge #5 AG (entry 1 of 3) 6/12
2. Classic Design Challenge #5 AG 6/1
3. A Perfect Time to Craft #5 AG (check 7/1)
4. Crafting Happiness Challenges # 142 Flowers 6/1

5. Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2319 AG 5/22

Stamping Hugs,

Sweet Spring Tulips - Jan's Digi Stamps

Hello, friends! I hope this finds you well, and enjoying some Spring Season crafting time.

Today's card is for April's Kickoff at the Anything Goes Challenge at Jan's Digi Stamps!  If you use a JDS image in your card, please mention it. There is a 2nd draw specifically for those who use one of Jan's fun images.

Jan's newest sets are 25% off, and this month's sale, includes 9 sets for Mother’s Day, also 25% off.

To create my card, one set was used:

*NEW* Spring Flowers & Coffee 4085
9 images on sale for $3.00

I had fun using Copic Markers on this versatile, sweet Spring Flowers & Coffee set. 

Wilted Violet & Shaded Lilac Oxides were employed in the background, while Pumice Stone Distress ink was used in the bottom area.

Using Distress ink allows for shading a bit more atop the ink with warm gray Copics to create a shadow effect.

Gotta love the combination Purple & Yellow!

The beauty of digital stamps is they can be "re-worked" to suit our purposes. 

In this case I cropped one of the sentiments to fit my needs. 

Instead of:

 "Daughters are like flowers, they fill the world with beauty", 

my card says:

 "fill the world with beauty".

M

Looking forward to seeing your creation in the Anything Goes Challenge at Jan's Digi Stamps!

Products: Jan's Digi Images:  Spring Flowers & Coffee 4085, Anna Griffin Slim Concentric die set AG-1249-AS, Copic Markers, Pumice Stone DI, Wilted Violet & Shaded Lilac Oxides, White Gel pen for the heart bauble.

This was taken on March 14. Even after the "dregs" of milkweed leaves at the end of winter, the caterpillars have hatched, are merrily munching, and growing quickly. There are butterflies all over because of the crazy weather patterns. We have potted milkweed in our gardens, just for the butterflies to lay their eggs on!

May I please play in the following challenges?

1. CD Sunday Plus Challenge #107 AG (1 of 3) (sentiment was copy-and-pasted digitally, cut apart digitally, and then printed out to accommodate my card. The "table top" was drawn on the word processor and hand colored with the image after printing) 4/16
2. Worldwide Crafters and Colorists Challenge #4 AG (entry 2) 5/12
3. A Perfect Time to Craft Open Challenge #4 AG 5/1
4. Classic Design Challenge #4 AG 5/1
5. The Corrosive Challenge #4 Anything Goes 5/6
6. SheepSki Designs Challenges #73 Die Cuts and/or Punches 5/1
7. My Time To Craft Challenge #505 Easter Flowers or Spring Flowers 4/20
8. Inspiration Station #48 Field of Tulips in the boldest of colors, like the yellow tulips in my card. 5/1
   
   
   

Stamping Hugs,