Ink Blots!

This card was just "one of those things".  I had the set of various ink blots from Close to My Heart and they were languishing in their pristine condition in the storage box.  I felt so sorry for them!  It was time to get ink on the ink blots!

I traced lightly with a pencil the inside diameter of a spool of ribbon.  Then I began pulling inks in colors of the rainbow.  I don't know why I did these counter-clockwise, but there you have it.  The black design papers are all from La Vie en Rose (CTMH) and the flags were just cut from cardstock scraps.  I don't know exactly what I'll use it for - but I like it anyway!

45th Anniversary of my Beloved's Ordination to Priesthood

Sunday was the 45th anniversary of Steve's ordination.  I started planning a month ago to surprise him with a reception and chocolate cake for the coffee hours at church.  This card was provided (with an additional page to insert) for everyone to sign. 

I used the new "A" stamp Rejoice (the cross and the inside sentiment) and heat embossed the cross with Cocoa embossing powders.  The chalice and the sentiment on the front of the card are Waltzingmouse Stamps (Celtic).  The numbers 45 are from one of the CTMH alphabet sets.  

I thought I had surprised him - but when I got home from church I found in my mailbox that he had forwarded an invoice from the cake baker at about 9:30 the night before.  Oops!  At least he played along nicely during the coffee hours!  *giggle*

Hugs!!

Watercolor tag

This tag uses an "old" rubber mounted stamp that I've had for awhile.  I don't even remember when I got it or who makes it.  The label on the stamp showed all sorts of lovely shading and such - but I couldn't figure out how to achieve the look!  What I learned this year is that you can stamp the image with a light color (such as Flaxen) and then water color over it!  So, that is what I did!  So easy, really, since no-one expects watercolor to look perfect anyway!  The black scallop edge and sentiment were done with the 0.5 micron journaling marker.  

I made this to attach to the birthday gift of a dear friend. She's already seen the tag so I can safely post now!  (tee, hee).  

Hugs!!

Another, different, Thank You card

This lovely card was inspired by Doreen, who is a CTMH Consultant half-way around the world!  I saw her version on a consultant artwork page, and it was watermarked with this address: scrappingandmorewithdoreen.blogspot.com.au

I loved what she did with the trio of feathers and a little sentiment.  I changed colors (I believe she used Pacifica - also very pretty - while I used Lagoon) and the sentiment (she had a birthday greeting but I am in great need of thank you notes!).  Otherwise, it is a total card-lift!  She is very talented, you should check out her blog!

I'm almost done with the notes now. It's a good thing, because I need to be free to spend time with family coming into town!

More Thank You cards

This beautiful card was designed by another CTMH Consultant, Mel Hamilton, at okscrapbooking.ca

I varied it only in as much as I can't seem to copy anything perfectly!  I think I was supposed to use Sorbet, but somehow pulled a different ink (Smoothie?).  They are close, sure enough.  Anyhoo, here it is. Charlotte design papers, Springtime Wishes stamps and thin cuts, black/gold ribbon (all CTMH). 

Thank you cards . . .

After a school class reunion last week hosted at our house, we needed to send a few thank you cards for the marvelous gifts people brought! I've been working hard on Thank You cards. These are with the new Springtime Wishes and die cuts - and using the Doodled Design circle (A1170. All are current product! If you used sequins or punched shimmer tape for embellishments you could send this card with regular postage!

More watercoloring

This is a stamp set I purchased from Verve awhile back.  I still absolutely love it!  I heat embossed the flowers onto cardstock, and then used my watercolor pencils (Derwent Inktense) to add color to the petals and leaves.  I added just a tad sparkle in the pink ribbon and stamped it with a sentiment from one of the Hostess Stamp Sets in the Annual Idea Book.  I plan to send it as a birthday card.

My friends who were at Open Stamping watched me try to create these cards. I used sponge daubers to add ink from the ink pad directly to the stamp (Fern and Tulip) and I also stamped the same image using VersaMark Clear onto the Kraft Cardstock. The sentiments were stamped, but I wasn't satisfied so I took them apart and tried again. I heat embossed these onto vellum - and I have finally learned a really nifty trick! If you prepare for heat embossing as usual, then hold the vellum piece up in the air with the back-side facing you (and the heat gun) and heat it from the back, it works MUCH better! I could see immediately where the embossing powder was changing, and the end result was so smooth and perfect, without burning the vellum paper. You are welcome.

Valentine Day 2

Once again, I'm making a few Valentine cards, this time using the new February special stamp called Share the Love.  This stamp set is a D-size ($17.95) and $7 of that goes directly to benefit Operation Smile; an agency that provides cleft lip and palate surgeries for children.

I used a retired design paper (CTMH) for the bottom and inside edges, and stamped my own design on the upper part of the front.  I also used a zip-strip on this card.  I decided to use pink paper (it IS a valentine, after all) for the paper in the typewriter.  I like how it turned out!

Valentines

Oops, gotta get busy with some Valentines! I decided to use some of the card kit to make a few. I used the sentiment LOVE from a retired CTMH set, and inside I used a current stamp set in the Annual Idea Book. Card kits make it SO easy!