To a special Lady

     I made this card for a very special Lady. She turned 80 yesterday, and she is my Sister-in-law's Mom. Many years ago even before my brother met his wife, I was on a ladies bowling league and she was on one of the teams; coincidently with my other sister-in-law's Mom. Small world. So we've known each other for a time. She's a great Lady.
     I wanted to make her a special card to let her know how much she means to me. One of my very favorite stamp sets that I got for Christmas was The Altenew Beautiful Day set. I just love it and have been using it a lot.  So here is the card that I made for this very special Lady.

 





     I was so happy with the way these blue flowers came out that I had to do a little on the inside too.

 

     Just a little to pull it al together.

Supplies used:

     Altenew Beautiful Day Stamp set

     Ranger distress Inks(Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Stormy Sky, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint,

Mustard Seed)

     Canson Card Watercolor paper

     Inkadinkado masking paper

     I used my favorite stamp set with My favorite inks to create this card for one of my favorite people. 

I will be entering this card in: The Flower Challenge Blue and Yellow

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy crafting!

God Bless,

Karen

    

    

  

 

Clean and Simple

     Clean and simple card are not my favorite cards to make. While they are usually quick and easy I have a problem knowing when to stop. I always want to add just a little more of this or that and then they're not Clean and Simple anymore.

     Well today I am happy to say that I started out with an idea of what my card should look like and I didn't add anything extra. Yay for me. However, it wasn't simple, but it was fun.

Products used:

Altenew "Peony Bouquet"

Misti

Ranger distress ink

Ranger Archival ink

Penny Black #30-229 "Special Wishes"

Canson 130lb watercolor paper

Inkadinkado masking paper

     Using my Misti I inked the first peony outline with distress ink, Mustard Seed, and spritzed it with water then stamped it onto the water color paper. Using a paint brush and some water I drew the ink from the edges to color in the flower.  Then I inked the stamp again and re-stamped the image using the same ink. I then lined up the second stamp, highlights, over the first stamped image, inked using Mustard Seed, and spritzed with just a little water and stamped. I used a brush to soften the highlights, then masked it and moved onto the next 2 flowers and the leaves using the same technique. The Misti allowed me to stamp my image as many times as needed to get the desired effect with each layer. It is by far one of my favorite stamping tools.

     

     Using distress ink, Tumbled Glass, and water I added a shadow around the bouquet to give it stability.

     I stamped the sentiment also using my Misti and I was very glad I did because the first stamping was not dark enough so I re-inked the stamp and stamped it again, perfect!  

     My inspiration for this card came from the Muse card below The colors and the flowers, these colors are so perfect together, and I love to watercolor flowers.

I will be adding this card to these challenges:

AAA Cards "Masking"

Addicted to Stamps and More "Make Your Mark"

Muse Challenge Blog #184

Altenew Ultimate Blog Hop

     Muse

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a wonderfully crafty day!

Karen

 

    



Fur-ever Friends

     My husband and I have always loved having pets around the house. I don't remember a time in our 39 years of marriage when we haven't had a dog, cat, guinea pig, hamsters or fish. until the last few years. After so many different types of pets we found Zeke, a loveable mix of 4 different breeds, and adopted him. He was 8wks old at the time but we knew just by looking in his eyes he was special. He was such a smart, sweet and loving boy. Even as a Pup he would let us know if he needed something, like water, if his bowl was empty he would pick it up in his teeth and bring it to us. If he needed to go out he would hit at our feet and tilt his head and stare, then when we got up he would bounce all the way to the door. He was a special part of our live that we miss every day. He lived to be just over 17 years old and gave us so much joy.

     I'm sure we will get another dog someday but for now, memories of Zeke still fill our hearts,  I'm sure they will forever. For now we have a wonderful Grandpup named Bella, who loves us as much as we love her.

     My card today follows the theme Fur-ever Friends from Little Red Wagon, with a dog and kitten sharing a warm moment.



Products Used:   

Stampers Anonymous Crazy Dogs #CMS271

Stampers Anonymous Crazy Cats #CMS251

Hero Arts Kitten Stamp

Hero Arts Oval Frame

Ranger Distress Ink

Diamond background stamp

Penny Black #30-358 Happy Snippets 

Inkadinkado Masking paper

Canson watercolor paper 130lb.

Misti

     First I stamped and cut out all my masks and then began stamping the rest. I stamped the dog first in a very light Antique Linen distress ink, using the Misti. then I placed the kitten mask that I trimmed so that part of the dogs leg would show on the image and stamped with archival ink.

     To stamp the rug I placed left the kitten mask in place and masked the dog then I stamped all the other elements and masked them.

     For the floor I stamped over all the masks with my Diamond background stamp making sure to line up the diamonds with each stamp.  I removed all the masks and used my distress black marker to fill in where any of the diamonds were not stamped well near the masking.

     I water colored the dog and kitten and all the different elements and added the sentiment, which was stamped on watercolor paper and outlined with Festive Berries then I dragged a wet brush over it to smear the ink on the edges, attached with dimensional tape.

     It was a very time consuming card but I love the results. 

 

I will be entering this card in:

Little Red Wagon "Fur-ever Friends"

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge "Stamp It"

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a Wonderfully Crafty Day!!

Karen

    

    

   

Falling for You

     What a beautiful day it was yesterday! Fall is definitely in the air. It was Grandparents day and Chris and Lindsey invited us for dinner and Ice cream. It was so nice to spend time with them and the kids. the only low point of the day was the Miami Dolphins losing in the last minute of the game, Dale, Chris, Luke and Michael (from Hawaii) were very bummed.

     

       My card today is all about fall.  Recently I got some happy mail which included a background stamp from IO with large maple leaves. That's where my card began.  I came up with the idea for the background while trying to fall asleep last night. The rest fell into place when I decided to use the Sketch from Freshly Made Sketches. Some embossing powder, distress inks, spellbinders dies and some ribbon made it all come together.

Products Used:

Canson watercolor paper 130lb.

IO #CC067 C-A-C Maple Leaves

Inkadinkado Sentiment  #98555 Harvest Expressions

Versa Mark

Ranger Queens Gold embossing powder

Ranger distress inks ( Rusty Hinge, Peeled Paint, Broken China, Vintage Photo)

Spellbinders # S4-116 Standard Circles small

Spellbinders Nestabilities #S4-490 Triple Tear

Orange ribbon

     Using Versa Mark on my large IO background stamp I stamped (1) 41/4 x 51/2 and (1) 31/2 x 41/2 pieces of Canson watercolor paper and then embossed them with Queens Gold powder.  Then using my ranger blending tools I add Peeled Paint, Broken China and Vintage Photo to my background. I then used Rusty Hinge to cover and blend all. then I used a paper towel to remove ink from the embossing to make it pop.

     I used dimensional tape I popped up the smaller panel to give some dimension to the card; then wrapped the ribbon around both panels and tied it in a knot, and trimmed the ends.

     To finish the card I repeated the embossing with the sentiment and the distress ink on a piece of scrap watercolor paper. Then cut it out using my spellbinders die. It needed just a hint of a background mat so I used a scrap of burnt orange paper and my circle dies to make one. I added just a little Rusty Hinge to the edges and adhered it to the card. Done.

I will be entering this card in these challenges:

Impression Obsession Challenge "Falling For You"

Freshly Made Sketches #253

Time Out Challenge #65 "Inspired By Words"

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a wonderfully Crafty Day!!

Karen

Just around the corner

September is just around the corner and I have so many cards to make I'm getting dizzy. Two of my Grandchildren have birthdays in September. Evelyn who is turning 7  and Mark who is turning 5, I can't believe how fast they're growing up. It feels like yesterday they were babies. I also have several birthdays for friends and there little ones and my Niece is getting married. So I've been very busy.

My first card is for my Beautiful Niece and her very handsome Hubby to be:



 Products used: Spellbinders die set  5x7 Elegant Labels 4

Altenew Peony Bouquet set

Ranger Queens Gold Embossing powder

Versa Mark

Paper Pizzazz Gold

White Card stock 110 lb.

Craft foam

Misti

I started by cutting out the frame with my Spellbinders die, I love this die and I have use t quite often when making cards. I also cut out the outside frame out of craft foam. I then carefully removed the backing of the foam, so it wouldn't stretch, and adhered it to my frame. I like to do this because it gives it better stability and it's easier than cutting foam tape strips for the small areas. I cut a piece of Gold paper to cover the whole front of the card, after sticking the gold paper down I added the frame to the front making sure to get it centered. I then glued the center piece to the front of the card and placed the whole card in my Misti. I centered my sentiment and stamped it. I'm not sure what company the sentiment is, I took it off the wood and didn't label it. Sorry, 

Then I stamped and embossed the peonies and fussy cut them out. I arranged then on the front of the card and adhered them using dimensional tape and my tape runner. My Nieces Wedding colors are White and Gold. 

I will be submitting this card to: Simon Says Wednesday Challenge"Make for the Border"

                                                    All sorts Challenge "Fabulous Florals"

  

My next card is a Birthday card I made for my wonderful husband Dale:





We love to go to the Ocean any chance we get our favorite place is Virginia Beach VA, so I went with that for his card.

Products used:

Inkadinkado  #97521 Coastal/ Maritime

Ranger inks

Wood Anchor

Twine

First I stamped the lighthouse and then colored in the beach, the fence, the vegetation and the lighthouse stripes, then fussy cut it out. I tore a sheet of white scrap to shape the beach and used my Ranger ink and a blending tool to give it the look of sand. I then took another piece of torn paper to make the waves, moving it up and down and back and forth using a blending tool and 2 different inks to get the wave effect. Then I punch out some circle punches, of different sizes, and glued them to a piece of paper along the edge: and using my blending tool I did the same as with the waves to create the clouds, on a piece of white card cut to 61/2 x41/2 . When I was done with the background I attached the sand and wave piece to a 5x7 card  and then using some dimensional tape added the Lighthouse. I drew the birds and the light coming from the lighthouse on then attached it to my card. I used the twine to frame the scene and added the anchor, which I used my Ranger markers to color black,  I also stamped the Happy Birthday and framed and popped it up, to finish the card.  

I will be submitting this card to:Little Red Wagon Surfs Up"

                                                   Seize the Birthday "Anything Goes"











Watercolor cards using distress ink

I love to watercolor using my Ranger distress inks.  When I use watercolor paints or pencils I'm very rarely happy with what I've done. I can't quite get the shading right or I've used to much water and the colors run. I guess I just have to keep trying and I know I'll get the hang of it, eventually. However I love using my distress markers and inks to watercolor, I almost feel like a pro. The two cards I made today are both made using this technique and I do love the way they turned out. I also have to say that I love using my Misti, (for those of you who don't know what it is, you can check it out at SimonSaysStamp.com) it makes stamping a breeze.  

Card # 1



Products used:

PB #40-428 Scented Beauty

HA #CL401 Tapestry Background

IO #CL114 Sympathy Sentiments

Ranger distress markers and inkpads ( Spun Sugar & Forest Moss)

Ranger Archival ink (Black)

Ranger watercolor paper

Inkadinkado Masking Paper

American Crafts twine

Spectrum Noir clear glitter pen

Clarity brushes

My Sweet Petunia, Inc. Misty

I cut my paper to 41/4 x51/2 and placed it in the corner of the Misti securing it with magnets. Then I positioned my stamp and closed the lid, sticking the stamp to it. I opened the Misti and used my distress markers to color the stamp, and closed the Misti. I did this twice. I removed my paper, leaving the stamp in passion in the Misty. Using a paintbrush and a small amount of water, (I used the back of my hand to remove the excess water from my brush) I drew the ink out to the edges of each petal one at a time until done, repeating with the second flower and the leaves. When I finished, I placed my paper back into my Misti and inked the stamp once more very lightly and stamped the image again to add a subtle edge. Then I cleaned and removed the stamp and repositioned my paper to the center of the Misti. Using the masking paper I stamped the roses again and the fussy cut the mask out and placed over my finished image. I used removable adhesive on the back of my paper to keep it in place, since I was going to stamp over the whole thing. I positioned my background stamp over my paper and closed the Misti so it would stick. Then I inked it using the black Archival ink. I stamped it and there were some missing spots so I inked the stamp again and stamped it again, success. I love my Misti. I cut my paper to 41/4 x 53/8 then using my Clarity brushes and some Spun Sugar inked the edges, and wrapped the twine around the left side crossing it and knotting it. I stamped the Sentiment on some white card stock using black Archival ink and matted it on black card stock and adhered it to the top right of the panel. Then I adhered the panel to a black card.

Card#2

Products used:

PB #40-312 Sunny Pair

PB #30-358 Happy Snippets

Spellbinders #S5-218 A2 Devine Eloquence

Ranger Distress Ink ( Rusty Hinge, Squeezed Lemonade, Peeled Paint, Ground Espresso, Vintage Photo and Bundled Sage)

Ranger watercolor paper 

My Sweet Petunia, Inc. Misti

I did everything the same for this card up till the background stamp. Instead of using a background stamp I used some Squeezed Lemonade and water to go around the flowers leaving some white at the top and bottom. Then I cut it out using my spellbinders die. I used  Bundled Sage around the whole frame. I stamped my sentiment, "a little bit of sunshine for you" and used dimensional tape to adhere it to a white card. I didn't like that it was so white so I added just a touch of Squeezed Lemonade around the edges of the card.

As I mentioned at the top of the page my Favorite Technique is water coloring with Distress Inks.  

I will be entering these cards in:



Little Red Wagon "Sympathy"

Penny Black "Your Favorite Technique"

Penny Black "Anything Goes"