Running With Scissors…

I spent my entire incredibly beautiful Sunday afternoon at the beach with only the tiniest allowance for my stamp room or the computer.  On a day like this when I need a card, and I do need one for an upcoming birthday, it needs to be something quick.  So what I’m sharing today is a very simple and very pink card I made with my new JustRite Harmony Classic II Ensemble.

I mounted the birthday sentiment and the flowery border on the round wooden stamper and colored direct to rubber with SU! markers — and that’s all the stamping involved in this card.  My Spellbinders circle dies made quick work of cutting the image.  Pretty darn easy!

The front of the card is cut away with scallop scissors and the sentiment circle overlaps the border of BasicGrey Sultry which trims the inside of the card.

After I smudged the card front with white ink I decided to color over a few areas with markers and then my  Stardust clear glitter pen, just for a little fun — very quick.  It’s a chocolate cake to match the chocolate ribbon.

I hope you all had a good weekend.  It’s back to work for me after a week’s vacation.  We didn’t venture far because our aging cat, Marvin, requires more attention than we’d ask of anyone.  We went on a few day trips and I spent a very fun afternoon with a good friend (hi, Trudy!).  It was a great week!  See you again soon!

Today I was happy to have a chance to play in Libby’s From Courtney’s Closet challenge again.  This is a fun challenge because we use one of sweet Courtney’s outfits as our inspiration piece.  Courtney is Libby’s precious baby girl.  You can see the details and this week’s adorable Courtney photo here.  Aside from the general fun and cuteness of the inspiration piece, I focused on the red gingham of Courtney’s dress.

If I have red gingham paper, I can’t find it so I used my Kitchen Sink Stamps Plaid Plus set instead.  It combined perfectly with this old Great Impressions image which I’d already colored and set aside.  The heart stamp is one of the special little thank you stamps that are always included in KSS orders.  I have three of these single stamps now, all different.  A very nice touch from KSS, I think.

The product I want to share with you is what I used to color the main image on my card:

These Prismacolor markers are not new but they’re new to me.  Perhaps you know how I love to color but I’ve not made the Copic plunge yet.  Curious, but not converted.  They’re pretty darn expensive and I wasn’t sure whether I’d like them or not, since there are so many other ways to color an image.  I heard about the Prismacolor markers and decided to investigate.  I found them here.  I purchased a set of 24 markers for $39.99.  The color group I selected is Landscape which consists of earthy colors, good for my purposes.  At the same time I selected a few of the cool grays and a colorless blender.  A good start.

My assessment at this point is that you can’t beat the price and I love coloring with them!  There’s a broad tip and a fine tip on each marker.  The broad tip can be angled to create a rather fine line.  They’re used in exactly the same manner as Copics.  They are, however, not refillable.  Since I don’t have Copics I can’t draw much more of a comparison but I can highly recommend them for anyone who would like to break the alcohol marker barrier but was put off by the price.  Once you try alcohol markers, whether Prismacolor or Copics, you’ll understand what all the fuss is about.  I love them!

They won’t replace my other coloring mediums.  There are certain looks you can achieve with watercoloring and chalks that aren’t possible with alcohol markers.  I need more practice and there are a few things I’d like to try and I’ll let you know how that turns out.

So…just in case you didn’t know about the Prismacolor markers I wanted to be sure and share this information with you.  I hope you find it useful.  Take care, now, and have a wonderful day!

Finally…I finished the card that didn’t want to be made.  We went toe to toe in a couple of lengthy matches but in the end I wrestled it down and pinned it.

In a previous post I mentioned I’d made a frightfully dull version of this card.  In fact, this is the fourth version of the main image.  I just couldn’t get happy with it!  There was nothing to be done but start over from scratch.  Still, when I finished this I thought it doesn’t look much like a celebration.  But then, there are raucous celebrations and quiet celebrations and I guess you can see which kind this would be.  It was almost too quiet, though, so I added the Artful Collage Prima to perk it up a bit.  It’s still very restrained but soft rather than dull, I think (I hope).  Anyway, it’s in the mail now so I hope she likes it.

There’s not much of anything to explain about how I did this card, which makes it all the more puzzling as to why I had such a difficult time with it.  Some things must remain a mystery.  The card recipe is listed below.  Have a wonderful day!

• Stamps:  Upsy Daisy (Stampin’ Up!)
• Paper:  Soft Sky, Whisper White textured and plain, Wild Wasabi, retired SU! designer paper
• Ink:  Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi
• Accessories:  SU! Ribbon, eyelets, Prima, Rain Dot (in flower center), mat pack and paper piercier, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Wouldn’t it be fun to have a tag that says “Insert self here and enjoy”?

The making of this card was quite a surprise for me because I didn’t expect to have such a good time with it.  I’m in the mood for fall cards and pretty cards but the Flourishes team is showcasing the Menswear set this week.  Men’s shirts and beer…I don’t know…I suppose this could be made into a woman’s shirt with some pretty fall leaves scattered around…gosh, there I go thinking again…I might have to try that…  But, in fact, my husband’s birthday is in October so this couldn’t have come along at a better time.  I’m good to go!

Okay, this shirt is fun.  It begs to be paper pieced.  Think of all the patterns and colors!  Prior to this I’ve used the tie and the beer mug from this set but this is my first time with the shirt.  The mug is colored with Prismacolor markers and the foam is made dimensional with liquid applique.  I colored over the mug with a clear Sakura glaze pen to give it a glassy look.  I had the best time with the shirt, though.

• I stamped the shirt on BasicGrey Ambrosia paper and cut it out.  The collar, cuffs and pocket trim were stamped on another sheet of Ambrosia and pieced over the first.  Even the label inside the neck was paper pieced separately.
• The buttons were dotted with my black Sakura glaze pen so they look more like real buttons.
• To make the bent sleeve I cut along the line to the elbow area.  I stamped that sleeve again on the back side of the paper and cut it out.  Now I had a mirror image of the sleeve.  I used a black marker to trace along the edges of the printed side so it would have the same outline as the rest of the shirt.  Then I glued the two sleeves together back to back.  The cuff was done in the same manner.  Fun!
• The bent sleeve and the mug are both held in place with foam mounting tape (dimensional) and the shirt, itself, is on foam mounting tape, too.

Now I’m looking forward to more shirt cards…I’m getting ideas…  Tomorrow is another day and another card, though.  I’ll see you then!  Have a great day!

• Stamps:  Menswear from Flourishes
• Paper:  Basic Gray from SU!, Ambrosia designer paper
• Ink:  Palette Noir
• Accessories:  SU! ribbon, hardware to hold the tag on, key tag punch, large oval punch, liquid applique, Prismacolor markers, Sakura glaze pens in clear and black

Today I’m sharing a card I made quite some time ago because, quite frankly, I struggled today to make a birthday card with a new SU! set and in the end I disliked it intensely.  It was the colors, I’m sure, that were all wrong.  Oh, my gosh, it was the most dull thing I’ve ever seen!  While I was in my computer files I came across this card and was struck by how right it feels to me.  The only thing I’d change today is the ribbon — I’d make it wider and cut the ends shorter.

I made this at a time when I shied away from designer papers.  I made my own with background stamps and always had the exact color and pattern I needed.  I leaned toward this very feminine, soft, almost vintage style.  Times and styles do change, don’t they?  But I see this and I think I need to revisit this place more often.  Not, perhaps to live there, but just to set a spell now and then.

I’ll try to have something a little more up to date next time, specifically a prettier remake of that dreadful thing that came out of my stamp room today.  Old stamps or new, it’s all about the pleasure of creating and I enjoy every moment of it.  Till next time, happy stamping to all!

• Stamps:  Perfect Petals, Linen, Noteworty (all retired SU!), Floral, Great Impressions sentiment
• Paper:  Mellow Moss, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White
• Ink:  Basic Black, Barely Banana, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Pink Passion, Craft White
• Accessories:  Ribbon, dragonfly charm, silver cord, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

This is a little something I made for a friend — one of those “just because” sort of things.  I used my new JustRite Harmony Classic Circle Stamper II Ensemble with a flower from Summer Botanicals.  The stamps were colored directly with markers and I always like the somewhat distressed or painted look this gives the images.

For the tag on the clear box I omitted the outer ring.  The word, “friend”, on the card was cut from the center of one of the JustRite stamps in the ensemble.  Because the new JustRite sets are more than monograms there’s a lot of versatility in a single set, and this is one of my favorites.

The box is a 2-4-6-8 design which I return to often because of its simplicity.  I tried something a little different with this one and I’d like to share it with you.  It’s made with Crystal Clear Cardstock which I embossed with the same design as the card.  In case you’re not familiar with 2-4-6-8 boxes I’ve included a photo to help illustrate the concept.  Since clear cardstock is so difficult to photograph I’m showing it in gray.

Cut a half sheet of Crystal Clear Cardstock — 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″.  Score across at 2″, 4″, 6″ and 8″.  Turn and score lengthwise at 2″.  Cut along the score lines up to the lengthwise score line, as shown.  Cut away and discard the lower 1/2″ section.

Back to the clear cardstock now — This part of the process is a little difficult to illustrate but very easy to do.  You need to fold the box in half and insert it in your embossing folder with the bottom cut flaps hanging out the end of the folder.

Run it through your Cuttlebug and it will emboss the whole top part of the box at once.  It will feel a little tight as it goes through, rather like when your Cuttlebug was brand new.  I’ve only done this once — you’re looking at it — but it worked just fine.

The following is a picture of the box after it was embossed and removed from the folder.  Again, the clear cardstock is not the most photogenic subject, but I think you can get the idea.  It’s pretty cool and much more so in person:

Now you apply Sticky Strip to the outside of that little 1/2″ flap and fold the upper part of the box closed like a tube.  Then fold up the bottom flaps and adhere with Sticky Strip.

There’s always the question, then, as to how you cover the Sticky Strip.  Well, I think it’s hardly noticable, especially once the box is filled and pinched closed.  I used a little clip to close the top of the box.  The tag is tied to the clip, rather than through the top of the box, so it’s very easy to open and close the box.

I hope you enjoyed this very simple project.  I just love embossing the clear cardstock.  I’m sure this could be fancied up even more, perhaps with a little designer paper trim around the bottom or top.  You could add a handle and turn it into a basket, maybe add a row of eyelets along the top and lace some ribbon through.  It could be elegant or cute, whatever your heart desires.

This particular JustRite Harmony Classic Ensemble is perfect for a project like this and you can’t beat the flexibility.  So much fun in one set of stamps!  The ribbon, by the way, can be found here, and the Spellbinders circle dies here.  Thank you so much for stopping by.  Have a happy day!

• Stamps:  Summer Botanicals, JustRite Harmony Classic II
• Paper:  Crystal Clear Cardstock, Old Olive Orchid Opulence, Whisper White
• Ink:  Old Olive, Orchid Opulence, Close to Cocoa markers
• Accessories:  Floral Fantasy Cuttlebug embossing folder, ribbon, Spellbinders circle nesties, Sticky Strip, Scotch brand foam mounting tape, candy (of course — yum!)

Hello!  I have a little something to share today that’s much more than the card it appears at first glance.  I mentioned before that I’ve purchased some new stamp sets for the fall season.  Well, the first to arrive (very speedy service!) was this Whimsical Autumn set from Gina K Designs.

What makes this card more than a card is not what I’ve done with it, but what Carolyn King, who designed the set, is doing with 100% of her proceeds from the sale of the set.  She’s donating it all to the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of her grandmother who fell victim to this disease.  If anyone dear to you has suffered from Alzheimers you’re all too aware that it means more than just a loss of memory.  Its effects are devastating and the disease, itself, will claim the life of the afflicted.

Flourishes and friends are giving Carolyn a big group hug today (can you feel it, Cammie?).  Many of the Flourishes team who have purchased this set are sharing cards and memories in recognition of Alzheimers Awareness Day.  My card represents a small contribution to the cause.  Please visit my Flourishes friends for inspiration:

• Julie
• Cindy L.
• Laura F.
• Cindy H.
• Jan Marie
• Joan
• Nancy
• Sharon
• Barb
• Susan
• Faith

I believe Carolyn has some amazing blog candy today, too.  I know you won’t want to miss a chance at that!  Hugs to everyone!

• Stamps:  Whimsical Autumn
• Paper:  Cranberry Crisp, Marigold Morning (both retired SU!), Neenah white, Frances Meyers and Karen Foster designer papers
• Ink:  Palette Noir, Prismacolor markers for coloring
• Accessories:  Ribbon, eyelets, 1″ and 1 1/4″ circle punches, ticket corner punch, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

This card is a remake of one I made and posted a while back when I was in too much of a hurry to do a better job.  I hate when that happens!  I never liked the old card.  It was just me trying to keep it simple and I’m not very good at that. 

The thumbnail is a photo of the poor old unloved card.  You can click on it for a larger view.

See what I mean?  There’s no main image, the window looks onto basically nothing, the ribbon sort of fades into the paper.  It’s just not right!  So you can see I changed the ribbon and added the tulip panel.  They’re watercolored with Stampin’ Up! markers on shimmery white cardstock.  I also adhered a panel of designer paper to the inside front of the card so the window is now just a clear embossed decorative panel and not a window at all.  I like it much better!

The stamp set I used is Flourishes Thank You.  The BasicGrey Euphoria designer paper, Kaiser Pearls and Crystal Clear Cardstock can all be found at Flourishes, too.

Thank you for visiting!  Have a great day!

And she wore a pretty dress.  I have some new fall stamps on order but today I’m happy to share a card made with this lovely Lockhart stamp I purchased late in the season last year.  I’ve waited all this time to use it.

The “dress” is colored with soft chalks and sprayed with a matte sealer.  It’s cut out and mounted on foam tape.  There’s just a little bit of Stardust Stickles along the edges of the leaves and acorn to suggest a sprinkling of frost.  I first stamped the image on the panel with Caramel ink and sponged around it with Mustard.  Stamping the image on the panel just gave me an idea of where to concentrate the Mustard ink.  The leaves and sentiment at the lower edge of the panel are from Stampin’ Up!’s Take Three.  I combined the images from one stamp in the set with a sentiment from another by coloring direct to rubber with markers and stamping each separately.

I’m still working with last year’s fall papers from my local scrapbook store and I really ought to get a move on since I just bought new fall papers today.  I limited myself to four different sheets but, gosh, last year I only bought three sheets and look how far I’ve gotten…

I hope this finds you well and enjoying your day.  I surely do appreciate your taking the time to stop by for a spell.  See you again soon!

• Stamps:  Lockhart Acorn and Fall Leaves, Stampin’ Up! Take Three
• Paper:  Baroque Burgundy, Wild Wasabi (both retired SU!), Whisper White, designer paper — Autumn Splendor something (I cut off the name–sorry!)
• Ink:  Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, markers in Perfect Plum, Garden Green and Ruby Red
• Accessories:  Soft chalks and spray matte sealer for acorn dress, ribbon, Queen & Co. brads

Hello, there!  Just a quick post today to share another card with the Mixed Greetings set.  I put the fruit in a different bowl this time.  It can be a bowl, a basket or a flower pot but since I didn’t color it like a basket and I don’t keep my fruit in a flower pot, I’m calling it a bowl today.

The fruit is colored with Stampin’ Up! markers and highlighted with the Inkssentials white opaque pen.  I used some of my all-time favorite designer paper — BasicGrey Scarlet’s Letter — with another favorite — Chocolate organdy ribbon.

I hope you enjoy!  I’m hurrying to catch a movie at the moment…a little quiet time doing nothing at all…a treat, but just one of the many blessings I’m lucky to count.  We’ll visit again soon!   Many blessings to you!

• Stamps:  Mixed Greetings
• Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red — plain and textured, Very Vanilla, BasicGrey Scarlet’s Letter designer paper
• Ink:  Palette Noir, Palette Landscape, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Barely Banana, markers for coloring
• Accessories:  Ribon, brads, Scotch brand foam mounting tape