Spring Flower Box

I've had a busy week.  On Wednesday, I had my "techie" (Scott) come to help me to set up a blog.  I have a website and the problem is that it's not possible for viewers to make comments, and I have never been able to figure out how to link my email address either.  As well, it takes a lot longer to upload my website every day with changes than it does to post a single day's entry on a blog.  It will save me a lot of time (except for all the work of moving my entries over from the website).  I'm going to give it a try and see how it goes.  More update on the move, hopefully, soon.

Then yesterday Kelly joined me in the art studio ... well, we didn't actually make any cards, but that was the original plan.  Kelly wanted to make the same cupcake card I made in January ... one for each of her two sons, for Valentine's Day along with baking some Banana muffins (their favorite).  Instead, Kelly worked on a confirmation invitation for her nephew.  We did manage to get a batch of Banana Chocolate Chip muffins baked and we quickly made some valentine's picks for the muffins before she left - so adorable!  Thanks for coming over Kel, it was fun!

On to the card for today ... this card is for this week's Ways To Use It Challenge (WT360) - Groundhog Day (make a card with repeat images).  Yesterday I received my order from Rubbernecker ... three Kittie Kits.  I used the leafy branch from one of the kits for today's card along with my new Memory Box die-cut from Simon Says that I received in the mail today!  It's been a great week for getting new toys in the mail!!  Hope you like.

"Spring Flower Box"

Stamps:  Pocket Silhouettes, Whimsical words (sentiment) (SU!); leafy branch (Kittie Kits - Outdoor Master) (Rubberneck)

Paper:  Old Olive, Whisper White, Natural White (SU!)

Ink:  Old Olive; Stampin' Write markers Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Real Red (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  Grand Flower Box (Poppy Stamps), Big Shot, Stamp-a-ma-jig, post-it note for masking, sponge, adhesives

I used my Big Shot to cut out the window box from Naturals White cardstock.  I used my Crumb Cake Stampin' Write marker to draw along the crease lines on the window box to give it more definition.  I sponged more Crumb Cake ink around the outside edges of the window box.

I inked the leafy branch with the Old Olive stamp pad and stamped a few times on the window box.  I inked the leafy branch with the Old Olive Stampin' Write marker and added some more leafy sprigs to the front of the window box (these are slightly darker).

On the card front of Whisper White, I used a post-it note to mask where the top edge of the window box will be and below.  I placed the die-cut on top of the post-it note to mark the width of the box ... I removed the box.  I inked the leafy branch with the Old Olive stamp pad and stamped along the top of the box and then stamped a second time (without re-inking), off to one side and higher than the first leaf stamp.  I repeated this across the box (second generation stamping).

I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig for placement of the flower sprays, inking the stamp with Stampin' Write markers Old Olive, Daffodil Delight and Real Red (tips of the flowers only creatiang an ombre affect).  I did this five times, starting in the middle (the highest flower spray) and adding lower flower sprays as I moved to the sides.  To finish, I inked the leaf branch with Old Olive Stampin' Write marker and added a few branches of the darker green leaves.  I removed the mask.

I mounted the window box into place and stamped the sentiment in Old Olive ink.  I mounted the card front onto a thin frame of Old Olive and then onto a full card front of Whisper White.  The whole card was mounted onto a card base of Old Olive cardstock (for stability).

Happy Birthday to You!

Today it's the Sketch Challenge at SCS (SC370).  I try to participate in this as much as possible to get me away from my typical CAS style.  I had a lot of fun with this sketch and used the "Just Add Cake" DP from SU! that I recently purchased.  Except for a small piece of Peapod Twine from the Twinery, everything used on the card below is from SU!  I decided to go with the flap option rather than the pocket (both options were available for this fun sketch).  Hope you like.

SCS Sketch 370:

Here's my version of the sketch:

"Happy Birthday to You"

Stamps:  Up, Up & Away (SU!)

Paper:  Wild Wasabi, Early Espresso, Whisper White, Just Add Cake DP (SU!)

Ink:  Wild Wasabi

Accessories & Tools:  2-step owl punch, 2 mini silver brads, Peapod Twine (The Twinery), toothpick, hole punch, Tombow glue, adhesives, sticky strips and dimensionals

I made the owl first, cutting an extra body and using one of the legs for the owl's hand to hold the sign.  I used Tombow glue to glue all the pieces onto the owl's base as I find it easier to move the pieces while the glue is still wet.  I stamped the sentiment in Wild Wasabi ink onto Whisper White cardstock and framed it with the thin frame of the DP.  I adhered the toothpick to the back of the sign using sticky strips.

I layered all the pieces of DP for the background onto a card back of Wild Wasabi cardstock and set aside.

I added a brad to the top corners of the front DP panel and thread through the brads with the twine.  I mounted the front panel onto a frame of Wild Wasabi cardstock, 4 3/4" x 2 1/2" (the backs of the brads are now hidden between the two layers).  I scored 1/2" in from the edge so when folded, the card front would be 4 1/4" wide.  I used sticky strips to adhere the 1/2" scored portion to the back of the card back.

I cut five triangles (pendants) and attached them to the twine with dimensionals to add depth.

I mounted the owl using adhesives and mounted the sign, popping it up with dimensionals for more depth.

Born to Shop

I spent the last two days re-organizing my art studio.  The original plan was to set this room up so that I could use it to make my cards ... and my son, Jeremy, could use it to paint.  He has loved drawing and painting since he was little and now has his bachelor's degree in Visual Arts and is currently a teacher-on-call (substitute teacher) for both Art and English (as well as other subjects when he is asked).  I have taken over the art studio and am in there everyday ... sometimes for several hours.  So we cleaned out a storage room in the basement and he has now set up his own art space.  Last weekend he moved all his supplies from my art studio down to his and I now have a ton of space!!  Of course, I know I will fill it up fast, but for now, it's looking roomy and organized.

After all my hard work of the past few days, I treated myself by spending some play time and participating in today's Color Challenge from SCS (CC360 - Whisper White, Island Indigo, Pool Party - with the dessert:  use a sentiment as your main image).  I struggled with this a bit ... I have a hard time making all blue cards, but came up with a CAS card that is perfect for someone who loves to shop ... and we ALL have at least one friend like that :)  I substituted the closest colors I had to the challenge colors - Not Quite Navy and Baja Breeze.  Hope you like.

"Born to Shop"

Stamps:  Birthday Bakery (SU!); Born to Shop (Imaginisce)

Paper:  Not Quite Navy, Whisper White (SU!)

Ink:  Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  sponge, Baja Breeze seam binding ribbon, navy embroidery thread, adhesives, sticky strips and dimensionals

* * * * *

I sponged Baja Breeze ink on the Whisper White cardstock and then stamped the image overtop in Not Quite Navy ink.

I stamped the gift back in Not Quite Navy ink onto a scrap piece of Whisper White cardstock.  I used Baja Breeze Stampin' Write marker to color in the heart, and dots on the bag.  I cut a short length of navy embroidery thread to use for the handles and secured the ends to the back of the gift bag.  I cut and folded a short length of Baja Breeze seam binding to represent the tissue paper for the bag, and secured it to the back using sticky strips.  I mounted the completed gift bag on the card front, popping it up with dimensionals to add depth.  I used a tiny dot of Tombow to glue the handle to the bottom of the "s" in Shop.  I mounted the card front onto a card base of Not Quite Navy.

Life is a matter of moments ...

Today's card is for tomorrow's CAS (clean & simple) Challenge (CAS155) - photo inspiration (see photo below).  I really loved the beautiful colors of the sky and that was my focus for my interpretation of the photo.  I actually zoomed in on the very left-hand side, with the trees, green grass and sky with yellow and blue.  I used the Brayering technique for this card ... new to brayering, check out my Brayering Tips Sheet.  This card is made with all SU! products.  Hope you like and hope that you'll join us for the challenge this week.

CAS155 Photo Inspiration - "Summer Gold":

Here's my interpretation of the inspiration photo:

 

"Life is a matter of moments"

Stamps:  Lovely as a Tree (SU!)

Paper:  Wild Wasabi, Whisper White (SU!)

Ink:  Early Espresso, Garden Green, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Baja Breeze (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  rubber brayer, post-it notes for masking, Stamp-a-ma-jig, sponge and adhesives

* * * * *

I masked the top and bottom of the Whisper White card front with post-it notes.  I brayered Wild Wasabi ink from the bottom upwards, about 1/3 of the way.  I brayered Baja Breeze ink from the top downwards, about 1/4 of the way.  I sponged So Saffron ink just below the Baja Breeze brayering, making sure to leave a little white space between the So Saffron and Wild Wasabi inks.  I removed the masks.

I inked the stamp with Early Espresso and Garden Green inks and stamped on top of the brayering, using the Stamp-a-ma-jig for positioning (I wanted the top of a few trees to be just above the masked area).

I sponged more Garden Green ink on the grass mounds at the bottom of the tree trunks.

I stamped the sentiment in Early Espresso ink and mounted the card front onto a card base of Wild Wasabi cardstock.