Friendship Card

I had an unexpected day off due to bad road conditions, so I enjoyed some cardmaking time today. I have been experimenting with some dies I recently bought and thought I'd put the die cuts to use in a couple of cards. Here's one of them:

 I started with a piece of watercolor paper cut to 4.25 x 5.5. I inked up a Hero Arts background stamp called Dot Flower with several shades of pink and purple Distress inks. After misting the stamp with water, I set the stamp face up on my work surface and placed the paper on top. To ensure that the ink got into the paper, I carefully held in in place while rubbing over the entire surface and also giving it a few seconds to sink into the paper's texture. This made a pretty, multicolored background that is so easy to achieve. I used Extreme Adhesive to attach it to a green cardstock base.

I cut a scrap of lightweight pink paper I had and rounded the corners. Next I cut a piece of white cardstock a little smaller than the pink piece and also rounded  the corners. I rubbed Peeled Paint Distress Stain on my craft sheet and swiped the white paper through the stain to give it that green color. After setting it with my heat tool, I swiped it through the stain still left on the craft sheet. I really like the illusion of depth this creates. I also used the stain to color some white leaves I'd die cut from a Tim Holtz Alterations die called Spring Greenery. I tucked them behind both the green and pink papers and stitched around the edge of the green panel.

The sentiment and flowers are from Hero Arts Trees, Birds, & Messages. They are stamped with Black Onyx Versafine and embossed with clear powder. This layered panel and leaves were attached to the background using dots of Glossy Accents. I also put it under a book for a while to make sure everything stuck well.

I like the combination of colors, and this card fits with a couple of challenges currently going on. I'm linking up with Hero Arts Nature Challenge and Simon Says Stamp Just a Hiint of Clover.

Till next time,

Immi

White Stamping

I'm participating in the Craft Stamper Magazine's Make It Take It Challenge for December. The requirement is to stamp in white. I thought it would be fun to do a "chalkboard" card. This is a fun technique that's been around for a while, although I've just recently tried it. I always seem to get on the trend bandwagon late!

Here's my card:

"Chalkboard" Santa

I used a stamp set I've had for a long time from Stampin' Up! called "Christmas is Here". Before stamping, I prepped my cardstock (plain smooth black) with antistatic powder to help prevent embossing powder from getting all over. I stamped the image and saying using Hero Art's Unicorn White pigment ink. Then I poured white embossing powder over it and heat set it. After it cooled a little, I had some fun coloring the design with colored pencils. Then I used a foam pad dabbed with the white pigment ink to smear "chalk" over the surface of the stamped panel. As a final touch, I used a ruler to draw lines with a white pencil around the perimeter. I mounted the panel to some festive striped paper and then mounted it to a top-folding white card base.

It's been fun to do some experimenting with this technique lately. It's quick and easy  - I did quite a few gift tags for Christmas presents, too, with smaller and simpler designs.

I hope you are enjoying this special time of year!

Immi

JOY

I had the opportunity this past December to have a short visit with my grandfather. Yes, that's right. My grandfather. People are always amazed when I mention that my grandfather is still living. Not too many people my age are able to say that. We made sure we got caught up on all the news.

After enjoying a short drive, I wanted to get some photos before we had to leave again for the next leg of our journey. We positioned ourselves in front of the tree, and I was surprised to get a big, strong hug! He's still amazingly strong for someone who is 94! I love this photo and thought it would be perfect to use with this cute new frame I bought recently. It's made by Seven Gypsies (love their products), and is designed to stand alone without any support.

The three small sections were just right to spell "joy". I took my cue from the blue I'm wearing and the purple he's wearing. I inked up some chipboard letters, and coated them with a crackle glaze. I used gold pigment ink and embossing powder around the edges of the three blue squares and the frame itself. Then, just for fun, I tried a new product called Bronzed Fragments on the photo. I put down some liquid glue and pressed the fragments on top. I'm going to take this to work and enjoy having it on my desk.

Photographs are so great for reliving memories!
Immi