Picnic Blankets

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

I know. I don't think I have ever blogged so frequently. Lots going on right now and card making keeps me grounded. Plus, I am completing a packet of coffee-themed cards for a friend and I've been playing along with the Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop.

My inspiration for this card was summer picnics and the colorful blankets and tablecloths that are so often used.

All supplies are from Paper Smooches and the card is self-explanatory - very simple. Unfortunately for my recipient, it is not a flat card. Some pop was needed!

Thanks for the visit - I can see the weekend from here. Have a good one,

Cool Summer Colors

and yummy hot coffee!

Hi, Blogging Buddies!

My caffeine kick continues as I make a little packet of cards for a coffee-loving friend. When I make cards for others to give I try to keep them single-layer for easy mailing.

Today I decided to go with a Distress Ink blending technique (with fun summer colors) over embossed images. I used Spiced Marmalade, Pickled Raspberry and Abandoned Coral. I splashed some water droplets everywhere and added my cute sentiment panel.

Simple, bright and fun.

I broke out most of my coffee-themed stamps for this one: Simon Says Stamp "Choose Happy", Hero Arts "What's Perking", and Paper Smooches "Cyber Cafe".

This is headed to the Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop - there is still time for you to play along!

Have a cool day - thanks for the visit!

Caffine Craziness!

Hello Bloggin' Buddies!

Happy First Day of Summer~

I have long been a fan of what I call "Collage Cards" - cards with lots of layers and pieces. I just haven't been too good at making them.

The current challenge at the Paper Smooches Blog is "Layers" - it inspired me to give it a go. As you can see, I dug out LOTS of my Paper Smooches products ("Cyber Cafe" stamps and "Stitched Flourishes", "Birthday Words", "Coffee & Tea", "Notebook Basic", "Band Aids" and "Space" Wise Dies) to produce the layers on this coffee-themed card. Plus, there is washi tape (Stamping' Up), vellum, gold foil paper, a vintage doily and some funky gold cord from my stash.

This is also headed to the Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop. After all it IS the first day of summer today. I have been inspired by this blog but have never played along.

Okay, I did go a little crazy, but that is what caffeine does to me!

Thanks for the visit,

SaveSave

Rainbow

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies:

The past couple of weeks have been tough, eh? So much sadness in our country's news.

I made this card as a small tribute to those who were lost in the Orlando massacre (and for a couple of dear friends).

I used one of the panels from Simon Says Stamp Suzy's watercolor paintable prints. I watercolored it with Zig Clean Color Markers, Wink of Stella and glitter pens. The colors are much more vibrant in person!

This is the first time I have played with Decco Foil and, NO, I do not have a laminating machine or a laser printer!

I simply used Score Tape and sandwiched the strip in a couple layers of typing paper and ran it through my die cutter (with a new, unscratched top plate). It worked beautifully and it added just the rainbow kick I sought.

I raised the panel with Fun Foam.

Wishing that your dreams do come true, especially those for love, peace and understanding.

Thanks for the visit,

Mix It Up Monday!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

I made this card for the current "Mix It Up" Challenge at Essentials by Ellen's "the Classroom". We are to use products by Essentials by Ellen and Technique Tuesday. So, I broke out my all-tame favorite Mondo Magnolia stamp and matching dies.

As an aside, I was having such difficulty aligning the flower center die onto my image - it was so frustrating! When I recently took a class from the super-amazing Julie Ebersole (who designed this set and many others for Ellen), I mentioned it to her. She suggested die-cutting first, then stamping the center onto it. By gosh, it worked like a dream and I am a happy gal. Yay, Julie!

I used watercolor paper and Wink of Luna. The center is heat embossed and embellished with some "Prims" (sounds very British! - something I felt I had to buy when I tried them in a class and they haven't been used). I kind of curled the flower.

The background is spattered with some Heidi Swapp gold to go with the amazing foiled paper I used for the sentiment. The sentiment is "Missing You" by Technique Tuesday.

I love the elegance of this card! Thanks for the sweet visit and have a wonderful week!

A "Challenging" Monday

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

I had the chance this weekend to look over some current challenges - it has been awhile. I decided on the one at Art Impressions, one of my favorite stamp companies. Have you seen all the videos and new lines of products they have been producing?!

But, as much as I love the new things, I continue to reach for my old favorites! And I've done it again. You've seen him here before, and you more than likely will again - one of my all-time favorites, the sneering old buzzard!

The Challenge is "Layer it On Me" and while I don't (yet) have the Mini Trifolds and the Clasp Keepers that are featured on the blog, I decided to go with what I have and what I love.

I used Copics to color the big guy, used a Pico Embellisher for his eye, and splattered him with some watercolor. I cut out this layer with a stitched dye and edged the shape with some Distress Embossing Powder. This is a technique that I've been wanting to try and it seemed perfect for this card.

Then I laid on the layers. First is the amazing woodgrain paper that I frequently use, then some torn vellum, and finally some wood patterned paper. I tied it all up with some dark twine which I attached with Tim's Mini Attacher.

You have until June 8th to play along. Thanks for the visit - have a grand week!