Floral Framed Sentiments

Happy Sunday everyone!  We have lots of sunshine today...COLD...but nice sunshine!  We've not had many of that these long winter days, so it's nice to be out in it.  So, to that end, I'm keeping my post short today.  I wanted to post my card and direct you to my post at the Technique Junkies blog today.  I posted this card there:

I hope you'll check it out HERE  , where I have shared the stamps used, my techniques, and the inside of the card. 

Thanks for stopping by, and I'll be back soon with more card making and stamping inspiration!  For now, the sun awaits.

Blessings,

Bouquet of Prayers

Hello lovely peeps!  I hope you're having a lovely day and evening.  It was rainy here today, but mild.  So, after some morning chores and errands, I retreated to my craft room.  I did some much needed straightening in here before I could play.  Sometimes ya just gotta do that!  

After everything was nice and tidy, I played with my new Daniel Smith watercolors.  This was my first attempt at using 'real' watercolors - from the tube and not in cake form.  I'm really liking them, but need lots of practice.

I used Simon Says Stamp Bouquet of Thanks set, along with SSS Prayers stamp set and die.  I watercolored the flowers, then fussy-cut them.  I layered a white A2 card with some black and white striped patterned paper, and a strip of coral card stock, then added the cut flowers.

I cut the prayer die on coral card stock, and added that with clear foam tape for dimension.  Then embossed the phrase onto a scrap of white card stock, and added that with foam tape.

Some Studio Katia sparkling crystals add the finishing touch.

I am adding my card to these challenges today:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything goes

Simon Says Flickr Challenge - # 100 Anything goes

The Card Concept Challenge  - Inspiration photo - I was inspired by the flowers, and chose the classy and elegant style of card to create

Finally, I'm adding it to The Daily Marker 30 Day Color Challenge - Day 27!

Thanks for stopping by.  Be sure to take some time for yourself today.    I appreciate you taking the time to visit, and enjoy reading your comments.

Blessings,

Sending Prayers Fall Card

A quick post today with a card for Cas-ual Fridays Challenge.
Here is the sketch for the challenge

I went with fall colors because, well, because I could!  I love, love, love fall, and the gorgeous colors of the season.

 The card is an A2 card made from Bazzill card stock.  On a panel of off-white card stock cut slightly smaller than the card, I stamped the branch (Cas-ual Fridays CFSS-14-002 Casual Comfort set) a couple of times with distress inks.  I used my Clarity stencil brushes to add a halo of color around the stamped images.  I stamped it one time again on a scrap piece of card stock, and added color as I did on the first panel.  

I cut the scrap stamped piece to fit inside the die, which is Spellbinder's.  I cut it out, inked it with VersaMark, and added Oatmeal embossing powder.  I also embossed a couple of strips of card stock, and the verse.

I added the strips above and below the verse (same Cas-ual Fridays set as branch), then used foam tape to add the die with the image in it, so that it lined up with the image under it on the card.

Some spatters and some sequins finish off the card. 

I appreciate you stopping by today.  I will be back this weekend.  I have some amazing news to reveal on Monday.  I cannot leak this info until then, so please do come back. 

Blessings,

lynda

 

Purple Poppies Card With Penny Black Stamps

Today's card is for my sister-in-law, who is recuperating from surgery.  I hope she likes it and it brings her some cheer....

I know poppies are not purple, but I really wanted to use it on these flowers today.  I guess you could say I used artistic license.
Stamps:  Penny Black Poppies 3949H and Thinking of You from Penny Black Gratitude clear set 30-105.
Other:  Spellbinder's die for purple embossed frame; Lawn Fawn stitched squares dies; amethyst gems from my stash, Spectrum Noir crystal clear sparkle pen; fun foam; Copic markers.

I stamped the poppies onto white card stock and colored them with my Copic markers.  I used the stitched square die, then brushed distress ink (dusty concord) along the outside edges.  I then framed it with the purple die cut/embossed frame, then layered it onto black.  I used fun foam to attach it to my card base, to give it dimension.

A strip of decorative paper and some of the same card stock as the frame along the left edge give it some interest.  I gave the flowers some sparkle with my Spectrum Noir crystal clear sparkle pen.  I stamped the verse, and added some gems to finish off the card front.

Here's a peek at the inside....

Simon Says Stamp Prayers stamp set and die.  I don't know who the sprig is...it was in my stash unmounted.

I am adding my card to these challenges:

Penny Black At Allsorts Challenge - All things spring

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Spring or Easter

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Showers and/or flowers

I made several cards today.  Some for our church card ministry to send to parishioners in hospitals or shut-ins, and a few for relatives and friends....just because.   I was on a roll!  This was my last one for the day.

Thank you for visiting.  

Blessings,

Lynda

Sending Kitty Hugs and Prayers

Just a quick post tonight to get one more card up on the blog.  This kitty stamp set from Simon Says Stamp is just the cutest!  I had to use it again.  I thought it would make the perfect card for a dear niece who is going through a difficult time.

 I used Simon Says Stamp Furry Kisses stamp set, and their Prayers stamp set.  The prayers die is also from Simon Says Stamp.  
Other:  Tim Holtz distress inks, Clarity stencil brushes, Polychromos colored pencils, rubber cement, Spectrum Noir crystal clear sparkle pen, SSS assorted moonshine sequins.

For the background, I used a technique that I had seen on Jennifer McGuire's blog in her YouTube video on masked inking for one layer cards.  You can find the link to her tutorial on her blog HERE.
I used rubber cement to mask the kitties.  

I added some sparkle and shimmer to the prayers die with my Spectrum Noir sparkle pen, and some sequins for fun.

I am adding my card to the Daily Marker 30 day color challenge.  

I am adding it to these challenges:

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - For a special lady/girl

Simon Says Stamp Flicker Group - Color something

Make My Monday Challenge - Use any three colors of the rainbow

Thank you for visiting.  Hope to see you back here soon.

Blessings,

lynda

Sending Prayers Card

This card started out with the Peony Scrolls from Altenew.  I embossed them with white embossing powder, masking as I went along, then watercolored them using distress inks in seedless preserves, dusty concord, wilted violet, and chipped sapphire.  When the flowers were dry, I watercolored the background with wild honey and squeezed lemonade.  Since yellow and purple are opposite on the color wheel, they complement each other.  I used foam tape to add the two smaller flowers, and drew the stems with my Versamark pen and embossed them.

I painted a scrap of the watercolor paper with the purples, and die cut the word prayers from that.  I manipulated the die into a curved shape and attached it, then stamped 'sending you' from the Simon Says Stamp Prayers set SSS101562.  The die also comes from that set.

A few green pearls finished off my card.

That's it for tonight.  Hope you had a blessed day.

lynda

Spring Is In The Air Card

The challenge over at Allsorts this week is Spring Is In The Air.  And boy, am I ever glad to see that.   Although it hasn't been a very bitter winter, I'm so ready for my garden and warm breezes.

Here's my card for the Allsorts challenge:

I used an old Hero Arts tulip stamp and ferns.  I inked them with distress inks, spritzed with water, then stamped onto watercolor paper.  I added more water here and there to create a painterly look.  The dies for the panel are Spellbinders, and the prayers die is Hero Arts for Simon Says Stamp - Prayers SSS101562.  I love this set, it includes the prayers die, and a stamp set with a large word prayers in script, with lots of printed words to go along with it.  

I cut the prayers die from a sheet of fun foam.  I love the dimension when you use foam for your word dies, and it cuts through like butter!  I picked that little tip up on Jennifer McGuire's blog through one of her videos.

The panel is raised with fun foam behind it (also learned that one from Jennifer).  The panel underneath is pink vellum.  It looks so delicate in person.

I am sending this card to the Lasting Hearts Card drive over at Jennifer McGuire's blog.  You can read about it HERE.  It's such a wonderful cause, and I am glad to contribute.

While I was stamping, I filled a large sheet of the watercolor paper with these tulips, so I have another card in the works for tomorrow's post.  Please stop back and check it out.  

Thank you for stopping by.  Have a great evening.

Blessings,

lynda

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge

Today I spent much of the day in my craft room.  This happened.....

I coordinate our church card ministry.  We are a small group of stampers who meet once a month in the parish center of our church, and we make cards.  Some of the cards we make (about 115-120 every six weeks) get sent to our parishioners who are shut-in, or in nursing homes, with a little note letting them know their fellow-parishioners are thinking of them and praying for them.  

We also have two card racks in the church, and we keep them stocked with greeting cards for birthdays, get well, sympathy, thank you, and thinking of you.  People can take a card any time.  We do not ask for a specific amount, but we put envelopes out labeled Card Donation. Any monies received are put into the church account, and used to pay postage, and occasionally envelopes or other supplies when we have surplus money.  People have been generous, and they really like being able to stop before or after church, and get the greeting cards they need.  This is especially helpful for the elderly, who may not get out often.  Of course, I make sure to keep it stocked and fresh, and seasonal.

Starting this month, we will also be sending cards to people who have had funerals at our church for a loved one.  We will send out a card, like the ones above, at three to four months after the funeral, and then again at the one year anniversary of their loved-one's passing.  

So, I decided to start with a dozen cards for this project.  Here is one of the cards I made today, from the bunch above.  They are all the same, with the patterned papers changed up on some.

The stamps are from Verve Stamps, set vs-0180 Wonderfully Made. I love this clear stamp set.  It has seven different stamps, all just perfect, especially for our ministry.  I embossed the flower and leaves, and fussy-cut and layered them, and used foam tape on them for dimension.  

The dies I used are Die-namics from My Favorite Things.  These Die-namics sets of dies come chock-full of several dies to make a complete card.  This particular set has the three dies I used on these cards (circle, domed rectangle, and scalloped edge), as well as ten others, ranging from a large square for a card panel, to flowers, bows, and border pieces.  They are wonderful.

I am not affiliated with these companies, I just love these particular products.

This card was inspired by Mojo Monday Sketch # 437 Challenge .  Here is the sketch...

That's it for today.  Thank you for stopping by.

Blessings,

lynda

Peaceful Robin Card

It was a simply lovely, warm day here today, so hubby and I went to lunch this afternoon and then to the beach and walked along the pier.  So many people were out, walking and enjoying the oddly spring-like weather at the end of February.  

Today's card was inspired by our outing.  The birds were chirping so loudly, the warm breeze felt so good, the sunlight was invigorating.  Ahhh, early hints of spring.  But, alas, we have March to get through.  So, in anticipation, here is my card for today.....

The stamps are Stampendous CRR158 Cling Nested Bird and SSC134 Sympathy clear stamps (I don't have the packaging so do not know the name of this one).  

I created a light watercolored background using the smoosh technique, then stamped the image and watercolored it.  After watercoloring, I went over the outlines with a dark brown fine point marker.  I stamped some Penny Black curlique stamps faintly along the borders.  The tag stitched die cut is from My Favorite Things.

This is for day 27 of The Daily Marker 30 day color challenge.  Also for the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Inspired by a song (Rockin' Robin by Bobby Day), and Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes .

Thank you for stopping in today.  I hope you got to enjoy some time with a loved one today.  

Be blessed,

lynda