New Power Poppy: Heavenly Peace Dove

Hello again!  I'm back today with one last Power Poppy set we'll be showcasing this month.  However, there's more to come in November, so hang onto your hats for that.  Today we're showing Heavenly Peace Dove.

A picture is worth a thousand words.  I mean, you can clearly see how beautiful Marcella's art is on this stamp.  I'm representing the actual clear stamp here, but Heavenly Peace Dove and every stamp in this release is also available in digital.  I colored with Copics, cut out and popped up the banner, and finished off with iridescent sequins.

As always, please visit the Power Poppy Blog to see Marcella's post and more fabulous samples by the Bloom Brigade.  Wishing you all a beautiful day!

New Power Poppy #3: Garden of Gratitude

More Power Poppy today!  I hope you're having fun looking at all the samples.

Today's set is another one of my favorites, but, seriously, this release is loaded with them.  I mean, how can you not love a pair of rubber boots all loaded up with Christmas flowers?  Introducing Garden of Gratitude:

After coloring with Copics I hand cut the image and positioned it on my decorated card base.  Again, I'm keeping my post short, but if you have questions you can contact me.

Visit the Power Poppy Blog to see more about this set and find a link list to more samples.  Thanks a bunch for your time!

New Power Poppy #2: Enchanted Branches - Nativity

 Are you ready for more Power Poppy?

I'm back with Enchanted Branches - Nativity today.  There are beautiful images in this set, centered around the Nativity, as you might have guessed, and you can hang them as ornaments or use them as is.  I chose to create a simple image panel with ornaments.

I drew the ornament strings and sparkled everything up with a gold Spica glitter pen and Wink of Stella.  Dropped gold gems in the centers, sponged the edges with saffron ink while the die was still in place.  I think you can make out all the card's details from the photos.

I'm keeping my posts short for this release because I've been making lots of cards, and you have lots to look at!  All information about the stamp sets and designer links are on the Power Poppy Blog, so be sure and check there.  Thank you so much for stopping by!

Brand New from Power Poppy: Mossy Pots with Paperwhites

Hello everyone!  Today I'm quite excited to be able to share the first of Marcella's brand new Power Poppy stamp sets just in time for Christmas!  Marcella will tell you more about it on the Power Poppy Blog, but I would like to mention that many of the stamp sets are not limited to Christmas.  I'm totally in love with this release and I think you'll see why as each new set is revealed.

Have a look at today's set:  Mossy Pots with Paperwhites.  All new sets are available both as clear stamp sets and digital downloads.  I've made a digital composite for this Christmas card, but leave off the Christmas finery, change the sentiment, and you've got simply a nice pot of paperwhites.

I colored with Tombow markers -- no water, just markers -- on hot press watercolor paper.  The tinsel garland is cut from glitter paper.  It shows more sparkle in real life, but it actually is rather subtle for glitter paper.

I adore the sentiment font in this set, especially how Marcella has twined the leafy vines through the words.

If you haven't been there yet, be sure and visit the Power Poppy Blog where you'll get lots more details and Marcella will link you up with the stamp sets and all the designers who are sharing today.

There's lots more to come, and I'll be here each day with samples.  Thanks for your time today!

Winter Bird

Hello and happy Wednesday to all!  Keeping it very simple today with Inkadinkado Winter Birds set and a pretty snowflake border.  I dressed it up minimally with self-adhesive silver trim and rhinestones.  The sentiment is retired SU.

Sorry to rush, but as I write this I've got a full day ahead of me.  When I made this card (days ago) I was inspired by the CAS Christmas Card Challenge -- Birds:

The Precious Marieke Snowflake Border die is not new on the market, but it's new to me and this is a first time use, so I'm heading over to Darnell's NBUS Challenge #19:

Thanks for putting up with me.  I'll be back Friday with all new Power Poppy!  Take care...

For My Favorite Old Goat

Hello, friends!  As usual, I like to start the week with something fun, so today I'm sharing my husband's birthday card.  I used an Art Impressions set called Old Goat.  Very fun and perfect for my own old goat.

Nothing clean and simple about this.  It's a party on a card and isn't it fun?  I debated on whether or not to include the designer paper, but it won out and I'm glad.

I colored once again with Tombow markers and no water.  This one was more of a struggle because the watercolor paper I used is not so great.  I've been trying to use it up for backgrounds and die cuts, but thought I'd try it with the Tombows.  It doesn't matter what coloring medium you're using, the paper makes all the difference.  Use good paper!

It's been a busy card making month for me and I'm not done yet.  It's a big month for birthdays, fall, cards, and Halloween... and coming up is something from Power Poppy that Marcella's been working on diligently, barely coming up for air... the team will be sharing soon.  Busy, busy!

You all take care, stay safe, enjoy life however you can.  We'll come back here and do this again soon!

Stamps:  Art Impressions Old Goat  Paper:  Poor quality watercolor paper that is almost impossible to blend inks on, Prima Julie Nutting designer paper  Ink:  Palette Noir  Coloring:  Tombow water-based markers (no water)  Other:  Hero Arts Wood Frame, Memory Box Banner Parade, Spellbinders Classic Ovals Small

A Wreath for Christmas

I love a pretty wreath, whether Christmas or any other time of year.  Today I've stamped my favorite Christmas wreath from the Power Poppy Wreaths Plain and Fancy clear stamp set and colored it with my new favorite process... not sure what to call it other than faux watercolor.  I used my Tombow markers, which have long been my favorites for watercolor, but I did not use water or the blender pen.  Markers only, blending light into dark.

I love how quickly I can color an image like this.  There is no bleeding or feathering outside the lines as with Copics, no layering of color in order to achieve depth, as with regular watercolor.  I think I'm in 7th heaven!  I used 140 lb Fabriano Artistico Hot Press watercolor paper, but I'm also thinking of trying mixed media paper.

As I mentioned, I used the clear stamp set, but this wreath and sentiment are also available as a digital download -- Beribboned Wreath.  I'm not sure how well you can see it, but I added gold trim to the bow with a Gelly Roll sparkle pen.  I happily covered the card base with designer paper, but the design is simple and uncluttered.  A large oval die cut the curve.

I was inspired to color a wreath today because of the Double D Challenge -- Wreaths.  I'm slipping in with not much time to spare as the challenge ends on the evening of Sunday, the 18th.

Have a look here for more Power Poppy goodness:

Stacy

Thanks for dropping in today.  Now go forth and have a wonderful weekend!

Stamps:  Power Poppy Wreaths Plain and Fancy  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb watercolor, Studio Calico Wonderland designer paper  Ink:  Palette Noir  Coloring:  Tombow water-based markers with no water  Other: Sakura Gelly Roll gold glitter pen, Memory Box Stitched Circle Layers (2015), Spellbinders Grand Classic Ovals

Gnomes Living the Life

Pardon me while I have some fun... just like these gnomes are having the time of their lives doing the simplest thing.  I love that!

I felt it was time to add some gnomes to my collection so I went to 1-2-3 Stitch and typed "gnomes" into the search field... oh, my word... there were a LOT of gnome stamps!  It wasn't easy to narrow it down to three, but I did it.  Ended up with all three of them being Stamping Bella.  When I saw these guys we just clicked... right into my cart.  They're so utterly gleeful!

It's a blustery fall day as they whoosh down the hillside.  Just look at the sun's warm glow and the leaves all swirling in the wind.  The leafy background and the hillside are designer paper, but I watercolored the overhead foliage and, of course, the happy gnomes.  My watercoloring started with SU's Watercolor Wonder Crayons, but I wasn't real happy with how that was going so I switched to my Tombow markers.  I definitely prefer the Tombows.

Can you have too much fun making cards?  I think not.  The more happy you can add to your life, the better.  Enjoy your day!  

Stamps:  Stamping Bella Adventure Gnomes  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb watercolor, white card base, Bo Bunny Autumn Song designer paper  Ink:  Palette Noir  Coloring:  A combo of SU Watercolor Wonder Crayons and Tombow markers  Other:  Poppy Stamps Freida Curve (2017), Poppy Stamps Dotted Curve (2017), Impression Obsession Grass

Brand New -- Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge

Hi, there!  Here's something I've never seen before -- a Halloween challenge.  Call me crazy, but I thought it sounded like the most fun, so I applied to the design team and now here I am to help kick things off for the October Jumpstart.

It's the Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge (tee hee, love the name), conceived by Darlene and Diane who also own the Double D challenge blog.  After this month the challenges will start on the 2nd of each month and run till the 28th...  just go to the challenge blog to read what the Two Old Bats have to say about it.

We have an inspiration board for fun and creative spark , but the challenges are always anything goes.

This is what I did:

Halloween isn't for everyone, but for me it's all about the memories.  I don't have grandkids, so now the card making is my way of carrying on the fun.  When our son was young there were a lot of good times with school parties and carnivals, costume parades, trick-or-treating.  We made quite a spectacle of it at work, too, and afternoons the place just about shut down as what seemed like every kid in town came for candy.  They were so cute!

My card today uses all oldie-but-goodie stamps and papers... still just as cute as ever, I think.  Coloring was done with Copic markers.  Apparently something went wrong with the witch's hocus pocus -- oops!  Does it look to you like the cat and the spider are laughing at her?  Just wait till she gets out from under that hat!

You know... I retired from the challenge teams I was on, seeing as how we expected to be road tripping most of the summer, but COVID happened and now we're home.  You know the sentiment, "Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we might as well dance".  Well, let's dance!

Enjoy your day!

Stamps:  Whipper Snapper Hocus Pocus and Spooky Expressions, D.O.T.S. (CTMH) Spider Web, SU Itty Bitty Backgrounds  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White, SU Lovely Lilac, BasicGrey Eerie designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black and London Fog, SU Almost Amethyst and Lovely Lilac  Coloring:  Copics

Power Poppy Friday with Lots of Color

Well, here we are again at Friday and flowers, and since it's my Power Poppy day I have some extra pretty flowers with butterflies in a digital stamp called Time to Fly.  Can you tell I was in the mood for color?  I went all out and had the best time with this!

I colored with my Tombow markers, NO water, and only minimal use of the blender pen.  I used the blender pen on the clock face and the aura around the image.  It might be my new favorite way to color.  It's similar to using Copics or pencils, blending dark to light or vice versa, but for me it was easier and quicker.  I'll try it again soon and see if I still love it.  It's important to note that I used 140 lb watercolor paper, which is essential for the water-based markers.

Since I printed in a light gray, most of the lines disappeared under my water-based markers, including the watch face, so I went back over that with a fine tipped gray marker.

See more colorful Power Poppy flowers here:

Christine

Other than the coloring, this is a simple card:

• Power Poppy Time to Fly digital stamp
• 140 lb Fabriano Artistico Extra White watercolor paper
• Tombow water-based markers

Stay well, stay safe, and enjoy your weekend!

Haunted Halloween

Welcome to Wednesday, friends.  I can't not make a few Halloween cards this year, even though I have several left from last year.  Today I have two, and they actually started with the Cloudy Skies stenciled background made with Distress Oxide inks Scattered Straw, Dried Marigold, Victorian Velvet.  Splattered with water just a little bit.

I've used a Plum Purdy cat and Whipper Snapper bats, both of which are years old.  Tee hee!  Love those bats!

Hillside edges were swiped with white ink.  Die cut sentiment.  Coloring was done with Copics.  This slimline card measures 9" x 3 3/4".

The next card is made with Impression Obsession dies and another Cloudy Skies background.  Same inks, different cloud layers, no splatters.  The little ghosts are sequins.  I added Wink of Stella to the sentiment.

I'm sending my slimline card over to the Shopping Our Stash Challenge #430 - On Trend - Slimline.  Between the awesome DT and the players' gallery there are some fabulous cards and great slimline ideas!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope to see you again soon.  Take care!

Card #1 -- Stamps:  Plum Purdy Black Magic (cat), Whipper Snapper Spooky Expressions (bats)  Paper:  Neenah white 80 & 110 lb, black  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, white pigment ink, DOX Scattered Straw, Dried Marigold, Victorian Velvet  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Heffy Doodle Cloudy Skies Stencil, Poppy Stamps Stitched Landscapes, Impression Obsession Trick or Treat

Card #2 -- No stamps.  Ink and paper same as above with the addition of SU Apricot Appeal for die cut sentiment.  Other:  Wink of Stella, ghost sequins, Impression Obsession dies Halloween Hill and Happy Halloween

Air Mail Birthday Wishes

Hello, there!  It's a new week and I'm glad you're here.  Let's start out the week with a birthday card for my 3 year old neighbor girl.  I had plenty of cute stamps in my collection to choose from, but because I'd already made this stenciled sky background I decided to float some foxes.  They're just so darn cute, aren't they?  It's TCP's For Fox Sake stamp set which I've used often and had bunches of fun every time.  The sentiment is a Poppy Stamps Birthday Blowout.

You might be able to catch a glimpse of Wink of Stella sparkle on the balloons in the photo below.

About that background... I set out one day recently to play with my Heffy Doodle Cloudy Skies stencil, try some different colors, tuck them away in my background bag.  This was not a perfect piece, but I thought it was usable.  I do like it a lot, and the stamps help minimize some of the goofs.  Colors are SU inks -- Soft Sky and Barely Banana.  Stamps are colored with Copics.

I played with my cloud stencil some more after this, but didn't get very far before I decided I'd made enough of an inky mess for a while.  Not very much of it ended up in the background bag, either.  Cards happened... you know how it goes.

I must run now.  Too long on the computer makes Leslie a dull girl... or something like that.  See you again soon!

Stamps:  TCP For Fox Sake, Poppy Birthday Blowout  Paper:  SU Whisper White, Barely Banana, Soft Sky, Neenah Super Smooth 110 lb for fox stamps  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Barely Banana and Soft Sky  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Wink of Stella on balloons

Fall Flower

Hello, and welcome back for Flowerful Friday.  I went with fall colors for today's card.  Have to make the switch from summer at some point.  I've used a Power Poppy digital stamp called I Luv Mums -- just one big flower and a sentiment from the digi set.

I always love mums in this russet color because it's so unusual and it speaks "fall" very clearly.  I colored with Copics and sponged the edges of the panel.  Making an effort to use some ribbon.  Hmm... not thrilled with the criss cross, so I added some hearts.  Don't know if it helped, but, hey, there it is.  I'm happy to use a little bit of designer paper as it continues to be a staple in my stamp room.

Inside I've used a retiring Power Poppy sentiment set -- Good Thinking:  Renewal.  I linked, but it's sold out.  One of my favorite sentiment sets and I use it all the time.  These front and inside sentiments are perfect together, I think, and very useful.

Will wonders never cease?  I actually photographed the Copics.  There were very few of them so it was easy.  Even still, it seems like a lot of Copics for a single flower and leaves. 

Have a look here, too:

• Broni
• Christine

I appreciate the time you spent with me today.  I know how busy Life can be, even when we're mostly staying home.  I hope you're all okay in these times that are still not normal.  I won't say that everything here is 100% perfect, but Rich and I are well and our home is intact.  Take good care of yourselves!