Monday, May 17, 2021

Finally Forever Fern

Hello on a Monday!  I hope you're all well.  Even though my posts have been scant, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth.  Our home improvement projects are taking up most of my time, but we're currently on somewhat of a break before everything is turned upside down for the floors.  I'm stamping while I can, and trying to get other things done, as well.  Please bear with me, friends!

I finally sat down to play with my Stampin' Up Forever Fern set.  By the time I bought it I'm sure everyone had had enough of looking at it, but that was a long time ago... it's been in my NBUS basket for quite a while.  It really is the most lovely stamp set and I'm glad I took a turn.  I started out with the Split Four Technique, but after the initial stamping I added more here and there.  I needed to enhance my stash of sympathy cards, so each card has a beautiful old SU sentiment on the front with a nice sympathy message inside.



I'm still using my original SU inks, which are listed in the recipe at the end.  To attain a more saturated ink color I re-stamped two or three times using my old Stamp-A-Ma-Jig for assistance.  The cardstock bases are in matching colors.  All bases were embossed with the SU Subtle embossing folder for texture.

Just a couple of extra pictures...  The gold cord on the card below helps to disguise a stem that was floating in mid-air.  The sentiment on this card may appear black in the picture, but is, in fact, Handsome Hunter.  These old colors still serve a purpose.  I have all the reinkers, too, so I'll be using them until the pads wear out.  In almost 20 years I've had only one pad wear out, and that's because I was abusing it by rubbing it on background stamps.



The next card is the result of dropping a stamp in the middle of the white space, sheesh.  I almost discarded the whole piece, but decided to cover it up instead.  It seemed a bit too busy at first, but it's growing on me.  I quite like it, actually.



So there you have it.  We need to talk about how the current Feedburner email subscription service is going away.  I'm too preoccupied to wrap my head around the issue right now, but I still recommend Feedly for following blogs.  See options in my sidebar.  If there's something I can fix about the emails, I will certainly do that.  July 1st is the deadline.

Lastly, I'm popping my cards over to Darnell's NBUS Challenge #26 (never before used schtuff).  She gets a lot of entries!


Thanks for visiting with me today.  Hugs all around!


Stamps:  SU Forever Fern, SU All Year Cheer (2002)  Paper:  SU Whisper White, Brocade Blue, So Saffron, Soft Sage  Ink:  SU Brocade Blue, So Saffron, Soft Sage, Creamy Caramel, More Mustard, Handsome Hunter  Other:  Gold Cord, SU Subtle embossing folder for card bases, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

32 comments:

ddc designs said...

These are all stunning cards! Doesn't matter if the colours are old or new as long as they continue to do their job! I too have ink pads since SU started and still using them today. Thanks for sharing these beauties. Cheers!

aussie aNNie said...

Beautiful card, love the colours. xx

crafty-stamper said...

Beautiful selection of sympathy cards love the foliage stamps and your font stamp
Carol x

Ros Crawford said...

Oh they are gorgeous!! I've seen this set around blogland and I love it... It's one of those that will never date. I love the colours you used too every one is magnificent.

Yogi said...

beautifully done. Love the color scheme. Love your saves - BIG GRIN
Have a great day

nancy littrell said...

OMG, Leslie...Stunning Split Four Technique using the Gorgeous SU Forever Fern set, which I have too, but have not used for awhile. I LOVE your combination of Old SU ink colors too, especially the added Brocade Blue with your Soft Sage and So Saffron. Your Creamy Caramel was perfect for the more subtle stamped splatters too. I LOVED every single card equally and loved your added matching colored cardstock layers. Really beautiful Thinking of you cards, my friend. TFS Love and Hugs...Nancy

Verna Angerhofer said...

All are so beautiful and I love the color choices. You have a great stash of cards for sending as sympathy or other reasons.

Barbara said...

I love your cards. They are all beautiful, but I especially love the picture of your dog licking you. That is priceless!!!

Margaret said...

These are all so beautiful. It's a new to me stamp set. I don't think I've seen it before, but you did a fabulous job with it on all of your cards. I love the colors you chose. Gives them a bit of dignity. Good luck with the rest of your renovations. I had my floors done about eight years ago. What a mess! I had to take everything off shelves and walls. Pack up everything as if I were moving. I had wooden floors redone and some ceramic tile laid on other floors. I love it now, but it was a mess having it done.

Lynette said...

These are so gorgeous, Leslie!! I love the stamps. I still have my old SU! pads, but they are boxed up - ready to sell or do something with. I have reinkers for most of them. I splurged a couple years ago and got Gina K inks and I love them. I had one SU! pad that I had to toss - it got really funky for some reason! I, too, still have that sentiment stamp set. It's great! Thanks for sharing these beauties.

pam said...

These are beautiful stamps Leslie, love the gorgeous colours and layout designs.
Good luck with the home improvements.
Hugs Pam x

Bobbi-spapertrail.blogspot.com said...

Leslie, these are just stunning! This is one of my most favorite sets, and even though I'm a SU Demo, I still haven't used it yet. But good news! It's carried over to this years' annual catalog, so I still have time. I love your color choices, and the accident turned out lovely! Don't you love it when that happens? I had a chuckle when you mentioned the Stamp-a-ma-jig. We now have the Stamparatus which is a great stamping platform that is so cool. In fact, I was on the team that helped design it, so I'm pretty proud of it. Anyway, not to sound off, but your cards are stunning, as always. You always choose such bright, vibrant colors! A true artist you are! Hugs my friend. Stay well and kiss those babies for me. Hope they're all ok too.

Nanny's Pansy Patch said...

I'm probably the only one that never heard of this technique! I watched the video and thought it was pretty neat. I was going to buy this stamp set but didn't. It is definitely a great one to use on this technique. I am going to have to try it. Most of my colors are SU's which I really like. I don't like having too many choices!! LOL! I'm glad you brought up feedburner. I'm not sure what to do. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

HilaryJane said...

These are just gorgeous, you should be pleased with them. It just goes to show that you can recover from almost anything in cardmaking with just a bit of ingenuity xx

Jean S said...

GORGEOUS X's4 I have always loved this set, but you REALLY did it justice! Just stunning, all of them
TFS, Jean

Bonnie said...

You work that Stamp-a-ma-jig beautifully, Leslie! Beautiful colors and cards! Your boo-boo ended up being an opportunity for excellence, my friend! Glad you see you had a chance to play a bit!

Cat Craig said...

Leslie, this is a set of gorgeous cards. That is one of the best stamp sets ever from SU, and you've shown it off in spectacular shades. I love your "busy" one the best. So full of color and life.

TK said...

Stunningly gorgeous -- definitely worth the wait!

Conniecrafter said...

Well I am glad that you decided to share because I had not seen these stamps or technique yet, it is a lot like the split one I did using Jennifer McGuire's technique, you only get two cards that way, I love that you get 4 out of this technique. you have used some tricky ideas to cover up your boo boos, I love the interest that they both give to them, They are very Lovely cards!

Christine Alexander said...

I love the stamp set and never tire of seeing the split 4 technique with them. It's a perfect technique for thank you and sympathy cards :)

Glenda said...

Most of us find sympathy cards to be hard to create so it is always nice to have a few on hand. All are lovely and quite tasteful and I love the design and colors you used!

Diane said...

This is really pretty and how fun to bring out some oldies but goodies! Love the mic=x of colors and the design! It is hard to do a remodel and keep up with the paper crafting that is for sure but fun to have it fall back on and relax too. We hope to put all new flooring in our bedroom and NOT looking forward to that mess as it's a big room with big furniture which will have to sit outside while flooring is being done, not too bad if the weather cop-operates and IF the contractors show up as promised!

CaroleAnn said...

Wowza!!! I just love these cards and I did not know about this technique so I can't wait to try it and I have this stamp set too and have yet to use it. It is a beautiful set and I love your colors that you used too. Thanks for sharing! Hugs

laurie said...

Wow!! What a gorgeous set of card...your stamping and colors are perfect!

Evelyn S. said...

These are so beautiful, Leslie! What a perfect combination of colors and stamps. This makes such a wonderful set of cards.

Donna Ellis said...

Be still my heart! What a gloriously riotous grouping of COLORFUL leaves. It does my passion-for-old-stash good to see you using these incredible stamps in such an artsy way. I had not heard for the split 4 technique, so thank you for the link. There is something about leaves that always brings me pleasure in creating with them. I've stopped playing with leaves and flowers only because I assume everyone is tired of them. So I need to pick that back up. It certainly brings ME joy! LOL I hope your renos are progressing well. We did have the den and master bedroom painted, and I plan on having the "great room" and dining rooms painted with the same color palettes after a few personal things are taken care of (baby steps these days) LOL Jack has been helping me keep potted plants watered as I'm not able to hold the hose all the time now. Just outside my craft room window are a number of potted plants including milk weed for the Monarchs, and other flowers for hummers and butterflies. This spring we also planted two formosas. While they require a lot of water during the heat, we can just let a hose drip on them to keep the roots moist. Jack's veggies in the green house are awesome! We have been enjoying (and sharing) yellow squash, a variety of green beans, tender cucumbers, tons of tomatoes, a variety of lettuces, and some other goodies that are just beginning to trickle in. In the front I've witnessed a ton of monarchs feasting in nectars, and then laying eggs in the milkweed there. But the black and yellow swallow tails are still rare this year - i hope they will come back in their usual numbers! Thanks for the inspiration today, especially in showing the different color card backings. Huggers, de

Pauline said...

WOW! these are absolutely gorgeous! I've never tried the split four technique, but what a great idea, and to have 4 cards just like that! I too have wanted this set forever, but still don't have it. I just might need to get this! Great choice of colours, and love all the splatters. I hope your remodeling is going well. I haven't stamped in over a month. Work is extremely busy, and don't feel like stamping when I'm done. I have a card order (20 cards), which I really need to get done, as well as I need 4 birthday cards by beginning of June! I kind of lost my mojo, but you have inspired me to try this technique. Take care Leslie, hugs,

Maria Rodriguez. said...

Oh my goodness!! How did I ever miss this set on the catalog!!! it's so beautiful.
And I've never hear of the "Split Four Technique" so thank you so much for the lint to the video tutorial, sounds like a lot of fun and a fast way to create a bunch of cards in no time.
I just love the colors you chose for these cards, they compliment each other beautifully.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Stay healthy and safe.
XO
Maria.

Loll said...

Four beautiful sympathy cards Leslie! You have used the Forever Fern stamps to their potential with your mix of colours and designs. Great work, my friend! xx

Darnell said...

I could never tire of seeing that set used, Leslie. It is one of those sets that will remain a classic over the years and I love all four of your designs! Those SU sediments are the same: I never tire of their beautiful font. Thank you for sharing with everyone at NBUS! Good luck with the remaining reno and new floors! Hugs, Darnell

Cindy Beach said...

I don't have that set, but see now that it should be on my list. Your cards are beautifully done and the style is timeless. As are the SU pads, I still have mine too, you've inspired me to use them more often!
Each card is unique, special and swoon-worthy, my friend!

Heartwarmers from Vicki said...

Your cards are beautiful! Love the colors you used..........wish I had some of them. :) You created some very pretty pieces!