Monday, September 22, 2025

Endless Summer

Hi there!  Back to card making today and happy to have a good play with some of my newer NBUS.  I started with the Simon Says Stamp Ocean Horizon die which I thought was the coolest thing.  Who knows what will appeal at any given time, but this one really got to me.  I couldn't help but combine it with one of my recently purchased Cottage Cutz super sale items -- Surfer Van.



The Endless Summer is a 1966 semi-documentary film about surfing.  I've never watched all of it, but my Rich has watched it a few times over the years and still watches clips on YouTube now and then.  He was a surfer guy in his youth and he enjoys reliving the thrill of it.  Naturally, I made this card with him in mind.

l tried using this background die three different ways and as far as the application of color goes, this is my favorite.  I cut the die -- it comes out in 16 pieces, including the skinny frame -- then I glued each piece to a separate white panel, and commenced brushing on the inks.  I like the way the edges of each die cut section grabs the ink.  It's subtle, but it makes a difference.  The colors I used are similar to those on the die package.  All Stampin' Up inks.  I'll list them below.  I hand cut a sandy beach on which to park the van.



I'll be sending my endless summer over to the following challenges:

A Cut Above -- Anything goes with dies.
NBUS Challenge #78 -- Never before used schtuff.  As mentioned, the Surfer Van and Ocean Horizon dies are NBUS.

 


Wrapping up now... I'll be back shortly to share what I've made.  Things are hopping here with lots going on and I'm surprised to have made any cards at all, but glad I'm able to manage it somehow.

Take care, and stay cool!


Dies:  Cottage Cutz Surfer Van, Simon Says Stamp Ocean Horizon
Inks:  Stampin' Up (top to bottom) Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Pixie Pink, Melon Mambo, Purely Pomegranate, Cool Caribbean, Not Quite Navy, Creamy Caramel, Gable Green.  Memento Tuxedo Black for sentiment
Coloring:  Ink blending with brushes.  Small parts of van colored with Copic markers

24 comments:

Birgit said...

This card is fabulous! What a fantastic background and the van is groovy. I adore this fun card and think it's such a great way to honor your surfing hubby's youth.

Anonymous said...

WOW, WOW, WOW. You did a fabulous job with that die. The colors are just so…. I can’t think of a good enough word. Have a great day

Lisa Elton said...

Looks like Ridley is enjoying his ride in that nifty little van! What a cool sky you've created with your new dies and the sandy beach is perfect too. This is far out, Leslie!

Bonnie said...

What a glorious background, Leslie! And I love that surfer van with the pup in the window. He looks like Ridley!

Cynthia said...

Love this, Leslie! The die cuts and bright colors are perfect.

HilaryJane said...

I am glad you managed to make some cards too. This one is a stunner. What an amazing background and a perfect card for your Rich to reminisce about his youth. How cool xx

crafty-stamper said...

Love the fabulous die-cut camper van and colourful ocean/horizon die-brilliant look.
Carol x

Ida said...

Wow! - What a bright and cheery card this is. It screams summer. How fun to learn that Rich was into surfing.

Donna Ellis said...

Wow, Leslie! You truly are an artist in the highest order when it comes to combining colors, creating textures in unexpected manners, and bringing out the beautiful of nature in every scene! LOVE these dies, and the ways you have enhanced them with your amazing shading skills. Definitely a Golden riding in the surfin' van. Thanks for sharing the story behind your creation, my friend! I know Rich will love it and smile about his memories, and long-past passion. huggers, de

Lynette said...

A very "cool" card for sure, Leslie! Love it!

Barbara said...

That background is so striking and absolutely the bomb with your cute little camper. Perfect card for a surfer guy. Brings back memories of our Volkswagen camper and the many weekends we spent with it. Follow the campers cute I absolutely love that background.

Darlene said...

OMG this is so, so cute! What a fun & fabulous card! You're amazing!! lol Brought an instant smile! Well done!!

Margaret said...

Wow! That background is fabulous. The van is so cute with the pup looking out the window - looks like Ridley to me.

I Card Everyone said...

That one caught my eye, too, Leslie! Now that I've seen it in your talented hands, I may have to add it to my very long list of things to add to a cart at Christmas time! What a gorgeous sunset for all the occupants of that cool van! I'm assuming you and Rich are sitting on the beach at this point?
Such a fun end of Summer card!
=]

Cindy Beach said...

Endless Summer, what a concept and great theme! I love seeing what you choose and how you use it - this background is so fun, Leslie, and overflowing with terrific colors! I look forward to how you'll use it next. The van on the beach is so clever. Rich will love this!

Vicki said...

Spectacular Leslie! I'm blown away and speechless by the background! Wow, the colors blend so well when it's assembled. The way you tackled the individual pieces was such a great idea. I love that bus and how it's embellished. Super fun sentiment! Thanks so much for sharing with the September Challenge at A Cut Above.

Marcia Hill said...

OMG is this card ever ADORABLE Leslie!! Is that Ridley I see peeking out the van's window?! Too cute!! And I love, LOVE your new background...how FUN is that?!! Sweet, sweet card my friend and I'm sure hubby will love it!! Hugs. :0)

Nanny's Pansy Patch said...

What a special card. I'm sure Rich loved it! Loved the colors, especially the van with the puppy with his message!

Cat Craig said...

This is so eyecatching. I love all the bold colors and especially the dimension that extra color grab gives each of the pieces. Love this card.

Bunny said...

This caught my eye at NBUS and I thought "WOW"! That is beautiful.

Pat said...

Thank you so much for your really lovely comment Leslie, and love the way the die works brilliantly on both this and the last card, with the fun birds, bats and ghost for Halloween, and then with this cute camper van, and your ink blending on both backgrounds looks terrific with really eye catching colours...fabulous! x

Conniecrafter said...

How cool is that, such great colors you used for the background and I just love the 60's/70's feel of the van, I love the dog hanging out the window enjoying the breeze with his big ears flapping in the wind :) Fun with the surf board on top.
I know what you mean, I am behind on house work, and on catching up with emails and blogs.

Loll said...

Such a fun card. Reminds me of a simpler time. :) Love the rainbow sky and that awesome van. Great card Leslie! xx

Christine said...

I can just imagine the two of you taking off in that camper van with both dogs hanging out the window 🤣