Four Seasons Challenge - October

Welcome to another Four Seasons Challenge!  After getting off to a great start in September, we're looking forward to seeing another gallery full of your fabulous entries this month.  We're still in the fall season, so just remember -- anything goes FALL, now through the 25th.

Have a look at our inspiration board:

I saw the coffee and leaves in the upper left corner and thought "I have the perfect stamp".  It's a retired and out of business Verve digi set called Coffee Please.  I made a composite with several images in the set and colored with Tombow markers and blender pen.

I stitched some fall papers from my vast hoard, "nailed" a frame with copper brads, added a leaf which I die cut from a splattery background piece.  After coloring, I smooshed the whole image panel with Versamark ink and embossed with ultra-thick embossing enamel -- two coats.  Just for fun.

Please visit the Four Seasons Challenge Blog for all the details.  The team has plenty more inspiration for you there.  I hope to see you in the gallery!  Enjoy!

Stamps:  Verve Coffee Please digi (retired, out of business)  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, SU Bravo Burgundy, Neenah 110 lb white for hidden layers, miscellaneous old designer paper  Ink:  Printer, Versamark for use with UTEE coat, other misc for die cut leaf  Coloring:  Tombow markers with homemade blender pen  Other:  Copper brads, Hero Arts Wood Frame die, Taylored Expressions Mega Leaves die

Daisies in Pink and Yellow

I'm back!  Here's a card that will wake you up in the morning.  It was sent to someone awesome who can't decide whether her favorite color is pink or yellow, so I combined both.

I stamped a whole panel of Strathmore Mixed Media Vellum Surface paper with Verve's "Simply Amazing" stamp set, embossed with white and watercolored with Tombow markers.  The die cut "awesome" is Verve's "Amazing Adjectives", cut from green glitter card stock.  I added green glitter die cut leaves, as well.

There are more details below which I think will sum it up.  It seems like I've been on the computer all day, so I'll keep this short and sweet and wish you all a happy weekend.  Take care!

Stamps:  Verve Simply Amazing  Paper:  Strathmore Mixed Media Vellum Surface, Neenah 110 lb white for sentiment panel, other white for card base, green glitter paper  Ink:  Versamark, Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Pixie Pink, Tombow markers for watercoloring  Accessories:  Verve Amazing Adjectives dies, Spellbinders Long Classic Rectangles, Little B Bouquet (leaves), white embossing powder, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Pumpkin Spice is Nice

Just a simple, but colorful fall card today.  After a few beautiful days there's a chill in the air that's making it sound mighty nice to wrap my hands around a warm cup of brew, whether coffee, tea, cocoa, or a pumpkin spice latte.

I've used another of my Verve Coffee Please digital stamp creations, and this time I stretched it a bit larger and watercolored with Gansai Tambi paints on Arches 140 lb hot pressed watercolor paper.  There's nothing more than a border of patterned paper and some stitching to dress it up, and it's ready to mail for a November birthday.

I've been busy making Christmas cards when I have a chance, but then I turned right around and started a wedding card project, so my room is a mess and it's making me crazy.  Hopefully I'll finish something today and clean up.  Have a happy day!

Coffee Please

Hi there!  I didn't think I'd have any new fall stamp sets, but then Verve came up with their very first digital set and I just had to give it a try seeing as how I think it's so darn cute.  Didn't hurt that it's a whole stamp set for only $4.  Oops, is my cheap side showing?  Well, who doesn't love a bargain?  The set is called Coffee Please.

I know digis aren't for everyone and, true, when I have a little time to stamp it doesn't involve going to the computer first.  I like to go into my room and simply start creating.  However, when I think ahead it's fun to put some images together for coloring later.  So that's what I did here.  I goofed around in Photoshop Elements, moving and turning and resizing several images from the set.  Photoshop's magic eraser made it easy to remove white space from the individual images so I could layer them.

I colored with Copics on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White and added just a little tab of burlap ribbon and a leafy swoosh for accent.  The image panel is popped up.  Simple and easy to mail.

Inside I used another of the four sentiments that come with the set.  I think this one works perfectly well for a fall birthday.

Fall is a funny season.  We've had some beautiful days and some rainy, blustery days.  Every time I turn on the news I see another weather catastrophe or man made tragedy and my heart hurts for all those affected.  Again, I count my blessings and try to keep all my little problems in perspective.

I'll be back to visit again this week.  'Tis the season for making lots of cards! 

Stamps:  Verve "Coffee Please" digital set  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest,  SU Glorious Green, kraft card base, Graphic 45 Raining Cats and Dogs designer paper  Ink:  Printer, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Burlap ribbon, Memory Box Cross Stitched Frame Borders, Spellbinders Floral Flourishes, Scotch brand foam mounting tape