Sunflower Card and Mini-Art Journal

Hello my friends!  I hope you're in the mood for lots of photos because I had a busy World Cardmaking Day, plus I wanted to try out my new iPhone 18 Pro Max.  Would you believe my old phone was an iPhone 6?  That's quite a jump!  The idea was to have it for when I'm out and about and not have to carry an extra camera (especially for the dogs).  Not sure I'm ready to switch for card photos, but I think it did a pretty good job.

Enough about that... let's see a card.  I have two first time uses here --- SSS Sunflower Blooms die set, and 3 Quarter Designs Sunflower Elixir designer paper.  I believe I got the designer paper on Amazon, along with a few other ultra-gorgeous paper pads which I hope to use soonish.  The sunflower and sentiment are ink blended with brushes, and I sponged the edges of the designer paper and the card base as well.  Three layers of petals, three layers of sentiment.

It's very simple, actually, but in a rather stately and mature kind of way.  A little bit vintage maybe.

My efforts Saturday mostly focused on my new interest, art journaling.  Let's be frank and call it an obsession.  Many evenings while Rich is playing solitaire on the computer I've immersed myself in art journaling videos (YouTube on the TV).  I've made two books and purchased one.  The book I'm sharing today is made from envelopes with the workable page space measuring approximately 3 1/2" x 5 1/4".  It ties closed with ribbon.

The video I learned from is here.  I used 5 x 7 kraft envelopes which someone found at a yard sale and gave to me.  It's a cute little book and the small pages are good for a beginner.

However, anyone who makes cards cannot be called a beginner.  Art journaling is simply a way to do more of what you love without hurrying, and the only one you're trying to please is YOU.  The following is art journaling done my way.

There's die cutting, stamping, painting splattering, and more of that gorgeous Sunflower Elixir paper.  It's probably retired.  This 6x6 pad has 12 single sided pages.  Heavyweight and semi-gloss.  You know I had to use the Golden Retriever first thing.  I stamped paw prints along the edges in Ranger Archival Watering Can in order to bring the dog and flowers more together.

The frame is a Taylored Expressions oldie.  I painted it with acrylic Distress Paint in Iced Spruce, and then brushed over it randomly with white acrylic paint.

The small flowers and foliage are from the SSS Country Basket Bouquet set.  I love how the added paw prints suggest the dog has been politely walking along the edge of the flower garden.  To finish, Distress Vintage Photo ink was sponged around the edges, and white acrylic paint splatters added over all.

Sharing at Darnell's NBUS Challenge #91 with my SSS Sunflower Blooms die set and 3 Quarter Designs Sunflower Elixir designer paper as my never before used schtuff.

That's all for today.  I think I'll just wrap this up and get busy with my day.  Much as I'd like to stay there's lots to be done outside my craft room.  I enjoyed catching up with your crafty creations this weekend, and I'm happy you stopped by to see me today.

Have a beautiful day!

Sunflower and Asters

Greetings friends!  I have fall colors today and another photo-filled post.  This time of year I always try to play with the last of my summer flower purchases.  I don't like to rush so I never catch up, but it doesn't matter... I'll have plenty of flowers left over to brighten the winter days.

Today I have late summer - early fall blooms, starting with a cute little Golden Sunflower that came free with a Simon Says Stamp purchase.  Several sentiments and the butterflies are included in the set.  Very nice!

I used three different stitched dies, a tad bit of designer paper, and a border of leaf ribbon that comes out of the drawer most every fall.  I also pulled out some very old Prismatics Papaya Puree Dark and Prismatics Crabapple Dark cardstock.  Maybe you can see the lightly hammered texture.  The sunflower stamp was colored with Copics, and the image panel brushed with ink.

The next two cards focus on the SSS Daisy Frame set.  Stamped and cut with the matching dies, I thought they could also look like asters or perhaps chrysanthemums if I colored them as such.  I added more texture with Spellbinders Scallops embossing folder.

A rather traditional aster color for the next card.  Simpler, a bit of designer paper for the arched frame, and an old Cuttlebug Diamonds in the Rough embossing folder was used for texture within the frame.  Both asters cards were colored with Tombow markers and blender.

Forgive me for not writing a supply list, but I think I covered the essentials.

I'll be sending my sunflower card to the following challenges:

Triple B Challenge --  always birds, blooms, or butterflies.  The have such a gorgeous yellow inspiration board this month.
NBUS Challenge #90 -- The Golden Sunflower stamp set is my never before used schtuff.

 

Thank you so much for stopping by.  Enjoy your day!

One More Daisy Card

Hi again!  Pardon me while I slip in a card I made way back in early August.  This was my third use of Spellbinders Fresh Picked Daisies and I think maybe my favorite.  I pulled a watercolor background from my stash and coordinated that with a Stampin' Up Marigold Morning card base, and Marigold Morning ink on the sentiment.  The daisies and leaves are Copic colored.

It's interesting how the leaves in this die set are very pretty and graceful, and the daisy flowers rather fun and funky.

I think I can put the daisies away for a while.

I'll leave you with the recipe, below, and a wish for a daisy kind of day!  Thank you!

Stamps:  Inside only  Paper:  Hammermill Premium 100 lb white, Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, Stampin' Up Marigold Morning  Ink:  Marigold Morning, other forgotten for watercolor background  Coloring:  Copics for image, watercolor smooshing for background  Dies:  Spellbinders Fresh Picked Daisies, Creative Expressions Happy Birthday sentiment  Other:  Stampin' Up Subtle embossing folder for card base

Guest Designing with Penny Black Saturday Challenge

Hello there!  I'm honored to be guest designing alongside Denise (The Crafty Den) at the Penny Black Saturday Challenge this month.  The theme is always "anything goes", but with an optional prompt.  This month the option is "use a die".

 

I'm all for using a die!  In this case I colored the wisteria blooms and leaves from Penny Black's Wings of Joy set, then cut the curve with PB's Curved Stitch die.  From my already-made-up stash I plucked a Memory Box dragonfly which happened to be just the right colors.

I watercolored with a mix of Stampin' Up inks and Tombow markers.  Did the background first, then the blooms.  The leaves were stamped separately and hand cut to drape over the blooms and add texture without too much dimension which enables the card to be easily mailable with no extra postage.  Finished with a few sequins for a touch of garden magic.

The sentiment is from the Penny Black Serene Beliefs set.  I've been using this set a LOT since its summer release, mostly for the insides.  Every word is beautiful.

I hope you'll join us at the Penny Black Saturday Challenge.  I just love seeing all the PB goodness by the talented team and those who play along.  Have a super day!

Stamps:  Penny Black Wings of Joy and Serene Beliefs  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico extra white 140 lb hot press watercolor, Hammermill Premium 100 lb white  Ink:  Memento Toffee Crunch for image, Stampin' Up Brocade Blue for sentiment  Coloring:  Watercolor with Stampin' Up reinkers and Tombow markers  Dies and Other:  Penny Black Curved Stitch, Memory Box Azure Dragonflies, sequins, Wink of Stella on dragonfly wings

Double D Challenge: Vases and/or Pitchers

Hello again, friends!  It's Double D time, and Diane has the prettiest board to inspire you.  Today the challenge is Vases and/or Pitchers.

I love everything on the board and I could make one or more of each.  However, I went with the watering can because I've only used my Spellbinders Sprinkle & Grow die set once and I didn't care for the card despite how cute the die set is.  That's on me.  Today I'm much happier!

I brought in a few extras from the toybox -- a pretty frame, some fun designer paper, a bit of grass, and a cute sentiment.  The scalloped corners of the panel within the frame were done with a punch I've had since my early days of paper crafting.  I love how it works with the frame as though it was meant to be.  The sentiment was cut from the designer paper.  The glossy dots were punched from it, too -- 1/4" & 1/8" hole punches -- then glossy glaze applied.

Sometimes everything comes together in harmony.  I wish that was always the case.

We would love for you to come play with us at Double D.  The team has some pretty vases and/or pitchers, and I just know you have some, too.

Thank you for taking the time to visit with me today!

Stamps:  None  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb watercolor, Hammermill Premium 100 lb white, Stampin' Up Going Gray, Polkadoodles Peeling Paint designer paper  Ink:  Stampin' Up Gable Green and Almost Amethyst for blended background  Coloring:  Tombow markers for watering can, Copics for flower arrangement, ink blending with brushes for background  Dies:  Spellbinders Sprinkle & Grow, Simon Says Stamp Teardrop Pinpoint Frames, Creative Expressions Mini Hello & Hi, Impression Obsession Grass Border

Penny Black on a Saturday

Hello, crafty friends!  I hope you're all enjoying a nice weekend doing whatever makes you happy.  I've been retired for going on 11 years now, but I still find something special about the weekends.  After all those working years I just don't get over the feeling of release that comes with a Friday night.

I'm here today to share in the Penny Black Saturday Challenge where the optional theme is "Things with Wings".  That's my cue to color up my newest Penny Black stamp, Wings of Joy.  It's easy for me to go overboard with my Penny Black purchases because I'm such a fan, but I've been conservative lately.  This stamp though, sigh... and the Serenity Edger die set... they were a quick hop into my basket.

I stamped the bird and branch in Memento Toffee Crunch, and the sentiment in Palette Noir on extra white hot pressed watercolor paper and watercolored with Tombow markers.  Sponged the edges with Stampin' Up More Mustard ink.  After layering onto a card base of ivory textured Bazzill I applied the watercolored die cut "serenity" and a few iridescent sequins.

The set has a larger wisteria chain and extra leaves which I've already stamped and will try to turn into a card soon.  Penny Black has just released a Christmas collection and I'm currently trying to make my conservative choices.  I'm thinking poinsettias and a sentiment/die set.  It's never ending.

Challenges:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge -- Things with Wings, or optional anything goes.
NBUS Challenge #89 -- My never before used schtuff is the Penny Black Wings of Joy stamp set.

 

Thank you so much for spending a little time with me today.  I do enjoy our visits!

Stamps:  Penny Black Wings of Joy  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico 140 lb hot press watercolor, ivory Bazzill for card base  Ink:  Memento Toffee Crunch for image, Palette Noir for sentiment, Stampin' Up More Mustard for brushing image panel edges  Coloring:  Watercolor with Tombow markers  Other:  Penny Black Serenity Edger die set, iridescent sequins, white acrylic paint for eye glint

Deco Blossoms

Hello!  There's something brand new in my collection today -- Simon Says Stamp Deco Blossoms.  It's not at all like anything else in my toy box so that's why I was drawn to it.  I ordered it with the matching die set which cuts the blossom panel, the individual blossoms, and the corner flourishes.  It's fun to play with, whether simple or fancy.  I guess I went a bit fancy this time.

I stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black and layered up using old-timey Spellbinders dies and a not-so-old-timey Spellbinders 3D Tile Motif embossing folder.  The blossoms were die cut and colored with Copics.  They're not popped up, but they're shaped a little.  The sentiment, as well as others, came with the set.

Challenges today:

Addicted to Stamps and More #523 -- Birthdays
Triple B August Challenge -- Always birds, butterflies, or blooms.

NBUS Challenge #89 -- My never before used schtuff is the SSS Deco Blossoms stamp and die set.

 

Thank you for visiting!  Have a craft-happy day!

Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp Deco Blossoms with dies  Paper:  Hammermill Premium 100 lb white, black from stash  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Spellbinders Divine Eloquence, Labels Twenty Eight, 3D Tile Motif embossing folder, miscellaneous small rectangle for sentiment

Magnolia Wreath

Hello there!  I was on my way to making something else entirely when a magnolia wreath happened instead.  I can't tell you what a common occurrence that is in my craft room.  I believe I was looking for foliage in my spare parts at the time.  Ah, well, no regrets.

This will be for a local friend's September birthday, and she won't care one whit that the flowers are entirely out of season.

I used all the spare leaves left over from past cutting of my Memory Box Curved Magnolia Branch.  I just added ink and arranged on a die cut circle.  Behind the flowers I have bits of The Greetery Pine Bough in white, and a super oldie Spellbinders Floral Flourishes which was also in my spare parts already embossed in gold.

For the front and inside sentiments I happily broke out a brand new Simon Says Stamp set -- Daisy Frame.  The set with dies is worth it for the sentiments alone, but I can't wait to color the pretty flowers that come with it, too!  Oh, if only I had more time in my craft room!

I'll play along in the the AAA Birthday Challenge #88 where their theme this month is "flowers".

I'm also just in time to play with the girls at Just Us Girls Challenge #835 -- Die Week.

 

Thanks everyone!  I'm glad we could visit today!

Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp Daisy Frame sentiment  Paper:  Hammermill Premium 100 lb white, pale pink Bazzill  Ink:  Stampin' Up Old Olive, Close to Cocoa, Barely Banana, Pretty in Pink, Versamark for sentiment  Coloring:  Ink blending with brushes  Dies:  Memory Box Curved Magnolia Branch, The Greetery Pine Bough, Spellbinders Floral Flourishes  Other:  Ranger Princess Gold embossing powder, foam tape to pop up one flower

Magical Fuchsia

Greetings, friends!  How about wrapping up the week with some fuchsias?  Spellbinders Layered Magical Fuchsia embossing folder and stencil to be exact.  After my first attempt at stenciling was a big flop, I decided to simply emboss and then color with Copics.  It's brighter than I had intended, but still pretty.

Hammermill 100 lb white, Spellbinders Essential Arches,
Brutus Monroe Spring Splatter Designer paper

I added a retired Power Poppy sentiment and a few clear gems, and brushed the arched panel with SU Soft Sky and Certainly Celery. 

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Pictured below is the only halfway usable picture I managed of Stenciling Attempt #2.  I followed my friend Pam's lead for the second card.  I embossed first, then stenciled, but still didn't like it so I brushed over the image with brown ink -- SU Creamy Caramel.  Not the same ink Pam used, and I went a lot darker because I was rather liking it.  Later I had to remove some of the ink from around the fuchsias by splattering water, then brushing with water and pressing with a paper towel.

I inset the gold sentiment and splattered the image panel with gold paint.  We'll call it vintage.  The cover panel is SU Blackberry Bliss.  I love that color, but have barely touched it.  I'm thinking I should use it more often.

Spellbinders Essential Stylish Ovals, sentiment from SB Stylish Oval Hello You Floral,
SB Infinity Punch & Pierce Plate

That's it for me and my Magical Fucshia today.  I'm working on more fuchsias for later.  Some other cards may come along first, though.  There are so many fun things in my use-next basket!

Have a magical day!

Birthday Wishes

Hello again!  Wrapping up the week with a second-time use of these Spellbinders flowers.  They're so easy I could go on and on with them, and maybe I will when my not-yet-used baskets are empty.  In my dreams, right? 

The embossing folder, circle dies, and sentiment are all Spellbinders, too.  For the yellow embossed panel I used a double sided sticky sheet to adhere thin vellum to SU's Barely Banana cardstock.  The reason I ever started doing this with the vellum and sticky sheets in the first place is because I have a whole pack of vellum that's way too thin, and I have a whole pack of sticky sheets that I can't imagine ever using up, so I put them together and it's magical!

Moving along...  I've been very busy both in and out of my stamp room lately and I have a tidy garden and a surprising lot of cards to show for it.  I hope I'll be back with more soon.

Today I'd like to play along at The Sisterhood of Crafters where the theme this month is flowers.  They have a really cute inspiration board:

I'm so glad you stopped by.  Take care and have a happy day!

Stamps:  Spellbinders Very Best Wishes with dies  Paper:  Hammermill 100 lb premium white, Stampin' Up Barely Banana, very lightweight vellum  Ink:  Stampin' Up Regal Rose, Rose Red, Blue Bayou, Memento Tuxedo Black  Coloring:  Ink Blending with brushes  Dies:  Spellbinders Stylish Oval Hello You Floral, Blossom Nestabilities, Standard Circles Small  Other:  Double sided adhesive sheet, Memory Box Fairy Jewels, dimensional foam dots, Spellbinders Criss Cross Motif 3D embossing folder