Category: cardmaking

Out the Window: A Poppystamps Project

Today, I’m sharing a card created for Poppystamps. Even though the season is about to change, I’m still clinging to this last month of summer (those of you in the Southern Hemisphere are probably ready for spring!). I’m not quite ready to say “good-bye” to blooming flowers, sunny days, or the bright colors of the summer season.

Out the Window: A Poppystamps Project

In order to fit in the pieces I wanted to include on the card, I decided to “cut” the window/shutter combination at the top. Rather than leave the raw edge, I scored the pieces and folded them back on themselves. That way, there’s a finished edge along the top.

I didn’t originally plan to have the flowers by the watering can. However, after I had all the pieces of the card in place, I decided a few flowers peeking through the fence would help with the depth of field I was trying to create and visually anchor the watering can.

Penny Black Homemade

Cute mice in the kitchen!? What? The one time I did have mice in the kitchen, in a Victorian home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, there was nothing cute about it. But with the Penny Black Homemade (30-119) stamp set, which is part of the Margaret Sherry Collection, there’s nothing but fun!

Penny Black Homemade

I watercolored the mice, stamped with Versafine ink and heat embossed with clear powder, with both Prismacolor and Derwent Inktense watercolor pencils. The patterned paper is from the Echo Park Sweet Girl collection.

Pinspired Challenge #15

Welcome! It’s time for another Pinspired Challenge. The photo is for you to interpret anyway you want. Be inspired by the colors, the style, the theme – it’s up to you!

Kiwi Lane is offering the winner of this challenge a $25 gift certificate to their online store.

Pinspired Challenge #15

For my card, I was inspired by the theme and the colors! I created the birds’ nest out of cut pieces of the Grapevine Wreath die, which I glued together in layers. I’d love to take credit for such a clever idea, but I found the idea on the blog of Pam Sparks. If you haven’t visited her site or seen her work before, you’re in for a treat!

Now, it’s your turn. Head on over to the Pinspired Challenges blog to see the creations from the rest of the “Pin Heads” and find out the details for playing along. Three runner ups will be chosen and win a “Pin Pal” badge for their blog. A winner, who will also be chosen by the “Pin Heads,” will win a “Pin Perfect” badge for their blog along with the prize from Kiwi Lane. We can’t wait to see your creations!

Hello, Friend

I purchased the Mama Elephant Tree Friends stamp weeks ago and have just now gotten a chance to play with it.

Hello, Friend

I was inspired by the way that Mariana Grigsby used this set on her card, and set out to replicate it. However, I struggled with adding the Distress Ink with embossing brushes (it might be because I don’t own the same brushes she used). After admitting failure (and restamping the tree!), I decided to watercolor the tree image with Distress Inks using a water brush. Rather than use water, I used the Ink Potion No. 9, which seems to help with warping. I added a few glossy accents like Mariana did. I like the effect and it definitely adds some texture and shine. I’ll have to remember to use them in the future on similar projects.

I’d like to revisit this stamp set with a different set of colors for the flowers. Maybe something in an autumnal color palette. 🙂