Sunday 29 April 2012

Be Still and Know


Today's Featured Stamper at Splitcoaststampers is Linda (abbysmom2198) and I used Linda's lovely layout for this card using one of my favorite verses of Scripture.
The dp panels are stitched onto cardstock....this kind of layout appeals to me as it gives space to mix a couple of dp's and leaves room for a bit of nice, clean white space.
The flower is layered up with die-cuts using My Favorite Things Flower Trio and Leaf Trio Die-namics, and the verse is a Plain Jane from Verve.
The leaves, punched with a Martha Stewart leaf punch have been scored down the middle and shaped slightly with a stylus on a foam mat.
Supplies include:
Memory Box Delicate Vine die
Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles
SU Lucky Limeade carstock
Paper Mill Shop white linen cardstock
Sewing Machine
SU Lucky Limeade ink
Pearls
Echo Park Victoria Gardens dp
Woodware butterfly punch

Saturday 28 April 2012

Chevron Butterfly


I had this negative die-cut butterfly sitting there waiting for inspiration to finish it - it came through Rosenberry Rooms, the Inspiration Challenge website at Splitcoaststampers today and I decide to add a punched flower body.  
The bg was made using the fabulous My Favorite Things Chevron Stripes Die-namics and scraps of dp.  The butterfly was cut with a Marianne Design Creatables die.  I punched some flowers, layered them and added black pearls for the butterfly body.  I added an MFT sentiment from their Pure Innocence set Because You're Special and a scored frame to finish.  
I'm needing a lot of "thinking of you" cards these days, there's so many people who are really on my mind - sickness, grieving, stress, financial and family worries.  It reminds me of the words of Jesus... 
"in this world you will have trouble."  Thankfully He also said   
"....but take heart!  I have overcome the world."
John 16:32,33
Supplies include:
Marianne Creatables Butterfly Die
Woodware small flower punch
Scoring board
Paper Mill Shop white linen, black cardstock
Memento Tuxedo Black ink


Wednesday 25 April 2012

Vintage Postcard


Here's a card I made for the Sketch Challenge at Splitcoaststampers today - Korin gave us a great sketch which is really easy to work with.  I went for a vintage look and made the top panel quite large - this is the first time I've used Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Vintage Postcard set - it's SO much FUN, there's a lot of different images and elements you can combine, layer and play with.  
I love the vintage look - I can still remember my Grandma's attic above their garage in Vale, Oregon
(which had Grandpa's old Model T Ford in it) and I went up there once or twice, fascinated by all the old and yellowed keepsakes - it was scary thanks to wasps and spiders!
All edges have been sponged with Ranger Distress inks.
I used two copics to tone down the brightness of my coloring so that it would give a vintage hue - I find that 
E41 (more subtle) and W1 (darker) work well for this - BUT please if YOU are trying it, test it out on scrap paper first - no one wants to ruin a beautifully colored image on the last few strokes!!
I love the Bible verse underneath the Postcard title:
As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
Proverbs 25:25
Supplies include:
Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Light of Christmas bg
Twine (Creative Expressions)
Pearls
Sewing Machine 
Copics
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Ranger Distress Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap ink
SU Baja Breeze ink

Sunday 22 April 2012

White Roses


Here's a card I made for two challenges at Splitcoaststampers  - the Inspiration Challenge at  BHLDN (specialising in wedding things) where I was inspired by this Cape Jasmine Bottle Stopper and the Featured Stamper Challenge where I was inspired by Karen's (kthaman) beautiful card.
I used My Favorite Things Mini Rolled Rose Die-namics to make the roses from felt and their Fancy Flourish Die-namic for the greenery.  
I recently got a Marianne Design Creatables butterfly die and was told by several people that if the cardstock stuck in the fine bits of the die, to add a layer of waxed paper between the die and the cardstock.  
I can't find waxed paper readily here in the U.K. and didn't have any parchment paper either, so I tried a layer of saran wrap or cling film as it's called here in the U.K. - it worked perfectly and the cardstock slid out of the die easily all in one piece.
I used a scoring board to score lines along the edges of the sentiment strip.
Supplies include:
Marianne Design Creatables Butterfly Die LR015
Joy Craft leaf die
White felt
Scoring Board
Pearls
Versafine Black Onyx ink
SU Whisper White cardstock
SU Lucky Limeade cardstock
SU Thank You Kindly

Friday 20 April 2012

Dress Up Diva


Here's a card using the My Favorite Things Wednesday Sketch Club #68 sketch this week.
I had fun coloring this cute little diva from MFT's Dress Up Diva set - I have a couple of friends I could send this card to - doesn't everyone know one or two diva's and don't they make life more fun??!!
With that little strand of pearls around her neck, it just seemed right to use some pearls for embellishements!
I recently found some twine that has a creamy hue rather than stark white and I like the way it matches cream  based dp's and cardstock - it's made by Creative Expressions.
I used MFT's By the Letter Die-namics for the word DIVA - I love being able to use these die-cuts to spell a word on a card.
Supplies include:
First Edition Dream Catcher dp
Pearls
Copics
Twine (Creative Expressions)
Sewing Machine
Memento Tuxedo Black ink

Wednesday 18 April 2012

Everyday Miracle

I made this card for the Sketch Challenge posted by Taylor over at Splitcoaststampers.  Masking and sponging is one of my favorite things to do, so I broke out the post-it-notes!
I cut a circle from a post-it-note with a Nestie and attached that where I wanted the sun to be, saving the whole post-it-note for later.
I cut hill shapes on a post-it-note  and used both bits for this scene - while sponging the hills I used the top bit of the post-it-note to give the hills their shape and keep the sky area covered.  While sponging the sky, I used the bottom half of the post-it-note hill shape, to keep the hill area covered from being sponged with ink. 
Then starting at the top of the hills, I attached the cloud die-cut (using Papertrey Ink's cloud die), sponging blue ink only at the top of it, starting ON the die-cut and moving off onto the panel.  I kept layering the clouds in this way randomnly, until nearly at the top of the panel - I find it achieves a better look to end with blue sponging at the top of the sky panel.
I then removed the circle shaped mask from the sky panel and attached the post-it-note that the circle was cut FROM - this allows sponging INSIDE the circle for the sun, while masking the blue sky.
The top panel is stitched and popped up and the sentiment comes from the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Everyday Miracles set. 
I love this sentiment - I was reminded of it last night at our small Bible study...one of the ladies told us of a something that happened during the week which had amazed her - she almost missed it's signifigance until one of the other ladies told her she'd been woken out of her sleep to pray about it at the time - all of sudden, God's hand in it became obvious!
We tend to think of miracles as HUGE deals that would stop us in our tracks, but I'm convinced that they happen daily, and we simply don't have our eyes open a lot of the time.
Supplies include:
Marianne Creatables Bird and Branch die
Papertrey Ink cloud die
Paper Mill Shop white linen cardstock
SU Lucky Limade, Chocolate Chip cardstock
Versafine Black Onyx ink
SU Cool Caribbean, Barely Banana, Yoyo Yellow, Lucky Limeade ink
Sewing machine

Sunday 15 April 2012

Birds of Hope

I had the pleasure of choosing the Featured Stamper at Splitcoaststampers this week and hostessing my first FS challenge - sweet Shellie Daniel, aka shellied, is in the spotlight this week and I chose this card HERE to CASE from her beautiful gallery.
I used a trio of sweet birds from Paper and Such using the set Song in my Heart and added a sentiment, Hope Perches Plain Jane from Verve.
The sky is sponged using a Papertrey Ink cloud die-cut after masking the birds with post-it-notes.
The pearls have been colored with a copic to try and match the shades of the ink and dp.
This verse comes to mind when I think of the word "hope"
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
I Corinthians 13:13
Hope ranks right up there with faith and love...I HOPE you're experiencing all three today!
Supplies include:
Echo Park dp
Pearls
Copics
Sewing machine
Spellbinders Nestabilities Ovals
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Papertrey Ink Cloud die
SU Cool Caribbean Ink

Saturday 14 April 2012

Canine Kisses


Here's my card using the My Favorite Things Wednesday Sketch Club #67 sketch and a Pure Innocence cutie from the set Puppy Girl - I colored her with copics and popped her up on a dp panel.  Because everyone in our family dotes on our own sweet pooch, this set really appeals to me!  I also used the Chevron Stripes Die-namics - I'm loving those, and I layered them here with dp over cardstock. 
I also got some color inspiration from a Sari Scarf at the website Greenheart which is the Inspiration Challenge website at Splitcoaststampers today.
I added some buttons and butchers twine to finish.  Because I got my twine from the butchers I have to cut around the bits that have a bit of roast beef juice on them - seriously!  But it's really thick and has a nice creamy hue which works well with retro cards.
Supplies used:
October Afternoon dp
SU Real Red cardstock
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Ranger Distress Antique Linen ink
Butcher's twine
Copics
October Afternoon buttons
Sewing machine

Thursday 12 April 2012

Hey, Sweet Pea!

This is a card made for yesterday's Sketch Challenge at Splitcoaststampers...I love circles and mixing dp so this was fun!  Taylor chose the sketch based on a card made by Sharon (notimetostamp).
This darling little pea pod image is from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Punny Fruit and Veggies set...it's easy to color, and I stamped it several times so I could pop up the individual peas!
Spellbinders Nestabilites Circles both Large and Small got a workout on this one, and I got to use one of my favorite things - red and white twine from The Twinery.
Supplies include:
Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles Large, Small
Sewing Machine
DCWV dp
My Minds Eye dp
October Afternoon dp
October Afternoon button
SU Real Red, Lucky Limeade cardstock
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Versafine Black Onyx ink

Tuesday 10 April 2012

Sunny Yellow Roses

Today's Color Challenge colors at Splitcoaststampers are Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, and Tangerine Tango.
What a sunny, happy combination and it just put me in the mood to make some yellow roses with MFT's Mini Rolled RoseDie-namics - I love making these little roses, they're so easy and when made from felt they can be squished in an envelope without damage!
I also used snipped bits from MFT's Fancy Flourish Die-namic and leaves from the Flower Trio and Leaf Trio Die-namics.
This little Pure Innocence cutie is holding a poppy in her hand in the image which I replaced with a yellow rose.  The dress has been paper pieced and the edges sponged to give the impression of dimension.
Supplies include:
Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles Large, Small
Sewing machine
Felt
Copics
SU dp
SU Lucky Limeade, Tangerine Tango cardstock
Echo Park dp

Monday 9 April 2012

Pink Clematis


Today's CAS challenge at Splitcoaststampers is to use scallops - I used them as a background for my flower vine. I wanted to create a card based on the beautiful pink clematis which covers our fence and wall in the back yard (or garden as we call it here!) every May.
Here's a photo of one type of pink clematis so that you can see how well a Martha Stewart hydrangea punch works for this.

There's such a profusion of color and flowers when they're in bloom!



I have to add, the above photos are NOT my clematis, but sample photos from a gardening website - when it came to posting this, I realized I've never taken pictures of our back fence! 
My card, of course, doesn't come close to the beauty and profusion seen in real life, but it's my interpretation!
I used My Favorite Things Jumbo Scallops Die-namic for the background, stitching double rows on a panel.
The vine is created with the My Favorite Things Fancy Flourish Die-namic, and I cut snippets from die-cuts for extra tendrils.  The leaves are snipped from a die-cut using Cheery Lynn Designs Fanciful Flourish die.
I find using a glue gun works best for adding these little bits and leaves so that they can be attached at various angles for dimension.
A stylus and mat were used to shape the flowers.

Supplies include:
MFT Jumbo Scallops Die-namic
MFT Fancy Flourish Die-namic
Cheery Lynn Designs Fanciful Flourish die
Martha Stewart hydrangea punch
Paper Mill Shop white linen card stock
SU Lucky Limeade card stock
Pearls
Sewing Machine




Saturday 7 April 2012

Butterfly Quilt


Here's a card I made using a brand new set released this week by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps called Treasured - soon I'll have to put this set down and use something else - but not yet, I keep reaching for it!
The image is colored in copics and popped up on a dp circle which is popped up on a doily cut with MFT's Dizzy Doily Die-namic. I stamped an extra butterfly wing so one could be popped up also.  I added gloss to the butterfly wings and the next morning when I got up the wing had curled beautifully!  The  flower center also has a layer of gloss.
I made a quilted bg of dp using my sewing machine and then simply added an oval punched sentiment and double bow to finish.  I loved working with such bright, sunny colors.
A butterfly is often seen as a symbol of new life which seems appropriate this Easter weekend when we celebrate the new life we can enjoy because of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. 
Whatever you're doing this Easter weekend, I hope it's a peaceful, happy and safe one!
Easter Blessings, Bridget
Supplies include:
K & Co. Sweet Nectar dp
SU Melon Mambo cardstock
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Copics
Sewing machine
Ribbon
Anita's Clear Gloss
SU Small Oval punch

Thursday 5 April 2012

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps April Release Blog Hop

Hello and welcome!  You're going to love the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps April release sets and dies and I hope you're ready for some fabulous spring inspiration from the design team today! 


I simply LOVE this new set Treasured.  Along with the beautiful flower and butterfly, there are a number of sentiments which you can combine to let the ladies in your life know how much you treasure them!
I used one of my favorite color combo's on this one.  I stamped the flower several times so that I could pop up various layers of petals, then used flowersoft for the center - IRL I'm amazed at how realistic it looks!
The butterfly has been stamped twice and the wing popped up for dimension. 
I sponged the circle with ink to match the dp and popped it up on an MFT Dizzy Doily.

Supplies include:
Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Treasured
MFT Dizzy Doily Die-namic
Cosmo Cricket dp
DCWV dp
SU Real Red cardstock
October Afternoon button
Ribbon
Sewing machine
Copics
Flowersoft


This is my favorite Rhubarb set ever - I love him in his little bee-suit - it's called Bee-happy Rhubarb.
I popped him up on a dp circle and then stamped the "bees in flight" several times across the bottom.
I used the Sweet 'n Sassy stamps banner die from the Pennants and More Dies set for the sentiment, then trimmed the edges for a smaller look before stitching it down.
Supplies include:
Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Bee-happy Rhubarb
October Afternoon dp
Ric Rac
Ribbon
Brads
Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles
MFT Jumbo Scallops Die-namic
Sewing machine
Copics
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Versafine Black Onyx ink

Here's the full ist of the bloggers participating in the hop today so you won't miss out on any creative inspiration with the new sets!

Don't forget to join us tonight over in our member company forums on Splitcoaststampers for our New Release Party!  There'll be full reveals of each fabulous stamp set, chatter with friends, fun challenges, and more!  And here's some fun news - did you know today is Korin's birthday?!  To mark the occasion, Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps will be giving away a $34 gift certificate to the store.  All you have to do is leave Korin some birthday wishes over on this photo on the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Facebook page
Thanks so much for stopping by!



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Wednesday 4 April 2012

Happy Birthday Korin!

We're a day early with a special surprise birthday blog hop for our sweet friend Korin, owner of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps!  Korin's birthday is tomorrow but we didn't want this celebration to get lost in all the excitement of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps April Release Blog Hop and Release Party taking place then!
We wanted Korin to know how special she is to us all so we've put our hearts into creating some birthday designs for her. 
Here's my card for Korin which I hope has winged it's way over the Atlantic and is hopefully already in her mailbox!

I used Sweet and Sasy Stamps Serene Silhouettes to stamp the grass and sponged a sky with a cloud die-cut (using a Papertrey Ink die).  I added pearls to the white doily, with a hot pink bg to give the doily more definition. 
The sentiment is from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blessings and Thanks - it says just what I want to say to Korin:
Thanks for being a blessing.
Korin is a blessing in many ways - I appreciate her creative talent, her kindness, her fun spirit, and her love for the Lord.
Korin, may God bless you with a very special birthday and with a real sense of His love for you and His purpose for your life!
Supplies include:
Wild Rose Studio Gingham dp
Pearls
Sewing Machine
Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles
SU Melon Mambo carsdstock
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
SU Cool Caribbean, Lucky Limeade ink
Mini butterfly punch
SU Pear Pizzaz seam binding
Papertrey Ink cloud die

Thanks for stopping by - if you'd like to see all the other fabulous creations from Korin's friends, here's a list of everyone joining the party!
                                                       Taylor Usry

And you can leave Korin some early birthday love too, either on her blog, her Facebook page, or the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Facebook page!


Tuesday 3 April 2012

Thanks Teacher!


I used the Color Challenge combo at Splitcoaststampers and the My Favorite Things Wednesday Sketch Club sketch for this teacher appreciation card.  School's in Britian don't get out until the very end of June so I'm ahead of the game!
The color challenge colors are Lucky Limeade, Pool Party and Peach Parfait.  I colored this little Pure Innocence cutie called Book in Hand with copics and paper pieced her sweater (or jumper as they're called here!) and skirt.
When I look at this image it reminds me of a photo of myself on the first day of school - I was wearing a dress instead but I had hair just like this with a little hairclip!
I used MFT's Simply Scallops Die-namic for edging one of the panels.  The Dizzy Doily Die-namic made the circular background for the alphabet which was cut with By the Letters Die-namic's - they're fantastic, I love those little letters!
Supplies include:
My Minds Eye dp
SU Lucky Limeade cardstock
Sewing machine
October Afternoon buttons
Brads

Monday 2 April 2012

Daffodils and Gingham

The CAS challenge at Splitcoaststampers is to use the spotlighting technique - I used a lovely spring image from Paper and Such - Daffodils, a very kind gift from Janice (aka catcrazy).
If you've never done spotlighting before, it simply means highlighting part of your image with color, usually by stamping it twice and adding a circle, square, rectangle, etc. of the image colored. 
We had a week of beautiful weather and now we're back to dismal rain so making this card with sunny yellow daffodils and gingham cheered me up!
In order to get a very thin black circular frame I used a circle cutter rather than the next size Nestie circle die.
Copics used:
Y17, Y08, Y06, Y02
YG67, YG25 YG23
Supplies include:
Verve Circular Sayings
Brads
Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles
Fiskars Circle Cutter
SU Yoyo Yellow cardstock
Paper Mill Shop white linen cardstock
Copics

Sunday 1 April 2012

Tulip Birthday

A clean and simple spring birthday card using a Woodware Single image.  I stamped the flower four times and popped up the various layers - I rolled the petals carefully around a glue stick for a rounded look to give more dimension - you'll have to take my word for it because it's not showing up in my photo!
I drew the leaves and then added a Verve sentiment.
With such a big, bold image it seemed right to keep this clean and simple, it might be the only time I've made a card without ANY embellishments!
Copics used:
V08, V06, V12, V01, V00
YG25, YG23, YG00
Supplies include:
Woodware Tulip Single
Verve Wishing You
Copics