Follow Your Bliss…

Good Morning!

I hope you all had a great weekend! Hard to believe it’s Monday already…

I was inspired to use my new K&Co Neopolitan paper last night. I was looking at the Page Maps website and found this layout that I really loved, so I went with it!

This card is pretty simple. The quilted panel was zig-zag stitched to the kraft card with pink thread. I ran pink and close to cocoa cardstock through the cuttlebug using the asterisk flower die, lightly sponged them, and attached to the card with an antique copper brad.

Then I punched 3 flowers from the brown patterned paper using the spring flowers punch, and attached them down the right side with 3 more brads. I added the Basic Grey “friends” rub-on transfer, and as a finishing touch, I rubbed the edges of the card with the Brilliance moonlight white dew drop pad.

Today the voting will begin for PaperCrafts Gallery Idol finale! Lindsey has an **AMAZING** card that she has entered, and I really hope she WINS!!! Check out her blog this afternoon to see her card and place your vote!

GOOD LUCK LINDSEY!!!!! YOU ROCK, my friend!!!

Paper: K&Co Neopolitan (Brenda Walton), kraft, pretty in pink, close to cocoa

Ink: brilliance moonlight white

Accessories: basic grey rub-on, sewing machine, pink thread, SU! spring flowers punch, SU! antique copper brads, cuttlebug asterisk die

Good Morning, and Happy Saturday!

I woke up this morning like a little kid at Christmas…my new PaperTrey ink Little Lady stamp set arrived yesterday, along with their new white cardstock and envelopes! Nichole, to you I say **BRAVO** on this stamp set and cardstock!!

Ladies, if you are in the market for a heavier weight, beautifully smooth, white cardstock look no further than PaperTrey ink! I had become very disappointed in the SU! whisper white, due to smearing issues, and it’s light weight (the weight is fine for layering, but not sturdy enough to make a full card). I have found my replacement, now!

So, I bet you are looking at this card and saying hmmmmm….how did she make those flowers from the ladybug? Well go grab a cuppa’ and take a look at how I did it!

First, I stamped the dots using Pink Passion classic ink:

Next, I stamped the wings using Only Orange classic ink (I have personally found it easier to line up these images by stamping the dots first).

Then, I lined up the image in my 1″ circle punch:

and punched it out!

Then, I just trimmed off the excess to make the shape of the flower :

and that’s it!! Isn’t that EASY?! Depending on how far in you place your punch, you can get different shapes of flowers. See how this one is larger and more round?

So, to finish the card, I stamped the stems using the Faux Ribbon set and Green Galore ink, stamped the sentiment and the little flower stamen in palette noir ink, tied the ribbon across the top, and added the flowers on dimensionals with a touch of Stickles.

I hope this inspires you to look at your stamp sets in a new way today! Go have some fun, and if inspiration hits~~come back here and tell me about it!! I can’t wait to see what you do!!

Have a wonderful weekend~HUGS!

Stamps: little lady, faux ribbon (papertrey ink)

Ink: pink passion, only orange, green galore, palette noir

Paper: white (papertrey ink)

Accessories: 1″ circle punch, may arts ribbon, dimensionals, paper snips, stickles

TGIF!

I’d like to share some of my favorite inks with you today! I started using these VersaMagic Dew Drop chalk inks a few months ago. There’s so many reasons to love these little jewels!

• They come in gorgeous colors, pastels, earth tones, jewel tones, and neutrals (I believe 36 colors in all).
• The ink is opaque~similar to pigment ink, or colorbox fluid chalk ink.
• The ink dries quickly, and can be used on paper as well as transparencies and vellum.
• It’s acid free and archival
• It works great on clear stamps~clear and crisp with beautiful coverage.
• The teardrop shape of the pad makes it very easy to ink large or small areas of a stamp.
• Mine have remained very juicy, but you can buy reinkers for the pads if needed.
• The ink can also be purchased in full sized pads, which come in 41 colors.

Another ink I have fallen in love with is the Brilliance Dew Drops. It has similar qualities of the VersaMagic, - it’s a fast drying pigment ink that can be used on the same mediums I mentioned above. The little bonus on this ink, though, is that it has a pearlescent shimmer!! We all know how I feel about anything that shimmers, right?!

In addition to the traditional metallic colors seen above, they come in 24 delicious colors such as: chocolate, poppy, thyme, and crimson copper. There are 2 black shades that I adore as well: starlite black (black with a silver shimmer) and lightning black (black with a gold shimmer).

These inks are also available in full sized pads, as well as “trios” seen HERE.

I have purchased my Dew Drops at my local stamp store, however they are also widely available online. My local Michael’s store has just gotten the Dew Drops in stock, as well.

If you are looking for some fun new inks to play with, give these a try! I think you will be very pleased

If you have any questions, feel free to ask, and I will edit this post with the answers!

I was just informed that Doodlie doo is doing a share for both Brilliance and VersaMagic dew drops!! WOW are these excellent prices! I have ordered from here before and got great service!

Click here for VersaMagic

Click here for Brilliance

List of Q&A:

1. I was wondering if you could tell me if the Versa Magic ones need a sealant to not smear? Thanks!!

• Hi Marie! no, you do not need to seal these inks. They dry beautifully!

2. On your “Enjoy Your Day” card, how did you omit the words with the black versamagic?

• Hi Pam! This is where the shape of the Dew Drop ink pad comes in handy. I just inked the fish (rubber side up) using the pointy tip of the ink pad, being careful not to ink the words.

3. I have also not found brights and would like to get some bright pinks and oranges…have you found those?

• Hi Eleanor! I don’t believe they make a bright orange and hot pink in the VersaMagic yet.  Mango Madness and Pink Grapefruit are the brightest pink and orange I have. (and they are more like SU! apricot and coral).

Happy McThursday! I am both happy and sad…tonight is Grey’s, but it’s also the season finale…wahhhhhh! Guess I’ll have to get my “fix” watching reruns, LOL!

I made this card for Julia’s WT challenge on SCS this week. Our challenge was to use small stamps! I got this “Very Punny” SAB set and never used the dang thing. I *love* these little fishys, and thought they would look so cute swimming on this Flair patterned paper.

I mounted the paper to a confetti white card base, then machine stitched all around to mimic the pattern of the waves on the paper. Then, I stamped the 3 fish in the lower right corner, added stickles to the waves and the fishy bubbles, and set it aside to dry.

• I was able to easily omit the words on the stamp by using a black versamagic dew drop ink pad.

I stamped 3 more fish on whisper white cardstock, and colored them with markers. I used summer sun, more mustard, and pumpkin pie. Then, I just blended the colors a little using an aquapainter. I cut them out, then adhered them to the card on top of the stamped fish with dimensionals.

I embossed the Riveting sentiment with detail white EP on bashful blue cardstock. I thought it kinda looked like a life preserver and went well with the nautical theme of the card. I punched out the center, then the outer circle, and sponged the edges with bashful blue ink.

I wanted to tie the ribbon through the circle, but I couldn’t get it to lay the way I wanted it to, so I simply adhered a piece with fabri-tac glue, and trimmed the edges. I added the the outer circle of the sentiment on dimensionals, then added the back side of the inner circle. (I didn’t want that little present showing in the center). As the finishing touch, I added the little knotted “bow” to the center, and called it done.

Come on back tomorrow! It’s Friday, and you know what that means! Time for Friday Favorites!

See ya then!!

Stamps: very punny, riveting

Paper: whisper white, confetti white,  bashful blue, flair patterned paper

Ink: craft white, versamagic black, Markers: summer sun, mustard, pumpkin

Accessories: may arts ribbon, dimensionals, detail white EP, stickles, sewing machine, white thread

Happy Tuesday!

WOW has it been a gorgeous few days here! After work today, I went out on the porch and played fetch with the dogs. The sun was shining, there was a nice breeze…ahhhhhh BLISS I tell ya! I hope the weather is just as nice where you are!

I made this card for Emily’s Color challenge on SCS today. I thought the colors (apricot appeal, rose red, tempting turquoise and green galore) had a little “funk factor”, so that is the look I was going for. I had a conference call today for work (I work from home), so I thought I would maximize my time, put the call on speakerphone, and STAMP!

I found this stamped piece of watercolor paper on my desk, and thought the Sassy Stems flowers would work well. Since the vase was stamped off-center and to the left, I stamped this Hero Arts sentiment up the right hand side. I watercolored the image using markers; outlining the images, then pulling the color to the center with the aquapainter. Then, I went back in and added some darker shadowing for depth.

• I have found that I can only use this technique on watercolor paper. I use Canson Montval 140lb cold press, and purchase mine (the 10×15 spiral pad) at Michael’s or AC Moore with my 40% off coupon.

I clipped two corners with my small corner rounder, matted it with black, added Stickles to the flowers, and set aside to dry.

I stamped the Paisley background on the apricot card base with apricot ink. Then, I highlighted the print with the signo white gel pen. I have seen this done before, I believe my buddy Jacksonbelle did it several months ago in one of the DD galleries. Thanks for the inspiration, Linz!

I’m not sure how I came up with this layout, LOL. I just added the faux stitched 2×2″ squares, then machine stitched the green galore strip to the center.

By then, the Stickles were dry, so I added 3 silver eyelets, (using the mat pack for spacing), tied some black stitched grosgrain through them, and mounted this to the cardfront on dimensionals.

Have you heard that Lindsey made the PaperCrafts Gallery Idol top 10?! WAHOO!!!! Check it out HERE, and place your vote!!

Thanks for stopping by!! I have not forgotten about doing some more Trudee Treats for you! I am just still waiting on a little surprise to arrive on my doorstep. I am hoping it will be this week!

Stamps: paisley, sassy stems, hero arts sentiment

Ink: apricot, rose red, turquoise, green galore, palette noir

Paper: watercolor, apricot, rose red, turquoise, green galore, black

Accessories: eyelets, aquapainter, dimensionals, mat pack, ribbon, sm corner rounder,  stickles, sewing machine, white thread, signo white gel pen.

Hello!

I hope everyone had a great Mother’s Day! I went out to brunch with my dear friend. It was delicious!! I ate wayyyy too much! HA!

I made this card for the TLC challenge on Splitcoast today! Val challenged us to do one of her “warm-up” cards. I thought it was perfect, because I needed a blog card, and was short on time.

The pretty in pink card measures 3×3. I attached the small polka dot Au Chocolat paper to the card base, then adhered a 1/2″ strip of pink cardstock to the bottom. I cut a length of the pink ribbon, and cut off the top trim. Then I attached it to the pink cardstock strip with fabri-tac glue. The reason I added that pink cardstock strip under the ribbon, was because I could see the polka dots through the ribbon. I wanted it to look like a solid table cloth.

I ran my birthday cake die through the cuttlebug using chocolate chip, pixie pink, pretty in pink, marigold morning, and brushed silver cardstock. I adhered all the small pieces using the Sakura quickie glue pen. That thing ROCKS for small spaces!

Next, I added the “Make a Wish” rub-on transfer to the ribbon, set a pink eyelet using the Crop-o-dile, then pulled the brown May Arts gingham through, and tied a knot. The finishing touch was to add stickles to the candle flames and pink “frosting”.

**For those of you that asked about my butterfly card yesterday, here is the link to the brand of holographic embroidery thread I used. I purchased mine at Hancock Fabric. **

Thanks for visiting!

Paper: au chocolat, pixie, pretty in pink, marigold, choc chip, brushed silver

Accessories: cuttlebug bday cake die, su ribbon, may arts gingham, stickles, pink eyelet, cropodile, crate words rub-on, quickie glue pen

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you Mom’s!! Wether you are the Mom of children, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, mice, fish…WHATEVAH~ I hope you take a moment today to celebrate your role as a Mother.

I made this card for my friend Cindy. She loves butterflies and the color blue, so I wanted to incorporate those two things in a card for her. The base card is a Hero Arts notecard, and the patterned paper is from Basic Grey Lily Kate 6×6 pad. I cut the strip with pinking scissors, highlighted the edges with agean blue ink, then machine stitched it.

I saw this technique using embroidery thread at my LSS (local stamp store). I stamped the solid butterfly image on shimmery white cardstock in versamagic pixie dust ink. Then, I stamped the “lined” butterfly in versamagic agean blue ink. Next, I pierced holes at the end of each line, and at the center of the butterfly. I took the holographic pink thread, and threaded it through the holes, following the stamped lines. I knotted the thread behind, then cut out the butterfly. I outlined it with stardust stickles, and made the body with pink stickles. Then I set it aside to dry.

I dug through my stash of rub-ons and found this Mother’s Day one from Basic Grey. I added it to the left side of the strip, then punched some holes to add the May Arts ribbon. I pierced a flight trail, and enhanced the holes with the fine point of a brocade blue marker. Then I adhered this panel to the cardfront.

I made the antennae out of dark blue wire, attached to the card with a mini glue dot, then adhered the butterfly on top with dimensionals.

Thanks for visiting today! Have a beautiful day

Stamps: butterfly kisses (paper trey)

Paper: hero arts blue notecard, shimmery white, basic grey lily kate

Ink: versamagic agean blue, pixie dust

Accessories: sewing machine, white thread, tool kit, pink holographic embroidery thread, wire, dimensionals, pinking scissors, basic grey rub-on, brocade blue marker

TGIF!!

Well I was just so excited to do another “Take Two” with my friends Lindsey, Michele, (HER NEW BLOG!!) and Julia!! This time our challenge was to use the “Happy Everything” stamp set, and Fancy Pants “Aged Florals” paper. Be sure to click on their names to see what they made for the challenge! I know you won’t want to miss them!!

Annnnnnnnd since we are posting it on a Friday, it worked out perfectly for me, because this patterned paper is one of my favorite things! I absolutely *love* the colors, texture, and patterns of this paper. I got mine from Jacksonbelle’s store. There are several patterns to choose from, and it’s also double sided! It is a heavy weight, too–like Basic Grey. I encourage you to try some and see what you think!

OK on with the card. I thought this watermelon colored bazzill bling cardstock went well with the aged florals pattern, so I chose that for the card base. It measures 5 1/4″ square.

I added two narrow strips of the stripe pattern down the left side, and zigzag stitched with pink thread. Then I used the straight stitch all around the edges.

I didn’t want to cover *any* of this delicious paper with the sentiment, so I stamped it on a piece of transparency. I needed a creative way to attach it, so I took this Martha Stewart vellum confetti, and ran three flowers and leaves through my Xyron. I adhered them in the three corners, then added the rhinestone brads for the flower centers. I then adhered this entire panel to the base card, punched a hole, and added this yummy May Arts ribbon.

I hope you enjoyed our challenge this week as much as I did! Have a great weekend!!

Stamps: happy everything

Ink: palette noir

Paper: bazzill bling, fancy pants aged florals

Accessories: sewing machine, pink thread, inkjet transparency, MS vellum confetti, xyron, rhinestone brads, hole punch, may arts ribbon

Hey there!

I just wanted to share this very simple card with you. It’s going out to someone who is having a rough time. Sometimes you need a card “Just Because”, YKWIM?

The stems and leaves are stamped on shimmery white in celery dye ink. Then, I used the stitched stamp from Faux Ribbons, stamped it in craft white, and embossed it with detail white ep. The flowers are stamped in versamagic persimmon, and spring pansy on shimmery white, then punched with the 3/4″ punch. They were attached with dimensionals and highlighted with Stickles.

I adhered the lavender rickrack with a tiny bit of fabri-tac, then machine stitched it to the card. As a final touch, the Paper Tray sentiment was stamped on a narrow piece of celery cardstock, then put through the word window punch to round the end. Inserted a silver brad, and you have a simple, cheerful card.

I really struggled with leaving the base card clean. To me, it’s screaming for the Paisley bg stamp, LOL! But in looking at it now, I am glad I kept it clean. What do you think?

Stamps: paper tray, green thumb, faux ribbon (all paper trey)

Ink: versamagic persimmon, spring pansy. certainly celery, craft white, palette noir

Paper: apricot, lavender, celery, shimmery white

Accessories: stickles, 3/4″ circle punch, dimensionals, detail white ep, rickrack, sewing machine, white thread, silver brad, word window punch

Today, Thursday, at noon is the deadline to place your vote for the Top 10 in PaperCrafts Idol!

Check out Lindsey’s card HERE!!!

And cast your vote for Jacksonbelle HERE!! 

Good Luck Lindsey!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will be back later today with a card! Have a great day!!