Tent Topper Twice

Today's sketch from Ally aka thecircleguru was perfect for me to try out the tent topper tutorial from splitcoaststampers. 

For the first I sponged in my floral frame die and stamped my images on the topper element.

The dragonflies have Dazzling Details Silver Sparkle added to them and I layered punched silver glimmer and turquoise papers for my smaller circle element. 

I am loving the SU Chalk Marker which I used for the heart around the feet as well as the dots around the edges of the circle. I had seen a fun Pinterest idea for making a scalloped edge and used that for the trim around my topper piece on my second card.

Here are the tools-edge punch, crimper, scissors, sticky strip or other strong adhesive

Run the punched strip through the crimper (my strip is ~3/4" wide)

Use the scissors to snip part way up the strip. This will make it easier to fit it around the curved edges of your circle.

This is the back side of my panel with an oops (my demo always said that's why paper has two sides!). I put the sticky strip along the edges then adhered the crimped strip.

Overlap the end being sure to line up the holes in the design.

Here's the completed piece

Because this is a topper and the back will show, I diecut another circle to glue over the trim. I rolled the woodgrain design on because there were some white ink smudges (guess I'd forgotten to clean my wheel as there is definitely some grey mixed in there). I added the sticky strip to the lower part that will be sticking to the card base.

You can lay your base down on your score board or grid paper with the bottom at the 5 1/2" mark. Then you adhere your topper so that the top is just below the edge of your score board.

Triple Stamped Sympathy

     This is my card for this week's sketch challenge. I thought the sketch would work great for a triple stamped card and I wanted to try out these colors after seeing this pretty card by girlgeek101.  Here's the sketch Janette gave us.

    

 Sorry, I forgot to take my camera down when I started so I don't have the initial stage, but here are the layers. I used temporary glue dots to hold them in place when I stamped. I stamped in Versamark then embossed with clear ep.  There will be a slight gap along each edge, but it will get covered up so don't worry! I colored with my SU markers including the Stampin' Chalk marker which is SOOOO much easier than a gel pen!

I've laid the pieces back down so you can see how they will fit together.

     Here are the image layers reassembled with their Soft Suede framing in place (each frame is 1/8" larger than the image piece), I sponged the edges with Soft Suede before assembling.

     Here's the final product. I had to stamp my sentiment separately and punch it and layer it on because I didn't leave enough room for it on my center square.
Stamps: Bordering On Romance, Petite Pairs Paper: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede Paper Size: 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 Ink: Versamark, Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip Accessories: Clear ep, Markers: Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip, Stampin' Chalk, Sponge, Thread, Glue Dot, Stampin' Dimensional, Oval Punch  Techniques: Triple Stamping, Sponging, Embossing

Read more: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2484102#ixzz2t4tePnfn

     Hope you'll join along and make a card with this fun sketch!

Turning a card into a One Layer Card

     I am playing along with two challenges in one here. The first is a technique challenge to make a one layer card that looks like it has more than one layer. The other is to CASE a card from stamperrobin's gallery. I chose this beautiful Christmas card that had 3 layers as well as some die cut accents and a bow. 

Pine by Stamperrobin

I started out by punching a rectangle out of a large sticky note. After laying it down to see the space, I stamped my pine cones (mine are smaller with a lot less detail)

I cut sticky note masks and laid them over my pine cones.

I laid my rectangle reverse mask over this and sponged Soft Sky and Smoky Slate around.

I inked up my pine boughs with Always Artichoke then added Chocolate Chip along the stem & thumped some more Artichoke  around on the needles.

 I  stamped the boughs over the masked areas.

 I used a chalkboard marker to dot on some snow.

 So here's my first "layer"

 I trimmed the edges of my mask and laid a couple smaller sticky notes in the middle to cover my open area. I inked up my brayer and added Artichoke then Garden Green.

I went back with a sponge and filled in the outer "layer" a bit more. I'm ready to use my marker and ruler to define the edges of my "layers" I ended up using the brush side of the marker.

I wanted the sentiment to fit in the corner so I inked up the second word and stamped it first. Then I used my stampamajig to line up the second word over the top. 

I can't stand to waste ink, so I have brayered some rolling hills on the bottom of another sheet of card stock to start another card later.

Here's my final card with a bow added in the corner with a glue dot. In retrospect, I wish I'd gone with some warmer tones in the green, but I'm pleased with the layered look I was able to achieve. 

Stamps: Peaceful Wishes, Come to Bethlehem Paper: Natural Whit ePaper Size: A2 Ink: Always Artichoke, Garden Green, Soft Sky, Smoky Slate, Chocolate Chip, Early Espresso Accessories: Markers, Sponge, Ruler, Chalkboard Marker, Always Artichoke Seam Binding, Glue Dot, Stampamajig Techniques: Masking, Doodled Frame, Sponging, Thumping, Rock n roll Read more:
 http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2480659#ixzz2sKA6Vhh3Here's another one layer card I made this morning. Lots of layered stamping and sponging on this one along with some pencil shading.

Stamps: Gorgeous Grunge, Tim Holtz Life's Possibilities Paper: Neutrals Patterns Pack dp, white base

Paper Size: A2 Ink: Smoky Slate, Basic Grey, Island Indigo, Soft Sky, Midnight Muse, MS Petal chalk inks Accessories: Sponge, Dry Wall Mesh Tape, Pencil, Markers Techniques: One Layer Card, Crumpling, Sponging, Stenciling, Stamping Off, Masking   Read more:   http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2480422#ixzz2sKB0D4K6

Color Challenge from Cleanup

     My desk has needed a good cleanup for a very long while! When I saw today's CAS Challenge was a color challenge, I decided to kill two birds with one stone.  I sorted out my scrap pieces and put away most of them, but I kept a separate pile going with scraps in the color family of the inspiration colors from design seeds

Some of my browns have a more yellow tone to them than the picture, but I went from my memory and missed the mark just a tad here and there. Here's a rare sight....a clear work surface!

Here's the pile of scraps (imagine a pile triple this one and you'll get an idea of the pile I had on the right side of my desk! 

Here are the scraps sorted into colors

Here is my first card made from the scrap pile. I formed a little collage and glued it to a base.Stamps: Thoroughly ThankfulPaper: Natural White, Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand, Real Red, Chocolate ChipPaper Size: A2Ink: Soft Suede, Sahara SandAccessories: Texturz Plate for diagonal embossing, Scallop Edge punch, Tag punches, hemp, spongeTechniques: Dry Embossing
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2477510#ixzz2rect0pWi

This one used a piece of CitraSolv magic prepared paper, the sentiment (sponged to tone down the white a bit), the pieces of die cut tree, and the burlap strip. I punched and added the flowers.Stamps: Stampabilities-You're In My Thoughts Paper: Soft Suede, SU dp, Whisper White, Early Espresso, Primrose Petals, National Geographic page with ink dissolved Paper Size: 3X6"Ink: Riding Hood Red, Soft Suede Accessories: Memory Box-Bare Tree, MS Hydrangea Punch, Gelly Roll Clear Star pen, Stylus, Burlap, Sponge Techniques: CitraSolv Magic, Sponging http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2477532#ixzz2redt48oN

I still have my piles waiting so I'll probably be back later with more!
     *Here are three more cards so I'll have this many less scraps to file away!

Study in Blue and Grey

     I started out with these colors to make a sympathy card for some friend who lost their son this week. He had the most beautiful blue eyes so I started with blue in mind. 
     This is the outside of the card-I had this pretty embossed felt and used that for the main panel. The images are stamped with full strength and stamped off ink.

Stamps: Summer Silhouettes, Verve (PJ006) Psalm 31:24Paper: Not Quite Navy, Basic Grey, Whisper WhitePaper Size: A2Ink: Smoky Slate, Bayou Blue, Not Quite NavyAccessories: Circles Nestabilites, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Basic Grey Taffeta Ribbon, Sponge, Craft Felts-galleria denim, Distressed Texturz PlateTechniques: Stamping Off, Sponging

Read more:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2475006#ixzz2rW kdpBhz
     Here is the inside of the card with the same images and inks

Stamps: Summer Silhouettes, Rubber Stampede-With Deepest SympathyPaper: Not Quite Navy, Whisper WhitePaper Size: A2Ink: Smoky Slate, Bayou Blue, Not Quite NavyTechniques: Stamping Off

Read more:   http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2475009#ixzz2rWlQr8eW
   The next card was made based on the inside and used the same images and inks but with some added rolled ribbon flowers and denim leaves.

Stamps: Summer Silhouettes, Words of WisdomPaper: Bayou Blue, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White, Soho SubwayPaper Size: A2Ink: Smoky Slate, Bayou Blue, Not Quite NavyAccessories: Sponge, Distressed Texturz Plate, Basic Grey Taffeta Ribbon, Glue dots, Sticky Sheet, DenimTechniques: Stamping Off, Sponging, Rolled Ribbon Roses

Read more:   http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2475568#ixzz2rWm9jfYc
   I used the same color scheme to CASE this pretty card from the Featured Stamper at splitcoast this week donidoodle. I did a one layer version and a stepped up version of the card.

Stamps: Truly Grateful, Summer Silhouettes, Gorgeous GrungePaper: Whisper White, Shimmer White, Brushed Gold, toilet paperPaper Size: A2Ink: Smoky Slate, Island Indigo, Soft Suede, Basic GreyAccessories: StampamajigTechniques: Masking, Thumping, Stamping Off

Read more:   http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2476725#ixzz2rWmutgnY

Stamps: Truly Grateful, Summer Silhouettes, Gorgeous GrungePaper: Whisper White, Island Indigo, Smoky Slate, Always Artichoke, scrap white from my deskInk: Smoky Slate, Island IndigoSoft Suede, Basic GreyAccessories: Cheery Lynn Pair of Ferns die, Cutter Kit Distressing Tool, Stampin' Dimensionals, Distressed Texturz PlateTechniques: Dry Embossing, Die cutting, Distressing

Read more:   http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2476726#ixzz2rWnG7IjS

Sketch Me A Valentine (and some masculine cards too!)

I took advantage of this week's circle based sketch from Allison to get some Valentines made. Here's the sketch for this week's sketch challenge at splitcoaststampers.com

I ended up flipping the sketch and made one of my cards a square.

This punch art bulls-eye was inspired by this great CAS card by manitobastamper that I saw on Pinterest.
Stamps: NonePaper: Whisper White, Real Red, Silver Glimmer PaperPaper Size: A2Ink: NoneAccessories: Heart sequins, Rhinestone Word, Hearts punch, Circle punches, Square punch, SU arrow clips, Stampin' DimensionalsTechniques: Punch Art

Read more: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2472269#ixzz2qTa4kNel
I'm more fond of this square card in non-traditional Valentine colors

This one features a heart I Zentangled while attending my DD's swim meet....gotta do something to pass the time in the lull between the diving and swimming!
Stamps: Small ScriptPaper: White, Black, Real Red, Watercolor PaperInk: Versafine OnyxAccessories: Full Heart and 3/4" Square Punch, Circle Nestabilities, Wire Ribbon and Organdy Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Black ep, Micron PensTechniques: Zentangle, Embossing

Read more: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2472259#ixzz2qTar2JWo
This was a really fun sketch and easy to work with....I have several more ideas brewing so we'll see if I have time to execute them. Hope you'll join along in the fun!
    Had to come back and add a couple more that I squeezed into my day. Needed a masculine card for my cousin who had major surgery on his esophagus so I worked the sketch in that direction.

This one has the strips wheeled with the Timber wheel and lines added with a marker and ruler.
Stamps: Lovely As A Tree, Timber wheel, Warmest RegardsPaper: Cherry Cobbler, Kraft, SU dpPaper Size: A2Ink: Early Espresso, VersamarkAccessories: Natural Trim, Linen Thread, Early Espresso Embossing Powder, EE Marker, 2 1/2" circle punchTechniques: Embossing, Sponging Read more: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2472517#ixzz2qUh4QnoX

For the 2nd one, I used woodgrain dp for the strips and laid them over a woodgrain embossed panel.

Stamps: Lovely As A Tree, Stampabilities In My ThoughtsPaper: Cherry Cobbler, Kraft, SU dp, plaid dpPaper Size: A2Ink: Early Espresso, VersamarkAccessories: Texturz Plate-Distressed, 2 1/2" circle punch, 1" square punch, Early Espresso ep, Gesso, spongeTechniques: Dry Embossing, Embossing, Sponging

Read more: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2472518#ixzz2qUhR73Lb

Molded Tissue

     Sorry to have been absent so long. First I lost my camera to a stuck shutter and then my laptop died. Had to wait a bit before purchasing a new one so my screen time was very limited. At any rate, I'm back for a new year of fun!
     I found a fun tutorial on Pinterest that I wanted to try out.  It takes ordinary toilet paper and turns it into molded, beautiful art. I'll have to go back and take some more pictures of the process, but in the meanwhile, here's the final result.

This is my sample card for Cathy's awesome sketch for this week's sketch challenge on splitcoaststampers.com
  
      I decided to go white on white with touches of gold for an anniversary or wedding card. The molded tissue is accomplished by layering toilet paper over your image and spritzing with water.  You then use wadded up tp to press the paper down into the image and also to pull some of the water out.  Once I pulled my tp off the stamp, I spritzed with homemade shimmer spray. I also used shimmer white paper for my bg so the card is really  shimmery IRL.  I used Whisper White organza ribbon to roll a couple of flowers using glue dots and sticky sheet. For my leaves, I die cut then used a stylus on the backside of the leaves to add texture. I embossed my sentiment and added a piece of Organza for the corner element.