Stampfest at Lynette's March 11, 2025

Lynette, Don and I spent the day together at her place on Tuesday. We had a great day visiting, enjoying a delicious lunch at Naf Naf's and at the end of the day, enjoying some wine, cheese and crackers and chips and salsa! 

Lynette and I always have a great time stamping together! Tuesday was no different! Above you see three of the four card designs we made.

This card was made by Lynette a long time ago. It's such a pretty card that we decided to try and make one like it. The green ring was made from the outer petals of Stampin' Up's Summer Sunflower stamp. The butterfly and script stamps were part of Stampin' Up!'s Botanicals.

We decided to use the flower from Stampin' Up!'s Botanicals. For the flourishes we use a clear Rhonna Farrer? stamp from Lynette's stash. Used a clear circle stamp with lines made by Kelly Panacci called Memo.

We cut a circle mask from thinner paper with a circle punch. Stamped the Summer Sunflower stamp with distress peeled paint over the circle mask to create border of  "leaves". Then stamped Kelly Panacci's circle lined stamp in the center with distress peeled paint ink. Using what was left after punching the circle, we masked the green leaves area and stamped the Botanicals script in distress candied apple. 

Stamped the flower from Botanicals in distress candied apple. Stamped the butterfly from SU's Botanicals with candied apple on separate cardstock to be applied with foam tape after all was done. Used blending brushes to add candied apple and peeled paint to the background. Used foam tape apply our butterflies.

These cards were made with Lynette's My Meadow stamp set by Stampin' Up. Lynette found a similar My Meadow card on from Pinterest. (We were unable to find the source of the Pin.) We used watercolor paper and Gina K's inks, starting with moonlit fog for the gazebo, warm cocoa for the tree trunks. We used an aqua painter/water brush to blend the ink right after stamping to give a watercolor effect. We learned this from Jackie Bolhuis' YouTube 

https://klompenstampers.com/stampin-up-card-ideas-feel-like-an-artist/

which you will see more in the next card. 

We used GK sea glass for the pond (I think), moonlit fog for the bridge, jelly bean green for the leaves and grassy meadow. Not sure which green for the flower leaves. The flowers were stamped in cherry red, wild dandelion, sweet mango and wild lilac. The stones by the pond were stamped in soft stone. We used colored pencils to add a little extra color and for a little shading too.

After beginning and finding that the brown tree trunks bled into the green leaves, I started to use a heat tool to dry my work with the aqua brush before stamping the next item in this fun scene.

The two cards above are made with Stampin' Up's Snow Front, a scene type of stamp set. We used the Jackie Bolhuis technique from her YouTube linked above. I added one of Lynette's sentiment stamps for the thinking of you card I want to send.

We used Lynette's old wood mounted Stampin' Up! Tulip set for these four card panels using Gina K's cherry red and bubblegum pink inks for the flowers. For the more solid leaves we used Gina K's jelly bean green. For the accent lines stamp on the leaves, we used fresh asparagus ink. 

We really enjoyed "going back in time" using the old wood mounted stamps! Always enjoyed Stampin' Up's definitely decorative two step stamps. This one was surprisingly easy to match up. 

Thank you for visiting!

Wishing you peace and all good!

Z-Fold Card Inspired by Hetty and Club Scrap

Made this Z-fold card after seeing Hetty Sanders' Z-fold cards, whose inspiration came from Club Scap's Z-fold cards here and here.  I used cardstock and printed paper from my stash. 

The card stands up nicely.

This card fits inside an A2 envelope measuring 4-3/8 by 5-3/4 inches.

I stamped a rose from Stampin' Up!'s Hand Painted Petites, with distress peeled paint ink for the stem/leaves and SU ruby red ink for the rose. I stamped off twice for the solid part of the rose. The sentiment from Hero Arts Everyday Sayings, is also stamped in SU's Ruby Red. 

Thanks for visiting! I hope you are having a great day!

Tulip Cards

These three cards were made with tulip panels from my stash. I think I used watercolor crayons to color directly on the rubber stamp, spritzing it first. I hope the recipients don't mind getting a tulip in summer!

This background was stamped with a small stamp I bought as a souvenir from Wooten's Scrapbook Co. in Ontario California in 2010. I stamped the multiple leaves stamp with Stampin' Up! certainly celery. Used SU's wild wasabi for the single leaf. The Happy Birthday sentiment is from Fiskars and is stamped in SU's rose red (same for all three cards)

This background was made with stamps from two Stampin' Up sets: Just Like You and Hand Painted Petites using SU's wild wasabi ink.

Here the background is stamped with a leaf from SU's In Full Bloom. 

Thanks so much for visiting! Please be safe and stay healthy during this Covid pandemic!

Thursday Card of the Day, Corner Pop Up Cards

It's Technique Thursday at Enjoy Michael Strong Stamps groups.io.
 I am featuring  Michael Strong's Cloisonne Flowers, large and mini
on two versions of Corner Pop Up cards.

Here you see a Corner Pop Up card where
the bottom part folds up diagonally and into the card when it closes.
I really liked Lisa Cursio's Corner Pop Up video tutorial.

Basically you cut your paper into an 8 x 8 inch square
score in half, then turn 1/4 and score in half again to get 4 quadrants.
Then some diagonal scoring and some cutting depending on the style of card you choose.
It's so much easier to see a video of the process.
So I would recommend you watch the videos and work along.

I need to sit in front of the computer and watch Lisa's video each time I make one of these.
If you start with an 8 inch square, the finished size of your card is 4 inches square.
You can start out with a 12 x 12 inch square which results in a 6 x 6 inch card.
You will be adding panels and embellishments to the squares
before finally put the card together.

I think these cards are so much fun!
I encourage you to give it a try, if you are like me and enjoy fancy fold cards!

My paper is from a 12 x 12 DCWV pad called Posh & Pink.
I'm on a mission to use up that paper! Have made 4 cards and a name frame with it.
There is still a ton of paper left!

I used a punch for scalloped circles and flowers,
a spellbinders die for the message portion,
gemstones, dimensional foam,
and Scrapbook Adhesives Crafty Power Tape
(double sided adhesive tape that comes in a roll and is easy to tear)

This Corner Pop Up card featuring Michael Strong's Mini Cloisonné Flower
 has has a pocket for a gift card, money or note.
I used Lisa's Corner Pop Up Gift Card Holder tutorial which I really liked!
You can find many Corner Pop Up card tutorials online.

 Used Versafine black onyx ink to stamp the flowers
which were then fussy cut and adhered with dimensional foam.
Cut my own leaves and punched some flowers and added some gemstones.

The right panel has to flip down for the card to close properly.
I've tried to show that in this photo.

I wrote my own sentiment on lined printed papers from the pad.

I chose to make this style because I wanted to add a gift of money.
You can see it would be great for a gift card and/or a note.

Thanks so much for visiting!

Wednesday Card of the Day

Happy Wednesday dear friends!
Today's card for the Enjoy Michael Strong Stamps Groups.io
features Michael Strong's Cloisonné Flower and Cloisonné Leaves.

I started with a wrinkle free distress scrap from my stash.
 Harlequins were cut from it using a Sizzix Tim Holtz Thinlits set
called Mixed Media #1.

Mike's flower and leaves were stamped with distress oxide abandoned coral and pistachio
then fussy cut.

The layers were attached to a pink card base with dimensional foam.

Thanks so much for visiting!

Friday Card of the Day-File Folder Card

Happy Friday dear friends! As you can see I'm still on the File Folder kick!

Today's card features Michael Strong's large cloisonne flower.

The design is simple, quick and easy.

I have not decided if it will be a birthday or a "hello" card.

There is blank space to write on the library card

and also in the inside layer to personalize it.

I made this file folder card without the envelope punch board.
In case anyone is interested I wrote up a tutorial for that method HERE.

Here is the inside "file", simple with room to add a sentiment.

Stamps: Michael Strong

Ink: distress ripe persimmon

It's been fun being card captain at the Enjoy Michael Strong Stamps Yahoo Group.

Thanks for visiting!

Card of the Day-Thursday

I hope you don't mind that I keep revisiting wrinkle free distress technique.

It's such a quick and fun way to make backgrounds that keeps "calling me".
 I have two cards to share for the Technique Thursday Card of the Day
featuring Michael Strong's large and small flowers.

I used broken china, worn lipstick and abandoned coral distress inks,
inking a craft sheet and spritzing with water.
For more details here is my tutorial.

 Stamps: Michael Strong, Stampin' Up!

Inks: distress broken china, worn lipstick and abandoned coral,
Versafine black onyx ink
Additional: doily, tulle, fun fur and gemstones

Thank you for visiting!

Watercolor Trio Variations

 

 Inspired by Silke Ledlow's card

I made these three variations 

after Lynette and I made this card at out June 22 Stampfest.

Lynette's left over strips of the gray printed paper on my stamping table motivated me!

 

  

 

Stamps: Stampin' Up's watercolor trio

 Inks: Stampin' Up! going grey, distress fossilized amber inks.

Thanks for visiting!

Another Lady Face Card

With colored pencils I sketched another "lady face"
inspired by
Dina Wakley and Jane Davenport.
A friend gave me the dry embossed background layer. 

Stamps: Michael Strong, Inkadinkado/Studio K
Distress inks: twisted citron, worn lipstick
Versafine black onyx
Stick-on pearls.

Card of the Day-Friday

Happy Friday!

I am using a watercolor and embossed layer from my stash.
It's nice to make extra, when you have your watercolor paints out.
Makes it quick and convenient...no need to wait for the paint to dry!
Today I sponged the edges with distress distress weathered wood.

As I've mentioned before, I love Michael Strong's mini flowers.

For today's card I stamped them in distress festive berries and abandoned coral 

(which was a 2nd impression to get the lighter look).

After seeing YouTubes by Dina Wakley and Jane Davenport in the last few months,

I have been compelled/obsessed to try and draw faces! 

...with the emphasis on trying!

Every time I give it a try, my faces look different. 

I wish I could control the look, but in the meantime, it's been therapy just drawing! 

I thought I'd share my attempts. 

I didn't like the brown or blonde/yellow for the hair.

Was inspired to use blue after seeing Jane Davenport's pictures with pink and blue hair.

 Stamps: Michael Strong Mini Cloisonne shapes

Hampton Arts Dreams to life

Inks: distress festive berries, abandoned coral, weathered wood

Stampin' UP! bliss blue

Sizzix Airmail Texture Fades (embossing folder)

Additional: colored pencils, adhesive pearls, Sakura Jelly Roll glitter pen XPGB#700, fun fur fibers

Card of the day-Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!

Today's card of the day for the Enjoy Michael Strong Stamps Yahoo group

was inspired by a Hawaiian shirt I saw at Summerfest music festival last Wednesday.

As I was sitting waiting for the show to begin,

I pulled out a post it from my purse and made this sketch:

I thought Mike's mini flowers,  leaves and little fish from the mini creatures stamps

would be fun to use for my water scene.

I used colored pencils to draw the mountains, palm trees, shore and the water ripples.

The flowers, leaves and fish were stamped then fussy cut and attached with dimensional foam.

Added some gemstones to jazz up my simple card.

Stamps: Michael Strong

Inks: distress dried marigold, abandoned coral, shaded lilac and broken china.

SU certainly celery ink.

I'm not claiming to be an artist. 

I just had a lot of fun trying to sketch the scene and make a card later.

Maybe my feeble attempt will inspire someone else! 

If you do something like this, I'd love to hear about it and see your creations!

Thanks for visiting!

Card of the day-Monday

Happy Independence day to my United States readers!

 This week I'm card captain at the Enjoy Michael Strong Yahoo group.

For this card, I was thinking "fireworks" bursting in the night sky!

Not sure if that image in my mind's eye has been transferred to my card?

Probably not!...but that's ok! I had fun with this. Love Mike's mini flower!
Have used it so many times! You will see it again later this week.

Stamps: Michael Strong's  Mini Cloisonné Flower, Stampin' UP! Everyday Expressions

Ink: Stampin' Up!'s Ballet Blue
 Stars Cuttlebug embossing folder.

Thanks for visiting!

March 30 Stampfest with Linda

My friend Linda spent the day with me Wednesday. We had a great time visiting and stamping.

This card design was inspired by Nadine's Wahine Inks card which I saw on Pinterest.  I used the Textile Cuttlebug embossing folder just on the right side of the front. After trying various flower stamps in various inks, we chose this Rubber Stampede stamp called Solidago Sprig. Linda spritzed the rubber with water then colored on the rubber with Staedtler Aquarell crayons. Then she stamped the flower. We punched a butterfly and added some gemstones to it. Added the sentiment on a layer of white, adhering with dimensional foam. Our first 2 cards (above) are single layer card, just the white cardstock.

For these 2 cards, we embossed and watercolor stamped on a 4 x 5.25 inch white layer and attached that to a navy blue card. You can see variations in the watercolor flower stamping. Sometimes the first stamping was faint. So we tried again. I kind of like the look of a shadowy background.

Stamps: Rubber Stampede, Great Impressions
Inks: Versafine black onyx
Staedtler Karat Aquarell Watercolor Crayons

Linda had previously stamped the center flower with Stampin' Up's petal prints with a watercolor technique. I added the rest of the stamping and sponging, making it a collage-y lady card. Sponged the background using "sequin waste" as a stencil.
Distress inks: festive berries,twisted citron, dried marigold, ripe persimmon,
vintage photo-lady, crushed olive-leaf.
Stamps: Inkadinkado-Dawn Houser, Stampendous, Stampin' Up

Thank you so much for visiting!

Stampfest and Babysitting Gavin, July 25

On Saturday, July 25 we had the best time with our grandson, Gavin, who spent the night!

We are over the moon in love with our "happy chappy"!

Lynette and Doc came over for the day to meet him. Here are Lynette & Gavin.

Lynette and I were inspired by
Heather Telford's video: Adding dimension with a background stamp.
We inked our negative image flower stamp with tumbled glass distress ink.
Then we drew around the inner edges of the cut out flower image

with faded jeans distress marker.
We also drew around the outer edge of the stamp.
Stamps: Hero Arts E2758 Meadow Petals stamp,
from the Poetic Prints Pastel Petals set of four
and
Hampton Arts PS0747 Smallest Things

I forgot to use the marker around the outer edge of the stamp here.

The sentiment is stamped distress faded jeans ink.

Stamps: little flower-Hero Arts LL873 from Small Real Flowers quatros set
 and Stampabilities-Happy Birthday

This layout was inspired by Shari Carroll's post on Hero Arts.

The flower, script and birthday wishes are separate layers

adhered with dimensional foam.

The script and birthday wishes were stamped with stormy sky distress ink.

A pearl pen used for the accents.

Stamps: Hero Arts, Stampin' Up! and unknown

Hermine at Viva Las Vegas Stamps is our inspiration for the watercolor trees.

We stamped with Lynette's watercolor crayons, 

spritzing the stamp before and after coloring directly onto the stamp with multiple colors.

After it dried, Lynette used a distress marker to outline the trees.

Stamp: Rubber Stampede:  A1604F Oak Tree

Here we switched to the Stampscapes Pine Tree 196F stamp

using the same technique, except that we didn't outline this tree.

We experimented with stamping a second and third generation,

by spritzing the crayon color filled stamp. 

Added splatters of watercolor to the top two cards.

Gavin's daddy and mommy, John and Emily, came on Sunday morning to take him home.

We can't wait till our next visit!