Sunflower for Fall

Sunflowers have always been one of my favorite flowers. Chances are that if a company has one for sale, I am going to want to have it. When I saw this set for sale in the Stampin Up Holiday Catalog, it was the first item to go on my wish list. This was my first attempt at inking it up, and was very happy with the results. 

It took a few tries to get the desired outcome that I was happy with. I double stamped the sunflower in the same color, preferring the softer color as seen in the picture. I used my copic sketch marker to color the outer portion of the stitched circle, as I felt a layered circle was too overpowering for the card. 

Here are the supplies I used:

Stamps:

Painted Harvest (Stampin Up)

Paper:

Whisper White (SU)

So Saffron (SU)

Wild Wasabi (SU)

Ink:

So Saffron (SU)

Crumb Cake (SU)

Soft Suede(SU)

Copic Sketch Markers (Various)

Accessories:

Sizzix Big Shot

Beautiful Branches Thinlits (SU Retired)

Stitched Shapes Framelits (SU)

I believe in Santa Claus

I made two goals for myself at the beginning of the year. One was to up the hoard of patterned paper that I have before buying more, and the other was to use all my stamps or I need to sell them. Christmas stamps are one the areas that I own A LOT of stamps. 

This stamp has a copyright date of 2003, but was just added to my collection earlier this year after seeing mixed media projects that used it. I found several ideas that did not suit my style, but settled on this one with just a touch of coloring to accent Santa’s face to bring him to life. I am looking forward to using this again in alternate colors and layouts. 

Here are the supplies I used:

Stamps:

Santa Collage (Rubber Stampede)

Paper:

Stamper’s Select White (Papertrey Ink)

Pure Poppy (PTI)

Pinefeather (PTI)

Ink:

Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Real Red (SU)

Copic Sketch Markers (Various)

Accessories:

Sizzix Big Shot

Scallop Oval Punch (SU Retired)

Modern Label Punch (SU Retired)

Word Window Punch  (SU Retired)

Stylish Stripes Embossing Folder (SU Retired)

Break Out the Ugly Sweaters

I have always laughed at the notion of “ugly sweaters” at Christmas. When I first saw this stamp set, I immediately knew I had to have it This will be the Christmas card I send to my friends this year. Hopefully they will enjoy the humor behind the card as much as I do. 

One of my goals this year is to use up old supplies, especially my patterned paper. This was one of my favorites from last year, and it worked very well for this card. I also utilized my ScanNCut for this card as I stamped an entire sheet full of sweaters and they were cut out perfectly within minutes. 

Here are the supplies I used:

Stamps:

Break Out the Ugly Sweaters (Unity Stamp Company)

Paper:

Emerald Envy (SU)

Whisper White (SU)

Presents and Pinecones DSP (SU Retired)

Ink:

Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Copic Sketch Markers (Various)

Accessories:

Brother ScanNCut

Sunflower Sympathies

Sympathy cards are like birthday cards, I always like to have some on hand. When you need them, it's nice to have some to choose from instead of making them. Usually with sympathy cards when I fall short and need to make them, I find it very difficult because of the emotional attachment to the recipient, therefore the process of making the card is usually filled with tears. 

Ironically, sympathy cards were on my list to make over this long weekend. I was down to zero. Last night, I received a text message from a friend who told me that she had just lost her mother. I'm not going to say that my timing was perfect, I am just thankful that I had time to make her a special card during this difficult time. 

Here are the supplies I used:

Stamps:

Sunflower (Stampin Up Retired)

One Big Meaning (Close to My Heart)

Paper:

Night of Navy (SU)

Whisper White (SU)

Basic Gray (SU)

Ink:

Night of Navy (SU)