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)

Flowers for my friend

This card is similar to one I posted a few weeks ago. I loved the look of the newsprint so much that I started looking to other stamps in my collection to use the paper with. I tried paper piecing on some larger images, but keep coming back to this layout. I just simply adore the clean and simple look. 

The flower stamp used in this card was a freebie I received with one of my Unity membership kits. These gifts are one of the reasons I love that company so much! Not only do they send them with every order, but their stamps are awesome and I can make quick cards that I look forward to sending to brighten someone's day. 

Here are the supplies I used:

Stamps:

Beautiful One (Unity Stamp Co. Kit of the Month 6/16)

Loving Friend Daisies (Unity)

Paper:

Aqua Mist (Papertrey Ink)

Vintage Cream (PTI)

Newsprint (Repurposed Library Book)

Ink:

Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Copic Sketch Markers (Various)

Accessories:

Sizzix Big Shot

Die-Namics Blueprints 31(My Favorite Things) 

Poppy "Pop"

Poppies hold a special place in my heart. The meaning behind them reminds me of the story of Flanders Field I learned in history class some 20+ years ago. My great grandfather fought in that war, a man whom I had never met. 

I made this card to participate with the current Unity challenge. We are challenged to use a  kraft colored base, twine and add one splash of any color. I have a lot of stamps to choose from, but decided on these flowers, and then instantly knew my splash of color. Red is the color for poppies, and it makes a beautiful contrast to the kraft cardstock used. 

Here are the supplies I used:

Stamps:

Donna Poppies (Unity Stamp Company)

Rosey Thoughts (Unity)

Paper:

Classic Kraft (Papertrey Ink)

Vanilla (PTI)

Ink:

Real Red (Stampin Up)

Soft Suede (SU)

Accessories:

Brother Scan N Cut

Hampton Arts Stamp Perfect

Stampin Dimensionals (SU)

Twine (PTI)

Scallop Punch (SU Retired)

Oval Punch(SU Retired)

Pink Butterfly

This card was created as part of the “Make it Monday” challenge at Papertrey Ink. This weeks theme was monochrome color pop. I knew instantly in my head what my design was going to be, and I was hoping that it would turn out as well as imagined. My second hope was that I would be able to find some time to get this card done. 

The card didn't take long, and I was school girl giddy as to how much I enjoyed this new cover plate that I purchased. I was almost tempted to try the other one and compare the two… but when I glanced at the clock, I chalked that idea up to another day. I chose the pink as my pop of color because I think it makes the best contrast to the dark colors used. 

Here are the supplies I used:

Stamps:

Butterfly Hope (Papertrey Ink)

Paper:

True Black (PTI)

Smokey Shadow (PTI)

Raspberry Fizz (PTI)

Ink:

Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Accessories:

Sizzix Big Shot

Butterfly Hope Die (PTI)

Cover Plate: Stripes Horizontal Die (PTI)