Aunt's Birthday Card

I've posted cards made with this stamp and die cut set before.  I think this one has to be my favorite!  It's very possible that practice makes progress in this case. 

 I used thick white cardstock to die cut the oval piece.  It gives it more stability than regular white cardstock.

 This design gives lots of space on the back to add dimensionals to pop the design off the embossed design on the card base.

I used Stampin' Up ink colors:  Pool party and Daffodil Delight.  I used Stampin' Up! Watercolor pencils Bermuda Bay, and cardstock colors Pool Party, and Melon Mambo.  I also used two of my alcohol markers from Spectrum Noir to color in the balloons.

Wishing my Aunt a VERY Happy Birthday!

CKC Tulsa Make and Take

I bought my Spectrum Noir alcohol ink markers just one year ago at the CKC show in 2012 after looking at the alcohol markers and what they  can do for quite awhile.

I ran over to the show Friday afternoon quickly to do just a little shopping at the vendor fair, and I saw this Make and Take available.  Love those $2 Make and Takes!

 Since I already have the markers, I was looking for some advice and a little confirmation that I was using them to the best capacity.

We used 3 colors, and blended, blended, blended!  I got to talk with a local lady who was working at the booth and another girl that came to sit with us for the tutorial.

Gotta LOVE the effect the alcohol markers create!

Christmas in July 11

I know exactly who is going to receive this card!
One of the teachers I worked with a few years ago has a little boy and girl.  Turns out I sent out one of the Santa Christmas cards from last year's challenge to my friend and the family.  She told me that her son carried that card around saying, "I got a letter from Santa!  Santa wrote me a letter!"   I can't remember now how long he carried it... not exactly sure she ever got it back!

How could I not send them another Santa card this year!!?? 

The Santa image is a CTMH stamp and I broke out my Spectrum Noir alcohol markers to make it special.

As kids, we went to my paternal grandparents on Christmas Eve and Santa always came to read "Twas The Night Before Christmas" to all of the cousins.  There were a few years when we knew who it was, either Grandma or Uncle Dick dressed up.... until they started stumping us with people we didn't know.    Even into high school Santa would come Christmas Eve and read to the little cousins.

How could that not be a special Christmas memory?  Even as adults, we've had long discussions on Facebook when I've posted pictures.

Please enjoy today's Christmas in July card!

Birthday and Anniversary - Belated

We just spent about 10 days in Wisconsin with family.  It was great seeing everyone, and getting together for so many celebrations.

Unfortunately, two of them got completely away from me.... and I thought I prepared so well. :(

What did we celebrate?  1.  youngest nephew's high school graduation 2.  Mom and Dad's 50th Anniversary  3.  Our 11th Anniversary 4.  Father's Day and yes, there were some others in there I've already forgotten!  One of those senior moments, I guess.

BUT I forgot my oldest nephew's wife's birthday!  We were actually in Door County for it too....  but I hadn't prepared a card... so as soon as we got home, I made this for her.

I don't use this stamp set much called "Feel Goods".  It's so appropriate for Alex's personality!  She certainly brings sunshine and smiles!!!

AND Nick (my nephew) and Alex's Anniversary is just 5 days after ours!  Since we just returned from our trip, I made this up for them. 

I actually used to have terrible trouble with the Large Paper Doily die-but late the other night an idea came to me and it cut so much easier, and with much less hassle than I've had before.
I had the pearl swirls from a Hobby Lobby purchase that was just waiting for the right card.

Out on the internet is a little wood device called the 10 second bow maker.  I sent my Dad the little video so he could see it, and asked him to make one for me.  The organza bow was made with my little perfect bow maker.

Just one more little thing.  I'm interested in seeing how these pictures post... and the quality.  I just got my FIRST Smartphone, and used it to take the pictures.  Will have to see how it looks!!!


Again, Happy Birthday Alex, and Happy Anniversary Nick and Alex!!!
Aunt Sue

Special Order - Sympathy Cards

 One of my coworkers approached me a few weeks ago and asked if I make sympathy cards.  I've made a few in the past, it was always for a friend or family event.

I never find them easy, but they always seem to have flowers.  I dug around in my stash, and found this flower stamp I haven't used in awhile.  I used my alcohol markers to work on the colors, and a technique for the purple paper....  not sure what it's called, but if you look closely, it has a fuzzy appearance.

I also stamped 6 images and colored each to make the 2 pink cards, and 6 images each to make the blue cards.  Why so many?  I hand cut each one of the extra images and layered them on top of the base image.  I then used a dotted background technique from a challenge from the Designed To Color site.

 Click on the photograph below to see a closer view of all the layers for each flower and leaf.

 Click on the photograph below to see a close-up view of the flower's layers.

Please leave a comment. Thanks so much!

Operation Write Home - Box 2

 Here are the cards I sent out with my 2nd Operation Write Home box.  The Easter themed cards are due the 7th, with Easter, Spring, and Graduation due later.  Since I made so many Mother's Day cards, I sent them early so they can be divided among units as per OWH's instructions.


 Click on any of the smaller images to make them appear larger for a better view.

  Here I used a retired Stampin' UP set called Easter Blossoms.  I love the image, so I try to use it often.  I used the Elegant Bouquet Flower embossing folder for the background flowers and chalks to color them with pastel colors.  I know I've said it before, but I REALLY love the new stamp pads!  Such nice coverage on the images!  I sent just 4 of these Easter Blessings cards.

 In the OWH box, I included 21 of the Mom cards-  I stamped them about a year ago while working on another project, and with the purchase of my Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, I now feel I can do the stamp some justice!
These are the colors I used:
Mom:  PP2, PP4, LG4, LG5, HB2, HB3, and IB2, IB3.
Remaining stamp areas:  IB2, CT2, FS3, TB1, GT1, PP4, HB2, LG2, IG1

I also punched out vellum and Pretty in Pink cardstock butterflies.  This is the new butterfly punch for the Spring Stampin' Up catalog, and I also used SU rhinestones and pearls for the butterfly bodies.

 I really love daffodils.  When we moved into this house, I planted almost 75 daffodil bulbs that November, and each Spring we have a wonderful daffodil display in the front areas of the house.  They're so SO pretty!!
I made 10 of these daffodil cards, and used these Spectrum Noir alcohol markers.

Stems:  LG5, LG4, LG3, LG2
Flowers:  CT4, CT3, CT2, CT1, OR1
FS1, IG1 and BT1

 Aren't these little bees adorable?  I found this stamp recently at Hobby Lobby and just had to have it for Valentine's day - though it can be used for almost any occasion....
One of the big rules for sending cards to OWH is no glitter, so I used some of my glittered cardstock so it won't rub off.
Spectrum Noir Markers:
Bees:  CT 3 CT4, IG9, IG10
Bee outfit: GT1, GT2

Bees' wings:  BT1, BT2
Shadow:  IG1



 
Please leave a comment. Thanks so much!


 

Operation Write Home - Box 1

Here is a sample of the 55 cards I sent in my first box to Operation Write Home.  OWH always has some challenge or other going on as well as mini-challenges on the Facebook page or their blog page.

One of my Cricut/Facebook friends mentioned OWH, and I looked into it.... and here I go with another project! I do love these - challenges, deadlines, and oh yes, you have to be creative! 


I used some of my new Stampin' Up products that are coming available now in January, as well as some of the Sale-a-bration items available later this month!

 

I really love the sailboat, and have found lots of use for it.  I got out the Spectrum Noir markers, and had a good time working with blending the alcohol inks.

 Here we have a triple-time-stamping sample using the Everything Eleanor stamp set.

Below, is one of my very favorite retired Stampin' Up sets - Watercolor Garden  I get an incredible amount of use out of it - One Sheet Wonders, etc....  Flowers anyone??

Are you tired of seeing the Stippled Blossoms yet?  I LOVE them!  Looks great with the colors... so springy!

 

I found an entire set of card sketches on the OWH website, and decided to play with one of them under the flowers theme.  Even if it is in the middle of winter....  flowers are always so nice to have around!!

 

Here's another retired Stampin' Up set - I really like how the alcohol markers make the flowers look so pretty!  I added some photo corners, and lots of little details.

 

I saw a sample of this on a blog, and thought it would be great for the winter themed cards.....  Here I used my Tsukineko brilliance inks - Sky Blue and Platinum with some pearls and rhinestones.

 Here you can see some of the new stamps - the hummingbird, butterfly, and flower come from the Sale-a-bration brochure, and the sentiment stamp is from the new January catalog.  I'm going to get lots of use out of these stamps!

 So that's my first post for Operation Write Home cards!!!!  I'm already working on the 2nd box with new challenges and assignments.

Check out the Facebook pages and blog pages!
Facebook
Operation Write Home Blog  

Please leave a comment. Thanks so much!

Spectrum Noir Holiday Part 2

Here is my second submission for the Spectrum Noir Challenge - Holidays.

After making the purchase of the alcohol markers, I realized I don't have that many images with which to use them!  Don't mistake me... I'll find lots of ways to use them - they're FANTASTIC!..  It just gives me a chance to be a little more creative.

So, Here is my submission for the Holiday Challenge:

Stampin' Up products I used for this card:  Riding Hood Red Cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Black and Riding Hood Red ink, gold cord, and the lace doily sizzlits die.  The stamp "Merry Christmas" came from Hobby Lobby.  The Santa Stamp is from a CTMH set - very vintage Christmas!

Spectrum Noir markers used:

FS2, FS3, and PP3 for Santa's face,
CG1, CG2, and DG2 for the Ivy, with bare touches of DG4 for depth.
Santa's outfit and Holly Berries are colored in DR1, DR2, and accented in DR7
Santa's Beard is highlighted in IG1, IG2, and IG4
The ornaments on his jacket and in the wreath are GB5 and OR1.
The blue background is colored with TB1 and TB3 flicks.
DG3 and DG4 are used to highlight the cord outlining the oval around Santa.

HERE is a link to the Spectrum Noir Challenge page so you can view all the other submissions.  There are some really amazing pieces of work to see!

Your comments are treasured!

Spectrum Noir Challenge - Holiday

I saw a challenge on Facebook for the Spectrum Noir coloring, and the prize is one of their 24 color marker sets.  I have all the base colors, but have asked my husband to get me the 4 sets of 24 to complete my collection.....  I think (hope) this will be a faster way to get them!

Plus, I'd like to have them to do some more seamless coloring, and color mixing.

I added pearls to the centers of the flowers, and used the alcohol markers on the pearls... they really glow!  So amazing. 

SO, here is one submission. (I have another planned for early next week.)  THIS is a link to the website where you can find coloring charts, tips, tricks, hints - everything you need to get started with the alcohol markers.

 

 

Poinsettias:  DR 1, 3, 5, and 7   Center:   CT3
Leaves:  CG 2, 3, DG 2
Pearls,  CT 3 and GB 5

The background paper is from a DCWV Christmas stack.
Poinsettia's Stamp:   A Year of Flowers set from Gina K Designs
Stampin Up products:  Pearls, Rhinestones, Sentiment, Word Window Punch, Label Punch, and Riding Hood Red ribbon.

Your comments are treasured!

Flowers and Alcohol Inks!

Three weekends ago I was at the CKC Scrapbook Convention.

In my Card Maker magazine, I've been carefully reading and re-reading the Copic Coloring tutorials they've published, and I've tried the techniques with my Stampin' Up markers so far - It's worked pretty well, but I decided it was finally time to break into the alcohol based markers.

One thing...  $6 for ONE Copic marker??  334 markers??  That's $1,986 not including taxes, and shipping!  Sorry, but that's just too much for me.

While I was at the show, I saw another brand of alcohol markers:  Spectrum Noir.  I did a make-and-take using the markers, and LOVED them!  I already knew the shading techniques, and just had some questions for the 'leader'.

I didn't buy the entire set, but got the base sets, and will add the 4 I'm missing as I go - just need the Pastels, Lights, Brights, and Darks to complete the collection.  I have an awesome selection now, so I'm not feeling "deprived" of colors to use.

That said, here are the two cards I made using my new Spectrum Noir markers!

I used a Stampin' Up Sizzlits die behind the card on the left, and the Spellbinders dies on both cards - one for the sentiment, and the other for the flower and frame cut-outs.

I'm definitely having a GREAT time with these markers!  They blend so well, and really coordinate to get the look you want.

THANKS to my friend Dee on the advise to keep the flowers white... after I had worked the background a little, the white from the cardstock background really seemed to glow!  It's too bad you can't really see the vase - the blues were really pretty!!  Next time! :)


Your comments are always appreciated!