WATERCOLOR AND TISSUE

How do you like that title???  Sometimes I run out of ideas when it comes to putting a title on a blog post, so this time this is all I could come up with.  What does water coloring and tissues have in common -- NOTHING!!  At least not for this post, but maybe in the future I will come up with a technique using both of them together -- my wheels are spinning already!  However, I am going to show you projects today using both of these.  So let's get right to it with the water coloring first: 

I got this idea from Sandi MacIver and just had to make these for this month's thank-you cards to clients.  They scream "Spring" and so easy-peasy to make.  I used the "Another Thank You Photopolymer Stamp Set" for the embossed sentiment.

Here is a group shot.  They are all different as I was just trying different brush strokes.

Here are all the supplies I needed (except VersaMark and Black Embossing Powder needed for the sentiment).  The Ink Refill colors I chose were:  Coastal Cabana, Pistachio Pudding, Summer Starfruit, Crisp Cantaloupe, and Strawberry Slush. Heat Emboss your sentiment or image first.  For the water coloring, start with about 10 drops of Ink Refill in the lid of each stamp pad and mist some water in each (one squeeze of mist).  Prior to applying ink to Water Color Cardstock, brush clear water (see bowl and large brush at top of picture) all over the cardstock.  Then, using a separate brush for each color, apply ink to the Water Color Cardstock.  You might want to hold the cardstock down with your tweezers when applying the color.  Let it dry (or use your Heat Tool after the ink has sat a few minutes).  That's it -- easy-peasy!!  I used the same method to create the flowers.

I finished the project below last night for my husband's bathroom.  I have made many of these tissue box covers, but never with a "male" theme.  This was so much harder because I had to keep it manly (you know how I love adding flowers and ribbon -- but not this time), plus I used more pictures than normally because I couldn't make up my mind which ones to use.  So here is where the "tissue" came from:

I love these acrylic tissue box covers because you can change out the design whenever you want (which I have done before).  I had a few of these left over from a class I had a few years back and got them out because my daughter wants to make a couple at Retreat next week.

Here are all four sides to the box (and yes, I added Stampin' Up Designer Series Paper to the top).  Another quick and easy project.

Let me know what you think of the beautiful water coloring technique and give it a try, you will have so much fun!!

Until next time,

Sandi

"I will rescue you . . ., and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm." -- Exodus 6:6

RUBBERQUEEN MAKE'N TAKES FOR MARCH

I finished my make'n takes finally last night from Ronda Wade's RubberQueen meeting this month.  These are all simple cards, but as always Ronda came up with some WOW designs.  She designed these cards without any sentiments so we could use them in an event where the attendees could add whatever sentiment they wished.  You will notice I have added my own choice of sentiments in my version of her cards (and, yes, there were a few other minor changes only because I didn't remember what Ronda's looked like).  But, as stampers, we all know when we CASE (copy and share everything) some things get changed in the shuffle.  Here is what I came up with:



Couldn't leave without showing you the ice blocks that fell from the house roof yesterday.  You can't tell by this picture but these are humongous -- close to 2 feet in thickness!! 

I am so glad the dogs were not out doing their jobs when these fell.  In the 30+ years we have been here, I do believe this is the worst winter we have ever had.  And yes, I did a lot of shoveling ice yesterday to get them moved from the patio!!

Until next time,
Sandi

"Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name."  --  Psalm 29:2

A LITTLE OF THIS AND THAT -- WITH STAMPIN' UP!

Will it ever stop snowing??????????  I do believe it is going into the 4th month of snow on the ground (and I'm not talking about a little snow -- we are running out of places to pile it)!!  I have been playing around with different projects this week that have been on my TO-DO LIST (you know, the one that never ends and you write it on a roll of toilet paper!!).  I got caught up for this month making Project H.O.P.E. cards for those in need of God's help and love, finally did my 2013 Christmas Card Album, and created a "JOY" jar for Ronda Wade's challenge to all RubberQueens for our meeting tonight.  So you are getting a little of this and that in today's post -- hope you like.

I was going for a stained glass look with this card so I picked this paper from the Quatrefancy Specialty Designer Series Paper.  I thought it looked like a modern version of a stained glass window.

This is my "JOY" jar for Ronda's challenge to decorate a jar to hold notes of joy in your life.  However, I decided it will hold little notes of daily things in my life that I am grateful for having (hence, the tag).  I stamped the flowers (Stippled Blossoms Stamp Set) on the blue tissue paper in my Paper Pumpkin Kit, applied Mod Podge over the entire outside of the jar, and then wrapped the tissue paper around the jar. After it dries, apply another coat of the Mod Podge.  Ink used:  Wild Wasabi, Garden Green, Midnight Muse, and Island Indigo (same for the ribbon).

A close-up of the top.  Product used:  Island Indigo Core'dinations Card Stock, Spiral Flower Bigz Die, Tea Lace Paper Doily (applying Wild Wasabi Ink with Brayer), Bird Builder Punch on Wild Wasabi Card Stock for leaves, and Crystal Effects to attach flowers and leaves.

Okay, it is a little late but I finally got my album done to hold the Christmas cards received this year.  I use to put them in my regular photo album each year with my family Christmas pictures but this was taking up too much space.  I don't know about you, but I hate to throw away hand-made cards as they are so beautiful and many cards today have family pictures included, so this works great to keep them.  I like this so well that next year I will make my album in November; and as I get cards, I will slip them in the album instead of hanging on my wall.  Friends and family will be able to browse threw the album even after the decorations come down!!  Mostly all of the Stampin' Up! product used to make this chipboard album were from the Holiday Mini.  To make the front and back covers, I measured the length and width of the largest cards and cut my Stampin' Up Chipboard accordingly.

Until next time,
Sandi

"I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears."  -- Psalm 34:5

STAMPIN' UP CARD CLASS

Had a very fun day yesterday stamping with my creative friends.  I gave them a couple of card challenge designs this month and they all stepped up to the plate for the challenge (even though a few thought they were going to do the easier version).  I have to say, these ladies truly amaze me every time they stamp, as their cards always turn out awesome.  Here are the cards I created for the class:

This was my favorite card, which was inspired by my friend Lynn Schulz.  I changed it up a bit with new Stampin' Up product, but actually bought this stamp after seeing her card.

I posted a more challenging version of this card in my last post and received so many positive comments that I decided to make a less-challenging version for my card class.

I saw something like this card somewhere and it stuck in my head (screaming "make-me"). 

Another challenging card.  I told my stamping friends they could do the easier version without the splatters, and they all said they would make the easy version.  Well, after giving them a demonstration on how to use Stampin' Up's Stampin Spritzer and Sponge Daubers with Island Indigo Ink Refill mixed with water they saw how easy it was and changed their minds.  All of their cards turned out beautiful (much better than mine).

And on a more personal note, I thought I would show you what I woke up to this morning.  There never seems to be a dull moment at our house:

This is what happens when all the snow from the garage roof slides down to the carport.  My Blazer is under there somewhere!!!

Until next time,
Sandi

". . ..  In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world."  --  John 16:33

STAMPIN' UP! FRINGE SCISSORS CONT.

How about another use for those new Stampin' Up Fringe Scissors!!!  I haven't done a vintage card in a long time, so this was a real joy to design and stamp this card making another type of flower using my Fringe Scissors.  So here is what I came up with:

The card base is Crisp Cantaloupe Cardstock with a layer of Sale-A-Bration Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper stamped with the En Français  Background Stamp in Soft Suede Ink.  Then a layer of Soft Suede Cardstock run through the Big Shot using the Hexagon Hives Framelit.  (Hint:  Use Wax Paper between the Framelit and cardstock so your cardstock just pops out of the Framelit.)  Next, for the large flower, I used all but the smallest six Circles Collection Framelits (so you have only five circles) using Pool Party Cardstock.  Cut each using the Fringe Scissors, mist with water and squash together.  Gently open back up and let dry (or use your Stampin' Up Heat Tool).  Layer the five pieces, using Tombo Glue between each layer and insert Antique Brad.  On the bottom layer I used a Circles Framelit to cut a circle from the Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets to keep my fringes from ripping and to adhere the flower to the card (I used one size smaller circle than the bottom petal layer).  The smaller fringed flower layers were punched out using two different circle punches.  The tiny flowers with Basic Pearls were punched using the new Petite Petals Punch, misted, squashed, and sponged with Pool Party Ink, and adhered with Dimensionals.  I used Pistachio Pudding Cardstock and the Bird Builder Punch for the leaves.  And finally, used Soft Suede Ink, Perfect Pennants Stamp, and Banners Framelits for the banner tag.  

And here is an awesome swap card received from a fellow RubberQueen, Kim Vogel, which I then added the inside sentiment.

Next to vintage, I just love GRUNGE!!  Kim even had the back of the card stamped in the same grunge pattern (using the Gorgeous Grunge Stamp Set).

Here is what I did with the inside of the card:

The card was for my granddaughter, which I was a little late getting in the mail.  I carried Kim's theme to the inside using the same background design.  Then stamped using Countless Sayings I and II Photopolymer Stamp Sets.  I love using the Photopolymer stamps because I was able to mount all these sentiments on one Clear Block F!!

Until next time,
Sandi

"Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on his faithfulness."

--  Psalm 37:3

STAMPIN' UP FRINGE SCISSORS: SPRING IS IN THE AIR!!

Are you getting tired of all the snow and cold yet?  Well, I am!  Today I'm going to get you in the mood for Spring with these adorable projects featuring the new Stampin’ Up! ^© Fringe Scissors.  These were our make'n take projects at our monthly RubberQueen meeting -- designed by Ronda Wade.  This is just another reason why I love being a demonstrator -- being able to attend Ronda's monthly meetings for training, doing beautiful make'n takes, and sharing time and fun with other stampers -- and you can too by joining Stampin’ Up! ^©.

Now if these projects don't make you think SPRING there is no hope for us:  

I love the cute little fringe on the bottom of the new Scalloped Tag!



And of course what are flowers without some fringe grass!

  

How about a flower as a cute pencil topper!!

Here is a close-up of the fringe flower.



This has nothing to do with the Fringe Scissors, but I wanted to show you our new 2014 Calendar all the RubberQueens received as a gift from Ronda Wade, which I took home and decorated.  The design on the bottom-half is Ronda's, and I added the top half to distinguish it from all the others when we are at our meetings.

This was not one of Ronda's make'n takes.  I was just playing with my Fringe Scissors before the meeting and came up with this card (for someone who is experiencing unexpected challenges in life).

I hope these projects perked up your day by thinking Spring!! 

Until next time,
Sandi

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."  --  Mathew 5:5

STAMPIN' UP! SALE-A-BRATION IS HERE!!

That's right, the once-a-year Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration (SAB) Party started this week!!  What does that mean?  FREE (that's right, I said "FREE") product for every $50 you spend!!  Contact me if you want more information -- but don't delay, the party ends March 30st.  Here is a card sample using some of the free product you can own:

This card features the Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper and Sweet Sorbet Accessories Pack that coordinates with the Petal Parade Stamp Set.  The sentiment is the You're Lovely Stamp Set.  All 4 of these SAB products can be yours free!!  The tags in the pocket were created using the new Scalloped Tag Topper Punch from the new Celebrate the Everyday Mini.

I even had time to do a little bit of scrapbooking this weekend.  I'm still working on my heritage album (there is no end to this -- the family is huge!!).  I used all Stampin' Up! product, but the majority is now retired (just like the pictures are).  Right-click on the pictures for a larger view.

Yes, I did use the new Angled Tag Topper Punch on this page.

All retired Stampin' Up! product except the new Scalloped Tag Topper Punch and Antique Brads.

A close-up (I loved this designer paper from Stampin' Up!).

 Even though these album pages use retired product, I hope they inspire you to get out your scrapbook and preserve your memories!!

Until next time,
Sandi
"He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness."  --  Psalm 107:9