SC298 Anniversary

Today is a first for me.  Using pastels that is.  I have owned SU's set of pastels for.... oh, at least 18 months??  and today, I finally opened the package and tried them out.  And..... I love them!!!  I never really knew they could be so easy to use. It's easy to mix them and blend them and just everything is easy.  I am sold, sold, sold.  I like them more than the markers.  The only downside is using them on the small things.  I need to find a paintbrush of some sort to use on the very small items.  Anywho, here is my card for this week's Splitcoast's sketch challenge.

 What do you think???  I know the flower doesn't seem to match the paper in the picture, but it does in person. I really like the leaves.  I mixed Green Galore and Soft Suede.  Love the look (This set has all the retired colors in it. Now that I know I like them, I'll have to get the new colors! :))))

Here's the recipe:

Stamps:  Shared Happiness, Sentiment (Stampendous)

Paper:    Elegant Soiree DSP, Baja Breeze, B&W

Ink:        Black Staz On

Other:    SU Pastels! YAY!, Oval Nesties

Creation Tips:
  -  The one great thing about Splitcoast Stampers sketch challenge is that all the measurements are right there for you!  So easy.  The sketch prints out to scale and all you have to do is measure the layers and tweak if necessary.
  -  Pastels.  They come with brushes that look like make up brushes. Dab in the color and paint or blend.  Add more color where you want it darker, or keep blending to take away color.  Add one or more colors and blend away. Like I said I loved the effect I got when I blended the Green Galore and they Soft Suede.
  -I know Nestabilities are not from SU, but they can't make everything.  And if there is one thing I would encourage you to buy that can make card making easier for you that would be Spellbinder's Nestabilities.  At least invest in the Ovals, Scallops, and circles.  I don't know what I would do without them! They layer so well and just make your card look smooth and well put together.  Now if they could just make some small rectangles!!!

That's it for me today.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings to you all,

Terri 

Fall Dreaming

My title says it all.  I can't help but think about fall.  I get the wonderful blessing of sitting on my deck each morning, enjoying my coffee and God's beautiful handiwork.  Each day, more and more leaves are turning. Fall will be upon us faster than we think.  YAY!  I love fall.  So, here is another tribute to this season. 

I'm attempting my hand at sponging.  I have a long way to go.  I actually somewhat cased this from Theresa Momber.  You can find her design here at Crafting the Web.  She is an awesome sponger.  One day, I may be half as good as she is.   Here is the recipe for my card.  (All items are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.)
Stamps:   Lovely as a Tree Thankful Thoughts, 

                  Special Delivery Addition by

                  Tami Mayberry (Gina K. Designs)

Paper:     Garden Green, Pear Pizzazz, Pumpkin Pie,

                 White, Naturals Ivory

Ink:         Black, Pear Pizzazz, Pumpkin Pie, 

                 Garden Green, Always Artichoke
Creation Tips:
   - I used a mask around the top and two sides of the "window" so that when I stamped the trees, they would not show up outside of the window.
   -  The orange was  really a mistake.  I was trying to create leaves on my trees, which didn't look right. Now, I hope that it looks like a setting sun coming through the trees. 
  - I used always artichoke on the ground below the trees to give it a shadow effect.
  - I lightly sponged Pear Pizzazz on the sentiment to keep it from looking too bright.

In my future attempts at sponging, I want it to look more misty or dream quality like.  The way it is now, you can see the circles or spots, where I first put down my sponge.  I am going to try a different kind of sponge next time.  We'll see.  I am diligently searching the web for more sponging techniques.  I need the basics.  Anyone out there have any helpful hints for me?  I would appreciate it very much!

Thanks so much for dropping by.

Blessings to you all,

Terri

Mojo 156 with Gratitude

I can't believe I didn't get this posted yesterday.  I made the card; took the photo of the card, and then didn't get around to posting.  I just let the day slip away from me.  Oh well.  It's Mojo Monday on a Tuesday.  At least it's not Friday, which I have done before lol!  Here is my submission.

Card recipe:
  Stamps:  Day of Gratitude

  Paper:     Autumn Spice DSP, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso,

                  More Mustard, Very Vanilla

  Ink:         More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso

  Other:    Scallop Punch

Technique Tips:
    -  The only tip I have for you today is that I used the Rock n' Roll technique again on the leaves.  This technique is so great for adding more than one color especially on leaves.  Always use the lighter color first, then the darker color. Using markers is a good way also, but I have found that when using markers, the lines are not as crisp as when you just stamp. They are "fuzzier".  But that can be a good thing if you are going for a Monet kind of look :).   

Here is what the DSP looks like and you can find it HERE

 You can also find the stamp set HERE

These two products are a couple of my favorites in the Mini Holiday catalog.  Also, I always use a link to the clear mount stamps, but they are available in wood also.  I just prefer the clear mount because I find them easier to use.

That's it for me today.  I hope you have a wonderful day.

Blessings to you!

Terri

Autumn Splendor

Happy Friday everyone!  I am excited to say that Inspiration is alive and well today and hopefully for a few more days to come.  For some reason, I have been totally lacking in inspiration for awhile.  Then yesterday, I was viewing a certain card magazine and it was chock full of wonderful and beautiful cards that inspired me from the top of my head to the tip of my toes.  And needless to say to my fingers which were itching to start up a card.  Here is my first CASE from this magazine.

Again with the fall.  I know.  I can't help myself.  This card sketch was created by Melanie Muenchinger.  Props to Melanie for a gorgeous sketch and card.  Here is my recipe.  All products Stampin' Up

Stamps:  Autumn Splendor

Ink:        Early Espresso

Paper:    Pear Pizzazz, Early Espresso, Naturals Ivory

Other:    Square Lattice EF, SU watercolor pencils

Technique Tips:
  -  The second layer of green was stamped using the leaves from Autumn Splendor. 
  - I used the Naturals Ivory paper because it has linen like particles in it which gives it a more earthy quality versus plain ivory paper. I'm not sure if you can see that in the photo. 
  - This time I chose the watercolor pencils for my coloring medium vice the markers.  The pencils blend together easier for me.  I used an aqua painter for blending.

I really enjoyed this sketch and am thinking of using it again soon!  I already have another card in mind!  YAY!  Love inspiration!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you found a little inspiration today!

Blessings,

Terri

Fall Breeze

You might be seeing quite a few fall cards from me.  I LOVE this time of year.  Here in northern VA, the leaves are already beginning to change.  I think this is my favorite time of the year.  I am sitting here on my deck, along with my dog Maggie, and we are enjoying the wonderful 74 degree weather.  Lovin' it!.  So... here is my card.

I think this is one of the very few clean and simple cards I have ever made.  I tend to go for lots of layers :).  I really like the way this turned out.  It looks even more wonderful in person.  Here is my recipe:
 Stamps:    Autumn Days, Baroque Motif, Every Moment

 Ink:          Early Espress, various earth tone inks

 Paper:      Very Vanilla

 Other:      Smooch Spritz in Log Cabin and Gold
Technique Tips:
   - I used the Log Cabin smooch spray first, then the gold.  I sprayed out into the air the first time and then hit the cardstock.  The first spray can have big globs in it and it's not nice and smooth.

   -Rock and Roll:  I used the Rock and Roll Technique on the leaves.  I REALLY like the way those turned out.  You can find the technique tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers HERE .
        These are the color combos I used:
              Old Olive rocked onto Cajun Craze
              So Saffron rocked onto Cajun Craze
              Pumpkin Pie rocked onto Real Red
              One lone solid Cajun Craze Leaf (I'm liking that color!)
   -  All the leaves are popped up with dimensionals
   - The sentiment was punched out with the new Decorative Label Punch
The label was lightly sponged with So Saffron and then the edges were sponged with Cajun Craze.

I thought the sentiment from Every Moment was perfect.  You can't help but think of God when you see His wonderful handiwork. It definitely reminds me of all the wonderful gifts He has blessed me with. 

And with that...

Blessings to all of you!
Terri


                

Pals Paper Arts 57 and 58

Whew!  I am so making up for lost time. I can't believe I have posted twice in one day!! I'm sure that won't happen again any time soon!   I know Pals Paper Arts 57 has already closed, but I still wanted to use the sketch.  However, PPA 58 is still open and the requirements for it is to use Pearls.... So guess what, I used pearls on the sketch for PPA57!!  Two birds with one stone!  woohoo!  I needed a get well card, so that is why I chose the get well sentiment.


Here is my recipe:
        Stamps:  Every Moment, Sincere Salutations, Fast and Fabulous

        Paper:    Blushing Bride, basic gray, vanilla

        Ink:        Black Stazon, Basic Grey, Blushing Bride, Pink Pirouette,

                      Melon Mambo, Regal Rose

I actually made my own background paper.  I started with the very vanilla.  Using the Fast and Fabulous two-step  stamps, I stamped the outline image in basic gray.  Then I used Pink Pirouette with the fill-in stamp.  I really, really like the Fast and Fabulous set.  I know it's a hostess set.  That is all the more reason to host a card party and get this Fabulous set.  Only $150 in sales will get you this great set! 

OK, enough with the sales pitch!  Again, I hope you are having a wonderful Labor Day!

Blessings,

Terri

MOJO 154

Hello everyone!  I'm finally getting around to submitting my Mojo for Monday!  Only about a week late.  Here is my submission:

I'm still in this "fall" mood, so I went with something for Halloween.  Here is my recipe:
        Stamps:   Wicked Cool

         Paper:     Wicked Fun Specialty DSP, Cajun Craze, B&W

         Ink:          Cajun Craze, Black

         Other:      Scallop punches, circle punches, 

                         1/8" Taffetta Ribbon in black
I really like this speciality paper.  I know you probably can't see it, but some of the dots on the paper are flocked.  There is another sheet with bats on it and they are flocked also. It is too cute!

I hope you are having a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

Blessings,
Terri