Faux Mother of Pearl revealed!

Hello, everyone!

If you are joining Kathy's blog for the first time, she's knee-deep in camping and wedding preparations, so I'm her pitch-hitter . . . and sister . . . Colleen.

At the end of my last post, I mentioned that my husband made a casual comment when he saw my last card . . . the "Man" card (see previous posting).  His comment was, "Why did you go to the trouble of making such a pretty background and then cover it up with stamped images?"  Okay, that's not word for word what he said (I don't think "stamped images" is in his vocabulary), but it's the general idea.  So, that got me to thinking, and I ended up making my mother a birthday card that started with a piece of Faux Mother of Pearl.

I mean that literally, by the way.  I started with a piece of cardstock left over from the last card, and slowly added to it bit by bit until I ended up with this:

I started with a piece of Basic Black cardstock cut at 8 1/2" by 5 1/2", and scored at 4 1/4".  (I've typed that so often lately I think I could type it in my sleep. Hmmm, might be time for another shape for the next card.  lol)  I then cut a piece of Pretty In Pink cardstock 5 1/4" by 4", and used the Finial Press Textured Embossing folder (page 219 in the Idea Book & Catalogue [IBC]) to fancy it up.

Next I cut a piece of Basic Black cardstock 3" by 4 1/4" and a piece of Brushed Gold cardstock (page 181 in the IBC) slightly smaller.  On two sides I used Snail Adhesive (page 206) to adhere two scrap pieces of Chantilly Crochet Trim (page 194).  (Why use a long piece when only a bit of it is going to show?  I like to think of myself as frugal, rather than cheap!  lol)

Then I used Black Emboss Powder (page 201) to emboss an image from the Bliss stamp set (sorry, no longer available but the Style Beautiful stamp set [page 140] or any other large image would work well) onto the Glossy White cardstock I had altered using the Faux Mother of Pearl technique.  (See the previous posting for more details.  That will also explain the meaning behind the three colors of ink in the picture below.)  That cardstock measures 3 1/2" by 2 1/4", and is layered onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock cut slightly larger.

Lastly, I stamped the small flower from the Bliss stamp set onto a scrap of Whisper White cardstock.  I inked it with Pretty In Pink ink and then went along the edges and up the middle with a Rose Red marker.  I also used a Versamarker (page 203) and Clear Emboss Powder (page 201) to "shiny-up" the image.  I finished it with a Pearl (page 198) in the center.  (The pearl I used was from the old Pretties Kit so I adhered it using a Mini Glue Dot [page 206].  The pearls in the Jewels: Basic Pearls [page 198] have adhesive on the back.)

I layered everything, and popped up the flower with a Dimensional (page 206), and, voila, a casual comment resulted in a pretty card!

'Till next time, casual hugs!

A Progressive Card and a contest!!

Good Day everyone!  Wow another Monday - Where do the weekend's go?  Yesterday, Sunday I had a workshop in Deer Lake.  The hostess had a lovely crowd and we had lots of fun (well I probably shouldn't speak for everyone but I had fun!) I must say it was nice not to have to rush to get home before dark.  I like the new time change.  After the workshop I stopped at my good friend's house, Donna and stayed for a visit and a cup of tea.  It was really nice to see her!  So today  I thought I would share the cards that I did for this workshop.  I made the first one very simply to show how you don't need tons of stuff to make a card.  I used the Free Sale a Bration set Bliss for the whole workshop.  This is the card I made -

and this was the one done with more material, but still very basic.

I used the DSP from the free Level one pattern's pack.  I like how it turned out don't you? Oh and I cheated - the ribbon at the top was a scrap and so was the bottom one lol.  Fooled you didn't I?

ON LINE ORDERING CONTEST!!!!

With my trip planned for March 22nd it's time to get in those last chance orders.  SAB is only two weeks away from being OVER for another year.  

I am running an ordering contest starting March 22nd. (the day I leave for Ottawa.) until April 5th.     If you place an on line order on my website or e-mail me with an order it will enter you into a draw for a stamp set.  All you have to do is go to my Stampin' Up! website and click on Shop now!.  Depending on the amount of  orders there may be extra prizes.  For every order placed you get a chance to win! 

Well that's it for today almost time to pretend to do some housework - hubby will be home and about an hour lol!!  I wish you Bliss!

Make and Take

Good day everyone!  Well it's Friday and the weekend is looking hectic for me.  But I love hectic.   I have a workshop in Deer Lake.  I want to share the Make and Take I designed for this group.  Once again I used the Bliss SAB set.  I love the medallion stamp it reminds me of old fashioned wallpaper.  The colors are Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White.  I used the Decorative Label and the extra large oval.  Stamp sets Sincere Saluations and Bliss.  I also used the rock and roll technique on the butterfly with crumb cake and Early Expresso ink.  Of course I had to have ribbon and this is Early Expresso taffeta ribbon.  The butterfly has a cute pearl to add to the bling factor.   

While this is a simple card to do I think it makes the perfect first card for the guests at a workshop.  And because the set is free with a $60.00 order that makes it a perfect fit. lol.  I love free!!!

So friends that's it for today but stay tuned cause I am going to show you a progressive card on Monday.  Butterfly Kisses to all of you!

Bliss

Today's video is done using the Free Sale A Bration Stamp set called Bliss.  This set is free with a $60.00 order.  The measurements for the Very Vanilla card are 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" scored at 4 1/4".  The Very Vanilla insert measures 3" X 4".  Product used Very Vanilla Taffetta ribbon, bone folder, dimensionals, Bravo Burdandy ink and Pearls.

Thanks for watching and please feel free to leave a comment. Embossed hugs! 

A deceptively simple card!

Good day everyone, as promised here is the photo tutorial of yesterdays card.  This card is very simple looking and not really hard to do but when I looked at the list of supplies I was surprised at how much product I used.  Here is the list of supplies: Melon Mambo Card stock, Very Vanilla Card stock, Pear Pizzazz card stock, big shot Petal border embossing folder and Polka Dot embossing folder, clear embossing powder and heat tool, Color spritzer and Peach Parfait marker, Melon Mambo marker, linen thread, distressing tool, sanding block, Word Window and Fancy Label punches and pearls.  Whew that was a mouthful.  See what I mean about deceptive?

 I ran the Melon Mambo c/s through the Big Shot with the Petal border embossing folder and then ran the Peach Parfait DSP through the BS using the Polka Dot embossing folder.  I then used the sanding block to lightly sand over the top of the polka dots which gave a distressed look.  (Click on the pic's to enlarge)  I also sponged around the outside of the card with Melon Mambo ink,

 Here is a close up of the DSP with half the sanding done.  I like the look!! This piece measures 4 1/4" x 3 1/8th".

 Next I cut the Pear Pizzazz c/s at 4 1/4" x 2 1/2" and the Very Vanilla c/s at 4 1/4" x 2 1/4" and then using the distressing tool ran it around both pieces of c/s to distress. 

 I placed the Peach Parfait marker into the color spritzer and got some splatter going on.

 Next I stamped the Butterfly from the SAB (free) set, Bliss in Versamark ink first and then the Melon Mambo ink.  Stamped on Very Vanilla c/s and poured clear embossing powder over it and then set with the heat tool and cut out.

 Placed a dimension dot on the butterfly and mounted it in the middle of the flourish. I added a pearl in the center of the body of the butterfly.   I wrapped linen thread around the end of the art piece and left enough to tie on my greeting.

 I used the Dog from Wellness Wishes and only wanted to use the first part of the sentiment.  So I colored the first word with Peach Parfait and the rest with Melon Mambo.  Thank goodness for markers, don't know how I would manage with out them!

 Then I punched out the greeting with the Word Window punch and the Fancy label punch in Melon Mambo.  I used the small hole punch to add the greeting to the card and tied it off and trimmed off the excess Linen Thread.

BTW  Debbie loved the card but alas it didn't make her better right away, current info has her still in the hospital so I guess I am heading out tonight to visit her and make her smile.  I am also hosting my MIL's 80th Birthday Open house this Sat Feb 12th.  Have a TON of things to do before Sat. and have surprise visitors coming.  So I have to clean house and cook for the next two days.  If you don't hear from me until Sunday then you will know why. lol.

My sick Friend

Good Day everyone, today I spent the afternoon in the hospital with a sick friend.  Debbie was admitted yesterday so I wanted to do a get well card for her.  I also got new rubber yesterday and wanted to use the new set Bliss, and I also used some really bright colors - Melon Mambo, Peach Parfait, Very Vanilla and Pear Pizzazz.  Deb loves really eye popping colors so this works well for her.  The stamp sets I used were Well Wishes and Bliss one of the free SAB sets with a $60.00 order.  I will post instructions tomorrow for this card but today was just too busy.

Well that's it for today don't forget to do the Melon Mambo and get some exercise!  Photo tutorial tomorrow I promise!!