Thanks card for my dear friend Peggy!

Hey y'all....gotta tell you that this blog post is really going to be graphic intensive!!!  I felt I had to take a lot of photos to capture this card and still don't feel like I captured good enough photos of it.  I made this card for my dear friend Peggy Dollar and I wanted it to be really special, like her!!!  She is one of the sweetest people I know, not to mention one of the most talented when it comes to card making.  Here is a photo of the card.

All of the patterned paper is made by me on watercolor paper using some Tim Holtz Distress Inks (I think I used "Forest Moss", "Fossilized Amber" and a little of the "Worn Lipstick" in some areas) and a lot of the Heidi Swapp "Gold Color Shine", which I just love!!!  To make it I just put some of the Distress Inks on a ceramic tile, sprayed some water and smooshed!  After I dried it I then used the Color Shine and it turned out SO gorgeous.......I am afraid my photos don't do it justice.  After using the "Mixed Media 2" die to cut the bottom left corner, I saved ALL those tiny pieces to inlay....man what a job!!!  I then cut the "Mixed Media" die in the top right corner and used foam tape for dimension prior to adhering the top panel to a panel of my "smooshed" watercolor paper.  I die cut a Gina Marie die and then altered it to make a frame for my "faux" mirror to  place behind my vase of wheat.  I scanned a die cut of the wheat and made a cut file to use with my Cameo, because to die cuts of the wheat are quit large.  I cut the vase out of same of my "smooshed" watercolor paper and then used a couple of stamps to decorate it using gold embossing powder.  I cut different size circles to make my own "enamel" dots out of my paper for the top left and bottom right corners using thick embossing enamel and my heat gun.  I also used the thick enamel on my "thanks" after first embossing it with gold and when I heat set with the thick enamel it kind of gave it an "old tarnished" look, which was what I call a , "happy boo boo".  Here are a few close-up photos.

For the inside of the card I cut a panel of the 90# water color paper.  I cut a couple of stencils using the two "Mixed Media" dies to use my same "smooshing" technique to decorate the inside and then sprayed it with my gold "Color Shine".   I cut three strips of my "smooshed" paper to add decoration at the bottom right of the panel.  The text is computed generated and printed with my Canon ink jet.  For the top of the inside I used another piece of  my "smooshed" paper to die cut the gorgeous Gina Marie flourish.  I want to add here that I am absolutely loving the Gina Marie dies....if you have not purchased any from her, you need to go here and check them out.........they are great and her prices and very reasonable!!!

For my "signature label",  I die cut a frame using some more of my "smooshed" paper.

For my envelope, which I made using my envelope punch board,  I cut a label using the 90# watercolor paper and three more of my "smooshed" strips and sprayed it with some more of the gold Color Shine.....I do LOVE that stuff!  I used some of my new Altenew "Magnolias for Her" stamps to decorate the envelope.  Peggy's husband, Ed, says she and I are the only ones that decorate envelopes...but I know other do too!!!

Peggy loved her card and I SO loved making it for her!!!  Til next time........

Finished Card Size:  5.5" Square

Supplies List

Papers:   110# Recollections "Ivory" (card base), Canson 140LB Watercolor Paper, 90LB Strathmore Cold Press Watercolor Paper, "Silver" mirror cardstock

Stamps:  "Lotus Greeting Stamps" by Amy Butler, K&Co. (two on the vase), Altenew "Magnolias for Her" & "Peony Bouquet" (envelope)

Inks:  Tsukineko "VersaMark Watermark", Tim Holtz "Distress Inks"

Cut Files:  "Thanks" and "Vase" made by me

Dies:  Spellbinders 6 inch "Square Card Creator" dies, Sizzix "Mixed Media" & "Mixed Media 2", Gina Marie "Fancy Floral Frame" & "Flourish", Impression Obsession "Wheat Die", "Fran's Make it Pop" Cutting Dies by Stampendous (signature label)    

     Fonts:  "Joe Hand 2"), "Janda Stylish Script" ("and" on signature label)
    

Tools: Silhouette "Cameo",  Martha Stewart "Score Board", Ranger "Heat It", WeR Memory Keepers "Envelope Punch Board", Tim Holtz "Vagabond 2"

Accessories:  Heidi Swapp "White" & "Gold Color Shine",Suze Weinberg "Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel"

Two Cards that I made recently and forgot to post!!!

First of all I want to mention that on August 3rd we found out that my darling husband has prostate cancer and on September 6th he took his first of 45 radiation treatments.....so please keep him in your prayers!!!  So far, everything is going pretty well.

This first card is one that I made for him for his 77th birthday which was on August 27th.  Some time back I had seen that "Even when it rains" phase and thought what a great idea for his birthday card...so here it is!

I found the image of the couple under the umbrella somewhere online and turned it into a "cut and print" file to cut on my Cameo.  I also found the puddle and cloud images online and made them into regular cut files to cut on my Cameo.  I made a "raindrop" stencil and used embossing paste to make the raindrops.  I used some liquid pearls on the girl's dress and boots.

For the inside of the card I found the "sun rays" and "you are my sunshine" images online and made them into cut files for my Cameo.  I used some Wink of Stella on them.  All of the "text" was computer generated.

Finished Card Size:  A7 (5"x7")

Supplies List

Papers:  Recollections 65# Grey from the "Dreamy" Collection ", Recollections 65# Blue from the "Seaside" Collection ", Neenah "Yellow Jaune" from the Midtone Creative Collection, 110# Recollections "Black" (card base), Neenah 80# White cardstock

Inks:  Tsukineko "VersaMark Watermark", Tim Holtz "Black Soot" Distress Ink

Cut Files:  "Cloud", "Couple with Umbrella", "Puddle", "Sun Rays", "You are my sunshine" and mat all made by me.

     Fonts:  "Clarity Gothic Light SF" (Even when it rains...), "Corinthia" (Happy Birthday Darling)
    

Tools: Silhouette "Cameo",  Martha Stewart "Score Board", Ranger "Heat It", 

Accessories:  Ranger "Petal Pink" Liquid Pearls, Teresa Collins "Modeling Paste", "Clear" Wink of Stella Brush Tip Marker

The second card is a "thank you" card for my oldest brother and his lovely girlfriend!  They were here from Alabama for a brief visit the end of August and I had them here at our home for a luncheon and they brought me a lovely bouquet of flowers.

I scanned a die cut of the large rose from the Stampin'Up "Rose Garden Thinlets Die Set" to cut different sizes of it in the same pink color as my pink panel, cut them with my Cameo and adhered them using matte glue to make it look like I had embossed it.  I used Lil'Inker dies to make the frame and added the lovely Gina Marie oval die ("Fancy Floral Frame") and butterflies (from JustRite "Elecant Garden Label Dies") and after making a mat to go under the Gina Marie "Thank You" I added them to the outside of the frame.

For the inside of my card I used an extra pink die cut on the left side and I made a rose background that I printed on my Canon inkjet for the right side.  The message is computer generated.

I altered another die cut of the Gina Marie oval frame to make my "signature label" for the card.

 I just want to add that Ron & Ann loved their card and I also want to make mention of how much I am loving the Gina Marie dies that I have been purchasing and I love that they are SO affordable!!!

Finished Card Size:  5.5" Square

Supplies List

Papers:  Recollections 65# Pink from the "Dreamy" Collection ", 110# Recollections "Ivory" (card base & frame

Inks:  Tsukineko "VersaMark Watermark", Tim Holtz "Vintage Photo" Distress Ink

Dies:  Gina Marie "Fancy Floral Frame" & "Thank You", Justrite "Elegant Garden Label Dies" (butterflies), Stampin'Up "Rose Garden Thinlets Die Set", Lil'Inker Designs "Stitched Marts Square"

     Fonts:  "Yellow Daisy" Silhouette Font (card message), "Corinthia" & "Frosting for Breakfast" (signature label)
    

Tools: Silhouette "Cameo",  Martha Stewart "Score Board", Ranger "Heat It",  Tim Holtz "Vagabond 2"

Accessories:  "Clear" Wink of Stella Brush Tip Marker, Recollections "Pearls"

Thank you card for Tammy from my DH!

My DH wanted to send a "thank you" card to Tammy for making the card that he gave me for my birthday and, of course, he asked me to make it...LOL

Here is what I came up with.  The patterned panel was made by me using Hero Arts "Large Flower Background" stamp.  I stamped it on a piece of water color paper using VersaMark and then heat embossed it using gold embossing powder   Then I colored the flowers and leaves using Copics.  I used a piece of white heavy weight cardstock and I die cut each side using one of my Spellbinders dies and then cut another piece in green to layer beneath it.  I gold embossed a gold strip of cardstock to adhere to each side of the patterned panel.  I used "ripe persimmon" and "crushed olive" Distress Inks to color the butterfly.  I designed the "Thank You & mat" and added  the "Dragonfly" which I gold embossed .  The finishing touch is the "faux" lady bug!

Here is a close-up photo.

Thank you so much for stopping by to take a look.  I would love to hear your comments on this design!!!

Finished Card Size:  6" Square

Supplies List

Papers:  Canson 140# Watercolor, 110# Recollections "white", 65# Recollections "white" and "green" from the "Spice Market" collection

Dies:  Spellbinders "A2 Brackets Borders One", Sue Wilson "Magical Butterfly Set "

Cut File: "Dragonfly", "Thank You & Mat [using altered Chopin Script Font]_PAC"

Ink:  Tsukineko "VersaMarkWatermark", "ripe persimmon" and "crushed olive" Distress Inks

Fonts: "Chopin Script Font"

Tools:  Silhouette "Cameo",  Sizzix "Vagabond", Ranger "Heat It" 

Accessories: Copics, Ranger "Gold Super Fine" embossing powder

"Thank You" card for my wound nurse and a free file....

for everyone that leaves a comment below!  While I was in rehab after my open heart surgery for an aortic aneurysm, I had the nicest "wound nurse" and I made this "thank you" card for her.  The flowers are a Darice die which was too large for my card size, so I made a cut file using my Cameo software to downsize it...you can find the die here.  I also used the "inlaid" technique on it.  For the insides of the flowers I used the "faux enamel dots" technique.  The gorgeous butterfly is the "Peacock Butterfly" Specialty die by Wild Rose Studio with some pink vellum covered with shimmer using my "Clear Wink of Stella" and I used pink pearls for the body... I also had to downsize it and you can find the die here.  The "Thank You" with mat and the "stitched" panel were designed by me and cut with my Cameo as were the swirls and flourishes.  The pink leaves are a Silhouette file and I tried to find it in their store so that I could give you a link or a design number, but I could not find it...I know it is one of the old ones.   To finish if off, I used some clear sequins.

Please be sure to read all directions for getting the "free file"...I can't send it to you unless you send me an email to reply to.

For the inside of the card, I used the same "stitched" panel.  To get this effect, I first selected the leaf file and placed it on my cut file in Silhouette Studio Designer Edition several times til it looked like I wanted it to and then printed it and placed it on my cutting mat and cut another "stitched" panel.  Then I went into "Word" and typed my text using the "Corinthia" font, set my paper size and printed the text onto my panel.  I added a couple of outlines of my butterfly and used liquid pearls for the body.

For my "signature tag on the back of the card, I used the butterfly outline which I added some flourishes to and a couple more of the butterfly outlines.

For my envelope, I used a Silhouette file byLori Whitlock called "a2 envelope liner card base" (Design ID #50775) which I altered to make a "boxelope".

For the back flap I cut a little strip with the matching paper and adhered it with glue. 

 Now, for the free file....it is the "Thank You with Mat".  After you leave your comment below, just look to the right for "Email Me" (below my profile) and when I get your email, I will send you the free cut file.

Thank you so much for stopping by and come back soon!!!

Finished Card Size:  A2 (4.25"x5.5")

Supplies List

Papers:  Recollections 110 lb. White cardstock (card base), Recollections 65 lb. White cardstock & pink from the  "Dreamy Collection"

Tools:  Silhouette "Cameo", Ranger "Heat It"
Accessories:   "Clear" Wink of Stella Brush Tip Marker, "Sparkling Clear" sequins by Pretty Pink Posh, "3 Flower" Darice die, "Peacock Butterfly" Specialty die by Wild Rose Studio. 

Here are my latest card creations!

My first one is a "thanks" card for my sweet online friend, Peggy Dollar!  Her card creations are stunning....you can see a lot of them in her Splitcoast Gallery here!  Her gorgeous cards are such an inspiration to me and I happen to be the proud recipient of several of them.  My "thanks frame" was inspired by the My Creative Time "Hello Frames Dies" which you can find here.  I used a stamp for "You Shouldn't Have", added some sequins and some little hearts and stars die cuts, which I applied "Glossy Accents" to!

Finished Card Size:  A2 (4.25"x5.5")

Supplies List

Papers:  Recollections 110 lb. Black cardstock (card base), Recollections 65 lb. cardstock
Stamps:   Inkadinkado "Thank You Words" set

Tools:  Silhouette "Cameo", "MISTI"
Accessories:   "Clear" Wink of Stella Brush Tip Marker, My Favorite Things "Blueprints 13 Stitched Rectangle: die, Simon Says Stamp "Holiday Shapes" (stars & hearts), "Sparkling Clear" sequins by Pretty Pink Posh 

My 2nd card is one that I made for a friend's birthday and I used my new Spellbinders 6" Square Card Creators die sets for the first time and I think this is my first 6" square card.   For the striped card front I used my Anna Griffin "Poppy" embossing folder on a piece of cardstock  and then  cut it into 4 strips...the other strips were glittered with some microfine glitter and then they were all adhered to a square of cardstock  and adhered to the 6" card base.  The frame is also glittered and behind the opening I adhered a piece of Neenah "Dots" vellum and popped the frame up with foam tape.  The frame was cut using my Fiskars Fuse using the "Frame Die & Letterpress" (Set 0190) die.  The lovely shoe is the Tattered Lace "High Heel Glam" die and the "celebrate" was a free cut file from Miss Kate Cuttables and I "altered" the "e" at the end and cut it using my Cameo.  The tiny butterflies are punched and the tag with the sentiment is a Spellbinders "Fancy Tags One" die and I used the "Corinthia" font for the text.  I used card stock to make the little glittered "nail heads" on the tag and then of course, I just had to add some sequins!  Here is a photo of the front view.

For the inside to the card I used one of the stamps from my Stampabilities "Cute Border Mix" stamp set using my MISTI to make a square border, which is embossed in silver and I used a scan of the "High Heel Glam" die cut to make a tiny one on vellum embossed in silver.   If you are wondering how I accomplished that, I used my Cameo "Pen Tool" and a PaperMate "EraserMate" pen so that the ink stays wet enough to apply embossing powder and heat set.  I made four more of the glittered nail heads to place in each corner and then added a few sequins.  I cut and glittered a frame for that panel to sit in.  The text is computer generated using the "Corinthia" and "Inspiration" fonts.

For my signature label, I used that same tag and added a couple more of the nail heads.

Finished Card Size:  6" Square

Supplies List

Papers:  Recollections 110 lb. White cardstock (card base), Recollections 65 lb. cardstock, Neenah 65# "Bright White" Cardstock

Stamps:   Stampabilities "Cute Border Mix" stamp set

Tools:  Silhouette "Cameo", "MISTI", Ranger "Heat It"
Accessories:   "Silver & Black" Wink of Stella Brush Tip Markers, "Sparkling Clear" sequins by Pretty Pink Posh. Tattered Lace "High Heel Glam" die, Spellbinders  6" Square Card Creator & "Fancy Tags One" dies, Martha Stewart "Classic Butterfly" Punch, Elizabeth Craft Designs "Cool Diamond" Microfine Glitter, Anna Griffin "Poppy" embossing folder.

Update & a "thanks" card for my home health care nurse!

I'm quite sure that a lot of my faithful followers are wondering if I fell off the face of the planet...I did not, but about a week after my previous post I had an aortic aneurysm at around 2 am and fortunately it woke me up and my husband called 911 and I was taken to the nearest trauma center where I had open heart surgery to repair it.  At the time they were telling my husband that I only had about a 20 percent chance of  making it.......but I did and here I am, thank you God!!!  I spent ten days in the cardiac care unit and then another three weeks in rehab before coming back home and day by day I've been getting stronger.  I would say that I am 90 percent back to where I previously was.  Needless to say my crafting went by the wayside for quite a while.

I was fortunate to get the same home health care nurse the I had during my bout with cancer....she is not just my nurse, she is my friend and I love her dearly and for my first craft project since being sick, I made this "thanks" card for her.

The beautiful background paper is actually a wallpaper sample that I printed on my Canon called "Classic Promenade"  by Park Place Studio - Heritage Home Book [wallpaperstogo.com] and the I cut the panel using the "stitched rectangle" die from my "MFT Blueprints 13" die set.  For the frame, I used a scan of my "large filigree frame" die from the "Coved Labels" die set by Frantic Stamper to make a smaller version of the frame and removed the corners to fit my A2 card size.  The gorgeous butterfly is the "Peacock Butterfly" Specialty die by Wild Rose Studio with some pink vellum covered with shimmer using my "Clear Wink of Stella" behind it and then I added pink pearls for the body.  The pretty flowers were made using my "Arianna Blooms" dies by Heartfelt Creations and the leaves are "Tender Leaves" dies by Memory Box.  The leaves behind the butterfly were cut using my "Curvy Leaves" dies by Elizabeth Craft Designs.  The "thanks" was cut with my Cameo using a free file from Miss Kate Cuttables called "Pretty Words Set".  I finished off the card front with some large pink pearls.  Here are a couple of close-up photos.

For the inside of the card, I used some pretty 65# green parchment called "Celadon" from the Neenah Creative Collection.  The text is computer generated using the "Gravura LET" font.  I used the "Matte" setting on my Canon so the ink stayed wet enough for me to use clear embossing powder and heat set it so that the text is embossed.  I used two borders that I cut with my Martha Stewart "Deco Fan" punch.  Here is a photo.

For my "signature tag" I decided to use the shape of the "Peacock Butterfly" on a piece of the pink parchment called "Shell" from the Neenah Creative Collection and I used the same "Gravura LET" font.

Lorraine loved her card and I loved making it for her!  Hopefully, I will now be crafting a bit more!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by, come back soon and please don't forget that I love reading your comments!!!

Supplies List

Papers:  Recollections 110 lb. Ivory (card base), Recollections 65 lb. cardstock. "Classic Promenade"  by Park Place Studio wallpaper sample, Neenaj 65# "Shell" & "Celadon" parchment from the "Creative Collection

Ink:  Tsukineko "VersaMarkWatermark"

Tools:  Silhouette "Cameo", "Milwaukee" Heat Gun
Accessories:   "Clear" Wink of Stella Brush Tip Marker,, Martha Stewart "Deco Fan" punch, My Favorite Things "Blueprints 13 Stitched Rectangle: die, "large filigree frame" die from the "Coved Labels" die set by Frantic Stamper, "Peacock Butterfly" die by Wild Rose Studio,"'Tender Leaves" dies by Memory Box, "Curvy Leaves" die by Elizabeth Craft Designs, "Deco Fan" punch by Martha Stewart, "Arianna Blooms" dies by Heartfelt Creations, Pink Pearls by Recollections

A special "thanks" card for a very special online friend!!!

There is a very talented lady at Splitcoast Stampers and I feel very honored to call her "friend".  Just recently I was admiring and inquiring about a butterfly die that she used on a card and the next thing I know she was asking me for my mailing address so that she could cut some and send them to me!!! Peggy is known as "jasonw1" at Splitcoast and if you want to see some "drop dead" gorgeous cards, go take a gander at her Gallery here and here is a photo of the card and butterfly that I was admiring!

Please note:  The next two card creations are by Peggy (aka/jasonw1)....not by me!!!

 Well, she not only sent me a whole "swarm" of those gorgeous butterflies, she sent me one of her gorgeous card creations and I will treasure it forever!!!  Here is a photo of it:

In return I came up with a sailboat cutting file for her as well as some other goodies that I sent and I designed this card for her.

Please note:  This one is by me & I think it pales in comparison!!!

That absolutely gorgeous label inlaid into the front of the card was designed by my good friend Teri Frank, using a flourish file from Silhouette America....isn't it lovely!!!  I used some sparkling clear sequins that I colored to match my project using a Bic Mark it and added a tiny black pearl to the center.

I used my printer to do the text on the inside of the card......the ink stays just wet just long enough to use some clear embossing powder and heat set for embossed text and then I cut a little strip of the designer cardstock to make a matching border. 

I used the "label" that I cut from the designer patterned paper for the card front to make a "signature" label for the back of the card.  

I will soon be creating some cards to use those gorgeous butterflies that Peggy cut for me...once again, thank you so much Peggy!!!

Finished Card Size:  A2 (4.25"x5.5")

Supply List

Papers:  Recollections "Love Letters Stack". Gina K "Pure Luxury Black"

Tools:  Silhouette "Cameo", Ranger "Heat It"

Accessories:  Stamp-n-Stuff "Detail Clear Transparent" Embossing Powder,  Pretty Pink Post "Sparkling Clear Sequins", Recollections "Black Pearls"

Thank You Card for Ann!!!

Hello y'all!  On Memorial Day weekend my oldest brother and his lovely lady friend visited Florida and come by to visit with us that Saturday and since it was during the day, I invited them for lunch and served a green salad, chicken salad with strawberries and cream for desert.  My brother's wife passed away around five years ago and I'm so glad he has found someone.  Ann is a lovely lady and I so enjoyed meeting her.  When they arrived she had a little gift for me that was a lovely candle and I just wanted to make her a thank you card and also let her know how much I enjoyed meeting her.  I used a couple of the Splitcoast Challenges to create this card.  One was the "Sketch Challenge 490" and the other was the "Ways to Use It 481", which was to use a feather or feathers.  Some time back, I had found some feather images I liked on Google and I turned them into cutting files for my Cameo, Pazzles and eClips and then I designed an "inkwell" to go with them.  For my card I used one of the feathers like a feather pen with the inkwell.  Here is the card sketch layout:

For my card I used some designer papers from a Recollections stack that I've had for some time, along with a stamp from the Michael's $1 bin that I've also had for a long time and never used, so really this card can be used for the Splitcoast  "Free For All 233"..."Use That Stash"!!!  I did not have any sequins to match wine colored cardstock that I used, so I just colored some Pretty Pink Posh "Sparkling Clear" sequins with my "Prairie Berry" Bic MarkIt and it matched up just great!  Love me some sequins!!!  Here are some photos!

And a close-up.

Here is a view of the inside, which I printed with my Canon printer and the ink was still a little wet, so I used some clear embossing powder on it and heat set it!

I decided to enlarge the "inkwell" to make a "signature tag" to place on the back....I always sign the back of my cards!

Thanks and stopping by and hurry back as I am getting ready to post another card!!!

Finished Card Size:  A2 (4.25"x5.5")

Supplies List

Papers:  Recollections "Love Letters" Stack, Gina K. Pure Luxury

Stamps:  Hampton Art "Studio G"

Ink:  Tsukineko Versafine "Onyx Black",

Tools:  Silhouette "Cameo",  Pazzles "Inspiration", Range "Heat-It", Sizzix "Big Shot", Martha Stewart "Score Board", Stamp-a-ma-jig
Accessories:  "Sparkling Clear" Pretty Pink Posh sequins, Spellbinders Dies, Stamp-n-Stuff "Clear Transparent" embossing powder