Texturized Birthday

The Waltzingmouse Fanatics Challenge #18 is to add texture. I got out a bunch of embossing folders and ran some manila card stock strips through my Cuttlebug. Then I applied Picked Raspberry and Broken China Distress Inks and cut them up into 1.5 inch squares.

Finished card: 5 inch square 

I sewed the squares down with a zig zag stitch to a turquoise ground. I used the same blue for a doily circle to mount my little Copic-coloured WMS cupcake and greeting.

Sakura Gelly Roll Clear Star Glitter Pen for sparkly frosting.

Seize the Birthday's "topping" is to use a tag for their challenge, so I added the "2U" tag with some white twine. I clear embossed white pigment ink and forgot to use the non-static bag to keep the stray flecks away. Once I went over it all with the Distress Ink, out they popped. I actually liked the effect and it just added more texture, so it's all good!

WFC Colour Challenge and Faux Enamel Dots

Look at these fun tropical colours the Waltzingmouse Fanatics chose for us this fortnight! Love those little birdies. 

Here's my card, featuring Nordic Spring and Big Day - Today stamps from Waltzingmouse Stamps:

The really fun part of this card, besides the RIOT of colour, is the  faux enamel dots technique. They have been popping up all over, but I have not seen any in my local stores. Lindsay, the Frugal Crafter, to the rescue. Her video on her blog shows how to make these fake-aroos out of paper and embossing powder (two things we all have on hand). The neat thing with this technique is your dots will always perfectly match your paper.

 

I am needing a lot of birthday cards all of a sudden, so this is also being entered in the current Seize the Birthday challenge which asks for flowers (note the tulip border). Thanks for stopping by. Let me know if you try this technique.

Stampendous Jumbo Peony Farewell

Isn't that one BIG, beautiful bloom? The Jumbo Peony stamp measures about 5.5 X 4 inches. This is a stamp that makes a statement. I needed to make a farewell card for one of my staff with an envelope that would accommodate the giftcard and brochures from the spa resort that were her going away present. Something about the size of a business envelope, with added depth, was needed. A larger sized card also allows for everyone to sign it.

I stamped the peony in embossing ink and applied Lindy's Stamp Gang Desert Moon Turquoise embossing powder and heat set. Then I used Twinkling H2Os watercolour paints to shade the petals (African Jade, Bashful Blue and Icicles). I used Wink of Stella Glittering Silver to accent the stamen.

Envelope #1

Do you know how difficult it is to find a nice Farewell, Goodbye From All of Us or We Will Miss You stamp? I am always on the lookout for such a thing and knew I did not have one in my stamp collection. So I turned to my Silhouette Cameo to find a script font. I cut the word on my Cameo and then treated it with the same embossing powder as the flower. Unlike a stamp, I could size this word to just the length I needed. Then I made an envelope, which you can see above. The label was cut on the Cameo, as were the letters of Christine's name so that the envelope would show through. The envelope was made about a quarter inch thick to allow for the card and the inserts. I was not crazy about the green envelope as the colours on the card ranged more to blue, however, I was short for time.

BUT THEN, I foolishly put the  envelope on the kitchen counter - the one with cooking oil on it! So back to the drawing board I went. I decided to change up the colours of the envelope and label, and use the matching script font for the cut out name for envelope #2.

Envelope #2 and embossed Farewell e-cut.

This tie envelope is a fun SVG file from Lettering Delights that I re-sized to a longer length and 1/4 inch depth and is held together by decorative brads and baker's twine. Once again, the Cameo allows me to "have it my way" as they say! I am entering this in the Cheerful Stamp Pad's Challenge #85 (embossing).

WOYWW 257

Decided to share my fairly clean worktable for the What's on Your Workdesk? Wednesday 257. You can learn about it at the Stamping Ground blog. This is my first time posting.

For the most part this is just capturing all the new things I have added to my space. (There is a resist-stamped background there and an inset die cut message card that I managed to ruin at the last minute by dropping a stamp pad on it - twice!)

The black and white damask tool caddies (left holds all my clear stamp blocks, right holds assorted glues, sprays and rulers) were dirt cheap at Michael's and take up little space for what they do. Just beyond those is my latest fun treat - a Ranger spinner rack (with three tiers) for Distress Ink blending foam tools. I only need about 16 more tools and I will be set! Just decided I would use them a lot more if they were accessible.

Last but not least, some new stamps. The Stampendous Jumbo Peony, and these lovelies (above) from Pink Persimmon, which is having a sale on stamps right now, so I could not resist. So what's on your workdesk today?

Pretty Bird

Tweet! Here's a Happy Mother's Day card. My mom likes birds quite a bit so I guess that was the inspiration for this card, along with a Canadian Stamp Talk Challenge to use sequins.

The sentiment is a Quietfire Design stamp. The paint splotches are stamps from Waltzingmouse Stamps. The sequins are not your run-of-the-mill hexagons. These are round with concentric circles and I have had them for 10 years or more. I added a few gemstones to compliment. Shading is Broken China Distress Ink. The bird is a Marianne die popped up on foam tape.

I was going for Clean and Simple, but I just cannot help myself! I am sharing this for the Mother's Day challenges at:

http://thepinkelephantchallenge.blogspot.ca

and

http://cutitupchallenges.blogspot.ca