Freshly Made Sketches

This week's layout for the Freshly Made Sketches challenge is any configuration as long as it's a slimline card. I thought it would be fun to create a longer than normal sentiment from the Garden of Blessings stamp set from Ink to Paper. There are many, many options of sentiment combos but I finally settled on this one. 

I started with stamping a row of these funky fun florals and tried to combine inks on the same stamp to get some varied shading. I do this by inking the entire stamp in the lighter shade then added a darker ink around the edges with either a sponge dauber or a blending brush.

Here is what I used...
STAMPS: Garden of Blessings (Ink to Paper).
PAPER: Bitty Big: Harvest Gold, True Black, White (Ink to Paper).
INK: Pure Poppy, Melon Berry, Bright Buttercup, Summer Sunrise, Lilac Grace, Amethyst Allure, Green Parakeet, New Leaf, Ripe Avocado, True Black - all dye inks by Ink to Paper.

It's Friday already and the weekend will be full with helping our son and DIL with a yard sale on Saturday. On Sunday, our church  will be opening the doors and meeting together - with precautions - for the first time since all the Covid-19 restrictions began. No more listening to recorded sermons in my nightgown, bare feet and no makeup - lol!
                                        Happy stamping!   ~Wanda

Just Wanted to Say Hello

Well, this month is history...can you believe it?! I'm featured on IG today with another card using supplies from the July release. I wanted to create a mix of geometric elements using the pierced circle part of the Floral Fusion die set added with a rectangle die and some stenciled polka dots in the background.

I'm loving this new Feathered Friends 2 bird die so much and it pairs up well with the tree and flowers from Floral Breeze stamp/die set! The base card was stenciled with Hawaiian Shores ink and the dot stencil from Papertrey Ink.

STAMPS: Just Sentiments: Just Because, Floral Breeze
INK: Lemon Tart, Bright Buttercup, Green Parakeet, New Leaf, Ripe Avocado, Orange Zest, Canyon Clay, Hibiscus Burst, Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores, Tropical Teal, True Black
PAPER: White, Hawaiian Shores, Cocoa Bean, Green Parakeet, Vellum
DIES: Floral Breeze, Skinny Frames: Diagonal Border, Feathered Friends 2, Love to Layer: Floral Fusion 

Hope this inspires you to get inky!  
                                           Happy stamping!    ~Wanda

Color Throwdown #604

We are already at the last Wednesday of July! Wow! Summer is moving on quickly and it's time for another Color Throwdown Challenge. Amy Rohl is hosting this week and has chosen black, white and terracotta for our colors. This is a classy combination and I went with the herringbone cover plate die to use as the background. 

I used the Floral Fusion die as the focal point and added a narrow sentiment popped up on foam tape.

STAMPS: Direct Messages (Papertrey Ink/Ink to Paper).
PAPER: White, True Black, Honey Nut (Ink to Paper).
INK: True Black (Ink to Paper).
DIES: Cover Plate: Herringbone, Love to Layer: Floral Fusion, Direct Messages - all by Papertrey Ink/Ink to Paper. 

Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting! We hope to have you join us in the challenge! 
                                Happy stamping!  ~Wanda

Bee-utiful

Hi everyone! Hope your Tuesday is going well. I'm up on the Ink to Paper blog with a card using the Bee-utiful stamp/die set from the July release. This time I wanted to arrange the elements on a tag for my focal point.

I added some black and white patterns of washi tape on the diagonal then arranged the fun little images after coloring with Copics. It's hard to see the clear Wink of Stella sparkle that I added to the bees' wings. I also added Black Enamel Accents to the flower centers.

STAMPS: Bee-utiful (Ink to Paper).
INK: True Black, Green Parakeet, New Leaf (Ink to Paper).
PAPER: True Black, White (Ink to Paper); X-Press It Blending Card.
DIES: Bee-utiful, Charming Tags, On the Border: Sunburst Border, Pierced Feature Frames.

I hope I've inspired you to get inky!
                                         Happy stamping!   ~Wanda

Slimline Birds

Good Sunday everyone! My project is featured over on the Ink to Paper blog today, so be sure to stop by and check it out HERE! 


It's a good day to get crafty and I wanted to share a fun slimline card I created using a variety of the bird stamps and dies recently released by Ink to Paper! The slimline craze is becoming a popular card size (my base is 4" by 9 1/4") which fits a business size envelope. I wanted to try some color blending with an irregular torn edge look for the background, so I cut some copy paper to the size of my card base then gently tore out the center section. I then taped the negative spaced "frame" to the white base panel using washi tape and used a blender brush to add Tumbled Glass distress oxide ink to the paper. 
 

These birds pair up so nicely with the Blossoming Branches stamps + dies. I fussy cut around the 'just because' sentiment.

STAMPS: Just Sentiments: Just Because, Blossoming Branches, Feathered Friends Mini 1
INK: Pale Peony, Melon Berry, Berry Sorbet, Spring Rain, Blueberry Sky, Enchanted Evening, Fine Linen, Saffron Spice, Honey Nut, Cocoa Bean, Canyon Clay, Lemon Tart, Bright Buttercup, Summer Sunrise, Spring Moss, Simply Chartreuse, Olive Twist, Green Parakeet, New Leaf, Ripe Avocado, True Black
PAPER: White, True Black
DIES: Feathered Friends 2, Blossoming Branches

This card will be sent to my dad who is in a nursing home about 350 miles away. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he cannot have visitors except through a closed window and phone conversation. I am praying this virus soon disappears, but in the meantime, I try to send him lots of cards.

Hopefully you've been inspired today...
                                                   Happy stamping!    ~Wanda

Creating with The Greetery

My latest order from The Greetery arrived yesterday afternoon (the snail was slower than usual with the mail - lol!). I fell in love with the watering can and those new florals from the July release! I'm such a sucker with flowers...especially Betsy's designs.

I wanted the can to look galvanized so I used 3 shades of gray ink. The first two steps used Fairy Dust and Silver Lining from WPlus9; the third step used Weathervane from Ink to Paper. The sentiment was split from two stamp sets ('thank you so much' is from Sentiment Suite: Thank You and 'for being so kind' is from Sprinkled With Kindness).

STAMPS: Sprinkled With Kindness, Sentiment Suite: Thank You, Budding Beauties: Summer, Petite Eucalyptus (The Greetery).
PAPER: Buffalo Brights 6x6 pad by My Favorite Things; White by Ink to Paper.
INK: Lilac Grace, Amethyst Allure, Prairie Grass, Ocean Tides, Pinefeather, New Leaf, Green Parakeet, Simply Chartreuse, Ripe Avocado, Cocoa Bean, Harvest Gold, Summer Sunrise, True Black.
DIES: Cozy Cup Coaster, Budding Beauties: Summer, Petite Eucalyptus, Sprinkled With Kindness, Sentiment Suite Basics, Postal Frames - all by The Greetery.

That's all for now. I need to get some cooking/baking done today for a family reunion tomorrow. Don't worry...it will be a small group and will be outdoors. I will have my trusty mask along as well! Enjoy your weekend and stay cool!        ~Wanda

Christmas in July

I wanted to play along with The Card Concept Challenge where their theme is Christmas in July. It felt weird to have it be a scorching hot day outside and be creating a Christmas card with snowflakes in the background - lol! But...now I can say I started on my Christmas card stash!

I was inspired by the slender tall tree and star and went with this fun stamp set by Ink to Paper. I consider my style to be clean and layered. 

I totally went with an earthy color palette and may need to do another card using the red and aqua colors which I also love. To avoid covering up much of the background, I added the sentiment which is gold embossed on vellum. 

STAMPS + DIES: Peaceful Forest (Ink to Paper).

Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!   ~Wanda
 

Freshly Made Sketches

This is my second post today and this is my entry for the fun new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches.  Once again, I'm using the Bee-utiful stamps/dies from the July release at Ink to Paper. I adore arranging these tinier than usual elements!

I used some Neenah Solar White 110# card stock for the white elements. The images were colored with Copics.

I paper pieced the label band on the honey jar with the dotted swiss pattern of the Bitty Big: Harvest Gold pack. I also used the smaller stripe and plaid patterns. 

DIES: Skinny Frames: Diagonal Border, Love to Layer: Scallop Circles, Bee-utiful - all by Ink to Paper.

I added clear Wink of Stella to the bees' wings and Black Enamel Accents to the flower centers.

That's it for now. The grands are coming over for a couple of hours while their mom has a dentist appointment. They will be a fun diversion on this cloudy day!
                                         Happy stamping!   ~Wanda

Fusion Card Challenge

There's a great summer themed inspiration photo and sketch for the new Fusion Card Challenge! I opted to focus on the lemon this time around and I love the punny sentiments in this set!

In hindsight, I wish I had chosen some darker shades of yellow for the lemons as they look very "washed out" in the photos. I stamped first with Lemon Tart ink, then hit the edges with Bright Buttercup. I then very lightly sponged a tiny bit of Green Parakeet ink. With the leaves, I stamped in Green Parakeet, added New Leaf to the edges and lightly sponged Olive Twist in random spots. To the right is the inside view.

STAMPS: Lemon Zest (SU)
PAPER: Sending Love (Gina K. Designs), New Leaf, White (Ink to Paper).
INK: Dye inks as listed in description by Ink to Paper.
OTHER: Lemon Zest punch (SU).

  Stay cool...it will be another scorcher day in VA!
                                                                      ~Wanda                                                                         

Color Throwdown #603

It's time again for another Color Throwdown challenge and this week, we've got yellow, orange and green as the color combo! I knew I wanted to use this awesome new Graceful Wings stamp set with matching dies that was just released at Ink to Paper. I started with white embossing the butterfly outline on Lemon Tart paper then added lots of dimension by popping up the flowers and some of the leaves. The Love to Layer: Floral Fusion die makes a great textured background!

I recently found a package of washi tape at Michael's - all in a variety of black and white patterns. This tiny striped roll was the perfect width to give a sweet border to the white embossed sentiment!

We would love to have you join us in the challenge! Link up your creation on the CTD blog HERE. 
                                       Happy stamping!     ~Wanda

Paper Players CAS Challenge

A big congratulations to the folks at The Paper Players challenge who are celebrating their 500th challenge this week! Wow...that is quite a milestone!  I had to play along since it was perfect to add to my dwindling stash of birthday cards.

I wanted to go with some Ink to Paper colors that I normally don't go to often. Mint Julep is a green that is quite beautiful and I'm needing to use it more often. Here I stamped it twice using a MISTI for the balloon background color. I used Ocean Tides and Pinefeather inks for the leaves and Sweet Blush and Melon Berry for the flowers. Easy peasy with the step by step guide provided by The Greetery!

STAMPS: Balloon Bouquet (The Greetery).
PAPER: Bitty Big: Sweet Blush patterned paper, White, Melon Berry, Ocean Tides (Ink to Paper).
INK: Mint Julep, Ocean Tides, Pinefeather, Sweet Blush, Melon Berry, True Black - dye inks by Ink to Paper.
DIES: Big Balloons, Twisted Crepe, Postal Frames (The Greetery).

It's another sweltering hot day in the 90's and looks overcast right now. I'd be thrilled if it rained so the watering chore could be skipped for today! :-)           Happy stamping!     ~Wanda

MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge

It's Fri-yay and looks like another overcast day here in VA, but we can use the rain they are forecasting. Our grandson turns four next week, so I'm needing a birthday card for this sweet boy! I decided to go with the Sending Sweet Celebration Wishes stamp set that is so perfect for kids' birthdays and am using the sketch for the current My Favorite Things Wednesday Sketch Challenge.

Images were stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on X-Press It Blending Card then colored with Copics with the exception of the banner which was paper pieced. Clear Wink of Stella was added to the cupcake icing and Glossy Accents was added to the cherry. Minute details but adds a bit of pizzazz!

STAMPS: Sending Sweet Celebration Wishes (MFT).
PAPER: Surprise 6x6" pad by BoBunny; White, Pure Poppy (Ink to Paper/Papertrey Ink), Vellum.
DIES: Sending Sweet Celebration Wishes, Stitched Circle STAX Die-Namics, Banner Flags STAX Die-Namics (all by MFT).
COPICS: R27, R29, B93, B95,YR30, YR20, E31, E33.

                                       Happy stamping!    ~Wanda

Ink to Paper Release Day

I can't stop using these new July release products from Ink to Paper! You will be able to buy these items tonight at 10:00 EST - go to THIS LINK. I'm sharing another card using three of my favorites: Into the Blooms dies, Feathered Friends Mini 2 stamps and die and Just Sentiments: Just Because. 

I cut all the dies from white card stock then color blended with brushes using dye inks from Ink to Paper. It is so fast and easy to do it this way! For the leaves, I colored overall with Green Parakeet then brushed on New Leaf along one side. A light touch of Ripe Avocado ink was added to the middle and bottom of the leaves. For the bottom flower layer, I covered the entire bloom with Lilac Grace then blended Amethyst Allure ink in circular motions starting in the center and going lighter as I moved outward. The yellow part of the flower was blended with Lemon Tart, Bright Buttercup and a wee touch of Summer Sunrise.  I used Soft Stone, Classic Kraft, True Black, Canyon Clay, Lilac Grace and Amethyst Allure inks on the bird.

While cleaning out some embellishment drawers, I came across a roll of white doily border paper and decided to add some here. A little jute twine topped off the card.

This is such an exceptional release (I think I say that every month - lol!) and I hope you're inspired to go shopping tonight! Things sell out quickly sometimes, so if you really want something, you better snag it fast!
                                     Happy stamping!      ~Wanda

Color Throwdown #602

These summer weeks are flying on by and it's time again for a new Color Throwdown Challenge! Bar is hosting and has chosen blue green, peach and gold. I went with The Greetery's Print Shop: Fresh Floral which is a combination stamp and stencil set. It's an easy way to create a striking background with minimal effort! The only gold is the embossed sentiment on vellum which still allows much of the background to show through.

STAMPS: Print Shop: Fresh Floral, Comforting Commands (The Greetery)

PAPER: Melon Berry, White, Vellum (Ink to Paper)

INK: Melon Berry, Canyon Clay, Spring Rain, Blueberry Sky, Prairie Grass, Ripe Avocado, True Black (dye inks by Ink to Paper)

DIES: Comforting Commands (The Greetery), Stitched Rectangle STAX (My Favorite Things)

Hope to see you in the CTD gallery! Happy stamping!

 ~Wanda

Ink to Paper July Reveal Day #2

Are you ready for some more reveals today? Like I hinted yesterday, you'll be learning about the birds and the bees today...among other things!  My first two cards showcase the Bee-utiful Stamp Set/Dies + Here's to You Stamp Set/Dies.

This is an adorable bee set that I colored with Copics then arranged over a stenciled background.

I added clear Wink of Stella to the bees' wings to give them a subtle shimmer. 

STAMPS: Bee-utiful (Ink to Paper)
INK: Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed, Fossilized Amber distress oxide inks; Memento Tuxedo Black
PAPER: White, X-Press It Blending Card
DIES: Bee-utiful, Skinny Frames: Diagonal Border
OTHER: Copics

With all these glasses of bubbly, I thought a bokeh technique in the background would be a good fit. I first color blended with three distress oxide inks, then took my homemade stencil (cut a variety of sizes of circle dies on a piece of acetate) to ink the circles using a white pigment ink. 

STAMPS: Here's to You (Ink to Paper)
INK: Squeezed Lemonade, Carved Pumpkin, Barn Door distress oxide inks for blended background; Aqua Mist, Tropical Teal, True Black, Soft Stone, Saffron Spice, Honey Nut, Limeade Ice, Bright Buttercup, Scarlet Jewel, Hibiscus Burst, Raspberry Fizz; Frost White pigment ink used with bokeh stencil
PAPER: White
DIES: Here's to You, Love to Layer: Notched dies, Banner Builders: Basics

The remainder of the introductions will reveal the following new products: Into the Blooms Die + In Stitches: Strawberry Die + Feathered Friends 2 Die + Feathered Friends Mini Stamp Set/Die + Inside Greetings: Just Because Mini Stamp Set.

You know I love flowers on my cards, so this next die set is a must have for so many possible floral combinations! I focused on water coloring just the Black-eyed Susans and paired them with Dark Indigo patterned papers.

STAMPS: Just Sentiments: Just Because
INK: Enchanted Evening, Versamark
PAPER: Bitty Big: Enchanted Evening, Enchanted Evening, White
DIES: Love to Layer: Notched dies, Border Bling: Diamonds, Love to Layer: Scalloped Circles, Into the Blooms 
OTHER: White embossing powder, Mijello Mission Gold watercolor paints

This fun little felt project took me back to my childhood when I recalled my mother teaching me embroidery skills. Don't know when I last did French knots or even a whip stitch, but it's been a long time! I cut out two strawberries and stitched them together. I wasn't sure how I would use it (package tie on, ornament, home decor?) and I finally opted to clip it onto a pedestal stand and it is currently a pop of color in my stamp room. 

Felt (100% wool from Papertrey Ink)
Black DMC thread

Now for the birds...my favorite two cards of this release! I'm so happy they added both a new bird die and a mini bird stamp set/die! My husband and I love watching the birds that come to our feeders and have quite a variety that pig out on a regular basis! 

I'm part of the Feature Post on the Ink to Paper blog today - you can check it out HERE and I won't repeat my quote or helpful tips here on my blog.

I stenciled the background using PTI's Modern stencil and distress

oxide inks (Peacock Feathers + Twisted Citron). I then popped the pierced frame panel with foam tape and arranged the flowers and leaves around the bird and sentiment. To the right is the inside of the card with an awesome sentiment from the new Inside Greetings set.

STAMPS: Feathered Friends Mini; Inside Greetings: Just Because Mini; Floral Breeze
INK: Canyon Clay, Weathervane, Smokey Shadow, Lovely Lady Hibiscus Burst, Paspberry Fizz, True Black, Lemon Tart, Bright Buttercup, Summer Sunrise; Peacock Feathers and Twisted Citron distress oxide inks used with stencil
PAPER: White, Hawaiian Shores, Green Parakeet
DIES: Feathered Friends Mini; Floral Breeze; Pierced Feature Frames; Floral Delicacies
OTHER: Modern stencil (Papertrey Ink)

I decided to venture out and create a birdhouse after seeing some ideas on Pinterest. I simply folded some printer paper in half and cut out the shape then traced it onto card stock. The decorative roof was made with a scallop punch and the opening was with a 1" punch. Once again, I cut apart the large leafy die from Floral Delicacies and sponged the edges with a darker green ink.

STAMPS: Floral Breeze
INK: Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores, Spring Moss, True Black, Lemon Tart, Bright Buttercup, Summer Sunrise, Canyon Clay, Fine Linen, Classic Kraft, Cocoa Bean
PAPER: White, Aqua Mist, Green Parakeet
DIES: Skinny Frames: Diagonal Border, Floral Delicacies, Floral Breeze, Feathered Friends 2.
OTHER: Black twine


I hope you've enjoyed these introductions and were inspired to go shopping! They will be available to buy on Wednesday, July 15 at 10:00 PM ET! Check out the store link HERE.
                         
                             Happy stamping!          ~Wanda