Avant-Garden, Mother's Day Card, 2017 Sale a Bration

I know it's a little early for a Mother's Day card, but I thought I would make one anyway.  I am pinched for time lately and I am planning ahead. 

This was a fun card to make and where I put the "happy mother's day" words, you can add birthday, thinking of you or even a valentine's day sentiment. 

For this card I used a folded half-sheet of Crumb Cake cardstock.  I also used Crumb Cake cardstock for the layers.

I took a piece of the "Falling in Love" Decorative Series Paper (DSP) and cut the end that had the least hearts to use for the background layer.  That background layer measured 4" x 5-1/4".  Be sure to have the hearts going the right direction before you cut the DSP.  

Next I took the bottom part of the DSP with all the hearts and cut one 1-3/8" x 3-3/4" and the other was cut 1-3/8" x 3-1/8".  I cut the Crumb Cake layers 1-5/8" x 4" and 1-5/8" x 3-3/8".  I taped those layers together and then taped them to the front of the card on top of the DSP background layer.

I took a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock and cut it 3-1/4" x 1-1/4".  I cut the Crumb Cake layer 3-1/2" x 1-1/2".  

I stamped the top part of the flower leaving a little over 1/4" at the top.  Then I stamped another flower on a scrap piece of Very Vanilla cardstock. I used Blushing Bride ink for the flowers.  Then I stamped the stem and leaves using Pear Pizzazz.  I stamped the center of the flower using Soft Suede ink.  Actually, I did that right after I stamped the flowers to give it a chance to dry before I had to fussy cut it out.  Once the flower was cut out, I added some Dimensionals behind it and set it in place on top of the other stamped flower.  I did turn it a little to give the flower the look of being a more full flower.  I thought it looked kind of blah, so I took my "Wink of Stella" pen and colored over the flower.  It didn't show up in the photo but trust me, it did make a big difference.  "Wink of Stella" is a nice way to add a little sparkle to your work without making it look like a glittered after thought. Once I was done with that, I added Dimensionals to the back and set it in place on top of the heart panels.

The words are from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set.  I hope they don't retire it, it covers every holiday and yearly event.  Though I don't think St. Patrick's Day is in there, but then again, I never send out cards for that day anyway!!! LOL  I stamped the words using Soft Suede ink and I used the Classic Label punch to punch them out.  I set them in place using Dimensionals. 

This was a fun card to make.  I was back in my element. I have always LOVED to make cards with lots of layers.  But I know not everyone likes to do that so many times I will keep the layers down to a minimum.  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Avant-Garden, Get Well Card, 2017 Occasions Catalog

Well, it doesn't get much simpler than this!!!  What a fun and quick card to make.

I took a half sheet of Whisper White cardstock and folded it in half.  Then I made score lines starting at 3/8" away from the center fold line and I made a total of 5 that were 1/4" apart.  

I stamped the flower using Daffodil Delight. I also stamped it again but turned it a little and I did not ink it up again.  I stamped the center using Soft Suede ink and the stem and leaves were stamped using Pear Pizzazz ink.  

The words are from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set and I stamped them using Soft Suede ink.  And that was it.  

Just a note here.  When you are stamping words close to a true edge (the bottom edge of the card in this case) you really need to make sure you get it as straight as you can.  Further up on the card it wouldn't have been so noticeable that it was crooked.  But it is what it is, a handmade card!!!

I LOVE this layout.  I want to see if I have other flower images to play with!!! I may be trying this again!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

So Very Much, Flower Shop, Thank You Card, 2017 Sale-a-Bration

Here's another card I found while surfing the web.  I wanted to find something to make using the "So Very Much" set.  I wanted to make a few more cards with it before it retired at the end of the month.  

I changed the flower and the decorative paper on here, plus I changed the background layer. I do love white on white but this card needed a touch of color since the decorative paper was so light in color.  You can see the original card here.  

The base is a folded half-sheet of Blushing Bride.  Next I took a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of Whisper White and stamped the "Thank You" with VersaMark and heat embossed it in gold.  Then I cut off 3/4" from the bottom and an angled cut along the "you".  I just eyed the bottom of the "Y" and the swirl on the end of the "u" and cut.  You don't need to be perfect here.  It kind of matters how far you have that opening on the left side.  You need to find an object  that will cover both slices.  I

used a flower from the "Flower Shop" set.  I have a feeling that set is going to retire in June.  I will miss that set. I've had a lot of fun with it.  And if it stays, you will see more cards in the future made using it!!!

I took another piece of white cardstock cut 4" x 5-1/4" and I taped a piece of decorative paper cut the same size to it.  Then I took Dimensionals and set the top and bottom panels in place.  I added a Dimensional to the center of the flower and set it in place on the left side.  The original card had a couple of other flowers added to the right of the large flower but I thought the image on the paper took care of that for me.  I was happy with how it looked.    And that was it.  Another quick card.

I do want to note that I did use 4" x 5-1/4" piece of decorative paper (mine was from the Blossoms & Bliss pack), I was going to use a scrap piece but the Dimensionals allowed you to see under it and the scrap piece looked ugly, so I went with a larger piece.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

So Detailed, Rose Wonder, Wedding Card, 2017 Sale a Brations and Occasions Catalog

How I ended up at Just Judy Designs, I don't know.  I think it was through a link from another link from a blog I was looking at from a link I was on from another blog!  Doesn't matter, what matters is, I was there and I found this fun card (sort of) there.  I say "sort of" because I changed a few little things on it.  You can see Judy's card here.  

I used the new "Glimmer Paper" Assortment Pack from the Sale a Brations book.  It's one of the new items they added half way through the sale.  I've seen a few cards made using it and I had to copy them. Though I can't find them now but I did find this one.  It's such a pretty wedding card. I changed the decorative paper strip and I didn't add a bow, I added a twist of ribbon.  Oh and my ribbon is a different color from Judy's.  I think the color of my cardstock may be different too.

For my card I used a folded half sheet of Sweet Sugarplum cardstock.  Then I cut a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of Whisper White cardstock.  I added a 1-1/2" x 5-1/4" piece of decorative paper.  Mine is from the "Falling in Love" 12" x 12" pack.  I taped it to the left side of the Whisper White cardstock, but I did NOT tape all the edges. I only taped half way across the top and bottom and all of the left side. I left the right side open because the flower piece has a tab that I slipped under the decorative paper.  I used my favorite gluing method to get the glue to the back of the lacy flowers.  I take a piece of waxed paper a bit larger than the piece that needs gluing.  Then I pour some white glue onto the waxed paper. I fold the paper in half and take my bone folder and smooth out the glue.  I make sure it's covered enough so when I set my piece on top of it, it's all covered.  Once my piece is sitting on top of the glue, I take another piece of waxed paper and set it on top.  I press the piece into the glue.  I remove the top piece of waxed paper and toss it. Then I take the piece and slightly peel it back and grab an edge and remove it from the waxed paper.  I set it in place on my cardstock and I press it down so it sticks.

Next I took my ribbon and taped the edges to the back of the card.  I took a 5" piece and made a loop. I taped the loop with snail tape so it stayed together and I set it aside.  

I took a 1-1/4" piece of Vellum cardstock and cut it 4-1/4" long.  Then I took a piece of Whisper White cardstock (scrap pieces work well here) and I cut it 1" x 2-5/8". I stamped the "Wedding Wishes" from the "Rose Wonder" set on it using Soft Suede ink.  Then I taped that piece to the vellum. But before I taped it, I slid the vellum under the ribbon and checked out how far the edge was from the Whisper White piece.  You don't want the word piece all the way to the end.  Give it some room. Once I taped the words in place, I added tape to the back of the Vellum and set it in place under the ribbon. I did add a glue dot to the ribbon, above the word piece.  The gap was too much to leave alone.  

And finally I added that twisted piece of ribbon.  I taped the back with snail, only in the middle and I slid it under the long ribbon.  I didn't add tape or a glue dot to the top of the ribbon but now that I look at my card, I am going to add it once I'm done posting this.  The twisted ribbon makes it pop up a bit more than I like.  

I REALLY like how this card turned out.  I knew I was going to like it a lot, so I made two of them! One to use and one to keep or sell.  It was a fun card to make too. I LOVE this new glitter paper.  I hope that Stampin' Up! comes up with some other new glitter paper colors in the June catalog.

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Avant-Garden, Birthday Card, 2017 Sale-a-Bration

I'm looking at this card and thinking how fun this would be to make a set of these in different colors and maybe for different occasions other than just birthday.  Though a pack of just birthday cards would be fine too.  I know I have more than 4 friends and relatives that have birthday!! LOL

I found this card on Pinterest.  You can see the original one here. It was done in a green color.  I didn't spend much time looking at the color to determine what green it was.  I didn't want to make a green card, I wanted something in the orange family. I was going to use Pumpkin Pie but I decided to go with Calypso Coral.  I liked both but when I looked at the stash of cardstock, I had more Calypso Coral than  I did Pumpkin Pie.

The base of the card is a folded half sheet of Whisper White cardstock.  I cut another piece of Whisper White to 5-1/2" x 2-1/4".  I cut a piece of Calypso Coral 5-1/2" x 2-1/2".  And that was it for paper cutting.

Next I stamped the flower using Calypso Coral ink.  Then I stamped the words using black Memento ink.  I set it aside and worked on the base part of the card. 

I took the Calypso Coral layer piece and set it on top of the base of the card and set it where I want it to be.  Then I moved it over to the left about a half an inch and drew a light pencil line from top to bottom.  It doesn't have to be a straight line.  Just make it light so it won't show through the back. That way you won't have to erase it.  I took the dotted image from the set and stamped over the line. I did stamp on the line but mostly to the right of the line.  It doesn't really matter, since the line will be hidden by the layer.  I stamped the dots and then stamped again without inking.  There's a nice mix of light and dark stamping, going from light to dark (left to right).  And that was it.  Super easy.  See why it would be fun to make a pack of card using this layout? And doing them in different colors too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Stylized Birthday, Avant-Garden, 2017 Sale-a-Bration, Birthday Card

I just had to play with this fun "Avant-Garden" set again.  I am going to be sorry to see it retire at the end of the month. I just love the "Stylized Birthday" stamp.  It takes up a lot of real estate so you don't have to do a whole lot to a card. Where the flowers are I could have used decorative paper and had a nice effect as well.  

For this card I used Sweet Sugarplum cardstock and ink. Whisper White cardstock, Pear Pizzazz ink and Soft Suede ink.

I stamped the birthday greetings on first using Pear Pizzazz ink.  Then I stamped the flowers.  Some I stamped again without inking up the image again. I used Sweet Sugarplum on the flowers. Then I stamped the center of the flowers using Soft Suede and on the lighter flowers I didn't ink up the image again.  I did the same for the leaves and stems but I used Pear Pizzazz ink on them.  I just randomly stamped the leaves where I thought they should be and tried to make the lighter leaves by the lighter flowers, for the most part.  

This was a very fun and super quick card to make.  I wish Stampin' Up! would make a "Happy Mother's Day" as big as the "Happy Birthday" and with the same font.  It's so pretty!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

So Very Much, Thank You Card, 2017 Sale-a-Bration

Here's another fun card I found while surfing the net.  You can see the original card here.  I did not add the texture to the top part or the rhinestones.  I kept it more plain and simple looking.  

This was a very easy card to make. It seems that the larger the words are on a card, the less you have to do to it!  I'm going to miss this big "Thank You" from the "So Very Much" Sale-a-Bration set.  I will be selling it in my web store sometime next month.  Probably after the 15th (tax time!!! UGH!).  

To make this card I took a folded half sheet of Sweet Sugarplum cardstock.  I took a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of Whisper White card stock and stamped the "Thank you" at the top part using Sweet Sugarplum ink.  Then I took a 4" x 1-1/2" piece of the "Blooms & Bliss" decorative paper.  Actually, mine was a scrap. It's always nice when you can use up those scraps.  I sponged the edges with Sweet Sugarplum ink.  I taped it to the white cardstock and then tied a Sweet Sugarplum ribbon around it.  I taped it on to the front of the card base and that was it.  Super simple and such a sweet looking card!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

So Very Much, Delicate Details, Thank you Card, 2017 Sale-a-Bration

Because it was so pretty, that's why!! LOL  I found this fun card on Pinterest and I just HAD to make it.  You can see the original card here.  I only omitted the "so very much" words. Other than that, it's exactly the same.

I thought it looked like a pretty simple card to make.  Well, it takes a good eye to get the lines straight.  The lines on the bottom are really straight, it just looks a bit off because the card angle and it being open on that side.  I cheated and drew a light pencil line where I wanted the most solid part of that image to be.  I measured both sides and when I went to stamp I stamped on top of the pencil lines on each side.  Couldn't go wrong doing it that way.  Repeat for the other 3.  

The base of this card is a folded half sheet of Real Red cardstock.  The "Thank you" was stamped using Real Red ink.  I did stamp the words first so I knew where the lace images had to be put and how much space I had to work with. 

The lace images are stamped using Real Red on the larger one and Pink Pirouette on the thinner one.  And that's it.  Super simple and so elegant looking and such a short post today!! LOL

Thank you so much for visiting today,

Wanda

Avant-Garden, So Very Much, 2017 Occasions Catalog

I found this fun card while surfing on the net.  You can see the original one here.  I liked the idea that I could combine the "Avant-Garden" and "So Very Much" sets together. I LOVE the large "Thank You" from the "So Very Much" set. It takes up a lot of "real estate" when you're stamping.  I was using it pretty much alone on a card with a little embellishment but when I saw how these two stamps worked together so well, I just had to make it.  It's very simple to do too!

First you need a folded half sheet of Pear Pizzazz cardstock. On top of that is a 4" x 5-1/4" Whisper White sheet.  The "Thank You" was stamped using Pear Pizzazz ink.  Then I stamped the flowers from the "Avant Garden" set.  I used Daffodil Delight ink.  I stamped once and then stamped another flower without inking the image again (referred to as second generation stamping).  I did that twice and I made 4 solid Daffodil Delight flowers.  For the center of each flower I used Soft Suede ink.  I don't believe anything was added to the flower centers on the original card. I used Pear Pizzazz ink for the stems and leaves.  Some leaves were stamped second generation.  After I finished the flowers and leaves, I could then clearly see the space open for sort of centering my words under the "Thank You".  I was going to stamp them right after the "Thank You" but I decided to wait because I wasn't how much space would be open there. It's not that you can't stamp the words, but it's better to wait so you can see the area to stamp in better.

This was a fun card to make and I can see myself making more.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Avant-Garden, Tin of Cards, Birthday Card, 2017 Sale-a-Bration

I honestly don't know how I ended up on YouTube when I was looking for a card to make.  I may have seen the card and clicked on a link.  I don't know.  But I'm glad I did because this was a fun card to make.

I didn't have any of the current sequins but I did have some left over from the October 2016 Paper Pumpkin kit, so I used a few of them.  And it worked!!! LOL

For this card I used a folded half sheet of Dapper Denim for the base.  On top of that is a piece of Whisper White cut 4" x 5-1/4".

I then die cut a circle from the "Stitched Shapes" framelits.  I actually die cut two. One of Whisper White and one of scrap cardstock so I could trace around it.  I didn't want to trace around the circle I'm going to stamp on because I'm known for slipping and drawing on the circle.  Plus I didn't want to get pencil (graphite) on the edges of the circle.  Sometimes it can smear. And I didn't want to try to erase that on the edges.  So it was just easier to make an extra circle.  Plus I put it in the package with the dies when I was done so I don't have to ever cut another extra one out (unless I ruin this one beyond reuse!).  I stamped the "happy birthday" from the "Tin of Cards" set.  There is a "Happy Birthday Wishes" in the "Avant-Garden" set but I liked these words better, the font flowed with the flowers better.  

So the words are stamped and set aside.  I then took the other circle and set it in place on the card and traced lightly around it.  Now if you don't have one, I highly recommend a kneaded eraser.  When I was in high school they were called kneadable erasers.  They erase pencil marks without ruining the paper and leave no trace behind.  I've gotten mine at Michael's.  And it's one of those items that don't go on sale, so when they have a big coupon sale, you can use it on that.  They aren't that expensive but if you don't know what to use your coupon on, this is it!!  They last a very long time too.  I cut mine in half and keep one at my worktable and one in my pencil pack.  You can shape it to a point or what ever shape you like.  We use to flatten them out and press them to our mouth and blow big and very loud bubbles with them.  Now that I think of it, I wonder if the students in the entire art department did that.  GROSS!!! Okay, so much for reminiscing!!! LOL   

Next I stamped the flowers beginning with Pool Party and then Dapper Denim.  I stamped the leaves using Wild Wasabi and Mint Macaron.  The video said to stamp off.  I didn't do that.  I liked them more solid.  It fit with the darker colors of the flowers.  The Mint Macaron gave the illusion of stamping off, so I thought it all balanced out.  The flower centers were done using Chocolate Chip ink.  The dots were also Chocolate Chip ink.  

Next I wrapped and taped some copper thread around the bottom part of the card.  Then I taped the card in place on the Dapper Denim base.  I set the words in place using Dimensionals and then glued the sequins in place.  And that was it!

I thought it was a fun card to make.  You can watch that YouTube video of it here.  My card looks very close to the original except I did not use copper embossing powder on mine, I didn't have any.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Avant-Garden, Thank You Card, Delicate Details, 2017 Sale a Bration

I made a gift pack of cards for a friend and I wanted to include a thank you card to go with it.  So this is what I found while looking on Pinterest for something else.  Isn't that how it works?  LOL

I love the lace border image at the bottom.  I have not played with that "Delicate Details" set much either and it retires at the end of the month.  Oh and please check back in April to my web store, I will be selling my retiring sets then.  I will post them on here and there will be a link to the store.  I need to stop hanging on to them and say goodbye. Plus I need the room!

So, onto this fun card.  The base of this card is folded half-sheet of Eggplant Envy.  A color I don't use very often and don't know why!  Then on top of that is a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of Wisteria Wonder.  And the Whisper White piece is cut 3-3/4" x 5".

I stamped the flowers, inking each one.  Plus I stamped a fourth one on a scrap piece of Whisper White so I could fussy cut it out.  Then the center of the flowers were stamped using Eggplant Envy ink.  The leaves were stamped using Pear Pizzazz ink. Some are stamped direct and others are stamped without inking the image again.  It's a pretty even balance.  The dots in the background are found in the set and were inked using Wisteria Wonder and then stamped off once before stamping on the cardstock.  The original card did not have any dots above the flowers like I added.  Also the words are different, in a different place and layered.  You can see the original card here.  I also used Baker's Twine and the original card had colored twine.  I didn't have any colored so I made do with what I had.  The original card did not fussy cut a flower either.  I just like to do that with this set.  It gives the card a bit more depth.

This was a very fun card to make and I do like how it turned out.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Avant-Garden, Birthday Card, 2017 Sale a Bration

I found this fun card while surfing the net.  I don't recall what I was surfing for in particular but when I saw this card, I just had to make it. The original card was made by Julie at Julie's Japes.  

This card has a "half front" and the focal piece covers half of it.  So when you're assembling it, you have to make sure not to put Dimensionals on the whole thing or it will stick to the inside part and you won't be able to open it!!!  Yup, I've done that before!!!  My favorite was when I was reminding myself not to do it when I was taping the layers together. I grab the Dimensionals and cover the whole thing.  UGH.  So I remove the ones that didn't belong there. Fortunately I never press them firmly in place so they don't take a whole lot of effort to remove them.  Anyway, I get them all off and do it again!!!  I just shook my head at myself while rolling my eyes back!!! LOL  A creature of habit I guess!  LOL

Anyway, back to the card.  The base of this card is a folded half sheet of Crumb Cake cardstock.  I cut it on the short side.  Then I folded it in half and cut off half of the front (2-3/4").  

I used the "Falling Hearts" folder on two 1/4 sheets of Sweet Sugarplum card stock. They were sponged on top using Sweet Sugarplum ink. Then I cut them to 2-5/8" x 2-5/8".   I could have used the square framelits but it's easier to cut the squares on the paper cutter.  I also cut 4 square scalloped edged ones using the framelits.  

Next I stamped the flowers. I started with the Sweet Sugarplum ones. I stamped the one on the right and without inking the stamp again, I stamped the one on the left.  Then I stamped the inside flowers. Click on Julie's link to see how she did the inside.  I didn't use the one leaf stem thing that she used.  I thought it looked out of place with these flowers.  But if you like them, by all means, add them.  

I stamped the Eggplant Envy flower and then the Pear Pizzazz leaves.  I added the Sweet Sugarplum dots, those were stamped off once.  And for the center of the flowers I used Eggplant Envy and on the Eggplant Envy flower I used Basic Black ink.  

I stamped the words using Eggplant Envy ink and die cut them with the oval framelits.  The scalloped layer behind it is Pear Pizzazz.  The original card didn't have the oval scallop behind the words. I just thought it needed to be more separated from the flowers and adding a frame around the words was what it needed. 

This was a very fun and easy card to make.  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Balloon Adventures, Balloon Pop-up Thinlits, Birthday Card

This is such a fun and cheery looking card.  I saw it on Klompen Stampers and I just had to copy it.  The inside is suppose to be a pop-up birthday greeting but I didn't add it to this card.  I was more impressed with the festive front of this card. I just love how colorful it is. It's so cheery looking.  

The base of this card is a folded half sheet of Basic Black cardstock.  Then a 4" x 5-1/4" layer of Whisper White was added to the top.  But before I taped it in place I stamped on it!!!

The first thing I did was to die cut the balloons and punch out the solid balloons so I could glue them together and let them sit to dry. I used Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point and Tangerine Tango cardstock.  For the solid backing on the balloons, I used Cucumber Crush, Smoky Slate, and Daffodil Delight.

Next I stamped the balloons onto the Whisper White piece.  I used Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point and Cucumber Crush ink.  I also used Daffodil Delight ink for the confetti on the right side of the card.  The words were from the same set and stamped using black Memento ink.

Once I was done stamping the balloons, I stamped the words.  That way I knew where to add the confetti.

Next I set the die cut balloons in place using Dimensionals.  I added a glue dot to the Basic Black cardstock die cut bows on each balloon.  (wow, was that ever a run on sentence!).  It bordered on rambling!!! LOL  Anyway, after the bows were added, I added a piece of trimmed Whisper White cardstock to the inside and that was it.  

It's a pretty simple card.  Die cuts help a lot to make speedy cards!!!  I hope this set makes it to the catalog in June.  I really like it!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Avant-Garden and Delicate Details Birthday Card

No smudges here today!!!  I made sure I used the correct size stamping blocks and I made sure my fingers were ink free before I handled the paper!  Yay, a gold star for me today!!! LOL

This was a very fun card to make.  I want to make another one using a different color.  I may try it later in the week.  I found this fun card on Pinterest.  You can see the original here.  I didn't change it much at all.  With no measurements, I have to eye the size of the cardstock for the panels.  Mine is larger than the original card but I still like how it looks.  And I did not add the jute bow.  It is cute but it's hard to mail cards when there's knots and bows that cause the card's thickness to pass the 1/4" minimum or have something in the card that would cause machines to jam, like buttons, brads, etc.  So I often leave those things off.  But if I'm going to hand deliver a card, I will add LOTS of stuff!!! LOL

The base of this card is a folded half-sheet of Tempting Turquoise.  Such a pretty color that I don't use much and I don't know why.  I cut a piece of Whisper White 4" x 5-1/4" and set it aside. Next I cut a piece of card stock 2-1/2" x 4-3/4".  I stamped the flowers using Tempting Turquoise ink.  I stamped the left flower first and then the right flower, I did not ink up the stamp again for the second flower.  I did stamp another flower using a piece of scrap paper.  I cut it out and then I stamped the center using Chocolate Chip ink. I stamped the center of the second flower without inking the image again. I stamped the leaves and stems using Pear Pizzazz ink. I did use straight ink on the stems but the leaf on the right was not inked up again (I believe this is called "second generation" ink). 

Next I set the panel on the Whisper White cardstock to see where I was going to stamp the lacy image.  You could draw a light pencil line or a few light dots on your cardstock before stamping that image, but make sure it's light and it's dry before you erase it. 

The words are from the "Avant-Garden" set and were stamped using Pear Pizzazz ink.

Once all the stamping was done, I used Dimensionals to put the flower on top of the other flower.  I turned it a little so the petals from the back flower show.  Then I put Dimensionals on that focal panel and lined it up with the edge of the lace image.  I did round the corners of the right side before I set it in place.  

It's such a fun and pretty card!!  I just had to make one!!  I was thinking of digging out my old "Sincere Salutations" set and making a set of cards using 4 of the word stamps from that set.  I use to do that a lot before the set was retired.  I MISS that set A LOT!!!

Thank you ever so much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Avant-Garden, Special Reason, Birthday Card

Well, for what started out as an easy card to make, I sure made a mess of it. It really was easy to make and it was even easier to mess up.  I was not paying attention when I was adding the leaves.  The block had some ink on it and I was not stamping evenly, so there's a line of ink on and above the flower on the left.  I decided to go ahead with the card anyway.  I should have stopped and redone it but it was the last leaf I was making.  See why it's important to use a block that is closest to the size of the stamp image you are working with. Larger blocks with small images is just inviting problems!

And as if the green line wasn't enough. When I went to add the words, some how there's a black mark on the upper left.  UGH!! I don't know how that one happened, but it looks like a part of a fingerprint.  I looked at my hands and didn't see any ink on me. I must have just transferred it all.  I haven't a clue how that got there.  I'm usually a pretty clean stamper.  I don't often make these kinds of mistakes.  But today I surely did!! OOPS!!!

So if you want to make a card like this, minus the mistakes, it's pretty simple.  I took the other half of the Melon Mambo cardstock that I had cut for yesterday's card.  I folded it in half.

Then I took a piece of Whisper White cut 4-1/4" x 3". And before I stamped the Avant-Garden flowers I cut a piece of Window Sheet (or transfer sheet) 3-1/4" x 2".  I set the Window Sheet over the white cardstock and centered it.  I inked up the flower with Melon Mambo, I removed the Window Sheet and I stamped the flower near the corner of the Window Sheet area.  Then I stamped the left flower (without inking the image) and I stamped the flower one more time (without inking the image).  

I used Chocolate Chip ink to stamp the flower centers.  I did not reink the image for each flower. I stamped them the same way I did the flowers.  

The leaves were stamped using Pear Pizzazz ink. I only used the stamp twice, not 3 times like I did with the flowers.  Once I was done with that I cleaned up my stamps and put them back in the case they belong in.  It gave me time to let the ink dry.  I didn't want to smear it up anymore than it already was.  (that part worked, no extra smears!!! LOL).  

I took the Window Sheet and centered it on the flowers.  I took the Basic Black marker, the writing end, and drew around the sheet being careful not to draw over any stamped area.  

The words are from the "Special Reason" set.  I stamped them and that part was all done.  All I had left to do was to add the Dimensionals and set it in place on the card base.  Pretty simple but easy to mess up if you are not paying attention or using the right size blocks for the size stamp.  There, you learned a great lesson today.  I knew this but I still use the wrong size blocks and today it caught up with me.

I am thinking about making another card like this but using a different color.  I do like this look. I may even use a texture on the card base.  I have to think about that more.  It may not need it, it may distract from the focal piece.  I'll see what I can come up with.

So with notes taken and lessons learned, I hope you enjoyed this card.  I found it on Pinterest and I just had to make one.  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

So Very Much, Avant-Garden Thank You Card, 2017 Sale a Brations

There's a little over a month and these stamp sets will be retiring.  It's a Sale a Bration stamp and at the end of March it will no longer be available.  But You will be able to find it in my web store after April 1st.  If I'm on the ball with getting things entered in the store.  It's not as easy as one would think. Taking the photo (not so hard) but entering in the data, weight of the package, what countries I will ship to, price, thumbnail photo that shows up on the store site first (that is where I ALWAYS mess it up!).  And sometimes the photos won't go where I want them and the words are all over the place.  Some of my items there are such a mess!!! But I keep trying!

Today's card was given to me as a gesture of kindness.  My friend Colleen made this card and gave it to me last night at Terri's Technique Tuesday.  She said that I'm always giving her cards and she thought she would give me a couple of cards in return.  That was SO sweet.  I never expect to receive cards from anyone when I give them a card.  It's usually extra swap cards but I suppose to them it means more.  Kind of like what this card meant to me when Colleen gave it to me!  Okay, I get it!! LOL

This card was made using the "So Very Much" and "Avant-Garden" sets.  

The base of this card is a folded half sheet of Bermuda Bay.  The decorative paper is from the "Blooms & Bliss" Decorative Series Paper (DSP) 12" x 12" pack.  I think I used all but a quarter sheet of that color in my pack. 

The flowers from the "Avant-Garden" set were stamped using Mint Macaron.  "For your kindness" was stamped using Bermuda Bay ink on a scrap piece of Mint Macaron and taped in place.

The focal piece was cut 3-1/4" x 4" and the Bermuda Bay layer was cut 3-1/2" x 4-1/4".  It was set in place with Dimensionals.

It's such an elegant looking card.  I am going to miss the large "Thank You", just as much as I miss the large "Happy Birthday" one that was retired last year.  These are great because they take up a lot of "real estate" and you don't have to decorate them too much because they can pretty much stand alone!  So since it will be retiring soon, I will be using it a bit more.  Sometimes in doing that, I tend to miss the stamp even more.  I just can't win, can I?  LOL

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Beautiful You, Avant-Garden, Birthday Card

Today I thought I would dig out another set and play with it. I had a lot of fun making this card.  I LOVE making red, white and black cards anyway and this lady fit the bill perfectly.  

I'm betting you are anxious to know how I made this card!!! LOLThe base of my card is a folded half sheet of Basic Black cardstock.  I added a 4" x 5-1/4" of Whisper White cardstock on top of that.  

For the fun layered panels I used Real Red cardstock that was cut 4" x 1-3/4".  The Basic Black layer behind it was cut 4" x 1-7/8".  

The other panel was a piece of Decorative Paper from the 12" x 12" Brights pack.  I loved those large dots and I thought it would look nice with the lady image.  I cut that dotted paper 4" x 1-1/2". The Basic Black layer was cut 4-1/8" x  1-5/8".  

The focal panel was cut 3" x 2" and the Basic Black layer was cut 3-1/8" x 2-1/8".  I used watercolor paper for the focal panel.  

The words are from the "Avant-Garden" set.  I just thought that font is so sweet looking.  The set does come with birthday wishes but it added the word "gorgeous" but I wasn't so fond of it so I found a different greeting.  This would also make a great Mother's Day card (if you can find the wording to fit in that area, or you can add it on the inside.  

To color in the image I used the Real Red marker and a blender pen.  I scribbled the marker on one of my clear stamping blocks and picked up the color with a blender pen. I colored the sides and then moved towards the center.  By the time I got to the center it was coloring pretty light.  I always started on the sides so I didn't get the center too dark.  I did the same with the skin.  I used Pirouette Pink for that.  For the shadowing, I used the Basic Gray watercolor pencil. I colored around the image and then I took the blender pen and rubbed the color in.  It's a lot easier than it sounds.  Oh and I used the smoother side of the watercolor paper.  I know you're suppose to use the other side but it was too textured to get a crisp image.  

I taped all the layers in place and then I added the words using Dimensionals.  

And no, I didn't find this card on Pinterest!!!  I designed it all by myself!!  LOL  And I think I'm going to hang on to this card for a while.  I kind of like it!!! LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Avant-Garden, 2017 Sale A Bration

Today I thought I would play with the other flower in the "Avant-Garden" stamp set.  I have made a card using this set before but I am finding it a more difficult one to work with than the other flower.  This flower could have used some leaves.  There was not a detailed leaf image in the set so it's a bare stem.  I thought about adding some wording across the stem area.  It surely needs something.

I used Pumpkin Pie card stock on a folded half sheet of Whisper White.  I stamped the image on Whisper White and die cut it with the oval cutters.  I added some Pumpkin Pie dots from one of the images in the set.  

I added the doily at the bottom but it's still not enough.  I'm still leaning towards some wording across the middle.

You give it a try with some wording or something else to give it a punch.  Email me your photo and I'll post it on here and show everyone what it really should look like!!! LOL

They all can't be winners!

Thank you SO much for baring with me today!! LOL
Wanda

Tasty Treats, Birthday Card, 2017 Sale a Bration

Okay, hot off my worktable!!!  I did not find this one on the internet.  But after I post this, you can find it there!! I didn't go surfing this time.  I actually sat down and gave the card some thought and color!  And this is what I ended up with.  

I used Basic Black cardstock for the base of this card and for the layers.  I used a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of Pool Party for the layer on top of the base of the card.  On top of that is a piece of "Tasty Treats" specialty paper that was cut 4" x 5-1/4" and cut in half the long way.  I taped it in place on top of the Pool Party piece.  Make sure to line up the left and bottom edges.

Next I cut a piece of the "Tasty Treats" specialty paper 1-1/2" x 3".  The black layer is cut 1-3/8" x 3-1/8".  The focal piece is Whisper White and cut 2-1/4" x 3-1/4" and the black layer behind it is cut 2-3/8" x 3-3/8".  

The truck was stamped and fussy cut out.  I colored it using Bermuda Bay and Daffodil Delight ink and a blender pen.  The windows on the truck were cut out.  I set it in place on the white panel and drew a light line with a pencil on the window edge so I could line up the cupcakes.  I stamped the cupcakes and colored them in with Flirty Flamingo ink and Sahara Sand markers. I stamped th wrods on and then I set the truck in place using Dimensionals.  The inside reads: "Happy Birthday, now where's the cake?"  Cute, huh?  LOL

This was a fun card to make and I think I need to stay away from Pinterest for a while and come up with my own stuff, like I use to do a couple of years ago.  I just started finding fun and cute things on the net and had to make them.  I'm sure I will still do that, because there are some things that I would just LOVE to make.  Especially some of the ones with less layers.  Though I LOVE layers and those of you who know me know I LOVE to make cards with lots of layers!!!  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Hey Chick, Birthday Card, 2017 Sale A Brations

So, does this card speak to you as a birthday card or a friendship card?  I was thinking birthday card at first and then I started thinking.  UGH.  Don't think!!! LOL  I'm going to present it as a birthday card.  If I don't use it, I will be selling it and let the buyer purchase it as whatever they think it is!!

I found this card on Pinterest.  I changed the color of the hen and the Baker's Twine.  I didn't have any solid red, so I went with what I had on hand.  I could have taken a red Sharpe and colored the twine but I was too lazy!!!

The base of this card is a folded half sheet of Real Red card stock. Then a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of Chocolate Chip cardstock. On top of that is a 3-3/8" x 5" piece of Crumb Cake cardstock.  I stamped all of the chickens from the set onto the Crumb Cake piece using Crumb Cake ink.  

Before I taped the Chocolate Chip cardstock down I cut the oval for the chicken right in the center.  No one will ever know it's not a solid piece of cardstock.  It's a great way to save on cardstock when you don't have a scrap piece for what you need.  I did have to use a piece of Real Red cardstock for the scalloped oval. I didn't have any scrap, so I had to use a 1/4 sheet piece.

I stamped the chicken and die cut the oval.  Then I colored it in.  I don't color before I cut.  I've wasted so much time doing that in the past. I would ruin the image after it was all colored.  So now I color after cutting.  I added the words using Crumb Cake ink.

It was a fun card to make and I got to finally use every chicken in the set!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda