"Remembering You" Dry Embossed Butterfly

Hi, everyone! Welcome to my little blog, and Come on into the cool Air Conditioning, have a seat, and prepare to be entertained by a myriad of butterflies, hummingbirds, and a host of pollinators just outside my window!

Recently, the incredible duo Darlene and Diane had a challenge on their "Can You Handle the Pressure" challenge blog involving dry embossed butterflies. Thoroughly inspired, I set about creating a card especially for a friend who lost her husband 4 years ago this month - as a remembrance of his dear life, (but was unable to finish in time to play in the challenge). Still, I thank them for their inspiration! Since the EF was at least 10 years old and had never been used before, it qualified for their Neglected Stuff Challenge instead. 

The challenge at the time was "BUTTERFLIES" and dry embossing. This 4"x6" butterfly is the single element on this Craft Stash Limited embossing folder. Four white images were the result after running it through the machine. 

Next, Spun Sugar Oxide was smooshed atop the embossed areas. Because the design did not have clearly-defined areas to fussy cut specific layers, I made my own cut design, carefully applying clear glitter in some of the design and on the edge of each layer. 

After the glitter was dry, Kitsch Flamingo pink DI was applied along each edge of the wing layers, for a little dimension. On the two top layers, Black Soot Oxide was also applied along the edges.

A black "shadow" of black vellum was also fussy-cut for dimension:

Incidentals: "dry" distressing the edges of the "designer paper", an edge punched on one side, ink distressing the edges and here-and-there, a few pearls.

On the inside: The same color cardstock (vintage pink) for the VERSES STAMP, and a larger "PNG" of the scanned background. The card is 5"x7".

I'm thankful to the designers at "Can You Handle the Pressure" challenge blog - as I am to all of the design team members who inspire us.

I know you all are marvelous chefs in your kitchens. Never take for granted being able to cook! Usually Jack needs to help me, or finish what I start.  Recently I was able to bake brunch - and do it all by myself from start to finish LOL Normally fatigue and symptoms prevent me from doing any project unless I work on it a few minutes at a time. It's surprising how much can still be accomplished doing things in one-to-three minute increments! The crust is pretty ugly, but the quiche was yummy with spinach, garden-grown scallions and cherry tomatoes! I used Feta in place of heavier cheeses. It was good!

UGLY CRUST QUICHE:

Products: Large Butterfly Embossing Folder from Craft Stash Limited EFOB0007 (2015) (I see that Craft Stash is closing this year, but that many of their products can be purchased on Craft World), Inks: Spun Sugar Oxide, Kitsch flamingo DI, Black Soot Oxide, Nocturne VersaFine Clair Other: Clear Glitter, Pearls, home-made designer paper, black vellum, black & vintage pink papers, MS Arch Lattice Edge punch. The "designer paper" is from a book I saved particularly for this purpose. A smaller PNG is on the front, and a larger rendition is inside. Interior Stamp is from VERSES RUBBER STAMPS SY0521-E "Embrace a Memory".

Playing in these fun challenges:

1. Neglected Stuff Challenge (July 6) Use at least one neglected item (virginal embossing folder, a forsaken interior sentiment stamp, a book I had saved specifically to use in card making since 1992, and has never been utilized.) ends 7-28 (8/4)
2. Crafty Animals Challenge #96 "AG with animals or teddy bears" 7/28 (8/1)
3. Heart's Quest for Love Challenges Blog HQCOLCB #7 "BEWAS themes" Mine is a Sympathy Anniversary for a dear friend, ends 7-31, (8/7)
4. Creative Fingers Challenge #305 (sep post) Anything goes - Thank you for sharing such a positive message on your blog! (8/2 sep post)
5. Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday (June 4) Anything goes - 7/31
6. Creations in Pink #82  Anything Goes Mainly in Pink 7/13 (7/15)
7. A Perfect Time to craft Challenge #7-2025 7/28
8. Triple B Birds, Butterflies & Blooms Challenge July 3 - Birds, Blooms or Butterflies using inspiration tile 7/31 (8/6)

Stamping Hugs,

Serenity and Friends

Hello, sweet blogging friends! My versatile card today really is appropriate for nearly every occasion. A friend brought her Stampin' Up! stamps over, and I created the die cuts (etc) for a framed masterpiece. Together we came up with a beautiful card!

After die cutting SB Grand Decorative Labels One, I cut it in half to achieve two "border" pieces. I also cut a corner piece off to use on the top:

Each layer has distressed edges for a slightly vintage appearance, and added dimension.

Thanks for popping by today!

For new card makers - Directions to make the card:

1. Cut card base for 5x7 card. Score at the 5" mark and fold in half.
2. Place Spellbinders Grand Labels Four centered in a piece of card stock that is at least 5x7 and cut. 
3. Place Spellbinders Grand Dec Labels Four cut side down on top of the "frame" from step 2.
4. Center the frame die so that the aperture is lined up at the four "points".
5. Die Cut, then flip the base cut plate so that the die cut paper is still inside the die. Place the embossing mat on top (it seems like the die will cut through the embossing mat, but it does not). Then use your embossing plate on top of that, and run it through your die machine again. This will dry emboss the decorative die and bring out all the gorgeous details.
6. Cut brown "mat" 3.75" x 5". Set aside.
7. Cut white card for stamping 3.5" x 4.75". 
8. Stamp white piece as desired using favorite inks, leaving room for sentiment. Set aside for ink to dry.
9. Choose a border punch, border die, or a die with decorative edges and just cut the edge of the die (that's what I did, using SB Grand Decorative Labels One).
10. Adhere part of the border to the back of the brown layer so just the pretty part shows. Cut a smaller portion or corner for the center of the top, and adhere to same layer.
11. Stamp sentiment to white panel and apply embossing powder. Heat Set.
12. Distress edge of white stamped card with complementary ink colors, applying the lighter color first, and then the darker color on the very edge. Adhere to brown panel.
13. If desired, die cut or punch some "grass-like" pieces for the bottom center, to create visual interest.
14. Order in which to assemble: 

        a) attach white decorative edges to brown panel.
        b) attach stamped white panel to brown panel.
        c) adhere panel from a&b to card base (centering top and bottom, and sides)

        d) adhere decorative frame panel.

        e) adhere grassy die cuts.

Products: Stamps: Stampin' Up!, Silver Fox Stamps "Always in my thoughts" (no longer in business), Impression Obsession B6061 Think of You Days, Dies: SB Grand Decorative Labels One, SB Grand Labels Four, SB 5x7 Elegant Labels 4, IO Die178C Small Grass, Inks: DI: tea dye and pumice stone, SU, VersaFine Clair, Clear Detail Embossing Powder (for sentiments)

May I please play in the following fine challenges?

1. Sisterhood of Crafters November 13 - Landscapes 11/23
2. Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2445 AG 11/17
3. Dream Valley Challenges #325 Anything Goes 11/23
4. Inkspirational Challenges #328 Layer It 11/15 sep post (layered panels, pieces, and layered stamps)

Stamping hugs, (wouldn't it be fun to jump out of the water like this dolphin?)

The Last Triangle Cards

 Happy July to you! Hoping the summer temperatures are not being too cruel to you, and that you have escaped some of the weather hardships assaulting so many countries.

Today I'm sharing the last of some designer-papers-cut-into-triangles stuff from my unfinished box. These were papers cut into triangles years ago, and then hidden away in a box for... why? I reasoned lasst month they would be good backgrounds to showcase some sentiments on card fronts, using an assortment of embossing powders and images. I also employed some of my oldest Spellbinders die shapes, a Sizzix branch, little round Prills (for flower centers) and an old Martha Stewart flower punch.

First are three sympathy cards. Is it appropriate to use Wink of Stella on serious cards?

Such a sweet sentiment "Embrace a Memory" by Verses Rubber Stamps - it says so much.

Textures are created with punches, Prills, inks and Wink of Stella:

You're Never More Than a Thought Away (Old SNS stamp):

Two thinking of you cards:

(sentiments from Biblical Creations and Stampin' Up!)

It was fun mixing and matching shapes to accommodate the sentiments. And OH-SO-GLAD to have six more cards completed from the now (gratefully) depleted triangle stash!

Wishing you a beautiful week-end!

Playing in the following challenges please:

1. **brand new** Love Those Pretty Papers Challenge Blog 7/31
2. Word Power Challenge - Words must be dominant feature of card 7/25

stamping hugs,

LOST AND FOUND - MORE "unfinished stuff" from my old stash - freebie

I've been plugging away in my craft room, a little at a time and using more "stuff" discovered in my "unfinished projects" box. I love using my old stamps and papers from long ago. Do you?  Today, I am using previously cut out triangles of papers in the backgrounds of these cards.

I especially enjoy this Fred She Said stamp because it works for people from our past or present - still present in our lives, and/or having moved away until we next talk. I love hearing the stories about my friends' relatives and family stories. Those kinds of memories come alive when retold, and give us inspiration to live in a way that inspires others, too. On this occasion, the card was sent to a friend's husband who has been chronically ill, and fighting a terminal illness, for decades. His strength and influence have encouraged me. In the card, I shared that he and I are "aged to a perfection" only the two of us can appreciate (giggle).

Aged to Perfection - Fred She Said Old Trucks

Using the backgrounds from my unfinished box, with a little help from Fred She Said Old Trucks, I utilized an ancient (dare I say "vintage") technique. Some call it "Cracked Glass" and others call it "Cracked Ice". 

Using Sepia tones to further the vintage look, I die cut the images, inked them up, coated with several layers of clear EP, and put them in the freezer for about 30 minutes. Then the images were "cracked" before the EP could thaw:

I liberally smooshed Black Soot DI on top of the images, so the ink could get into the crevices. The rest comes off easily with paper towel. These cracked really well -- kinda like me! (giggle)

I tried to capture more detail in the photograph by removing the overhead light on my desk:

Products: Stamps: Fred She Said Old Trucks, Freebie Digital Sentiment below Dies: Surprise Creations Pierced Decorative Ovals, Sue Wilson Double Pierced Ovals, Sue Wilson Pierced Flags, Inks: Distress Oxides Vintage Photo & Brushed Corduroy, Distress inks Black Soot, Old Paper, VersaMark, Clear EP, other: Charcoal colored Vellum, FREEZER TECHNIQUE

FREEBIE SENTIMENT

My gift to you - Arrangements of the same sentiment for use on the inside or outside of your projects. Please do not sell these Sentiments. Use on any of your projects, including projects involving any design teams you might be on.

Click on the image to bring it to full size. Because of the changes Google Made with Blogger (June 2020), your image will appear to be solid black. Don’t panic. Right click and do a SAVE AS PNG. Once it is saved on your hard drive, you can open it and it will have a transparent background. I create PNGs instead of JPGs so they can be placed anywhere on a scene or project, and so backgrounds can be made using them. Please let me know if you have any problems. I hope they serve you well!

Enjoy!

Playing in the following challenges please:

1. Perfect Time to Craft (June 1) #6 AG 7/1
2. Classic Design Challenge #5 AG with masculine 6/15
3. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #231 AG 6/16
4. The Alphabet Challenge (May 31) E is for Embossing 6/13 (one of the background triangles is dry embossed with dots - the main image has several coats of Clear Embossing Powder - wet embossing - was placed in the freezer, then cracked and distressed as mentioned above)
5. Aloha Friday #11 Masculine 7/3

Stamping Hugs,

Perhaps they are not stars (and freebies)

Waving "hello" to you all, my dear friends! 

Oh HOW I MISS YOU AND MY CRAFTING TIME!

Today's card is for a sweet friend whose husband passed away a few months ago. Instead of saying "sympathy", I'm using a different salutation. This card was months in the making.

I had an idea for masking to try, but I probably went about it illogically, doing things the hard way (giggle).

First, I created masks. The "negative" mask was used for inking. The larger positive mask was used for stamping. The card is 5x7, so I cut the negative mask to fit a 5x7 panel, and centered the die cut:

After inking the background, my VIRGINAL SU Francais background script was inked, face up, and the panel was pressed atop. Several VIRGINAL stamps were used in making the custom background paper. Then the VIRGINAL Penny Black Sunflower stamp was inked with VFC Shady Lane, and colored with Zig watercolor markers:

Here is the masked panel, and a three layer frame (for dimension):

The white card stock is also virginal, SU Sparkle White. Can you see the sparkle show through the colors:

The sentiment was heat embossed, and some grass was added:

Ta-daaah!

Products Used: Stamps: Penny Black Hello Sunshine Flowers 3874K, Stampin' Up En Francais background script, SU Elegant Cheer sentiment, SU Petite Patterns background, Impression Obsession C2041 Sm Flourish Four (background), IO B2010 Sm Paisley Two (background), Dies: IO Grass DIE038-J, SB Labels Four & Grand Labels Four, Inks: DI Forest Moss, Shabby Shutters, Sq Lemonade, Scattered Straw, Tea Die, Versafine Clair Shady Lane, OTHER: Freebie Digital images, Clear Detail EP, Zig Watercolor Markers (I do not recommend), Paper: SU Sparkle White, Mossy Meadow, Celery

Challenges I would like to play in, please:

1. Cut it Up Challenges #234 Fall is in the Air 09/22 (sep post)
2. NBUS #30 (most of the stamps have never been used before) 10/1
3. Creative Inspirations Challenge (Sept 2) Fabulous Fall or Happy Halloween 11/1
4. Paper Funday Challenges #33 AG with optional twist Autumn/Fall 10/2
5. Crafty Gals Corner #223 Hello Fall 10/3
6. Crafting Happiness #113 AG 9/20
7. Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2137 AG 9/20
8. Dies R Us #176 AG dies they carry (SB & IO) 9/15 (sep post)
9. Penny Black Friends Saturday Challenge (Sept) AG or Flowers 9/30
10. Tic Tac Toe Challenge #130 (bottom row) 9/16 (sep post)

My gift to you - Sentiments for use on the inside or outside of your projects. Please do not sell the Sentiments. Use on any of your projects, including projects involving any design teams you might be on.

Click on the image to bring it to full size. Because of the changes Google Made with Blogger in 2020, your image will appear to be solid black. Don’t panic. Right click and do a SAVE. Once it is saved on your hard drive, you can open it and it will have a transparent background. I create PNGs instead of JPGs so they can be placed anywhere on a scene or project, and so backgrounds can be made using them. Please let me know if you have any problems. I hope they serve you well!

Enjoy!

The first sentiment can be used for wedding, friendship, thank you, sympathy - it's pretty versatile!

ON A PERSONAL NOTE (please don't let this happen to you or a loved one):

I have been severely ill the past several months, relegated to the bed and wheelchair. Some different tests were finally run, with results showing some inflammatory factors higher than my doctor ever remembers seeing. So far, they have determined I have an autoimmune disease called PMR Polymyalgia Rheumatica. The good news is that it is treatable and normally takes 12-18 months to go into remission. Unfortunately, I am having extreme reactions to the medication. Those reactions are disabling in themselves, but I have no choice. I'm grateful for some badly-needed pain relief. It is important for all of us who already have certain diseases/conditions to not allow ourselves to be "pigeon-holed" into thinking "oh, this is probably just such-and-such". Looking back, we believe this has probably been a gradual issue for me for nearly 3 years or so, but we blamed it on my other diseases - so be aware of that for yourselves and your loved ones, to keep an open mind that it could be something different happening, even when the symptoms are similar to what you already deal with, and regardless of what doctors may say.

Leaving you with hugs and friendship,

3-D Embossing Folder and Freebies

 Hello, dear Blogging Friends!

These cards are dedicated to my cherished friend CLARA, who passed away unexpectedly last month. 

I was recently inspired by a brand new blogger Shandy at MERMAIDS AND PAPER HEARTS, and blogging friends Leslie Miller and Connie Griffin, in making the following cards. Shandy inspired me via our conversation about colors and flowers, Leslie via Stencil Embossing (even though mine is with embossing folders instead), and Connie because she is always sharing techniques with us. So I've used VIRGINAL PRODUCTS from my stash! 

Having been hidden away in my stash for years, my Crafters Companion Ornate Lace 3D embossing folder finally felt paper!

After dry embossing, VIRGINAL Encore pigment ink was applied. Each card involves different Encore ink colors:

first, dry emboss:

Then smoosh with pad and/or fingers:

In this case, Encore Ultimate Metallic Teal was rubbed on the raised areas, and then coated with a clear detail embossing powder that contained microfine glitter. The Spellbinders Bitty Blossoms were rolled in the same cardstock as the 3D folder, however, distress ink and platinum pearlescent paints were applied for visual interest. The Silver leaves are from upcycled can lid of Whey Protein Powder LOL. If you're on my blog, click on the photo to enlarge to better see the details:

Whole card:

Black cardstock, VIRGINAL Encore Ultimate Metallic Gold was rubbed on the most raised areas. In the lesser raised areas, I finger rubbed Encore Ultimate Metallic Pink in order to provide a tiny bit of visual dimension. The roses were colored in the same fashion:

 

This bold blue background was fun and messy! On cardstock made for acrylics, I smooshed various acrylic paints up and down. With a very light brushing of wet glue, I then added tiny bits of blue and silver glitters into some areas. When the finished background was dry embossed, it looked pretty just as it was, but after adding VIRGINAL Encore Ultimate Metallic Silver to the top of the raised areas, it really brought out the glitz! 

TIP:

There are two coats of clear detail embossing powder on top of the silver ink. Her Virginal Inkiness was so wet, that it took two coats. I learned that highly metallic pigment inks retain their metallic qualities when used with CLEAR embossing powder, because the metallic components IN the ink rise to the surface of the clear embossing powder.

The next card uses the same aqua paper, but with VIRGINAL Encore Ultimate Metallic Silver applied to the top of the raised areas. This card was also "distressed" with the silver ink. How different it looks in comparison to the card using the Teal ink!

This card front was dredged with clear embossing powder, heat set, and then dredged again with clear detail EP mixed with microfine glitter. It's my favorite! Which is your favorite?

Lastly, is the card inspired by and made for Shandy. She likes the color turquoise (reminds her of mermaids) and she likes layered flowers. It was distressed and embossed with clear detail EP:

Thanks for stopping by! It was fun playing with goodies from my stash!

Products: Dies: Cottage Cutz Greenery 4x4, SU Modern Label Punch, TH Garden Greens, SB Carnations, SB Bitty Blossoms, Stamps: Hero Arts CL342 sentiment Inks: INKS & Mediums: assorted pearlescent acrylic paints, assorted pearlescent watercolors, assorted Encore Metallic inks, assorted distress and VFC inks, assorted embossing powders, Cardstock: acrylic paint paper, lavender, deep blue, pale blue, aqua, black, EMBOSSING FOLDER: Crafters Companion Ornate Lace 3D

Challenges I'd like to play in please:

1. Just Us Girls Challenge #575 Trend Week Use An Embossing Folder 5/19 sep post
2. Simply Create Too Challenge #168 Wet or Dry Embossing (I dry embossed the background, applied ink to the the dry embossed areas, then embossing powder and heat set. The sentiments are also heat embossed. 4/2
3. Frilly and Funky (March 6) Something Vintage 3/17 sep post
4. The Corrosive Challenge #3 Anything Goes 4/2
5. A Bit More Time to Craft #135 AG 4/1
6. A Perfect Time to Craft #3 AG 4/1
7. Stamping Sensations Challenge (March) Monochromatic 4/5 (each card is monochromatic)

FREEBIE SENTIMENTS - my gift to you

My gift to you - Arrangements of the same sentiment for use on the inside or outside of your projects. Please do not sell the Sentiments. Use on any of your projects, including projects involving any design teams you might be on. Different shapes of sentiments work well for landscape or portrait shape cards.

Click on the image to bring it to full size. Because of the changes Google Made with Blogger in June 2020, your image will appear to be solid black. Don’t panic. Right click and do a SAVE. Once it is saved on your hard drive, you can open it and it will have a transparent background. I create PNGs instead of JPGs so they can be placed anywhere on a scene or project, and so backgrounds can be made using them. Please let me know if you have any problems. I hope they serve you well!

Enjoy!

Sympathy Verse:

Stamping hugs,