Playing with Sweetly Scented

Hello friends!  It's been a busy couple of weeks here with a few routine appointments, some outings with friends, and several days of gardening.  The wind died down and the weather was incredible.  I'm working to restore the garden after too many negative factors made me almost give up.  Let's hope I'm not simply inviting the deer to a fresh smorgasbord.  Wish me luck!

Morning coffee time, however, is for playing in my room.  Today I'm sharing my first attempt with a brushstroke stamp.  Now I'm hooked, but I won't rush out and buy more just yet.  I've got a lot of catching up to do.

Penny Black's Sweetly Scented waited too long in the NBUS basket.  It's such a pretty thing and easy to work with, a good one for beginners.  The first card was done the usual way on watercolor paper with markers and spritzing lightly with water.  I worked with Tombows in smallish areas at a time.  I stamped a lower corner with PB's Nature's Paintbrushes (2015), then sponged the edges, added stamped sprinkles and a sentiment.  Finally, I dotted with Nuvo Crystal Drops.

The second card was an experiment which I would really like to play with a little more.  I used wedge-tipped sponge applicators to brush on Distress Oxide inks -- Milled Lavender and Seedless Preserves on the petals, Wild Honey for the flower centers, Shabby Shutters and Pine Needles on the leaves.  I used regular Neenah super smooth white cardstock and didn't spritz with water.  Its a different sort of look, not perfect, but it doesn't have to be.  I would also like to try it with spritzing.

Since my Sweetly Scented is out of the package for the first time I'll share here:

NBUS Challenge #75 -- Never before used schtuff.  Darnell is celebrating 75 months of the challenge.  Visit her and read all about it.  Thank you, Darnell!

The busy times continue with more of the same, and I hope that will include card crafting.  I'm glad we could visit today.  Take care!

Stamps:  Penny Black Sweetly Scented, Nature's Paintbrushes, Thinking of You, Stampin' Up Itty Bitty Backgrounds (sprinkles)  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot pressed watercolor (first card), Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 80 lb (second card)

Ink for first card:  Tombow markers, various possibly retired Stampin' Up for sponging and sprinkles, PTI Dark Chocolate for sentiment, DOX Antique Linen for Nature's Paintbrushes

Ink for second card:  Distress Oxide Milled Lavender, Seedless Preserves, Wild Honey, Shabby Shutters, Pine Needles, Stampin' Up for sentiment and sprinkles

Other:  Nuvo Sugared Almond Crystal drops on first card

Double D Challenge: Frames

Hello there!  It's Double D Challenge time again, and to kick off the month of June Diane is asking us to design with frames.

As always, there's a prize for a random winner, and creative favorites are voted on by the team.

The inspiration board is full of vintage loveliness, but I went a different direction with the Woodland Whimsy set (Simon Says Stamp) which was still on my table from another project.  This oldie set packs a lot of cuteness.  You know how I love critters!

My bear is resting happily on the edge of Impression Obsession's Birch Tree Rectangle frame.  Isn't he a handsome fella?  Maybe he's waiting for his Valentine to come along.  I brushed inks on the background and stamped some sprinkles.  Coloring is with Copic markers.  The plaid around the edges makes his home appear all the more cozy.

Check out the team's inspiring samples at Double D.  I hope you'll have time to play along!

Have a happy June day!

Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp Woodland Whimsy, SU Itty Bitty Backgrounds  Paper:  Neenah 110 lb white for die cuts, 111 lb woodgrain white for card base , brown scrap for layering, Mintay Wilderness designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Bashful Blue, Old Olive and Close to Cocoa  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Impression Obsession Birch Tree Rectangle

Twirling Tulips Twice

Hello and welcome!  It was a beautiful holiday weekend which brought with it a change in the weather and I'm thinking it might stay with us for a while.  I've certainly been enjoying it, and so it stands to reason there's less time in my craft room.  However, it's just enough and I have supplies to last a lifetime.  I probably don't need to tell you how much of it has never yet been used.

When Spellbinders had their most recent Warehouse Sale I picked up a few things.  How could I not indulge in a 3D embossing folder or two for only $3 each?  But wait... the Twirling Tulips folder I used today was only $1 !!!  No matter that it was released a year ago, tulips are always beautiful.  Have a look:

There are no dies with this folder, but all the tulips I used on these two cards came from the folder.  I embossed a 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" sheet of Neenah 110 lb white -- lightly misted on both sides first to avoid cracking -- then cut out all the viable tulips and leaves.  I arranged them on a sticky sheet and colored with Stampin' Up! inks and sponge tipped eye shadow brushes.  I've been using this same set of brushes for a long time.  Rinse, squeeze, and they're ready to go again.

The first card is 4 1/2" x 6".  I covered the card base with an embossed panel of PTI Berry Sorbet, brushed with white pigment ink to enhance the pattern.  The layered Essential Arches were placed low on the card front to allow more of the embossing to show.  Added gems and a sentiment from my stash popped up on an oval.

The second card was made with leftovers which were too pretty to toss:

The decorative oval is from Spellbinders Infinity Punch & Pierce Plate, resting on one of their Essential Stylish Ovals.  The beautiful neutral designer paper is new-to-me Stamperia Dewdrops.  I recently won a $5 GC to A Cherry on Top and figured it would be just the right amount to apply to a paper pad.  Well... I ended up with five paper pads, but I have to say it was some fun shopping and I made wise choices in that all the papers I chose are specifically for backgrounds.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Sharing here:

Can You Handle the Pressure? -- Must use an embossing folder.  Anything goes or optional zoo/jungle animals.  I hoped to do the optional twist, but it remains to be seen if I'll have time.

Lots of talk today, and now I must rush off.  Thank you for visiting; I know you're busy, too.  Have a beautiful day!

Farm Scene

Hello and happy Friday, friends!  Just a little something I colored for the Penny Black Saturday Challenge -- "On the Farm"  -- for March.  Wait, what?  That was two months ago.  At that time I pulled this stamp out thinking it was my one not-yet-used Penny Black stamp that looked somewhat farm-y, and then I don't know what happened, but I didn't get it done until now.  That's the way it goes in my stamp room -- I'm easily sidetracked.

I'm enjoying my playtime with last year's Penny Black stamps before I start on the new Penny Black.  This one is from the Scent of Spring set.  Looks like someone's been gathering eggs.  Stamped in Memento London Fog and colored with Copics.  A little gingham and wood grain helps with the countrified look.

Down home at the Miller residence Sophie is happy to be helping in the garden.  See her smile?  She's my sweetheart. 

Playing along here today:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge -- Monochrome or Anything Goes

Thank you for stopping by to say hello!  Have a happy day!

Stamps:  Penny Black Scent of Spring and Super Day  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 80 lb, Mintay Farm Life designer paper  Ink:  Memento London Fog and Toffee Crunch, Stampin' Up Bashful Blue  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Lil' Inker Silly Stitched Die Set, Spellbinders A2 Bracket Borders One, linen thread

Double D Challenge: May's Birth Flower or Birthstone

Hello, friends!  The Double D challenge is full of choices today.  Be inspired by May's birth flowers: Lily of the Valley and Hawthorne (either), or birthstone:  emerald.  See our pretty board for this challenge:

And a prize for a random winner.  Creative winners are voted on by the team.

I think you can see I chose "emerald" for my inspiration.  I thought of emerald forest, emerald ocean, emerald pool... and eventually I came around to this never been used, recently gifted Penny Black Jump for Joy frog.  He makes me so happy!

I gave him a stenciled green background from my bag o' backgrounds, a few green foliage bits, and a fun sentiment.  The sentiment is a combination of two oldie unrelated stamps.  The second half is a St. Patrick's Day stamp.  The original says "It's St. Patrick's Day...".  I used markers to ink only the latter part of the St. Pat's sentiment and now it's perfect for a frog.  What fun!  I love this guy.  He's colored with Copics, hand cut and popped up.

Visit my teamies at Double D.  They've got some pretty cards over there!  We'd love to see yours, too.

My frog and I are also visiting the following challenges:

AAA Birthday #73 -- Anything goes birthday.  It's their 6th birthday party.  Happy birthday to them!
NBUS #74 -- Never before used schtuff (my PB frog stamp)
Penny Black Saturday Challenge -- Anything goes or optional monochrome.

  

Have a happy day!

Stamps:  Penny Black Jump for Joy, two oldie unrelated sentiments  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 80 lb for most, 110 lb for frog and foliage  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, black & green Tombow markers for sentiment, Distress Oxide Lucky Clover & Twisted Citron for background  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Green gems, MFT Die-namics Wild Greenery, Taylored Expressions Stitched Rectangle Stacklets, Spellbinders Essential Arches (for sentiment), Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Bunny Smiles

I wouldn't want you to think I was done with the bunnies yet.  Well, here's another one, and it's a cutie.  It had me smiling and I hope it does the same for you.

She's from the Simon Says Stamp Woodland Whimsy set.  We go back a few years and I've loved the set lots, but I'm not sure I've used the bunny before.  Isn't she pretty with her flowers?

The flowers come with the set, and I've combined some stitched circles with butterflies, gems, and Mintay designer paper from my stash.  All older stuff that still brings me joy.  That's why we do this, isn't it?  She's colored with Copics and popped up on foam tape.  I added stamped sprinkles with the very old SU Itty Bitty Backgrounds set.  Heaven forbid I should ever be without my Itty Bitty Backgrounds!

Enjoy your day!

Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp Woodland Whimsy, Penny Black Thinking of You, Stampin Up Itty Bitty Backgrounds (sprinkles)  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 80 lb & 110 lb, yellow scrap, Mintay Farm Life designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black & Rich Cocoa  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Lil' Inker Silly Stitched Die Set, Memory Box Stitched Circle Layers, Impression Obsession Butterfly Set, gems, linen thread, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Chickadees

Hello and happy Friday to you!

One recent day I was at Simon Says Stamp looking for something else entirely when I spotted the Chickadee Gathering embossing folder.  Well, it had to come home with me as birds are one of my many weaknesses when it comes to craft supplies.  I embossed on hot pressed watercolor paper and watercolored with Tombow markers and Stampin' Up reinkers.

There's a die for the birds which gives slightly more dimension.  When the coloring was finished I had another go at the white splatters.  I didn't want it to look as if it was snowing, but with the splatters and the large white sentiment I hoped to lighten up the overall appearance.  The Thinking of You sentiment is an older one, also Simon Says Stamp.

I'd like to play along in some favorite challenges today:

Triple B -- Birds, blooms, and butterflies.  Use one or all.  It seems I almost always use birds for this challenge.

NBUS Challenge #74 -- Never before used schtuff... that's my Chickadee Gathering embossing folder.

 

 

I'm heading out to the garden now.  The weather has been beautiful and I'm planting pots and puttering in the backyard where the deer can't go.  There's much to be done in the rest of the garden, too.  I'm hoping this spring and summer will be better than last with no unfortunate surprises.

Take care and enjoy your day!

 

Double D Challenge -- Designer Paper

 

Hello friends!  The Double D challenge that begins today is right up my alley in that Diane is asking to see our designer paper.  You all know about The Vast Hoard in my cabinet, right?  Well, let's get started!  First, the inspiration board:

And a prize for a random winner.  The team votes on creative favorites.  Not an easy task considering all the fabulous entries we have to choose from.

The designer paper I selected from The Vast Hoard is Whimsy Stamps gorgeous Floral Impressions.  I don't know if it's still available.  Mine was a gift maybe 2 or 3 years ago.  I have used it before, but today it's really showing off.  I've made three cards, each 4 1/2" x 6" with large die cut sentiments and coordinating cardstocks.  The sentiments are Simon Says Stamp Thinking of You, and Impression Obsession With Sympathy.

Each card is fully lined in white.  They are part of a gift set for a friend whose primary mode of correspondence is newsy letters, preferably written inside a pretty card.  It's just something she loves to do, and I love to make them.

I made two additional cards with this paper, different prints, equally gorgeous, but sorry I didn't spare the time to photograph them.  The days whoosh by too fast, don't they?  These are representing just fine, I think.

My friend recently sent me one of her newsy letters in which she mentioned she needed more cards.  I'll be happy to oblige.

Head over to Double D to see the team's inspiring cards, and then maybe you'll take a stroll through your designer paper and make something to share.

ETA:  Per invitation I'm adding my card to the Word Power Challenge -- Always about focusing on the sentiment

Have a happy day!