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Showing posts from August, 2017

Sheltering Tree Times Three

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As I wrote last night, our Adult Bible Fellowship emcee decided to retire, but she wasn't the only one to retire. Our long-time teacher and class coordinator also decided to retire this year. That meant another large card to be passed around and signed by class members. So for Henry I needed something more masculine, although my father would have appreciated flowers and so would my brother but my husband doesn't think they are appropriate. Anyway, I chose to use the Sheltering Tree stamp set and some leftover designer paper from the English Garden pack. Actually, I liked that paper so much that I have another unopened pack just waiting to be used. Because of the colors used in that paper, I chose Mossy Meadow and Old Olive for the greens. Soft Suede was perfect for the tree trunks. Because of the size of the card, I stamped three trees and then added a sun with my sponge dauber and some Crushed Curry ink. That wasn't in my original plan, but the upper corner needed someth

Painted Harvest and Basket of Wishes

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One of the great things about making cards is that I am much more aware of how much they are appreciated, especially when the cards express how much individuals are appreciated. This card was designed for the woman who is stepping down from her position opening our ABF (Adult Bible Fellowship) each Sunday, sharing something humorous, gathering prayer requests and making sure all announcements are made. No one was willing to step into her position, so we who are the rotating teachers will try to cover those needs. We will miss her openings and felt we needed to give members of our group an opportunity to share some of their thoughts. Consequently, I made this large card (5-1/2" x 8-1/2" closed) to pass around on the sly before giving it to her. I stamped my own "designer" paper. When I went to mount it on the Tranquil Tide card stock, I discovered I had been off in my measurement of Whisper White. The enamel shapes were a perfect cover-up. I think the basket of s

Seaside Thankfulness

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I'm still designing thank you notes for the men who have filled in for our Adult Bible Fellowship this summer. This one was almost too easy, but it is so appropriate for a man who, with his wife, lives on the other side of Canandaigua Lake from us. Their cottage is right on the lake with a boat house in place of a garage. This just seemed so appropriate for him. It's another two weeks before he will be teaching, but I'm prepared! This card is simply one of our note cards with a piece of last year's Serene Scenery dsp backed with Bermuda Bay card stock. The Adirondack chair is cut from Chocolate Chip card stock using the Seasonal Layers Thinlits. The only stamping uses words from the Sheltering Tree set and the bird is from the Sitting Here stamp set.

Expressing Appreciation

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I love to give snail mail. I know how much it means to receive it and I know how fun it is to send it. This morning another man stepped out of his comfort zone and into the position of teaching our Adult Bible Fellowship, aka adult Sunday school. He is a quiet man, but he did a fantastic job. Prepared well and even brought items to incorporate into what he shared. The first three men who filled that spot received the same card, posted earlier. This one goes to this morning's substitute. I used to worry about whether or not the whole stamped image would fit on a given piece of my card but I've discovered it doesn't really matter. In this case, the fact that the leaves extend beyond the 3" x 4-1/2" Whisper White layer actually gives a sense of fullness that I really like. Once again, I am using our Note Cards and Envelopes. I am finding I love using these cards—and they are so economical! The Emerald Envy adds so much vitality to this card. You probably can't

One More in Lemon Lime Twist

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Whenever I prep for a class, I find myself designing more cards than I will use. I wasn't sure about this one, but my attendees loved it. I combined the same paper and stamps with some Fresh Fig ribbon and ink. The card base is Lemon Lime Twist card stock. I love the fact that the paper stack used in this is no longer adhered as a tablet—just individual sheets. Products Used: Label Me Pretty rubber stamp set (6), W 143858, $23.00; C 143861, $17.00 Fresh Florals 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper Stack (40), 144131, $22.00 Lemon Lime Twist 8-1/2" x 11" card stock (24), 144245, $8.00 Fresh Fig 8-1/2" x 11" card stock (24), 144242, $8.00 Whisper White 8-1/2" x 11" card stock (40), 100730, $9.00 Fresh Fig Classic Stampin' Pad, 144082, $6.50 Fresh Fig 1/2" Finely Woven Ribbon (10 yards), 144132, $7.00

More Fresh Florals Designer Series Paper

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This card is essentially the same as in my last post except I used the reverse side of the Fresh Florals dsp. Completely different feel. Plus I used a different stamp in the Label Me Pretty stamp set. Such a different feel! You'll notice the stamped image is not colored in. Looks fine just like that. However, on page 27 of the annual catalog, you can see a sample of the same stamp that has been colored. Admittedly, I find it much easier to color the rubber stamps and have the ink stay than when I try to use the same technique on the photopolymer stamps. The thick Whisper White baker's twine is no longer available; in fact, we don't carry any thick twine anymore. However, you could always use the Whisper White Solid Baker's Twine (124262, 25 yards, $3.00). Or even the 1/4" Ombre Ribbon in Lemon Lime Twist (it was out of stock when I tried to order it; next order).  Products Used: Label Me Pretty rubber stamp set (6), W 143858, $23.00; C 143861, $17.00 Pret

Lemon Lime Twist

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In all honesty, I didn't think I liked the new In Color Lemon Lime Twist, yet everyone else seemed to be raving about it. So when I designed my last class, I decided to use that color in the Fresh Florals Designer Series Paper Stack. And guess what! I decided I love the cheerfulness of this bright color and ended up with several variations using the dsp and the "Label Me Pretty" stamp set and punch. [Oh, dear! I discovered when viewing my blog after creating this post that the Lemon Lime Twist doesn't go well with my blog design at all! The colors clash. Sorry about that.] The one on the bottom is the one we made in class. Different bow, different center, additional color on one. And they are such simple cards! I was concerned I wouldn't be able to line up the saying in the middle of the upper label, but it was easy! I think the font is a type that will allow for some error. And the stamp set has enough variations to make it usable for so many occasions a

Just Sitting Here...

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I found the idea for this card on-line, perhaps on pinterest. I never would have thought to use the "Number of Years" stamps to create the wisteria, although I probably have too much to be realistic. As I finished, I decided I wanted something different for the rest of the card and chose to hang the swing from the "Sitting Here" stamp set. I'm very pleased with the end result. Products Used:  Number of Years photopolymer stamp set (29), 140653, $27.00 Sitting Here photopolymer stamp set (14), 141589, $17.00 Whisper White 8-1/2" x 11" card stock (40), 100730, $9.00 Wisteria Wonder 8-1/2" x 11" card stock (24), 122922, $8.00 Wisteria Wonder Classic Stampin' Pad, 126985, $6.50 Pear Pizzazz Classic Stampin' Pad, 131180, $6.50 Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad, 144086, $6.50 Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad, 120953, $6.50 Stampin' Write Markers (10), 131263, $29.00 3/4" Circle Punch,119873, $13.00

Masculine Thank You Cards

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I scheduled teachers for our Adult Bible Fellowship class during the summer so that we who rotate as teachers could have a break. As a result, I felt it would be nice to send notes of appreciation to them for filling in. For some, it was completely out of their comfort zone, so I especially appreciated their willingness to step up and help us out. Although I've passed some out already, there will be more to come. Glad this design is so easy to replicate. "In the Meadow" stamp set is no longer available, but I still love this set and continue to use it. I "colored" the image with stamps from the "Work of Art" stamp set, which is still available. The Garden Green adds that touch of color the card needed. And using our Note Cards and Envelopes is an inexpensive way to go for multiple cards. I would have used the Very Vanilla note cards if I had them but only had the Whisper White. Next order! Early Espresso and Crumb Cake are the other two colors us