What a Weekend!!! CC227 – Lavender Essence of Love

I am still on a high from this weekend’s classes with Michelle Zindorf.  For those of you who aren’t familiar with Michelle, she is the brayering master and was in Tennessee this weekend for a beginner and an advanced class on this technique.  Brayering is layering inks to create backgrounds and scenes and the Gang of Four, Leisa Jane, Cleo, Lisa and me headed off to the Tennessee River to get some learnin’.  I’m gathering photos and hopefully can get them posted in a day or so.  You can see Michelle’s fabulous work and wonderful tutorials here.

 

Here is my first semi-original card using this technique.  The SCS Color Challenge today spotlighted Lavender Lace, Barely Banana, Going Grey and Basic Black and White.  I used the banana and lavender to create my sky, the lavender for one mountain and the gray for the other.  The grassy area uses a little olive, gray and yellow.  I added a little dimension to the flowers with a white gel pen, then stamped that pretty floral at the top in eggplant.  The main panel started out white.  I am pleased with the result and amazed at how quickly it came together.  I can’t wait to try another one.

 

I hope your weekend was as grand as mine and that this week will be a blessing to you,

 

Diane 

Supplies:

Stamps:  SU! Essence of Love; Innovative Stamp Creations Art4Frames II

Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Going Gray

Ink:  Basic Black, Going Gray, Lavender Lace, Barely Banana, Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant

Embellishments:  White sheer ribbon, Silver brads

Tools:  Push pin, Dimensionals, Rubber brayer, Sponges, White Gel Pen

 

Breezy Asian Love – NEW BLOG LOOK -LSC225/CC223

We’ve had another busy week and I haven’t had a chance to spend much time in my craft room.  My hubby is the coach of my great-nephew’s All-Star baseball team and they have played every night.  I’ve also been working on some church projects- what can I say? – I LOVE being retired!!!  And, as you might have noticed, I have changed the look on my blog and would love to know what you think of it.  I am still fine tuning and would love your suggestions.

I’ve decided that SU!’s Parisian Breeze DSP is my all time favorite and it is being retired, so I have stocked up for the future and used a little slice of it on today’s challenge card.  It’s a two-fer, sort of.  Today’s Limited Supply Challenge was to use stamps with a different language in our design to give our cards an International Flair.  Also, I thought Tuesday’s Color Challenge sounded interesting – Breezy Ruby Whispers- so I thought I would combine the challenges.  My sweet DIL Jennifer is from Shanghai and I was glad to get to use a sentiment from an old SU! set called Kanji, along with the pretty retired set Brocade Basics.  I heat embossed the brocade image with a new to me embossing powder from American Craft’s Zing collection which is very close to the Ruby Red color.  I was so lucky to win an American Craft’s package in a Stampin’ Out Alzheimer’s drawing that included a set of embossing powders and two marvelous stamp sets.  It is just too cool to support such a worthy cause and get free stuff too!

 

Have a wonderful Father’s Day weekend!

Blessings,

Diane

Supplies:

Stamps:  SU! Brocade Basics, Kanji

Paper:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Parisian Breeze DSP

Ink:  Basic Black

Embellishments:  Baja Breeze ribbon

Accessories:  American Crafts Zing Red Embossing Powder, Versamark, Heat tool, Dimensionals

Boatloads of Friendship – CC210

It’s another very pretty day here and I am really enjoying the sunshine coming through the window in my craft room.  We are getting ready to go out of town for a couple of days to celebrate my 61st birthday.  I plan to eat “large” and maybe visit my favorite LSS in Memphis.  I must admit I can’t believe I am in my 60’s, but I thank God for every day that he has blessed me with.  I hope I have many more days to grow in His wisdom and grace.

Today’s SCS Color Challenge is very interesting:  Kraft, Riding Hood Red, Summer Sun and Black (Optional).  They didn’t sound very appealing at first, but do make for a pretty combo.  My new to me  Boatloads of Love set called out for ink and I had fun putting this together.  Hope you like it!

 

I’m moving closer each day to 15,000 hits- so stay tuned for a Blog Candy announcement.  I’ve got some really cute goodies to send out.

 

Many Blessings,

Diane

 

Supplies used today:  Stamps:  Boatloads of Love; Paper:  Kraft, Basic Black, PTI White, Riding Hood Red, Summer Sun, SU! Patterns Pack DSP; Ink: PTI True Black, Real Red, Summer Sun; Accessories:  SU! Markers, Nesties, Scallop Circle Punch, Black and White gingham ribbon, Dimensionals, Scallop Edge Punch.

Pink Chocolate Kiwi – CC208

Don’t ya love the title of today’s Color Combination Challenge?  I love Chocolate Chip and Kiwi Kiss, but Pink Passion is a real challenge for me.  But all in all the combo and this cute sketch make for a pretty cool card.  The image is in a little shadowbox and popped up with dimensionals on this 4.25’ square card.  It was pretty easy except I had to watercolor the Kiwi Kiss since there is no coordinating marker and I just haven’t mastered that technique yet and probably never will.

Gotta be quick today- I need to complete my Bible Study lesson for tomorrow and they get harder every week.  We are studying Genesis and I am learning so much about the beginnings of mankind and the way God worked in the lives of our prophets.

Many blessings,

Diane

Supplies:  Stamps:  A Flower for All Seasons, Sincere Salutations; Paper:  PTI Chocolate, Kiwi Kiss, Very Vanilla, Confetti Cream; Ink:  PTI Dark Chocolate, Pink Passion, Kiwi Kiss, Creamy Caramel, YoYo Yellow; Accessories:  SU! Markers, AquaPen, Chocolate satin ribbon, Brass brads, Scallop circle punch, Dimensionals.

Bold and Bright Birthday – CC204

What a busy January!  We have had very cold weather, snow, ice and lots of wintry mix (what is that anyway?).     But, that didn’t stop me from traveling a couple of hours on MLK Monday for a day of stamping with my sweet, great friends Lisa, Leisa and Cleo.  What a fun, fun day we had!  Great food and great conversation.  We got a little stampin’ done too….

But, today is what I’m all about right now- in particular the very, very challenging Color Combo that Julie Buhler chose for us.  Tempting Turquoise, Gable Green, Pink Passion and Lovely Lilac.  All from the Bold Brights collection and let me tell, these ain’t my favorites.  I was really challenged and finally decided to take Sharon’s (notimetostamp) advice and just Stamp Simply.  So here it is.  I managed to get all the colors in and focused on my favorite of the four- Tempting Turquoise.  I clear embossed the flowers to give it a little pop.

Supplies:  Stamps:  Embrace Life; Paper:  PTI White, Pink Passion, Lovely Lilac; Ink:  Gable Green, Tempting Turquoise, YoYo Yellow, Pink Passion, PTI Dark Chocolate;  Accessories:  SU! Markers, Turquoise GG Ribbon, Dimensionals, Clear EP, Heat Tool, Versamark Marker;

Hope you are staying warm.

Many blessings,  Diane

Sweet Brilliant Pumpkin Gardens – CC200

What a strange title!  It’s the color combo challenge for today on SCS and I added the “Sweet” to go with this cute, cute and yummy image from Great Impressions.  The colors are Brilliant Blue, Pumpkin Pie and Garden Green.  I love the green and pumpkin together and managed to work in the blue to comply with the challenge.  I love Brilliant Blue, but adding it to the other two colors really WAS a challenge.  Check out today’s great challenge creations on SCS here.

Supplies: Stamps: Great Impressions background and pie image, SU! So Very; Paper:  Bo Bunny DSP, Pumpkin Pie, Brilliant Blue, Garden Green, PTI White; Ink:  Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Brilliant Blue, So Saffron, Blush Blossom; Accessories:  Pumpkin Pie GG ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Dimensionals, SU! Markers.

Many blessings,

Diane

Happy Holidays!!! CC199 BVC08

I absolutely cannot believe that I haven’t posted since the first of December!  I was getting ready for the holidays and stayed a week behind it seemed.  I will post more tomorrow, but did want to play the Color Challenge today- what great colors- So Saffron, Bravo Burgundy and Handsome Hunter.  I didn’t get to my December Bible Verse Challenge card, so created a two-for-one .  Tomorrow I will make a few more and get them in the mail to my Bible Study gals and sweet friend Lisa.

This is one of our favorite verses and one that we try to follow every day.

I used the following supplies:

Stamps:  Stampabilities Joshua 24:15;  Paper:  Handsome Hunter, So Saffron, Bravo Burgundy, MME DP;  Ink:  Handsome Hunter, Bravo Burgundy, So Saffron; Acessories:  Burgundy Satin ribbon, Primas, Bazzil Brad, Ticket Corner and Scallop Edge punches, SU! Markers, Dimensionals;

I sure hope your Christmas was wonderful and wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

Blessings,

Diane

Krafty Basic Red – CC193

The SCS Color Challenge for this week is one of my all time favorites- Kraft, Basic Black and Real Red.  My card is fairly simple and I was determined to use the Old World Santa from PTI’s fantastic Believe set that was introduced last year.  I just love all the different images in this versatile set.  Also, I was excited to use my new Nesties again.

I just got a call from my dear friend Lisa – she’s coming to Jackson on business and will be stopping by to visit this afternoon.  What a great treat!  Can’t wait to catch up on all things Stampin’.  I’m also making my shopping list for Thanksgiving lunch here at my house next week.  My family – some 40 strong – will be coming over and I have a lot of cooking and baking to do- and just can’t wait!   I love having folks over and now that I have time, really enjoy cooking again.  I pulled out some old recipes and found a couple I’m going to try, plus I’m going to attempt Southern Living’s famous Hummingbird cake- my all time favorite.  I’ll let you know how it turns out.

Supplies used: Stamps:  PTI Believe; Paper: Kraft, Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White; Ink: Basic Black, Real Red, Garden Green, Mellow Moss, Blush Blossom; Accessories:  Nestabilities, CB Swiss Dots EF, Red/Black ribbon from Hobby Lobby, Ticket Corner Punch, Ultra Fine Glitter, SU! Markers.

Many Blessings,

Diane

Peaceful Pacific Gray, Certainly – CC192

Today’s color challenge was a puzzle to me and I didn’t know if I would be able to pull it together.  I have worked on it all morning and I must say, I am quite pleased with the results.  I used one of my SU! favorites, Always, and stamped the bird on Pacific Point with Versamark, then embossed in White opaque embossing powder.  Clear embossed the heart image on Certainly Celery.  Added some silver hardware and a computer generated sentiment to turn it into a holiday card.  I hope you like it.

I am much better today but still gonna take it easy.  It’s chilly outside so I’m staying in, but I am looking forward to Bible Study in the morning.  Hope all is well with all of you.

Supplies:  Stamps:  Always; Paper:  Pacific Point, Basic Gray, Certainly Celery, PTI White; Ink: Basic Gray, Versamark; Accessories:  Scallop edge punch, PTI Spring Moss ribbon, Silver HPH, Cuttlebug embossing folders, Dimensionals, Computer generated sentiment.

Blessings,

Diane

A Wish for Peace – CC191 Pretty Red Kisses

It is so beautiful here in West Tennessee- the trees are gorgeous and our street looks like a picture!  And I have the flu- so not fair.  I was going to get a flu shot after we voted on Tuesday but had a sore throat and decided it wouldn’t be a good idea.  Well, since then it has blossomed into a deep cough and achy bones and a little fever.  I don’t feel awful but am looking forward to getting rid of this stuff.

Anyway, I am trying to get back in the swing of things and work on some SCS challenges.  Monday I spent all day practicing the brayer color technique, so for Tuesday’s color challenge I decided to give it a try.  I layered Pretty in Pink and Riding Hood Red for the sky, then sponged some pink and Kiwi Kiss on the bottom edge of the sky.  Used three stamp sets and then added a little kiwi kiss Cuttlebug corner diecut to the bottom corner.  I like the color combo and love the new A Wish for Peace set from Stampin’ Up. 

Supplies used:  Stamps:  A Wish for Peace, Lovely as a Tree, PTI Believe; Paper: Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, PTI White, Basic Black; Ink: Riding Hood Red, Pretty in Pink, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black; Accessories:  Black brads, CB dies and embossing folder, Dimensionals;

Blessings,

Diane

Home Again! Basic Pirouettes – CC188

Hi, everyone- we are back from vacation and I couldn’t wait to get back to my craft room and see what’s been happening on SCS in the last couple of weeks.  We had a wonderful time and I hope to post a few pix later on, but first just had to create for the color challenge today.  The new In Colors didn’t do much for me at first, but they are growing on me- especially this pretty Pink Pirouette.  I think I have found my style, at least for now, in the simple cards.  I have been very inspired by Sharon at notimetostamp and her Stamp Simply cards.  On this card I generated the sentiment and used the cute little Thanks a Latte mugs from My Favorite Things.   I embossed the mugs and used some black and white ribbon from Wal-Mart.  And used that fabulous Scallop Edge punch from Stampin’ Up.

Supplies:  Stamps- Thanks a Latte by My Favorite Things; Paper-  Basic Black, Pink Pirouette, PTI White; Ink- Basic Black; Accessories:  SU! Markers, Scallop Edge punch, Versamark, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Black brads, Black and White Ribbon, Dimensionals.

Blessings,

Diane

Live with Passion – CC184

The inspection on our house in Nashville was yesterday and although the final results won’t be available until tomorrow, everything is looking good so far.  So, one more day to wait…hopefully we will hear the final “all clear” tomorrow.  We leave for vacation in a couple of weeks and it will be a great vacation if we are finally able to celebrate.

Today’s color challenge was similar to last weeks where we used gray and the new Riding Hood Red.  This week we have added Always Artichoke instead of Green Galore.  I really like this combo and thought about making another Christmas card, but changed my mind at the last minute.  Once again I am using new stuff- the background stamp is new to me and the image stamps are two more from the wonderful Inspired By Nature set introduced in August.  Hope you like it!  (Still can’t get enough of the Scallop Edge Punch- it’s become a permanent fixture on my craft table.)

This is a 5X5 inch square card with the inside layer cut at 6″ and 1″ folded over the top panel and attached with the brads.

Supplies used:  Stamps:  Inspired by Nature, Le London Script by Stampabilities; Paper:  Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, Basic Gray, Always Artichoke; Ink:  Riding Hood Red, Going Gray, Always Artichoke; Accessories:  Pewter brads, Scallop Edge punch.

Blessings,

Diane

Peace on Earth – CC183

Everything continues to go well with the sale of our house and I want to thank you for your encourgement and prayers.  The inspection is next and we are hopeful that it is soon and successful.

Today’s colors are very interesting- Going Gray, Riding Hood Red and Green Galore.  I really wasn’t sure how to make these work since Green Galore isn’t my favorite-unless- you think Christmas!  It’s never too early to work on holiday cards, so I pulled out a lot of brand spankin’ new stuff and got to work.  I used my very favorite sketch and am quite pleased with the result.

Supplies:  Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Inspired by Nature, Papertrey Ink Believe; Paper:  Going Gray, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, SU! Bella Rose DSP; Ink: Going Gray, Riding Hood Red, Green Galore; Accessories:  CB Forest Branches EF, Green gingham ribbon, Designer brads-Filigree, Basic Grey brad, Dimensionals.

Blessings,

Diane

I’m Back! and Inspired by Nature CC182

Wow, I can’t believe how long I have been away from blogging and stamping!  The wedding was perfect, Jill was absolutely beautiful!  I will post some photos soon, but today I was determined to get a little stampin’ done with my brand new SU! stamps.  The past two weeks were hectic- wedding, hubby had a little surgery, puppy is still recovering from surgery, lots of company and I’ve been spending time at church helping with crafts for the kids.

I just couldn’t wait to ink up some of my new silhouette stamps and I have had this design in mind ever since I got them.  The color challenge this week was monochromatic (all shades of one color), so I chose a couple of favorites- black and gray.  I embossed the image in black on Going Gray, then layered on Basic Gray and Black.  Then, I stamped the sentiment on light gray vellum and layered over the image.  I think it really looks sharp and hope you like it too.

Supplies:  Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Nature’s Silhouette; Paper:  Basic Black, Going Gray, Basic Gray, Light Gray Vellum; Ink:  Stazon Jet Black; Accessories:  Versamark, Ultrafine Black EP, Heat tool, Black brads, Gray Satin ribbon, Black GG ribbon, Dimensionals.

Many blessings to all of you,

Diane

Elegant Teal Olives – CC179

Today has been the best day!  It’s beautiful weather here in Jackson and Ola, my best friend from high school, spent the morning with me.  We talked and talked, caught up on kids and church and just had the best time.  She has taken a job in Kentucky, so will be moving soon.  I will miss her terribly, but she will only be two hours away.  God has blessed me with wonderful friends and I am so thankful that they are in my life.

The colors for today’s challenge are just gorgeous together.  Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive and Taken with Teal.  Ola brought me a bag of goodies, so this card will go to her as a thank you for the gifts and for being a wonderful friend to me for all these years.

Supplies:  Stamps:  Small Script, Inkadinkado Tin Can Mail; Paper:  Elegant Eggplant, Taken with Teal, Old Olive, PTI White; Ink:  Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive; Accessories:  Cuttlebug Script Embossing Folder, Antique Brass HPH, Eggplant GG Ribbon, Dimensionals, Aquapainter;

Blessings,

Diane

Pomegrante Peace – CC178

I didn’t know that retirement could be so busy!  But, I am enjoying every minute of it.  The wedding is just over two weeks away and my sister and I are staying pretty busy with last minute details.  I am hosting a bridal shower this week for my niece Jill and working on the music for the ceremony and reception.   Hubby got fitted for his tux last week and I’ve got to find time to shop for my outfit.  I am also trying to get the boxes unpacked and pictures on the wall for the shower, so I haven’t had the time to do much stampin’.

The new Stampin’ Up catalog is on the way and I can’t wait to see all the new stuff.  So for the past few weeks we have been saying “goodbye” to the current In Colors since they won’t be available anymore.  I am looking forward to the new set of colors, but I did love these old ones and will miss working with them everyday.

Today the color challenge was another In Color farewell.  We could use any Neutral and any one or more of the six retiring colors.  I chose three of the colors to make this pretty Christmas card.

I sure hope your week is going well- we are trying to stay cool here in the South with temps every day in the mid-high nineties.

Supplies: Stamps: Penny Black Berry Branch, PTI Believe; Paper:  PTI White, Purely Pomegrante, Groovy Guava; Ink: Purely Pomegrante, Wild Wasabi; Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Versamark, Heat Tool, Paper Piercer and Dimensionals.

Blessings,

Diane

Painted Lady CC175 SC185- We sold our house!!!

I have missed all of you these last couple of weeks.  We have been busy, busy, busy.  Our son and daughter-in-law were here for the 4th and we had a birthday celebration for DIL Jennifer and all the family came.  What fun we had.  Our son is going to sing at niece Jill’s wedding next month and he gave us a little preview of the wedding songs, then entertained us with jokes and music – it was just grand.

Last week we went out of town for a couple of days, then to Nashville to pack up more furniture and stuff, and hurried to finish before a showing on Saturday afternoon.  Then, finally the call we’ve been waiting for- an offer on our home.  After a couple of days negotiating and super advice from our awesome realtors, we struck a deal.  So, we will be going back next week and finish packing up and close the end of the month.  Woo-hoo!

I combined the Color and Sketch challenge for my first upload since the 1st of the month.  And, my Boards and Beams set from PTI arrived the day our deal was signed, so how appropriate to use one of the house images for my card.  I love the sketch and colors and am very pleased with the end result.  I will be sending this card as a thank you to our realtors.

Supplies: Wild Wasabi, Almost Amethyst, So Saffron, Whisper White  cardstock; Wild Wasabi Prints Pack DSP; Chocolate Chip Ink; Almost Amethyst and So Saffron SU! Markers; Ticket Corner Punch; Wild Wasabi ribbon; Cuttlebug EF; Silver brads and frame; Dimensionals.

I hope July is going great for all of you!

Blessings,

Diane

Purely Wild Celery- CC173

When I first saw the colors for today’s challenge I wasn’t really excited- but I’ve been surprised before. So, I pulled out the colors and still didn’t quite know how to make them look good together. I decided on the sketch, (one of my favorites that my friend and demo Lisa taught us at a monthly stamp day), but just still couldn’t get my arms around the colors until…I decided to add Whisper White as a neutral so I wouldn’t be overwhelmed by any one color. And, to my surprise (again) it worked! I love this card and these colors and will be using it as a model for little card sets that I make for Christmas gifts. I also used Time Well Spent- the set I have coveted ever since the demo previews last fall. I was lucky enough to get this hostess set a couple of months ago.

Supplies: Stamps: Time Well Spent; Cardstock: Purely Pomegrante, Wild Wasabi Certainly Celery and Whisper White; Ink: Stazon Jet Black; Versamark; Dimensionals; Rhinestone brad; Pomegrante ribbon; Handheld circle punch; Cuttlebug Floral Fantasy embossing folder.

Blessings,

Diane

Fishy Friends Taken with White Wasabi – CC172

Oh how I love this color combo- Taken with Teal, Whisper White and Wild Wasabi. I haven’t used teal very much on my cards and I’ve really been missing something special And these three together- just beautiful.

I just got Fishy Friends from an eBay auction and wanted to put a little ink on these cute, cute images. The colors reminded me of the sea, so I pulled them out, along with a little designer paper from Basic Grey’s Two Scoops collection and tried to come up with a clever sketch. Well, nothing was coming to me, so when I went outside to water my flowers and ponder the problem, this sketch came to me. One of my all time favorites is the Criss Cross card that I found on SCS last fall and made all my Christmas cards using the sketch. I just love it! It takes a little more time than a standard sketch, but it is worth it. My camera battery played out when I was taking the photo and I think I could have done better. The colors are very rich and deep and I will be sending this to one of my super friends for her birthday next month.

Supplies: Stamps: Fishy Friends and Michael’s $1 sentiment; Cardstock: Whisper White, Taken with Teal, Wild Wasabi; Basic Grey Two Scoops DP and brads; Wild Wasabi ribbon; Cuttlebug Swiss Dots EF; Ultrafine Glitter; Glue pen; SU! marker; Dimensionals.

Hope you think it’s cute!

Blessings,

Diane

Krafty Black Sky-Warm Wishes CC171

It’s been a great day here in Jackson, Tennessee! Finally got around to potting my flowers and planting my already sprouting elephant ears, so now it’s time for fun. Spent some time on the phone with my BFF Lisa and planning our stampin’ day on Saturday. Just can’t wait!

I loved the colors for Tuesday’s challenge and wanted to make another card focusing on Kraft- my new favorite neutral. I also finally put some ink on Build a Bouquet from My Favorite Things- a set that my son gave me for Christmas a couple of years back. I had sent him my wish list and he bought them all!!! Now, that is a good son.

I really like the finished card- it’s sharp and crisp, very simple to make and I am getting more comfortable with leaving more clean space on my cards. Hope you like it too!

Supplies: Stamps: Build a Bouquet and Boho Blossoms from My Favorite Thngs and sentiment from See D;s; Kraft, Soft Sky, Basic Black cardstock; Ink- Stazon Jet Black; Black and white gingham ribbon; Dimensionals.

Blessings,

Diane