Friends Like You

With a headache plaguing my whole day long, I wasn't sure I would make it to the craft desk today.  But late this afternoon, it went away and I was able to get this pretty pair of flowers done for a couple of my favorite challenges.  Given it's getting late and I'm so ready to call it a night due to headaches take a lot out of me but I'm so thankful it didn't get to be migraine strong.

Taking a wee bit of artistic license, I made my poppies purple instead of the more traditional red.   I heat embossed the flowers using Gold Embossing Powder by Ranger, then watercolored them using my Liquid Watercolors from Taylored Expressions.  To a card base of Whisper White I added a layer of Gold Glitter Paper, then a layer of Gorgeous Grape and then the layer with the flowers.  The sentiment was in my stash so I added it to a layer of Gorgeous Grape cardstock.  For the finishing touch, I added some Icy Sparkle Crystals by Studio Katia.  

Here is an angled view of the card which shows some of the shimmer I added to the flowers.  It really doesn't show up very well in the photo but does look nice on the card itself.

I have linked my card up to the following challenges:

The Paper Players

Sunday Stamps

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Product Used

Build-A-Flower:  Poppy Stamp Set by Altenew

Simple Strips-Friendship Stamp Set by Taylored Expressions

Jelly Donut, Lemon Meringue, Peapod Liquid Watercolor by Taylored Expressions

Gorgeous Grape, Gold Glitter Paper, Whisper White Cardstock by Stampin' Up!

Mixed Media Vellum Surface Paper by Strathmore

Simple Strips Die by Taylored Expressions

Icy Sparkle Crystals by Studio Katia

AECP - With A Twist

For this card I did some stamping and some heat embossing.  I loved this technique that was taught in my With A Twist class at the Altenew Academy.  I'm trying to get my Level 2 done but life has gotten in the way so many times over this past year.  Hopefully, things have calmed down enough I can devote time to my classes.

First, I stamped the images from the Wild Ferns stamp set onto light green cardstock using Highland Heather ink.  Then, I stamped the next layer in VersaMark and heart embossed with Gold Embossing Powder. I added the embossed layer to cardstock that matched the color ink, placed my sentiments over a background of Vellum and attached it to the card front.  For the finishing touch, I added a couple of rhinestones.

Stamp(s):  Wild Ferns (Altenew); Simple Strips-Friendship (Taylored Expressions)
Ink(s):  Jet Black (Altenew); Highland Heather (Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock:  Highland Heather, Soft Sea Foam, Vellum, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Dies:  Simple Strips Die (Taylored Expressions)
Other:  Rhinestone Gems

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Wishing You a Day

It's another day and time for another challenge.  The Paper Players Challenge had a wonderful inspiration photo this week and I just had to play along.  I love the colors found in it.

It's a clean and simple challenge but I think I got carried away.  There is a lot of navy showing so maybe that will be acceptable.  I do love this stamp set and the images it has.  It was fun to stamp and die-cut and put it all together.

Stamp(s):  Simple Flowers (Altenew); Woven Heirlooms (Stampin' Up!
Ink(s):  Seaside Spray, Granny Apple Green, Purple Posy, Highland Heather, Mint Macaron, Gorgeous Grape (Stampin' Up!); VersaMark
Cardstock:  Night of Navy, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Dies:  Simple Flowers Die (Altenew)
Other:  Arctic White Ultra-Fine Embossing Powder, Faceted Gems

And here's a close up of that wonderful sentiment from the Woven Heirlooms stamp set.  I do so love that font.  It's such pretty cursive. 

The Paper Players have a Clean and Simple themed challenge with color influence from the North Pole.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Seasonal Scene Building with Altenew

Today I'm sharing a card I made as my assignment for the Altenew Educator Certification Program.  The assignment was for the Seasonal Scene Building class.
 
Since my move west and my camera dying shortly after, I've not had an area where I can take good photos.  I've been researching cameras and light tents but haven't settled on anything.  Bear with me as I continue to search for a solution that will fit my limited space. 

So, the products I used for today's card are the Build-A-Flower:  Cattleya Lily and the Birds of a Feather stamps and dies from Altenew.  The inks are the sets Golden Sunset, Lapis Lazuli and Green Valley.

I die cut two layers from the Leaf Frame Cover Die; one from Blackberry Bliss and one from Crumb Cake.  I layered them together but first flipped one of the die cuts to be able to see both colors.  I placed them on a layer of Whisper White that was embossed with the Subtles Embossing Folder from Stampin' Up!  I know, it's not showing up well in the photo.  Before adding the flowers and the bird, I attached that embossed layer to a card base of Blackberry Bliss.  For the finishing touch, I added some iridescent bubbles.

Thanks for visiting today.  I look forward to seeing you again at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe.

Marsha

Altenew Layering 3 Class - Lesson 2

Well, in order to share this card with you I had to make a separate post as it wouldn't let me link up different cards from the same post.  Lesson learned.  So, I'm giving you a double dose today.

This is the design I made for Lesson 2 of the Layering 3 Class.  Again, I didn't have the same stamp set the instructor used so I substituted  the Build-A-Flower:  Poppy stamp set.  This is a three layer flower.  I love these Build-A-Flower sets as they come with matching dies.

Stamp Sets:  Build-A-Flower:  Poppy, Rustic Linen, Birds of a Feather - sentiment (Altenew)

Inks:  Jet Black, Buttercream, Citrus Burst, Maple Yellow, Honey Drizzle, Caramel Truffle, Gray Denim (Altenew)

Cardstock:  Oreo, Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions)

Dies:  Build-A-Flower:  Poppy Die

To find out more about their product and the classes they have to offer, click on the image below.

Thanks for visiting today and I look forward to seeing you again at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe.

Marsha

Altenew's Layering 3 Class - Lesson 1

Today I'm sharing a card with you that I made after taking the free Layering 3 Class at Altenew.  I love the layered stamps but sometimes they can be a bit intimidating.  With all three of the Layering classes, I really see an improvement in my understanding of the layering and how to get the best effect.

This is the design I made for Lesson 1.  I rarely have the same stamps and dies that the instructor uses but I use what I have.  This is the Bold Blossom stamp set and it is one of my favorites.  There are four layers to this stamp and I love how pretty the flower looks once you've completed all of the layers.

Stamp Sets:  Bold Blossom, Build-A-Flower: Hyacinth - sentiment (Altenew)

Inks:  Jet Black, Wisteria, Hydrangea, Ultraviolet, Firefly, Grass, Filed, Shadow Creek, Silver Lake, Charcoal Suit (Altenew)

Cardstock:  Oreo, Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions)

Dies:  Bold Blossom Die (Altenew)

Other:  Wavy Grid Stencil (Altenew); Pearl Basic Jewels (Stampin' Up!)

To find out more about their product and the classes they have to offer, click on the image below.

Thanks for visiting today and I look forward to seeing you again at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe.

Marsha

Pretty Primroses

Would you believe that for the first time in a long time I'm actually able to play along with some of my favorite challenges again.  This past year has been full of recovery from cancer surgery and a major move that took me from Iowa to Nevada.  And, that's not counting all the little things in between.  It feels good to be back to doing what I love best making cards and playing along with the challenges.

For this card, I combined a couple of challenges.  The sketch is from Sunday Stamps and the colors are from CAS Colours & Sketches.  And, I got to play with my new Delicate Primrose stamp set from Altenew.

Stamp Set:  Delicate Primrose (Altenew)

Ink:  Real Red, Crumb Cake (Stampin' Up!)

Cardstock:  Balmy Blue, Crumb Cake, Real Red (Stampin' Up!)

Dies:  Delicate Primrose Die (Altenew)

Other:  Pearl Basic Rhinestones

The colors I've used are from the CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

The sketch I've used is from the Sunday Stamps Challenge.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Floral Butterfly

Hello and a Happy Friday you!  Today I'm sharing a card I made using a new die from Cheapo Dies.  I'll be here every Friday to share a new die with you so I hope to see you again.  In the meantime, be sure to take time to check out all the different dies they have available.  You can see them HERE.

The die featured today is the Floral Butterfly.  I cut one butterfly out of Pacific Point cardstock and, using some foam tape, popped it up onto the stamped image.  The floral image is one I've had in my stash and thought it was a perfect way to show off this butterfly.  I stamped the sentiment and that was another card all done and ready to use.  I decided to add no embellishments so as not to detract from the die-cut.  I think this is such a pretty butterfly.

Stamp Sets:  Build-A-Flower:  Cattleya, Build-A-Flower:  Rose (Altenew)

Inks:  Jet Black, Caramel Truffle, Frayed Leaf (Altenew) 

Cardstock:  Delightful Dijon, Pacific Point (Stampin' Up!); Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions)

Dies:  Floral Butterfly (Cheapo Dies)

Floral Butterfly

Please click on the links below, to find out more about Cheapo Dies. 

 

Cheapo Dies Store

 

Cheapo Dies Blog

 

Cheapo Dies Facebook 

 

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

AECP - Easy Ink Blending Techniques

Today finds me sharing another card I made for my Altenew Educator Certification Program (AECP).  This one was all about Easy Ink Blending Techniques.  While I have done my share of ink blending, it was nice to go back over and to get some fresh perspective on blending.

The Build-A-Flower: Cattleya stamp set from Altenew is quickly becoming a favorite.  These orchids are so lovely.  To start, I took a piece of Taylored Expressions Sugar Cube cardstock cut to 4-1/4" by 5-1/2" and blended Altenew Buttercream ink around the edges leaving an oval in the center.  Next, I stamped my sentiment from the Colorful Seasons stamp set by Stampin' Up! in Jet Black ink.  I added a few splatters before adding my flowers.

Then, it was on to making those beautiful orchids.  I used the blues from Altenew's Secret Garden set of mini ink cubes for the flowers.  The leaves were done using Altenew's green mini ink cubes from the Floral Ink Set.  I didn't have a darker green in Altenew colors so used Garden Green from Stampin' Up!  For the flower centers I used Altenew's Buttercream ink.from the Sunflower Field mini cube ink set.  Once stamped, I cut them out using the Build-A-Flower: Cattleya Die.  I attached them directly to the card front rather than adding dimension.  This layer was attached to an A2 card base that measures 4-1/4" by 5-1/2".  The finishing touch was adding a few sequins.  I love how those orchids pop against that pretty yellow.

Stamp Sets:  Build-A-Flower: Cattleya (Altenew); Colorful Seasons - sentiment (Stampin' Up!)

Inks:  Buttercream, Caribbean Sky, Persian Blue, Sapphire, Frayed Leaf Forest Glades, Jet Black, Maple Yellow (Altenew); Garden Green (Stampin' Up!)

Cardstock:  Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions)

Dies:  Build-A-Flower: Cattleya Die (Altenew)

Other:  Sequins

Now it's on to my next class.  Hope you all have a grand day,

Marsha

Altenew Educator Certification Program - Clean & Simple Boutique Cards

Clean and simple cards have always been a favorite of mine so, of course, I really enjoyed the Clean & Simple Boutique Cards class which is a required class for certification with Altenew.  Their class are very informative and I've learned a lot from those I have taken.

The stamp set I used is the Build-A-Flower:  Cattleya and it is gorgeous.  The only thing I did was stamp the flower to the Sugar Cube layer and when done, attached it to the card base.   And, that was all there was to it.  My son and his wife have been helping me do some rearranging of furniture so I had them in mind when I made the card.
 

Stamp Sets:  Build-A-Flower:  Cattleya, Painted Encouragement (Altenew)

Inks:  Jet Black, Fresh Lemon, Maple Yellow, Caramel Toffee, Frayed Leaf, Forest Glades (Altenew); Mossy Meadow (Stampin' Up!)

Cardstock:  Calypso Coral (Stampin' Up!); Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions)

I'm entering my card in the Pause Dream Enjoy Challenges.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Altenew Educator Certification Program - All About Layering 2

Today I'm back with another card I made for my second class in the Altenew Educator Certification Program.  This time I used the Bold Blossom by Altenew stamp set.  It's a very pretty rose stamp set with coordinating dies.  It's one of my favorites.

After stamping and cutting the rose and leaves out, I placed the images on the card where I wanted them and used some post-it tape to hold it all together.  That way I could lift the whole thing without it falling apart.  I glued the bits and pieces together on the backside and added foam tape to pop it up.  Before replacing it, I took some Jet Black ink, added a little water and did a wee bit of splattering to the layer.  I must admit that I nearly forgot a sentiment but pulled this one out of the drawer and heat embossed it using black embossing powder.

It's basically another clean and simple card but I tend to go that way when I'm making my cards.  To the Mint Macron card base, I added a layer of Mossy Meadow cardstock and placed the stamped layer on top of that.  I really like the lighter card base and I think the bit of dark green makes that top layer stand out much better.

Stamp Sets:  Bold Blossom (Altenew); Secret Garden Collage - sentiment (TPC Studio)

Ink:  Jet Black (Altenew); VersaMark

Distress Ink:  Crushed Olive (Tim Holtz)

Distress Oxide Inks:  Wild Honey, Fossilized Amber, Spiced Marmalade, Frayed Burlap, Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz)

Cardstock:  Mint Macaron, Mossy Meadow (Stampin' Up!); Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions)

Dies:  Bold Blossom Die (Altenew)

Other:  Black Embossing Powder (Ranger); Jewels

Now it's on to my next class.  Stay tuned as I'll share that class project with you when it's all done.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

WWC177 - Charlotte's Feminine "Anything Goes" Challenge

This week Charlotte is hosting our Feminine "Anything Goes" challenge at the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  It was a perfect opportunity to add another note card to may stash.

I love this beautiful flower from the Bold Blossom stamp set from Altenew.  And, I love that it has matching dies.  It's one of their layering stamps and that makes it so easy to get the depth in the blossom.  All you have to do is follow the guide and when done, you have such lovely flowers.   

Stamp Sets:  Bold Blossom, Floral Elements, Rustic Linen (Altenew); Cutting Edge: Flowers - sentiment (Taylored Expressions)

Inks:  Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana, Pool Party, Mossy Meadow, Pear Pizzazz (Stampin' Up!); Oreo Hybrid, Plum Punch (Taylored Expressions); Antique Linen Distress Ink (Tim Holtz); VersaMark (Tsukineko)

Cardstock:  Bermuda Bay (Stampin' Up!); Oreo, Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions)

Dies:  Bold Blossom Die, Floral Elements Die (Altenew)

Other:  White Embossing Powder (Ranger)

For all of our challenge details and to share your project, visit the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge by clicking the image below.  We’d love to have you join us.  You have until Monday, July 9th at 6:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time to link up your project.

I'm also entering my card in the Just Us Girls Challenge.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

 
Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Floral Thanks

Just a quick post for you tonight as it's late and I'm fading fast.  It's been a long day but a productive one.  Now it's time to share the card I made for the Color Throwdown Challenge and then get myself to bed.  I had a lot of fun playing with some new stamps and dies.  I love the bright colors and cheerful flowers.

Stamp Sets:  Floral Elements, Rustic Linen (Altenew)

Inks:  Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green, Coastal Cabana (Stampin' Up!); Poppy Seed, Cookie Monster (Taylored Expressions)

Cardstock:  Oreo, Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions)

Dies:  Floral Elements Die (Altenew); Thanks Die (Taylored Expressions)

The colors I used for today's card are from the Color Throwdown Challenge.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Morning Glory Thinking of You Birthday

One of the things I like doing, is to make up flowers and die-cuts ahead of time so when I need them they are ready for me to use.  That's the case with today's card.  I had the morning glories all stamped and cut as well as the sentiment.  I thought they would look well together and so they do.

The challenge at The Flower Challenge is to "use a previous challenge" and the one I chose to use is from November 5, 2016.  It was their second challenge and was an occasions one.  My thinking of you card is actually a birthday card for my daughter-in-law.  I love those flowers from the Build-A-Flower:  Morning Glory stamp set from Altenew.

The inside of my card is stamped using the now retired Beautiful Birthday stamp set that was in the 2012-13 Annual Catalog from Stampin' Up!

Stamp Set:  Build-A-Flower:  Morning Glory (Altenew); Beautiful Birthday (Stampin' Up!)

Inks:  So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Mint Macaron, Crisp Cantaloupe, Calypso Coral, Pistachio Pudding (Stampin' Up!)

Cardstock:  Oreo, Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions)

Dies:  Thinking of You Die (Altenew)

Other:  Clear Wink of Stella Brush, Pearl Basic Jewels (Stampin' Up!)

The challenge from The Flower Challenge is to "Use a Previous Challenge."  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

The theme of anything goes is from the Retro Rubber Challenge.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Thinking of You

A few months ago I decided to join the Maymay Made It Stamp of the Month Club.  Since doing so I've really enjoyed receiving these stamps but must confess to not using them much.  Today I decided it was time to get busy and make a card using the Happy Hibiscus stamp set for May.

The first thing I did was cut out four of the sentiment from Oreo cardstock using the Thinking of You Die from Altenew.  I layered them together using Art Glitter Glue and set them aside to dry while I stamped the card.

The three flower images were stamped using Confetti Cake ink for the base layer and Cookie Monster ink for the lined image.  The center of the flowers were stamped using Lemon Meringue ink.  The leaves were stamped using Lime Zest ink for the base layer and Peapod ink for the lined layer.  These were stamped on a layer of Sugar Cube cardstock which I then attached to a card base of Cookie Monster cardstock, which you can't see but it matches the color of the striations in the flowers.

After stamping the leaves and flowers, I took my quilling tool, which has a round ball on the end of it and I tapped it on a Blue Corn ink pad, then tapped it onto the card layer.  I kept doing this until I had all of the dots I wanted.  Before I added the sentiment, I covered it with a Clear Wink of Stella Brush and it has a wonderful shimmer to it in real life.  For the finishing touch I added a few sequins.

Stamp Set:  Happy Hibiscus (Maymay Made It)

Inks:  Confetti Cake, Cookie Monster, Lemon Meringue, Peapod, Blue Corn (Taylored Expressions)

Cardstock:  Oreo, Sugar Cube, Cookie Monster (Taylored Expressions)

Dies:  Thinking of You Die (Altenew)

Other:  Clear Wink of Stella Brush, Seuqins

Thanks for stopping by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Happy Birthday!

You know, sometimes when life throws me a curve, the best thing I can do is spend time in my craft room.  Making cards is therapy for me and I always come away with a much better perspective.  The result of my therapy is this pretty poppy card I made for the Color Throwdown Challenge.

Stamp Set:  Painted Poppy (Altenew); Beautiful Birthday (Stampin' Up!)

Inks:  Real Red, Cherry Cobbler, Night of Navy (Stampin' Up!); Oreo Hybrid (Taylored Expressions)

Cardstock:  Sugar Cube

Dies:  Painted Poppy Die (Altenew); Cross-stitched Rectangle Dies (Unknown)

Other:  Copper Embossing Powder (Stampin' Up!); Jewels (Bead Landing)

Today's card was made using the colors from the Color Throwdown Challenge.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Hope Today is a Good Day

It's always a good day when I spend it in my craft room.  Today found me trying to decide what to do with these pretty roses I made last night.  What you see is the finished card.  The roses are from the Bold Blossom stamp set from Altenew.  I love the layered stamps they have and this is my first time using this stamp set.  I love how these roses turned out. 

Stamp Sets:  Bold Blossom (Altenew); Clear Mini Stamps/Mini (Inkadinkadoo)

Inks:  Poppy Seed, Chocolate Truffle (Taylored Expressions)

Distress Oxide Inks:  Wild Honey, Frayed Burlap, Spiced Marmalade, Fired Brick (Tim Holtz)

Cardstock:  Sugar Cube, Oreo (Taylored Expressions); Fresh Fig, Tangerine Tango (Stampin' Up!)

Dies:  Bold Blossom Die (Altenew); Hope Die (Taylored Expressions)

Other:  Calypso Coral Baker's Twine (Stampin' Up!)

Today's card was made for the Paper Players Challenge.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Morning Glory Birthday

It has been a while since I've been able to play along with The Flower Challenge.  I've had a lot going on in my life over the past six months, that I've felt like I've been meeting myself coming and going.  Now that it seems things are settling down, I'm wanting to get back to doing what I love, entering challenges.

Today's card features a new stamp set from Altenew.  It's Build-A-Flower:  Morning Glory and I do love it.  It's one of their layering stamps and I must admit that I have fallen in love with layered stamping.  After stamping the different layers of ink, I clear embossed the flowers to give them a bit of a shine.  It doesn't show up well in the photo but looks very pretty.  The dotted Vellum layer is another piece I had in my scrap stash and it made a perfect backdrop for the morning glories.  

Stamp Sets:  Build-A-Flower:  Morning Glory (Altenew); From All of Us - sentiment (Maymay Made It)

Inks:  Poppy Seed, Peapod, Lime Zest, Confetti Cake, Cookie Monster (Taylored Expressions); Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana, Pool Party, Night of Navy (Stampin' Up!)

Cardstock:  Pool Party (Stampin' Up!); Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions); Dotted Vellum (Unknown)

Dies:  Build-A-Flower:  Morning Glory Dies (Altenew)

Other:  Clear Embossing Powder, Rhinestone Basic Jewels (Stampin' Up!)

I'm entering my card in the following challenge.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha