Happy Mail Just For You

You know, life is good even when you can't be out and about as you would like.  In the last month, I've been out of the house only twice.  But, I have a most wonderful family who shops for me and sees that I have all that I need.  I am truly blessed.

Today's card was made for the Taylored Expressions #TEMakerChallenge over on Facebook.  The objective is to use at least one of the themes for your card and at least one Taylored Expressions product.  This month's was embossing, stripes and orange.  I decided to try to use all three on my card and I think it turned out rather well.

For the embossing, I opted to dry emboss using a Tim Holtz embossing folder that has rarely been used.  I like the way it looks in the background.  It's also stripes so with one, I got two.  Love when that happens.

The card base is Candy Corn cardstock and the embossed layer is Pumpkin cardstock both from Taylored Expressions.  I have a friend who's favorite color is orange but it's one color she cannot wear as she has red hair.  So, whenever I make a card to send to her, I always include orange somewhere on the card. 

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Products Used

From Taylored Expressions

Simple Strips - Friendship stamp set

Candy Corn, Pumpkin, Lemon Meringue, Strawberry Milkshake, Cookie Monster, 

Jelly Donut and Sweet Basil cardstock

Simple Strips Die

Petal Pop-Ups 2 Die (retired)

Pitcher Vase Die

Leafy Branch Die (retired)

Silhouette Stems 4 Die (retired)

Drip Drops

From Altenew

Jet Black ink

From Tim Holtz

Candy Stripes Embossing Folder

From Stampin' Up!

Whisper White cardstock

From Copic

B00 Marker

Feathered Hello

One of the things I've been doing is keeping busy making cards to send to family and friends.  I can't see them so the next best thing is to send them a special note to let them know I'm thinking of them.  It's hard for all of us to be away from each other.

Today found me playing along with a couple of challenges.  The theme from the Just Us Girls Challenge gave me the perfect opportunity to use one of my new Mini Delight:  Strength stamp set from Altenew.  It's one of their mini stamp and die combos and I love the feather outline and the little stamp that colors just the tip of the feather.  The colors of pink, gray, green and Kraft, from the Color Throwdown Challenge, worked well for the feathers. 

I've entered my card into the following challenges.  For the challenge details, click the image(s) below.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Products Used

Mini Delight:  Strength stamp set from Altenew

Hello stamp from Taylored Expressions

Toffee, Pink Champagne and Lime Zest inks from Taylored Expressons

Jet Black ink from Altenew

Smoky Slate, Whisper White, Whisper White Thick cardstock from Stampin' Up!

Mini Delight:  Strength Die and Rounded Rectangles Die Set from Altenew

Drip Drops from Taylored Expressions

Birthday Balloons

Another day has come and gone here in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  It was a beautiful one.  My craft desk sits right under the window and I love looking out on those mountains as I create.

Clean and simple was the order of the day for the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge.  I combined their sketch with the colors from the Color Throwdown Challenge.  I think they played well together.

I stamped the balloons from the Wish Big Stamp & Die Combo from Taylored Expressions.  Then, I fussy cut those balloons as the only dies in the set are for the words.  I hand drew the strings to the balloons.  Free hand is not my forte.  The word happy was stamped in Poppy Seed and cut with the die in the set.  For the finishing touch, I added to Drip Drops (yes, that is what they are called) to the happy.

The Drip Drops are iridescent but in this photo they look like they are clear.  They add just the right amount to sparkle.  I think I'm going to be using them often.

I played along with the following challenges.  For all the challenge details, click the image(s) below.

CAS(E) this Sketch

Color Throwdown

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Products Used

Wish Big Stamp & Die Combo by Taylored Expressions

Candy Corn, Pink Champagne, Poppy Seed and Sprinkles ink from Taylored Expressions

Whisper White and Whisper White Thick from Stampin' Up!

Drip Drops from Taylored Expressions

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

Just For You

Well, there is nothing like making a card for a couple of challenges, then thinking you have linked it up to those challenges and realizing you haven't.  So, it's going to be a short post today as challenges are closing soon.

I think it was probably the snow that fell on us yesterday.  We got a couple of inches here in the valley and now the Sierra Nevada Mountins surrounding us are covered with snow again.  It's beautiful against the blue sky and the sunshine.

In looking through my cards, I saw that I need to replenish my supply of thinking of your cards for the guys in my life.  I think this one will do nicely. 

The sketch I used is from the CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

The colors I used are from the Color Throwdown Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Products Used

Altenew's Gradient Sunset Stamp Set

Stampin' Up! Inks in Melon Mambo, Cookie Monster and Crumb Cake

Stampin' Up! cardstock in Crumb Cake and Whisper White

Altenew's Gradient Sunset Dies

Sending You A Big Hug

Sunshine through my window is always such a welcome sight.  It's the nice before the snow which is coming later today.  It was an early morning for me so making a card and sharing it with you seemed like the thing to do.  Others in the house are still sleeping and it's a quiet way to begin my day.

For this clean and simple card, I started with a card base of Bermuda Bay and added a strip of Pretty Peacock.  I stamped the hibiscus flower from the Timeless Tropical Stamp Set in Calypso Coral ink onto Calypso Coral cardstock then, cut it out using the In The Tropics Dies.  I love the tone on tone look.  The leaves are cut out of Grapefruit Grove cardstock using the In The Tropics Dies.  For the finishing touch, I added some clusters of clear gems.

Here is a close up of the flower and those clear gems.  They are a favorite of mine as they pick up whatever color happens to be under them but still remain clear.

The sketch I used is from the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

The colors I used are from Colour INKspiration Challenges.  It's a Facebook group for those who enjoy using Stampin' Up! products.  You can find more information about this group by clicking the image below.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Products Used

Stampin' Up! Timeless Tropical Stamp Set

Taylored Expressions Simple Strips-Friendship Stamp Set

Stampin' Up! Calypso Coral Ink

Altenew Jet Black Ink

Stampin' Up! cardstock in Bermuda Bay, Pretty Peacock, Calypso Coral, 

Grapefruit Grove, Whisper White

Stampin' Up! In The Tropics Dies

Taylored Expressions Simple Strips Die

Studio Katia Clear Gems

A Simple Hello

Good morning from the Sierra Nevada Mountains!  It's shaping up to be another fantastic day with lots of sunshine.  I love mornings like this when you know that Spring is on its way.

Can you believe there is no stamping done on this card?  When I started to make it, I never gave it a thought, it just happened.  I looked at it and said, "Wait a minute, there is no stamp or ink on this one."  I must say I do love the results.

The banner is cut from the, now retired, Floral Romance Specialty Designer Series Paper by Stampin' Up! and it is actually vellum.  I think the Petal Pink color made for a very pretty design.  From Soft Sea Foam cardstock, I used the Petal Pop-Up 2 Dies from Taylored Expressions for the dimensional flower and attached it using foam tape.  The Hello Die is one of the free little dies I received from Taylored Expressions as a thank you for an order.  I cut five out of Smoky Slate cardstock and glued them together to add dimension to the sentiment.  I used my Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pen to add some shimmer to the flower.  For the finishing touch, I added a clear gem to the flower center.

As you can see in the flower close-up, the sparkle pen added just the right amount of shimmer and gave the flower a wee bit of personality.  It is really pretty in real time.

The sketch I used is from the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

The colors I used are from the Just Add Ink Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Products Used

Taylored Expressions Hello Die, Petal Pop-Up 2 Die 

Stampin' Up! Cardstock in Soft Sea Foam, Smoky Slate and Whisper White

Stampin' Up! Floral Romance Specialty Designer Series Paper

Other:  Clear Gem, Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pen

Flowered Cake

It's a beautiful here in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  The sky is blue, the sun is shining and the snow is on the mountain tops.  Actually, there is more snow to come this weekend but at this time of year it will most likely stay on those mountain tops.  I have to say that does not bother me one bit.

Today's card was a bit of an experiment.  I tried to do some blending to show the different levels that are in the sketch below.  I did change to order of color from light to dark versus the dark to light in the sketch.  I think it worked.  The transition between colors is subtle but there.  I took a piece of Rococo Rose and ran it through the crimper after I had cut it out using the Rounded Rectangle Dies from Altenew.  Then, I sponged the edges with some Mulled Wine ink from Taylored Expressions.  The cake die cut was one in my stash.  I had stamped and colored several, cut them all out and had them ready to go when I needed them.  It's the Happy Birthday To You stamp set and the Birthday Dies from Stampin' Up!  For the finishing touch, I added a few clear gems that I had left over from a Paper Pumpkin Kit.

As of yet, I've not added a sentiment because I don't know if it will be a birthday, thinking of you or just a note card to send to someone.  And, you never know, I just might not add a sentiment.

Stamp Set(s):  Happy Birthday To You (Stampin' Up!)

Ink(s):  Strawberry Shake, Guava, Mulled Wine, Oreo (Taylored Expressions)

Stampin' Write Markers:  Rich Razzleberry, Blackberry Bliss, 

Curshed Curry, Wild Wasabi (Stampin' Up!)

Cardstock:  Flirty Flamingo, Rococo Rose, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)

Patterned Paper:  Floral Romance Specialty Designer Series Paper (Stampin' Up!)

Die(s):  Rounded Rectangle Dies (Altenew); Birthday Dies (Stampin' Up!)

Other:  Clear Gems

The photo above shows the different levels of color a bit better.  These color blended together so well that, as I said, the transition between them is subtle.

The sketch I used is from the Paper Players Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

The theme I used is from The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Birthday Flowers

It has been sometime since I've used the Everything Is Rosy stamp and die set.  I thought it would be perfect for this color combination.  I rather like the way it all came together.

First thing I did was all of the stamping and foliage.  Then, I cut them all out.  The background foliage is cut from cardstock as there is no stamp for them.  Before placing all of the various elements of the design, I stamped the sentiment in the upper right corner and made sure not to cover it up with any of the foliage.  The finishing touch was the gems in the center of each flower.

Stamp(s):  Everything Is Rosy (Stampin' Up!)
Ink(s):  Highland Heather, Gray Granite, Pear Pizzazz, Pool Party (Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock:  Gray Granite, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Dies:  Everything Is Rosy Dies (Stampin' Up!)
Other:  Iridescent Gems

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Hugs & Kisses

It was such fun making this card for the Taylored Expressions February challenge.  I added red foil to the left and right edges of the card base.  The stenciled heart layer was popped up with foam tape.  I think I'm going to make another using the foiling, heart and red theme.

Stamp(s):  Mini Strips - Valentine (Taylored Expressions)
Ink(s):  Cherry Pop (Taylored Expressions); Jet Black ( Altenew)
Cardstock:  Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Dies:  Mini Strips - Asymmetrical Die
Other:  Red Foil Paper

This is a card I made for the #TEMakerChallenge on Taylored Expressions Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/FansofTE/.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Roses are Red

Yes, it's a one layer card but I think I may have stretched the one third just a wee bit.  I love one layer cards as they are the easiest to put in the mail.  No extra postage required.

The heart and sentiment are from the Heartfelt stamp set and that is pretty much all there was to the card.  I stamped the heart in red and the sentiment in black, added some splatters and, for once, no embellishments.  I was so tempted to add sequins or enamel dots but feel that would have taken away from the simplicity of the card.

Stamp(s):  Heartfelt (Stampin' Up!)

Ink(s):  Real Red (Stampin' Up!); Jet Black (Altenew)

Cardstock:  Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)

I'm entering my card in the Perfectly CAS Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Love Is In The Air

Here is another card I made to send to one of my friends or someone in my family.  It's a very simple design but I love that patterned paper.  This one happens to be one without the foil accents.  The red heart was punched from the patterned paper as the design fits perfectly with the scalloped heart punch.  It's foil but you can't really see that as it did not photograph well.

This is what the inside of the card looks like.  Since I always write a note in the cards I send, I like to leave plenty of room.

Stamp(s):  Heartfelt (Stampin' Up!)
Ink(s):  Real Red
Cardstock:  Flirty Flamingo, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Patterned Paper:  From My Heart Specialty Designer Series Paper (Stampin' Up!)
Punch(s):  Heart Punch Pack (Stampin' Up!)

I'm linking up my card in the following challenge(s):

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Happy Valentine's Day

Today I'm sharing a card I made for the CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge and The Color Throwdown Challenge.  As you can see I flipped the sketch so that my row of hearts was at the bottom and my sentiments were at the top.  The colors made for a great guy card.

Stamp(s):  Mini Strips - Valentine (Taylored Expressions)
Ink(s):  Jet Black (Altenew)
Cardstock:  Gray Granite, Basic Gray, Real Red, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Dies:  Mini Strips - Asymmetrical Die (Taylored Expressions); Staggered Heart Border

(My Favorite Things)
Other:  Square Lattice Embossing Folder (Stampin' Up!)

Spectrum Noir Sparkle Brush

The sketch I used is from the CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

The colors I used are from the Color Throwdown Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #352

It's time for a new sketch from the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.  And, for me to share the news that I am having to step down from the Design Team once again.  Today is my last day with the team.  I have enjoyed my time with the challenge and will continue to participate as I love their sketches.

It's time to build up my stash of hello and thinking of you cards.  This sketch was perfect to show off this pretty flower from the Timeless Tropical stamp set with matching dies.

Stamp(s):  Timeless Tropical (Stampin' Up!)
Ink(s):  Jet Black (Altenew)

Colored Pencils:  Spanish Orange PC1003, Orange PC918, Apple Green PC912, Dark Green PC908 (Prismacolor Colored Pencils)
Cardstock:  Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Patterned Paper:  Lily Impressions Designer Series Paper (Stampin' Up!)
Dies:  In The Tropics Dies (Stampin' Up!)
Other:  Iridescent Bubbles

Above is a close of that pretty flower and below is a peek at what's inside.  I added a little flower in the lower right corner.

For all of our challenge details and to share your project, visit the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge by clicking the image below.  We’d love to have you join us.  You have until Sunday, January 26th at 8:39 p.m. Pacific Standard Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #350

It's time for the first challenge of 2020 from the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.  I had fun with this sketch and it made for a terrific birthday card.

With January comes back-to-back birthdays for three of my grandsons.  They were all born in different years but their birthdays are one right after the other.  Although I do have a stash of masculine cards, I just had to have a play with the new Timeless Tropical stamp and die set. 

Stamp(s):  Timeless Tropical (Stampin' Up!)
Ink(s):  Jet Black (Altenew)

Prismacolor Colored Pencils:  Apple Green PC912, Dark Green PC908, Sienna Brown PC945
Cardstock:  Gray Granite, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!); Oreo (Taylored Expressions)
Dies:  In The Tropics Dies (Stampin' Up!)
Other:  Oreo Enamel Dots (Taylored Expressions); Crystal Clear Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pen

What you can't see very well, is the wee bit of sparkle I added to the banners.  It gives just the right amount of subtle glimmer.

For all of our challenge details and to share your project, visit the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge by clicking the image below.  We’d love to have you join us.  You have until Sunday, January 12th at 8:39 p.m. Pacific Standard Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha