"NAILED IT" . . . CARD + ENVELOPE

Does it seem to you like this month is flying by?  This whole year seems to be flying by . . . well . . . the first half of the year anyway.  I can't identify a single thing that has been standing in my way but, for some reason, I feel like I haven't had ample time to really get creative with my stamps in quite some time.  Actually, maybe I'm a liar.  I do seem to recall that our family has had several reasons to celebrate since last month, and that means using my brain to buy gifts, make things, etc.  In May, we had my nephew's birthday, great-nephew's birthday, Mother's Day, and some graduations.  This month, we have Father's Day, my mother's birthday, and my son's birthday.  My brain and my bank account are running on fumes.  If even that much.

But . . . kicking off Father's Day, I wanted to share the card and envelope that I made for my daddy.  It features Stampin' Up!'s retired Nailed It stamp set and dies.  When I decided to use that set, I was suddenly afraid that I had sold the bundle (I sometimes get a wild hair that makes me think almost everything needs to go) but was pleasantly surprised to find it resting in a drawer.  Whew!  

I should have trusted myself to have the good sense to keep such an awesome masculine product bundle!  Other Stampin' Up! products featured on my card include the Pinewood Plank embossing folder, Wild about Flowers stamp set (retired and definitely a keeper!!!), Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Real Red, and (retired) Brushed Silver cardstock, and some brads (also retired).  I really didn't intend to decorate the envelope but, in the end, I think it turned out so cute.

My next blog post will reveal the over-the-top Father's Day card that I made for my husband.  I think I probably spent a total of 9 hours on it, and it was one of those projects that grew and grew.  Mistakes happened, details got added, and it ended up too big for an envelope--also too big for any envelope that I could possibly make--unless I used a newspaper.  LOL  Check back in a day or two to see it.

THANK YOU . . . ON A CORK TAG

Cardstock is a wonderful thing for card-making, but do you know what's fun?  Making a sentiment tag using cork!  

Ever since I added cork sentiments to my Mother's Day gift tags (see this blog post), I have never put the sheet of cork back where I found it.  I can't remember what I was looking for when I initially discovered (or re-discovered) that I owned a small supply of cork sheets, but using it on my projects just gives an unexpected tactile surprise.  And it's easy-peasy-dreamy to stamp on!  I even tried to die-cut it with a thin die, and it cut beautifully.

I was a little late getting the Just Because hostess stamp set in Stampin' Up!'s recently retired Occasions catalog, so I was anxious to put it to use as soon as it arrived.  I love that the three images in the set have a simple design and are quick and easy to color.   

And so . . . there you have it . . . my relatively simple card with a fun cork tag!

"SAILING HOME" THANK YOU CARD

One of my favorite products in Stampin' Up!'s new catalog is the Sailing Home stamp set (and coordinating products).  It is so fun to work with, and I love how easy it is to layer the images!  Today I'm sharing a thank you card that I recently made.  This card features the newly-retired Seaside embossing folder, and my cardstock colors are Balmy Blue, Night of Navy, Pear Pizzazz, Mossy Meadow, Whisper White, and Early Espresso.  Also featured on this card are Rhinestone Jewels and Night of Navy/Sahara Sand Baker's Twine.

I believe this bundle of products will get plenty of use!

Are you ready to shop from the new catalog?  Tomorrow (June 4th) is the big day!!!

FREEHAND WATERCOLORED FLOWERS & TIPS ON WHAT TO USE IN THE BEGINNING

For quite some time, I've had a real interest in watercoloring.  Not just using my ink pads, water, and an Aqua Painter to color stamped images--which is a very relaxing and satisfying thing to do--but rather using art brushes and paint to create images.  The only drawback (ha! an artsy pun there) is that I have never had the kind of vision that a real artist needs in order to put to paper what is created in the mind.  Really and truly . . . I can barely draw a stick person and even if it looks decent, I can assure you that the orientation or perspective will be totally off.  I'm not exaggerating.  BUT . . . I started watching Let's Make Art's tutorials.  While I haven't re-created any of their projects, I have been practicing with flowers and leaves.  A few times, I've been pleased.  Many times, I've filled a trash can with rejects.  Every time, though, I have learned something new and helpful, and I call that progress.  Last week, I created what I considered to be an actual piece of watercolor art, and I don't mind admitting that I was proud of it.  If you haven't already looked at the photos, take a look:

Not bad, huh?  Oh, we could critique it all day long, but let's not do that.  Let's just celebrate that a little piece of watercolor paper got turned into a card.  After I finished the flowers, I knew the background needed something, but I was a bit worried about my ability to give it a color wash.  Instead, I chose to just load a brush with water and paint, and flicked some speckles of color.  That added a lot, actually, and then the sequins were a perfect finishing touch.

There are so many paints, brushes, and watercolor paper from which to choose, and you could always purchase a kit from Let's Make Art instead of investing in a lot of products that you're not sure you will enjoy (or need).  I will tell you this, though . . . if you order one of their kits, definitely order extra watercolor paper because you WILL need it!  It's my understanding that the kits don't include very much.  

Although I was tempted to order a lot of new product to start practicing watercolor art, I talked myself down and started pulling products that I already owned.  While I still want to try Dr. Ph. Martin paint, I have been extremely pleased so far with the Koi set that I had on hand.  Following is more info on what I've been using in case you're wondering:

Koi Water Colors (can be purchased HERE) - Just a few swipes of a wet brush is all it takes to pick up the creamy, dreamy colors in this set!  Its small size is easy to store or take on the go, a water brush is included, although I haven't used mine, there are slim sponges on the side for dabbing your brush, and . . . my very favorite thing about this set . . . it includes a palette!!!  NOTE:  One thing that I have learned is that, if you have to choose, it's good to have a set with bright and/or dark colors because you can always lighten them.

Canson 11x15 Cold Press 140 lb. Watercolor Paper (can be purchased HERE) - I have been using this paper for years, and it never disappoints.  It can withstand a generous amount of water, and what I really like to do is cut a few sheets into smaller (think card-size) pieces to work with.

Brushes - I'm afraid I'm unable to give any details about the brushes that I've been using because they have no distinguishing marks.  One of them--the smallest one--is an old one from Stampin' Up! and I believe it is a #2 or very close to it.  Let's Make Art recommends a #2 and #6 for a lot of their kits, and I'm 99% sure that one of my larger brushes is a #6.

So far, these few products are all that I have needed for my watercolor practice.  Oh . . . and a cup of water.

CABINET + CHALK COUTURE = PRETTY FACELIFT!!!

Not stamping related, but I wanted to share a photo of my pantry-style cabinet that got a facelift about two months ago.  When I moved the cabinet across the room, its plain white doors screamed for something visually appealing.  I must admit that I was a bit intimidated to begin the project, but I was also excited for a subtle change.  The first photo shows the beginning of the process, and the finished project is shown in the second photo.

To decorate the cabinet doors, I used Chalk Couture's Modern Floral Chalk Transfer and Fawn Couture Ink.  I could easily have used Chalkology Paste for this project, but I thought the ink would be easier and quicker since it's much more fluid than paste.  While the ink was, indeed, a dream to use, the drying time took 3 to 4 days.  This really slowed the process, even though I started at the bottom of the cabinet and then moved to the top.  Getting the mid section completed and then doing a couple of touch-ups is what took longer since I was waiting for ink to dry.  All in all, that process took a little more than a week.  I've been looking at the cabinet every day for at least a month, and I still love it!  ANY of Chalk Couture's transfers could be used to give so many surfaces a facelift!  If you would like to see all of the awesome Chalk Couture products, please visit my website HERE.

THANK YOU CARD . . . MAY PAPER PUMPKIN

The May Paper Pumpkin kit is so beautiful!  So beautiful, in fact, that I ordered a refill as soon as I completed (all 12 of) the cards.  Not only were the cards and envelopes a real treat (with partially pre-printed designs), the kit also included metal bird trinkets, twine, and a richly colored velvet ribbon--not to mention the wonderful stamp set!  This was the first card made from the kit contents:

In the photo, you get a glimpse of the printing/pattern on both the card and the coordinating envelope.  If you're wondering about the size of the cards, they're approximately 3-1/2" x 5" and meet the USPS minimum size requirement which makes them perfectly suitable for mailing.  The card pictured above is proof since it has already been received by a sweet demo friend.

Following are more photos of the completed cards:

They're just lovely, don't you agree?

FUN "CHIP BAG" PACKAGING

Mother's Day was celebrated yesterday at my sister's house.  My mother had a couple of extra gifts from me but, to her, my sister, and niece, I gave a gift of some of my favorite household products . . . Method Glass + Surface Cleaner (Waterfall scent) and Walnut Scrubber Sponge from Grove Collaborative and, from Bath & Body Works, Kitchen Lemon foaming hand soap.  I don't know exactly how much they appreciated receiving cleaning products (LOL), but I do know that cleaning is something that we can't erase from our lives and shouldn't it be as pleasant as possible?  

Pictured below are their gift bags, which feature the chalk tags that I shared in this blog post.  

A really fun project that was packed away in each bag was the "chip bag" packaging for the walnut scrubber sponge.  It was soooooooooo easy to make!  I created the design using Microsoft Publisher (which I don't believe has been available for years, but I still love and use), and then the design was printed onto regular white copy/printer paper.  One of the fonts that I used is one that I often enjoy--it's my son's handwriting.  We both created a font of our handwriting years ago online, but mine got lost in one of the computer upgrades through the years.  Anyway . . . here are photos of the chip bag packaging:

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, I hope you're enjoying this Memorial Day holiday--and keep in mind the reason for it.  I recently read this quote and find it very fitting . . . 

"WHO KEPT THE FAITH AND FOUGHT THE FIGHT; 

THE GLORY THEIRS, THE DUTY OURS."

"SPRINGTIME STROLL" FLIP-FLAP THANK YOU CARD

My mother does so many nice things for me, and I recently wanted to send a thank you card to her.  I didn't want it to be just another card that opens like any other card.  Nooooooooo.  I wanted the card to be something interesting and (maybe) a little fun.  I also wanted to use Stampin' Up!'s soon-to-be-retired Springtime Stroll (hostess) stamp set.  I loved this set the first time I saw it and have had it for quite a while, but I don't believe I had ever used it.  That was about to change.  This being strawberry season and all, what better time to start coloring berries?  The other thing that I will say about this card is that the interior flip-flaps are just too fun and provided the perfect palette to showcase some of the cute images in the stamp set.  Pictures are more fun than words, so here you go:

Of course, there had to be a coordinating envelope:

While I was having fun with the stamps and flip-flap card, I decided to make a Mother's Day version for my friend, Laura.  The front of the card was like my mother's but, this time--as you will see, I lined the interior with designer paper and did some stamping on the inside of the flip-flap panels.

Although my cards were smaller than the usual A2, a flip-flap card could most certainly be whatever size you want.  Just like my love for square cards, I sometimes get a wild hair and want to make a sweet little morsel that's just a wee bit miniature.  😜

MOTHER'S DAY CHALKABLE CHIP TAGS--AND A GIVEAWAY!!!

We haven't actually celebrated Mother's Day yet.  Our family will soon gather at my sister's house to celebrate mothers, graduates, and my great-nephew's birthday  This is an expensive month, so feel free to shop with me at either Stampin' Up! or Chalk Couture.  😊  

I'm looking forward to the family gathering at my sister's house!  She has a brand new updated kitchen that I'm anxious to see, but I know it will make me want to come home and rip mine apart.  I may or may not have already had visions of doing that.

What I want to share today are the Chalkable Chip tags that I decorated with Chalkology Paste and three Chalk Transfers . . . Your Life Your Story, Sweet Spring, and Beach Day.  The Sweet Spring transfer was one of the recent Club Couture transfers, so it's not available for purchase.  Didn't these tags turn out cute?

The pineapple looks a totally different color in the bottom photo, and that's because the lighting picked up the Shimmer Gold Chalkology Paste that I used.  

Some time ago, I purchased quite a handful of Chalkable Chips because they are so quick to decorate, and I love using them for gift tags.  The thing about receiving one of these tags is that it can then hang from a drawer or door knob, the corner of a tall cabinet or dresser mirror, or a magnet could be placed on the back of it!  I suppose it could also adorn a gift bag for someone else!  There are two chalkboard sides to the chips, which means twice the surface to decorate . . . bonus for me!

I hope my mother, sister, and niece won't mind getting a peek at their gift tag . . . they just won't know who is getting which one.  ;-)

GIVEAWAY!!!  Would you like the chance to have a decorated Chalkable Chip tag sent to you?  All you need to do to get in the drawing is leave a comment.  Next Tuesday, May 21st, I will draw the name of one winner who will receive a chalkboard tag.  OR . . . anyone who places an online order this month at my Chalk Couture store will receive a decorated tag--or undecorated--your choice.

Stay tuned later this month for a gift packaging project that was so stinkin' easy . . . and clever.  I just completed it today, and I want so badly to go ahead and share it but don't want to spoil the surprise for the mothers in my family.  It's not anything elaborate--it's just too clever and too simple to be believed.  

Have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!

MOTHER'S DAY ORCHID

Today we celebrate mothers.  When I was making a stack of cards to send to special mothers that I know, I kept wondering what I would make for my own sweet mother.  Although I had no exact ideas, I figured her card would be something with dimension, texture, sparkles, and that it might be a little over the top.  I guess you could say that my card had all of that--just not in a fancy sense.

I'm not sure where I came across this card, but the sentiment was just too cute.  It called to me, and I loved that it gave me another reason to use the Varied Vases stamp set.  I enjoyed the little bit of watercoloring and had no trouble appreciating the simplicity of this card design.  The picture quality is quite awful, and I hope you can get past that to see that this really did turn out to be a lovely card.

To all mothers, it's your day . . . have a happy one!