September 30, 2016

Flourishes Blog Hop–Fuji Mum Thanks Card

I’m back with another card showing the new fabulous stamps from Flourishes l.c. Isn’t this the most gorgeous fall flower?

fuji ty

I used some of the items from a recent card kit to make this. I love the addition of teal to traditionally fall colours. The image was coloured with Copic markers and distressed with a pale brown ink. That way it matched the paper and lace better. The ‘thanks’ die was also coloured with Copic markers giving it an ombre look. The twine flower/butterfly was made using a brad and a bow maker; I think it looks like a butterfly don’t you? I considered adding something to the top right corner but in the end just left it as ‘white’ space.

fuji ty2

Not sure if I should have added this close-up photo. It could have been larger but then you would have seen all my mistakes! LOL!! I just realized that this image needs one more thing… a few splatters! I’ll go add some tomorrow!

I hope you like this image! Flourishes took a break for health reasons and it’s taking a while to get it back up and running. We need your support so hop on over to the Flourishes website today! And don’t forget to visit the other designers.

Flourishes Blog
Beverly Cole 
Linda Lucas 
Naomi Gong 
Tricia Traxler 

Enjoy, Rebecca

Entered In: Mojo Monday #467

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September 28, 2016

Shabby Pastel Clock Card

I’m often inspired by many different things. One day it’s a new supply, the next it’s a sketch. Maybe the following week it’s someone’s card I want to CASE. This time it was a sketch. I made this ages ago so the linky is long closed but it’s too pretty to not share it!

shabby pastel clock

This shaker card actually has 5 sections. I die cut the clock (PTI)from kraft cardstock and fun foam. I wanted to make the shaker so some of shaker goodies would always be inside the areas where the numbers would go. So I removed some of the foam ‘boundaries’ between the number areas but left some in so there are 4 sections plus the middle. This way the shaker bits wouldn’t all settle at the bottom! Does that make sense? I removed some of the bits of foam so I was left with 4 sections. I figured that adding sequins to each of 13 sections would be a pain!

shabby pastel clock2

I added embossing paste to the background paper (My Favourite Things) and added some gold glass glitter while it was still wet. It looks like wet sand on the background here but it’s much prettier IRL. The clock die cut was accented with gold embossing powder on the inner and outer rims. For finishing touches here are some paper flowers, glitter washi, lace, a doily (PTI), gold twist twine and some sari ribbon.

Enjoy, Rebecca

September 26, 2016

Masculine Cards

Do you struggle to make masculine cards? For me, it depends on whether or not I know what the person likes. I find it especially hard when I don’t know them. But I realized that I had quite a few masculine cards in my ‘unposted’ file waiting to be blogged so I thought I’d give you some tips for making simple masculine or guy cards.

masc congrats

There just doesn’t seem to be a single universal theme that all guys like. For girls, you can always use flowers; I don’t know a single lady who doesn’t at least like flowers a little bit. The first card is much nicer looking IRL. The Congratulations die (SSS) cut doesn’t show the gold embossing very well and it appears to blend into the background paper (Graphic 45) which it doesn’t really. Sometimes a really good piece of patterned paper and a sentiment are all you need. The accents are wooden ‘enamel’ dots.

happy retirement

For this card, a simple layout, some non-girlie ribbon (grosgrain, twine, twill and faux suede ribbon are all amazing choices) and a bit of rustically applied embossing powder work well. This could be used with almost any sentiment (PTI) on it but hubby asked for a retirement for a co-worker who likes to golf.

gentleman congrats

This elegant monochromatic card works well for any occasion for the dapper gentleman. The patterned paper panels  (Graphic 45) are all outlined with a gold paint pen.

ann 2015

Grow Old with Me (MFT) seemed like a good sentiment for an anniversary card for my hubby last year; it was our 18th anniversary. I used a simple layout with a bit of interest added by matting the patterned papers (My Mind’s Eye), stamping some text lightly and randomly and adding a couple of embellishments: a cool metal clip and some of that suede ribbon I mentioned earlier.

grad boy 15

An image (MFT) coloured in with Copic markers to match the patterned paper (Basic Grey) and some Copic coloured stars (Studio Calico) perfectly suit this masculine grad card.

GM get well card

Some quick Copic marker swipes, a simple stamped image (Cornish Heritage Farms I think) and some chevron dies (PTI)make this card well suited to the car enthusiast. This technique works perfectly for any line image and some solid stamps too.

tim ann 2011

Another anniversary card for hubby. I blended reinkers on glossy paper with a baby wipe and added some simple embossed images (Unity). (UGH, before MISTI some of my stamping was quite crooked!) This is a great way to make a quick card without having to colour an image if that’s not your thing.

beach retirement

I’ve posted this one before but it shows you again how patterned papers, a simply stamped image (Waltzing Mouse Stamps) and some twill make for a great masculine card. You don’t have to add the sequins (maybe sub in enamel dots or brads if you wish). My husband gave this one as a retirement card for a co-worker. Ocean, lighthouse and landscape scenes often work well as a card for guys you don’t know.

I hope this helps you with your masculine card making!

Enjoy, Rebecca

Smile Balloon Card

This week our challenge on the Crazy 4 Challenges blog was to make a birthday card. Well, as many of you know, I don’t celebrate birthdays because of my religion. So I made a happy and fun celebration type card and called it close enough!

smile balloon card

I used the FUSION challenge as inspiration. I love pink and turquoise together and I love pops of metallic colours especially gold. So it seemed like this challenge was made for me! I used two shades each of pink and turquoise ink along gold embossing all using Confetti Toss stamp set (PTI).

The balloon shaker and some of the contents were all cut using PTI balloon shaker dies. I also added some Lucy’s Little Things sequins inside which makes for a fun mix. Using some paper filler for shakers not only gives some variety to your shakers but also saves you some money and uses up some scraps! For final touches I added a Smile die cut, ribbon to suit the sketch, some puffy stickers that were included in the latest SSS card kit and some Wink of Stella glitter pen on the smile and the balloon frame. The puffy stickers look so cute don’t they?

Enjoy, Rebecca

Entered In: Fusion Birthday Bash

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September 24, 2016

Grateful Fall Tree Card

Honestly, I am not a huge fan of autumn. Here in Southern Ontario it usually means we transition to winter with about a week of rain and leaves changing. OK, maybe it’s not that bad but we get too little spring and autumn, a decently hot 3 month summer and way, way too much winter.

fall tree shaped card

But having this lovely image by Flourishes l.c. to colour definitely lifts my spirits and help changes my attitude towards my second least favourite season! Isn’t it a fabulous image? I coloured the image with Copic markers and cut it out with a Spellbinders die. I cut a card back with the same die. The card back was scored about 1/4” from the top and adhered to the front just long that scored section. It’s a great way to make a shaped card! I added a border in red shimmer (reddish copper) Krylon metallic leafing pen and some leaf die cuts and sequins for some more colour. I’d have done a more elaborate card but I’m sick and barely managed to make this one. {{Sigh}}

fall tree

I’m the second stop on the blog hop today. Start at the Flourishes blog then visit the designers below.

Beverly Cole 
Tricia Traxler
Linda Lucas 
Naomi Gong and don’t forget about the giveaway!

Enjoy, Rebecca

September 22, 2016

Enjoy Your Vacation!

It’s another release day here for Flourishes l.c.! Isn’t this wreath so perfect?
Enjoy your vacation
The set is called Coastal Christmas but like many people, I don’t celebrate Christmas! But that’s OK because this fabulous image can be used any time of year! I added the sentiment with my dip pen calligraphy. It’s far from worthy of this wreath but I’m learning and at least my lettering is no longer embarrassing!
Enjoy your vacation2
The background was done with Copic airbrushing and the wreath was Copic coloured. It’s not as good as my normal colouring as I had to use crappy paper but I think it turned out pretty well considering. I wanted the wreath base to look like some weathered sticks or vines so I did them in a very ashy brown. The rope was coloured with demin blues. I have no idea if you can really get rope that colour but a girl can hope!
The brown shells appear to meld with the background here but IRL they do stand out more. Turquoise and teal were used on the star fish. Again, no idea if that’s realistic but I just don’t care!! I lurve me some aqua, teal and turquoise! But I’m sure that shells come in that lovely peach colour because I own some! All of the shells were coated in a clear Wink of Stella glitter pen which you can especially see on the top middle two shells. Click to enlarge the photo if you wish.
Be sure to hop around and see all the cards the design team has created today!
Flourishes blog 
Linda Lucas
Naomi Gong 
Me!
Beverly Cole
Tricia Traxler
Don’t forget, the last person on the hop announces the giveaway!
Enjoy, Rebecca

September 21, 2016

Flourishes Release Blog Hop

Flourishes l.c. is releasing a lovely set called Winter Blooms today. Be sure to start at the Flourishes Blog to join in and maybe you will win the stamp set below, Winter Blooms!

winter blooms

Enjoy, Rebecca

September 20, 2016

Bunny Baby Shaker Card

ETA: Please visit the Flourishes Blog to enter the giveaway. If you already left a comment here, it will still qualify.

I just can’t handle making fall cards quite yet! It is still shorts weather here in Southern Ontario!! So when I saw this amazing fall themed set by Flourishes l.c., all I saw was the gorgeous bunny!

bunny n cabbage RE

I think the cabbage image is supposed to be one of those ‘blue-green with a purple middle’ fall ornamental plants. But I HAD to colour it as though it was a fresh cabbage not ready to pick but quite ready to be munched on by a certain naughty bunny! So I did a Peter Rabbit style baby card! OK, I know he doesn’t have a blue jacket but you get the idea!

bunny n cabbage RE2

I started with the green because I wanted a non-gendered card but then I stuck a big ol’ peachy pink flower on it. Oops! I have to mention the loveliness that are these images. Look closely… see all the little whimsical touches on the ends of the lines? I did my best to keep the ones on the cabbage but some were too fine to cut out. But you can see one in the bottom left corner of the cabbage and on the upper leg and ‘elbow’ of  the bunny. So cute! Not so much whimsy to make the images inappropriate for more serious cards, just enough to be really cute!

bushel of thanks

If you’ve followed along with our release hop, mine should be your last stop! Which means… DRUMROLL PLEASE… I am giving away announcing the giveaway of this stamp set! That’s right, you could win Bushel of Thanks! Just leave a comment here at the Flourishes blog telling me if you are ready for fall and if you are making summer cards still or if you’ve moved on to fall and beyond.

The whole release hop…

Flourishes blog 
Beverly Cole
Linda Lucas 
Naomi Gong 
and me!

Enjoy, Rebecca

September 18, 2016

New Design Team!!!

Guess what? I am now part of a new design team! I work for Jan Marie of Flourishes l.c. I am so excited! If you don’t know Flourishes, they sell wonderful, gorgeous stamps especially florals and faith related sets. The store also includes papers, dies, accessories and so much more!

fuji mum RE

Today I have a wonderful floral set for you called Fuji Mums. It’s so stunning, you can’t be without it! I coloured the flower with Copic markers (RV 62, 66, 69) with a flicking stroke without any blending at all. This created lots of dimension especially when I added some flicks outside the image. The leaves were coloured with quite a few G and YG markers. The final image was partially die cut with a Spellbinders oval die with the last bit being cut by hand as some petals overlap the oval shape. I used the negative die cut from the bottom of the oval as a template for the top!

fuji mum RE2

The oval was layered on top of a fancy die cut frame, some sari silk and some messy gold thread. I placed the whole package on a lavender note card and adhered a few sequins as a last blingy addition!

FUJI MUM

To see all the amazing cards by the Design team, be sure to visit everyone’s blogs! This whole week is filled with new releases so be sure to pop back in and visit everyday!

Flourishes Blog
Beverly Cole
Linda Lucas
Naomi Gong

Enjoy, Rebecca

September 16, 2016

Hug and Roses Card

I have been having a blast playing with my new Altenew goodies! Happily, this week at Crazy 4 Challenges, we had a sketch challenge so I could combine my lovely new stamps and inks with the challenge!

rose hugs

I love these flowers! I usually choose the more realistic stamps Altenew sells but these have popped up everywhere on my favourite blogs and I just couldn’t resist any more! Now I’ve gotta tell you something, the circle die cut (Spellbinders)? It’s actually mirrored gold cardstock! It’s so dark, I think it must be reflecting my camera! You can see a hint of the gold right under the flower on the right.

rose hugs2

I started with a wood grain panel which I airbrushed with an R83 Copic marker. That gave me a soft even pink shade across the middle of the panel. I thought about doing some ink blending but that would have highlighted the wood grain which I didn’t want. I also considered some water colour or spray mist but as I’ve never tried that on this paper and I have only a couple 4.25x5.5 pieces plus I worried about warping, I changed my mind. I do that a lot when creating.

The flowers were stamped with frost pink, jet black (Altenew) and lovely lady (PTI). The next darkest colour in the Altenew line up was too dark so I used the PTI ink instead. I think it worked out beautifully right? The background was stamped in kraft (PTI) with some of the secondary images from Beautiful Day and Painted Flowers. The sentiment (Altenew) is stamped on black cardstock and embossed in white. The gold frame, flowers and sentiment are all popped up at various levels. The wood grain panel was mounted on a kraft notecard (PTI) that I stamped with more kraft ink using the secondary flower stamp from Beautiful Day.

C4C354Sketch

The sketch we have this week is very versatile! So many awesome things you can do with it! I hope you can join us over at Crazy 4 Challenges!

Enjoy, Rebecca

Elegant Silver Anniversary Card

Friends of mine are having an anniversary party tomorrow and I offered to make the card for everyone to sign for the group gift.

25th anniversary

I don’t know the couple very well so I went with something elegant using only silver, white and grey. I had a million ideas but had to cut back until I had a solid concept. The background was stamped with a large damask stamp and embossed in white pearl embossing powder. The oval (Spellbinders) was cut from Silver Mirri cardstock and popped up with fun foam. Now the numbers were my favourite. I die cut them from grey cardstock 4 times each then stacked them. Some silver glitter (Martha Stewart) was added but to make sure it didn’t shed everywhere which seems to annoy most people (I find the discovery of random glitter quite delightful!!), I sealed it in with a lovely thick coat of Glossy Accents.

Last but not least I added a sentiment (Altenew) stamped on a dark grey strip of cardstock and embossed in white, some Swarovski crystals and a puffy silver-grey organza bow. I love how it turned out!

Enjoy, Rebecca

September 09, 2016

You’re Amazing Scratch Off Surprise Card

I am a huge fan of interactive cards and they seem to be gaining popularity every day. So when I got my SSS kit for September, I was super stoked to see scratch off stickers inside! And I knew that combining them with this week’s challenge to use 10 things on our cards at Crazy 4 Challenges would be so fun!

rainbow youre amazing balloons

So I have 10 balloons, well actually 11 but since one was covered with the scratch off sticker, I added another. But I do have 10 colours! Underneath the sticker it says “you’re amazing”. I can’t wait until one of my kids achieves something awesome so I can give it to one of them!

This is such a fun set that I’ve already made two baby cards also with scratch off stickers; gender reveal cards actually. I think that’s such a fun reason to have a party! I hope to have those and some cards using PTI’s new Garden Gate Kit up later in the week.

So this challenge is fun right? You can use 10 of the same elements like I did using all balloons or 1o different elements. You could use 10 stamped leaves for fall or a card with a row of 10 buttons. Use 10 colours in your stamping or add up your layers, stamped elements and embellishments to come up with 10; however you would like to do it! Easy Peasy right?? {Smile!} See you over there at our blog! Now if I could only combine a gatefold layout with a shaker and a scratch off sticker…

Enjoy, Rebecca

September 03, 2016

All White Elegant Anniversary Card

I love monochromatic and tone-on-tone cards don’t you? They are so elegant and soothing to look at. It’s the perfect theme for our Crazy 4 Challenges blog this week!

white-on-white ann card

Most of my card was made with die cutting today. There are so many beautiful and elegant dies out there that I decided to use them all on one card! Haha, just kidding! Have you ever been to Becca Feeken’s blog? She is a genius with layering different die cuts! I don’t know that I did her style justice but I did try! The background was embossed with a frame style folder (Sizzix) and airbrushed with a tiny bit of pale pink Copic ink.

white-on-white ann card2

Taking a photo of a white card is hard and even more so when there is a super pale colour involved so I’m afraid it’s hard to see the pink. All the rest of the layers are white except the little tabs between the top and bottom layers, to which I also added a bit of Copic ink; this time green. All of the dies I used are by Spellbinders and wow do they cut the best for super intricate dies. Most of these cut with one pass through my die cutter using a metal shim.

With the kids going back to school this week in many places and already back in many others, I can’t wait to see how many of you area able to find time to play along this week!

Enjoy, Rebecca

September 02, 2016

Julie Nutting Doll Beachside Art Journal Page

Surely many people reading this blog also make cards. But do you also do art journaling? It’s so much fun and uses all the same supplies!

julie nutting summer page

You can make your own journal or just bind some pages together after you created enough for a book. I have two art journals I work in and another I swapped. The first two are hardbound, one with sketch weight paper and one with much sturdier paper. I use the study one for my final products and the sketch paper one for trials and experiments. The swap journal was one I made, decorated a two page spread in and then it was sent on it’s way to have pages done by people all over the world! It finally made it’s way back to me after over two years and I was thrilled with the art I received!

This particular page was done as a loose page swap (no book was mailed around the world) which ends up much cheaper in the long run and if a package goes missing, at least it’s only one page rather than a whole book. The theme was Julie Nutting summer. Well, as you probably know if you visit here regularly, I am IN LOVE with the BEACH! So I have lots and LOTS of fun supplies to use when making this page! It would take ages to list all the supplies so leave me a comment or email me if you’d like to know more about something specific.

Enjoy, Rebecca