Go For the Gold Class Challenge

Sometimes I find the time to enter a challenge and this card is for this.  I want to thank Sandy Allnock for the time she has put into bringing this class of using different gold mica products.  It was a fun class full of beautiful art projects to try.

You can find this class over on Sandy's blog here: 

http://sandyallnock.com/go-for-the-gold/#.VhA6snpVhBc

Since it took me all week working off and on for this card I have only completed the challenge for only day one.  I did not have any of the products she used but was able to find similar products to use.  I used gold mica powders mixed with Golden's Soft Gel - semigloss mixed with the mica powder.  But in the end while I got the dimension I did not get the bright shine that I knew the mica powder really had.  After it dried I added a tiny bit of Lumiere paint for the green and over the top then added some Ranger Metallic Paints in Gold.  By doing this I was able to get the same look that Sandy was able to accomplish with one product.  Whew, well at least it all worked.  I could not get the gold brightness to show, no amount of tweaking the photo in Photoshop would bring out the yellow gold, it just continued to be an orange color.  Maybe I don't know what I am doing with the photo program The card is very shiny bright in real.  What do you think?

Thank you for taking the time to look.  Have a wonderful blessed day.

Deborah

Simon Says Stamp's #Stamptember

Simon Says Stamp had a drawing give-a-way on their Facebook page for leaving a comment.  I won a set of the new release stamp sets.  Whoo Hoo!

Being behind as I always am I didn't get a card made at the reveal of #stamptember

I have however caught up a bit and made two different cards using the set of stamps I won.

Simon Says Clear Stamps PRESENTS AND ORNAMENTS sss101441

http://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product.aspx?id=308231

There are 21 stamps in this cute little Holiday stamp set.

For the first card I die cut snowflakes and used silver embossing powder on them.  I stamped the snowflake from the set and added it to the center, and the words merry, & bright which I also embossed with silver embossing powder.

It was a pretty quick card to make overall and has lots of shine in it.

This second card I used another die for the background.  Love this die, by Memory Box, called Landscape die.  You can find it here:  http://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product.aspx?id=88379

I stamped the boxes onto craft paper with the country theme in mind.  The bows are embossed as are the little green trees.  

I plan on making some more cards using this fun little stamp Set

 Thank you Simon Says Stamp!

Enjoy your day!

Deborah

Card in Watercolor

I took the Online Card Class, Watercolor and finally got around to actually playing with watercolor paints.
I leaned so much from the class and it all looked so easy though painting in watercolor paints still intimidates me some.  I cannot seem to let go and use more water and paint. I guess it will take practice.  I am use to coloring with Copic Markers which is so controlled plus I am one who likes things very tidy within the lines when coloring in a stamp but I have loved the look of watercolor paintings for a very long time and have several hanging on my walls.  Thus my inner voice must be telling me to let go of the control I tend to want to have and be more free and spontaneous with my arts work.  And I have to admit when I do something completely out of the box for me I love the process of doing it.

I am posting this card over at Unity Stamp Blog "Friends with Flair" which goes on every Friday.  You can view the blog here: http://theunitystampco.blogspot.com/2014/05/friends-with-flair_30.html

The painting is mounted on a dark blue card stock, which does look much better then it does in the scan as the blue is lost with the black card stock behind it.

Close-up

Stamp Set: ...I will never leave you by Phyllis Harris Untiy Stamp Co.

Watercolor paints, hair was done using a Distress Marker.

Using watercolor paints with my stamps and card making is diffidently something I plan on doing more of.  

Walk hand in hand with the Lord Jesus and He will never leave you as is His promise.

Blessings....Deborah

Sweet little Love Bug and Friends With Flair

Ah I remember The Love Bug movie with the sweet lovable car character named Herbie. I just ordered the set of these movies for my grand kids.  Volkswagen Beetle, so small like a bug yet my parents manged three children in that back seat.  It was a time when not only did people travel with a lot less stuff but of coarse no seat belts were there either so we pretty much sat however we needed to be which included using the area buy the back window.  Yikes, it certainly wasn't safe.

While the Beetle is a cute car, maybe for one person, two at the most for driving in a small town where distance is not a factor I could not zip around in and out of traffic in one of those today.  Maybe it would be fun and easy to get around in, and through parking lots, still I need the metal around me today, the arm space on the sides and breathing room for all my stuff as well as me.  Then there is the car seats for the grand kids, four of them now sitting there in the car ready for use at a moments notice.  No time for sweet little love bug cars in my life today.  Nope, I want the big gas sucking room for all car to zip about in and travel long distance in.

May this card bring back some love bug memories of yours from a time when life really was more simple and innocent although a time of chance was taking place.

Peace Out

Close up shows the glitter on the bumper and lights of the car.  I added glossy accents over the back window area which really made the window appear more glass like.

Stamps by Unity Stamp Co

 This sweet little robin sat on a branch directly outside the window of my studio where the computer is.  It sat there for a long time, twisting it's head around listening for bugs to eat.  I thought for sure if I try and take a picture is will quickly fly away but it didn't.  I love watching the birds and hearing their sounds of music when I am outside.  How much I miss living where it is summer or nearly so all year round, if for no other reason 

then to hear the music of the birds everyday.

May your day be blessed with the sights and sounds of God's creation.

blessings...Deborah

Friends with Flair at the Unity Stamp Co blog

I really should try and do more challenges, it always gives me shot of creative muse.  This card will be entered in the theunitystampco.blogspot.com/2014/02/friends-with-flair.html  Friday's challenge to make a card using their stamps.

Because I have been working on projects here in the house, you know painting, fixing and yes still doing some unpacking after six years I haven't had much time to make my cards or do other creative paper projects.   This is the longest time in one house where I have not finished things quickly and it is really starting to grind on my nerves.  One is always more creative when ones surroundings are finished, or at least it is for me.  So I have had to put aside my addiction to stamping and all things paper and get busy with house projects.  Soon it will be gardening time, well a few months yet away but one needs to be thinking ahead on these things as time just disappears in the blink of an eye or so it seems.

This past week while working on doing the decorations for a baby shower I ran across this beautiful aged paper.  It just struck me how perfect it would be for some Unity Stamps I had.  I usually only use the portion of the many beautiful papers I have for just an accent on the front of a card and had never covered the front of a card fully with printed papers.  But this one called to me.

I stamped directly on the papers with the bird house from the Unity Stamp Set "Free to Be" and then embossed it in gold.  I loved it.  Next I stamped with distress stains using the bird flying stamp from the same set and cut it out.  

Stamps - Free to Be by Unity Stamp Co

Flower by Unity - don't have the name.

Distress stains by Ranger

Thanks for stopping by, have a blessed day full of love....Deborah

"Be Inspired" Card Sketch Challenge

I often don't have time to do as many sketch or color challenges as I would like, but the sketch for this month's Unity "Be Inspired" challenge just suddenly hit me when I saw it.  I have been considering getting started on some Christmas cards and the round focus point of this sketch was perfect for Unity's little round snowmen.

Here is the parameters for the challenge.  Basically make a card using the sketches or the color format.  I went with the sketch of a card.





And here is my take on this sketch. 

Isn't this little guy just begging to be featured in a perfect circle?
Stamps: Unity Stamp Co.

Have a wonderful day....Deborah

Your Wings Exist

I love these stamp designs by Unity Stamp company artisan Phyllis Harris.  These kids are the cutest and the stamp sets have wonderful meaningful greetings that come with them.

Each week Unity Stamp Co. BlogSpot does a "Friends With Flair" posting where everyone is invited to make a card using Unity Stamps and post to the blog.  This is my card for today.

This is the cutest saying, can't you just imagine this girl standing on a hillside arms outstretched with a dream of flying?  I must have done this hundreds of times as a child myself, the wind in my hair and the view over the landscape.  Beautiful memories and hope this card may bring someone special.

Unity Stamp Co Phyllis Harris - Your Wings Exist

Enjoy and thanks for stopping by

Blessings......Deborah

 

I am on a Roll.

Yep two blog entries in one day.  I also thought I would do a card for Casology - http://casology.blogspot.com/ challenge "Camp".

I made one of these cards many years ago using Stampscape Stamps and wanted to recreate it for this challenge. the background is made using a brayer, stamped with Stazon inks on gloss paper and colored with Stampin' Up markers.  Because all images are stamped in black there was no need to mask anything off.  Over all creating something like this is pretty easy it just takes some planning on where to place the images.

Stamps - Stampscape, Stampin' Up

Ink - Stazon, Stampin' Up markers and ink pads

 

Give this a try using multiple scenery stamps.

Blessings....Deborah

July Unity Challenge

Okay so it has been over a year since I posted anything.  I guess I am not into blogging.  Read lots of blogs but just not one who contributes to keeping hers  up and running let alone interesting.  Maybe someday.  But right now I still have so many things on my to do list that blogging is just too far down on the list to worry about.  However I do find I have enjoyed doing the Unity Stamp Companies monthly challenge so here is my contribution, brought to you because it rained the past two days I couldn't be outside.

Living where summers are short, maybe three months tops, I spend nearly everyday out there in the sunshine and working on the yard duties.  We haven't gotten to the "just maintenance" stage yet as we are still clearing trees, and this years big duty for me is putting in a drip system.  There are periods of dry and hot and my garden, both flowers and vegetable need daily watering's.  Plus until this is accomplished it is very difficult to travel anywhere for more then a couple days.

My husband is begging me to spend more time water coloring and learning that medium more but somehow I have placed it on the side and delved into stamping cards instead of painting pictures.  Though on some level I have missed it.  Thus I did a bit of water color on this card for the challenge.

I used the card sketch in my challenge.  Since I have a hard time incorporating all the pretty papers I have collected over the years into my cards I decided to use those as the sketch appeared that many different papers are in the background.  I really enjoyed making this card and think it came together quite effortlessly.

- http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/

 

 

Stamps- Unity Stamp Co. - Wishing You Joy Set

Papers - Stampin' Up

 

Hope you have enjoyed the card.

Blessings...Deborah

 

Unity Stamp Company Kit of the Month Sketch Challenge

This card is being sent under the wire with hopes I can get it all uploaded and linked in time for the Monthly challenge.

Background is different Distress Stains used with a paint brush and water.  The stamps, clocks and bird are by Unity Stamp Company from their monthly kits.  I love these kits, so many cool and different types of stamps all on one full sheet of rubber.  Wonderful!

Here is the sketch:



 I thoroughly enjoyed doing this sketch challenge since the finished card is it so out of character for me.

New Beginnings - Unity Challenge

Our son and his wife just bought their first house.  It is truly a new beginning for them and we are so excited for them.  I remember when I and husband bought our very first house and how, “Home is where you park your heart.”    Home is where the closest people in your life reside, where you let down your hair, kick back, play, love, cry, and relax like no other place on earth. 

With each and every home we have bought over the years as we moved from one place to another each house was another new beginning in a home.

Stamps used: Unity Stamp Company

How to Win a Vagabond

Go here and follow the directions.  This young man is amazing - a young Tim Holtz.  He has a YouTube channel - http://www.youtube.com/user/cardofmyeye

The directions to win are there.

Until another day....blessings.......Deborah

You Make my Heart Sing Gift Box

Unity Stamp Company's Challenge this month is gift tags, gift giving etc.  I have wanted to do a few of these little boxes cut from a Sizzix die by Stampin' Up! I have also wanted to play some more with Tim Holtz's rosette die so here I have paired them both along with a some wonderful stamps from Unity Stamp Company. I really like Unity's Heart Background stamp, so many uses for this, here I have stamped it several times on tissue paper. Unity's Music symbol was used for center stage on this card and on the side I added a small tagged stamped with another Unity stamp.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Have a great creative day!
Blessings....Deborah

Happy New Year!

Last day of 2011 and another number comes rolling in a few hours.  Is it just me or are the years going by faster than they use to?  I feel as if I can hardly get things done and often do not; whereas I use to do so many projects and have relaxing time on top of it.  And that was the time frame of taking care of three little ones, a husband, a house, a yard and working too!  I get exhausted just thinking about it.  More than likely today I spend too much time on the internet and too much time playing with my ink and stamps – but hey that is my life today.  Still a husband and house to care for and the little ones have little ones of their own who are growing in leaps and bounds through this journey we are on in time.

I am posting a card from the Unity Stamp Company’s Kit of the Month sketch Challenge here: http://theunitystampco-kotmsketch.blogspot.com/

May the following Year bring you blessings, love, hope and health.

Thanks for stopping by.....Deborah

Unity Stamp Co. Kit of the Month Challenge

Sometimes a sketch challenge will grab me and I just have to
see what I can come up with using that sketch. Today I did this little snowman card for the Kit of the Month challenge over at Unity Stamps. It is the last day for posting and entering the challenge and rather I win or not I have finished a pretty cute little card which I can now sent do someone.

I know it has been forever and a day since I have blogged but that is another story altogether and one I won’t get into for the time being. Right now it is all about this card. I love this little round snowman from Unity Kit of the Month January 2011. Greeting is computer generated.

What do you think?
Here is the sketch and then the card:

Thank you for stopping by.....Deborah