#TGIFC483: Thanks for Everything

This week's challenge at TGIF Challenges is a theme challenge.

 

This one is great timing for me, because I just got back from vacation! We spent a week in Florida, and although our main reason for traveling there was to visit family, we also got in some touristy things. One of my favorite days was a beach day, which is what inspired my card.

 

I saw a quick glimpse of one dolphin on the day we watched a cruise ship go out, but I was hoping the whole time that we would see more. As I chose a sentiment for my card, the "Thanks for Everything" was the perfect length and now I have just the right card to send to my parents as a thank you for all they did to help make this trip happen.

 

I've used the Seaside Wishes Hybrid Embossing Folder for some subtle texture on the sides. The background was created with Pool Party and Lost Lagoon inks on Watercolor Paper with Water Painters. And I've cut the large coral reef die cut from the Friendly Fins Dies in two and put one piece on each side of my card. The dolphins were stamped in two different color combinations - the top one is Smoky Slate for the outline and Smoky Slate stamped off once to fill it in, and the bottom one is Basic Gray for the outline and Smoky Slate to fill it in. 

Here is a full list of products used on this card:

Stamps: Friendly Fins

Ink: Pool Party, Lost Lagoon, Basic Gray, Smoky Slate

Paper: Basic Beige, Basic White, Petal Pink, Calypso Coral, Lost Lagoon, Watercolor Paper

Embellishments: Cherry Cobbler & Pearl Adhesive-Backed Berries

Tools: Seaside Wishes Hybrid Embossing Folder, Friendly Fins Dies, Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine, Water Painters

Adhesives: Stampin' Seal+, Stampin' Dimensionals, Multipurpose Liquid Glue

 

If you'd like to save this beachy color combo, here's a graphic you can save. 

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

#TGIFC480: Best Wishes

The challenge at TGIF Challenges this week is a color challenge. I love black and white with a pop of color!

 

I've used the Friends for Life Bundle for my card.

 

I created a watercolor background with Real Red ink. After it dried, I stamped the hearts in Real Red ink. I embossed the sentiment in white on Basic Black cardstock. I used the Iridescent Striped Trim and Iridescent Faceted Gems to embellish my card.

 

Here is a full list of the products I used:

Stamps: Friends for Life

Ink: Real Red, Versamark

Paper: Thick Basic White, Real Red, Basic Black, Watercolor Paper

Embellishments: Iridescent 1/2" Striped Trim, Iridescent Faceted Gems

Tools: Basics Wow! Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Water Painters, Wildflower Designs Dies, Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

Adhesives: Stampin' Seal+, Stampin' Dimensionals

 

Happy Stamping!

Rachel 

#TGIFC469: You're the Most Awesome Friend

There is an inspiration challenge at TGIF Challenges this week, and of course I had to play along!

The butterflies were the inspiration for my background of lots of little hearts, and I decided to do a rainbow of colors with the emboss resist technique because that color scheme reminded me of spring.

 

I used an unlikely stamp set for my sentiment - the Trusty Tools stamp set. While this bundle is geared towards the guys, I love this sentiment for anyone! I paired it with the Mini Alphabet Dies and a strip of Coastal Cabana hearts from the Brights Designer Series Paper Stack.

 

Here is a full list of products used on my card:

Stamps: Country Bouquet, Trusty Tools

Ink: Flirty Flamingo, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green, Coastal Cabana, Berry Burst, Versamark

Paper: Thick Basic White, Basic White, Coastal Cabana, Brights DSP Stack, Watercolor Paper

Embellishments: Adhesive-Backed Shiny Sequins

Tools: White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Water Painters, Zany Zoo Dies, Mini Alphabet Dies, Nested Essentials Dies, Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

Adhesives: Stampin' Seal+, Stampin' Dimensionals, Multipurpose Liquid Glue

 

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

#TGIFC467: Sending Love and Best Wishes

The color challenge at TGIF Challenges this week is bright and beautiful, and I love it!

I've used these colors with the Perennial Postage and Painted Lavender Bundles.

 

This card started with an extra watercolor piece I had lying on the counter. Then I filled in a bouquet with die cuts and stamps from the Painted Lavender Bundle. I love all of the layering options with this die set! 

 

Here is a full list of products used on this card:

Stamps: Painted Lavender, Perennial Postage

Ink: Blueberry Bushel, Berry Burst, Lemon Lime Twist, Versamark

Paper: Blueberry Bushel, Berry Burst, Lemon Lime Twist, Basic White, Watercolor Paper

Embellishments: Brushed Brass Butterflies, Simply Elegant Trim

Tools: Water Painters, Painted Lavender Dies, Perennial Postage Dies, Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

Adhesives: Stampin' Seal+, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Multipurpose Liquid Glue

 

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

#TGIFC464: Sending Oceans of Love

This week's challenge at TGIF Challenges is an inspiration challenge.

 

There are so many beautiful floral sets that could work well with this inspiration, but I decided to go another route and create an ocean scene with the Submarine Life Bundle.

 

I used Watercolor Paper, the largest Water Painter, and Tahitian Tide ink to create my background. Then I did some fussy cutting to create the sea grass floor and to add a few sea creatures.

 

Here is a full list of products I used on this card:

Stamps: Submarine Life

Ink: Tahitian Tide, Bubble Bath, Parakeet Party, Orchid Oasis, Fresh Freesia

Paper: Tahitian Tide, Basic White, Watercolor Paper

Embellishments: Iridescent Rhinestones

Tools: Submarine Life Builder Punch, Water Painters, Paper Snips

Adhesives: Stampin' Seal+, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

 

This bundle is so much fun to create with! Shop here to get your own.

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

#TGIFC429: Christmas in July

Have you started crafting for Christmas yet? I craft for Christmas all year, but I think for many people, "Christmas in July" is a good time to start. TGIF Challenges has a sketch challenge this week, and I used it as a starting point for a Christmas card.

I love this sketch, and I'm saving it to use again. It's so simple, but offers so many possibilities for variation! I went with a watercolor background for the center panel, and then used the Real Red polka dot pattern from the Regals DSP Stack for the top and bottom panels. The sparkly gold paper peeking out is from the More Dazzle Specialty Paper pack.

 

Here is a full list of the products I used:

Stamps: Very Best Occasions

Ink: Real Red

Paper: Real Red, Basic White, Watercolor Paper, Regals DSP, More Dazzle Specialty Paper

Embellishments: Adhesive-Backed Sparkle Gems, Adhesive-Backed Snowflake Assortment, Gold & Silver 1/8" Trim Combo Pack

Tools: Water Painters, 2 3/8" Circle Punch

Adhesives: Stampin' Seal+, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

#TGIFC413: Saying Goodbye to a Few of My Favorite Retiring Products

The Last Chance lists were shared yesterday, and it's time to say goodbye to some really great products. But don't worry! There are SO many new things that are amazing too, so you won't stay sad for long.

I decided to use a few of my favorite things to play along with the TGIF Challenges Vellum Overlay challenge this week.

 

I used a mix of products that are staying and going. The Perfectly Penciled DSP, 2022-2024 In Color Glimmer Paper, 2022-2024 In Color Matte Decorative Dots, and Happiness Abounds Bundle are all retiring. But the Scalloped Contours Dies, Color & Contour stamp set, Something Fancy Dies, and Orchid Oasis Metallic Woven Ribbon are all sticking around!

 

I heat embossed the flower on Watercolor Paper in White, then water-colored with Orchid Oasis ink. Orchid Oasis has been my go-to purple recently, and I just love the different shades you get with water-coloring!

 

Some of these retiring products go on sale April 4, but if you see something you like, you may not want to wait. Everything is while supplies last, and there is a chance that things could sell out before the sale starts. Click here to shop.

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

#GDP361: Watercolor Merry Christmas

This week's challenge at Global Design Project is a color challenge. I couldn't pass up this beautiful color scheme!

 

These colors screamed Christmas to me, and I've been wanting to have a play with the Spruced Up Bundle. Add in a little bit of watercolor, and here's the card I came up with:

 

It's very hard to photograph, but I used an old Wink of Stella brush for my water-coloring, so the background is extra shimmery! I started by using my largest Water Painter and added a good layer of water to Shimmery White Cardstock. Then I used the Wink of Stella brush to add color. 

 

Here is a full list of products used on this card:

Stamps: Spruced Up

Ink: Flirty Flamingo, Parakeet Party, Shaded Spruce

Paper: Thick Basic White, Basic White, Shaded Spruce, Shimmery White Cardstock

Embellishments: Rhinestones, Adhesive Backed Seasonal Sequins

Tools: Versamark, White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Water Painters, Wink of Stella, Spruced Up Outlines Dies, Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

Adhesives: Stampin' Seal+, Stampin' Dimensionals

 

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

#TGIFC382: A Beachy Card

The challenge at TGIF Challenges this week is a theme challenge.

 

Who doesn't love the beach?! I used the Friends Are Like Seashells Bundle and my brand new Deckled Rectangles Dies (love them!).

 

The watercolor background was done with Balmy Blue and Starry Sky. The threads are pulled from the Silver-Threaded Twine.

Here is a full list of products used:

Stamps: Friends Are Like Seashells

Ink: Balmy Blue, Crumb Cake, Starry Sky

Paper: Crumb Cake, Starry Sky, Shimmery White Cardstock, Basic White

Embellishments: Silver-Threaded Twine, Adhesive-Backed Seasonal Sequins

Tools: Lasting Label Punch, Seaside Seashells Dies, Deckled Rectangles Dies, Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

Adhesives: Stampin' Seal+, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

#tgifc377: Christmas in July

If you've been following me for awhile, you know that I love to craft for Christmas all year. So this week's challenge at TGIF Challenges was a fun one for me!

 

I used a few Sale-a-bration products and a non-traditional Christmas color combination - Starry Sky and Fresh Freesia is such a pretty combo, don't you think?!

 

The Tree Lots Dies were used to cut out the snowy trees, as well as the silver stars. This is a HUGE die set that you can get for free with a $100 purchase during Sale-a-bration. I'm not sure the photos show it well, but I added some Wink of Stella to the trees. They sparkle just like the fresh snow does in winter!

 

The other Sale-a-bration product I used is the silver polka dot paper in the background. This paper is part of the Silver & Gold 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper pack, free with a $50 purchase during Sale-a-bration.

 

Here is a full list of products used on this card:

Stamps: Brightest Glow

Ink: Fresh Freesia, Starry Sky

Paper: Thick Basic White, Basic White, Starry Sky, Watercolor Paper, Silver Foil 12" x 12" Specialty Pack, Silver & Gold 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper

Tools: Tree Lots Dies, Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine, Water Painters, Wink of Stella

Adhesives: Stampin' Seal+, Multipurpose Liquid Glue

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

#GDP327: Valentine's Day

So excited to play along with the Global Design Project challenge again this week - it's a Valentine's Day theme this week, and I am loving the Valentine's products this year!

 

I am featuring the Catching Butterflies stamp set on Facebook this week, so I used that stamp set, and it's so sweet and fun.

 

Lots of little details to note on this card: the girl's skin is colored with our new Natural Tones Blends Markers! These will be available on Tuesday, or you can add them to a starter kit right now. Her dress is pieced together with the Sweet Talk DSP. I stamped her on Basic White cardstock and colored her in, then stamped her on the DSP as well. I fussy cut her dress and glued it onto my colored image. This is such a fun way to add patterns to your stamped images! Have you tried paper piecing before?

 

And one more tip: the Light Pool Party Stampin' Blends Marker is perfect for adding a little bit of shadow and dimension. If you look carefully, I used it on the net.

 

Here is a full list of the products I used on this card:

Stamps: Catching Butterflies

Ink: Memento Black, Blushing Bride, Stampin' Blends Markers: Light Pool Party, Soft Suede, Natural Tones Blends (SU800)

Paper: Thick Basic White, Basic White, Blushing Bride, Highland Heather, Sweet Talk Designer Series Paper, Shimmery White Cardstock

Embellishments: Baker's Twine Essentials Pack

Tools: Versamark, White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Water Painters, Scalloped Contours Dies, Sweet Hearts Dies, Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

Adhesives: Stampin' Seal+, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Multipurpose Liquid Glue

 

Happy Stamping!

Rachel  

#GDP257: Hello Friend

Today's card is inspired by the color challenge at Global Design Project this week:

 

I created a simple card using the Queen Anne's Lace stamp set and a little bit of emboss resist.

 

To create that soft watercolor image, first stamp in Versamark and heat with white embossing powder. Once set, watercolor with Balmy Blue ink. I think the Balmy Blue is a nice contrast to the Misty Moonlight, don't you?

 

I colored my Rhinestones with the Dark Highland Heather Stampin' Blends to add a pop of one more color. So simple, yet elegant. 

 

This stamp set is one you can get for free when you buy a starter kit this month. Stay tuned for more information on that tomorrow!

Stamps: Queen Anne's Lace

Ink: Balmy Blue, Misty Moonlight, Stampin' Blends: Dark Highland Heather

Paper: Thick Whisper White, Misty Moonlight, Whisper White, Watercolor Paper, 2020-2022 In Color DSP

Embellishments: Rhinestones

Tools: Versamark, White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Water Painters

Adhesives: Stampin' Seal, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stamping!

Rachel