#TGIFC580: To a Forever Kind of Friend

Hello, friends! This week's challenge at TGIF Challenges is a color challenge, and this is a good one!

 

I've used the Lily of the Valley Bundle for my card - this bundle is pretty with any colors you choose!

 

I've created a watercolor background with Night of Navy ink. The leaves are stamped and die cut with Granny Apple Green, and the flowers are colored with a little bit of the Light Night of Navy Stampin' Blends Marker.

 

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

Stamps: Lily of the Valley

Ink: Granny Apple Green, Night of Navy, Versamark

Paper: Smoky Slate, Night of Navy, Granny Apple Green, Basic White, Watercolor Paper

Embellishments: Natural Matte Dots

Tools: Water Painters, Heat Tool, Basics Wow! Embossing Powder, Spotlight on Nature Dies, Lily of the Valley Dies, Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

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

 

Happy Stamping!

Rachel  

#TGIFC578: Happy Father's Day

There is an inspiration challenge at TGIF Challenges this week, and the inspiration graphic shows four cupcakes. I was inspired by the four images and some of the colors to create my card. 

 

How did I go from cupcakes to a lake-themed Father's Day card? Well, sometimes the creative process is interesting! 😆 I always try to stick with the product I'm featuring that week when I participate in challenges, and sometimes it's harder than others! 

 

The background behind the cupcakes reminded me a little bit of a watercolor background, so I used Petal Pink and Pecan Pie inks to do a little bit of a watercolor wash behind my images. The images are fussy cut from the Waterside Retreat Designer Series Paper, and the sentiment is stamped in Peaceful Pine ink on a rectangle punched with the Rounded Rectangle Punch.

 

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

Stamps: Relaxing Waterside

Ink: Peaceful Pine, Petal Pink, Pecan Pie

Paper: Peaceful Pine, Basic White, Watercolor Paper, Waterside Retreat Designer Series Paper

Embellishments: 2026-2028 In Color Dots

Tools: Water Painters, Rounded Rectangle Punch

Adhesives: Stampin' Seal+, Stampin' Dimensionals

 

Happy Stamping!

Rachel  

 

 

The Stamping Station: Bold and Beautiful

 

Hello, and welcome to this month's blog hop from The Stamping Station! Our theme this month is Bold and Beautiful. I used bold images from the Balloon Festoon Bundle paired with a beautiful watercolor background!

 

This card started from a chat with my team group earlier this week. As you may know, Stampin' Up! has announced a color refresh happening in 2027. Members of the team were speculating on which colors might go, and Coastal Cabana, Gorgeous Grape, and Melon Mambo were all on the list for several people. I happen to LOVE these colors, and I think they make a beautiful color combination too. So I decided to use them together for my card.

 

For the watercolor background, I used Coastal Cabana ink. I did a subtle splatter with my Dark Pool Party Stampin' Blends Marker, then stamped the streamers and confetti from the Balloon Festoon stamp set in Coastal Cabana ink. The card is finished off with some of the Sunset Sparkle Sequins.

 

Make sure to hop along and see the bold and beautiful projects from the rest of the design team! 

 

Happy Stamping!

Rachel  

 

 

#TGIFC565: I'm Here for You

This week's challenge at TGIF Challenges is an inspiration challenge. It's a pretty one!

 

I was inspired by the flowering tree and the idea of friendship. I used the Banner Sayings Bundle and the Lovely & Beautiful Designer Series Paper for my card.

 

The large flowers were fussy cut from the Designer Series Paper, and the background was watercolored with a little bit of Fresh Freesia ink, then splattered with the Dark Fresh Freesia Stampin' Blends Marker.

 

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

Stamps: Banner Sayings

Ink: Fresh Freesia, Versamark

Stampin' Blends Markers: Dark Fresh Freesia

Paper: Basic Beige, Old Olive, Watercolor Paper, Lovely & Beautiful Specialty DSP

Embellishments: Pearlized Faceted Circles

Tools: Heat Tool, Basics Wow! Embossing Powder, Three Banner Punch, Water Painters

Adhesives: Stampin' Seal+, Stampin' Dimensionals

 

Happy Stamping!

Rachel  

#TGIFC561: Giving You a Big Smooch

Valentine's Day is coming up soon, and I decided I had better get to making the cards I need! This week's challenge at TGIF Challenges to use embossing powder gave me a starting point for my card.

 

I created this Valentine's Day card for my youngest daughter. She loves to give me a big, wet kiss every night at bedtime, so this sentiment and the cute bear from the Valentine Kisses stamp set are perfect for her! I paired them with the heart outline stamp from the Endless Love stamp set. This heart was embossed in gold multiple times on Watercolor Paper, then watercolored with Strawberry Slush and Bubble Bath ink. I love a good watercolor resist!

 

I've also embossed my sentiment. The card is finished off with a few extra touches of gold in the mat behind my background piece and the ribbon, as well as my favorite new embellishment - the Pearlized Faceted Circles.

 

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

Stamps: Endless Love, Valentine Kisses

Ink: Memento Black, Strawberry Slush, Versamark

Stampin' Blends Markers: Crumb Cake, Petal Pink

Paper: Strawberry Slush, Basic White, Gold Foil, Watercolor Paper

Embellishments: Pearlied Faceted Circles, Gold Striped 3/8" Mesh Ribbon

Tools: Basics Wow! Embossing Powder, Metallics Wow! Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Water Painters, Stylish Shapes Dies, Valentine Kisses Dies, Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine 

 

Happy Stamping!

Rachel  

Creation Station: Magical Monochrome

 

It's time for this month's Creation Station hop! It's been a few months since I've hopped along, and I'm so happy that I've found some creative mojo (and time!) to create a project for this month's hop.

 

This month's theme is Magical Monochrome. My favorite color is purple, so of course I had to use it for my card! I've used the A Little Cheer stamp set and seven shades of purple/pink. From top to bottom, the colors I used are: Bubble Bath, Fresh Freesia, Petunia Pop, Berry Burst, Highland Heather, Gorgeous Grape, and Blackberry Bliss. 

 

 

I absolutely love creating watercolor backgrounds, so I used the same colors as my cardstock strips and did a little watercolor wash. Before water-coloring, I heat embossed the snowflake from the stamp set in white a few times on my background piece.

 

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

Stamps: A Little Cheer

Ink: Versamark, Bubble Bath, Fresh Freesia, Petunia Pop, Berry Burst, Highland Heather, Gorgeous Grape, Blackberry Bliss

Paper: Thick Basic White, Basic White, Watercolor Paper, Bubble Bath, Fresh Freesia, Petunia Pop, Berry Burst, Highland Heather, Gorgeous Grape, Blackberry Bliss

Embellishments: Rhinestones, Shimmer Star Foam Stickers, Gold & Silver 1/8" Trim Combo Pack

Tools: Basics Wow! Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Water Painters (retired), Textured Notes Dies, Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

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

 

I hope you enjoyed this non-traditional Christmas card, and make sure to hop along and see what the rest of the team has created!

 

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

 

  

 

 

Creation Station: Catalog Sketches

It's the first Sunday of the month, and that means it's time for the Creation Station Design Team hop! This month, we are choosing a card sketch from a current catalog to create our projects. I've chosen a sketch from the Annual Catalog. 

 

 

My card uses a few products that I just can't stop using! I've created my watercolor piece with Stampin' Write Markers - Melon Mambo, Azure Afternoon, and Berry Burst. I added a piece of gingham paper from the Cute as a Bee Designer Series Paper pack, some Purple Adhesive-Backed Sequins, and the Starstruck Embossing Folder for some texture in the background. The sentiment and heart come from the With You in Mind stamp set. 

 

 

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

Stamps: With You in Mind

Ink: Versamark

Stampin' Write Markers: Azure Afternoon, Berry Burst, Melon Mambo

Paper: Thick Basic White, Basic White, Basic Black, Watercolor Paper, Cute as Can Bee DSP

Embellishments: Purple Adhesive-Backed Sequins, Baker's Twine Essentials Pack

Tools: Stampin' Spritzer, Basics Wow! Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Starstruck Embossing Folder, Nested Essentials Dies, Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

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

I hope you'll hop along and see what the rest of the team has created. Our catalog sketches are sure to inspire you!

 

Happy Stamping!

Rachel 

#TGIFC509: Love You More than Coffee

Hello, and happy Wednesday! Today's card is such a fun one. It was inspired by the theme challenge at TGIF Challenges this week.

 

I wanted to highlight the Stampin' Write Markers that are part of the starter kit offer during Sale-a-bration, and after seeing the theme graphic, I had to pair them with the More than Autumn Bundle. It was a match made in heaven!

 

I've used the Stampin' Write Markers in three ways on this card:

1. I used the brush end of the marker and colored on my Clear Block E with three different colors from the Brights Collection - Flirty Flamingo, Melon Mambo, and Berry Burst. Then I spritzed the block with my Stampin' Spritzer, and laid a piece of Watercolor Paper over the top. This created the background for my card.
2. Once the background was dry, I flicked the brush end of my Berry Burst Marker against it's lid to get some subtle speckles in the background.
3. Finally, I used the Berry Burst Marker to color the hearts on my coffee cups.

 

Here is a full list of products used:

Stamps: More than Autumn

Ink: Memento Black, Versamark

Stampin' Write Markers: Berry Burst, Flirty Flamingo, Melon Mambo

Paper: Crumb Cake, Berry Burst, Basic Black, Basic White, Watercolor Paper

Embellishments: Purple Adhesive-Backed Sequins

Tools: Basics Wow! Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Stampin' Spritzer, More than Autumn Dies, Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

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

 

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope this card inspires you to get out your markers and give one of these techniques a try!

 

Happy Stamping!

Rachel 

#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