A Butterfly flew in......with a link to a video

 A gorgeous butterfly bundle flew in today and when they landed on my desk  with a flurry of activity.

This Butterfly Brilliance Bundle is an early release from the new Annual catalogue 2022-2023 (with the exception of the Butterfly Bijou DSP).  The stamp is one big background stamp, which coordinates with one large die that cuts all these stamped butterflies.  This die also die cuts butterflies from the Butterfly Bijou DSP.

So I decided to make a slimline card with the background created using the new blending brushes.  See video made by my team mate on the use and care of blender brushes here

The colours I used for the background were selected from those used in the Buttrfly Bijou DSP - Bermuda Bay, Mint Macaron, Calypso Coral and Daffodil Delight.

The Corner Bouquet stamp set (SAB) was black embossed on the upper and lower left corners.  The sentiment, from "Rooted in Nature" was also black embossed just off center on the card front.

Using the large single "Butterfly Wings" die, 6 butterflies were die cut from the DSP- each one a different size and colour.  In addition, 3 smaller non detail butterflies were die cut from the reverse side of the DSP.  These little butterflies can be seen emerging from the bottom right of the card next to the embossed image.

The other 3 butterflies were added as seen in the picture. Note:  they were only adhered by their bodies. Black faceted dots were added randomly.

This now finished card front was matted with Whisper White, and then to a Bermuda Bay base.

Dimensions:

Bermuda Bay 7 by 9" scored at 3 1/2"

Whisper White 3 1/4 by 8 3/4"

Whisper White 3 by 8 1/2" - art piece

Stamps:  Rooted in Nature, Butterfly Brilliance

Inks:  Versa Mark, Bermuda Bay, Mint Macaron, Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight

Papers:  Bermuda Bay, Whisper White, Butterfly Bijou DSP.

Accessories:  Black embossing powder, Blender brushes, Faceted dots, Brilliant Wings Dies

The Fox in the Forest - Hand Stamped Sentiments #355

 For the Inspirational Challenge  at HSS I added the fox from “Nature’s Best” into the forest from “Rooted in Nature” and added a cardinal from “Snow Front”. The slope was created using the “Curvy Die” and the diecut “Snow” is from an unknown retired Stampin Up die set

On a 4 by 5 1/4” piece of Whisper White card stock I sponged the sky with the new blending brushes applying Balmy Blue in a ‘blotchy’ manner creating a sky 

that looked like it was about to dump snow.

On and below the slope created with the Curvy Die was added some trees.  These were stamped with Old Olive and die cut with the Nature's Roots die.  Also added were some stamped trees from Nature's Best.

The fox was stamped on a separate piece of Whisper White and coloured with Water colour pencils and a Blender pen then fuss cut, and added to the card front with dimensionals.

More sprigs and branches were stamped around the fox and on one of the branches I added a cardinal.

Snow was added to the base of the trees and along the slope using Liquid applique and Dazzling Diamonds.  In one area under one of the trees, some glimmer Crystal Effects was added to make it look like an ice patch. (Actually I inadvertently applied to much Balmy Blue to that spot so this was my "fix")

The sentiment was die cut twice- once in Night of Navy and one in Whisper White.  They were adhered together with each letter off set from the other, and then added to the sky in the upper right.

The completed art scene was added to a Night of Navy card base.

Supplies Used:

Stamps:  Nature's Best, Rooted in Nature, Snow Front

Inks:  Balmy Blue, Night of Navy, Old Olive, Real Red, Early Espresso, Black Memento, Watercolor pencils

Papers:  Night of Navy, Whisper White

Accessories:  Blender Brushes, "Snow" die cut, Curvy die, Nature's Root Dies, Blender pen, Liquid Applique, Dazzling Diamonds, Glimmer Crystal Effects, Dimensionals

Card for a Great Guy - Hand Stamped Sentiment #332

For the sketch challenge with Hand Stamped Sentiments, I used the pick up truck from Pedal to the Metal stamp set  along with a tree from "Rooted in Nature" and the Country Club DSP to create a card for a great guy.

The tree were coloured with Stampin' blends, die cut and added (with dimensionals) to a piece of Smokey Slate card stock embossed with  the Coastal Weave embossing folder. After colouring the truck, it was fussy cut, covered with crystal effects, and when dry,  was also added to the embossed Smokey Slate with dimensionals.

This art piece was matted with Night of Navy card stock and added to the card front.

Two different patterns of the Country Club DSP was matted with Night of Navy card stock, but before it was added to the Whisper White layer of the card base, a Crushed Curry banner was added peeking out below the DSP.  This was stamped with the truck tracks.

A metallic leaf embellishment with a bow of Night of Navy baker's twine completed the card.  To balance my image, this was placed  on the right side of the art piece rather than the left.

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Pedal to the Metal, Rooted in Nature
Inks:  Black Memento, Stampin Blends (Mossy Meadow, Soft Suede, Real Red, Basic Black, Smokey Slate)
Papers:  Night of Navy, Whisper White, Crushed Curry, Country Club DSP, Smokey Slate
Accessories:  Rooted in Nature dies, Coastal Weave embossing folder, Metallic leaf embellishment, Night of Navy Baker's twine, Glossy accents, Dimensionals,

All My Sympathy - Fab Friday #169

This sympathy card is being submitted to the sketch challenge at Fab Friday #169.'

The card base is a top fold Night of Navy card stock, layered with Whisper White, and then another layer of Whisper White which had been embossed with  Oh My Stars embossing folder brayered with Night of Navy ink.
A strip of Vellum card stock was adhered across the card front, just below the mid point.

On a separate piece of Whisper White card stock, I masked off a 2 1/4" circle.  Using daubers, So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, and Crushed Curry were added to create a moon. The bird image from "Sailing Home" was stamped over the moon.  A 2 1/4" circle punch was then used to punch out the moon and it was adhered to the card front with the top edge tucked under the moon.

Using the stamparatus, the image of  the fir tree from "Rooted in Nature" was stamped using Mossy Meadow ink, die cut using a Nature's Roots die, and adhered with the branches overlapping the moon and the trunk extending over the vellum.

The "sympathy" sentiment was die cut in Night of Navy, using one of the Well Written dies' the rest of  the sentiment (from Well Written) was stamped with Black Memento on Whisper White and adhered above the die cut word on the left.

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Rooted in Nature, Well Written, Sailing Home
Inks:  So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Black Memento, Mossy Meadow, Night of Navy
Papers:  Night of navy, Whisper White, Vellum
Accessories:  2 1/4" circle punch, Well written die, Rooted in Nature die, Oh My Stars Embossing folder, Adhesive sheets

Thinking of You - FabFriday #151

Masculine Cards are traditionally difficult to make, so for the sketch challenge with Fab Friday #501
I used several stamps to make  this  "Thinking of You" card.

The card base is Soft Suede which I embossed using the Rooted in Nature framelits (the leaves) and the Big Shot Embossing Mats.  The Whisper White art piece matted with Crumb cake card stock was adhered to this card front using dimensionals.

The art piece was created using the following:

• Water - Bermuda Bay and Waterfront stamp set
• Shore rocks - Soft Suede and Waterfront stamp set
• Two trees - Rooted in Nature and Mossy Meadow ink
• Sun - Waterfront Stamp set and Crushed Curry ink.

At the bottom of the Whisper White art piece I added 2 pieces of  3/8" Shimmer basic gray ribbon, with some 1/16" braided twine tied in a bow at the left edge.

The sentiment was stamped in Soft Suede ink using Teeny Tiny wishes, & punched with the Classic Label punch.  Before adhering it to the art piece above the ribbons I sponged the edges with the same colored ink.

Supplies Used:

Stamps:  Waterfront, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Rooted in Nature

Inks:  Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede, Mossy Meadow, Crushed Curry

Papers:  Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Whisper White

Accessories:  Rooted in Nature framelits, Big Shot Embossing mats, Classic Label Punch, 3/8" shimmer Basic Gray ribbon, Braided Twine

A Colorful Fall Tree SUO Challenges #208

Fall arrived (officially) on Sept. 22, and everywhere there is evidence of this.  Not only are the days getting shorter, they are also cooler (especially at night) and  the leaves on the trees are changing color. What gorgeous shades of reds, oranges, yellows, burgundies intermixed with green!!

This is one of my favourite times of year.

I was out and about doing errands this afternoon when I noticed a tree that looked just like the large tree stamp in "Rooted in Nature" - in full fall colors.  This inspired me to make this card and to submit it to the SUO challenge "Nature/Fall"

Using the Stamparatus, I used the color layering technique to give this tree it's autumn colors.  I learned this technique from Patty Bennett.

In this technique, markers of various colors are randomly applied to the stamp with the imaged stamped after each application.  The stamp is not cleaned between colors of markers. Colors are layered to the tree until you are happy with the way it looks. 

 Colors I used:  Old Olive, Mossy Meadow, Real Red, Cajun Craze, Daffodil Delight and Early Espresso.  The sky was washed with Balmy Blue and an aqua painter.

To finish the card front I used the Eclipse technique to add the word "FALL" over the image using the retired Large Letters Framelit dies.  On the right side of the word I added a "Leave Trinket" which I had painted with the new Copper Shimmer paint.

The Whisper White  art piece was layered onto a Cajun Craze layer and then a Balmy Blue card base.

Supplies Used:

Stamp:  Rooted in Nature

Inks:  SU Markers:  Old Olive, Mossy Meadow, Real Red, Cajun Craze, Daffodil Delight and Early Espresso, Balmy Blue

Papers:  Whisper White, Cajun Craze, Balmy Blue

Accessories:  Large letter Franelits, Foam tape, Leave Trinklets, Copper Shimmer Paint, Stamparatus

Shimmery Trees and Joyeus Noel DSP - a case

I used the Frosty White sShimmer paint to create a shimmery Christmas card, one that I saw in this month's Stampin' Success (see below)

I did make a few changes as you can see in the above picture from the Success Magazine.   Instead of Pacific Point ink, I used  Balmy  Blue reinker and by varying the mixture of Frost White Shimmer paint and reinker I was able to get the ombre effect on the sentiment (from Merry Christmas thinlets). The paint was applied using an Aqua painter and when dry the sentiment was adhered to a piece of Vellum over the DSP.

The leaves were die cut from "Rooted from Nature".  Frost White Shimmer paint was added to the leaves with a sponge.  I also added some paint to the die cut tree.

The tree was added to the Joyous Noel DSP banner and the two leaf clusters above and below the Vellum over lay.

Supplies Used:

Stamp:  

Ink: Balmy Blue Reinker

Papers: Balmy Blue, Whisper White, Mossy Meadow, Joyous Noel DSP, Vellum

Accessories:  Frost White Shimmer Paint, Aqua painter,  ribbon, dimensionals, Merry Christmas Thinlet dies. Nature's Roots Thinlets

Yellow Flower - Rooted in Nature

I found a new way to use the leaf stamps in the Rooted in Nature stamp set.  Before I started I visualized a Sunflower, but once the flower was completed it looks more like a yellow Poinsettia.  So this flower would be perfect for Christmas - just make the leaves red.

This is a 5 by 5" Crumb Cake card, layered with Whisper White with a strip of "Love What You Do" DSP (two patterns)

Then I stamped 8 large leaves and 7 small leaves using Daffodil Delight sponging the edges with Crushed Curry.  Two additional large leaves with Mossy Meadow, sponging the edges with Mossy Meadow as well.

Then punch 2 circles - a 1 3/4" in Crumb Cake and 3/4" in Mossy Meadow

Using a stylus, each leaf was scored down the middle and folded and then shaped on both sides. Each large petal was adhered to the 1 3/4" circle with a hot glue gun; the smaller ones on top of the large ones alternating petals.  Add the 2 leaves last - to the upper right.

In the center I places a 1" mossy green circle with a Tropical Elements button with a linen thread bow added to it

The sentiment is from Abstract Impressions.

Three glossy enamel dots were added to the upper right.

Supplies Used:

Stamps:  Rooted in Nature, Abstract Impressions

Inks:  Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Mossy Meadow, Black Memento

Papers:  Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Mossy Meadow

Accessories:  Natures Roots Framelits, 1 3/4" circle, 3/4' circle punches, Linen Thread, Tropical Elements button, Hot glue gun, stylus, dimensionals, Glitter Enamel dots

Rooted in Nature - Thinking of You

The Rooted in Nature stamp set and coordinating framelits is the most versatile stamp set I have worked with so far since the Annual catalogue was launched the beginning of June.  I think I have made a card for each stamp in the set, and today is no different.

Today I stamped the individual leaf with Mossy Meadow ink onto Whisper White card stock die cut with the stitched square framelits.  After mounting them with Mossy Meadow cardstock they were adhered to a Whisper White square, also matted with Mossy Meadow.  This art piece will be mounted onto the card front using dimensionals.

The card front is Mossy Meadow, layered with Crumb cake card stock embossed with the Basket Weave embossing folder.

On the left I stamped a Whisper White panel randomly with pine trees and branches and layered it with Mossy Meadow card stock, then wrapped  some Crumb Cake twine around it tying it in a bow near the top before adhering it to the card front.

The art piece was added to the card front overlapping this stamped panel.

The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes punched with the Classic Label punch mounted on a Mossy Meadow small oval punch.

Supplies Used:

Stamp:  Rooted in Nature, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Inks:  Mossy Meadow

Papers:  Mossy Meadow, Crumb Cake

Accessories:  Square stitched framelits, thick Crumb Cake twine, Basket Weave embossing folder, dimensionals.

Rooted in Nature Christmas

I can't quite believe this, but despite the fact that it's not quite July and barely summer, I made my first Christmas card today.

I've been 'playing' with the Rooted in Nature" stamp set and it's perfect for the Christmas season as well.

I

The base is Real Red card stock, layered with Whisper White and then Under the Mistletoe DSP

An aperture was die cut using the Stitched Circle framelit in the upper center between the DSP and the Whisper White layer. Using this circle as a template , I drew a circle onto the Real Red card front (the art piece would be adhered to this later).  Some Window Sheet was adhered to the wrong side and foam and tape adhesive applied around the circle - as well as along the edges and areas between the circle and edges of the card layer.

On a separate piece of Whisper White I stamped 2 of the double pine trees and one of the single, using Mossy Meadow ink.  These were die cut and set aside.

I die cut a larger stitched circle using the new Sparkle glimmer paper and adhered it to the front of the Real Red card base using the pencil marked circle as a guide.  Two of the trees were adhered with tombo glue directly onto this circle (towards the top), and the 3rd smaller one with dimensionals in front of the other two.  While these were drying, I stamped 5 of the wreath-like branch images with Mossy Meadow and die cut them.

For the shaker element I used coarse sea salt which you can buy in any food store.  After removing the covering of the tape, the two layers were adhered together to form the shaker card.

Around the circle on the card front, I adhered  the wreath branches and then added  the new red rhinestones between the branches.

The sentiment is from Nature Sings

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Rooted in Nature, Nature Sings
Inks:  Mossy Meadow
Papers:  Real Red, Whisper White, Under the Mistletoe DSP, Sparkle Glimmer Paper
Accessories:  Window Sheets, Rooted in Nature Dies/framelits, rhinestones (red), Stitched circle framelits, Coase sea salt, Foam tape

Sunset at the Cottage

I love sunsets - always have, and lately the sunsets have been so beautiful.

I've been making a lot of cards using Rooted in Nature suite, and today I combined the stamp set with two other stamp sets, Waterfront, and High Tide - to create a sunset scene at the cottage

I was a bit hesitant about the effectiveness of the sponge brayers, but I used them today (along with some of the new colors) to create this beautiful sunset and was pleasantly surprised.  So, using this tool, I applied the following colors for the sky:  Mango Melody, Poppy Parade and Highland Heather. I added some birds and clouds from High tide.

Coastal Cabana was used for the water, with the horizon  identified using a Coastal Cabana marker.  Details in the water was created by using the water stamp High Tide.

The two trees were stamped one at a  time and side by side using Mossy Meadow.  A stamp from Waterfront, stamped in Soft Suede,  was  to create the rocky knol upon which the trees were growing.

The focal image was trimmed, then matted with Basic Black card stock, adhered to a Whisper White layer which was added to the Basic Black card base

An Adirondack chair, die cut in Highland Heather cardstock, was adhered to the lower right card front to complete the cottage image.

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Rooted In Nature, High Tide, Waterfront
Inks:  Mango Melody, Poppy Parade, Highland Heather, Coastal Cabana, Soft Suede, Mossy Meadow, Basic Gray, Coastal Cabana marker
Papers:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Highland Heather, dimensionals
Accessories:  Colorful Seasons framelits, Sponge Brayer

Rooted in Nature - Be Strong- Paper Players 395

June 1st!!!  Catalogue launch date.

Probably the most favourite stamp so far is Roots in Nature - but then I don't have too many of the new ones yet.

I made this masculine card for the sketch challenge with the Paper players

I start with a Crumb Cake base layered with an embossed Whisper White layer.  To the left I place a 2 1/2 by 3" piece of Wood Grain DSP .  All edges were sponged with Crumb Cake ink.

The focal image consists of the tree trunk image stamped in Crumb Cake and cut out by hand.  On a separate piece of Whisper White card stock, the tree is stamped using Mossy Meadow.  The die cut tree is adhered to the tree trunk with the top of the tree extending over the top of the tree trunk. At the base of the tree trunk is adhered a bow made with Linen Thread.

Along the bottom is another pattern of Wood Grain Designer paper, and on that I adhere the sentiments, which had been stamped using Early Espresso ink, then cut out by hand.

To finish the card two buttons were added to the upper right.

Supplies Used:

Stamp:  Rooted in Nature

Ink:  Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Mossy Meadow

Papers:  Crumb Cake, Wood Grain DSP, Whisper White

Accessories:  Nature's Roots Framelits, Pinewood Planks Embossing Folder, Linen Thread, True Gentleman Buttons

A shaker with Roots in Nature & Woodlands Embossing Folder

This has been my week for making shaker cards.

Today I thought I would combine the Woodlands embossing folder and Rooted In Nature stamp set and framelits to make another shaker card.

After embossing some Whisper White card stock with the Woodlands embossing folder and sponging it lightly with Basic Gray ink an aperture was die cut using the Layering Oval framelit.  A larger oval window sheet was adhered to the  wrong side of the opening and some 3/8" mini chevron Old Olive ribbon adhered to the left front.

Foam tape was applied around this opening as well as on the card stock edges and the shaker elements added to the center.

The basic Always Artichoke card stock base was layered with Whisper White card stock upon which the image of the tree from Rooted in Nature was stamped using Mossy Meadow ink.

After the two layers were adhered together, I stamped, embossed, and die cut some leaves as embellishments for the right side. Clear Wink of Stella was applied to the leaves (one of which was stamped and die cut in vellum), and a bow of Linen Thread added to the leaf stems.  Part of the sentiment was also added under the leaves, with the final part placed on the inside of the card.

Supplies Used:

Stamp:  Rooted in Nature

Inks:  Mossy Meadow, Basic Gray, Old Olive

Papers:  Always Artichoke, Whisper White, Vellum

Accessories:  Woodlands embossing Folder, Nature's Roots Framelits, Linen Thread, 3/8" mini chevron Old Olive ribbon, Shaker sequins(non SU), Window Sheet, Layering Oval Framelits, Foam tape

Animal Outing Thank You - Hand Stamped Sentiments #289

What a beautiful day here in the Kawarthas - with  a lot of sunshine, no humidity and just a hint of a breeze to make it comfortable to work outdoors.

My gardens are slowly taking shape.  The growth of the plants have been absolutely phenomenal, some plants doubling and tripling in size in the last week.  It's a wonder to behold!

For the sketch challenge with Hand Stamped Sentiments I brought in some garden elements while using the Animal Outing stamp set.

I started with an Old Olive card stock base, layering it with a Whisper White layer embossed with  the Woodlands Embossing folder.  I sponged the edges and the top lightly with Basic Gray ink to bring out the pattern in the embossing .

The cute little rhinoceros with a colorful bird on his nose was stamped on a 2 1/2 by 3" piece of Whisper White card stock, matting it with a 2 3/4 by 3 1/4" piece of Old Olive card stock.  I stamped some extra leaves on the upper right, and some texture dots through out the rest of the piece.

The image was colored with Watercolor Pencils and a Blender Pen.  Come Clear Wink of Stella was added to the animal alone.

This focal image was added (using dimensionals) to a 2 by 5" banner of Lots of Lovely DSP matted with Old Olive card stock (which was adhered to the embossed front layer.)  The bottom end was notched using the Triple Layer Punch.

The Classic Label Punch was used to punch out a sentiment from "Rooted in Nature".  This was added to the lower image piece using the small dimensionals.

Supplies Used:

Stamps:  Animal Outing, Rooted in Nature, Timeless Texture

Inks:  Black Memento, Watercolor Pencils, Balmy Blue, Basic Gray

Papers:  Old Olive, Whisper White, Lots of Lovely DSP

Accessories:  Classic Label Punch, Woodland Embossing Folder, Dimensionals, Blender Pen. Triple Layer Punch, Clear Wink of Stella

Peaceful Reflection - Just for You - another catalogue sneak peak

This stamp set provided a bit of a challenge for me.  Sometimes it's not obvious how certain stamps of a set work together and this is one of those sets.

After experimenting with various combinations, I settled on this design.

The leaf and stem were stamped first using Old Olive ink, then I two step stamped the flower using Daffodil Delight first followed by Crushed Curry.

Below the flower I stamped three smaller leaves.and  the stem in the water was grounded by  a small eddy.

To add texture and dimension, I used the dot stamp from "Timeless Texture, and stamped "dots" around the plant using Balmy Blue ink (stamped off ).

The Labels framelit was used to die cut the image, and this was matted with green glimmer paper.

The sentiment, from "Root in Nature " was also die cut with the smallest to the label framelits and added to the die cut image with small dimensionals.  A double bow made using the 1/4" white organza ribbon was added at the bottom of the stem.

The base card is Old Olive, layered with Whisper White embossed with the Ruffles Texture Embossing folder. A 2" strip of Delightful Daisy DSP edged with green glimmer paper on both long sides was adhered towards the left of the card front.  A strip of1/4" white organza ribbon was also added.

The focal image was added to the card front using dimensionals.

Supplies Used:
Stamps:Peaeeful Reflection, Rooted in Nature, Timeless Texture
Inks:  Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Balmy Blue
Papers:  Old Olive, Whisper Whit, Daisy Delight DSP, Green Glimmer Paper
Accessories:  Lots of Labels Framelits Ruffles Embossing folder, Green glitter gem, Dimensionals, 1/4" white organza ribbon.

Watercolor Rooted in Nature - a partial case

Now that my pre-order has finally arrived, I have some time to sit and play with probably my most favourite stamp set in the entire order, - "Rooted in Nature".

I did a partial case of a card I saw in Pinterest made by Cindy Elam

I borrowed the rocks and the sun from the Waterfront stamp set, both of which I stamped on Watercolor paper.

The tree was inked with Mossy Meadow ink and spritzed lightly prior to stamping.  The second tree was stamped without re-inking. To add some dimension to parts of the tree I used a Mossy Meadow marker especially on the lower branches.

An aqua painter was used to blend the water and the rocks.

Prior to added it to the card front with dimensionals I wrapped a piece of Baker's twine around the bottom and tied it in a knot.

This focal point was trimmed to  2 3/4 by 5 1/2" and added to a a 4 1/4 by 2" strip of watercolor paper embossed with two sizes of leaves.

 

Both pieces were adhered to a Soft Suede card base.

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Rooted in Nature, Waterfront
Inks:  Soft Suede, Mossy Meadow, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Mossy Meadow marker
Papers:  Watercolor, Soft Suede
Accessories:  Aqua painter, Baker Twine, Dimensionals, Nature's Roots Framelits dies