EASY PEASY SUNBURST

I absolutely love the Sunburst Thinlit Die!  It sells for $29 but can be used for absolutely any occasion.  This die allows you to cut a ray of sunshine in record time with the Big Shot.  The actual size is 4-13/16" x 6-1/2".  Check out 4 of the 5 samples below.

 

This Easter Sunburst card uses a Crisp Cantaloupe (retired) card, and 2 – 5 1/4 X 4 layers from the Pretty Petals DSP Stack.  I judiciously added a bit of Wink of Stella to several flowers on the patterned starburst, and on the punched bunny and butterflies.  The large Happy Easter message is punched out with a scallop punch and layered on a circle that matches the green background DSP.  The completed message is then popped on the sunburst center with dimensionals.

Looks pretty easy?  It IS very easy and fast. 

 

 

DSP for this card was also taken from the Pretty Petals DSP Stack and features vibrant Pacific Point.  Although a variety of DSP has been cut for you, you have the option of going through the paper stacks and choosing your own combination.  I also did a cute “Sending Springtime Smiles” card but neglected to get it to my ace photographer.  I styled that card horizontally instead of the vertical usage we see here.

 

 

Need a quick birthday card?  This is the way to go.  DSP from the Pretty Petals stack, a few tiny butterflies from a big box butterfly punch, an appropriate sentiment and the card is ready to go!  I added a bit of Wink of Stella as I love the added interest it gives.  This style could easily be used for a Thinking of You, Anniversary, Retirement, or even Sympathy card.  You could sit down while watching TV and precut background DSP and die cut several sunburst images.  Then you are ready to go when you need a fast card. 

 

Need a St. Patrick’s Day card?  I precut some Crushed Curry and Garden Green DSP to help you out. As I wanted a different center message, I reached out to Graphic Fairy and chose this Irish lass.  I added Wink of Stella to the clothing and flag so it jumps out.  After the pictures were taken, I ended up adding 2 metal shamrocks in 2 shades of green.  The shamrock usage dresses up the card.  The inside message is the standard “Happy St. Patrick’s Day” with 2 added punched shamrocks. 

Now that you have seen all 4 Stamp Camp samples, don’t forget to let me know if you wish to omit a card and do 2 of a different card.  I can accommodate these requests, but please let me know as soon as you can.

As a reminder, March Stamp Camp is Thursday March 3rd from 12 Noon to 9 PM, Friday March 4th from 2 PM to 9 PM, and Saturday March 5th from 9 AM – 4 PM.  Hope to see you there.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Blessings, Rosemary – home 630/759-3089 – cell 630/965-1965 – paperrose01@aol.com

SPRING WREATH

The Circle of Spring stamp set helps us create a beautiful spring wreath.  Even better is the compatibility with the Wonderful Wreath Framelits Dies – a set we used Christmas 2014.  

This Elegant Eggplant and Daffodil Delight card is the epitome of springtime.  Although very hard to see, the wreath hangs on a brick wall.  I’m sure you have never seen an eggplant brick wall, but I liked the color combination.  Spectrum Noir markers are used to color the wreath, bow and flowers.  Dimensionals under the wreath and flowers add the 3-D effect.  Wink of Stella was used on some of the flowers, bow and butterfly.  The wealth of Spectrum Noir marker colors allow you many choices.

 

 

This is another version of the Circle of Spring wreath card.  More red was used which gives a very bright finish.  Wink of Stella was again used to provide the glittery interest.

Speaking of Wink of Stella – several of you had ordered this easy to use glitter brush.  When I went to place the order, I discovered this item was on backorder, and there was no anticipated delivery date.  In fact, there still is no anticipated date.  So I reached out to Amazon and was able to order the exact same item, packaging and all for $6.90 which includes tax.  So I have 6 for sale at $6.90 each if you are interested.  Wink of Stella is also available in colors.  I have the pink, yellow and green which you are welcome to try.  However, I only have the clear for sale.  I love this product and feel it can add much to a project if used judiciously. 

Hope to see you at March Stamp Camp.  Let me know in advance if you need a kit – available for $12.00.  Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions or concerns.

Blessings, Rosemary – home 630/759-3089 – cell 630/965-1965 – paperrose01@aol.com

EASTER LAMB

Easter Lamb is a darling card – just perfect for Easter.  I have 3 different cards from this set.  Each with slightly different embellishments.  The colors used on this card are not a combination I would have thought of.  However, I saw another card similar to this that used Watermelon Wonder and Blushing Bride, and I found the combination quite striking.  The chalk marker was used on the “curly lamb’s wool” which makes it jump out at you.  I was able to stamp  the image on Smoky slate, color the wool, grass and a bit of pink in the ears, and photocopy it on to white cs.  So, the work is already done for you!!!!  If you choose, you can add a bit more chalk, green, and pink markers.  Note the Watermelon banners used.

In this second view, everything remains the same with the exception of the circle around the lamb, and the use of a bitty butterfly with pearls.  Note the Watermelon banners used. A strip of Blushing Bride from the Love Blossoms DSP stack and the Gently Falling Embossing Folder add background interest. The butterfly also is cut from the Love Blossoms DSP stack and adds a soft touch. This card may look difficult, but it is truly simple. 

 

 

 

The third and final view of Easter Lamb features a Blushing Bride scallop circle around the lamb and 2 pearls on the top banner.  Happy Easter is stamped on Smoky Slate and receives a different banner treatment.  Note the small flower in the lower left corner, punched from the Love Blossoms DSP stack and embellished with a pearl. 

All 3 cards are very similar, but each has small differences.  The inside sentiment sheet can be embellished to coordinate with the front – a strip of matching DSP, a flower or two, or butterflies.  You can design your own!

I hope to see you for March Stamp Camp.  Let me know if you have any questions or if you would rather make 2 of the Easter Lamb cards instead of the Easter Garden featured on the previous blog.

Blessings, Rosemary – home 630/759-3089 – cell 630/759-3089 – paperrose01@aol.com

EASTER GARDEN

I’m sure not one of my readers has a garden that looks like this!  However, this card gives us hope for the months ahead!

I have 3 different cards of the Corner Garden stamp to share with you today.  This was my second attempt.  With my first coloring, I tried to cover up some areas where my color had seeped out of the image outline.  The result was not pleasant.  I decided that when the card recipient sees a bit of color outside the outline, they can better appreciate the love spent hand coloring the garden. A well placed butterfly also helps!  I used Spectrum Noir markers for the coloring.  At least 2 shades were used on each flower in my blending attempt.  If you have markers at home, you might choose to start this card at our March Stamp Camp, and finish it at home.  My suggestion would be to at least use the coral Spectrum Noir markers (CR 7, CR9) as they pull thru the Calypso Coral card color.

This card was coloring #3.  I lightened the blue of my morning glories and added a third yellow tone to my Brown-Eyed Susan.  I was not particularly pleased with the center of my pinky rose.  I used the Wink of Stella Glitter Brush on the flower centers of this card.  In my humble opinion, the touch of glimmer enhances of flower images and the viewer will spend a few seconds longer admiring the card with this added touch.  This is, of course, a personal preference.  See the little butterfly at the edge of the rose?  It is covering one of my “oops” out of the outline coloring. Note the use of the triple punch in the upper right corner of the card  – a little touch to add interest..   Let’s look at the 4th coloring below.

 

This is my 22 minute coloring card – yes, I actually timed myself.  I planned my colors first using only 1 color per flower.  There was no blending which made the coloring much faster.  I also kept myself totally focused on the coloring which helped.  I added Wink of Stella sparingly and again used a butterfly to cover my major “oops!”  The entire card took me about 40 minutes which included finding the butterfly, finding my message, etc.  My goal is to have your messages pre-stamped and punched, butterflies die cut, and the message backgrounds pre-punched.  Each card also notes which markers were used.

However, if you feel this is not a card you wish to tackle, please let me know as soon as possible which card you wish to do 2 of instead of the Corner Garden card above.  We have the Little Bunny card, the Spring Wreath card, and the uber easy Sunburst card.  I will be adding these blog posts very shortly.

I sincerely hope you can come to our March Stamp Camp.  Cost is $12 which includes all supplies and tools.  Dates/times are as follows:  Thursday, March 3rd from 12 Noon to 9 PM; Friday, March 4th from 2 PM to 9 PM; and Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM.  If you can let me know if you are coming, and what day/time works for you, it helps me in planning.  However, if you decide at the last second to drop by, I always have extra card kits ready.

Don’t forget to check back for the rest of the cards and let me know if you wish to substitute one of them for the beautiful Corner Garden card above.

Blessings, Rosemary – home 630/759-3089 – cell 630/965-1965 – paperrose01@aol.com