Flower layering stamps

 Since I have recently have trouble coloring images, I decided to try layering stamps for flowers.  I bought Altenew Pretty Pansies.  I also bought several sets of Altenew ink cubes.  My first problem was opening the ink cubes.  With numb fingers from carpal tunnel, the lids wouldn't come off.  I finally used a knife blade to insert between lid and body of the container to open them.

The ink worked well and the stamps were easy to align with my Mini Misty.  I used Masking Magic to stamp the leaf behind he flower.  This left an unstamped area between the flower and leaf. 

To correct this, I used a blending stump to pick up some ink from the cube and filled in the white area.

I will work with more of the flower layering stamps, but would prefer to find some easier to use ink pads.  One other problem I had was I lost the tiny stamp for the middle of flower.  It's clear plastic and too tiny for my old fingers and eyes.

Embossing folders and dies

 I have been enjoying the new 3D embossing folders.  I have added color to them in the past, but these require more effort, but give good results.

This folder is from Altenew, called Garden Harmony.  I patted some Brilliance pearlescnt lime ink onto the leaves.  I added a layer from similar colored glossy cardstock and die cut the sentiment from the same glossy cardstock.  The sentiment die is from Impression Obscession.  The flowers are cut and stamped with a new combination die that you stamp and cut at the same time.  It is from Sue Wilson by Creative Expressions.  I colored it with colored pencils.

This 3D embossing folder is by Sizzix and called Woven.     I added 2 colors of Brilliance ink to add the color.  I firmly pressed Pearlescent Ice Blue to color the middle are of the design, then lightly patted Pearlescent Sky Blue to add color to the top portion.  The sentiment and butterfly dies are by Memory Box.  The flower die is from Simon Says Stamp.

Lighthouse shadow box card

 I made this shadowbox card for an adult grandson, who lives near the coast.

Front of card

Inside right

Inside left

  

Back of card

Variety of cards

 This has been a busy month with lots of family birthdays.  I've also mailed some cards to friends.  Unfortunately, I haven't taken photos of all of them.  I'll share some of them with you.

I was trying out some new dies, embossing folders and a stamp and die set.

This background is some holographic cardstock, embossed with a 3D embossing folder.  The effect can't be captured with a photo, but is very shimmery.

Birthday Wishes

 I made this card with dies.  The background is an alcohol ink creation.  The red piece is cut with a Hero Arts die.  The sentiment die is by Simon Says Stamp.  I cut the gold vellum circle with a Karen Burniston crosshatch circle die.

Old supplies can still be used

 While I was looking through old supplies, I found these wood papers and parchment. I used an old original Sizzix die called Parchment. I cut out the parchment with this die and stamped the sentiment with an old Stampendous wood mounted stamp dated 1998. I then distressed the parchment with an ink pad. Then, I attached it to the wood paper with brads and mounted both to a card base.

Using old supplies

 Some of my friends were chatting about fads and supplies we have that haven't been used recently.  I decided to pull out some supplies and make a card using them.  This is the result.

I started with handmade paper (I didn't make it, but bought something labeled handmade paper).  I wet the edges and tore the paper into a rectangle.  I cut out a tag with an old Spellbinders die and stamped the sentiment and embossed it with gold embossing powder.  Next, I attached the tag to the handmade paper with brads.  I glued the paper to a white card base.  It still needed something, so I punched some flowers to add to it.  Try making a card with those old supplies.

Encouragement cards

 I've been in a real funk lately.  I live in the desert and love warm, dry weather.  This week has been cloudy and wet.  This is not only depressing, but makes my old joints ache.  I did my best to make some cards to help others out of their despair.

What a weekend!

I started Saturday thinking about a female relative on Hospice care.  I made her a card to cheer her up.

Soon after I finished the card, I got a call that she had passed away.  I spent Sunday making another card.

 

Welcome to 2021

 We were all glad to be finished with 2020.  Who knows what will come in 2021.