Sparkly Season Watercolor Pencils

At first glance, the "little" images in the Sparkly Seasons didn't seem that important, but I'm liking them more and more! I used my (cheap) watercolor pencils to color this Nutcracker image, and then went in search of a card to put him on. The Season of Cheer Designer Series Paper was a perfect match, even though I didn't plan it that way!


A Christmas card needs a little sparkle, right? So the Gold Metallic Thread and the Gold Cording helped me out there. I used the sketch from FMS205.

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Watercolor Stripes

The second bonus project for my Watercolor Wishes Kit class, this card was made with Stampin Up Watercolor Paper. I smashed the Night of Navy ink spot (included in the Watercolor Wishes kit) onto a clear acrylic block, then used a paint brush to mix in a little water. Then it's just a matter of painting on the stripes, and blending them as much or as little as you like! The watercolor paper gives you more options for blending, where the Thick Whisper White can't be worked too much or it pills.

The greeting and the wooden heart are from the kit, and the remaining bits and pieces are from basic stamping supplies.

When I bought the Watercolor Wishes Kit in July, I fell in love with it and really wanted to make some of my own watercolor backgrounds. Then I signed up for Watercolor for Cardmakers at onlinecardclasses.com, and now I feel like I really know what to do! I'm sure you'll be seeing more watercoloring in my samples now.

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Click to view or purchase the items used for this project:

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Weekly Deals Sept 29

Check out the new Weekly Deals!

Dove of Peace Marker Wash

This is another watercolor sample for my online watercolor class. For this card, I used Strathmore Watercolor paper and the Stampin Up Cherry Cobbler marker. I laid down some lines of marker, then began blending with water and a paint brush. I added ink along the way, but mostly I just blended. Dove of Peace seemed like a perfect addition to this background, but I never did get a photo that really captured the gold embossing the way I wanted it to.

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Lighthearted Leaves Watercolor Wash

Another marker watercolor wash card. I used So Saffron, Crushed Curry, Calypso Coral, and Tangerine Tango Stampin Up Markers to lay down bars of color on watercolor paper, then I blended them with a wet paintbrush. After it dried, I stamped leaf images from Lighthearted Leaves in Versamark ink and embossed them with White Embossing Powder. I used the Leaflet Framelits to cut them out.

A standard size card just didn't look right, so I tried a 3x6 size, and it worked! There's a bit of the new Gold Trim from the Holiday Catalog (it's different than the gold thread) peeking out from behind the leaves. 

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Click on the links to view or purchase products used on this project:

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Watercolor background with Stampin Up ink

This card was one of the bonus projects I offered at my Watercolor Wishes Kit class last night. It's also part of a watercolor experiment I did for my online watercoloring class. I used the new Thick Whisper White cardstock and some Watermelon Wonder ink to make the background, then spattered a bit more ink on, and finished it out with some of my favorite kit elements.

So you CAN watercolor with Stampin Up Thick Whisper White, and you CAN use Stampin Up inks and markers--another sample coming tomorrow!

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Click to view or purchase the items used on this project:

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September Paper Pumpkin

My September Paper Pumpkin arrived, and here is the project!

Super cute and fun for fall, and the stamp set is fabulous for tags!

Watch the video of the entire kit here:

Full of Thanks

I love leaf images, and these "doodled" leaves from the Holiday Catalog really captured me! The details and the texture make Lighthearted Leaves a definite "win" in my book.

For this card, I embossed the leaves in gold, which I think makes them very elegant.

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Click to view or purchase items used to make this project:

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Stars and Glitter: Weekly Deals Sept 22

Who needs to start on Thanksgiving and Christmas projects? Here are your Weekly Deals to help you out:

Razzleberry Birthday for FMS204

I've been in a bit of a stamping slump. So many things going on that my brain hasn't been focused on creating, and when I've sat down to try, I've come up blank! Sketches are usually the way I overcome this kind of block, and finally over the weekend, I sat down with the FMS204 sketch and made this card!

Love this design from the Into the Woods Designer Series Paper pack! And this greeting from the host set Happy Birthday Everyone seemed a natural fit.

Here's the sketch, designed by my friend Jen Timko:

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Click on the links to view or order the products used to make this card:

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Put your embossing folders to work!

Do you have a favorite embossing folder??? I'm not entirely sure I can pick just one, but this new folder, "Woodland," is sure to be in the top 3! It can really stand by itself.

Some embossing folders are artistic enough to stand alone. In this example, all that was added was a sentiment and a bit of silver metallic thread.

Here's another idea:

Again, just add a sentiment and a bit of ribbon, and your card is already set!

I showed this sample earlier this week, but I think it's striking how little needs to be added to make a great card.


My challenge to you this weekend is to go through your embossing folders and decide which ones can make your next card easy and gorgeous! Link to your samples here, if you post them!

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Candy Corn for Stamp Club

From Stamp Club last week! We turned our glassine Sketched Dots Gift Bags into a super fun fall candy bag! Those Spiderweb Doilies are definitely a hot item from the Holiday Catalog--they come in a package of 24, and the back is white, so you can use them for more than just Halloween.

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Click on the links to view or purchase products used to make this project:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Weekly Deals Sept 15

It's time for new Weekly Deals!

If you don't already have the Butterflies Thinlits and the Mini Treat Bag set, get them today at a discount!

Woodland x 2

Two possibilities for this card we made at Stamp Club last week. I have some customers who adore Halloween, and some who don't. :-) This way, everyone is happy!

The Woodland embossing folder is amazing--it makes any card look gorgeous. Add in the coordinating set Among the Branches and you have possibilities for so many occasions!

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Last Chance for Watercolor Wishes Class!

One last reminder about the 

Watercolor Wishes Class 

coming up on Thursday, Sept 24 at 6:30 pm

Tomorrow (Saturday Sept 12) is the last day to RSVP! 

This kit is wonderful--it works for beginners as well as more advanced papercrafters.

Option A: $45 -- you get a complete Watercolor Wishes kit to make 20 cards, including envelopes, stamp set, and extra accessories, PLUS 2 bonus projects at the class. 

Option B: $15 -- you get the supplies to make 4 cards from the kit (with envelopes), PLUS 2 bonus projects at the class. 

Don't miss this fabulous kit! Your payment is your RSVP.  

Click here to pay with Paypal OR contact me to make other arrangements! 

Silver Six-Sided Sampler

Do you use your catalog for inspiration? I do! This is my "Catalog CASE" or copy of page 105. All I did was change the colors a bit and add some silver thread. Six-Sided Sampler is a set I've had for a few years, but I think this card really makes it shine!

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Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Don't miss the Watercolor Wishes Kit Class!

Watercolor Wishes Kit Class is Thursday, Sept 24, at 6:30 pm. 

RSVPs MUST be received by Saturday, Sept 12!!

Option A: $45 -- you get a complete Watercolor Wishes kit to make 20 cards, including envelopes, stamp set, and extra accessories, PLUS 2 bonus projects at the class. 

Option B: $15 -- you get the supplies to make 4 cards from the kit (with envelopes), PLUS 2 bonus projects at the class. 

Don't miss this fabulous kit! Your payment is your RSVP.  

I can accept cash and Paypal (see options below).

Please choose:

Option A--Full kit $45.00 USD Option B--Partial kit $15.00 USD

Shimmer and Shine with the Weekly Deals Sept 8

Are you all about the bling! Check out these new Weekly Deals!

The Clearance Rack has been updated, too! Some great deals on Baker's Twine and DSP.

Paper Pumpkin Sale Reminder--Sept 10 is the last day!

Time is running out to get your first two months of Paper Pumpkin at half price! Thursday, Sept 10, is the last day of the deal! Start a new subscription at the Paper Pumpkin website
and use the code HALFOFF to receive Sept and Oct for $9.98 (plus tax). You can cancel your subscription any time, but you won't want to miss out on the next great kit!

Look at everything that came for August!

Here's another sample from the August kit:

 

 Let me know if you have any questions!

Woodland Sympathy

As I mentioned in my last post, one of my favorite things from the Holiday Catalog is this embossing folder: Woodland Embossing Folder. 6x6. 139673. $8.50

It works in any season, and for any occasion! With this card, I let the embossing be the star. To give a more dramatic, deeper impression, I embossed the folder on Watercolor Paper. A little bit of silver metallic thread was the only accent the card needed.

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Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

2015 Holiday Catalog is LIVE!

See it here or click on the picture in the sidebar ----------->>

What are my favorites, you ask?? Well, there are too many for one blog post! So let's start with autumn products first. My top 3 are:

1--Woodland Embossing Folder. 6x6. 139673. $8.50

2--Spiderweb Doilies. Quantity 24. 139622. $4.50
     WARNING: These are projected to go on backorder, so get yours soon!

3--Into the Woods Designer Series Paper. 139586. $11

And a Bonus recommendation (useful in any season!): The Fine-Tip Glue Pen. 138309. $7

Weekly Deals September 1

More great bargains on the Weekly Deals today!

Markers and Washi Tape and Rhinestones!