Mad for Paper

Hi everyone,  We have an extra week in March which means we can sneak in another challenge over at the House of Cards Challenge Blog . Make any style of card using this inspiration photo: I just love the fresh look of this photo. I used a new (to me) technique on this card.  I took a class at my LSS recently and learned a new way to use my Copic markers.  This technique works best with brush stroke style stamps.  This was another plus since I love the look of brush stroke stamps but always had trouble using them.   Not sure to color them or not. With this technique, you color right on the stamps using Copics.  You can layer the colors too.  The ink will dry out on the stamp but that is OK.  When you are done coloring, you spritz the stamp with Copic blending solution and stamp.  The more solution you use, the more the color will spread.  It was fun and every time you stamp you get a different look. The instructor thought you may be able to spritz with rubbing alcohol

Hi,  Today I am  participating in a new (to me) challenge.   It is the Stamplorations Blog Sketch challenge. Here is the sketch:  These simple sketches are often the most challenging for me.   I have a very hard time with clean and simple (CAS) cards.  I always want to add more. The beautiful embossed medallion is from Waltzingmouse stamps. Those Washi tapes are actually stamps that I won from Inspired by Stamping on another challenge.   Aren't they fun. Thanks for stopping by, Ang

Hi, Today I am participating in Seize the Sketch Challenge #16 , here is the inspiration sketch:   more details of my card:  You can't see it very well but there is a little bit of Wink of Stella on the large mum. I actually made this card yesterday and the little flag in the upper right was very different.  It was a pink flag with a big bling on it.  It was OK but I wasn't thrilled with it.  When that happens I usually walk away, wait a bit and then something will come to me.  That didn't happen, after a few tries, yesterday. However, last night, I had a dream.  It was just a real quick shot of someone cutting a piece of ribbon to use for a flag like this.   Slept some more.  About 10 minutes after I woke up, I remembered my dream.   I had this fun pink ribbon lying around, cut a quick piece and made a new flag.  Perfect! Thanks for visiting. Ang

Hi Everyone,  Today I am participating in Iwana Palamountain's Sketchbook Saturday Challenge .   I have probably mentioned it before, but I am a huge fan of Iwanas.   Her cards are always incredibly beautiful and so inspiring. Here is the current sketch: And a little more detail on my card.   I wanted to use this very delicate die cute sentiment.   I cut it five times and stacked them.   I am really happy with the way it came out but it was a little bit of a pain to put together.  The flower is from a new SU set.  I embossed in white on vellum and used markers to color it on the back.  Then I cut it out.  The leaves are various dies.  A little bling and I have a card with a lot going on but, to me,  it retains a sereneness, which is what I had hoped for. Thanks for visiting. Ang

I haven't participated in a whole lot of challenges for the last month or so.  I missed them, especially the Waltzingmouse Fanatics Challenges . We were given this inspiration sketch:   I knew I wanted to do something bold with my WMS Funky Flowers set.  Not sure what it is about these flowers that appeals to me so much, but I am in love with them.   I also have been trying out several new inks and picked up up Versacolor Pigment in Indigo.  If I can remember to let the pigment inks set and not smear them, they give super impressions. I made a mistake on this card.  Can you tell where? I planned on embossing the sentiment directly onto the white paper.  Instead of getting out my Stamp-a-ma-jig like I should have, I winged it twice with Versamark and both times it was crooked.  Found a piece of scrap vellum on my desk; mistake all taken care of! Thanks for visiting. Ang

Hi Everyone, Today I have a card for the House of Cards March Challenge .  This month the only requirement is that we use a button. A friend of mine gave me a handful of vintage buttons that she had found at a yard sale.   This Beautiful Blue baby was one of them.  It matched perfectly with these gorgeous Graphic45 Botanical Tea papers. A few pearls: And some pretty lace: This lace is pretty thick, so I didn't want to wrap it around the paper leaving a big bump.  I cut it about an inch longer than my paper, adhered it right up to the edges.  Then I ran a little Fraycheck right along the edge of the paper where I wanted to cut the lace.  Let it dry, cut it and it hasn't frayed in a few days.  Love the way it looks. Head on over to the HOC blog and check out all of the inspiration. Thanks Ang