Harvest Blessings!

This card is for today's Limited Supplies Challenge(LSC241)! Today’s challenge is to do a FALL-themed card with stamps, paper, and ink . . . and NO embellishments! What....no buttons, no ribbon, no brads, no eyelets, no stickers, no rub-ons, no chipboard, no primas?

We can use diecuts (which include punches) and/or embossing folders. The focal point should be something STAMPED and not something diecut (you CAN use a Nestabilities die, for example, but there must be something stamped in center of it!). Thanks a bunch, Wendy!!!

I am using the sketch for this week's The Sweet Shop sketch challenge(SSS24).

My Harvest Blessing card uses faux brads and a faux ribbon tab. I think it is a cornucopia of faux fabulousness. I am using Sweet 'n Sassy digital stamp set called Harvest Fruits. Please check out the Sweet 'n Sassy blog for some more commentary.

I made the background scripture paper. I copied and pasted one of the scriptures in this set several times. When I had it looking like I wanted, I printed on ivory cardstock. I then started sponging the edges with Ranger antique linen ink, then some vintage photo, and a touch of some walnut stain. I always start sponging with light colors first.

For the horizontal panel, I used a piece of Recollections Autumnal dp. I sponged the edges and stamped on it the sanded bg to create a distress feeling to the muted gingham print.

I colored my image using copics. I would like to add that I checked out Sharon Harnist's blog yesterday. She has a link to a copic tutorial she has done coloring a cornucopia. I found this very informative and helpful. I also realized I need more copics. I softly sponge with nestie stencil around my cornucopia.

For the panel behind the focal image, I wanted to continue with muted tonal patterns so to keep this from getting too busy, I just opted for a panel of cuttlebug texture. I did softly sponge over this the ranger vintage photo.

For the sentiment, we were allowed to use a nestabilities as long as something was stamped inside. I printed the harvest blessings sentiment and softly sponged stencil with the nesties some pumpkin pie and antique linen. I may have used a touch of some vintage photo.

Since no embellishments were allowed...NO gold pearls or ribbon??? What is a girl to do? I decided to make some faux brads using a 1/4" circle punch which is allowed. I added some glossy accents to the top to make them look more dimensional. I learned this trick from Cindy Lawrence. To this I want to add my "duh" moment. I generally punch the circles, adhere to the glue dots, add the glossy enamel, and let dry. I was in a hurry today and did not have time for the glossy enamel to dry, I tried doing it with the same process using tweezers. Long story short, add the circles to the card first..duh, then add the glossy enamel. No more than is used without dripping, it should be fine to take a picture. It can dry later. It really is cumbersome to try to add them to the card with sticky glossy enamel...lol!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!!! Your comments are greatly appreciated!!! Have a great weekend!!!

Stamps
SNSS Harvest Blessing, SU sanded bg
Paper
dark chocolate, ivory, pumpkin pie, recollections autumn dp
Ink
Printer ink, ranger antique linen, vintage photo, walnut stain, pumpkin pie
Accessories
Nestabilites, sponges, ranger glossy accents, glue dots, foam circles, MS border punch, cb ef, SU texturz plate, white gel marker, copics, 1/4" circle punch

America! America!

This card is for SCS Limited Supplies Challenge(LSC219). We were to choose one of the many popular or obscured holidays that occur in the month of May! Thanks, Judy for a terrific challenge. I played it safe and went with Memorial Day!!!

I am using ODBD, In God We Trust newly release set. I chose some K & C dp that actually has a map of the US in the background. The other layer of dp shows a newspaper script look with words defined and the memory definition in the bottom right corner was perfect for this challenge.

My sentiment is using Nestabilities curve rectangle. I actually move the template to get this size. It is a technnique I call "cheating the nesties"...lol!!!

I am also recycling a tag I got from my dd converse sneakers box. Can you believe converse are back in style and more expensive than ever? At least I got a reusable craft item from the deal...love that. I thought the weather star tag with the trademark star chipboard was perfect.I colored my Eagle using Ranger inks and some SU soft sky. I sponged the edges with the ranger ink antique linen.

I finished my card with some faux brads. I did use C1 copic to outline my eagle to give him some depth.

STAMPS ODBD In God We Trust

CARDSTOCK PTI dark chocolate, gp white, K & C dp

Ink Ranger Antique Linen, Tea Dyed, Vintage Photo, SU soft sky, PTI Dark chocolate, Palette Noir

ACCESSORIES Recycled Converse tag, Nestabilities, foam dots, foam tape, sponges, 1/4" circle punch, CE (for faux brads)

His Example!!!

This card is for SCS Inspiration Challenge IC163!!!! Shout outs to Stef for finding such amazing sites to get inspiration. Here is my inspiration pictures. I love the colors and the circles. I also thought with all the circles that it would be good to used Taylor's Expression Cupcake challenge (TECC51) sketch.

I used ODBD stamp set Footprints in the Sand. Everytime I think of cool blues I think of the ocean. And, this set has the ocean sandprints and I think it is perfect with these colors. I used some MME dp 29th street collection. I did add some black for definition and to make those cool colors pop. I used retired SU French script background and stamped directly onto the twill tape. I did this in Ranger walnut stain and Adirondack pool colors. I also ran each piece across the top of my Ranger Antique linen ink pad to darken and give some depth to the pieces. I added this ink to most of the edges to offer some depth. I also sponges some onto the blue flower to soften the hue a bit. The curved rectangle dp is cuttlebugged with the script font ef to continue with the script theme. My MM flower already had the script print. Love that!!!! I finished with some jumbo eyelets, brads, and MS punches.

STAMPS
ODBD Footprints in the Sand, SU retired french script background
PAPER
The Paper Company's black and cream, MME 29th street collection
INK
Ranger walnut stain, antique linen, Adirondack pool
ACCESSORIES
Nestabilities oval petites and curved rectangles, and label one, MS punches, Prima flowers, MM flowers, jumbo eyelets, MM brads, photo corner punch, sp0onges, dimensionals, foam tape, twill

I am Flourishing with Excitement!!!!

I have some very exciting news to share!!!!! I have been asked to join the Friends of Flourishes Blog Team

I love Flourishes stamps and cannot wait to see what else I can created with these beautifully detailed stamps. Also being introduced today is my friend and Dirty Dozen Alumnus
Christine Okken who I am thrilled to be working along with again!!!! Her amazing talent with watercoloring is just awe-inspiring!!!!

In addition to all of this fabulous news, Cindy Lawrence and Laura Fredrickson have stepped up to be a part of the Flourishes Senior Design Team. Their creations are just absolutely stunning!!!! Congratulations, ladies!!!!

Here is my introduction card.....

For this card I used the Flourishes Thank You set and Coffee with Friends set to get the small friend word for my sentiment. Stamps: Flourishes(FLLC) Thank You and Coffee With FriendsPaper: The Paper Company's Blonde Columns(subtle texture), bb, kk, redRhood, vvInk: Paletter Noir, adirondack lettuce, redrhood, pretty in pink and river rock for distressed edges, and soft sky for flower shadowAccessories: Oval petite Nesties, 1/4" circle punch for faux brads, word window punch, cad, sponges, blender pens, retired(theater) ribbon, red cording, foam tape, scalloped edge punch

Thinking of You

Thanks so much for such wonderful inspiration, Stef!!! I have an obsession with pillows so this challenge is right up my alley. Love the two-tone looks with the flowers and the birds in silhouette. I chose my toile blossom set. I used my SU level one patterns pack finally.....a kraft piece. Love the subtle stripes. I used CHF sentiment. I added two MS bird punches and faux brads to finish the look. What do you think?
Stamps

SU Toile BlossomsCHF Script Essential Expressions
Cardstock

bb, vv, khaki(unknown)level one patterns pack kraft
Ink

black staz on
Accessories

Oval nesties, 1/4" circle punch wit CE for faux brads, 5/8" black grosgrain ribbon, foam tape, MS bird punch, glue dots

NOTE: I have always loved faux brads as oftentimes I am finished with my card and feel like it needs a little something more. Of course, to add brads as this point would mean taking the card apart, hence the need for faux brads. Cindy Lawrence(One Happy Stamper) adds CE to make her faux brads look more realistic. I did that today, too. Love the look and it just takes a tad....dries fast, too. Thanks for the great idea, Cindy.