GDP 045: Thoughtful Branches

I'm playing along with the Global Design Project this week. It is a color challenge. I also thought I would use this opportunity to post another sample from the Thoughtful Branches stamp set. Unless otherwise noted, all products Stampin' Up!

These were such fun colors to work with! I almost went with a Christmas (in July) card, but thought I would save that for later. 

For this sample, I simply used the leaf canopy stamp to emboss watercolor paper with White Stampin' Emboss Powder. I did a simple color wash on top of the embossed image with Melon Mambo ink and my Aqua Painters. Stamped the sentiment and added Black Metallic Thread and some random sequins from my stash before layering it up and using double Stampin' Dimensionals to really give it some depth. 

Isn't this a great set? Don't forget...this set will be available during the month of August only, starting August 2. I expect this set (and the matching dies) to sell out quickly and may only be ordered while supplies last. 

From July 7th-31st, for every $50 you spend on Stampin' Up! products, you'll receive a $5 Bonus Days coupon that you can use towards a purchase between August 2nd-31st! Buy now, save later! 

Do you have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator? If not, I would love to be your source for these amazing products and hopefully give you a good dose of inspiration from time to time. This is not just a hobby for me, it is a passion! 

Please use the hostess code shown in the top right corner when ordering online, unless your order will total $150 before shipping & tax. At that point, you become your own hostess and get all the rewards! 

As always, let me know if you have any questions about the project or the products used. Thanks for visiting my blog.

Artfully Yours,

Kim

Global Design Project 034 ~ Sketch Challenge

I'm playing along with the Global Design Project challenge this week, which is a sketch challenge.

When you are playing along with a sketch challenge, remember it is just a jumping off point. Your artwork doesn't have to literally be just like the sketch. As you can see, mine is a loose interpretation of the above sketch. All products Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

I was so glad the stamp set Remarkable You will be in the new annual catalog. I've really had fun using it with watercolor samples.  For the scruffy looking netting behind the sentiment, I used a piece of cheesecloth. I tapped Versamark on it, then coated it with Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder, then heat set it. I used a skewer to hold it in place while using my heat tool on it. One more tip: if you want to give your layers a real "punch", double up on the Stampin' Dimensionals. See how the colorful layer seems to float over the base card? Stack your dimensionals. 

The "thanks" is from Greetings Thinlits and I'm so sorry to see it on the retiring list! If you have browsed my blog a bit, you will see that I have really used those dies. I would grab them while they are available if you don't own them. The speckles on the background were made with the Gold Wink of Stella Glitter Brush. I simply gave the Wink of Stella a little squeeze and tapped it on the aforementioned skewer while holding both over my project. Voila! Perfect glittery splatters. 

Supply list:

I'm always sad to see some of my favorites on the Stampin' Up! retiring list, (some are up to 50% off) but I am SO excited about the new catalog items available in June! Out with the old...in with the new. Quantities are limited, so order your favorites right away. 

Click this link for a pdf file listing all retiring items. Don't miss out, time is short for the great deals. Or click on the picture below to take you to my on-line store. 

Please use the hostess code shown in the top right corner when ordering online, unless your order will total $150 before shipping & tax. At that point, you become your own hostess and get all the rewards! 

As always, let me know if you have any questions about the project or the products used. Thanks for visiting my blog.

Artfully Yours,

Kim

Watercolor Thank You

Good Morning...

I've been desperately trying to get over a terrible case of the flu. I literally hate that I've been at home and haven't felt like stamping or creating as much as I would have liked. 

I follow an amazing Australian Stampin' Up! demonstrator named Kylie Bertucci. See her blog here.  She is hosting an International Blog Challenge starting today and I decided I would participate. The theme is "Thank You". I personally think that not near enough thank you notes are mailed in this day of email & Facebook, but we should all try harder, right? (This card will go out to one of my customers.) There will be voting during this challenge and 5 lucky participants will win a coveted spot in an International Blog Hop that Kylie hosts. Click on the link above, which will take you to Kylie's blog. Cast your votes...you get to pick your 5 favorites. 

For my entry, I decided on a watercolor card. All products are Stampin' Up! I love the Remarkable You stamp set. The images offer so much inspiration and possibility. 

I decided to use the calla lily image. I inked up the flower portion of the image with Melon Mambo, then used an Old Olive marker to color the stem. Once I stamped it on watercolor paper, I just applied water from the border of the image and pulled color to the center, adding more Melon Mambo when I needed it and using Daffodil Delight for the center portion of the flower. I made my own "paint palette" by tapping each ink pad on the edge of one of my acrylic stamping blocks. A CD case also makes a great palette. 

To add some interest to the background, I sponged Daffodil Delight on top of one of the masks (stencils) from Happy Patterns Decorative Masks, then used one of the Gorgeous Grunge stamps to add what looks like paint splatters. I cut the word using one of the Greetings Thinlits dies. I think using the negative instead of the actual word added some interest to this project. 

Now for a little tip: see what appears to look almost like a twisty tie in the photo below?

I've been playing with seeing how I can break down the properties of a piece of cardstock without just disintegrating it in order to use it for interesting embellishments. I trimmed a very narrow piece of the Melon Mambo cardstock (think skinny strip, maybe an 1/8 inch wide) and slightly wet it. Once it was wet, not soaking wet, just slightly wet, I rolled it back & forth in my hands kind of like you would an ink pen. (while holding it, put your hands together like you are going to clap, then slide your hands back an forth) I haven't ventured in to making videos yet, but this would be the time for one...Once it looks the way you want it to look, let it dry. I painted my piece with clear Wink of Stella to give it a little sparkle. 

I hope you enjoyed this project. Here are a couple of older projects using the same stamp set. Click on the photo to take you to the original blog post. 

Supply list:

Please use the hostess code shown in the top right corner when ordering online, unless your order will total $150 before shipping & tax. At that point, you become your own hostess and get all of the rewards. Don't forget that Saleabration is winding down. You have until March 31 to earn your Salebration freebie(s). Click on the catalog link at the very top of this page to see what your choices are. Please keep in mind if you choose "no contact" from the demonstrator, I'm unable to see your name to send a thank you note.

Thanks,

Kim

(One More) Global Design Project #GDP022: Sketch Challenge

I'm playing along with the Global Design Project challenge (again) this week, which is a sketch challenge. This blog post will be a short one, so please let me know if you have any questions about supplies needed. 

 As you can see, mine is a loose interpretation of the above sketch. I made this card to give to my Husband for Valentine's Day. I just love the watercolor-y, abstract look of this card!

Don't forget that Saleabration is going on right now! For every  $50 worth of products you purchase, (before shipping and tax) you will receive one item from the Occasions catalog. (Click on "catalogs" link above) The products may be chosen from any current catalog, clearance or weekly deals.  Please use the hostess code shown in the top right corner when ordering online, unless your order will total $150 before shipping & tax. At that point, you become your own hostess and get all the rewards! 

As always, let me know if you have any questions about the project or the products used. Thanks for visiting my blog. 

Artfully Yours,

Kim

Holiday Catalog and Gift With Purchase

The 2015 Stampin' Up! Holiday catalog went live on 9/1/15. However, this is the first chance I have had to blog about it. The catalog is fabulous...filled with wonderful samples and new toys to play with. Tons of bundles are available to save you dollars! Click here to take a look at the catalog or use the link on the right. See details below about how to receive a free gift from me with an online purchase. 

My first card (one on the left) was inspired by a piece of artwork I saw on Pinterest. The card on the right was just a natural deviation on the same idea. I just love minimalist canvas art and pin lots of them to go back and drool over. All products Stampin' Up! unless noted. When I saw this one, the texture reminded me of the new Woodland Textured Impressions embossing folder. 

Inspiration art:

My cards:

This look was simple to achieve. I simply masked areas I wanted to emboss on Whisper White cardstock. I tapped Versamark on those areas, them covered that entire area with Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder before heat setting. After the area was cooled, I embossed that piece of cardstock with the Woodland Textured Impressions embossing folder. I adhered the words and the sequins with the new "must have in your stash" Fine Tip Glue Pen. I love the look! 

Product list:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

I hope you enjoyed the project. Order $40 or more (before tax & shipping) online by 9/12/15 with the hostess code above and I will mail you the Metallics Sequin Assortment embellishments approximately 2 weeks from the above date. These are a must for glamming up your holiday cards and gifts. Please use hostess code listed above on the right column when ordering online, unless your order will total $150 before shipping & tax. At that point, you become your own hostess and get all the rewards! Please keep in mind if you choose "no contact" from the demonstrator, I'm unable to even send you a thank you note for your order or mail you the Metallics Sequin Assortment if your order qualifies. 

As always, let me know if you have any questions about the project or the products used. Thanks for visiting my blog.

Artfully Yours,
Kim

Simply "Sparkling" with Joy!

I created this simple card this morning. It had been on my mind for some time, but had not figured out how to adhere the vellum without the adhesive showing. 

At some point during my menopause induced wakefulness last night, a light bulb went off! Use glue dots only underneath the sequins, which are adhered on top of the vellum with glue dots...it worked like a charm. 

This is a very quick card to put together. It uses just the one splatter stamp from the Gorgeous "MUST HAVE" Grunge set from Stampin' Up! I stamped it using Smoky Slate ink, then the vellum is adhered over that. I think the glittery "Joy"  along with sprinkles of sequins and rhinestones makes this card very festive! 

Product list here:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Don't forget about the huge end of year clearance sale with items up to 80% off and this week's specials with items that are 25% off.

Happy Glittery, Shimmery, Sparkling Holidays!

Artfully Yours,
Kim