Purple Ribbon CAS16

Purple Ribbon is used for several different things including Pancreatic Cancer, Alzeheimers, Lupus, Chron's and more.  The ribbon and love were both die cut from paper that I sponged with purple ink and spritzed with water.  The little hearts come from the 2 Yous Fri-dies.

You could change the color of your ribbon to create this card for someone you love.  Below are just some of the ribbons and what they represent.  I'm thinking of doing this card in yellow for a friend whose husband is deployed.

CAS16

Stamps: Loving Thoughts, Word Ribbon (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine) Smoky Slate (Stampin' Up) Wilted Violet (Distress)
Paper: Solar White (Neenah)
Accessories: 2 Yous Fri Dies, Love Ya Fri-Die, Ruffled Ribbon Fri-Die (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps) Clear Embossing Powder (WoW)

My Favorite Things Die-namics, STAX Stitched Rectangle

Ranger Distress Mini Ink Pad, Wilted Violet

Ranger Ink Blending Tool, 1 Inch Round

Ranger Distress Sprayer By Tim Holtz

VersaFine Ink Pad, Onyx Black

WOW Embossing Powder, Super Fine - Clear Gloss

Neenah Cardstock, Neenah Heavyweight, Classic Crest Solar White 110 lb, 25 pk

Envelope Card for Love in the Air

The new Love is in the Air stamp of approval collection is due to release tomorrow and I am back with more ideas and samples using this collection.  First up are some envelop ideas.

Recently I've been watching youtube videos on making pretty envelopes.  This new SOA collection was just what I needed to try it out for myself.  I used my SU envelope punch board to make my own envelope out of watercolor paper, so I could watercolor in the background.  First I stamped my balloon images and then masked them to help prevent getting them wet. 

 Catherine Pooler inks are dye inks and react with water, so I didn't want the images to get wet.   That is exactly what I wanted for the background though, so I carefully watercolored around the rest of the card, purposefullly leaving some white space to give the illusions of clouds.

It's very subtle, but after the ink was dry I stamped the cloud images in water and then used a paper towel to pick up some of that blue ink.  Lastly I added a few more stamps and the sentiment.  

Stamps: Bon Voyage, Love is in the Air (SOA - CPD)

Ink: It's A Boy, Mint to Be, Sweet Sixteen, Black Jack, Midnight, It's A Girl (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Paper: Watercolor (Canson)
Accessories: #8 Round Brush (Silver) Envelope Punch Board (Stampin' UP)

This next envelope could be stamped on any envelope you have, or even on the back of your card.

Stamps: Happiness Enclosed (SOA)

Ink: Midnight, Party Dress (CPD)

Accessories: Clear Sparkle Pen (Spectrum Noir)

After stamping the heart in the center, I picked up some of the same ink with my paint brush and lightly painted in the center.  Then, I used my Spectrum Noir clear sparkle pen to add some shimmer to that heart. It doesn't show in the picture, but the recipient will see it.

How about a card to go with these envelopes?  Of course you could use the cards I made yesterday for the blog hop.  Have you commented yet for your chance to win?

I love the little heart inside the starburst thingy.  Yes, I have a thing for hearts.  Someone asked me yesterday if I made Valentines cards and who did I send them to.  I'm more likely to make a love card than a Valentine's card because it can be given all year long to family and close friends.

As you can see I stamped most of the heart bursts in the same blue ink as my top envelope.  I chose one in the top left corner to stamp in Party Dress ink.  For the love die I first did the direct to paper technique, again with party dress and then quickly poured Wanderlust embossing powder over it to give it a sparkle and shine.  It needed an extra POP on the card, so I layered it over a another die cut out of black cardstock.   The strip you see is direct to paper using It's A Girl ink.  

To get the ombre look for the heart arrow I stamped the lighter pink in the center and darker pink on the hearts, then used a sponge dauber to blend where the 2 colors meet.  I felt the card needed a little something for the visual triangle, so I added sequins, putting the blue iridescent on in the top right corner.

Stamps: Bon Voyage, Love is in the the Air (SOA)

Ink: It's A Girl, It's A Boy, Party Dress, Midnight (Catherine Pooler Designs)

Paper: Bright White, Midnight (CPD)

Accessories: Love Die (SOA) Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh) Wanderlust Embossing Powder (WOW)

Are you joining in the StampNation PJ party tonight?  I have a meeting tonight, but I am hoping to catch part of it.  If you are a member be sure to go to StampNation for all the deets!

Seven of Hearts ~ Sneak Peek

This week at StampNation the challenge is inspired by the artwork of member Ozymundius (aka Kevin).  He shared an amazing picture of a Queen of Hearts hat sculpture that I just knew needed to be a challenge.  I asked him if we could use it and he said yes!

Here is a peek at the card I made, inspired by his artwork.  I used 7 of hearts instead of Queen of hearts because I was making a thank you card for my in-laws.  We recently taught them how to play a card game where books of 7s are worth more than any other book.  They sent us a card shuffler and I thought this would be an appropriate thank you card for the "happy mail" they sent us.

Be sure to head on over to the challenge forum at StampNation to see my full card along with the rest of the design team's cards and see the piece that inspired us all.

Love Ya Valentine ~ Video

There is a fun Facebook group called Stamp Junkies and they are running a challenge sponsored by CASual Fridays Stamps.  The theme is RED and I immediately thought of the bold Love Ya sentiment I have from Casual Fridays.  I wanted it to be on a soft pink background, and this is the card I came up with.

Here's my video showing you how I made this valentine card for my love.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_-bJuPUnb0

In the close up you can see how some of the distress ink smeared when it came in contact with the wet glue.  It adds "character" to this piece.  (that's my story and I'm sticking to it)  You can also see some of the glossy texture added with the embossing paste and glossy accents.

Stamps: Girlfriend (CASual Fridays Stamps) Scenery: Holiday Trimmings (Winnie & Walter for SOA)

Ink: Festive Berries, Picked Raspberry, Spun Sugar (Distress Inks) Onyx Black (Versafine)

Paper: Whisper White

Accessories: Harleen Stencil (Winnie & Walter for Stamp of Approval - Young at Heart) Love Ya Fri-Die (CASual Fridays Stamps), Translucent Embossing Paste (Wendi Vechi) Glossy Accents

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Spun Sugar

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Picked Raspberry

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Festive Berries

3M Post-It Adhesive Roll, White, 1x400 in

Studio 490 Embossing Paste by Wendy Vecchi, Translucent

My Favorite Things Die-namics, Blueprints 20

Ranger Ink Blending Tool, 1 Inch Round

VersaFine Ink Pad, Onyx Black

Black Velvet Watercolor Brushes, Short Round 8

Ranger Accents, Mini Glossy Accents

Ranger Multi Medium, Matte Mini, 1/2 oz.

Ranger Multi Medium, Matte With Brush, 1 oz.

Design Team Call ~ Saying Goodbye ~Stampin Celebration ~ Video

For the past 2 years I have been a part of the Stampin' Celebration challenge. It has been a great team to work with and the challenges always motivate me and stretch my imagination.  Now it is time to pass on the torch to a new design team member and give her (or him) a chance to shine in the spotlight.  If you have been thinking about joining a design team this is a fabulous opportunity to work with a great leader and team.  Be sure to go to the Stampin' Celebration blog for all the details.

SC122

 This will be my last official challenge on the Stampin' Celebration Design Team.  I'm sad to say goodbye, but excited to see what is around the corner for me & my blog.   Thank you Stampin' Celebration for allowing me to be a part of incredible team and a HUGE thank you to Wendi Lau for taking up the reigns as our fearless leader.  I look forward to participating in your challenges as a guest in the future and I can hardly wait to see who will be the next new design team member!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=550LHsAqEOc

Stamps: First Sight (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Spun Sugar (Distress) Melon Mambo (Stampin' Up!) Onyx Black (Versafine)
Paper: Whisper White, Perfectly Artistic DSP ~ Sale-A-Bration item (SU)
Accessories: Ink Blending Tool (Ranger) Blueprints 20 (My Favorite Things) Clear Embossing Powder (SU)

First Sight

Perfectly Artistic DSP (SAB)

For more information on Stamp of Approval visit cpstampofapproval.com

Natural Hearts ~ SC 106

It's time for a new inspiration challenge at Stampin' Celebration.  Come join the talented team of designers and create a project using this card as your inspiration.

SC106

I took my cue from the natural vases in the picture on the left for inspiration in designing this week's card.

Here's a look at the inside.

Now it's your turn.  Head on over to the challenge blog to see how the rest of the team was inspired and then try out the challenge for yourself.  We are doing a DT team call too, so if you are interested in joining our design team, check out the deets over there.

All supplies are Stampin' UP!

Stamps: Groovy Love, Petite Pairs 

Ink: Crumb Cake, Versamark
Paper: Crumb Cake, Whisper White
Accessories: Sweetheart Punch, Natural Chevron Ribbon, White Embossing Powder

CASE This Friend

The current CAS(E) this sketch challenge is a great one.  It is a wonderful go-to layout for any clean and simple card.

It's almost Valentine's Day so the crew at CASology has us looking at the keyword: Love.  Even though the mustache on the sketch had me tempted to make a masculine card, the CASology cue made me want to go with hearts and flowers.

My creative friend, Sue, shared a wonderful tutorial on her blog that I just had to CASE. Clicky I thought this sketch would be a perfect way to showcase the sponged piece.   Sue used the die as a stencil.  I did too, but then I used the sponged die cut piece on my card.  I haven't decided what to do with my stenciled piece. Stay tuned and I'm sure it will turn up in a future post.

Thanks for the inspiration Sue, CASology & CTS.

I was having a bit of trouble finding sparkly paper to die cut that matched my sponging, so I created my own glittery cardstock.  First, I did a bit of gradient sponging on a scrap of white paper, then covered it in Versamark and added Iridescent Ice embossing powder before heat setting the entire thing.

Ink: Festive Berries, Picked Raspberry, Seedless Preserves, Spun Sugar (Distress Inks); Versamark
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Whisper White (Stampin' UP!)
Accessories: Cherish Border Die, Love Script Die (Memory Box); Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder (SU)

Watercolor Rainfall

I'm on a watercolor kick lately.  It's so much fun to take a blank piece of paper and wash it with a rainbow of colors.  Perhaps I am being influenced by all the rain we're having here in the Pacific Northwest.  It's turning everything green and colorful again.

I combined the two February challenges at Stampin' Celebration as inspiration for my card.

SC#75 Feb.

SC#75 Sketch

One little tip I can pass on to you is to use a QuickStik tool if you are going to be attaching all these little hearts.  It makes the task so much easier.

QuickStik Tool

If you've never seen one and want me to do a video on how to use it, let me know in the comments below.  :)

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

I'm also linking up with the new Wednesday Workout at Simon Says Stamp.  The challenge is to use new products so I used my new SSS die, new paper pack and brand new Seattle stamp.  <3   No wonder I love this card, it's fun playing with new toys.  :)

New

Supplies:
Stamps: Seattle (Impress), Gorgeous Grunge (SU)
Ink: Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Rich Razzleberry, Strawberry Slush, Tempting Turquoise

Paper: Cupid's Arrow (MME)

Misc: Cloudy Day Embossing Folder (SU), Apothecary Accents Framelits (SU), Heart Rainfall Die (SSS), Scallop Border Punch (SU)

Sequin Heart ~ Video

Happy Valentine's Day!   I'll miss making all these heart cards after today.  Perhaps I will keep making them and turn them into Wedding/Anniversary/Love cards.  :)

As I was putting this card together I decided to film a video showing you how to create your own sequin focal point.
***Note- If you are reading this post in an email or reader, you may need to visit my blog to view the video below.

Close up view of the heart.

After I was done filming I add a sentiment using Hero Arts, Year Round Sentiments, and cut out the banner using my stitched sentiment flag die from Lil' Inker Designs.

I'm linking up with a few challenges.

CTS#64

Week 82

ctd279

Happy heart day to all of you!

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Stamps: Hardwood (SU), Year Round Sentiments (Hero Arts)
Ink (SU): Pretty In Pink, Raspberry Ripple, Smoky Slate
Accesories: Hearts Framelits (SU), Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh), Stitched Sentiment Flag Die (Lil' Inker Designs), Rhinestones