Valentine's Day Card

Monday I went back to my stamp room and got creative.  Last month I started getting a sinus infection that turned into bronchitis with a double ear infection thrown in.  Needless to say, I couldn't film or edit videos.  The only time I went into the stamp room was to finish up a deadline for the Stamp of Approval release.  I'm slowly getting better, and I will be sharing the cards and video I never had a chance to last month. 

For today though, I have an extra special card.  It was commissioned by my son for his girlfriend.  He wanted it to be pink.  Be still my heart.  I had so much fun making this card.  His girlfriend is a sweetheart and  I'm honored to be able to do this for her. 

Since it was a special occasion, I stamped the envelope as well.  The stamp set I used is one of my all time favorites that Stampin' Up retired years ago.  It's probably time to sell it on ebay, but I'm glad I was able to give it some inky love one last time.

Stamps: You Are Loved (Stampin' Up)
Ink: Picked Raspberry, Spun Sugar, Victorian Velvet, Worn Lipstick (Distress) Party Dress (Catherine Pooler Designs) Versamark

Paper: Bristol (Strathmore) Vellum (Stampin' Up)
Accessories: Glossy Accents; Heart Wreath (Simon Says Stamp) White Embossing Powder (SU) Wink of Stella

Before I go, I wanted to let you know that Ellen Huston is having a SUPER SALE!!!!  20% off all in stock stamps!  Woot-Woot.  Use code: welovestamps17 at checkout.  Clicky to go there now. 

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Picked Raspberry

Ranger Distress Mini Ink Pad, Spun Sugar

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Spun Sugar

Ranger Distress Mini Ink Pad, Victorian Velvet

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Victorian Velvet

Ranger Distress Mini Ink Pad, Worn Lipstick

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Worn Lipstick

VersaMark Ink Pad

Zig Wink of Stella Glitter Brush Tip Marker, Clear

WOW Embossing Powder, Regular - Opaque Bright White

Ranger Accents, Mini Glossy Accents

Quilled Creations Precision Tip Glue Applicator Bottle 0.5 oz.

Essentials by Ellen, Julie's Smooth Bristol, 20pc-5.5" x 5.5"

Bazzill 40 lb. Vellum, 25 pk

Memory Box Dies, Calla Oval Wreath

Neat & Tangled Clear Stamps, Floral Heart

Penny Black Clear Stamps, Friendship & Love

Penny Black Dies, Hidden Hearts

Penny Black Clear Stamps, Love & Hugs

Lawn Fawn Stamp Shammy

Ranger Non-Stick Craft Sheet

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

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

Song In My Heart

Your are the song in my heart.  Don't you just love this stamp set and matching die from CAS*UAL Fridays?  It combines my love of music with my favorite shape, the heart.

I've been familiar with CAS-UAL Friday challenge blog for awhile and often wondered what UAL stands for.  Recently I was looking through their online store and clicked on a link to the store blog and found my answer.  (plus a fun new to me challenge)  CleanAndSimpe- Utterly Adorable Layers.  I can do CAS, but I love my layers. How fun to discover that CFS does too.  

CFS GDT challenge

If you go to the challenge post you will see who inspired me.  The first card made by Virginia had me running to the stamp room, but all the entries have sparked my creativity. Clicky

I tried out ghost stamping on a sponged background.  It is subtle, but nice.  I'm on the hunt for a more opaque white ink.  Any suggestions?  

STS#13

The sketch for my card comes from one of my favorite sketch challenges, Seize the Sketch. Instead of a circle punch I mimicked the circular shape with sequins.  I thought it was a fun twist on the sketch.

This card is going to my hubby for Valentine's Day.  I practiced colors and inks on a scrap piece of paper and then used it to decorate the inside of my card.  I'm going to enter it in the Cardz4Guyz challenge as well.  

Truly, Madly Deeply.Challenge # 5

Three challenges for one card?  It must be a holiday week because this card could fit into several other challenges too.  :)   Each challenge is unique. One is color, the other a sketch, and the last one is a theme so I think it is safe to enter all three.  Check out the links to the challenges and see if they inspire you.

Creative Blessings,

Heather North

Stamps: Love Notes (CAS-UAL Fridays)

Paper: Glistening 6x6 pad (Authentique)

Color: (SU) Baja Breeze, Black Staz-on, Craft White, Marina Mist, Night of Navy, Soft Sky

Accessories: Basic Rhinestones, Heart Note Die (CFS), Gold Paper (CM), Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh)