A 4-Circle Sketch

Hey Everybody,

Today's post is a sketch challenge. Take a look at this. You can find the challenge here.

Here's my card. I tried to find designer series paper to mimic the circles in the sketch. I also found an embossing folder with circles.

When I saw the four circles, I immediately thought of my tiny House Mouse stamps. I stamped and colored 3 images on 1 1/2" white circles. I did a very old punch technique that we used years ago before we had dies. I punched the 1" circles out and used the circles inside. I kept the negative that had the hole and centered the 1 1/2" circle around the 1" opening. This creates a ring which I dry embossed and layered over the images. After I stamped the sentiment, I added a spinner to it. This will go to my 4 year old grand blessing. Who doesn't love getting mail; especially from grandma!

I found a video that if you fast forward to 2:43 she shows you how to make these rings. She has some other great ways to use circle punches, so the whole video is great to watch.

So there you have it. A fun and different way to use your punches. Sure, you could use your circle dies, but sometimes punches are quicker and easier.

If you make a card using this sketch, keep in mind you can turn the sketch and you can change the shapes. You don't have to use circles.

Here are some samples from the gallery from others who completed the challenge.

Well, I hope you give this card sketch a try. There are so many possiblities.

Thank you for stopping by today.

Blessings,

Sue

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What To Do With Pink and Purple?

 Hey Everybody,

Our alphabet challenge is to use pink and purple.

 I ran the designer series paper and a piece of white cardstock through my machine with the embossing folder. I colored the debosssed side with Copic Markers. I pulled gorgeous grape ink over the debossed side. I added the image panel to the glimmer paper then layered the card. I stamped the sentiment and used the key tag punch for the shape. This will go to a friend who fell and could use some cheering.

Keywords: ABC24P16

Stamps: always praying for you?

Paper: white, gorgeous grape, Stampin' Up!-Splash of Sparkles designer series paper, black gimmer paper

Paper Size: A2

Ink: gorgeous grape

Accessories: Stampin' Up!-Floral Spray 3D embossing folder, key tag punch, Copic Markers

Techniques: dry embossing, direct to paper inking, coloring

This is becoming a more common type of card to make for me. I am always amazed at how gorgeous the cards are once they've had ink pulled across them. I am experimenting with colors other than black and secret sea. 

What would you make for this pink and purple challenge? I have to tell you at first I thought I'd make a card for Mia since those are her two favorite colors. Then my friend fell, and my brain switched gears.

Take a look at some of your embossing folders, run one through your machine with white paper and color the debossed or indented side with markers, ink, blender pens, anything at all. Then pull a dark ink pad over it. How does it look? Chances are it looks beautiful.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Blessings,

Sue

Color Challenge of Blackberry Bliss, Garden Green and Pretty Peacock

 Hey Everybody,

  Our color challenge today was to use blackberry bliss, garden green and pretty peacock. You can find the color challenge here.

 

I stamped the image which is called, Danglin' by Unity Stamps and colored it with Copic Markers. I stamped and cut out a mask for the worm. I also added a circle in the sky for the sun. I covered the worm with the mask and stenciled the fish with pretty peacock ink and a blending brush. I lightly blended peacock ink over the fish to make the water. I used a scallop oval and a blending brush to make the clouds with a light hand with peacock ink. I removed the circle mask and used a dauber to color the sun. I stamped the sentiment in pretty peacock ink. I also used a silver gel pen for the hook.

This will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital. I really loved this set and thought it would bring a smile to someone recovering in the hospital. I really enjoyed using the fish stencil from Unity Stamps which is called, Fishful Thinking. When I saw it online, I thought it would be great with this stamp. I don't usually use a stamp and stencil together like this but I like how it turned out. 

How would you go about this color challenge? Blackberry bliss, garden green and pretty peacock are your colors. Check out some of the samples that people made.

Lots of flowers here. Two of them were watercolored by a very talented lady. What a beautiful skill that is. 

Well that's our challenge for today. I hope it gives you some ideas for your card making or scrapbooking projects.

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings,

Sue

Clean and Simple Monochoromatic Chicken

 Hey Everybody,

Lisa's challenge for us is monochromatic this week. Here is her challenge. 

Here is also some ideas on what monochromatic is.

I stamped the image with memento tuxedo black ink.  This is a Unity Stamps image called, Just Beak-Cause. I colored it with Copic Markers and cut it down to a square. I added black glimmer paper behind the image. I added it to designer series paper called Bloom Impressions by Stampin' UP! then a white card base. I stamped the sentiment then used the small and large oval punches. The image and sentiment were added with dimensionals. This will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital.

Keywords: CAS899

Stamps: Unity Stamps-Just Beak-Cause

Paper: white, black glimmer, Stampin' Up!-Bloom Impressions designer series paper

Ink: memento tuxedo black

Accessories: small and large oval punches, Copic Markers, dimensionals

Techniques: coloring

When you look at the colors in the designer series paper you'll see why I colored the chicken the way I did. This is a challenge to make a clean and simple card which means not a lot of layers or other things added to your card. 

I smile every time I look at this image. I think one time soon, I'll have to give this googly eyes. I'd love to see what this looks like with them. LOL

What color would you use for a monochromatic card?  Now that you have your color, what stamp will you use?

It might be easier to choose a stamp first then decide what color to use. That's what I did. I could have easily made the chicken a different color like purple then found purple designer paper to go with it. Sometimes I'm such a grown up and make cards the colors they are supposed to be. Not always, but today I did.

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings,

Sue

Reverse Acetate Acrylic Painting

 Hey There,

Our challenge can be found here. TLC1108 - Reverse Acetate Acrylic Painting - 05/18/2025 by snietje at Splitcoaststampers

This technique is fun to do, it looks difficult but you just need to stamp and cover with some paint strokes, for those who have drawing skills, don't hesitate to paint your own scene.

This is Anita's Card.

So how does this work?

Step 1: Take an acetate sheet or a transparent (school stuff) sheet, we're going to paint on the reverse side so on the back side

Step 2: Stamp or paint your image, if you stamp use an ink that doesn't run such as stazOn, if you paint, think about what you want to see in the foreground, gold, black, white are the best, but color works also

Step 3: Now it's dry you cover the stamped or painted image/scene with acrylic paint strokes, yes you paint directly over the dried part so still on the back side, try with several colors, or if you've stamped in color cover with black or white

Step 4: Turn it on the right side after drying and finish your card

You can add white copy paper to turn this on the right side if you don't want to wait till it's dry, it will stick to the paint, or wait till your paint is dry to use your image, frame it or not...

Take care if you want to add a sentiment, stamp it on the front side if not you'll get mirror mistakes like me. 

I hope some of you will give this a try and I'm convinced you'll make more!!

Here's the card I made.

I stamped my image with a stamping platform a couple of times with Stazon black ink.The Image is from Unity Stamps called, Take Heart.

 I colored the image with Markers. I painted the back with light blue acrylic paint. When It was dry I added a black frame then added it to a pretty in pink card base. I stamped the sentiment with Stazon black. This will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital.

Keywords: TLC1108

Stamps: Unity Stamps-Take Heart

Paper: basic black, pretty in pink

Paper Size: A2

Ink: stazon black

Accessories: acetate, Markers, Light blue acrylic paint, paint brush

Techniques: Reverse Acetate Acrylic Panting

Well, what did you think?  I tried to find a video but most of what I found was on glass and drawings of people, not stamping and coloring.

It's an interesting technique and different from an ordinary way of making a card. 

Thanks for stopping by today.

Blessings,

Sue

Ink Blending to Make Sunsets

Hey Everybody,

Ardyth chose Sharon for today's featured stamper. You can find it here. 

Here is my inspiration for my card from Sharon's gallery. Thinking of You by stampscout at Splitcoaststampers.

Here's my card.

I kept the orientation the same but changed the colors a bit. I used different stamps and sentiments. I used the domed sponges to blend the distress oxide inks onto white cardstock. Then I dipped one of the dome sponges in water and set it on the paper for a few seconds to make the sun. Then I spritzed the card with water to make the stars in the sky. I stamped the flowers in versafine black ink and added the butterfly and sentiment.

The stamps I used are very old and some of my favorite to use when I need flower silhouettes.

Keywords: FS1006

Stamps: Stampin' Up!-Scalloped Blooms, Inkadinkadoo-Meadow Floral

Paper: white, gorgeous grape

Ink: versafine onyx black, distress oxide inks candied apple, fossilized amber, spiced marmalade, worn lipstick, wilted violet

Accessories: sponge domes and handles, water

Techniques: color blending

I found a video to show you how you can blend backgrounds for sunsets using Distress Oxide inks. I didn't use this video but it looks great. 

Here is another video to show you how to blend Stampin' Up inks into a sunset.

It's really a lot of fun to make this type of card. Then you can add whatever you'd like on top of it. You could use flowers, trees, silhouettes of people, anything you like.  Look through your stamps and see what you have that you can try.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Blessings,

Sue

Sketch Challenge Time

Hey Everybody,

Todays sketch challenge can be found here. 

Here's my card.

I turned the sketch and cut the paper into 2" strips and added them side by side. This designer series paper is called, Floral Charm. It has some gorgeous flower papers. I used the lace trim between the pieces. The background berry burst pieces were dry embossed with the damask designs embossing folder by Stampin' Up!. The stamps and dies I used are called Friendly Foliage by Stampin' Up!
I cut two image panels, one in vanilla and one in blackberry bliss. I stamped the flowers on the blackberry bliss flowers. I off-set the image dies. I added the image panel with dimensionals. This will go to a local nursing home for them to use.

Keywords: SC1114

Stamps: Friendly Foliage, a note

Paper: vanilla, Stampin' Up!-Floral Charm designer series paper, berry burst, blackberry bliss

Paper Size: A2

Ink: memento tuxedo black, blackberry bliss

Accessories: Friendly Foliage dies, Stampin' Up!-Damask Designs embossing folder, SU-very vanilla scallop lace trim

Techniques: dry embossing, die cutting

Here's what the stamp and die set look like.

How would you do this challenge?  Would you do it as designed or would you turn it like I did?

What would you put in the center rectangle? Would you use paper or ribbon to divide your panel in half?

Sometimes for a card like this, I like to look at my ribbon to see what I have. It seems that lately I haven't used ribbon as much as before, so it's sitting in my drawer. I want to try to use ribbon more. How about you?

Thanks for stopping by today. It's always appreciated.

Blessings,

Sue

Using Orange and Olive

 Hey Everybody,

Our challenge was the letter O this week .This is part of the alphabet challenge where each week we have a new color to go with the letter. You can find the challenge here. 

 We were to use olive and/or orange. I used one of my favorite retired Stampin' Up sets called, Serene Sunflowers. It was a wood mount set. I removed all of my stamps  from the wood that I kept. It is so much easier to store stamps. Doesn't it take you back?  I remember when that's all we had, wood-mounted stamps.

When we got a stamp set, we had to cut out the stamps, then mount them. Then they cut the rubber so that all you had to do was stick it to the wood block and add the sticker.

I stamped the larger sunflower in mango melody then stamped the smaller flower on top in pumpkin pie. I added cherry cobbler to the centers full strength or stamped off once. I filled in with old olive leaves.

 I took white ribbon and colored it with an old olive marker and added it to my image panel. I stamped my sentiment and backed it with a larger punched shape. These were from my already punched stash. I added the sentiment with dimensionals. I colored the bees and added wink of stella to the bees and flower centers. The background of the card was embossed with the eyelet blooms die. I added my rubber mat to the stack and ran it through my machine. I pulled pumpkin pie across the surface so the pattern would be more pronounced. This will go on a patient dinner tray at a local hospital.

Keywords: ABC24O15 sunflowers

Stamps: Stampin' Up!-Serene Sunflowers, SU-Thinking of You

Paper: white, black, pumpkin pie, cherry cobbler

Ink: Versafine black, pumpkin pie, mango melody, cherry cobbler, old olive

Accessories: Stampin' Up!-Eyelet Blooms die, punches, white ribbon, olive copic marker, clear wink of stella

Techniques: two-step stamping, embossing, direct to paper

What would you do with the colors orange and olive? Many people have a difficult time using orange. If it's fall, it's easier to use. I'm not one of those people. I find I reach for pumpkin pie often. I think because it goes well with old olive. Old olive is a color we've had in the Stampin' Up! color collection for a long, long time. It's a green color that goes well with many colors.

Many times when I have to use a color that is a little more difficult for me to use, I look in my flowers section of my stamp sets. I have many, many flower stamp sets so it's usually easy to find something to use. LOL

You might be the same way. I think flowers are a large percentage of stamps sold by companies.

Well, I hope you give this challenge a try.

I've got to get back to cutting paper and die cutting for classes next week.

Blessings,

Sue

June 2026 Newsletter and Class Information

Hey Everybody,

It's June 2nd and there's lots going on at Stampin' Up!  More items have been added to the Last Chance List, there is a new product of the month, there are two new kits and a new Scenic Coast Craft Class offered by Stampin' Up!  Whew, that's a lot I know. Take you time to check out all of the new things.

June classes are next week. There are a few spots left if you want to make some amazing cards.

June Classes:

Monday June 8th at 10 full

Tuesday June 9th at 1  2 spots

Thursday June 11th at 10  4 spots

Friday June 19th at 7 p.m. full  *This date was changed due to a schedule conflict.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Blessings,

Sue                 

        

167821   SHADED PETALS KIT  $26.00 167823  WASHES OF GRATITUDE KIT   $19.00 171476  SCENIC COAST CRAFT CLASS    $30.00 Craft along with our Stampin’ Up! product experts during the Scenic Coast  Craft Class. They’ll use the Scenic Coast Suite Collection to create four  completely unique cards, exploring the versatility of suites with four  different paper crafting styles: shabby chic, artful, traditional, and modern.  By the end of the class you’ll have lots of tips, techniques, and inspiration  to continue crafting long after the class is over. After you’ve purchased the class, we’ll send you an email within  2–3 business days with a link to the exclusive Facebook group where  we’ll host the class. DETAILS- Access to 1 digital video class- Make 4 projects using the  Scenic Coast Suite Collection and other select products, all sold  separately- Available for streaming: June 18 at 2:00 p.m. (MT)-  Class available for purchase before and after June 18