Stampin! with Jaydee

Clean and Simple - One Layer - Strength and Hope

Hi Everyone.  Happy Tuesday.

Some of you may have seen the card that I made for the Paper Players challenge this week.   Well, I decided that I wanted to do a one layer version of this card.  Sometimes you just don't have time to do multiple layers, cut out die tags, stamp a sentiment multiple times to make your own background paper, etc.  Sometimes, youi want a heartfelt card that is easy to do - less than 3 minutes - and that will easily fit through the post.

I used the same colors, the same stamps, but created this one layer version instead.

Card recipe:

• Card stock:  Very Vanilla
• Stamps:  Strength and Hope; Because I Care
• Inks:  Pear Pizzazz, Riding Hood Red
• Accessories:  Basic Pearls
• Tools:  H clear block (To create the vertical background image.  I inked up the block and stamped it directly onto the card stock to get the vertical element.)  Stamp-a-majig for placement of the sentiment

In some ways I actually prefer the one layer version.  What do you think?  Do you prefer the one layer version, or the more embellished, multi-layer version?  If you like the idea of me creating a card once a week and then creating a one layer version for you, leave me a message and let me know.  That's the only way I will know whether you are interested.  If you are, I will continue to do this.

On a personal note.

Exercised again today.  Yay!  Thanks for the inspiration, Rach! 

I'd also like to give a shout-out to the wonderful Nance.  I checked out her blog today and she told us that the card that she made for the regional swap - using her sketch this week - was chosen by Shelli Gardner (CEO of Stampin' Up! as one of the 3 best swaps at the regional!!!  Way to go, Nance.  Your card is gorgeous and you so deserved it.  If you haven't checked out Nance's card - click right here.

It was another glorious day here today.  I didn't get outside - but it sure looked gorgeous.  Still chilly though... but they are promising a warm up!  I am really, really desperate to get the chairs out on the deck and to spend time out on our new deck watching everything grow back that we planted last year.  The evergreens that we planted for privacy survived the winter really well.  They have also grown over the latter part of last year, so we are looking forward to seeing how they do this year.

I have also managed to spend some time watching some of my favorite UK TV shows.  They have a couple of really amazing house hunting shows and I always look out for when they are on TV when we are in the UK.  Well, this past weekend I found a proxy service that you can pay a small amount to and then you can watch the UK shows... oh yeah.... So I have been catching up on some of the programmes including Mastermind.  Mastermind is a quiz show.  It's really fast paced and pretty tough.  I'm really good at trivia, but these guys are... well... masters :-)

Lou is away again.  I don't even tell you when he's away these days... that's because it is more the norm for him to be gone than home.  It seems that he comes home for a couple of days, throws his washing in the machine and is gone again.  This time it's Korea.

Prayers tonight for those of you who need a lift - or a warm hug.  I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday!

Hugs

Jaydee

P.S. I actually did have a video showing you how I made this card... however, when I went to edit it tonight, you see an awful lot of the back of my head, so I decided not to share it with you.

 

 

 

Because I Care - Paper Players # 31 - Ann's Sketch Challenge

Hi Everyone.

Happy Saturday night.

For tonight's card I used the fabulous sketch provided by Ann and the fresh and pretty color scheme from the design team across at colorthrowdown.

I am so sorry I didn't get to blog last night.  It was another long day at work yesterday.  Started at 6am and finished at 5.30.  Then... and this is the exciting part!  Lou and I had to set up my new crafting desk!  Oh! Yeah!  It took forever to get it down stairs - its pretty heavy.  Mind you, I think it took longer to unpack the thing!  The legs of the table arrived yesterday afternoon, so it was all systems go for setting up.  Then, we had to go buy a stool.  Consequently, we finished setting up, doing everything we needed to do, etc. at around 9pm.  Then we had to have dinner!  Lou really wanted to get everything ready for me before he left this morning.  It's going to take me a little while to get it all re-arranged and get used to everything in its new place.  Once everything is sorted, I'll take some before and after pics for you.

For the Paper Players challenge this week, Ann created a sketch for us.  It's a very versatile sketch.  Each of the Players did something entirely different with it.  I veered ever so slightly from the sketch, so I hope Ann will forgive me.  I took the element that was on the left of the sketch and actually placed it on the focal point.  I couldn't get the element on the right to work with this stamp set, so I decided to leave it off.  I decided I'm going to do another card with the sketch this week, too.

The color scheme of Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride and Crumb Cake is a combination made in heaven!  It really is gorgeous!

Here's the sketch:

Here's my card:

Now, it's over to you.  All you need to do is create a new project using this sketch, load it to your blog or social media page and provide a link back to the players challenge site.

Card recipe - all ingredients Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:

• Card stock:  Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride, Crumb Cake
• Inks: Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz markers, Early Espresso classic ink for the sentiment
• Stamp set:  Because I Care (level 1 hostess set - 120118 clear, 118384 (wood)
• Accessories:  Pear Pizzazz seam binding robbon, (122330) Basic Pearls, In Colors DSP (level 1 hostess set 121028), Framed Tulips Embossing Folder (121809)

So, what do you think?  I think the color combo is great.  I love the sketch.  I am loving the new tulip embossing folder and, I am really pleased I got the Because I Care hostess set.  I was really unsure about it when I first saw it, but I really enjoy using it.

On a personal note: 

It's back to work for me now.  I need to get a report done by tomorrow.  I had to give up on a girls night with the fabulous Brenda and Cherie tonight.  It has been a whirlwind of a week, but I guess that is always the case when you are the new girl on the block! 

Prayers tonight for Rose, Adelle, Vickie, Maria and Germaine.

I hope you all have a wonderful, fun-filled Sunday, with time spent doing the things you love - with those you love the most.

Hugs

Jaydee

 

On your Wedding Day and Technique Tuesday and SU news

Hi Everyone.  Hope you are having a good week so far. Lots for you in today's post.  A card.  A video tutorial - coloring with Copic markers 101 - and exciting news on saving 20% from Stampin' Up.

Let's start with the card

I was inspired by both a case from casestudy challenge  and a photo challenge - love that big bow.

Then, I saw this color scheme from justusgirls and decided to combine them.  There are some amazing cards on both sites, so you really should pop along, as I know you will find inspiration there.

I love black, very vanilla and crumb cake together - never used them together - but love them!

 

So, here's what I came up with - and I must admit... I like it...  sorry about the pearls and ribbon.... but the inspiration challenge made me do it... really.... seriously :-)

Card recipe:

• Card stock:  Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake
• Stamp set:  Because I Care, Occasional Quotes
• Accessories:  Black grosgrain ribbon, Basic Pearls
• Inks:  Crumb Cake, Basic Black
• Tools:  Color Spritzer (thanks, Ann!), paper snips, stampin dimensionals

Technique Tuesday:  Coloring with Copics 101

Most of the time I use my Stampin' Up! classic inks or markers for coloring.  Occasionally, I do use my Copic markers and many of you have been asking me how I use them.  My last coloring video was using my Stampin' Write inks and blender pens.  I've used the same image that I did for that video for this basic coloring with copics video.

Why do I use both?  Well, at first it was because everyone was raving about Copics and I had to give them a try.  I love using Copics.  HOWEVER, I don't always prefer them.  Copics are great if perfection is what you are aiming at - and you take the time to learn how to shade and blend, etc.  For me.... it isn't always what I am looking for.  Also, Copics are very intense and sometimes, I don't want that.  It's all about preference.    Also, you cannot use your Copics on your stamps the way you can with your markers.  The Stampin' Write markers are so useful for images where you want to use different colors on a stamp.  I love them for that.  If you do try Copics, you need more than one color in the same range - a minimum of 2-3 - as that is the way that you work with the blending and shading.  If you don't want all that blending and shading, then Copics are overkill.  You may as well really stick with your markers or using your inks.  It's horses for courses - and most time my course is with my Stampin' Write markers  (BTW If you are an SU demo, I am sure you get asked this question often by clients, it's good to understand about Copics so that you can answer the question. :-)....)

Many of you have asked me for this video - so here you go.

Stampin' Up! NEWS

Stampin' Up announced an ABC Holiday Special today.  They have created fabulous bundles to help you with your Christmas and Holiday creations.  You can see details on this pdf.  Up to 20% of select bundles - and there are some great pairings. 

Download ABC_Holiday_1010_US

On a personal note:

Lou is still away.  He spent the weekend with his family in Australia and is now back in Singapore.  He's complaining bitterly about the warm and humid weather.  So, I guess he is going to enjoy coming home to the much cooler weather.  In fact, it was 64 degrees in the house this morning and I put the fire on for the first time this season.  Brenda, I thought about you!

I'm going to try to make a card tonight... I feel the need... we will see how it goes, as I have to go make dinner and feed the kitty cats before they call the SPCA!

Prayers tonight for:  Rose, Soozie's mom - who has her operation tomorrow.  Germaine, Robin and Dumpling.  John & Sue.  Pri.  T (who is doing so well - so thank you for your prayers).  John & Sue.  Rach, Adelle and Lesley and their little furbabies.  For those of you who need a little lift.

As always, thank you for visiting my little area of the stamping blogosphere.  You know your visits and your support - and your comments are greatly appreciated.

Hugs

Jaydee

 

Because I Care - Moxie and beyondblue

Hi Everyone.  Happy Monday night.

Tonight's card was created from the inspiration photo across at moxiefabworld.  I am not sure I could live in this room, but it sure is a beautiful picture.  Additionally, the talented team across at just-add-ink had a theme this week.  The theme.  Anxiety and Depression Awareness month.  My regular readers may remember why this cause is so important to me.  So, it was great that I could combine both challenges.

So what inspired me?  Obviously the patterned wallpaper.  The shiny fabric on the chair.  The touch of pink.  the flowers.  The rich espresso color and the square angles on the coffee table juxtaposed with the round shapes of the chair.  the different shades of blue.

So, using one of my favorite fall to layouts - this is what I came up with.

Card recipe:

• Card stock:  Marina Mist, Early Espresso
• DSP:  Elegant Soiree, Bella Bleu
• Stamps:  Because I Care
• Accessories:  Marina Mist satin ribbon, pink rhinestone brad
• Tools:  Scallop circle punch (to make the flower).  To see how I made this flower - you can click on this link to see my technique video.
  

So, can you see the inspiration?  If you look closely, you will notice a couple of dew drops on the flower.  I wanted a little reflective, glassy quality that is in the inspiration photo - but wanted something really subtle.  I used my Crystal Effects to make this.

On the personal front:  not much to talk about tonight.  It was a 14 hour day for me today and I am pretty beat.  This week is going to be like this for the whole week, I think.  I get a quick break on Wednesday to go to the dentist.  Oh Yeah!!!!  RIGHT!  But, at least my permanent bridge will be in and ... hopefully that will be my last trip to the dentist for anything other than routine maintenance!

A couple of people to add to our prayer list tonight.  One is my surrogate Mom... well, let me explain surrogate.... My parents died when I was in my 20s.  They died within a couple of months of each other.  My best friend's mom, whom I have known since I was 7, told me that no-one should be without their mother and that she would take over the responsibilty of being my surrogate mother now that my own was gone.  She is such a geninune, loving, caring woman who is now in her late 80s.  Mind you, she was a firebrand that I was terrified of when I was 7 I can tell you.  SHe's a tiny little package, but she knew how to control children :-)  Anyway, she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.  The doctors feel that they can treat her - even at her advanced age.  She goes in for a pre op assessment tomorrow and then surgery on the 23rd.  Please include her in your prayer list for me.

Soozie has also asked that we add her mom to the prayer list.  Soozie's mom is 91 and fell and broke her hip.  They are taking her in for surgery tomorrow to do a repair.  Surgery is always risky - and for women the age of Rose, and Soozie's mom - there are always additional risks.  So, please add Soozie's mom, and her family to your prayer list.

So, prayers tonight for:  Rose, Soozie's mom, Robin's friend Robin and "dumpling".  For Germaine, Pri, John & Sue.  Rach, Adelle, Lesley and their furbabies.  For those of you who need a little lift.

As always, thank you so much for spending time visiting me.  You know I appreciate it.  I also appreciate your comments.

Remember, smile - you may change a stranger's life.

Hugs

Jaydee

Butterfly Trio

Hi Everyone.  Happy Wednesday.

Tonight's card is one of the RAKs that I created for Sparkly Hannah day, it is for a young lady fighting breast cancer.

I used a sketch layout from the Go To Sketches edition of Papercrafts magazine in May 2010.  Sometimes, I just get stuck into a rut using the same layouts, and this magazine forces me to get out of my comfort zone.  I liked the look of the layout on page 96.

I also used a color challenge from stampinwithstacey.  The color scheme was More Mustard, Always Artichoke, Kraft and Early Espresso.  This made me think of fall and how many butterflies we have around in early fall.

Here's my card

Card recipe:

• Card stock:  Whisper White, Early Espresso
• Ink:  Always Artichoke, Early Espresso.  The butterflies were colored using copics
• Stamps:  Flores Suaves, Inspired by Nature, Because I care
• Accessories:  Lots of Tags die. Basic Pearls (colored with copics)
• DSP:  Neutrals DSP pack
• Tools:  Paper Snips, Stampin' Dimensionals, Big Shot

Card instructions:

• Cut Early Espresso card stock to A2 11 x 4.25 - score and fold on the left hand side
• Cut DSP to 5 1/4 x 4 and adhere to base
• Cut Early Espresso layer to 3 3/4 x 4 1/8 and adhere to base
• Cut Whisper White to 3 5/8 x 4.  Ink up Inspired by Nature grass stamp with Always Artichoke and stamp onto Whisper White.  Adhere to card base
• Ink up Butterfly Flores Suaves stamp and stamp three times onto Whisper White.  Color.  Adhere to "grass layer"
• Put Whisper White scrap piece through Big Shot with the Dies.  Rub a little ink around the edges.  Stamp Sentiment with Early Espresso ink.  Adhere to card base and adhere two basic pearls.
• Decorate inside

Jaydee tips:

• Force yourself out of your comfort zone by using a sketch you wouldn't normally use
• Remember the power of three.  Three elements on a card are always much more pleasing.  (It's a standard design trick!)
• To give the butterflies motion, adhere one side of the wing to the card stock.  Alternate wings.  On this card I adhered one wing on the left, one week on the right and the top one in the middle.
• The sentiment tag was a little too white, so adding a little ink helped to tie it all together.
• The horizontal stripes work really well with the vertical stripes from the grass. 

On a personal note:  Today we had a great fall downpour and the humidity dropped dramatically.  Of course, it brought a lot of the leaves down from the trees.  So, the garden is certainly starting to look fall-ish!  It seems to have been a very fast jump for the heat of summer to fall.

I haven't had any chance to craft this week and I am really having withdrawal symptoms.  Hopefully, I will get to do something this weekend and maybe get around to doing some challenges.

I'm off to finish dinner.  We are roasting up some fall vegetables (butternut squash, baby zucchini, cauliflower, onions, garlic, 4 different colors of carrots in Spanish olive oil.  All goodies - except for the olive oil were bought at the Farmer's Market this weekend.  We are mixing that with some freshly picked potatoes mashed with goat's milk butter, vegetarian sausages and vegetarian gravy.  Yummy!  Then we will be watching Just Desserts on Bravo!

Several of you asked for the recipe for Rach's carpet cleanser from this post.  For this you will need three types of essential oils.  Bergamot, Lemon and Grapefruit.  You will also need some Baking Soda.  Mix several drops of each of the essential oils with 4 tbs of baking soda.  continue to build this mixture until you have sufficient to cover the carpet that you need.   We used a jugful.  The jug holds 2 pts.  Once you have the mixture, sprinkle it on the carpet and rub into the carpet.  Leave for about 30 minutes or so and then go back and vaccuum.  We also added some to our mattress and couches.  I would suggest you check a small area just to make sure you don't have any problems.  We didn't and the house smelled fabulous afterward.

Prayers tonight for Germaine, T, Pri.  Adelle, Lesley and Rach - and their furbabies.  For John and Sue.

I hope you all have a fabulous Thursday.  Thank you for spending time in my little area of the stamping blogosphere.  You know your visits, your support - and your comments are greatly appreciated. 

Hugs

Jaydee

Vintage Care Ruffles

Hi Everyone.  Happy Tuesday night.

Tonight's card has a distinct vintage feel, but with clean modern lines.  I really am enjoying playing around with these vintage elements. 

Talking about playing... I also got to give some love to new goodies today.  In fact, I managed to make 5 new cards to share with you over this next week.  I think my mojo might be on the return.  I have seriously found it tough making cards this last week or so.  I sit at my table and stare at my black work mat.  Thumb through the catty and take out a stamp set.  Put it back.  Take something else out.  I don't know what happened, but it has been really tough.  Making the baby card for the challenge this week was really tough.... I had made several baby cards over the last couple of weeks and just felt stumped.  Do you ever get like that?  Really doubting whether you can actually do this and thinking that everyone else has something you don't - like talent?  Well... I certainly felt that way this past week or so.

However, after today, and a couple of nice cards under my belt, I felt a little better.  I am not sure if it's being on vacation for a couple of days that helped, or an influx of new goodies to spur inspiration.  Whatever it was... it was a little better today!

I have 3 cards (so far) to show you with ribbon techniques.  I've seen so many great things done with ribbon this last month or so, that I knew I had to play around with it some time!  Tonight's card is one of the few that I managed to make this weekend.  I couldn't help but use "Because I Care" again.... I really do love this set.  I am so grateful that SU gave us this set... cos I would not have ordered it as my hostess set otherwise.  Coloring it gives me a great sense of calmness

One of the things that Trish asked me to add to my blog.. what sparks a particular card.   Well.... here's the inspiration for tonight's card.  I really wanted to do hydrangea's in a different color, but wasn't sure what to do.  So, I went to trusty google and typed in hydrangea photos - and it came up with this beauty... oh boy.. the colors really floated my boat :-)

I decided to use the Finial embossing folder (LOVE IT!), a layout that you have seen me use often, and then add the interest of ribbon treatment.  Here's what I came up with:

Isn't it rich and luscious.  I just love this new Cherry Cobbler.... LOVE IT!!!

Trish, I hope you can see the colors from the inspiration photo in my coloring? 

So... the ribbon..... We don't have a Cherry Cobbler ribbon - as you have probably all discovered by now... So I created my own using my brayer, my ink pad and my Whisper White satin ribbon.  The thing about dying the ribbon directly on the ink pad, you get a VERY saturated look.  I generally don't do it this way, but wanted that darker look to the ribbon.  The ribbon is REALLY easy to do - all it needs is sticky strip and your ribbon.  You apply the sticky strip and pleat the ribbon as you go.  That way you can make the folds as deep or as shallow as you want... I decided to go for more ruffles.

I also highlighted the flowers, by adding white gel pen to the middle of the flowers.  The sentiment is a retired rub-on.

On a personal note... it's still hot and dreadfully humid... I swear this weather makes my grumpy!!! Mind you, Rach told me that its 110 and humid where she is.... I think I would have to migrate to a bath full of ice cubes in that weather!!!!!

My customers should be receiving their new catalog customer care parcels tomorrow, so I wanted to give you a sneak peek of what I did for them.

 

I am really hoping that my wonderful clients enjoy what I put together for them..... I will be sharing some of the goodies over the next couple of nights. 

Now... you still have a little time to let me know what you would like to see on my blog... I am compiling the list from your comments and the number 1 request - VIDEOS..... Oh, man!  I guess I knew that was coming - and the number 1 requested video - BOW TYING.  So... I am considering doing this.  I have no idea what I am going to do - and really, seriously, whether you are going to want to listen to me rabbit on... and get interrupted by the cats.  You all know that Bailey will not be able to hold himself back from participating!  But, we will be going to look at some video cameras this weekend! 

As always, I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday.  Prayers for Trish, Germaine, Pri, T, Missy, Jim, Arthur, Rach.

Thank you so much for spending a little time in my area of the stamping blogosphere.  Your visits, your support - and your comments are much appreciated.

Hugs

Jaydee

Still Lovin' the "Old" Stamps!

Hi Everyone.  Happy Tuesday night.

Today, two boxes of goodies arrived from SU and another one arrives tomorrow with items that were on backorder.  It took me 4 hours to sort through everything, change the wood mount stamps to clear, clean out my stamping cupboard, etc. etc. etc.  Yep... 4 hours!  But it sure looks good and there are lots of new goodies just waiting to be handled with loving care :-)

However, there are some of my old stamps that remain favorites - Inspired by Nature is one of those sets.  There is something just so amazing about the Echinacea image and I find myself going back to it again and again. 

I saw this fabulous sketch across at just-add-ink.  It is a classic clean and simple layout.   I wanted to do a CAS layout with a little rusticity and try a new color combo.  I decided that the square lattice embossing folder was a perfect backdrop for the flowers.  The color combo?  Old Olive, More Mustard, Very Vanilla and Early Espresso!   You really should go along and check out the challenge cards.  The talented design team not only have their own cards on display, but have also built a montage of the entries so far.  Cool!

The sketch also allowed me to feature the sentiment "because I care" from the new level 1 hostess set "Because I Care".  It really is a fabulous sentiment. 

So, here's my take on the sketch.

I love the texture of the square lattice folder and the texture that comes from the stamp itself.  

Card recipe:

• Card stock:  Very Vanilla, Early Espresso
• Inks:  More Mustard, Early Espresso, Old Olive (markers)
• Stamps:  Inspired by Nature, Because I Care
• Accessories:  Early Espresso 1/8" ribbon
• Tools:  Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing folder, dimensionals

Card instructions:  (really easy)

• Cut Early Espresso card stock to A2 - scored vertically
• Cut Very Vanilla card stock to 5 1/4" x 4" and run through Big Shot with the square lattice folder
• Rub Edges of the Very Vanilla piece with Early Espresso ink
• Ink up two of the flowers from the Inspired by Nature set using Early Espresso, More Mustard and Old Olive markers.  Huff and puff on the stamp and stamp onto Very Vanilla card stock.  Using your paper snips cut around the image
• Ink up the "because I care" sentiment using More Mustard and Early Espresso markers - stamp onto Very Vanilla layer.
• Wrap ribbon around this layer and then adhere to the Early Espresso card base
• Using snail adhere the small flower and place end of stem just under the ribbon.
• For the bigger flower, cut pieces of dimensionals (I use the outer edges of the dimensionals so that I get thin strips for the stem and leaf.  I place whole dimensionals under the head of the flower.  Adhere, tucking the end of the stem just under the ribbon.  You could leave the entire stems on if you want, but I chose to cut them for this card
• Cut a piece of Very Vanilla card stock for the inside and decorate.  A quick and easy card

On a personal note:  It has been another humid day here.  96% humidity.  I do find the humidity draining.  I also needed to go to the hairdresser and...like you, Beth - my hair is naturally curly... and this weather just makes it ultra frizzy.  I have a lot of hair... so I just look like a fuzzball!

Today, we made a little progress on the deck.  We ordered comfy casual seating from Restoration Hardware.  Taking advantage of the 4th July sale!  I love me a bargain!  The landscaper should be calling us tomorrow to come around and look at the little project we have.  Hopefully we can get it done and finished and then I can take some pics for you - before and after - and show you our new space.  I don't want to take pics until it is completely finished though.  So that you get the true before and after feel.

Well, Lou has just let me know that dinner is ready.  No, Cherie and Brenda, not mushrooms a la Lou - we are saving those for when you come to visit!  Isn't he a sweetie... cooking for me so that I can update my blog and finish packing away my goodies!

Prayers as always for Trish, Germaine, Arthur, T, Pri, Missy, Rach and for Lynn's husband. 

I hope everyone has a fabulous Wednesday and that you get the chance to spend time doing the things you love - with those you love the most.

Hugs

Jaydee

Can vintage be clean and simple?

Hi Everyone.  Happy Monday night. 

Tonight's card is for the playdatecafe challenge.  The challenge?  To create a black and white card with a touch of blue.  The blue choice is up to you - but it has to be a touch of blue.  Well, I don't often do black and white cards - in fact very rarely, but I was intrigued by this color combination.  Especially after I saw some of the amazing cards created by the design team.

My initial thought was.... oh! dear where is my brilliant blue when I want it.... I don't know, but the idea of brilliant blue with black and white just seemed right.  However, when I re-thought it.... mmmmm... I realized that I wanted to go a different direction altogether.  Black, white and Night of Navy.

Now, I love the look of some of the vintage papers and embellishments, but my mind just doesn't go there when I create cards.  I always remember the great Coco Chanel's advice.  Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.  I tend to take two things off :-)  I do tend to accessorize with control.  However, I have a few vintage items on my list from the new catty for my July 1st order.  For me, the challenge is to take something that is labeled "vintage" and see if I can make it clean and simple.  Tonight's card is an example of that.

I really do think that the Because I Care set has a vintage feel, as does one or two of the sheets of the retired Day and Night DSP.  So, I decided to put them together for this black, white and blue card.  Yet another example of what to do with this set!  Did I tell you I was loving this set?

There are vintage feel elements on this card.... the not quite perfect ribbon, the distressed backdrop, the flower itself, the typeface of the sentiment, and yet, the lines are clean, modern and uncluttered.  To me, it is a perfect combination of vintage feel in a modern setting:-)

I really enjoyed playing with this challenge.  I mean, it's pretty difficult to take am image as strong as this and do something different with it - but each of the cards I have created with this set is very different.  To me, that's what makes a great set.  If I can use it multiple times, in multiple different ways - then I call the stamp set a success.

Card recipe:

• card stock:  Basic Black, Night of Navy and Whisper White.  (LOVE this combination!)
• stamp set:  Because I Care (level 1 hostess set from the new IB&C 2010/2011)
• accessories:  half pearls - non SU; Whisper White satin ribbon;
• DSP:  Night & Day - doesn't this piece of N&D DSP look like a school book page from a much earlier time?  faint lines, marked with ink from a nib and ink.... yep... has a vintage feel for me :-)
• inks:  Night of Navy - classic ink for sentiment, marker for ribbon
• tools:  stamp-a-ma-jig, t-square, dimensionals

Card instructions:

• Card base A2 - vertical cut
• Layer 1 - whisper white 3 1/2"w x 4 1/4" h
• Layer 2 - basic black - 3 3/8"w x 4 1/8" h
• Layer 3 - N&D DSP - 3 1/8"w x 3 7/8"W
• Ink up the stamp with Night of Navy marker, stap onto Whisper White card stock.
• Snip around flower and cut off the leaves.
• Mount Whisper White layer to card base with snail
• Mount DSP layer to basic black layer with snail
• Stamp sentiment with Night of Navy ink and place using stamp-a-ma-jig
• Color whisper white ribbon with night of navy marker and wrap around black/dsp layer
• Mount black/dsp layer to whisper white layer with dimensionals - tuck stem underneath ribbon
• Mount flower with dimensionals.  place at an angle
• Use dimensionals to mount the flower to the DSP base.
• OK.... I can hear you... where on earth did this silly woman use the t-square?  I know I can hear you asking that :-)...... well, on a card that has CAS lines, I need to make sure that they are straight.  So I use a t-square and my SU black mat and make sure that I line up the layers straight as I lay them down.  I know... I know.... we all know what Brenda thinks about my behavior and the fact that everything is in alphabetical order and placed in containers and filed away.  I can't help it... it's a disease amongst IT people.   The truth is... I am straight line challenged.  I can't write in a straight line, place anything in a straight line or walk in a straight line!  But... a t-square really does help! 

Many of you have asked me what cutting die I used on a couple of the recent cards chalkboard still life and the Paper Players Challenge 3 card.  I used a nesties deckled rectangle.  I love it - and it's another example of something with a vintage feel that works so well on a clean and simple card.

On a personal note:  it was another hot and humid day here ... oh... and for something completely different - it rained.  Yes, my friends, that would mean that it has rained every day except 2 for the last 16 or so days.  Brenda... you promised you were taking this with you!

Actually, I think Adelle sent it... you may remember that Adelle told us she was trying to clean out her garage and couldn't because it wouldn't stop raining!  We have, however, managed to sit on the deck, under the awning and let the rain fall around us whilst we ate dinner.  There's something really fabulous about that.

I am off to try to make a few more cards for the card drive before dinner tonight.....As always, your visits, your support and your comments are very much appreciated. 

Prayers for Trish, Germaine, Beth, Lynn and "T".

Have a fabulous Tuesday everyone.  I hope it is a day filled with laughter, love and sunshine.  Don't forget - smile at a stranger - it may very well change their life.

Hugs to you all

Jaydee

Because I Care - Clean and Simple

Hi Everyone.  Happy Tuesday Night.

Tonight I have another card made with the Because I Care set - but this one is clean and simple.  I'll also show you how I prefer to use this set to get definition on the beautifully drawn flowers.

Firstly, I'd like to thank you all so much for your comments and emails on yesterday's post.  It really meant a great deal to me - and my mother would have been so incredibly touched by your comments.  It's amazing how many of us have been touched by depression or suicide.  In my Mother's day it wasn't something that was ever discussed.  Thankfully, today it is a little easier, although for many, it still feels like a tremendous weakness and it is rarely shared.  So thank you. 

Mmm... thinking about things that weren't shared.  I'm also of the age where my mother used to mention that someone was "pregnant" as "being in the family way" in a little tiny whisper!  Guess you can tell that my mother was born just after Victorian times and brought up by a mother who was very much a product of her generation :-)   It makes me smile to think about it.  Oh yeah... and my mother...the nurse... well, I remember the day that I started my period.  I shouted down the stairs for my mother, she came to the bottom of the stairs and asked me what I needed.  I told her.  Thump.  She fainted.  Yep, she fainted!  Serioiusly!  She never did say why... she said she "come over all queasy"... mmmm... and we never mentioned it again! Luckily my SIL was around and helped me out and got me sorted.  :-)

So, on to tonight's card.

Here's the third card I made with the color scheme of Pacific Point, Old Olive and, in this case, Marina Mist.

   

You can see that the flower really stands out and makes a great centerpiece when it is in a clean and simple card.

The key to this though, is that you have to create some level of definition.  Now, Ann left a comment saying that she had a way... I haven't checked what it is yet, but will definitely do that.

Why do you need to worry about definition with this stamp.... because it is very detailed and it is easy for the detail to get lost - especially on lighter colors.

Here's a pic showing three different ways I used Marina Mist with this stamp.

You can see that the flower in the middle loses a little definition and is lighter than the ones on either side.

The first one was inked using just my Marina Mist Marker.  I went over it a couple of times.  The marker really gets into all the nooks and crannies of the stamp... sometimes it's stronger than I am looking for.

The flower in the middle is inked up using just my Marina Mist classic ink pad.  You can see that there is not as much depth.

The third flower is inked up with the classic ink pad and then I have used my Pacific Point marker to "kiss" the inked up stamp.  This gives me definition and depth - but not everywhere.  It gives depth to certain areas - and isn't flat.  I really find the classic image ink just too flat.   OK... so... now I am starting to sound like Goldilocks!!!!

I really prefer the 1st or 3rd technique, especially with the lighter colors.  Marina Mist can hold it's own, but Bashful Blue really needs depth.

Here's the inside of the card.  For once, I decided to put the sentiment on the inside - and leave the outside blank.

You can see that I used Versamark to stamp the image on the inside and then stamped the sentiment in Pacific Point ink.

A really, quick and simple card and one that I think packs a lot of visual punch.  I backed the focal image with Marina Mist, because it is a softer blue than the Pacific Point.  I could have done a mat in Old Olive, but then it would have called too much attention to the leaves instead of the flower.

How you ink up your stamp is really a matter of horses for courses.  Some people may like the softer mor subtle look of image 2 - others may like the stronger, more pronounced image in picture number 1.  It also could depend on what you are doing for background....

I have another card coming up with this stamp set later in the week.... it's a very different card.  I really enjoy being able to show you multiple cards using the same stamp.

On a personal note, it rained AGAIN today.  Yep, we are now at 13 out of 14 days.  Even then, we are still behind on where we should be for the year.  We did get to have a quick lunch on the deck before it started to rain again and we are hoping that we might be able to eat out tonight.

Thoughts and prayers for Germaine who goes into hospital tomorrow and Trish who has her treatment again tomorrow - and to the rest of you!

Cherie - I am so pleased that you had such a wonderful flag day and got to drink some SA wine and wear your new jersey.

Chris, I am so pleased that my post last night inspired you to start a memory book.  I think that is such a wonderful idea!

Rach, I did think about you and the "club" when I wrote my post last night.  Hugs, my friend!

Teri and Doris, hugs to you both, too.

Dee - phone your mother this instant and tell her how wonderful she is and how much you love her :-)

Germaine, hugs to you - and your daughter!

To the rest of you who commented and sent me an email...(Marge, Kadie, Beth, Lynn, Missy, Ann)  thank you.  You really all did make my day.  And I know my mother is smiling.

As always, thank you for spending time in my little area of the stamping blogosphere.  You all know how much I appreciate you all.

So... my new tag line...

Remember to share a smile with a stranger - you never know the effect it will have :-)

Hugs

Jaydee

Happy Birthday, Mom & Happy Flag Day Cherie

Hi Everyone.

Happy Monday night.  I hope you all had a great Monday.  Tonight's card is one of the ones that I made for the Paper Players challenge this week.  I made three and had to decide which one to post and kept this one for tonight.

It uses the new Because I Care level 1 hostess set (120118).  I must admit when I first saw this set on the pre-order preview I wasn't that crazy about it.  However, now that I have started to use it, I am really loving it.  So, once again, you have to try something before you decide whether it works for you!  I also LOVE the sentiment.

This card is more complex than my normal cards.  Why?  Because it is in honor of my Mother.  Today would have been her 89th birthday and the one thing that my mother taught me was caring for people.  My mother was happiest when she was caring for others.  That's why her chosen profession was nursing.  In her later years she was matron of an old-age nursing home and absolutely loved her job.  She loved spreading a little love and cheer to those who were sometimes forgotten and she would sometimes shed tears remembering the ladies who had dressed up on Sunday hoping that someone would come and visit them.  She really did care a tremendous amount about people and animals.  Something she instilled in me at a very early age.  She was also very forgiving of my decision to become a vegetarian quite early in life, for which I will always be grateful. 

My mother's favorite color was blue and she loved flowers and poetry.  So, I combined them all on this card in honor of my mother.  Happy Birthday, Mom.  I really miss you.

 

Just a reminder, the colors are Pacific Point, Bashful Blue/Baja Breeze, Whisper White and Old Olive.

I used Pacific Point for the base card and the label tag.

I used Baja Breeze for the 3rd layer and stamped En Francais in Versamark on this layer.  I intentionally made the En Francais in some areas of this layer lighter than others, especially around the flowers.

I stamped the flower from the Because I Care set three times.  Once in Pacific Point, once in Bashful Blue and once in Baja Breeze. I then cut around each one using my paper snips.   I then arranged them in the "vase".  The vase was run through the big shot and the Polka Dot embossing folder.

The leaves were stamped in Old Olive and cut with my snips and arranged at opposite ends to add a little balance.

I tied the bow and cut it to frame the lower portion of the card.  The sentiment was embossed with white embossing powder.

This card is a great way to showcase the three colors and how different they are, too.

Mom would have loved this card.  She really had a tough life.  She met a handsome young soldier in a park and married him before he went off to war.  He came back a man - and a much changed man.  She gave birth to 7 children and buried 5 of them.  She was plagued with severe depression for so much of my early life, interspersed with suicide attempts.  The one thing I didn't realize about my mother until much later was how amazingly strong she was.  She had her issues fighting her depression, but she was resilient and her resilience was what made her so successful in her later life. My mother was also the reason why I really wanted to become a psychiatrist.  However, she was the one person who knew that this profession would not suit me and set out to prove it.  She did! She also had the most amazing sense of humor and an inate sense of fairness. She really loved nature and was appalled by what man could do so selfishly (she would not have approved of BP!!!!) I really did inherit so much from her.    Unfortunately, I didn't inherit the tall, skinny gene!  Pity I couldn't decide what I was going to inherit whilst I was in the womb. :-)

Mom would have also been thrilled by those of you who are contributing to the card drive.  She was the reason I chose the two charities that I did - sick children and servicemen.  She would have thanked you all.

Today is also another celebration..... Cherie is celebrating Flag Day.  Cherie celebrates Flag Day in lieu of birthdays.  So, my dear, wonderful friend.  Happy Flag Day.  I hope you had a fabulous Day.  Not only do you share a birthday with my mother, but you have some wonderful traits that remind me of her in so many positive ways.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

I wanted to share a link to a story that I found quite by accident today.  Sometimes you know that people are put in specific places for specific jobs.  Regardless of whether you believe it is orchestrated by God, the universe, or just pure chance.  This wonderful man has done a truly wonderful thing with his life.  I know that my mother would have truly appreciated his work. She would have also appreciated the fact that a smile can change destiny.

Tomorrow's card will show you how to add dimension to these flowers.  So, remember to stop by tomorrow.

I hope that all of you have a fabulous Tuesday.  Remember, smile at a stranger - it could change someone's life.

As always, thank you so much for spending time in my little area of the stamping blogosphere.  Your visits, your support  - and your comments - are so much appreciated.

Hugs to all of you

Jaydee

Paper Players Challenge # 2 - Color Inspiration

Hi Everyone.  Happy Saturday night.

Tonight's card was one of three.. yes... three... cards I made using the color combination for the APP challenge number 2. Tonight's card features one of my all time favorite stamp sets - Asian Artistry.  This hostess set retires on June 31, but it is one that I will not be donating to Ronald McDonald House, as I really love using it.

Today's challenge is a really interesting combination, and one that took me out of my comfort zone!  I did change it up just a fraction.  I used Marina Mist instead of Bashful Blue.  Lesley was gracious enough to let me change it out. :-)

Of course, I absolutely HAD to use Pacific Point. I know I have said this before, but I am SOOOO enjoying this color renovation.  I have been really inspired by the new colors and combinations I have been able to put together. 

I will post the other two cards that I made for you later this week.  They both use the same stamp set - but are entirely different.  Really different!

When I looked at this pic that Lesley provided, it was obvious that blues were the predominant color, with a touch of green.  I kept that same theme on the card.  The inspiration has lots of petal shapes, but I decided to change it up and was inspired to go with a strong shape, but a more angular shape.  The argyle print texturz plate really seems to fit with this image for me. 

I added the pearls to echo the dots in the inspiration pic.  The ribbon was perfect for this.  When I first got this thin ribbon in my pre-order, I really didn't think I would find many uses for it... Well... you know what thought did!!! Cos, I have certainly managed to find a few uses for it in the last week.

So, here's my card for APP#2

You can check out the other great inspiration cards at the following DT's sites

Corie

LeAnne

Jeannie

Lesley

Remember, you have until Saturday to play along with us.  We really look forward to seeing your creations and thank you to all of you who played along last week in the masculine challenge.  

I love the combination of Pacific Point and Marina Mist.  You can see that on the flower on the left I used Pacific Point.  The flower on the right is Marina Mist.  The flower in the middle - is both :-)

Card recipe:

• Card stock:    Pacific Point (card base), Old Olive (layer 1), Marina Mist (layer 2), Whisper White (focal layer)
• Inks:  Old Olive, Pacific Point, Marina Mist
• Stamps:  Asian Artistry.  Sentiment:  Because I Care - new level 1 hostess set
• Accessories:  Marina Mist 1/8th" inch ribbon, Modern Label Punch (for sentiment), half pearls, stampin dimensionals for top two layers.  Texturz plate for background.  Sanding block.

Instructions:

• Cut card to A2 - vertical
• Cut layer 1 - Old Olive 3" W x 3 3/4"H
• Cut layer 2 - Marina Mist 2 3/4"W x 3 5/8"H
• Cut layer 3 - Whisper White 2 5/8"W x 3 1/2"H
• Run card base through Big Shot.  TIP: Take sanding block and lightly sand top layer of embossed image.  This really brings out the embossing as you can see in the pic.
• Ink stamp using markers.  TIP:  This is a great way to get multiple colors on a stamp and add interest to the focal image
• Layer the Whisper White to the Marina Mist using stampin dimensionals.
• Layer Marina Mist to Old Olive using stampin dimensionals
• Wrap Marina Mist ribbon around front and underneath the sides of the 3 layers.  Adhere using snail or other adhesive
• Adhere stamped sentiment over ribbon and place two half pearls on either end of the stamped sentiment.  TIP:  Using a stamp-a-ma-jig is the best way to get perfect alignment.

On a personal note.  Well.  It rained again today.  So no eating out for breakfast, or for dinner.  Adelle... I think this has something to do with you :-)  I know that you tried to clean out your garage for quite a while, but couldn't due to the rain.  Well, you obviously sent it our way!

We drove to the Twin Cities today to do a little shopping for our new deck.  We couldn't get everything we needed, but at least it was a start.  Hopefully, we will get to eat out tomorrow. 

We are currently watching the recorded England vs USA match played in Rustenburg, South Africa earlier today.  A 1:1 draw was the result. 

Cherie, I hope Chloe's 5K went really well today - good luck for tomorrow.

As always, thank you to all of you for spending a little time in my area of the stamping blogosphere.  I know that there are many of you who visit very regularly but don't comment..... your visits are appreciated:-)

Thoughts and prayers to Trish, Germaine, Lynn and Beth again tonight.  I hope you all have a fabulous Sunday, filled with love, laughter and time to do the things you love - with those you love.

Hugs

Jaydee

hugs

jaydee