Black and White Beauty

 Hello, Hello! 

I needed to add a few sympathy cards to my stash so I grabbed my SSS Beautiful Flowers Stamp Set.  I opted for a very clean look, so kept the card black and white.  

The image was heat embossed with using Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink and clear embossing powder.  The image was then fussy cut out.  The background panel was embossed with and ef.  I popped the floral image up with some scrap cardstock.  

The sentiment is 3 layers of die cuts made using the Avery Ell Sympathy die set.  A few sequins in black and white finish the card.  

I am linking up to Festive Friday~ 

as well as Can you Handle the Pressure- anything goes. 

Thanks for stopping and have a blessed weekend!

Lee Ann  

Rainbow Bridge

 Hello Friends, 

I have been in need of pet sympathy cards lately.  I thought about pets going over the rainbow bridge and decided to turn that idea into a card.  

I started with watercoloring some simple rainbows.  I used Canson Mixed Media Paper for these.  Once the paint was good and dry, I stamped the pawprints from the Divinity Designs Stamp Set, Paw Prints. 

The sentiments in the set are perfect for pets.  The sentiments and the pawprints were both stamped with Versafine Claire Ink.  A few sequins finish the cards, including my go to, SSS Moonshine Sequins.  

I am linking up to this week's Paper Players Challenge- 

As well as Simply Clean and Simply April Challenge- Anything Goes/Optional Weather

Thanks for stopping by!  

Lee Ann  

Supplies used in today's project(s)

3M Scotch ATG Advanced Tape Glider SSS	Simon Says Stamp Assorted Moonshine Sequins SSS
Tonic Craft Guillotine Trimmer SSS	Canson Mixed Media Paper Blick
Versafine Claire Ink Nocturne SSS | scrpbk	MISTI SSS
Divinity Designs Paw Prints Stamp Set DD

CAS Sympathy

 Hello, 

Sympathy cards are always hard to do.  I try to have some made up in advance.  A friend requested some as well, so I am trying to create a stash.  

The IO Magnolia Slimline Stamp is still my go to and lives on my desk top, lol.  I love the versatility of it.  This is a one layer card, using a stencil, stamp and sentiment stamp.  

The image was stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.  I then stamped a mask as well, fussy cutting it out.  With the mask applied, I sponged on some grey-brown ink.  

Then the mask was removed and I colored the image with Copics.  I used the color palette from Sunday Stamps~

The sentiment is from the With Sympathy Stamp Set from Avery Elle.  The entire panel was die cut with Divinity Design's Pierced Rectangle Dies.  

A few sequins were added for sparkle.

I am linking up to Simply Clean and Simple March Challenge and the March Stencil Fun Challenge as well as Inkspirational Challenges- clean and simple.   

  

Thanks for stopping by! 

Lee Ann  

Supplies used in today's project(s)

Copic Sketch Markers SSS | Blick	3M Scotch ATG Advanced Tape Glider SSS
Neenah Classic Crest 80# Ream Smooth Solar White Cardstock SSS	Simon Says Stamp Assorted Moonshine Sequins SSS
EK Success Cutter Bee Scissors SSS | scrpbk	Tonic Craft Guillotine Trimmer SSS
Impression Obsession Magnolia Slimline Stamp IO	Avery Elle With Sympathy Stamp Set SSS | Blick | scrpbk
Versafine Claire Ink Nocturne SSS | scrpbk	MISTI SSS
Divinity Designs Pierced Rectangle Dies DD

Mixed Media Morning Glories

 Hello and Happy Weekend!  

Mixed Media.  Love it or hate it?  I am loving it more and more.  I have two cards to share using the same stamp- Sympathy Morning Glories from snss- and mixed media.  One is CAS and one is not so CAS.

Starting with a piece of translucent Yupo and Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks, I created a bright, pink, yellow and orange background.  Once dried, I stamped the image onto the Yupo using Versamark ink, then heat embossing with Gina K Fine Detail Gold Embossing Powder.  Lastly, I fussy cut the image out.  And I have to say, one must use a sharp scissors to fussy cut!  I have been using CutterBee Scissors for years, but did not realize how dull my scissor had gotten.  What a difference a new CutterBee Scissors made!  

The background panel was done with a stencil and translucent embossing paste.  I wanted texture and design, but I did not want it to compete with the flowers.  Bonus- it also gave it shine!

A red strip of cs was adhered to the background panel and then the flowers, ,which were mounted on a white cs circle were adhered on top of that with foam adhesive.  To finish the card, I heat embossed the sentiment, from the Birthday Wordfetti Stamp Set, onto a thin strip of black cs and adhered it to the panel.  

I am linking up Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, Happy Birthday and to Tic Tac Toe Challenge; I chose the middle downward row, flowers, FREE and any shape die (circle).

The second card is CAS but still mixed media~

The flowers were stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copics with a light hand- sort of.  I fussy cut it out and paired it with a circle die cut from a gel press print.  I decided to anchor the pieces in the bottom right corner of the card.  for texture, I added a white card front die cut to the background panel.  

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a blessed weekend!

Lee Ann  

Old is New with Impression Obsession

 Hello and Happy Wednesday!  

We are stamping with some of our favorite oldies at Impression Obsession today.  

The Winter Berry Stem Stamp was inked up with IOStamps Black Ink.  It is a hybrid ink pad, so yes, you can use it for both watercoloring and Copic coloring.  I used a monochromatic blue color palette and colored the image with Copics.  I added an embossed background panel; the sentiment, With Deepest Sympathy, was stamped in grey.  That's it!  Easy Peasy! 

Head over to the Impression Obsession Blog to find the rest of the team and their creations.  

I am linking up to Love To Scrap Challenge Blog, Anything Goes. I am also linking up to Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Anything Goes Challenge.  

CAS Freshly Made Sketches

Hello and Welcome back to another Wednesday sketch from FMS!
We have a great sketch from Narelle today- make it as CAS or as detailed as you want it.

I  chose to use images for the vertical elements versus strips of paper and went CAS.

The poppies are from the timeless Sweet n Sassy Stamps set, Precious Poppies.  I was really trying for a soft, airy look, so I tried some no line coloring.  I stamped with InkOn3's Fade Out Ink, then colored with lighter shades of Copics (contrary to what I normally do!).  To add some depth and definition to the poppies, I used Prismacolor pencils for additional shading and details. And get this guys;  the set of 72 pencils is currently 78% off of list price at Dick Blick!  That is one heck of a price!  I am getting myself a second set!  And shipping is free with purchase of $35 or more!
 Lastly, the flower center was detailed with a Sakura Pigma Micron Pen.  The sentiment is from this month's Stamp of the Month, Sympathy Morning Glories.
See what the rest of my talented team mates have for you on the FMS blog, then join us and create with this great sketch!
I am linking up to the challenge over at Color Throwdown~

Lee Ann 

Good Morning, Glory!

Hello! 

When my son was young, I would wake him up in the morning and often say to him, "Good Morning, Glory"!  So when I started this post about Morning Glories, that old memory popped into my mind. 
Today, Morning Glories are in the form of the newest stamp of the month from Sweet n Sassy Stamps, Sympathy Morning Glories. 

I love the size of this stamp; large enough to stand on its own, small enough to stamp off the edge as I did here, creating a frame around the card. 
Using my MISTI, I stamped the flower image with Versafine Black Ink onto Arches Water Color Paper.  I then rotated the panel 180 degrees and stamped it again.  To do the remaining two corners, I needed to repostion the stamp, and then repeated the process. 
Once stamped, I watercolored the image with a combination of Daniel Smith Watercolors and Kuretake Gansai Tambi Water Colors. 
When the painting was dry, I die cut the panel with a SugarPea Designs Zig Zag Stitched Rectangle Die.  Some Wink of Stella was added to the flower centers and sequins added.

If you are doing some snss shopping, remember, this Stamp of the Month is FREE with a $75 purchase. To sweeten the deal, Korin at snss offers FREE shipping with your $75 purchase. 
That's it for me!  Have a blessed week!

Lee Ann

Sympathy Peony

Hello All,

Well, I needed a sympathy card.  Truth be told I have several in my stash, but I needed the right one.  My heart was so heavy in making this card~

This card is for a young woman who, many years ago, babysat my son.  She married the man of her dreams; he passed away suddenly a week ago.  He was 37.  Thirty seven.  Thankfully, while she is obviously mourning, she has hope.  Hope that she will see him again as she is confident he is rejoicing in heaven with his Savior now.  He lived a joy-filled life knowing he was a child of God.
My card is green.  I am sure it seems a strange color for a peony, and for a sympathy card.  But there is significance to the color green.  Green is the color of renewal, of new life.  And if we put our faith in Jesus Christ we will have a new life with Him.  This young man's death has hit me hard.  Friends, we do not know what tomorrow holds.  If you have not put your trust in Jesus Christ, call on Him today to be your Savior.

OK, back to the card.  The stamp is a Power Poppy image-love, love, love this set.  It is colored with Copics.  I used a sketch from Hand Stamped Sentiments  ~

I am also linking up to Power Poppy's May Challenge, Black and White with a Pop of Color. 

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed week!

Lee Ann

Addicted to CAS and a Sympathy Card

Hello Everyone!

I am pleased to be a guest designer at one of my favorite challenge blogs this week, Addicted to CAS.  I keep a stash of sympathy cards handy, but I seem to always come up short on masculine ones.  This challenge seemed to be a perfect opportunity to make a CAS sympathy card~

 Can you guess what the challenge is this week?

I love how this turned out.  I used the  Sea Grass Lighthouse stamp from Technique Junkies. I started by cutting approximately 1/2 inch off along the bottom of the image panel.  Using my MISTI, I stamped the image in versamark along the bottom and then embossed it in gold.   The sentiment, from the With Sympathy stamp set from Technique Junkies, was stamped in grey using my MISTI.
The card base is Smokey Slate cs from SU.  I used a Lawn Fawn stitched border die to add some detail just below the sentiment panel.
This was super easy- the hardest part was getting the photo!  I had forgotten how hard it is to photograph metallic embossing powder, especially on a mostly white card...
Anywho, I hope you join us at Addicted to CAS this week!  And if you are interested in the stamps I used on this card, You can purchase them and get 10% your entire cart with the discount code TJ10LeeAnn over at Technique Junkies.

Thanks so much for visiting!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Lee Ann 

Cool Colors with Altenew

Hello again!
Second post of the night- it is either feast or famine over here when it comes to crafty happenings!
I try to have plenty of Sympathy cards on hand as it is not something I really want to make when the need comes.  The colors over at Altenew challenge this month were perfect for a sympathy card~

Here is the inspiration photo~

I used Altenew's Vintage Flowers Stamp Set; I have gotten so much mileage out of this set.  One can never have too many floral bouquets!  The flowers are inked with the Glacier Caves Mini Cube Set, leaves are Warm Grey Mini Cube Set and the tiny flowers- well, honestly, I don't remember what I used.   Although, I wish I would have stopped before adding the two twigs in the back of the bouquet.  Know. When. To. Stop.  :D

The sentiment is from a sweet little sympathy set from Avery Elle.

Thanks for stopping by!

Lee Ann 

Watercoloring with Addicted to Stamps and More

Hello Everyone!

Happy August!  It is almost time to head back to work for me.  I am trying to get ahead on all of my posts for the month.
There is a new challenge up at Addicted to Stamps and More~

This week we have a great photo inspiration for you~

I used the emboss resist technique with watercolors and clear embossing powder.  The background stamp is from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, and, although retired, there is a new, similar one releasing this month!  The sentiment is from SSS and the floral die cut is Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Long Stem Silhouettes Dies.  
You can check out the rest of the talented teams' inspiration and then link up your card HERE!
I am linking up to these challenges~
Casology'- Watercolor

Thanks for stopping by!

Lee Ann  :)

Weekend Challenges

Hello Everyone!
I have two cards to share with you tonight and both were made for the "Lovefest" going on at Splitcoaststampers.  Each of 10 days is devoted to a member company at SCS.  My first card is for Sweet N Sassy stamps.

I inked up a brand new stamp for this challenge.  This is one of those cards that keeps evolving and evolving and evolving!  It is really nothing like what it started out to be, but I love how it turned out.  I started by stamping the image in Stazon on watercolor paper and coloring it with an aquapainter and reinkers.
Next, I tried the out of the box technique, and totally botched it!  I attempted several repairs, but ended up fussy cutting out the image.  My dp strip initially had a scalloped edge on it, but it was too much so it ended up with a simple mat.  I cut a Spellbinder oval, embossed the edge and sponged with Soft Sky ink while it was still in the die.  The branch is popped up on dimensionals.

The next card is for the opening day of the "Lovefest"-

We were to add a little "LOVE" to our cards.  Mine is L-Lavender O-Oval V-Venetian Motif SB die E-Embossing
This is another image just seeing ink.  It is from Our Craft Lounge.  I stamped the image in Momento Black and then colored with Prismacolor pencils.  I am still learning coloring.  I find colored pencils difficult, so I started out small!  The bow was made with my Becca's Bow Maker-I love that thing!  I can finally put a pretty bow on my cards!

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have a blessed weekend!

Lee Ann :)

Supplies used-
Card 1-
Stamps-Sweet N Sassy Stamps-Sheltering Cherry Blossom
Paper-Whisper White, Soft Sky,watercolor, Sycamore Street dsp (SU)
Ink-Stazon Black, Soft Sky, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose
Other-Polka Dot ef (SU), Spellbinder oval die, aquapainter, pearls, dimensionals

Card 2-
Stamps-Art of Nature by Our Craft Lounge
Paper-Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Neenah Solar White
Ink-Memento Black, Early Espresso
Other-Spellbinder Venetian Motif dies, Prisma color pencils, ribbon, MFT Fish Tail Flag Stax,  SU oval Framelit, SB embossibility folder