For the Gradutate & 365 Days Sketch Challenge

I was inspired again today by the awesome sketch on the 365 Day Sketch Challenge blog. Today, to show off our new stamps from our summer release I decided that a Graduation Card was in order. This card was simple to do. I started by cutting a tan frame. I then stamped the Roses Bunch randomly onto my surface using VersaMark ink and black embossing powder. Once embossed, I set aside. Next, I stamped the Graduation Text stamp multiple times with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink to create a pattern. I then stamped Happy Graduation and the Small Graduate Silhouette with VersaMark ink and black embossing powder. Once embossed, I punched with a 2" scalloped circle. I then punched a 2.5" black scalloped circle and layered together as shown. To add more dimension to the scalloped circle, I edged with VersaMark and black embossing powder and heat set. This gives the circle a bit of texture and makes it shiny in certain places.

I then stamped two 1" black scalloped circles and finished with silk flowers. The flowers started off as plain white silk flowers, I colored them in with copic markers. I started with orange in the center, and then put red in the petals. To blend the two colors together I sprayed with 91% rubbing alcohol. The colors blended beautifully, and this added just the right amount of color to give this card some "pop".

Once all elements were assembled, I adhered to a 6 by 4.5" black card base.

It is always so much fun when an idea that you have translates exactly to the card as you see it in your mind. I hope you enjoy today's posting. Happy Sunday All!

Here is the actual sketch.

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The April release now here!

We have been busy at work to bring you new designs for those favorite occasions. We spent a little time working on Graduation, Mother's Day, Father's Day & Summer designs. And they are finally here!


We have some beautiful samples to share with you from Design Team members Tesa and Leslie! They were awesome enough to create new new cards in time for our release. Thank you ladies!


















Card above by Tesa


















Card above by Leslie


Card below by Tesa

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Flourished Birdcage - Another BEAUTIFUL card from Leslie!

Leslie did such a bang up job on this card. We just had to show it off. This stamp can be found in our new spring release, and you can find it in the new stamps section.

She stamped the birdcage with copper pigment ink and embossed it with clear detail powder. She kept the layout simple and added some stitching around the panels using cream thread. The flower embellishment was lightly sponged with copper ink and the petals were molded upwards.

Remember - all stamps in the new stamps section are 10% off this month.

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New Releases Coming April 15!

Mothers & Fathers Day | Graduation | Summer
Spring is here and those special occassions are upon us. Graduation, Mothers Day, Fathers Day and Summer Fun are all around the corner. For these special days in your life we took some time to address the themes that are sometimes overlooked by manufacturers. We are pleased to provide you with classic images that will help you celebrate all of life's moments. We have a sneek peek that we want to share now. Look for these images and more to be released April 15! And yes! They will be 10% off as well for the month of April.

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365 Card Sketch Challenge

Happy Easter all! It is a beautiful spring day here in sunny Arizona. I have potatoes and garlic growing in my back yard, and plan to plant some flowers soon and being that is such a beautiful spring day, I was inspired to make a card and thought it would be fun to participate in a sketch challenge. So, looking at one of my design team members blog, Tesa, I came across the 365 Day Sketch Challenge.

Here is the card I came up with.
All stamps shown are Prickley Pear. I stamped the bottom border with our Floral Border Stamp with VersaMark and clear embossing powder. The Daisy Heads were stamped with Blue Ink and then embossed with blue embossing powder. I chalked the flowers and the background paper - then added a little design work to the scalloped edge of the paper. I stamped Happy Spring in blue, and then chalked into the center. I followed the layout and layered all together, and finished with a silk flower colored in with Copic Markers.

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