Easter Explosion

     Where do I start.  Ever since I saw the "Explosion Box" made by Kittie C on Splitcoast Stampers I have been itching to make one.  I finally cleaned up my stamp area and sat down to play the other day.  THIS is not the first box I created.....that will be posted a little later so not to ruin a surprise for a friend.  After making the first box there were a gazillion ideas going through my mind.......something special for Easter just kept tugging at my heart....a box that holds a special gift reminds me of the great gift of Christ's birth at Christmas that culminates in the greatest gift of all when He dies on the cross so that I might live.
      While I wanted to use the acetate and have it look like there were things in the air as the box was opened, I just couldn't seem to grasp an idea for it - instead this is what I created!!  I used three different stamp sets.  The cross with a flower cut out and popped up on it is from Flourishes. From the get go I wanted a cross in the center and this one is the perfect size and can be cut out easily.  The 'Alleluia' sentiment is Stampendous, and the perfect scripture quotes, as well as the frame and matching dies used around the sentiments are from Our Daily Bread Designs.
     I started by taking a 12 x 12 sheet of cardstock and scoring it at 4 inches on each side, then I cut out the corner pieces for a + shape.  I got a little carried away on the inside layers, running one through my Grand Calibur with the Spellbinders M-Bossabilities to create a wood look, and backing it with a darker purple cardstock.

     For the outside I created my own patterned paper using the flower stamp from Flourishes.  I topped the box with a small bow made with my NEW Becca's Bow Maker I recently purchased from Our Daily Bread Designs (I think I am going to enjoy using this on many future projects).

     The focal point in the center was the most fun.  I colored my cross and flowers in with my Copics and then cut it out.  I took some mirrored silver cardstock and took two of my circle dies, placing them so they cut slightly larger to the top and ran them through my GC. I cut two of these so I could sandwich a piece of vellum between them and form a frame - the cross was too messy looking from the back and needed to be hidden.  Then I put some pop ups on the back of my cross and placed it on the vellum.  For the base I took a small styrofoam ball and cut it in half....I used a knife to make an indentation across the top to place my frame and cross in.  Some leaves cut from my Cheery Lynn die and a few flowers from my Martha Stewart punch were added to the top of some moss I glued over the styrofoam....I also added a few dollops of glue and put a little touch of Flower Soft on my moss.
     This project was just toooo much fun - I am hooked just wait until you see the other box and the one I am planning next....lets just say 'Yee Haw' for that one.  !

Supplies:  Our Daily Bread Design (Stamps, Dies, Flower Soft, Becca Bow Maker), Flourishes Stamps, Stampendous Stamps.  Martha Stewart punch, Spellbinders Dies and M-Bossabilities Folder, Copics, Cheery Lynn Leaves, Pop Ups.  Cardstock, Ribbon

Challenges:  Our Daily Bread Design ODBDSLC143, Paper Playtime CH #4 Use a Sentiment, Really Reasonable Ribbon, Spring Colors and Ribbon,  Hiding in My Craftroom #85 Embossing, Word Art Wednesday Anything Goes

Don't Dahlia Around.....

     A friend and I had a little friendly 'throw down' this past weekend.  She challenged me to find a card I have 'pinned' and use it for inspiration to make my own.  The biggest challenge there was not getting distracted as I went through the many I have pinned for inspiration.  There was one (here) however that stood out.  I originally pinned it because I liked the way it opened....a square card, but the flower is the top layer underwhich the sentiment is placed.

     Just that day I had used the last of the gift card my DH gave me at Christmas to Michael's and purchased this Jumbo Dahlia.  It is a little larger than the inspiration flower, but it worked just fine for me and I will be making more of these in different colors.  The overall card is 5.25 x 5.25 - I had to use my Grand Nestabilities and circle cutter for the layers.  The flower is on pop ups on top of the scalloped layer.  I am going to enter this in the challenge at Oozak since it is colored with my Copics - R81, R83, R85, R43.

     I have to tell you I am really excited.....the Intermediate Copic Certification class is being held in Georgia in April.  Since getting my certification in Missouri before moving I have been impatiently waiting for the second class to be close enough to take.  Even more exciting is I let a friend on Splitcoast Stampers know about it (its being held in her area, an hour from me)....we have been trying to meet for many months.  Turns out she has been waiting for the class as well and jumped on the opportunity to sign up....not only do we get to meet, but we get to take the class together. Can't wait.

Supplies:  Stampendous Dahlia Stamp, Ribbon, Rhinestones, Cardstock, Circle Cutter, Spellbinders Grand Nestabilities, Copics

Challenges:  Oozak Anything Goes

Jesus 1st Christmas

     I was late getting to Michael' for sales after Christmas....that just happens when you work retail and have to be there for everyone else.  When I finally made it I found a 'few' things left that were good buys.  This sentiment/background stamp was one of them.  It just called to me as I stopped to read what it said.  Into the cart it went.
     My resolve is to get my Christmas cards done earlier this year - Thanksgiving is late and flying by the seat of my pants won't work in 2013.  Since I just finished a few that didn't make it out I feel like I'm already ahead - LOL!!!

     Once I stamped this sentiment/background I realized it looked pretty barren and didn't feel that holly or other embellies would do it justice.  Then I started playing around with it on vellum, a great idea but what do I put under it????  Why the Baby Jesus of course, so I printed off one of my fave Mo's digis and colored this little sweetie with my Copics and I am very pleased.
     My friend Katie suggested I join in the challenge at Splicoast Stampers with the Fan Club SCSCCJAN13 so I am uploading this there as well.  I can say with confidence I now have 3 cards done for 2013 and three ornaments - hope I keep it up.

Supplies:  Stampendous Stamp, Mo's Digital Image, Copics, Vellum, Vellum Tape, Cardstock

Wise men do still seek Him!

     Another Christmas cards for this year.  Just love this image....you can't tell from the picture, but the center Magi is cut out and popped up to stand out in front of the other two.  The back layer is gold and or course a touch of bling on the star and the corners.  

     I will post this to Stampin Sisters in Christ for their last challenge :(  - I have participated in many challenges there, and the weeks I don't participate I still visit to see the devotional for the week, always inspirational and focused on His word.  They will be missed in blog land, but I give them kudos for prioritizing, and doing what they need for their families.  My son and daughter are in their mid-twenties, and my husband and I always wonder how the years passed so quickly.....you never regret the time you get to spend with them, young or old, you just have a little more time for yourself when you get older.

Supplies:  Copics, Stampendous, cardstock

Challenges:  Stampin Sisters in Christ - #167 Last Chance

Bleached Peony

 

 When my niece got married last August I purchased this stamp to use on the front of her wedding handouts. Since then I have been thinking of some ways to use it on a card.  Splitcoaststampers did a tutorial on bleaching  not long ago, a technique I haven't done in at least 5 years.  When I did last try it all I did was bleach an image out on my paper.  This time I wanted to try and not only bleach my image BUT color it with Copics.
     While I am happy with how this card turned out, it has many imperfections.....that said I can't wait to make another and see if I can improve.  Using some kraft cardstock I stamped the image and then embossed it with clear powder.  Using an old paintbrush I applied my bleach.  There are areas where I applied too little, they didn't bleach out quite as much as other areas.  Coloring with Copics on this surface was a challenge, you can't really blend them as well - and you certainly want to make sure the paper is good and dry from the bleaching before you use them.  This is however, a flower, and not expected to look perfect.  I had really wanted to add some vines or leaves around the cut out image but the card is already a large square and it just seemed to look too busy.

Thanks for visiting,

Materials used:  Stampendous Peony Stamp, Ribon, DCWV Mango Frost Matstack, Make an Impression Sentiment

Challenges:  Stampin Sisters in Christ, 4 Crafty Chicks Flowers, Papertake Weekly Anything Goes, Whimsy Stamps Ribbon, Divas by Design Anything Goes and Blog Hop

Sunflower Surprise

I just had to make this card and share it.  Christmas morning as I peeked into my stocking I was totally surprised to find this stamp in a set by Stampendous (Sunflower Bouquet)!!!  My husband really surprised me - I never expected him to go into a stamp store and actually pick out  a stamp for me......after 30 years of marriage he continues to surprise me :)

I used Memento Ink to stamp on my Expressions paper and then colored it in with Copic Markers.  Used my latest Nestabilities  Beaded Oval as a background.  Found some awesome BoBunny paper that I ran thru the CB with some vines for a background and then put it all together.  There is a single sunflower in the set and I will use it to stamp on the outside of the envelope when I give this away.