Cheerful Get well

Just a quick post to touch base with you.

This is a card I haven't shown yet, very easy to make using Serene Silhouetes, such a useful stamp set and it doesn't have to be for just sombre occasions either.
I embossed the So Saffron background with the Argyle Embossing Folder, and there is a strip of DSP at the bottom too. Soft Suede was my choice in brown this time and I used a piece of So Saffron ribbon (retired) to tie it all together.

The inside is lightly decorated with a half impression of the image and a second one as a shadow, done by not re-inking between.
The greeting inside is also from a retired set, Whimsical Words. Love the font, love the sentiment, so I keep it in my stash. Maybe you have some favourites that you won't let go too? In case you can't read the message it says, you're never more than a thought away.I use it in Mother's Day cards too, it's so true how your thoughts turn to those who are close to you during quiet moments of the day.

Hope you are having a pleasant day
Rachel

Pleasant Poppies CCMC252 FMS86

I'm really glad I did most of my housework yesterday 'cos with the family all busy today, it has given me time to sit and make cards, and that has to be good, right?

I'd had so much fun with the Create with Connie and Mary challenge colours this morning, so after a break I decided to watercolour a portion of the HUGE  Pleasant Poppies stamp. I used Stazon stamped on Stampin' Up! watercolor paper. Each flower was shaded very simply with my Stampin' write marker in So Saffron. I also 'shadowed' one side of the blossom and stem with a soft line in Sahara Sand, because it helps the image POP!

I wonder if you can see what I mean in this close-up?

The Blender pen is invaluable too, as it really does what its name implies - helps blend the colours smoothly.

If you would like to learn this technique, I'd be happy to show you, if you're nearby.

I decided to use Amy's sketch here. Don't forget to pop over to Freshly Made Sketches to see the other fabulous cards too.

I stamped a Happy Birthday greeting with Itty Bitty Banners stamp set, there is a lovely assortment of greetings in that set, which is carrying over to the new catty. A small strip of retired DSP at the bottom of the panel was mounted onto a Soft Suede base, and I had to use retired ribbon too, as I really wanted a narrow piece and I had nothing current that was suitable. The greeting was topped with a So Saffron button threaded with linen thread and I lined the inside with the DSP and some more poppies.

Happy stamping!

Rachel

Sunday Stamps #40

I already had a few panels using this Polished Stone technique lying on my work table, because I am preparing some samples for my April classes. You can check out the dates at the top of my blog, just click on "classes".


When I saw this sketch by Tara, I was inspired to use this square piece in pink and yellow shades. I stamped the gorgeous chrysanthemum from Blooming with Kindness in Black Stazon, and then double mounted on So Saffron and Regal Rose. I fiddled quite a bit with the 'midriff' panel, wanting to put ribbon but finally deciding it would be too much, I cut a strip of retired Hostess DSP, Cheerful Treat.

I had edged the So Saffron strip with the lacy Edgelit Finishing touches and dry embossed using the Lacy Brocade folder, released in the Holiday catalogue, but carried over for now, which hopefully means it will be in the new annual catalogue too. Maybe the effect is a bit lost, since it is mostly behind the square.I chose a greeting from the Sweet Essentials stamp set, a lovely clear font with 8 different greetings for all occasions.

Sunday Stamps have this challenge open till Friday March 22nd, pop over to seek inspiration for yourself.

Cheers,
Rachel