Veranda Card #4

I loved making this card, but I have to confess that I was inspired by Kym Glass' layout in an earlier blog article. Search "Veranda" to find her layout.

I can also tell you that her layout was inspired by the cover of the Spring 2010 Close to My Heart Idea Book, so I guess, my card was too!

I started with the stamps from the "Treasure Life" stamp set on the Juniper floral B&T card base. I rounded the corners and then inked up the edges in chocolate brown. The circle parts were cut with the coluzzle and the gold one is about 2 "lines" smaller than the brown one. I stamped the sentiment in the center of the gold page and could also use the circle parts as a pocket if I wanted to.

Naming my Retreat!!!!

Help Help Help!!!

Now that I regularly have these retreats, I think they should have a name of some sort. But I need some ideas.

Please comment leaving a suggestion or two, or even more, for my retreat name and at the end of June, we'll have a vote!

Thanks so much!!!!

Veranda - Card 3

This is almost an monochromatic card, and it turned out so elegant! I started with the back side of the Juniper B&T (background and texture paper) that showes the same design only in shades of Creme Brulee'. I sponged Creme Brulee' ink all around the 4 1/2 x 6 paper and then edged it again by scraping it in Chocolate ink. I did the same thing to the other paper, a Creme Brulee' diamond design paper that measured 4 1/2 x 3. Then, using Creme Brulee' ink, I stamped several images from the Treasures stamp set, using the large, medium, and small dandilions and the stem. I also stamped the center of the dandilion again using a "fluff" stamp from the same set. I stamped the medium dandilion, without the stem, in chocolate in the center of the large image to finish the effect.

That done, I used the rub-ons to add my sentiment at the top and a design at the bottom of the card. Finally, I threaded 2 strings of Chocolate waxy flax through a green button and, spreading out the strings, taped them down on the backside of the card. I didn't want the ugly strings and tape to show, though, so I added a spare piece of cardstock to the inside cover of the card, adhering it with the same 2-sided tape that I used to stick down the strings.

Veranda - Card 2

I LOVE using the Rub ons that Close to My Heart makes. They are so easy! For this card, I used a 6 x 3 inch base from the Juniper floral B&T (background and texture paper). Before I stuck it down, I used an ornate corner decor-punch. I used the punch again on my gold-diamond B&T card that measured 2 1/2 x 2. Finally, I added a 1 x 6 inch piece of the backside of the Juniper B&T as a strap across the card. I sat a little more than a 1/4 inch from the bottom of the card. All of the pieces were inked up in Chocolate by scraping the edges across the ink pad. I used Copper Brads to tack down the strap and added some punched flowers and a button to finish off the design. The "Memories" sentiment was a rub-on as well as the swirls along the strap. Both were from the Love Story Rub-ons by Close to My Heart.

Veranda Cards

I'm making cards for a class that I have every month at a retirement center. Since I don't open these classes to everyone, I wanted to offer the designs to you. I had a lot of fun making them and especially love the way the Veranda papers work for these designs.

This card is 6 x 3 and I used the back of the floral juniper B&T (background and texture paper) as the base for the card. I used a 6 x 1 1/2 inch strip of the front of the B&T as the paper accent here and anchored it down with brass brads. I tied a Juniper ribbon around it and then set on the daisy accent. For this I used a white "Just Blooms" flower that I inked up in Creme Brulee'. On top of that I added the back side of the diamond paper, the brown side, in a circle and another circle punch with the yellow side showing. On that side I stamped my sentiment - done and super simple!!!

Lady Bug Layouts

I'm ashamed to say I can't remember who at the recent retreat shared this layout. And I was always trying to be so careful to give credit right. I think it might have been Jaimie. Am I right??? Was it Mari???

I like the way this layout uses a variety of orientations for the elements of it. Specifically, how the tilted mat is accented with the straight lady bug pictures. The theme is revisited in the title, too, with the bug straight and the letters all catamawampas. (My blog - my word; I'm just saying!) The black paper has a sparkly effect on that - so cool - and the brad embellishments further the effect. I also LOVE the black polka dot ribbon on this, but it got me to thinking about our simply dot letters. I admit, I had a blast playing with the Close to My Heart "Irrisistibles" during the retreat. They are chipboard pieces of all sorts of designs that have embossed patterns on them. One of the collections is a set of letters that have little dot patterns all over them. See, when you sponge ink onto the letters, the dots stay white, so I can just picture this layout with those dotted letters (in black) as the title, or maybe adding a date to it.

Heart2Heart Challenge - Techniques

This week at the H2H Challenge blog, they asked the question, "What technique inspires you?" For me, that's "Rock-n-Roll" stamping, without question. It's a technique that is SO easy with the Close to My Heart Acrylix stamps and the effect is awesome!

On my entry, I used a retired stamp set that I just can't part with, called "Skeleton Leaves," but the technique is easier to see with my sample pictures using another retired set, called "Nature's Vein."

First, I stamped my image in a light color; I used Creme Brulee'. Then, after cleaning my stamp off, I used Bamboo to restamp the image, but this time I rocked the edges of the stamp into the ink. I made a point to leave the center of the image clean of this new color and also "rolled" the stamp so that as the ink got closer to the center, there was less of it. I stamped it directly on top of the first image, giving my artwork a slight two-toned effect. It harder to see in the pictures, but there was a definite "glow" to the center of the leaf.

After cleaning the stamp again, I used Smokey Plum for the final accents. I used the same method of rocking and rolling the stamp into the ink, but this time my goal was to collect just a little of the edges of the stamp.


Here is another example using the "Skeleton Leaves" stamp set. On this one, I used Sunflower ink as the first stamp, Autumn Terra Cotta as the second stamp and Cranberry as the final one. I love how this techniques creates a finished image!

Veranda Pages by Kym Glass - part 2

As you can see, the partner for the previous page is easily as elaborate as the first. Again I don't know how she sees it. What made her think of bending down the corner of the Juniper print? And why border just the sides of the photo mat leaving the corners open?

Again, I'm in awe. I have no idea where she came up with the ideas but I wish I could catch her fever!!!

She used the same embellishments on this side as on the last - Just Blooms spring collection, Filigree charms, Rub-ons, Sparkles, Bitty Sparkles, and pieces of the Copper mini medley

On this side, she didn't stamp as much, opting instead for the rub-ons - which she fell in love with!

I didn't mention it on the last blog, but I have to point out how Kym makes little lines and dots along the edge of the circle making it look like it has stitching on it. Some of her layouts DO include stitching, but this is faux, yet so evenly marked! And I'm still not sure how she got all the intresting images onto the B&T. Maybe she stamped them in Colonial White? I have to find out about that!

She is also WAY into distressing and swiped all the edges of every paper in either Juniper or Chocolate ink. It gives it such a finished look, don't you think?

Anyway, this is how the two layouts went together. The chocolate paper helps connect the two layouts as well as the use of the circles, and the Juniper and Gold diamond paper.

She is just the master. I'm feeling SO inspired!!!

Veranda Pages by Kym Glass

I have met the Embellishment Queen and her name is Kym Glass. (Yes, I know she's not the ONLY one!) She seems to just visualizes all these great little details she can add. Actually, I don't know how she does it, but I wish she would rub off a little more on me!!!! So this week, I'm sharing art from Kym. She didn't do too many pages at my recent retreat, but those she did were knocked right out of the park! Check out the first one.

She was thoroughly inspired by the Spring Close to My Heart Idea Book cover when she designed this using the Veranda Paper Pack.

She used 8 different stamp sets to create her under design. When you see it up close, you can understand how some of the images were pieced together. And all throughout the images, she added her "bling" - little sparkles and bitty sparkles make a BIG impression at a mere glance!

She cut this pocket with the large Coluzzle circle. It almost looks like she used some sort of reverse stamping or maybe shadowing on that quarter-circle. I'd really like to know how she did that and will have to give her a call!

The flowers are from the Spring Just Blooms set and the "stem" is actually a rub on in Chocolate. She added some filigree charms and more bling to finish the pocket.

For me, that would be beyond enough to call it good and move on, but not with Queen Kym. I have SO much to learn! She found another appropriate place to add some more bling, stamped flowers, distressed Just Blooms, and filigree charms. Some of the charms, she also tinted with some Chocolate ink, but it is easier to do with Stazon ink. She used all the pieces of the Copper Mini Medley - the ribbon slides, and the corner pieces on this page. This page is a perfect one for an album title page, but wait - this page has a partner.

Stay tuned!

Workshop Opportunities

I wanted to give you a sneak peak at some of the layouts I'm planning to share with you this summer.

My Splendor workshop is scheduled for May 23 at 5 PM. I have 4 open seats at this point. We'll make 3 full layouts and a 4th is included in a full-color brochure that comes with the workshop. The basic kit is a purchase of $29.95 retail and it includes a full paper package, a stamp set, and one set of embellishments in addition to the instruction brochure. Extra embellishments that were used can also be purchased. See the flyer HERE for the "Best Option" embellishments and I also added a set of brads that was made especially for this paper design! I have to tell you, how much fun I had with these layouts! One of the embellishments is our new Irresistables Pizzazz chipboard set - Oh my gosh! These little designs have an embossed pattern on them so when you apply ink the pattern stays white. I LOVED playing with these and I used them on all of the pages in several colors!

*** I only have 4 spots left for this workshop. You will need to sign up before May 13th so I'll have enough time to order your materials. Also let me know which embellishments you want to get.***

June looks like it will be a very busy month. I still have open spots for my retreat. It is June 4-6 and is only $95 for your cropping area and a place in a bedroom. I will need your reservation and a $30 non-refundable deposit no later than May 31 if you want to attend. And did I mention that you really do deserve this! We are going to party at this retreat in a big way!

Also, I plan to use the Cherry-o paper pack for my workshop on the 27th of June at 5 PM. I have to tell you, I've gotten a LOT of interest in this workshop. I will only seat 6 at a time, but I think I may end up opening a second workshop for this set on the 20th. You can see the flyer for this one HERE, but the set up is the same. Your Basic kit comes with the paper pack, a stamp set, and 1 embellishment along with the brochure. The "Best Option" accents were both used on my pages and I also added a special embellishment that was made especially for this set. Let me know before June 10 if you wish to participate in this workshop and I'll let you know which day I have spots open.

Don't forget the Scrappin' Happy classes, too. These are free when you have your own CTMH supplies. My next 2 are on May 22 at 4 PM and June 26 at 4 PM. We'll make 4 double layouts in no time and have them ready for your pictures and embellishments. Let me know if you plan to join us for either of these no later than May 13 and June 10.

Veranda Workshop from April 25 - Layout 4

This double layout is printed in the Veranda brochure. You can still order this kit from me (which includes the brochure), but you need to act fast as I won't be able to get one after the 5th of April. But if you're looking at this and really want to build it, I can get 10 brochures for you and you can pass them around to your buds.

I wanted to show you another example of stamp rolling and masking on this layout, and also another flower image. The image is on the right hand page. It is stamped in Creme Brulee' using the heart-shaped stamp. I made 5 images in a circle with a little overlap to build that flower and then cut it out. After that I sponged the edges with Tulip ink to give them more accent. I put a white fluted "Just Blooms" flower in the center and connected it with a Filigree charm.

The masking and stamp rolling is shown on this little tulip. First I masked most of the ivy, both the top and bottom to get the stem. To mask, you lay down scrap paper to shield an area from your stamping. In this case, I only left the small area that would show the leaf open and the rest of the ivy went on my scraps. I stamped the tulip from the set that comes with this workshop pack in Creme Brulee'. Then I "rolled" the stamp across the pink ink (also called Tulip, but I don't want you to get confused!) from the petals in about half-way. I dabbed that stamp lightly on scrap paper before stamping it on my image, though, so it would be a lighter shade. That's called a 2nd generation stamp.

More on this layout is in the brochure, so drop me a line if you want to get one. You'll also see it again when I get my pictures on it. Maybe at my retreat?

SHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! - Don't Tell My MOM!!!

This is my Heart2Heart Challenge entry for this week, but it's also my mom's gift - so don't tell her!

I started with a chipboard base that was 11 x 9 and I covered it with a B&T from the Unforgettable paper pack. The 3x12 inch strip that I cut off, I used as a second layer on the right hand side, after silhouette-cutting it. I also used a different B&T as torn corner accents. I also inked the edges of the tear in Sorbet to highlight it. For the most part, I layered flowers from the base print with punched flowers and our Just Blooms.

Some of the Just blooms I inked to match the paper, and I sponged the edges of most of the punches. I used many different things for the centers including buttons and brads. I used the Hollyhock corduroy covered brads as well as some of the pearl embellishments.

The teal and pink flower is made with 8 circles from our new circle punch. I sponged the edges of the Juniper side of the circle in Juniper and the pink side, I sponged in Hollyhock. I really like the way that turned out, but I wasn't pleased that one of my petals got moved before it dried, so it's a little askew. Still, sometimes the petals have to be overlapped to fit as a flower. I added a chocolate flower from the chocolate mini medley and a square brad from the same set to finish it off.

This last flower was made with 4 circles. For each petal, I folded a circle punch in half and then in half again. I unfolded the punch one time, back to half way and then folded the corners in to the center. Those folds are inportant with this flower so that the ultimate fold can be made. Unfolding it all the way, I collapsed the circle in on itself, folding in the sides until they met in the middle. Once that fold was made, I turned down the edge of the petal, revealing most of the Juniper color and covering most of the Hollyhock that showed on the outside of this petal. I know that's pretty involved, but does it make any sence at all?

This week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge is a Mother's Day project - any project. It can be a card or a gift. You can see all the projects at the Heart 2 Heart blog site.

Veranda Workshop from April 25 - Layout 3

This is a simple layout where I again used 2 different striped sheets so all my stripes could go the same direction. I cut the 1/2 inch strip against the stripe (at the bottom of the right page) from one page and cut the other two pieces, 5 inches and 3 inches from the other page. The other B&T (background and texture) paper with a Juniper print is cut in a 4 inch strip on the far left hand, and two 1 1/2 inch strip - one on the bottom of the right page, and the other cut twice. The first piece is 3 inches long and goes on the stripe on the right page and the second is cut to 5 inches and goes between the right edge and the first mat on the left side. There are also three mats in Juniper, two of which are 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 and the third is 5 1/2 x 6 1/2. I sponged all the pieces in Juniper with a little heavier sponging on the Juniper mats. I also sponged the bases, but in Creme Brulee'.


Before I added any embellishments to this layout, I stamped the covered bases with both ivy and the 4-petal stamp. The 4-petal stamp I used on the right side of the left page in just a half-circle and also in the corner of the bottom mat - both in Creme Brulee'. For the one on the mat, I overlapped 2 of the petals to make it a 6-petal flower quarter in the corner. For the ivy, I started near the bottom of the left hand page and stamped it several times across the corner and onto the right page. When I stamped it, I "masked" some of the stamp so that the head of the ivy wouldn't show over and over. the bottom of the To mask a part of the image, just use a piece of scrap paper and cover the area where you DON'T want the image to show. When you stamp the image, the masked part will be stamped onto the scrap paper instead of your project so just the part that you want will be on your page. I even created a second stem on the left hand page by overlapping and masking the ball at stamp at the same time. On the right side, I stamped the 4-petal flower in a full circle (in Creme Brulee') at the top of the layout and at the bottom with both of the flowers overlapping the mat. I also stamped a half circle on the right side of the mat without overlapping it. On that one and the one at the top, I added a little of the tulip ink (in a 2nd generation stamp) using the stamp rolling method.

I layered a couple of different flowers from the Just Blooms spring collection onto each other and the stamped images to finish off the look, even sponging some of the petal tips in Tulip and sponging the centers the same way. Those flowers that hung off the edge of the page or the mat, I just cut to give it more depth and a different perspective.

The top center flower earned my largest Filigree Charm and I used a couple of others on the other side to give it a partner. I also lightly sponged the raised edges of the white butterfly in Creme Brulee' to give it depth before I applied Tulip to the outside edges of it. I didn't have any more brads or centers, so I just used the butterfly to cover the flower center so it wasn't so obviously bare. There is one other flower on the other side that will be easier to explain with a close up picture and I'll do that when I share the fourth and final layout.