Serene Grunge-Blog Candy

Life just does not slow down and the first thing to go when life is busy is my stamping time.   I have made some time to get some cards done...after all it is also my therapy to keep me sane LOL so it MUST not go away, it is the time to get them posted here that I am lacking.  So to reward those that have stuck around I would like to offer some blog candy.

The Challenge: In the comment section tell me why you appreciate handmade cards or gifts. (comments are set to approval by me, but I will get them posted as soon as I can!)

The Reward: 7 of my finished cards (of my choice).

Time Frame: Until Next Thursday (Feb 12th, 2015) at 12:00 CST

How to Win: Next Thursday I will use a random number generator to choose the winner.

Restrictions: Continental US only. 1 entry per person.

Can't wait to see what you have to say!

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Details:

Stamps: Work of Art, Gorgeous Grunge, Serene Silhouettes, Loving Thoughts (retired)

Paper: Early Espresso, Whisper White, Marina Mist

Paper Size: A2 4.25" x 5.5"

Ink: Early Espresso, Baked Brown Sugar, Marina Mist, Hello Honey

Accessories: Big Shot, Stylish Strips Embossing Folder, Baked Brown Sugar Thick Baker's Twine

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Serene Sunset

This card stemmed straight from the DSP.  I wanted to use some of the beautiful DSP and as I sat and looked at it this is what I saw.  I decided that a sentiment was not necessary.  I can either send it with just something on the inside or add the sentiment later as it can be used for many many occasions.  I didn't want to add a bow so I just wrapped the Linen thread around it a few times.  The sun was made by punching a circle in some scratch paper and sponging through it.

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Details:

Stamps: Serene Silhouettes

Paper: Pear Pizzaz, Afternoon Picnic DSP, Crushed Curry, Very Vanilla

Paper Size: A2 4.25" x 5.5"

Ink: Pear Pizzaz, Crushed Curry

Accessories: Big Shot, Ovals Framelit, 7/6" Natural Trim, Stylish Stripes Embossing Folder, Linen Thread

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Have you checked out my Wacky Wednesday deal???

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Serene Sympathy

I had an order coming in today and when I saw this sketch I knew I had to wait for that order to come in. I had been telling myself that I did not need the Candy Dots and that I could do other things, but after seeing how others had been using them I just had to order them and they came in today, so when I saw this Sketch I knew I had to wait for my UPS man to visit. Lol

Another new thing on this order was Early Espresso embossing powder so of course I just had to use it!

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Details:

Stamps: Serene Sihouettes, Occasions Alphabet

Paper: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso Core'dinations

Paper Size: A2 4.25" x 5.5"

Ink: Versamark

Accessories: Big Shot, Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder, Oval Punch, Mosaic Punch, Candy Dots

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Have you checked out my Wacky Wednesday deal???

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Hello Dear Friend

This nice, little, simple card took over 4 days to make.  Have you ever had a card that just did not go in the any direction you thought and then it turns out better than you had pictured in the first place.  The first step was I picked out the DSP and the colors I wanted to go with that.  After I had cut the design and glued the front to the base...I did not like it.  I was going to scrap it and just let it sit on my desk.  My daughter said she loved how it started and talked me into proceeding with it.  It just sat on my desk for 2 days.  Then I pulled out my doilies for another project and set it on this card.  It fit perfect. so I punched out a 2-1/2" circle on some scratch paper and stamped the birds through it.  Then it went back to sitting on my desk for another day.  I was going through MDS looking for a certain image I wanted to cut with my ecutter when the "hello" jumped out at me as perfect for the  sentiment of this card.  I did have to do some alterations to it so it would cut how I wanted it to.  I cut some Dimensionals to fit behind the Hello and popped it up.  Then is sat on my desk for another couple days because I was so happy I did not scrap it. ;-)

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Details:

Stamps: Serene Sihouettes, My Friend

Paper: Early Espresso,  Pistachio Pudding, Venetian Romance DSP

Paper Size: A2 4.25" x 5.5"

Ink: Early Espresso

Accessories: Big Shot, Tea Lace Paper Dolies, Adorning Accents Edgleit, Adorning Accent Embossing Folder, Sizzix Eclips-MDS hello

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Have you checked out my Wacky Wednesday deal???

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Serene Tape

This card contains 2 things I have wanted to try for a while. 1.) I used tape to do the stripes.  The card idea I saw it on she used painters tape, which I did not have, so I used some vinyl duct tape that I knew would peel right off of the Card Stock. I laid the tape sticky down across the ink pad and ran my finger over it.  I then laid it on the Card Stock and rubbed my finger across it again to transfer the ink.  2.) I corner cut my framelit card stock so the layering was not so wide.  The step up is just too big for my taste.  So I cut out 2 of the Wisteria Wonder, corner cut them and filled in the 4 rounded corners.  Once I ran it through the Big Shot with an Embossing Folder you can't even tell and I have more space to show off the DSP in the background .  I love these colors!!

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Details:

Stamps: Serene Silhouettes, Express Yourself

Paper: Wisteria Wonder, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Afternoon Picnic DSP

Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Pear Pizzazz, Soft Suede

Accessories: Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, 5/8" Victoria Crochet Trim, Pretty Print Embossing Folder

Spring Flowers

I had a long list of things I had to get done today but I really, really wanted to do this sketch. So I made a deal with myself.  I worked for an hour and then I go to do one layer and so on until I got the card done. Thankfully it had a lot of layers so I also got a lot of other things done.

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Details:

Stamps: Serene Silhouettes, A Round Array

Paper: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Old Olive

Accessories: Big Shot, Delicate Designs Embossing Folder, Houndstooth Embossing Folder, Delicate Doilies Die, Basic Pearl, 7/8" Scallop Circle Punch, Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons

Blue Bird

Once in a while I get a request for a sympathy card.  I have such a struggle with these because I do not want to make them dark and dreary.  I made this card about 3 months or so ago.  I know I saw the idea somewhere but like usual I cannot remember where.  I know I had to make some changes be cause not everyone has the same as everyone else.  To do the top half I stamped the birds (with the blue one colored in with a marker) then I covered it with a cut out piece of scratch paper.  I then stamped the background stamp over top to leave the rest open.  Lots of sponging here!

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Details:

Stamps: En Francias Background, Serene Silhouettes, Thanks for Caring

Paper: Early Espresso Core, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake

Ink: Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy

Accessories: Big Shot, Wood Grain Impression Folder, Apothecary Accent Framelits, Antique Brads, 7/16" Naturals Ribbon

Birthday Case

As I was browsing through the catalog one day.  I saw something on page 121 that I am sure is a simple card in a folder.  I decided to use that layout (folder and all) and that is where the idea for this card came from.  The card opens like a usual card..in case you are wondering lol

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Details:

Stamps: Perfect Punches, Serene Silhouettes

Paper: White Whisper, Island Indigo, Gumball Green

Ink: Island Indigo, Gumball Green

Accessories: Extra Wide Oval Punch, Island Indigo 3/8"Ruffled Ribbon, Big Shot, Fancy Fan Impression Folder, Tasteful Trim Die

Cast your Burdens

Can you tell I am in a simple card making mode  I think the use of the Adorning Accents folder adds so much to a simple card.

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Details:

Stamps: Serene Silhouettes, Blessings from Heaven

Paper: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Primrose Petals

Ink: Primrose Petals

Accessories: Big Shot, 1" Circle Punch, Adorning Accents Impression Folder, Primrose Petals 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon, Windows Frame Collection Framelit, Festive Paper-Piercing Pack

Rows Of Butterflies

I very rarely get a chance to stamp on a Wednesday. My kids all have band lessons that I have to run them to and then get ready for church. Since we had a storm today that started out with freezing rain and then dropped 8" (so far) of snow, there was no band and there is no way we are going to make it to church (30 min drive in good weather) so I finished my daily chores and was allowed to stamp.  

I had a friend who had surgery today and so I wanted to make a very bright and cheerful card for her.  I love curling these butterflies and it makes it so easy with the new punch.

Details:

Stamps: Papillon Potpouri, En Francias Background, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Serene Silhouettes

Paper: Old Olive, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight

Ink: Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point

Accessories: Word Window Punch, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Impression Folder, 1/4" Daffodil Delight Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Pearls

Blessing

I have a few friends that are great blessings in my life and when I made this card I thought of how thankful I am that God put them in my life, whether they be near or far away.

The flowers were sprayed with a Champagne Mist Shimmer paint mixed with rubbing alcohol, to give it a nice subtle sparkle.

Details:

Stamps: Serene Silhouettes, Blessings from Heaven,

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler Color Collection Regals

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, Early Espresso

Accessories: Big Shot, Lacy Brocade Impression Folder, Delicate Doilies Die, Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons, Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine, Daffodil Delight Stitched Ribbon, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint / Rubbing Alcohol Spray

He will Sustain Thee

So I am trying to stock up my On-Line card store with various occasions of cards.  It seems like there are so many people I know that are going through some very tough times right now.  The best comfort I know of is to lean on God.  So there is no better way to comfort someone than with His words.

I stamped the image in the Early Espresso and used a wet q-tip to clean off the birds.  I then colored them with a marker to get them the color I wanted.  I figured blue birds were a good fit.

Details:

Stamps: Serene Silhouettes, Blessings from Heaven

Paper: Pool Party, Early Espresso, Whisper White, More Mustard Color Collection DSP-Regals

Ink: Early Espresso, Island Indigo

Accessories: Big Shot, Fancy Fan Impression Folder, Delicate Doilies Die, 1/2" Circle Punch, Linen Thread

Serene Fancy Fan

Another one of my favorite sets is Serene Silhouettes.  This can be used for feminine and masculine cards, fancy or simple.  This one I colored with the markers and then spritzed with Shimmer paint and Rubbing alcohol spray. For the banner I stamped the words and then used the die twice to shorten the banner to fit the words better.  

The background was done by combining two of the impression folders.  I used the Delicate Designs edge folder first.  I found it easier to line up the Fancy Fan folder on the top and fill in what was left.  

Details:

Stamps: Serene Silhouettes, Kindness Matters

Paper: Early Espresso, Raspberry Ripple, Whisper White, Gumball Green

Ink: Early Espresso, Raspberry Ripple, Gumball Green

Accessories: Gumball Green 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon, Rhinestones, Shimmer Paint, Big Shot,  Delicate Designs Edge Impressions Folder, Fancy Fan Impression Folder, Bitty Banners Framelits Die, Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack, Apothecary Accent Framelit Die

Serene Father's Day

Sorry about the inconsistency of my posts.  I am still dealing with some health issues and spend more time at the doctor appointments then I get to in my stamp room. I was able to spend my birthday money to buy myself some new goodies out of the new catalog.  I am always looking for quick and easy guy cards and with only one hand that works to it's full extent the easier the better! I have been requesting every year for SU to come out with piercing templates and this year they out did themselves.  We now not only have the coolest Framlets and Edglits but many of them also have matching piercing templates.  It makes it soooo much more simple than turn, pierce, adjust, pierce.  Now all I have to do is line it up and I have two options; inside pierce or outside pierce.....or both-which is what I did here.  Sorry the image is stamped on Whisper White but my lighting would not co-operate.


If you have not seen or used the new ink pads it is a MUST!  I am trying to adjust my budget to be able to replace all of my old ones with the new.  I have only had them a few short weeks and I already find myself drawn towards only using the new one....and the black is WONDERFUL!!!  The image is so much easier to ink up and so much crisper.  I tended to stay away from the solid images since I hard issues getting a crisp image, that will not be a problem any longer.


This card will be going out to my father and father-in-law tomorrow.  Don't forget to mail those cards to those special men in your life!

Details:

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Serene Silhouettes

Paper: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Regals DSP, Early Espresso, Whisper White

Ink: Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy

Accessories: Apothecary Accent Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Early Espresso Baker's Twine