Symbiosis

Isn't that a gorgeous word? It just rolls right off the tongue. I like to apply it in my crafting world as mixing SU product with other brands in a mutually beneficial relationship and today's first card is an example of that.

Materials used:

• stamps - Abstract Impressions, You Matter (Simon Says Stamp)
• card - whisper white, daffodil delight, basic black
• inks - daffodil delight, crushed curry, granny apple green, Tuxedo black
• other - SSS die, stitched scallop edge die (unknown origin), two-way glue pen, sponge, striped decorative mask, glitter epoxy shapes

I particularly love those roses in yellow, so cheerful. I cut two of the 'you' die and layered them for extra depth.

Here's another mutually beneficial relationship - it's My Favorite Things' mini cloud stencil paired with SU's Enjoy Life.

Materials used:

• stamps - Enjoy Life
• card - balmy blue, basic black, whisper white
• other - MFT mini cloud stencil, sponge, sponge daubers, Stamparatus, mounting tape

The next two cards are completely SU product but they are also wonderful pairings of products (in my humble opinion!).

Here's the gorgeous Serene Garden; a departure from my usual style, this set nonetheless caught my attention on my first browse through the new catalogue back in April and I finally succumbed to its allure.

Materials used:

• stamps - Serene Garden
• card - whisper white, pool party
• other - markers, Stampin' Blends, Dimensionals, mounting tape, Big Shot embossing mat, Garden Scene framelits, Big Shot

Another new item in the catalogue that caught my eye instantly is the Tufted embossing folder and I've finally managed to use it on this last card we'll be making at our next class. I absolutely love the combination of Bermuda bay and calypso coral.

This card has plenty of subtle shimmer - rather than spraying my card with water before deep embossing, I used shimmer mist instead and also added some clear Wink of Stella to the flowers. Don't recognise the lovely stitched die cut the flowers are on? It's a brand new item available to demos only this month but for everyone in August. 

Materials used:

• Itty Bitty Greetings, Love What You Do
• card - whisper white, Bermuda bay
• other - tufted embossing folder, shimmer mist, clear Wink of Stella, Big Shot, Bermuda bay and calypso coral ribbons, Stitched Seasons framelits, word window punch, Dimensionals, mounting tape, Stampin' Blends

We don't usually make four cards but we'll be missing a class in August (as I'll be away) so I thought I'd treat my ladies. They are all so supportive and enthusiastic and I'm very lucky to have such a wonderful group to craft with and for.

Thanks for dropping by.

Cheers

Kez

The Bold and the Beautiful

Haha, no, today's post isn't about a TV soap opera - I have two cards for you; one is bold and the other ... yeah, you know what I'm saying.

Here's the bold:

Materials used:

• stamps - none
• card - basic black, whisper white, Graceful Glass designer vellum
• other - 2018-2020 in colour markers, mounting tape

And here's the beautiful. The inspiration for this came from a YouTube video I was watching, plus I've been thinking for a while now that my detailed floral thinlits were definitely underutilised. You could say it was serendipitous!

How adorable does that die look in the multi colours? I'm loving it. DH and DD both love this one too - DH even complimented my colour blending - hold the phone! Lol.

Materials used:

• stamps - Love What You Do
• card - whisper white, acetate
• other - distress oxide inks, detailed floral thinlits, Big Shot, blender tool, precision base plate, Big Shot die brush, fine tip glue, polka dot tulle ribbon, stitched oval die

And don't you love the cute polka dot tulle ribbon? Me too. It's another newbie coming in the 2018 annual catalogue, so you haven't long to wait until you too can get your mitts on some.

Thanks for calling in.

Cheers
Kez

A Friend Like You

Another very simple card for you today and once again I've used the Love What You Do stamp set, a newbie that's coming in the 2018 annual catalogue.

Here I've used distress oxide ink for my background (I'm sure that will come as no surprise) and then the flowers were simply 'painted with water'. This, of course, begins the oxidisation process that lightens the ink and you get this lovely tone-on-tone effect. Simples! (as the little meerkat says in the TV ad, lol)

Materials used:

• stamps - Love What You Do
• card - whisper white, basic black
• other - white embossing powder, heat tool, aqua painter, mounting tape, embossing buddy, paper towel

Thanks for dropping by.

Cheers

Kez

Beautiful Day

You could probably count on the fingers of one hand how often I've posted a card as simple as todays.  But, you know, the old adage 'less is more' is often right and it certainly is with this card. It began as a desire to use some of the new in colours for 2018-2020 and although I originally intended to add some dsp, once I got this far I knew instinctively that nothing else was needed.

And I love it. It's definitely simple but it's also bright and cheerful and reminds me that in every day there is beauty of one kind or another. Today's beauty was in helping my very stressed uni student daughter organise a few things so she could be in a better frame of mind to work on all her assignments.

I stamped the flower and sentiment first, colouring using a blender pen and Lovely Lipstick ink, then went over the petals with a Versamark pen and clear embossed. This ensured the flowers would keep their colour when I sponged using Pineapple Punch ink.

Materials used:

• stamps - Love What You Do
• card - whisper white
• other - mounting tape, blender pen, sponge

I hope you found some beauty in your day today. Thanks for stopping by.

Cheers
Kez