Merci Beaucoup

Hi everyone!  What a lovely response to yesterday's news!  I had so many emails asking about where to purchase the new project book.  It will be shipping to the stockists that order it beginning today so hopefully you will be able to find it in just a few days!  For today's card, a favourite buckle card ( you know how I love making these!)  Labels 20 is a perfect shape to use for a buckle card too.  First I stamped the matching JustRite stamps (from the Kindness set) on to red card using a black archival ink pad.  I stamped one of the largest stamps and two of the smaller sized stamps and cut them out with the matching dies.  I used a circle die to cut the centres out of each of them.  I then stamped the smallest stamp from the Fleur de lis JustRite set on white card with a black archival pad.  I cut a long white strip and matted it with a black piece and cut the ends into forks.  I pierced the sides of the black mat on my strip for a nice accent. I added black Nestabling to the largest label shape.   Laying the three labels 20 pieces in a row, I wove the strip through them so it holds them together.  I used a bit of mounting foam on the back to hold them all into place.  I added my white sentiment piece to the centre going in the opposite orientation.  I embossed a white background using the elusive Tied Together folder and extended it to make it slightly larger.  I put 3mm black pearls at all the intersections in the background.

I added a few small black swirls in the upper and lower corners for accents.  I matted the card with some red and black card to help frame it before finishing with my pierced white layers.  I think this one would work well for those hard to craft for men, what do you think?  All for now, Sue x

Especially For You

Good morning bloggers!  I just can't wait any longer to spill the beans.   For the past several months, I have been busy working on a side project that I have had to keep under wraps.   I am just too impatient to wait any longer!  Creative Expressions has put together an amazing project book in which I have been involved.  The project book showcases the work of some of the people that demonstrate for them, on the design team, their in house designer and the crafty sales team.  There are 21 projects, all described in full detail, ranging in styles and crafting levels in the book.  These projects will not be shown on blogs, shows or at conventions as they are exclusive to the project book.  I have eight projects in the first issue.  It will be available quarterly, with the first issue due out very soon.  I have only seen the finished version through email jpegs, but it is stunning!  I can't wait to see the actual finished version in person.  You will be able to purchase it at any of the Creative Expressions stockists soon.  The suggested retail is £4.99

 

Today's card features several of the Heartfelt Creation dies.  I have done this one in milk and blush coloured card (in case the monitor's colours are off a bit)  I started by embossing the background with the CE folder called Crackle.  I just did a piece the width of the folder and matted it with blush card.  I stamped the Heartfelt Creations window stamp (called Grand Portals)using Tattered Rose Distress ink.  I used the Chateau Gate die to cut it out.  Once cut, I stamped the opposite side of the die cut so there would be a pattern on my windows showing when they were opened also.  On a separate piece of milk card, I stamped the Heartfelt Creations stamp called Doorway Trimmings to give me the scene behind the window.  I stamped it in coffee archival ink and added just a hint of tattered rose using a paintbrush as an accent. You can see this a bit better in the close up below.  I covered the entire scene with a sticky adhesive sheet, cut around the shape and then peeled the backing paper off and micro beaded it for texture.  I glued my window over it and attached it to the centre of my embossed piece.  Next I cut one of the Heartfelt Decorative lace borders out of milk coloured card.  I cut the border so that I could layer it and add some blush card too.  I mounted the blush card behind the lattice portion then raised it with mounting foam and used the scalloped section upwards so it looks a bit like a fence below my window.  I made three flowers, one from blush card and two from milk card using the Bitty Blossoms die set.  I cut one of the swirls from the Bella Rose set and used pieces of it as an accent below my flowers.  I stamped my sentiment and cut it out from the Fancy Tags two set.  I skewed my sentiment to one end, then nipped off the other end to create a tag to hang from my floral element.  I pierced the edges to complete my card and give it a nice frame.

You could easily hide your sentiment behind the window if you would like a nice surprise for your recipient too.  It is a very versatile die set! 

If you would like more information about the new Creative Expressions project book, feel free to email me at americansue1@gmail.com (or if you just have any questions in general too!)  All for now, Sue x

Poetry In Kindness

Hello bloggers!  I hope everyone had a nice relaxing weekend.  Another Labels 20 card today.  I used the largest size in the set to cut an aperture in my milk coloured card.  While the die was still in place, I embossed it using the Mystic embossing folder while it was open so as not to cut into the folder.  I lined up the pattern and extended it to create a larger background for my card.  I picked a decorative paper with a neutral floral pattern and covered it with a sticky adhesive sheet.  I peeled the backing paper off and micro beaded it for a fun textured look.  I mounted my aperture over my micro beaded background using mounting foam for dimension.  I stamped the labels 20 stamp from the Justrite Kindness collection and cut it out with the matching die.  I added pearl Nestabling to the edge to accent it.  I stamped my sentiment and cut it out using the heart circles and inked it with Antique Linen while still in the die.  Once I removed the die, I used a bit of Black Soot around the very edge of it and mounted it in the centre of my focal element.  I tied a large double bow using black silky crush ribbon.  I added two pearl stick pins and a fancy button (from my craft stash).  I added a pearl swirl from the edge of the aperture radiating downward to the lower corner and a smaller swirl in the opposite upper corner.  I pierced the edges of the milk coloured mat to complete my card.  I do wish that my photographic skills were a bit more keen as this one is truly lovely in person.  All for now, Sue x

Blue Peace

Happy Sunday morning (and Veteran's Day in the US).  Today's card was a complete experiment on my part, very unlike anything I have ever posted.  You may love it or you may hate it, not sure which way this one will go, but I enjoyed making it and thought I would throw it out there (be gentle!)  I started with a piece of dark blue card.  I stamped my sentiment using a clear perfect medium pad and then heat embossed it with white powder.  Next I put the entire piece in the Couture Creations Bauble Tree embossing folder and lined it up to the side of my sentiment.  I ran it through my GC to get a positive impression with the tree.  Using a snow cap Adirondack dabber, I lightly swiped over the tree, catching the top of the embossing, and I carried it across in sweeping lines across the background.  I did this from the top to the bottom of my tree.  I wanted a bit of a contrast so I used a Chipped Sapphire distress ink also.  Using the ink direct from the side edge of the pad, I added a few swipes with it also for contrast.  It sort of looked like a pretty decorated tree in the middle of a snow storm when I finished. LOL   In the upper corner, I added one of the dies from the Create a Flake cut out of white glitter card.  I love the way this die looks more like a star than a snowflake.  I thought it was perfect for the corner.  I did a bit of edge distressing with the blade of my scissors and then inked the edges lightly with Chipped Sapphire to give it more of a framed look.  I matted it on white for contrast and pierced the inner mat edge to finish it off.  This was a really quickie Christmas card (and nice if you like getting a tad messy too!) LOL

It is Sunday once again and also time for the winners of the Comment game to be announced.  At least I am not a day ahead of myself this week!  The winners are:

Liz Kervill!!!

Fluffycat!!!

Abuzz With Creativity (Clare)!!!

 

Congratulations!  Please email me at americansue1@gmail.com to confirm your address and claim your prize!    Just a little teaser, I have some exciting news to announce sometime this coming week so be sure to check in every day!  All for now, Sue x

 

Fleur De Lis Thank You

 Morning bloggers!  I was going for a sort of shabby chic/vintage look with this one.  This was the first card that I made with the JustRite matching stamps and I just was having so much fun stamping and layering them!  It opens up a whole new dimension to your cards when you have a stamp that matches your die.  (I am not sure I can go back to just using a die without a matching stamp now!) It is especially useful when you don't have any decorative paper that works for what you may have in mind.  I stamped each of these just in black archival ink on coloured card.  For the largest label shape, I added a matching black rhinestone Nestabling and made a "faux nestie" by drawing around the actual die and cutting it by hand.  This is a great way to get a mat when you have used the largest size of your die set.  You can easily sand the rough spots with an emery board or fine sandpaper too.  The smallest Labels 20 was stamped on taupe card and then the sentiment was stamped in the opening.  I added some Vintage Lace borders, in taupe and aqua, to opposite corners and used some black rhinestones to accent them.  I actually did a bit of sewing around the edges (that's my shabby chic look).  I tied a double bow from the black silky crush ribbon and added a fancy button from my stash and a couple of crystal stick pins.  A little swirl of black rhinestones in the other corner for balance and it provided the finishing touch.  I hope you like it.  All for now, Sue x

Warm Winter Wishes

Hello all!  I found another card that I made using my taupe, soft gold and black combo (I did warn you that there were quite a few of them!)  I caught just a bit of the light on the far side so you can actually see the sheen from the soft gold this time!  (Couldn't have done that if I tried, mind you! LOL)  Although I still don't think this photo does this card justice.  I used vellum again to emboss the Holiday Magic embossibility, then layered it atop my taupe card.  I matted it on to black card, then left a large border of the soft gold card showing.  Using the Cosmic Shimmer black PVA dots, I gave my card a paved pearl border.  I just love the random sizes of the dots done this way.  For my focal element, I cut the Holly Motif out of black card and soft gold card, offset them and layered them up.  I stamped my sentiment on taupe card and cut it out with the Holly Motif die as well.  I inked it while in the die with a light inking of Black Soot Distress ink to give it a sort of smokey look.  I took it out of the die and nipped away all but the very centre area and layered it in the centre with mounting foam for dimension.  The final touches were two black borders from the Frosty Forms set that I added to the top and bottom of my card for interest.  I love those borders, so versatile for any time of year.  Not very traditional, but I think you may almost expect that from me by now! LOL  All for now, Sue x

Silky Crush Flowers

 Hi bloggers!  You know that I love using flowers on cards, but sometimes they can take so much time and quite a bit of card or felt to make.  The flowers on today's card are the perfect alternative since you use your left over little bits of ribbon.  When I say little bits, I mean it too.  Less than an inch will do it!  I probably over did them a bit, but I got carried away making them and just wanted to use them all!  So the card is a true cascade of flowers.  First thing I did though was to cover my background with a sticky sheet of adhesive and micro bead it for texture.  You can see them better in the close up pics below.  Next I cut the largest size of Labels 20 out of milk coloured card.  I embossed it with the Mystic embossibility to give it a nice pattern. I used some Antique Linen ink to distress it a bit and then added the matching pearl Nestabling to the edge.  I stamped the Justrite Fleur de Lis Labels 20 stamp using Tea Dye Distress ink.  I didn't want it to be a real solid image so I used a distress ink rather than a permanent Archival type ink for this.  I stamped the sentiment in the centre afterwards and cut it out with the matching Labels 20 die.  I added it to the centre of my focal element using mounting foam.  Next came the flowers (all the flowers!)  Using of champagne silky crush ribbon, I handcut small circles out of it.  You can use either two circles or three circles of varying sizes to make your flowers.  Hold them in the centre with a pokey tool on a heatproof craft mat.  using your heat tool in short bursts (move it in and then away quickly), melt the edges of the ribbon.  You will very quickly and others may take a few bursts to do all the edges.  I used Cosmic Shimmer glue in the centre of each of the pieces, then put a stick pin through them until they dried.  Once dry, I added a flatback pearl to the middle of each of them and then used glue dots to put them onto my card.  When I was happy with the arrangement, I added a bit of CS glue under each of them to make sure they stayed securely to the micro beaded background.  I pierced the edges and added some pearl swirls as accents.  I had a nice time making a card I really liked and using up some of those leftover bits of ribbon I always have!  All for now, Sue x

With Gratitude

Morning all!  I know this is more like a card for the spring, but I hear the weather has been a bit dull lately so I thought a bright cheery card was in order for today.  I started by embossing some vellum with the Creative Expressions Flourish embossing folder.  I wanted it to be a bit lighter looking than if I just embossed white card.  I glued the embossed vellum to a piece of white card and matted it with a pale lavender-ish pink paper.  I used the same shade of paper to cut the Heartfelt Creations Scalloped Posy die.  I cut one side, then lined it up with an inch gap and cut it again, creating a decorative oval background for my focal element.  I layered a Labels 18 cut from white card.  I stamped the Iris from the Heartfelt Dutch Iris set.  It's not often that I actually do any colouring, but I love this Iris stamp so I really enjoyed it.  I used both coloured pencils and some Copic markers on it.  I cut the Iris out with the matching Heartfelt die, but I cut the leaves out by hand.  I added my flower to the centre with some mounting foam.  I tied a messy bow from white seam binding and added a frosted lavender Dazzler to the centre as an accent.  I stamped my sentiment on white card and cut it out using one of the tags from Fancy Tags two, but I kept my sentiment closer to one side of the tag when I cut it.  I used my paper cutter and cut the other decorative side off of the tag.  I put the tag back in the die and inked it for definition.  I tucked the end of the tag under my Dazzler.  I created two matching side borders using the scalloped edgeability edges and insert.  I cut one in white using the edge and the insert, then cut a coordinating piece using just the edge out of the same lavender-pink paper.  I matted the two pieces then mounted them upwards using foam pieces.  I pierced the edges to complete the card.  I hope this one puts a bit of spring into your winter day!  All for now, Sue x

Happiness

 Hi bloggers!  Today's card is actually a remake of an old card that I originally made in pink and grey.  The card was lost (or rather permanently misplaced!) but I really liked it and wanted to show it for my last set of shows.  I decided that it would be fun to re-do the card with some minor changes but in a totally different colour scheme.  I chose a vintage brown palette for the newer version.  I was very pleased with the outcome.  I stamped my sentiment on decorative paper using a coffee archival pad.  I used the corner from the Heartfelt Butterfly border set and cut it four times to create a frame for the sentiment.  The corners will link together nicely since they have "holding hands" on each side.  I made three of the Bitty Blossoms in differing sizes out of decorative paper and added a few leaves.  I used a couple of different decorative papers for the background and added some cream guipure lace as an accent.  In the upper corner, I cut a couple of butterflies out of different papers and stacked them atop each other.  Three flatback pearls were added to the body as an accent.  I finished the card with some Cosmic Shimmer PVA glue dots in Choco brown to give the card a real vintage feel.  If you recall the original, let me know which you prefer.  All for now, Sue x

Elegant Fronds

Morning all!  I was so hoping to get to demo this one for you at some point, but since the embossing folder, the background stamp, the Justrite stamps and the label shape sold out, it wasn't to be.  This card is a nice example of the fun you can have with large patterned stamps.  I have used the Elegant Fronds for this one.  I started by inking a piece of Coconut white card with several colours of Distress ink.  I used  Shutters, Tumbled Glass and Bundled Sage and randomly applied them with a piece of cut 'n dry foam, overlapping  and blending them.  Once I was satisfied with the coverage, I made sure that it was good and dry, using both a heat tool and then an antic static pad to remove any moisture.  This is very important for this technique and remember that Distress inks will stay wet quite a while too.  Next I stamped my Elegant Fronds using a clear Perfect Medium over my inked card.  I heat embossed with clear powder.  Using the Stormy Sky distress ink from the pad, I rubbed it into all the non embossed areas to bring out the pattern.  I cut out a frame using the largest 20 die and then skipping a size so the frame was a bit wider to show off the pattern.  I mounted it on foam pieces.  Next I stamped the Fleur de lis labels 20 stamp by JustRite designs on white card using a clear perfect medium pad.  I heat embossed it with white powder.  I stamped the sentiment in the centre with a Cobalt Blue Archival pad.  I mounted my frame over this piece, lining it up to show off the design.  Next I embossed my background using the Tied Together embossing folder.  I extended the pattern for a larger area.  I tied a double bow from the aqua silky crush ribbon.  Using the largest flower in the Bitty Blossoms set, I made a beaded flower by adhering a sticky sheet to my white card prior to cutting.  By peeling back a small section of the backing paper then beading it, you are sure to not only get good coverage, but keep it from sticking to itself too.  I seated my flower in the centre of my bow with a sticky glue dot.  I not only added a pearl to the centre of my flower, but placed one at every junction in the embossed background.  I matted the entire piece on blue card, then did a double white pierced mat to finish it off.  Think about all the fun colour combos you can try with this technique!  All for now, Sue x

My Trip To Savannah

Hi bloggers!  I have been trying to get these pics uploaded with one of my blog posts for a couple of days, but I finally decided to just make them a separate post.   Many of you that have been reading the blog for some time will know that my Dad was stationed in Molesworth England during WWII.  He was part of the Eighth Air Force, a LT. Colonel in the 303rd bomb group.  My other half and I took a drive up to the Savannah, Georgia area (Pooler, GA. to be exact) to visit the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum last week.  This is a picture (this is actually a postcard) of the building, as you can see it is quite a large museum (larger than I had expected).  This is a postcard picture of the rotunda entrance to the museum.  Around the room are the flags with all the insignias from all the bomb squads within the Eighth Air Force.

 

This is the flag from my Dad's group.  The triangle "C" was on all the 303rd's planes.  "Might in Flight" was their motto.

This was a large wall as you entered the museum exhibits.

In the outside gardens, there was a large 6 ft. monument to the 303rd bomb group with both My Fathers and my Mothers names on it (Edgar C. Miller and Jill Miller) so that was exciting for me to see!  Both of my parents were active in the 303 Bomb Group Association.   The picture to the right is the front of the monument.  You can see the triangle C as well as several of the other insignias for the other bomb groups. 

This was especially interesting for me to see as it was a large diorama of an airstrip that was used in the war.  There is very little left of this strip today and I know it well because it is directly behind my home in Northhamptonshire.  We walk our dog up there every day!  Evidently, this strip was used quite a bit back in the war for planes that couldn't make it all the way back to their home landing strip for one reason or another.  Today it is only used for microlights to take off and land.  None of the buildings still remain.

Another postcard pic showing the outside gardens and reflecting pool.  My Dad's monument is in the lower corner of the postcard.  The gardens are full of plaques and benches and walls with memorials to those servicemen that didn't make it back, but will forever be remembered for their sacrifice.  It took us about four hours to go through the museum and read all the exhibits.  It was an amazing and emotional day for me as I have been trying to get up to the museum for a few years now.

On a lighter note, I just had to share this with you.  We also visited the downtown Savannah, GA. Historical District while we were there.  I got a great big laugh when I came across these two souvenir shops there.  Bob's Your Uncle....

And Fannie's Your Aunt!!

How's that for putting a smile on your face!

Thanks for letting me share.  All for now, Sue x

Be Merry

Good morning everyone!  It seems that I got a bit ahead of myself and was thinking that yesterday was Sunday.  I knew that taking a trip midweek would mess up my sense of time (or rather, lack thereof!)  If you are checking in to see if your name was drawn for the Comment Game, just scroll down to yesterday's post to check.  I promise to get back on schedule for next week (just chalk it up to old age!  That's my story and I sticking with it! LOL)  Another one of those neutral coloured Christmas cards for today's post. I had a bit of fun with this one as I decided that the paved pearl technique need not only be used as a border.  How about as an ornament decoration?  I embossed a piece of taupe card with the Holiday Magic Embossibility folder.  I used the Heirloom Ornament 2010 and cut an aperture in the centre of my background.  I used the same ornament plus the next size up to cut an ornament frame.  While still in the die, I inked it with clear perfect Medium using a piece of cut 'n dry foam.  I clear embossed it to give it a shiny textured look.  I mounted it on foam pieces above the aperture in the background.  I matted this piece with milk card so it showed behind the bauble.  Then I matted the entire piece with a thin mat of black to define it.  I picked some patterned paper (Teresa Collins design) and gave the whole piece a wider mat. Then matted the entire piece in black and pierced the inner mat layer.  I stamped my sentiment then cut the end into a fork and matted it with a matching black forked mat.  I tucked the edge of the sentiment under the tip of my ornament (just something a bit different).  I added a double bow tied from silky crush ribbon and a fancy button from my stash.  The last step was the pearl dots.  Those were done with the Cosmic Shimmer pearl PVA glue.  I randomly added different sized glue dots filling in the open space from the ornament.  I set it aside to dry overnight.  Whether you like it or it's not to your taste, you may just want to have a go at something similar and that is what I love about this card.  Hopefully it will be fun for you too  All for now, Sue x