Coloring with Pastels: Spellbinders Floating Feathers Stamp Set and Chilled Pastels by Jane Davenport

One of my favorite things about craft supplies is how darned PRETTY they are.  This probably explains the growing hoard stash of supplies in my craft room... I just can't resist gorgeous paints, papers, ribbons... and the list goes on.  One medium I'm not overly familiar with is pastels... although I've seen beautiful pieces of art created with pastels, they're a product I hadn't tried.  When Spellbinders asked me if I would like to try a new coloring medium from Jane Davenport, I jumped at the chance to try the Chilled Palette Pastels.  I couldn't get over how gorgeous the colors were, and I just love how they are packaged like an eyeshadow palette!  All of the coloring on my card project today was achieved by using just this palette and sponge daubers, and I am so thrilled with the soft, ethereal results.  

This was one instance where I was actually happy I didn't know any "rules" about using pastels, because I just started playing.  And I am hooked, particularly when it comes to how easy it was to make the most gorgeous backgrounds using pastels.  Some of you might know that I am severely impaired when it comes to ink blending... it is such a struggle for me to make backgrounds without streaks, smudges, and overall inconsistent results.  To make the background on my project today, I was aiming for a soft, sky-like look.  To achieve this, I used Bristol Smooth cardstock and a sponge dauber... I simply used the dauber to apply soft swirls of color all over my card base.  And let me tell you... it was almost impossible to make a mistake doing this.  The colors blended effortlessly and seamlessly.  It could not have been easier!  

I then created some pretty feathers using the Jane Davenport Floating Feathers stamp set, heat embossing the images in white on vellum.  I colored on the back of the feathers with some pastel crayons to give them some color.  I used one of my favorite Spellbinders floral die sets to create some flowers and leaves, coloring them again with sponge daubers and shades from the Chilled palette.  So pretty and so easy!  

I finished the card with a sentiment from Spellbinders Happy Expressions stamp and die set and some gems and sequins for some sparkle and interest.  I seriously cannot wait to create more backgrounds with these gorgeous pastels... if you struggle with ink blending like I do, I urge you to give this a try.  I promise you won't be disappointed!  

I hope you enjoyed this project!  Links to the products I used are below.  I participate in the Spellbinders affiliate program, which means that I receive a small commission from purchases made via the links I share.  Thank you so much for your support!  

Teacher Thank You Notecards with Pinkfresh Studios April Release Dies

In my book, it is never too early to start those end-of-the-year teachers gifts.  These always sneak up on me and I spend a week frantically trying to create last-minute gifts or notecard sets.  Not this year, if I can help it!  Pinkfresh Studios' April release was full of gorgeous dies, and there is no easier way to create cards with dimension and impact than using beautiful dies... they do all the work for you!

I made four different notecards for this set, taking my inspiration from a beautiful grosgrain ribbon I found in my stash and some chartreuse polka dotted paper.  My first card used Pinkfresh's Jar Full of Hearts die.  I created a small shaker using the die, layering up 4 layers of die cuts and doing some simple Copic coloring on the jar and hearts.  I stamped my sentiment from Pinkfresh's Hanging Florals stamp set, did some quick stitching around the panel, and layered some of the patterned paper and ribbon to finish.

For my second card, I used the new Partial Cut Bouquet and a Bow dies.  This card was so simple... I simply cut a two different layers of the blooms and did some simple Copic coloring.  I cut my bow from hot pink patterned paper and stamped my sentiment from Pinkfresh's Say It With Florals stamp set.  I added some stitching around the panel and some little cupped flower sequins for some added sparkle.  I layered the panel on top of coordinating cardstock added some of the ribbon.

For my third card, I used Pinkfresh's new Leafy Wreaths die set.  I cut the wreath out of the chartreuse patterned paper, and cut an additional layer out of light pink cardstock to layer underneath.  I stamped my sentiment and added some cupped flower sequins, some clear gems, and some Nuvo drops for some added interest.  I finished this card with some simple stitching and more paper and ribbon layering.

My last card again uses the Partial Cut Bouquet and a Bow dies.  This time, I created a panel with a center circle and layered bunches of the little blooms underneath.  I cut the bow from wool felt and layered the panel on top of more colored cardstock and ribbon to finish.

These cards are intended for a dear school nurse who is retiring after many years of selfless service to our school district... she will be missed indeed.  I hope these cards bring a smile to her face.  They came together so quickly, but pack so much punch due to the beauty and intricacy of the dies.

I hope you enjoyed these projects.  I'd love to hear which of these cards is your favorite... I need to make one more to complete the set but I can't decide which one I am going to duplicate!  :)

Celebrating our Veterans: Simon Says Stamp American Flag Stencil Shaker Card

Simon Says Stamp has an incredible new Celebrate You release, and I was so happy to be able to create this project with their new American Flag stencil.  This card was created with our veterans in mind; I have beloved family members who have served in our military, so this card is quite meaningful for me!

This stencil made it so easy to create this card.  I used traditional red and blue inks with the stencil to create the flag.  I then stamped a bold "Thank You" sentiment from Simon's Thank You Flowers stamp set in black ink, and again used the stencil and Hero Arts Unicorn pigment ink to create the stars in the flag.

To make the shaker portion of the card, I wanted to create a fireworks scene for some sparkle.  I don't have any fireworks stamps (how can this be?), so I found some fireworks clip art and printed it out on a laser transparency.  I then ran it through my Minc machine with some gold foil.  I created the frame with Hero Arts' Postage Stamps Nesting Dies, cutting out the interior with a standard rectangle die.  I added some gold stitching around the perimeter.

I assembled the shaker using some foam tape and filled it with Pretty Pink Posh star confetti.  This was such a pleasure to make... we are going to send this one to our favorite brother in-law/uncle who has served tours all over the world in the U.S. Army, including two in Iraq.  What a joy it was to make this card for him!

I hope you enjoyed this project!  This new release celebrates so many different people in our lives... it is just fantastic!

Paper Stitching with Simon Says Stamp's Floral Mix Background Stamp

Have you ever seen a stamp and wondered if the stamp designer had somehow read your mind and designed a perfect stamp just for you?  This is exactly how I felt when I saw Simon Says Stamp's Floral Mix Background stamp.  But shame on me... I waited a few days to order it and much smarter crafters than I scooped it up.  So I waited (incredibly impatiently) for it to come back in stock and didn't waste any time in placing that order.  

And this stamp did not disappoint... I had such a blast making this stitched card.  I started out by stamping my image on Neenah Solar White 110 lb cardstock in Copic-friendly ink.  I colored my flowers in colors my beautiful daughter chose, and I loved her bright and happy selections.  

I knew I wanted to adhere Simon's "Lucky To Know You" sentiment in the middle of the card ad stitch around it, so I die cut one layer and adhered it to the center of my card.  It was then time to stitch.  I'm not gonna lie... this took a while.  But I love every moment of stitching these cards - it is so methodic and relaxing - that I never mind the length of the process.  I simply poked holes along the stamp lines and stitched up the outlines in coordinating thread colors.  I added some french knots in the centers of a few of the flowers for even more texture.  

To finish the card, I adhered some of my favorite Pretty Pink Posh Sparkling Clear sequins and added some black stitching around the border of the panel.  I then die cut several more layers of my sentiment die and adhered them together to create dimension, and added some Nuvo Crystal Glaze on top for some shine.  

I had such a blast making this card that I'm already hankering to make another.  I'd love to hear color suggestions if you have any!  

Thanks so much for stopping by today - if you have any questions or comments about this project, please be sure to leave them below and I'll be sure to get right back to you!