It has been forever since I've participated in an online card challenge!  I recently found Make the Cards Challenge site and so here I am inspired to create a fancy fold card.  My card has lots going on with it, so I've broken it into three segments.

I'm not sure what to call this fold but I have made it in the past.  I especially like using double sided papers for the front panel that is a fold over, and I really especially like mixing patterns using a 6x6 Paper Pack (Honey Bee) and paper and ribbon from A Muse Studio!  Double rows of diecut scallops (A Muse Studio) and a narrow strip of glitter paper adds a more elegance.

I guess I could call this "a fold within a fold" because the little ATC size focal image (SU) is actually a tiny pocket card!  

Here it is opened showing two pockets for tuck-ins.  Two punched hearts using glitter paper embellish the left pocket and the right pocket holds a gift card.  A hand written note can be tucked into the left pocket.

The inside is normally where I stamp a sentiment, but I had these Stampendous stamps in my stash and wanted to use them here.  No coloring of the image other than using a Quickie Glue Pen and Stampendous glitter on the veil.  The Mr. & Mrs. sentiment was heat embossed with Versafine Ink and Stampendous Silver Embossing Powder.  I edged the diecut circle in Delicata Silvery Shimmer and added A Muse Studio Silver Gems.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

LYN

 I am so excited about a stamping technique that I saw on YouTube recently!  Creative Treehouse calls it Split 4 Stamping Technique ​but I couldn't remember it and my technique is just a tiny bit different.  I liked it so much, I've made 15 cards in no time.

To begin, score an 8-1/2 x 11 inch white cardstock (I used Hammermill Color, Copy, Cover) at 5-1/2 inch and 4-1/4 inch.  Gather botanical stamps you'll be using (SU) and a variety of inks (Distress Cubes).  Ink and spritz the stamp with the first ink color and stamp from the center out.  Repeat in all 3 quadrants.  Choose another stamp and ink and spritz and stamp/overlap next to the first stamped image.  Repeat the process until you are satisfied with the result.  I like to extend into the white space quite a bit.  Cut apart at the scored lines to create 4 card fronts!  Affix onto cardstock and stamp as desired.  Be sure to turn the image for the best orientation prior to stamping a sentiment.

My examples below were put back together after the cards were completed for a better understanding of the stamping process.

Notice the majority of the stamping starts at the center and extends out.  The 4 finished cards with an added perforated border are shown below.

The next set is the exact same procedure showing the full sheet of stamping and the finished cards.  Again, the cards were finished and reassembled to show the stamping patterns.

In this set, I dropped the inkpad onto one of the squares and had to trash it, but I showed it anyway for the full visual.

And here's the final set!  I cut the scored panels down to 5-1/4 x 4 inches and added a colored panel.

Tell you what, it was fun digging through my "old" wood sentiment stamps and actually stamping with them!  I had to practice on scrap paper to make sure they stamped well after sitting in a drawer for years.

What a great technique for bulk stamping projects.  I sure do hope you give this a try!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

LYN

​After recently learning about Cyanotype Printing (see my blog post HERE), I became intrigued by a second technique of this process called "Wet" Cyanotype Printing.  There are so many unknown possibilities with wet cyanotype and I couldn't wait to try this technique.

Gathering up some weeds and wild flowers with no particular plan is really a fun component of this printing process.  I had previously painted several sheets of watercolor papers with the special print solution and placed them in an area that was fairly dark to dry.  (Under a bed is a great place for a dark environment away from UV light.  I laid a 55 gallon bag down to protect the carpet from the wet papers.)  Once the plant materials are arranged, the magic to this process is to leave it in the sun to "do its thing."  

This first piece is about 8x11 size.  ​I am fascinated by the uneven greens and blues in the background!  You don't know what the results are until you decide it is done and rinse off the solution under water.

The next piece is about 5x7 in size and I really like the result!

Because I've always loved backgrounds, wet cyanotype printing appeals to me in exciting ways.  I can't wait to continue experimenting!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

LYN

I enjoy creating a special and unique birthday card for my brother every year and, since he is an avid golfer, I grabbed a Riley golf stamp from my extensive stash of Riley images.  It's been awhile since I've made a cute card and I was looking forward to creating a perfect card for my brother.

I began by using a 6x6 paper pad (Honey Bee Great Outdoors) for my masculine patterns.  The background of the card was created by layering lots of mismatched patterns.  I had stamped Riley several times (Versafine Onyx Black ink) on white cardstock (Hammermill Cover, Copy, Color) just to have him available for other card making sessions.  I knew I would use color pencils (Prisma) and Mineral Spirits (Gamsol) to color him.  Here's a link to working with this super cool and easy coloring technique.

There is another inside of the card that was stamped with Happy Birthday.  So fun, right?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

LYN

A subtitle to this card could be "The Making of a Two Hour CAS Card!"

​Ever struggle with designing a card that is not quite coming together but parts of it are worth sticking with it?  Well, that is today's card for me!  After several design attempts, I finally landed it.  How did I know?  My subconscious just said "there it is" and I knew my struggle was over. 

​Mind you, I wasn't tortured by this card at all but rather challenged by it because I knew I could achieve a look that pleased me if I kept at it.  Thankfully, not every card presents similar challenges, but by sticking with it and not having anything else in particular to do today, I was okay figuring it out.

There are a couple of nifty design elements to this card.  The scored horizontal lines and the dimensional diecut rose.  The next photo shows the cool layering of the rose.  I simply diecut about 6 additional roses on white cardstock and glued them all together.  The rose and sentiment are from Stampendous (discontinued).  Rose is water colored and embellished with glitter.  Sentiment is Gold Embossed (Stampendous).

Nothing makes me happier than to paint something that reminds me of my Florida life!  It is a 5x7 size that will most likely end up as an 8x10 when framed.  I want to paint more of this scene on a larger scale!