Tag Archives: An Open Heart

So hard to find the words

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One of the most difficult cards to make is a sympathy card. It needs to express something that is truly beyond words, a message spoken from one heart to another. I often choose elements from nature for a sympathy card, partly because the images are soothing, but also because nature represents the full circle of our existence.

Maui Stamper Touches of Texture Sympathy

  • Stamps: Touches of Texture, Gorgeous Grunge, An Open Heart
  • Color Palette:  Whisper White, Pear Pizazz, Sweet Sugarplum, Soft Suede, Crushed Curry
  • Accessories:  Stampin’ Write markers, Aquapainter, Sweet Sugarplum 3/8″ Ruched Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Maui Stamper Touches of Texture Sympathy

I used Stampin’ Write markers to color the leaves and the centers of the flowers, then added a lighter touch with the Aquapainter to give the blooms some depth.  I’m not a formally trained artist, and so my watercoloring is nothing more than whimsy.  I’m ok with that.

 

 

I’m gonna miss this sweet little bird

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I have a bit of a thing for birds.  It’s taken me a while to learn the ones that frequent my back yard, but I’ve made good if not perfect progress.  I love to hear them when I wake up in the morning.

Maui Stamper An Open Heart Thanks

I watercolored this fellow using my Aquapainter and watercolor paper.  He doesn’t look like any bird I’ve seen, he just makes me happy the way he is.

Maui Stamper An Open Heart Thanks

The Greetings Thinlit has sold out but last time I checked the rest of these beautiful supplies were available.  You can shop HERE.

August Already??

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What’s happened to our summer?? It’s hard to believe we’ve arrived at August FIRST!

Maui Stamper August 2015 DIY Easel Calendar

  • Stamps:  An Open Heart, Gorgeous Grunge
  • Color Palette:  Pool Party, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, So Saffron
  • Accessories:  Aquapainter, sticky-note mask

I’m back to my birds…Stampin’ Up! just can’t make enough bird images in my opinion!  I love the size and detail of this one from An Open Heart.  I didn’t have any particular species in mind when I chose my colors, I was just coloring to make myself happy.  And what could possibly be wrong with that?

Maui Stamper August 2015 DIY Easel Calendar

I’ll enjoy watching this fellow on my kitchen counter this month.

Be sure you stop by to see what Cheryl and Crystal have created this month!

Still Wild About Flowers

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Really love this set! 

Maui Stamper Wild About Flowers

  • Stamps:  Wild About Flowers, Butterfly Basics
  • Color Palette:  Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand, Tip Top Taupe, Hello Honey, So Saffron
  • Accessories:  Sweet Li’l Things DSP, Hello Honey ribbon (retired), Pearl Jewels, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Stampin’ Write markers

And I love the way Tip Top Taupe (T3) works with yellows!  I started with a T3 card base, but it was overwhelming – I switched it to Sahara Sand and liked the difference.

Maui Stamper Wild About FlowersI saw another blogger use a Stampin’ Write marker to add some depth to the flowers – I tried it, but I don’t think I have her expert technique.  It’s not bad from a distance, but I think it looks a little clunky up close.

Maui Stamper Wild About Flowers

Just for fun, I tried the same layout with the addition of Mossy Meadow – and a different flower technique.  I used a Hello Honey Stampin’ Write marker to add definition directly to the stamp after inking the image with So Saffron, then stamped onto my Very Vanilla panel.  The sentiment is from An Open Heart – love that font.

Maui Stamper Wild About FlowersWhich one do you like better?  I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Inspire.Create.Share.2014: Collage Tags

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Shhh…don’t tell…this is a Convention Swap sneak peek:

Maui Stamper An Open Heart Collage Tag Swap

 

  • Stamps:  An Open Heart, Project Life Point and Click, Project Life Day to Day, Postage Due, World Map, Gorgeous Grunge
  • Color Palette:  Naturals Ivory, Mossy Meadow, Calypso Coral, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, So Saffron, Encore Gold
  • Accessories:  Circles Framelits, Aqua Painter, Linen Thread, 3/4″ and 1/2″ circle punches, 1/4″ hand held punch, 7/8″ Cotton ribbon, 3/8″ Stitched Satin ribbon, Thick Bakers Twine, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Although there are a lot of different elements to this tag, none of them are difficult to execute.  I did fussy-cut the bird (LOVE THE BIRD) but World Cup soccer came to the rescue there.  (I’m grateful it happened when it did as it was my entertainment while I was sick for 5 days, but I’m glad it’s over.  Sheesh.  That was a lot of Futbol.)

Maui Stamper An Open Heart Collage Tag SwapI’m really excited to see the tags the other swappers have to share!  Convention is always such a great source of inspiration.

If you live – or will be visiting – Maui, I’m offering a Collage Tag class on Sunday, August 2nd from 1 to 3pm.  We’ll make this tag and two others – let me know if you’d like to join us!

 

 

A new look…and more Blackberry Bliss

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Well…how do you like it?  I’ve been contemplating a blog update for quite a while, but when I saw what Cheryl did with hers I decided it was time to get busy.  Both Cheryl and Crystal served as graphic arts consultants (My Digital Studio, of course!!) and I couldn’t have done it without them.  Let me know what you think!

Brace yourselves, you’re going to be seeing a lot of Blackberry Bliss!  I love the color, and so I signed up to represent it for an In Color swap at Convention 2014 (coming soon!).  I’ll share the card I’m swapping next month – here’s one of the trials:

Maui Stamper An Open Heart

  • Stamps:  An Open Heart
  • Color Palette:  Blackberry Bliss, Baked Brown Sugar, Naturals Ivory
  • Accessories:  Gold Bakers Twine, 2013-2015 In Color Sequins, 2 1/2″ Circle Punch, Pokey Doodle, Essentials Paper Piercing pack, Piercing Mat, Neutrals Candy Dots, Petite Petals punch

Maui Stamper An Open HeartI love these new sequins!  I think Stampin’ Up! should make them in ALL the color families!! (Let’s all email them and tell them so, OK?)  And while I’m asking, I’d like some little gold brads too.  Love the silver ones, Stampin’ Up!, but need the gold ones.

Maui Stamper An Open Heart I really love the gorgeous images in An Open Heart, but it was the sentiments that sealed the deal for me.  When someone is hurting, it’s really not about the words.  I consider my cards to be paper hugs, something to send when I can’t be there.

Happy to be here!!!