Blended Sketched Flowers

I made another pair of cards using the large floral image from Sketched Flowers by Simon Says Stamp.  I played with my Distress Oxide inkpads to create a blended background.  It really muted the image, so I used a piece of acetate in my stamp positioner to stamp it again.  (I had stamped the original image weeks before.)  I got it pretty close!

For the background, I used Dried Marigold, Ripe Persimmon, Barn Door, and Black Soot to create that lovely blend.

The sentiments are from the All About You stamp set by Simon Says Stamp.  After stamping them on white cardstock, I cut them out with the matching dies.  I was lucky to grab the combo on clearance last year.  I popped up the sentiments with foam tape for some dimension.

I'm very pleased with these cards!  They have a simple elegance.

Stamps:  Sketched Flowers, All About You (Simon Says Stamp)

Inks:  Barn Door, Dried Marigold, Ripe Persimmon (Distress Oxide); Black Onyx (VersaFine)

Paper:  White, True Black (Papertrey Ink)

Dies:  All About You (Simon Says Stamp)

Misc:  Blending tool (Tim Holtz)

 

Sketched Flowers Hello

I stamped out this image a couple weeks ago and it's been sitting on my desk ever since.  Yesterday, I broke out my Copic markers for a little coloring therapy.  It felt so good!  I'm rusty, of course, but I enjoyed the process.  The pretty floral bouquet is from a Simon Says Stamp set called Sketched Flowers.  After coloring, I cut the panel in half to create two cards.

I used the Thanks & Hello die by My Favorite Things and the Tiny Words Encouragement stamp set by Simon Says Stamp to create my sentiment.  Simple, but it allows the colorful flowers to really pop off the card.  I doubled up the word "hello" for a little bit of dimension.

 

I felt so giddy when I finished these!  I've really missed stamping and making cards.  It took me two days to make them because of other commitments, but I did it.  Happy dance!

 

Stamps:  Sketched Flowers, Tiny Words Encouragement (Simon Says Stamp)

Dies:  Thanks & Hello (My Favorite Things)

Paper:  White, True Black (Papertrey Ink)

Copics:  0, C1, R20, R21, R24, R27, R29, R43, R89, E27, E29, E59, B91, B93, B97, B99, BV11, BV17, BV29, YG00, YG01, YG06, Y02, Y06, Y08, Y17, G20, G24, G28

Misc:  Onyx Black (VersaFine)

 

Birthday Florals

Are you ready for this?  I am posting cards.  Yes, really!  I haven't done much stamping for an entire year.  I've been more involved in theatre and jewelry lately, so while I haven't stopped buying new stamping goodies, I haven't been using them at all.  Sad, I know.  I've felt creatively blocked for quite a while and it was just easier to do other things.  Besides, I have a lot of different hobby interests.

I popped in on the tail end of a stamping class four weeks ago and got the chance to make these two cards.  I don't have all the details of the supplies, unfortunately, but these were quick and easy to make.

It was fun to put ink to paper again!  I think this was a Simon Says Stamp set and we embossed the large image with a gold Brutus Monroe embossing power before cutting it in half to make two cards.  So easy!

Now for another shocker.  I made two more cards today!!!  I know, right??  I'll post those tomorrow.

Copper Earrings

I recently took a Forging Copper Jewelry class at our local Mixxer space where I made these earrings.  I've always wanted to learn how to work with metal and this was an easy way to dip my toes into that world.  It was a good experience!

I cut the shapes from copper sheeting and added texture with a hammer.  I see all sorts of possibilities with that simple technique.  I love how these turned out!

Cup of Pearls Earrings

I stitched up a pair of earrings to coordinate with the Cup of Pearls Bracelet that I made earlier this year.  The link to the Potomac Beads tutorial is in that post.  I used one of the main pearl motifs along with part of the clasp to create my earrings.  (There is another tutorial by Potomac by the same name, but the design is different, so I chose this route)

It makes very pretty earrings!

Forget Me Not Earrings

I made a pair of earrings today to match the Forget Me Not Bracelet that I created earlier this year.  You can see that post here.  I used one of the flower motifs and then added a simple seed bead loop so I could attach a jump ring.

As I stated in my previous post, I followed a Youtube tutorial by Potomac Beads.  Simple and easy!

Daisy Chain Necklace and Earrings

Here's another necklace and earrings set that I made this week!  I followed the Daisy Chain Necklace tutorial by Potomac Beads.  I really love this one!

It's such a pretty design.  I plan to make a matching bracelet once I get more of the lighter color of DropDuo beads.

I made a coordinating pair of earrings using the bottom motif and simply adding a small seed bead loop to the top so I could connect a jump ring.

I can see this design in many colorways, so I definitely need to add more DropDuos to my stash!

Rendezvous Necklace and Earrings

I finished making this lovely necklace yesterday.  It was made following the Rendezvous Necklace tutorial by Potomac Beads.  I also created a pair of earrings to match.

I just adore the soft colors in this necklace, not to mention the crystal sparkle!

For the earrings, I used a quartz bead with the two colors of seed beads from the necklace and then added additional crystal dangles to the bottom.  Easy and quick!

San Fran Twisted Bracelet

I made another bracelet this week following the San Fran Twisted bracelet tutorial by Potomac Beads.  I used their suggested color combination, except for changing out the color of the RounDuo beads.

It's a fun and very simple design to make!

Cup of Pearls Bracelet

Although I started this bracelet last month while I was visiting family, I didn't finish it until recently.  I had done everything except the closure sections and simply ran out of time.  This is such a pretty design!  I followed the Cup of Pearls Bracelet tutorial by Potomac Beads on Youtube.

I love the deep rich purple color of the pearls in this bracelet.  My tension isn't perfect in a few areas, but it isn't too noticeable and it looks so pretty on my wrist.

The closure is unusual and fits so nicely with the bracelet design.  It involves three loops and three single pearls.  I wasn't sure how well it would hold, but it feels pretty secure.  I want to make earrings to match and will post them on my blog when I get those done.

Don't Stop Growing Bracelet

Here is the second bracelet that I made last month.  I followed the Don't Stop Growing Bracelet tutorial by Potomac Beads on Youtube.  I absolutely loved the lavender colorway and had to make it for myself!

Isn't that a gorgeous design?  My only issue with it is the visible thread on the sides of the RounDuo beads, so next time I would choose to use a gray thread instead of white.

This bracelet also uses a Czech cup button for the clasp.  It looks complicated, but the tutorial was easy to follow.  Check back to see the last bracelet tomorrow!

Forget Me Not Bracelet

I've made three bracelets in the last month.  I was gone most of March to visit family and help out with my newest little grandson, so I took projects with me that didn't require many tools.  I've had the supplies to make this bracelet for well over a year.  It was super easy to make!  I followed the Forget Me Not Bracelet tutorial from Potomac Beads on Youtube.

I actually made it twice, because I made a mistake the first time.  I left out the leaf detail between flowers in one spot.  Although it wasn't super noticeable, I knew it would bother me every time I wore the bracelet, so I chose to remake it.

The bracelet has a simple button closure using a gold Czech cup button.  This design would look so pretty in other colors!

I'll post the other bracelets over the next two days.  My goal this year is to make all the jewelry projects that I've kitted up for myself.  The beads are in labeled bags and ready to go.  I just need to do them!

Ghost Earrings

I made these fun ghost earrings today.  There are a few small flaws, because it was my first time trying to do this stitch, but they turned out adorable.  I started making them initially several days ago using the supplies I had on hand.  That attempt ended in disaster when I could no longer get my needle through the seed beads.  Can I just say that thread type matters?  Today I started again after getting some One-G thread and this time I succeeded.  They are a simple design, but it did take me about 4-1/2 hours to complete the pair.

They are so so cute!  I followed a tutorial on Youtube by Beauty Beads Land that was posted five months ago.  I had promised to make them for my daughter for Halloween, but ended up doing a theatrical production at the last minute that took up a lot of my time, so it never happened.  She'll wear them any time of year so better late than never!  She loves them!

Black Eye Susan Bracelet

I made another bracelet this week following the Black Eye Susan Bracelet tutorial by Potomac Beads.  I used the same colorway as the original design.  It's unique because the button clasp is incorporated into the bracelet focal.

It looks really cool on the wrist.  Unfortunately, my button doesn't lie entirely flat because I reinforced the thread several times and it's a bit stiff underneath.  Oops.  I still consider myself a beginner when it comes to beadweaving projects.  The tutorial was easy to follow though.  The bracelet has a nice drape except for the button area.

The bracelet is a bright pop of sunshine on a very dreary, rainy day here and now I can check one more jewelry project off my list!  I've had this one sitting around for a while.