Simple Clarity

I have been trying to get back in the swing of my crafting.  Those of you who know me or are regular readers will know I have problems with my back that have made everything, including crafting, a bit more challenging for me.  Anyway, ever since I first saw Barbara Gray on Create and Craft TV I have been addicted to Clarity Stamps.  After doing a couple of cards for homework for one of her 'Classroom' shows, I came across a sunflower stamp that I purchased ages ago and decided to do what I would class as a quick and simple card.

Here is the card....

I used Versamark ink to stamp onto white card and heat embossed using WOW pepper embossing powder.  Then I brayered the card with Mustard Seed and Spiced Marmalade.

I matted the image layer using dark brown paper.  Then I heat embossed the sentiment, which is also a Clarity Stamp, directly on the cream card.  If I'm honest, the card originally was going to be a tri-fold, but I messed up the stamping of the sentiment on my first try (I pressed a bit too hard getting a double image on a few of the letters).  I just cut off the panel and made it a DL card.

The sunflower stamp is just so pretty I didn't think the card needed much else really.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:


Bearly-Mine Challenges - Embossing
Paper Pretties Monday Challenge - Embossing

Just a reminder, there are challenges running at Just Inspirational Challenges and at Crafty Boots Challenges, so if you are feeling creative and want to join in, check them out and link up.

All the best for a wonderful day!
xx Denise

'In the Classroom' Homework for Lesson 6

Hello again,

I have been a busy(ish) bee.  After seeing Barbara Gray's post on facebook encouraging people to get their homework in from lesson 6, I decided to get off my duff and do just that.

The stamps for lesson 6 are the gorgeous, and I had a lot of fun working with them.

First project was a card directly from the lesson project - and here is mine..

I pretty much followed the lesson point for point, other than choosing some different pro marker colors.  I decided on this simple layout for the card itself to make sure the artwork keeps the spotlight.  There are a few (or probably more than a few) flaws in my stamping, but all in all I am happy with the way it turned out - especially considering this was my first pass at it.

Next, I decided to do another card with my own 'design'.  I did use a stamp not in the lesson set for the sentiment, but I thought it went perfectly with the floral theme.

Here 'tis....

I stamped the flowers and the verse with versamark and embossed with Zing Pewter embossing powder.  It is not quite as shiny as it looks in the picture - but that is what flashes do..lol.  Also, the verse is a bit more clear than it appears in the photo thanks to the reflection of the flash on the embossing powder.

The flowers are colored with pro-markers and I did some distressing on the edges of the image layer with milled lavender distress ink.

I was originally going to do a DL card, but I thought I needed something on the card to accentuate the blue in the flowers a bit.  I decided to make it a half A4 card and added the blue vintage ribbon on the bottom.  I wish the photo did the card justice, but I as I will be sending both in to Barbara Gray as my lesson homework so she can pass them on through her charity, I just have to hope the recipient will like it.

Anyway, I just thought I would share these cards here as well.  I hope you like them.

I did decide to enter the second card in the Outlawz Monday Greeting Card Challenge which has a theme of 'Distressing'.

Don't forget to check out the current challenges over at Crafty Boots (No Girls Allowed theme) and Just Inspirational Challenges (photo inspired and sponsored by Delicious Doodles).  There is still plenty of time to enter both, and I absolutely love seeing all the wonderful creative projects you all come up with.

Take care and please feel free to leave a comment.  I do hope you pop back soon.

xx Denise

New Beginnings

Hey everyone!

I am happy to start my blog off in 2012 with my latest design team project for the Crafty Boots Challenge Blog.  I thought a 'new baby' card would be a very nice project for the "New Beginnings" theme.

I was anxious to try a technique the lovely Barbara Gray demonstrated using her Rose stamp.  I was pleasantly surprised with the way it turned out using this cute little Mommy and Baby dragon stamp from Wild Rose Studio and 'baby boy' color scheme.  The crumpled tissue layer was made using Distress inks and the dragons are colored (on the tissue) using pro markers.  A couple of Grand Nesties layers, a bit of adhesive ribbon at the top and bottom, a little sentiment, and Bob's your uncle!

Right..... time to start thinking about my next DT project and some personal projects that I should do soon!  Hmmm, maybe a nap first and then some thinking :)

Take care and I hope 2012 is being good to you and yours.

xx Denise

It's a Clarity Christmas!

****Spoiler Alert*****

if you are one of my co-workers, neighbors or family in Germany, do not look any further ;)

Ok folks, they have been a long time in the making, but the Christmas cards I will actually be giving out to most on my card list are finally done.  My other half and I decided to pick a card to give out to everyone each year so we would not have to worry about to whom we gave which card.  This year, we chose to use one of the lovely designs introduced by Barbara Gray using her Clarity Stamps.  I tried to mix it up a bit, but the essence is definitely Barbara's lovely design.

A couple of my favorites

A random sampling

A closer look at the top row

There is no doubt that these cards took a bit of time and effort, but I think they were worth it.  I cannot take credit for all of the coloring as I did have some help from my other half and a dear friend.  Speaking of the coloring, they are done with Letraset Flex Markers and Pro Markers.  The stamps are all Clarity Stamps which were stamped with clear Versamark heat embossed with a variety of embossing powders in gold, silver, gold sparkle, pewter and even one in iridescent blue.

I will be proud to give these out, and I cannot thank Barbara Gray and her uber talented team enough for their products and ideas.

Now I am off for a nap I think.   Take care and have a happy and healthy holiday season!

xxDenise