Just Keep Swimming - PCC214

Yesterday Sara Douglass (CEO of Stampin' Up!) shared on FB that her husband Sean was having some chest pains the other night and ended up at the ER.  Come to find out, he had a minor heart attack.  Pretty scary stuff - especially since they're a young family - but it seems like all is well now.

However, I thought I would make him a card.  Not for any brownie points or attention, but because this is why I do what I do.  I love to brighten someone's day with a card.  Something about taking time to create a card and write a note of encouragement.  I think the world needs a little more love these days.. so why not!

I used the sketch from Paper Craft Crew again - I really like the sketch Pam made.  I also wanted to incorporate the marlin stamp from the From Land to Sea set because I know that her husband posts a lot of videos about water skiing and boating.  Plus, I thought the "just keep swimming" sentiment was fun.

To watercolor the marlin, I stamped the image in Basic Gray Archival Ink onto Shimmery White Cardstock.  This keeps the image from running when you color with an Aqua Painter.

For the background... let me explain. haha!  I actually was attempting to watercolor ink using my Aqua Painter and the Seasonal Decorative Masks but didn't like the circles afterall.  So I flipped the white circle over and just rubbed the cardstock over the excess ink left on the stencil.  I actually LOVE it!

The "water droplets" are made with the Fine Tip Glue Pen.  Just squeeze out a little dab.  You will need to let this dry (I did overnight) - same idea as the old crystal affects.

I think the Mint Macaron Cardstock embossed with the Seaside Textured Impressions Embossing Folder adds the perfect touch to this card.  I love adding lots of details and layers but in small amounts. :)

I hope that this inspires you to send a card to someone today - or even this week.  Spread some happiness in the mail!

Blessings,

Holly

The Creation Station - Get Well Soon

Welcome to the Creation Station blog hop!  The first Sunday of the month I join a group of stampers from around the world for a blog hop featuring current Stampin' Up! products.  We usually have a theme or try to highlight certain stamp sets.  This month we are focusing on "Get Well" cards and projects.  SU! has come out with a lot of really great sets for this (Here for You or the cute little umbrellas from Weather Together are perfect).  However, I wanted to show you some brand new product that you can order starting September 1st!

So let's get to it!  If you came from the amazingly talented Cindy Schuster - thank you for continuing on to me!  It's hard to fill an Artisan's shoes, but I'll certainly try! :)

The set I am using today is a new (Christmas/holiday) set called Wrapped in Warmth.  I want to show you how you can use the one stamp in this set for a get well card.

 The stamp set is full of cute sentiments and fun stitched images and coordinates perfectly with this new embossing folder called Cable Knit.  It is awesome!  I know when I'm sick, I like to grab a blanket and curl up on the couch.  My boys love to snuggle too which is probably why MOM always catches whatever they have!  

Here's a closer look of this embossing folder.  It really takes the 3D look to a whole new level!

Another awesome thing that SU! will be offering their customers are 2 packs of markers!  There are a few packs (colors pre-selected) that are available in the new holiday catalog.  One pack in particular is Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake!  Here I added some ink with my Delightful Dijon marker - really makes the sentiment fun with different colors!  

Did you notice the plaid designer paper?  Talk about coziness!! I ordered two packs of the Warmth and Cheer DSP stacks.  You will LOVE IT!  

Now normally when I'm sick, I don't want cookies, but since it's too hot to make soup and cookies can be eaten any time of year, I opted to make cookies.  Plus, I suppose "get well" could be for those having a bad day too so cookies work, right? :)

I wanted the tag to coordinate with the card so I incorporated the stitching along the Delightful Dijon border.   I added the heart from the same DSP.  The "get well soon" is from the Layered Alphabet stamp set.

For the lid you may notice another new stamp!  This is another sneak peek at a new set called Yummy Little Christmas.  I love to bake and give homemade goodies at Christmas (and all year round) so I had to have these little whisks!  They're shaped like a snowflake too!

I sure hope you enjoyed what I made and the sneak peek at some upcoming product!  Please make your way around the blog hop!  A lot of the team are off enjoying some summertime fun, but I know you won't be disappointed - even if it is a shorter hop!

You can head back to the lovely Cindy, or click next to jump across the Atlantic to my talented friend Julie!

      

Happy stamping everyone :)

Be blessed and be a blessing!

-Holly

**If you're currently looking for a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I'd love to help!  If you'd like a holiday catalog or annual catalog, comment below :)  I live in the central MN area and hold 2 classes a month.**

Hang in There Claire! with Fox Punch and Weather Together - TGIFC59/GDP039

Gosh, I feel like I haven't stamped in so long!  We have been gone since late May on a trip to visit family in Texas.  I had a few posts scheduled ahead of time, but I still feel like I haven't "blogged" or stamped for awhile!

I received my box of goodies yesterday from Stampin' Up!  I waited all day for the UPS truck with no luck only to see him passing as we left for our son's t-ball game.  When we came home it was dinner, the Penguins game.  Yes, I cared more about watching to see if the Pens would win the cup than I did opening stamps.

But after the game, kids went to bed and I stamped until 12:30 in the morning!  I would've went longer, but mornings come early with three little boys!  Anyway, I needed to make a card for my 4 year old niece Claire.  She spent last night in the hospital after having a tonsillectomy and her ear tubes replaced.  She's a tough cookie, but I'm sure she was scared and didn't want to be there.

It's also Friday which means a new challenge over at TGIF Challenges!  We have a fun sketch for you all this week.  I actually made a few cards with this sketch, so look for another reminder this week!  I'm playing along with the Get Well theme from the Global Design Project too.  Make sure to check out both challenge sites and pin my card (please?) :)

I originally had this card with the umbrella upwards by itself until I had the idea of putting this cute little cat inside the umbrella!  I punched the cat (uh.. card stock cat) out using the Fox Builder Punch and Crumb Cake card stock.  I then sponged it with Soft Suede ink.  I also add the ears and face with the stamp from Foxy Friends.  (You can bundle and save with the stamp set and punch).



I added a little Peekaboo Peach enamel dot for a little heart. Too cute!



I gave the background of the white oval a watercolored wash using my Aqua Painter and Pool Party ink.  I also added clouds to the oval and the Crumb Cake strip.  The sentiments from Weather Together are great, but I really liked the "Hang in there" from Here for You.

I carried over the watercolor wash, the A Little Foxy DSP and another sentiment from Here for You.

I challenge you to play along with our sketch challenge at TGIF!  Hope to see you soon!

-Holly 

Check below for the list of items used and don't forget to check out my product shares tab! :)