Wordbird's Nest

Inspiration and Then Some!

Wordbird — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:54:20 -0800

Sighhh.... just look at this photo I found over at the For Your Inspiration challenge blog.

See the tree at the bottom right hand corner of the photo? Yeah, the one with the reddish yellow leaves. That's the tree I'd pick to sit under with a good book! How about you? ;D

Well after I finished daydreaming I was actually there... I sat down and made my card. Of course it could never be as lovely as this landscape, but that's why they call it an inspiration photo right? ;D

I pulled out some of my Verve stamps today. My Grand Caliber and Spellbinders dies got a good workout with this one. ;D My inks are all Tsukineko.

I also entered this card in a challenge I just discovered... Make My Monday. What a cute little banner they have. ;D

Not Forgotten

Wordbird — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:06:46 -0800

I probably don't need to introduce you to Little Frieda. She spent quite alot of time with most of you that love The Craft's Meow stamps.

I haven't seen her as much lately.You know what they say "she had her 15 minutes of fame!" Poor dear... she's being phased out. But the good news is you can get her on sale!

She's so very cute, I think I'll still enjoy pulling her out of my stash for a long time! ;D

Who says roses are red?

Wordbird — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:36:41 -0800

When I think of roses I don’t just think of ivory, red or pink any more….these days roses seem to come in all sorts of colors. Shades of yellow,orange and last week I was in the florist shop and she even had purple roses! I was surprised to find that the orange roses (yes,orange!) were my favorite that day.

Since it wasn’t a holiday or my birthday or any other special occasion in my household…I couldn’t think of a good reason to spend $50.00 on a dozen orange roses! So as my consolation prize I went home, skipped doing the laundry and made a card with orange roses. (grin)

This card was made with Layers of Color’s Beautiful Lace set. Such a pretty set. I used my Spellbinders tag die. Tsukineko inks are a must for me, in this case I used Momento Black. This is the best ink if your plan to color with Copics.

What makes it special is the lovely, shimmery card stock! This is Cryogen white and it is wonderful esp. with copic markers. And you can get it at the PaperTemptress store. ;D But don’t stop with the Cryogen white… you’ll need some of the other great colored and textured papers that the PaperTemptress carries! I used a couple of colors from the Pop Tones line of paper, gumdrop green and tangy orange. Those color names even sound yummy. ;D

Well, beautiful crafty friends… go make a card! ;D

CASE Study #73

Wordbird — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:56:05 -0800

Welllll... I thought I'd enter the current CASE Study challenge but I got the Blogger page that says the site has moved! Am I totally nuts? I guess I'll try the link again tomorrow.

*(okie dokie...I was able to log on today ,Wednesday so I guess I was nuts! LOL)*

The challenge...Negative die cutting is a huge trend these days,and can produce some spectacular results. We challenge you to give it a try too, but whether you do or not, we can't wait to check out how this card inspired YOU!

Here’s this months muse Jen Rzasa’s card:

Here is the card I made for the challenge:

I chose to focus on the negative die cutting aspect of the challenge.

I used two sheets of the same DCWV dp and then cut my Spellbinders die shapes using my Grand Caliber. One larger than the other...then layered them with dimensional tape. My sentiment is a Layers of Color set called Dotted Dahlias. The butterfly is from the Layers of Color Flutterescent set. I used all stamping ink from Tsukineko.

This was a fun challenge... you might like to try it. ;D

CAS Challenges

Wordbird — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 13:01:14 -0800

I got such a kick out of this little stamp in the $1.00 bin at Michaels, that I had to buy it!

The Outlawz CAS challenge is so simple this week. We just ask that you make a CAS card using bakers twine. Hope you'll join us!

I tailored my card to fit the CAS-ual Friday challenge as well by adding scallops. ;D

The Twinery makes this blue twine and many other fun colors. My dp is Heidi Grace designs. The red scallops are from DCWV. Memento black ink from Tsukineko and copic markers.

Off to take a Sunday afternoon nap! (grin) Hugs!

Crazy C4C119

Wordbird — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:00:02 -0800

Crazy for Challenges that is! ;D

This week's challenge is to make a monochromatic card in blues. If you'd like to sit back and admire some beautiful cards, pop over and take a look at the design team's cards Wow! So pretty.

Here is my card for this week's challenge....

Oh how I love this dp from DCWV! I'll be so sad when its all used up. I like how the little leafy scrolls mimic the bottom of the dress stand. This gorgeous stamp set is from Layers of Color. This label die the image is stamped on is by Spellbinders. The only ink pads I usually use are from Tsukineko. This sweet little dress is colored with copic markers.

Thanks for stopping in.

Color Throwdown #174

Wordbird — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:01:31 -0800

I love the calm, soothing colors Broni chose for the Color Throwdown this week.

She described these colors as beachy and going to the beach is a calm, soothing activity. My family enjoys Pensacola Beach year around. We don't go swimming during colder weather but it's just great being out there breathing the fresh clean air!

For this color challenge I used the Fairy Wishes stamp set from Layers of Color. They are having a huge sale by the way. I stamped my butterflies onto patterned paper using Momento ink from Tsukineko.

Hope you're keeping warm and toasty.... hmmm I think I'll go and start a fire in the fireplace right now! ;D

Timeless Tuesday#151

Wordbird — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:38:16 -0800

Tammy at Flourishes has challenged us to check out the photo below and be inspired! Maybe you’re inspired by the colors, the ribbons, the patterns, the topiary itself? Whatever you like… anything goes!

Sounds good to me!

I was inspired by the bold colors of pink, orange and yellow green. I also tried to mimic the shape of the topiary in my design.

This is the Sweet Violets stamp set by Flourishes. Such a pretty set. I used my wonderful Spellbinders Grand Caliber to cut my dies. Tsukineko inks are a must for me, in this case I used Momento Black. This is the best ink if your plan to color with Copics.

When I think of violets I don't just think of pinks,purples and blues.

Growing up, my grandparents participated in an African Violet club. They grew literally hundreds of these plants! I loved to help water the Violets and esp. loved the ones that were in the pink and reddish tones. I also loved the pretty luminous sheen of the flower petals!

I sure miss those days... ;D

Shhhh...Top Secret

Wordbird — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:07:50 -0800

Layers of Color is having a HUGE sale right now. The company is changing direction. Laura (owner of LOC) and Nina Brackett will now be working for a major stamp company together!

So, even though the Layers of Color brand will be gone, their designs will not be. In fact, this new partnership will result in a wider availability of their artwork!

Hmmmmm...I can't wait to see what those two are up to. It's top secret right now but we'll have more details after CHA!

Nature Walk clear art stamp set

Now, go check out that Layers of Color sale! ;D

Just a Note

Wordbird — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:15:07 -0800

As excited as I was to begin making Christmas cards a few months ago…. I’m ready to get on to other things!

So, here is a totally non-holiday card. The birds image started as a doodle a few years ago. My hubby said “You should take that to the computer and play with it.”

Hence Wordbirds were born. I love opening the image in Photoshop and “filling” their wings and bodies with colors and patterns. I enjoy printing these birdies on an assorted array of papers such as watercolor, Cryogen White, and heavy weight card stocks.

Today I’ve printed on a digital paper called Pure White Gloss.

Pure White Gloss from The Papertemptress store is the same paper that most of your favorite high end glossy magazines are printed on. I love this text weight glossy paper for printing my birds! My card and post-it note cover also feature Recycled Classic Natural. It has such a richly textured surface and takes a rubber stamp image beautifully.

These projects are very clean and simple, yet the contrasting textures add such a nice touch. I’m enjoying experimenting with all the lovely papers to be found at the Papertemptress store. You can order most of these specialty papers in very small quantities if you choose. Isn’t that such a nice way to try them out before investing in a whole pack?!

Stop by and drool over some of those fabulous papers! ;D