Thinking Inking

Masculine Thank You

Welcome! My teenager recently needed a couple of thank you notes for birthday gifts. (That "Mama says that you can't spend the money until after a note is sent" rule is a great motivator!) He wanted thank you notes that were youthful but sufficiently masculine that he wouldn't be embarrassed to send--at least I think that's what I think "cool" means. And trust me, fourteen-year-olds are easy to inadvertently embarrass. . . I thought that if I started with Kraft cardstock (and scrupulously avoided PINK), I'd be headed in the right direction. I had a little Spellbinders Typewriter die template that I hadn't used yet and thought that it would be great to pair with a sheet of paper stamped with a sentiment. The thank you sentiment from Papertrey Ink's Sentiment Signs stamp set worked perfectly.

 

Besides the Kraft cardstock base, I used PTI's Classic Kraft Pattern Pack for the polka-dotted paper, cut with a Spellbinders A-2 Matting Basics A die template. I used another die from that set for the piece of typing "paper," really Vintage Cream cardstock.  I used a scrap of dark gray cardstock behind the typewriter keys so that they would show up better, and mounted the whole focal image with foam tape.

For this one, I used the Spellbinders Numbers and Letters M-Bossabilities folder on Kraft cardstock for the background, then the thank you sentiment from the Celebration die template set for the sentiment, with Vanilla cardstock inset into a hand-cut Enchanted Evening banner. I added a sheet of vanilla cardstock inside the card for him to write on.  Well, that's it for today--no more "But, Mom--I don't have any thank you notes!" Thanks for visiting,

Debbie

Thanks for Your Kindness

Welcome! Today I have another thank you card to share. I had fun playing with the background on this one, using a Spellbinders Roman Romance M-Bossabilities folder. I used a background technique similar to the one that Lori Craig used on her Dry Emboss Alcohol Resist Splitcoaststampers Tutorial.  The background is embossed on white cardstock, then heat-embossed with clear EP, before being airbrushed with Copic R32 and Copic Airbrush System. I love the richness and depth that you get with this particular embossing folder and  technique!

The thank you sentiment as well as the inside sentiment are from a Waltzingmouse Stamps Rescue Remedies Additions stamp set. I used a Spellbinders A-2 Filigree Delights die template for the sentiment, airbrushing some Copic R32 lightly into the open center before removing the die template from the cardstock. I dyed the seam binding with my Copic reinkers (R22 and R32). The mat layer of cardstock is Papertrey Ink's Berry Sorbet, brushed lightly with a bit of Vintage Cream ink to soften the color. Finished size is  5" x 7". Now to get it in the mail. . . ;-)

Thank you for visiting,

Debbie

COPIC Classes Page Updated today

Good afternoon! I've been working on taxes for the last couple of days. Ugh. I'd sooooo much rather be coloring, but for some reason my husband thinks that I've procrastinated for long enough. Hmmm, maybe because the tax deadline is less than three weeks away? I'm almost finished with my part, so I'm hoping to get back down to my studio tonight. Anyway, I just thought I would let you know that I have updated my COPIC Classes page today. I did get a bit more done on my Benjamin fishing piece that I had posted an earlier stage of HERE.  Still working on that tree line and then I have to tackle the B. himself. . .

Thanks for visiting today,

Debbie

Mixed Blooms Card

Welcome! Still doing my part to entice Spring to come--at least that's what I'm hoping for! I usually start a card with the focal image; but on this card, I had played with my Spellbinders Diamond Effects die template set a few days ago, loving the simplicity of white on white. I laid it aside because I wasn't sure what I wanted to use for a focal image. Then I got a little Taylored Expressions box in the mail, and I found my focal image--the TE Mixed Blooms image.

These are the Copic markers that I used for the leaves and the spiky purple flowers. . . No, I'm not going to embarrass myself by trying to assign a name to all of these flowers.

So, I'm venturing a guess that these are roses. I chose a cool pink (Copic R80's) for them. The BG90's were for the vase/can, and the BV's were for shadows, mostly on the can edges.

And here I've added the yellow blossoms as well as more purple ones. I deepened the colors in a few places after I fussy-cut the image though, so this wasn't quite the end. (I did not add any cast shadows at the base of the can because I knew that I was cutting the image out.)

Here's a close-up, darkened areas included. I chose to airbrush a Copic YR31 marker in the oval part of the background to make all of those purples pop against the background. I tried tying two different white bows on the card front and cut both of them off since they seemed to detract rather than enhance. It might need a tiny tag somewhere though. What do you think?

That's it for today. Thanks for visiting,

Debbie

Funky Flowers Thank You

Welcome! How about another thank you card today? Still hoping for Spring here, but the snow that is drifting down outside isn't encouraging. . . Maybe if I keep making floral cards, Spring will come! Today I used a Waltzingmouse Stamps set, Funky Flowers, along with its coordinating dies. (There is also an SVG cut file for the Funky Flowers set, if you use an electronic cutting machine.) The sentiment is a PTI stamp from Inside and Out Thank You.

How about that fun airbrushed pattern in the background? I used my Copic Airbrush System and a B32 Copic marker, along with an MFT Stamps stencil, On the Diagonal. I used mostly Versamagic inks, including Mango Madness, Key Line, Pink Petunia, and Malted Mauve. The darker yellow flower centers are PTI Summer Sunrise ink, and pink cardstock is PTI's Sweet Blush. I hand cut the little sentiment banner. Even though I used some foam tape on this card to pop those flowers up, I think that it should mail easily since it has no large, hard lumpy areas. Well, that's it for today--hope you're having a great day!

Debbie

For a Sweet New Baby Boy. . .

Welcome! Today I have a baby boy card to share, and I also found out that I need to make another baby boy card this week--must be boy season! The baby carriage stamp is from Just Rite's Bundle of Joy Vintage clear stamps set, and the sentiment is from their Special Delivery clear stamps set.

I used a Spellbinders Labels 25 die template to cut, emboss, and mask the focal sentiment, then airbrushed the background with my Copic Airbrush System and Copic Sketch markers G43 and BG72.  That little lacy edge was cut with a Spellbinders On the Edge die template. Ink colors are  PTI Ocean Tides, and Spring Moss. Isn't that patterned paper sweet? I had a Dutch doll quilt when I was a child, and the lighter strip of paper reminded me of that quilt. The paper is from an Authentique 6 x 6 Bundle Precious pad, paired with PTI Ocean Tides and Vintage Cream cardstock. I dyed the seam binding with a Copic reinker and used a PTI Cream Vintage Button to finish embellishing my card. That's it for baby boy card #1; now I need to figure out what I'm going to do for baby boy card #2! Thanks for visiting,

Debbie

Feather Thanks

Welcome! I hope that you are having a fabulous weekend. I've needed several thank you cards lately, so I have one more to share with you today. For the sentiment, I chose Papertrey Ink's Sentiment Signs stamp set, pairing that with a couple of Spellbinders Feathers on the Wind die cuts, airbrushed with my Copic markers and airbrush system.

For the background, I used a Spellbinders Basic Lattice die template, cutting a thin paper mask with it and then airbrushing with Copic BG13 and YG13 markers. I'm loving my airbrush these days! Ink colors for the sentiment are PTI Hawaiian Shore and Simply Chartreuse. I used a Spellbinders A-2 Matting Basics B die template set to cut both the card front and the sentiment panel.  As you can tell, I'm still in a clean and simple mode, and it's feeling good these days. ;-) Thanks for visiting!

Debbie

Copic Classes Page Updated!

Good morning! Just a quick note to tell you that I updated my Copic Classes Page a few days ago. These classes fill up pretty quickly, so if you are wondering when one will come to your area, the best thing to do is to sign up <<HERE>> to be on the Copic Classes email list. If a class is coming to your state or to an adjoining state, you will receive a notice when that class opens.

The picture above is one that I've just started working on in my free time. When Benjamin and I went to South Carolina a couple of weeks ago, he got to go fishing for mountain trout in a lovely little lake. I, of course, took pictures while everyone else fished. :-) I'll try to remember to share again if when I finish it. . .

Have a great day,

Debbie

You're in Our Prayers

Welcome! Today I have a card to share with you that I made for a dear friend who is going through some really tough physical battles right now.  I used the Papertrey Ink Inside and Out Well Wishes stamp set for both the inside and outside sentiments. 

Cardstock colors are PTI Vintage Cream, Sweet Blush, and heavy vellum. Inks are Hibiscus Burst, Chamomile Distress Cube, and Versamark (for heat embossing with detail white embossing powder).

Papers are Crate Paper Flea Market 6" x 6" pad.  I used a Spellbinders A-2 Curved Matting Basics A for both the card base and the pink card front. The banners are just hand-cut, however. Buttons are Sweet Blush Vintage Buttons from PTI, and string is white cotton crochet thread.  That's it for today's card--have a great day, and thanks for visiting!

Debbie

Mini Blooms Thanks

Welcome! It felt like Spring here today--blue skies and over 50 degrees! I finally got out of my "I'd rather read a book" funk and was motivated to make a thank you card tonight. Spring, maybe? :-)  For the focal image and sentiment, I used Papertrey Ink's Mini Blooms stamp set. 

I've been wanting to play with clean-and-simple design, and an airbrushed background seemed like a good place to start if I wanted to forgo some card layers. I used my Spellbinders Basic Lattice Expandable Pattern die to cut a sheet stencil from a sheet of copy paper, then used washi tape to tape it down to my white cardstock while I airbrushed with my Copic Airbrush System and R32, YG13, and BG13 Copic Sketch markers. 

The card base and white card front are cut and embossed with Spellbinders A-2 Curved Matting Basics A  (card base) and B (white card front). I used a length of pink and white bakers twine as an embellishment, along with a few dots of glitter in flower centers. But it's still flat enough to mail easily--bingo! Well, that's it for tonight. Thanks for visiting,

Debbie

A Wonderful Friend: Pansies in Spring

Welcome! Today I have another floral card to share with you, this one involving JustRite's Pansies in Spring cling stamps--not that I'm not totally convinced that Spring will ever come this cold, cold year. ;-)

I chose the pansy trio image to work with, though that basket version looks fun as well. While I fussy-cut my flowers, there is an SVG cut file available to save you some cutting time if you prefer.

These are the Copic markers that I used to color the pansies. The B52 was used to airbrush the background, in conjunction with a Spellbinders Floral Ovals die template which I used to cut, emboss, and mask for airbrushing.

I used PTI's Royal Velvet cardstock for the background, both for the solid layer and for the butterfly layer, cut and embossed with a Spellbinders Butterflies expandable pattern die template. I popped the butterfly layer up on foam tape after using Royal Velvet ink to deepen the embossed parts and edges of the butterflies. The design team girls have created some beautiful projects with the Pansies in Spring cling stamps set--I hope you get a chance to see each one! Thanks for visiting today.

JustRite Inspiration

Debbie Olson

Eva Dobilas

Michele Kovack
Heidi Blankenship
Kazan Clark
Angela Barkhouse

Kathy Jones

Marisa Job

Kristi Schurr
Sheri Holt 

Darsie Bruno

You Are Loved: Magnolia Vintage Labels Seven

 

Welcome to Day Three of the JustRite Papercraft March Release! Today's featured set is the Magnolia Vintage Labels Seven clear stamp set.  Here I've paired it with the Baroque Frame Cling Background set, as well as a Vintage Labels Seven die and Vintage Tags die.

I grew up with magnolia blossoms and will always remember that luscious lemony scent. Of course I wanted to color a magnolia blossom!

Here are the Copic makers that I used to color the leaves and stem.

I used these Copic markers on the blossom and shadows.

While I "fussy cut" around my magnolia blossom, there is a Magnolia SVG file available for those of you who prefer not to fussy-cut. Several of the JustRite designers have featured the Magnolia Vintage Labels Seven clear stamp set today, so if you'd like to see more ideas, I hope you get a chance to visit the following blogs. Thanks for visiting!

JustRite Inspiration

Debbie Olson (here)

Darsie Bruno
Becca Feeken

Sheri Holt

Eva Dobilas

Heidi Blankenship

Kazan Clark

Amy Tedder

Margie Higuchi

Marisa Job
Michele Kovack

Kathy Jones 

Kristi Schurr 

Angela Barkhouse

Kristi Schurr 

Angela Barkhouse