KNIGHTS, PEONIES & LIGHTHOUSES

What, you may be asking, do knights, peonies and lighthouses have in common? Nothing really except these are the images I used to create my father's day cards and one "just for fun" card at our "monthly" stamp n scrap. I use the term "monthly" VERY loosely as it seems to be more quarterly lately - but I hope to change that immediately. Our next one is scheduled in Peoria on July 25th from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and EVERYONE is welcome. You just have to R.S.V.P. so I can make sure we have enough room.

I had alot of fun Saturday. The company was great, the food delicious and I actually managed to get some projects finished. This first card I made uses a free clipart image from DOVER PUBLISHING which I printed from my computer onto 90# watercolor paper. The image is already shaded so all I did was to add variation in color with both silver and gold metallic Prisma pencils then lightly sponged the edges with Stampin'Up! Soft Suede. The background is Stampin'Up! Kraft cardstock embossed with the swiss dots Cuttlebug embossing folder. I chose the brass brads and the embossed dots because they reminded me of the rivets in the armor. This card is for my father - the inside reads: "You have always been my KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR. You were able to slay any dragon - whether it was a nightmare or a creepy little spider in my upstairs bedroom. I always was secure knowing you would keep me safe." Then I added a cutout of the same suit of armor to the inside. I like it's simplicity.

The second card is for my Father-in-Law and also uses Kraft cardstock. The Designer Paper is Parisian Breeze and is so soft and understated. Masculine on one side and feminine on the other - it's very versatile and unfortunately is retiring this month so if you like it all at you better stock up before the end of the month. I stamped the lighthouse image on kraft cardstock using Memento Brown Ink then colored the image with Prisma pencils. The ovals were cut using Nesties and then I handtrimmed the larger one to fit with a 1/8" border instead of the 1/4". (I don't have the second set of Nestabilities ovals so I have to hand trim. WHAT A PAIN!!!!) I'm hoping to find a stamp with the Happy Father's Day greeting - but if not the handprinted version will have to do.

The final card I made uses another free image from Dover Publishing and is colored with Prisma Pencils and blended with OMS (Odorless Mineral Spirits). I colored the peony first then was delighted to find that the colors perfectly matched the new In-Color: Melon Mambo. I'm lovin' this color!!! The Designer Paper is Razzleberry Lemonade (doesn't that name sound delicious?) and the border punches are both from the Martha Stewart line. A little Stardust Stickles to the center of the peony and 3 little pink rhinestones and just a little glitz and complete the card.

That's it for today. Hope you enjoyed your visit. I'm off to look through my new SU! catty (again) and begin building my wish list.

Until next time -

Happy Stamping!

Jill