Hand Stamped Sentiments: Cardinal Joy

I'm playing along with the inspiration at Hand Stamped Sentiments using products from the Nordic series at Poppystamps.

Obviously there was a cardinal in the inspiration photos and that is what caught my eye given I have this Nordic Resting Cardinal in my not-yet-used stash. (There's also a Perched Cardinal facing the other way but I didn't have space for him.) Since I was going Nordic, I also pulled out the Nordic Holly Sprig and the Nordic Layered Joy.

The color choices also came from the inspiration. Red and green were clear choices but when I decided to do the "Joy" in metallic colors, I originally had golds out. Then I looked at the photos and realized something I really liked about them were the cool white and gray backgrounds which really made the colors pop - so I switched to silver. 

Thanks to Hand Stamped Sentiments for giving me the inspiration to pull out these fabulous dies.

SUPPLY LIST
Dies: Poppystamps Nordic Resting Cardinal, Nordic Holly Sprig and Nordic Layered Joy, Taylored Expressions Diagonal Stitch Rectangle Stacklets
Cardstock: Stampin' Up Poppy Parade, Real Red, Cherry Cobbler, Pecan Pie and Granny Apple Green, Taylored Expressions Cilantro and Peapod, My Favorite Things Pineapple, both silvers are unknown scraps

Freshly Made Sketches: Nordic Hello

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Jen Timko and here’s what I did with it!

 

I know the sketch said "any shape" but I was really drawn to the oval. Twenty some years ago, we used ovals on every other card but not so much these days with all of the other fun options. From there I had to figure out what to do in the oval but I quickly landed on a couple of dies from my favorite Nordic line of dies at Poppystamps. 

This is kind of an unusual card for me because I don't generally use pink. I have nothing against pink but there just aren't any people in my life to whom I would send a pink card. I was flipping through my cardstock looking for some bold oranges and yellows for the butterfly but the deep pink just jumped right out at me. I actually think it's due to my first week of retirement. I know that sounds odd, but hear me out.  I'm very much a Type A personality - the right tasks get done at the right time and nothing gets missed. I add things to my to-do lists even if they are already done just to give me the satisfaction of crossing them off! This even applies to my cards - each one has a purpose or someone in mind. But in my first week of retirement, I have very intentionally tried to immediately set a habit of slowing down and doing things for the sheer pleasure of it. When the pink jumped out at me, I was ignoring it but then my next thought was that I liked pink so why not do something different for the sheer pleasure of it! 

NOTE: I used the Delicate Details embossing folder from The Stamp Market. It gives a nice, crisp and dimensional image. However, my clean and simple eye saw all the detail in the leaf and butterfly and, while I liked the look of the folder, I wanted it to be more subtle so I ran it back through the machine with just two plates to squish the pattern a bit so it was clearly in the background. 

I hope to see you playing along with us this week at Freshly Made Sketches.

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Poppystamps Nordic Belle Butterfly, Nordic Sweeping Branch and Hello Poe Script, Taylored Epxressions Stitched Stacklets Oval and Petite Scallop Oval

Cardstock: Taylored Expressions Guava, Pink Champagne, Cupcake, Cilantro, Peapod and Granny Smith

Other: The Stamp Market Delicate Details embossing folder (run back through to squish the pattern a bit)

For Some Bunny Special

I definitely needed a bunny card for Easter given my son's answer when I asked about his very-serious girlfriend's favorite things so I could make cards she loved was bunnies and strawberries.   It also was a great excuse to buy a couple of the Nordic Bunnies by Poppystamps!

I love the entire Nordic series by Poppystamps and I'm not just talking the bunnies. They have leaves and flowers, butterflies and birds, wreaths and trees and snowmen, and even a moose.  I don't have everything but I do have a really good sampling! I wanted the sweet bunnies to be the focus so I simply added a floral embossed background and the sentiment (which is also from Poppystamps.)

I haven't seen my oldest son since he moved to Michigan nor have I met the girlfriend.  We tried last fall but it turns out that living in a big college football town significantly impacts the availability of flights and hotels. My son highly recommended we not come in the winter so are finally going in May.  We have our flights booked and nothing is going to get in the way!

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Poppystamps For Some Bunny Special, Nordic Bundled Bunny, Nordic Happy Bunny

Cardstock: MFT Natural, PTI Soft Stone, TE Toffee, Stampin' Up Crisp Cantaloupe, Groovy Guava, Pistachio Pudding, Mint Macaron, Barely Banana, Soft Saffron

Other: Spellbinders Hydrangea Blooms EF

Freshly Made Sketches: Ghostly Cats 2

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Amy and here’s what I did with it!

I have a work friend who is having a tough recovery from surgery. I've been sending her "feel better" type cards but she is a huge fan of Halloween and of cats - so even though I've stated I'm not a big Halloween card person, she needs one!

I used the same Poppystamps Ghostly Cats that I used here then surrounded them with a variety of older Halloween/autumns dies. I'm normally all about the fresh white card but the ghosts and colorful pumpkins and leaves needed to pop so I pulled out some Pebbled Path dsp and Lost Lagoon for a nighttime scene.

I know I've stated that I don't do Halloween cards but they are truly fun to do.  I need to find some new friends (or family!) that actually celebrate Halloween simply so I have a reason to make the cards! I hope to see you playing along with us at Freshly Made Sketches. 

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Taylored Expressions All Tucked In Halloween

Dies:Poppystamps Ghostly Cats, Haunting Pumpkins (retired) and Snowman and Trees (the tree - retired), Memory Box Swooping Bats (retired) and Wrapped Stitch Rectangles, Honey Bee Stamps Itty Bitty Leaves, Altenew Featured Sentiments (for the sentiment)

Paper: Stampin' Up Tartan Foil, cardstock in Lost Lagoon, Pumpkin Pi, Crushed Currey and Pebbled Path

Other: Pretty Pink Posh Graphite Gems

Freshly Made Sketches: Happy Retirement

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Jen Mitchell and here’s what I did with it!

 

I have a workmate who announced she was retiring three years ago.  Not that in 2021, she said she'd be retiring in 2024 - but that she was actually retiring in 2021.  She had a calendar in her office on which she crossed off each day. Well one thing happened after another, both at work and in her life situation and it's now 2024 and she has announced that she is retiring in May.  This time I believe her. 

Her retirement plan is actually working a little "farm" which they bought about three years ago. They sell their local produce to various restaurants in the area and she raises prize-winning dahlias. I don't have anything farm-related in my stash and I don't have dahlias but I do have these cheerful little Nordic flowers. They have such a happy look, I thought they would be perfect for retirement.

The colors took me the longest to pick but that's fairly normal for me. I started with my comfort-zone colors of flamingo, mango and daffodil but it was a little "cutesy" for my future farmer. I just kept switching out colors until it felt like my friend. I had so many flowers in so many colors all over my desk, I couldn't even tell you at this point what the colors are that I ended up with! I do sometimes wonder why I obsess over each and every card.  I know my friend would have appreciated any version I made. But luckily I do like the process and I just keep going until it feels right.

FYI: The tall flower pot is actually taller. I trimmed a strip off the top and bottom of it to fit this 4 1/4" square card. Without the trimming, it would fit nicely on a taller card.  Also, there are smaller flowers in the flower set which I used on this card. 

I hope to see you playing along with us this week at Freshly Made Sketches.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Papertrey Ink Big Balloon Sentiments

Dies: Poppystamps Nordic Flower Pots and Stems, Nordic Flower Heads, Nordic Butterfly Trio

Poppystamps: Joyful Bunny

 I'm on the Poppystamps blog today with some joyful Spring Bunnies with their glittery Farm Fresh Eggs in a field of beautiful flowers!

This card all started with that Spring Bunny.  He's one of two in the set. They are an older die set. As exciting as new releases are, there are some wonderful older products that will never leave my stash. Notice his fluffy tail!  

I loved creating the field of glittery eggs and fresh white flowers. I framed the scene and backed it all with two from my favorite blue trio from Memory Box' Stormy Blue cardstock pad. It's all such a soft look - just perfect for Easter!

There are many more pictures and details on the Poppystamps blog!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Poppystamps Colorful Life clear stamp set

Dies: Poppystamps Spring Bunnies, Farm Fresh Eggs, Potpourri Flower Set, Layered Pointy Petals, Teardrop Butterflies, Scalloped Stitch Frames

Paper: Memory Box Delicate Pastel Glitter Pad and Stormy Blue cardstock pad

Other: Open Studio Pastel Jewels

Christmas Card Throwdown: Black and Silver Snowman

I'm playing along with the 52 Christmas Card Throwdown black and silver challenge. 

The challenge was black and silver and I was struggling with it a bit because I cut everything in basic black and silver and it was quite flat and dull. I changed out a few dies and then I did two different blacks (a pattern and a shiny black) and three different silvers (a glitter, a pearlized and some gems!)  It still about killed me not to give my snowman an orange nose and a bright cheerful scarf - but I ended up liking it as it was.

Thanks to 52 Christmas Card Throwdown for a true challenge - but one that guided me in an unexpected direction!

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Poppystamps Whittle Friendly Snowman, Joy Freestyle Script, Snowflake Corner Frame

Other: Stampin' Up Winter Snow Embossing Folder, Trinity Stamps Disco Ball Embellishment Mix

Poppystamps: Rainbow Hugs and Hearts

 I'm on the Poppystamps blog today with my card for this month's die cut challenge.

I love the dies from the February release - the Rainbow Arch which cuts the stripes of color to go behind the Hearts Shining Arch!  Then after I got the colorful rainbow done, what better than a bold black and white Whittle Giant Panda and some Freestyle Hugs.

There are more pictures and details on the Poppystamps blog!

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Poppystamps Hearts Shining Arch, Rainbow Arch, Whittle Giant Panda, Freestyle Hugs

Paper: Memory Box cardstock pads in Berry Red, Sunny Orange, Lush Green, Fresh Aqua, Ocean Blue, Twilight Purple

Other: Bright Jewels

Poppystamps: Hello Pandas

I'm on the Poppystamps blog today with these two sweet little pandas from the new Whittle Panda Pickup Kit

The pickup in the kit is extremely cute too - and there's even a wagon for these little pandas.  But I went with two of my favorite little pandas (the other pandas in the kit are off to the side) with one sitting next to the new Hello Moonlight Script sentiment and the other hanging from the bamboo.

Be sure to check out the Poppystamps blog for many more pictures and details.

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Poppystamps Whittle Panda Pickup Kit, Hello Moonlight Script and Penelope Pinpoint Frame, Memory Box Postage Square layers

Paper: Memory Box cardstock pads in Berry Red and Lush Green, Memory Box Delicate Pastel Glitter pad

Poppystamps: Birthday Tulips

 I'm on the Poppystamps blog today using the gorgeous new Layered Tulips and Birthday Wishes Moonlight Script dies!

I love that the tulips each have three layers so it is easy to create these dimensional flowers.  I love that the script sentiment has a background so it really pop. I added a little ink splatter to ground it and a sprinkling of jewels to give it sparkle.

Check out the Poppystamps blog for more pictures and details on this card.

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Poppystamps Layered Tulips, Birthday Wishes Moonlight Script, Scalloped Stitch Frames

Paper: Memory Box cardstock pads in Berry Red and Lush Green

Other: Pastel Jewels

Poppystamps: Birthday Floral Vase

I'm on the Poppystamps blog today with this amazing card using the Poppystamps Floral Vase Pop Up Easel.

Here's how it looks as a card.

And here's how it becomes an "easel" for display.

Isn't that just amazing?!  And the dies make it easy.  Check out the Poppystamps blog for pictures of each step and many more details.

I made this specifically for a friend and I wanted a fresh and cheerful look.  So I created a bold black and white vase using cardstock stripes and I picked bright colors for the flowers.  But this set can be used in so many ways.  Check out the samples on the Poppystamps store. They do amazing things with shading and with curling each petal for dimension.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Poppystamps Birthday Blowout

Dies: Poppystamps Floral Vase Pop Up Easel

Paper: Memory Box Berry Red, Sunny Orange and Lush Green paper packs

Other: Poppystamps Pastel Jewels

Poppystamps: Panda Love

 I'm on the Poppystamps blog today with the sweet Whittle Giant Panda along with a variety of brand new Valentines products!

I used the new Heartfelt Pinpoint Frame and layered two coral pink colors from the Memory Box Berry red pad (with the third coordinating color on the heart).  Then the older Double Diamond Lattice Plate works perfectly to showcase the hearts and the stitched accents. The panda was accented with the new Vintage Scalloped Heart which includes the ray pattern which really puts the focus on him.

There are many more pictures and details on the Poppystamps blog.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Poppystamps Diamond Sentiments clear stamp set

Dies: Poppystamps Whittle Giant Panda, Vintage Scalloped Heart, Heartfelt Pinpoint Frame, Double Diamond Lattice Plate and Colwell Label Set

Paper: Memory Box Berry Red 6x6 pad

Poppystamps: Cocoa and Warm Socks

I'm on the Poppystamps blog today with my entry for this month's challenge: Let It Snow. What could be better on a snowy day than hot cocoa and warm socks!

I'm looking out my window as I type this and it's gray and cold and there's about 12 hours of snow in front of us. I do have the warm socks on - plus fleece pajamas and a thick, warm robe - I'm just missing the cocoa. So no more typing because that cocoa is calling my name! But there are full details and many more pictures on the Poppystamps blog.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Poppystamps Wintertime Sentiments clear stamp set

Dies: Poppystamps Whittle Cocoa with Whip, Adelaide Snowflakes and Heartfelt Pinpoint Frame (just for the one little heart on the mug)

Paper: Memory Box Fresh Aqua 6x6 pad and Delicate Pastel Glitter Pad

Other: Pastel Jewels

Poppystamps: Peace on Earth

 I'm on the Poppystamps blog today with this gorgeous Pondering Layered Deer die set.

I find him stunning.  I love his expression.  (BTW - the antlers are a separate piece so it doesn't have to be a "he"!) I love the dimension that the dies give you with just a few dies (all good-sized, none of the tiny fiddly pieces that some other companies give you!)  I put him on a simple background using the Snowflake Flurry Collage with glittery white behind it and grounded him with one of the Flowing Curves.

There are many more pictures and details on the Poppystamps blog!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Poppystamps Gilded Christmas Wishes clear stamp and die set

Dies: Poppystamps Pondering Layered Deer, Snowflake Flurry Collage, Flowing Curves

Paper: Memory Box Majestic Hues Glitter pad (white behind the snowflakes), cardstock pads in Earth Neutrals and Fresh Aqua

Poppystamps: Joyful Whittle Gnome

 I'm on the Poppystamps blog today with their charming Whittle Gnome!

I had not jumped on the gnome trend...until this year.  I found some cute ones - including a pillow with two little elderly gnomes holding hands (perfect for these empty-nesters) and a tacky little guy that flops his jingle bell hat and plays a Christmas version of Shout. They all look a little odd next to my beautiful nativity set - but they make me smile!!  So when it came time to make a Poppystamps card, the new Whittle Gnome was my obvious choice!

There are many more pictures and details on the Poppystamps blog.

SUPPLY LIST 

Dies: Poppystamps Whittle Gnome, Joy Freestyle Script, Layered Holly Leaf Trio, Evangeline Pinpoint Frame, Snowflake Flurry Collage (just the bitty little gold bursts)

Paper: Memory Box Jolly Christmas, Polished Foil pad and cardstock pads in Lush Green and Berry Red (the cardstock pads are available on the Poppystamps website)

Poppystamps: Joy Throughout the Year

I'm on the Poppystamps blog today with joy throughout the year!

My card was inspired by this sentiment from the Christmas Sparkle stamp set. I used the inside letters from the Stacked Joy die and then was thrilled to find a variety of die for each season in my stash!

There are many more pictures and details on the Poppystamps blog.

Both Poppystamps and their sister company Birch Press Design are having fabulous sales right now - have fun shopping!

If you are celebrating Thanksgiving - hope you have stretchy pants and time for a long nap!!  Here's to Thanksgiving joy!!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Poppystamps Christmas Sparkle

Dies: Poppystamps Stacked Joy, Adelaide Snowflakes, Intricate Cut Butterflies, Fanciful Fall Leaves and Layered Holly Leaf Trio

Paper: Poppystamps/Memory Box Kraft Woodgrain

Poppystamps: Joy in the Forest

I'm on the Poppystamps blog today with joy in the forest!!

The brand new Christmas products are the Stacked Joy, Sunbeam Frame and Iced Pine Trees.  Then I added some sweet baby whittle to my forest scene.  Be sure to head over to the Poppystamps blog for more pictures and details.

SUPPLY LIST 

Dies: Poppystamps Sunbeam Frame, Stacked Joy, Iced Pine Trees, Whittle Forest Reindeer Kit (just the fawn), Whittle Hedgehog Due and Whittle Birds; Memory Box Star of Wonder

Paper: Memory Box paper pads in Earth Neutrals, Lush Green and Fresh Aqua; Memory Box Glitter Pads in Graceful Garden (the yellow) and Delicate Pastel (the blue)

Other: Memory Box/Open Studio Autumn Fairy Crystals

Poppystamps: Reindeer Cheer

I am on the Poppystamps blog today with my third card using the charming Whittle Forest Reindeer Kit.

This Whittle Reindeer with the sweet little hats are just the cutest.  Be sure to check out the Poppystamps blog for more details and more pictures including a picture of the three that I've done!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Poppystamps Christmas Sparkle

Dies: Poppystamps Whittle Forest Reindeer Kit

Paper: Memory Box Jolly Christmas, Polished Foil, Majestic Hues glitter and cardstock in Earth Neutral, Berry Red and Lush Green

Poppystamps: Winter Whittle Reindeer

 I am on the Poppystamps blog today with another card using the wonderful reindeer and their charming hats from the Whittle Forest Reindeer kit.

This is my winter take on these reindeer.  They were actually released in the fall release so the first card that I did had them on a big hill with evergreen trees - see it here.  I already have plans for a classic Christmas card - it just takes a red-nose on that reindeer!!

Be sure to check out the Poppystamps blog for more details and many more pictures.

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Poppystamps Whittle Forest Reindeer kit, Proper Merry Christmas, Adelaide Snowflakes

Paper: Memory Box cardstock pads in Earth Neutral and Ocean Blue, Glitter Pad in Majestic Hues

Other: Poppystamps/Open Studio Christmas Fairy Jewels

Poppystamps: I Love You Deerly

I'm on the Poppystamps blog today with these charming Whittle Forest Reindeer!

These sweet deer come from the Whittle Forest Reindeer Kit which includes all the stamps and dies that you see plus three more reindeer from a sideview (including a fawn) and even more "deer" stamps!  They were part of the fall release at Poppystamps so my first card used a simple hill and trees.  But aren't these just perfect for Christmas??!!  Snowflakes, maybe a red nose - - my creative wheels are turning!

Be sure to check out the Poppystamps blog for more pictures and details.

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Poppystamps Whittle Forest Reindeer Kit (includes the stamps)

Paper: Memory Box Cardstock Paper Pads in Earth Neutral, Lush Green and Fresh Aqua; Patterned Paper from Madras Plaid Coral and Green, Woodsy Plaid; Open Studio Watercolor Paper