Hello Bluebird | Happy New Year

Hello friends and Happy New Year!    Are you ready to ring in a new decade?    Are you reflecting back on the past 10 years?  Or is it enough to wonder where the past year went?!? (she smiles).   This year is going to be a big page turner for me.    I'm as busy now as I was when I worked in the marketplace.   In the past ten years I became a grandmother for the first time, celebrated 50 years of marriage, and made two huge moves! 

Today, I am delighted to share one last card for 2019 with you from Hello Bluebird Stamps.   I wanted this to be subtle, artful, finely woven in black, white, and sliver.   Free from color, but vested in a clean design.   Designing this way isn't always easy - what is the take-away?   For me, it causes me to slow down and think.  It provides a clean canvas for creativity, and a dreaming place for new ideas.

For this card I used both new and old stamp sets.   Happy New Year from the 2018 North Star set, and the die cut tress from the 2018 Frosty Littles, and the 2019 Snowball Fight.   Instead of stamping, I chose a black/white print for the trees.   The greeting is embossed with fine sliver embossing powder on vellum and laid over a panel of soft stone card stock.   This panel is now adhered to a 3.75 x 5 piece of 110 lb weight Neenah Solar White card stock.   The little trees are applied with Tonic liquid adhesive as are the numbers die-cut from silver card stock using the Charlie Numbers die set.

The panel is complete and ready to be placed on top of the final 4.25x5.5 patterned card base with 3M adhesive tape.  While void of color, the patterns, and dimension provide interest.   A few black gems finish the card. 

I thought it might be nice to see what you liked this past year on my IG gallery so I've included my Top Nine cards for one last look.   All but one (the first card) are created with Hello Bluebird Stamps and dies and use different mediums.   From Copic markers, watercolor, and pencil to layered, scene building, and clean and simple you've encouraged me all the way!   Thank you!

My Top Nine Cards for 2019

White Washed Putz Houses with Glitter Roofs

But cards are not all I enjoy creating.  This Christmas I created some some white washed Putz Houses to decorate the inside of my china cabinet.   Back with twinkle lights they add warmth and elegance.

Snowmen and Santa's each with a story take their place in my 3-tired stand.   A vintage snow sled from years gone by and snowman stand at the ready for the fun to be had.

Christmas in Charleston 2019

And from my front porch to yours, thank you.   Thank you for your visits, comments, encouragement, and the inspiration you bring to me.   May 2020 bring you hope, peace, and blessings for your good and God's glory.

Until next time

Sincerely yours,

Susie ~ 

Hello Bluebird | Good Tidings of Great Joy

"And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you great tidings of great joy,

Which shall be to all people."

Luke 2:10 KJV

Hello friends,

November is a list makers extravaganza!   There are shopping lists for Thanksgiving dinner, decorations, gift giving ideas for Christmas, and all the things in between.  November found me in my craft room creating Christmas cards, and participating in Tracey McNeely's 25 Days of Christmas Tags event.   And of course, preparing for our Thanksgiving dinner which is an event unto itself!

With company gone and the house quiet once more, I took a cup of tea up to my craft room and spent some time creating a card to share good tidings of great news!   A Savior is born - to all people!   Lord of Lord, and Kings of Kings.  Even the lowly animals of the forest know His name.

I love the pure innocence on the faces of our little friends as they hear the Savior's name whispered on the winds of joy through the winter night.   Can you imagine their excitement as they traveled to the edge of the forest to see the star that would light the way to the manger where the young babe laid?

The beautiful scripture from Luke 2:10 found in the Hello Bluebird set, Away in a Manger, set the stage for my creation.  I wanted to let the animals from the Hello Bluebird stamp sets, North Star,  Away in a Manger, Moose and Friends, and Snow Play tell the visual story on this card and opted not to use the traditional manger scene.

I used the newly release Winter Woods Overlay die and cut it from cold press watercolor paper.  I saved the negatives and put them aside.   I watercolored the trees with Schmincke Horadam pan watercolors using a wet-on-dry technique.  This means I used wet paint on dry paper.  The technique effect will leave "edges" which, when dry, achieves an interesting look especially when painting trees.

I adhered the overlay to my card base and then placed the negatives back in place.  I placed the animals in their order and then laid the sentiment down -- once I had the sentiment where I wanted it, I picked up the animals and put them aside.  Then I stamped the sentiment with VersaFine Instant Dry Pigment Ink, Onyx Black.

Watercoloring over this ink once it's dry is like a resist - I wouldn't use anything else.  But... be patient and let it dry thoroughly.  If you are in a hurry, use your heat gun.  Once the sentiment was dry I began watercoloring the night sky, which is the negatives from the Winter Woods Overlay.   Then with everything dry, I placed the animals using Nuvo Tonic Deluxe adhesive onto the card.  I did use some 3M adhesive tape on the fox and cardinal for a little dimension.

I should have splattered before I stamped the sentiment and placed the animals, but not to worry -- I carefully covered them with scratch paper and splattered away using, Finetec: Coliro: Mica Watercolor paint in gold, white gouache, and some brown Schmincke watercolor paint.   A few little negative stars from the Snowy Sky Scene die in white finished the card.   Simply stated and created, this quiet card shouts with joy --  A Savior is Born! 

As we enter this first week of Advent, I hope you'll find time to read the passage in Luke, and give thanks for the good tidings brought to all peoples that quiet night in Bethlehem.

Sincerely,

Susie ~

Hello Bluebird | Release Day!

It just gets cuter and cuter each day!  Do you think you've found your favorite yet?   Not sure?  Well, let me help you just a little bit *giggle*   Don't forget the release goes live tonight at 7:00pm MST

I like to include a CAS design in my card line up for a new release -- something for everyone, right?  Today I'm featuring the new stamp set, First Snow.   If you missed the first day of previews, please hop over to the Hello Bluebird blog and take a look at the sample cards featuring First Snow, and the stamp and die set.

I loved the two little bunnies who looked like they were throwing a kiss and extending their arms in a gesture of welcome wishes.  I colored both bunnies with Copic markers (I will list the colors at the bottom of the post) and cut them out using the available companion die set.

I cut out a heart from masking paper and placed it in the middle of my panel and did some ink blending with Distress Spun Sugar ink.   The ink blended heart serves as a foundation and grounds the two bunnies.  Then, being careful to use the rule of thirds, I stamped the little snowflakes in watermark ink and embossed with sliver embossing powder.   I placed the bunnies on the heart (without adhesives) so I could see where to place the sentiments.  Once I had the sentiment stamps in place I carefully lifted the bunnies off and put the panel in my stamp positioner.   I used Hero Arts Black Dye ink to stamp the sentiments. 

**PSA**  Please be careful at this point.  Dye ink dries much slower than others, and will smear in a moments notice.  Use your heat tool for a second or two, or set the piece down, get a beverage, and take a little break (she smiles).  Once everything is dry, adhere your bunnies (I popped mine up with 3M adhesive tape).  Last but not least, I placed three sweet hearts strategically around the bunnies and snowflakes. 

Copic colors used:

• C00, C0, C1 | RV0000, RV000
• RV52, RV55, RV63
• BG53, BG57

A lovely CAS design with icy white balance, slivery snowflakes, sweet pink hearts, and two little bunnies who send Snowflake kisses and Winter Wishes!   I hope you've enjoyed my card sample today and throughout this beautiful winter release.   Thank you for your visits and wonderful comments.

Hello Bluebird | Preview Day 3

Day 3 previews of Hello Bluebird Stamps new winter release!

Hi friends, and welcome to the front porch today!   It's been a whirlwind of inspiration on the Hello Bluebird Stamps Blog, Instagram, and FB Friends Group sites in anticipation of the new winter release that goes live on Monday, October 28th, 7pm MST     Everyone is in a twitter over all the sweet winter and Christmas stamp sets, and stand alone die sets!    Please make sure you visit the Hello Bluebird Blog during the previews and comment for a chance to win one of four $50 gift certificates.  You'll be able to see the stamp sets, dies, and of course, all the inspiration samples by the U.S. based design team.   And if that isn't enough, next week we'll be treated to even more inspiration by the International design team!! 

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the hallow, not a creature...  Today I'm featuring my favorite set, O Christmas Tree, and the new stand alone background die, Snowy Sky Scene.

As much as I adore all the Hello Bluebird Stamp illustrations, my favorites are all the little characters.  From their sweet smiles to their innocent gaze, they endear themselves to us by their human attributes; trimming the tree, having a cocoa party, decorating their tree house in the woods.  We can't help ourselves -- we have fallen in love with them!

This is an A2 side fold card.  I stamped out all the images in the set and colored them using Copic markers.  I used the O Christmas Tree companion die set available in this release and cut out my images.  I also die-cut the Snowy Sky Scene and ink blended the top portion that is perforated with stars and different sized  holes to project a snowy/starry night with two different Distress Inks, Tumbled Glass and Stormy Night.

I slightly inked the edges of the snowy hills with Tumbled Glass, and adhered all the pieces on my first panel.  Tip: only adhere the edges of your snowy hills (and the bottom hill) so you can tuck your characters in the desired position(s).  Now it's time to choose how you want to position your characters to project the scene you'd like to portray.  I added a little Stickles glitter along the top edge of the hills and pulled it down in a sweeping motion with a toothpick (you'd be surprised at the tools I use).  I added just a little bit of white gouache on some of the tree branches which I think provides some extra dimension and interest.  A lovely gold leaf trim around the panel finishes the card. 

I hope you've enjoyed my card today.  It was a pleasure to create it for Hello Bluebird and YOU!

I'll see you again soon for the last day of previews.  Thank you as always for your visit to my front porch!

Hello Bluebird Stamps | Winter Release Preview Day 2

Hello friends!  How did you like the Hello Bluebird Stamps new winter release preview day 1 samples?  Believe me it's a pleasure creating a card with such lovely stamps and dies.   Please don't forget to visit the Hello Bluebird blog each day during the previews days; leave a comment for a chance to win one of four $50 gift certificates.

The question for you today is this:  Have you had your family Christmas photo yet?  Oh you know the kind; the once a year photo where the entire family wears color coordinated outfits.   Mr. and Mrs. Claus and their woodland friends posed for their photo and I think it's as sweet as Christmas pie!

Today is day 2 of our Previews and I'm featuring, Family Photo -- how cute is that name for a stamp set?!  Included in this set is the image you see on my card today (it's all one stamp - no masking); an extra reindeer, small sitting penguin, little heart, candy cane, snowflake, and two nice sentiments.

I started my card by ink blending a background with distress ink Tumbled Glass for the sky, then added a snowy hill.   I stamped "the family" and colored them with Copic markers and finished with a little colored pencil for additional depth.  I used the companion die to cut my colored piece out and placed it over my background.  I also played around with some solid colored frames, before deciding on a more decorative one of patterned paper to break up the color coordinated outfits (she laughs).  

I was thinking about all the great Christmas frames available this time of year and thought Santa and Mrs. Claus would approve.  I placed the second reindeer a little off the main photo to give some depth and interest.  To finish the card I added some white Tonic Nuvo drops and Stickles Stardust in the sky.  Candy canes and sweet red hearts complete the card.

From our Family to Yours, From Heart and Hand, You're wished a very Merry Christmas!

I hope you've enjoyed my card today and will pop over to the Hello Bluebird Blog and the galleries of the design team members to see what they have for you today.

Thank you for stopping by, I always appreciate your visits.   The Hello Bluebird Release goes live on Monday, October 28th at 7:00pm MST

Hello Bluebird | Winter Release Preview Day 1

Hello friends, Welcome to my front porch!   The last time we talked we both agreed the holiday card crafting season is upon us.   The excitement begins today as Hello Bluebird Stamps begins their previews for the new 2019 winter release!  And believe me it's as sweet as Christmas pie!

What a wonderful way to start a release - a party with Christmas cookies and hot cocoa with marshmallows - yum!  My first card features the new release stamp set, Cocoa Party, paired with a new word die, Warm Wishes.   The stamp set features five (5) of our favorite friends in their best Christmas sweaters, a Merry Christmas banner, three (3) small stamps, and five (5) sweet sentiments!  That's a set chock-a-block full of Christmas goodies!

Slimline card designs are fun to create and provide the extra room for scene building.   I started by cutting a piece of hot chocolate card stock to 7 x 8.5 and scored at 3.5 inches for my card base.  Then I cut a second piece of rectangular card stock about a quarter inch smaller all around.  This became the base for my design.  I lightly inked the second panel with some Gathered Twigs Distress ink (darker to lighter) and centered the word die, Warm Wishes, in the middle of the panel and placed a sentiment, You Warm My Heart, from the Cocoa Party stamp set at an angle.   I colored all the characters with Copic markers and popped several up with 3M adhesive tape, the rest were glued with Tonic Deluxe Adhesive Nuvo glue (love that stuff!).   The bonus to all Hello Bluebird stamp sets are the smaller stamps -- there are so many ways to use these sweet additions.   I used one of the little birds that appears to be carrying a candy cane to put into his hot chocolate.   A simple design that heralds a party!

The new release goes live on Monday, October 28th at 7:00pm MST   Until then, I hope you'll join the party along with the Hello Bluebird design team as we preview our 2019 winter product line.  

Thank you so much for your visit today, I'll see you back on the front porch soon!

Hello Bluebird | Bring on the Merry!

Hello friends!

Welcome to my front porch - a place to share our love of crafting and creating cards.  With seasonal card crafting in full swing, it's time to talk turkey, err, I mean Christmas!   I am beginning my Christmas card crafting now, and will be in full swing with the new Hello Bluebird Winter Release, October 28th at 7pm MST    Previews begin on October 25th so please don't miss out on the wonderful treats in store by all the Hello Bluebird DT

I thought I'd get a little warm-up practice in today with some Hello Bluebird Christmas sets from 2018.  My card features, Frosty Littles and North Pole Littles -- oh my goodness how I love the "littles" they're so, so sweet!   It really was difficult to choose which of the little snowmen I wanted to use;   I guess I'll have to make more (she smiles).

I think I'll call this card design a CSD (Clean Scene Design) - I believe I've just invented a new design category (laughing).   It has a bit of everything distress ink blending, die-cut layering, Copic coloring, and maybe a new-to-you technique while still keeping a nice white balance.  Let's take a look.

First, let's talk about the frame and the technique I used.   I cut a panel of Neenah Solar White card stock 110 lb 3 3/4 x 5 1/4 and did the same to a piece of Sookwang, Be Creative Sheet, which is sticky on both sides.   I married both pieces together and placed a basic rectangular die in the middle and ran it through my die cutting machine.   The next step is a little tricky only because it's sticky.    Carefully place the die cut Be Creative Sheet over the die-cut framel (you may have to tuck little stray sticky pieces around the edges but that's okay.   Lay the frame on paper and pour fine glitter over it; tap off the extra, and burnish with your finger.   The fine glitter provides a lovely icy appearance.  This technique look particularly nice over a colored scene (just make sure it isn't a 3D scene).

Secondly, I cut two 3 3/4 x 5 panels of Neenah Solar White card stock 110 lb  I did some ink blending on the first panel using Distress Oxide Milled Lavender half way down.  The second panel was used to cut the snowy hills using the Hill and Dale die cuts.   Once I had them cut, I gave them a light ink blending in the little nooks and crannies with Distress Oxide Tumbled Glass.

Adhering the snowy hills together (only at the sides) I placed the entire piece on the first panel just below the sky line.   With only the sides glued together I had room to slip in my "littles".   This is a small scene so it's important to give it a big presence with perspective.   I've done that with color, tucking in some elements behind and bringing others forward and mounting them with 3M adhesive tape.   I chose a blue/green scheme for the trees, a darker blue combo for the house and the snowman's hat, and a pop of red for the door and north pole sign which I brought forward and popped up on the outside of the frame.   A little decorative holly at the bottom of the sign, and on the left side of the sentiment from the North Pole Littles stamp set, is a nice balance.

When you look at the scene now, it carries your eye from the sentiment and North Pole sign on the outside of the frame all the way back to the mountains.   A "Clean Scene Design" with nice white balance.   Bring on the Merry!

I hope you've enjoyed my card today and will give that "icy" technique a try.   And don't forget the upcoming Winter Release starting with Previews on October 25th and the Full Release on October 28th at 7pm MST

See you soon friends!
Sincerely,
Susie ~