Hello Bluebird | Thinking of You

Hello dear friends!

Welcome to my front porch where we talk about anything that our hearts fancy!  Today I'm thinking of you and all the encouragement and smiles you send my way here on my blog, Instagram and Facebook.  I want to make sure you know how much I appreciate your visits and love to talk with you.  If you leave a comment, please remember to check the "notification button" on an individual post if you would like to talk about something or ask a question.

Is it to early to share a sweet clean and simple springtime card?  No never! I have several friends who have been on my mind recently.  I've known them for years and they are as much family as they are friends.  This year I'm going to make sure I let them know how much they mean to me with lot's of love tucked inside a handmade card.  I don't know about you, but to many times my cards don't get mailed -- time to remedy that!

Stamp sets and dies used:

• Elephant Friends
• McGregor's Garden (watering can and sentiment)
• Wildflower Bouquet
• Stitched Tag Builder Stand Alone Die

How did I create this card:

• Cut and score a top fold A2 (4.25 x 5.5) piece of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110 lb. card stock 
• Cut a second piece of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110 lb. 3.75 x 5.25 and round two of the corners (your choice which corners)
• Stamp the Elephant, three butterflies, and watering can on 80 lb Neenah Classic Crest Solar White card stock with Brutus Monroe (Raven) Detailed Permanent Ink that is alcohol marker safe and waterproof when dry.
• Color with Copic markers, or your own choice of medium - just remember to pair your medium with the correct paper.  My copic colors are as follows:
• Elephant = C00, C0, C2 and R00, R01 for inside ears and toenails
• Watering Can = C00, C0, C2; R01; BV000
• Butterflies = Y06, Y08; R21, R22; BV000, BV01
• All florals from the Wildflower Bouquet set are stamped with the Papertrey Ink premium dye inks:
• Cocoa Bean, Harvest Gold, Pale Peony, Lilac Grace, Green Parakeet, and New Leaf
• Small oval from the Stand Alone set, Stitched Tag Builder, was cut from Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80 lb. and slightly inked with the Harvest Gold premium ink.
• Adhere the small oval with liquid adhesive.
• Begin placing your elements where you'd like them remembering the little elephant will be popped up with 3M dimensional adhesives last.  I actually adhered the watering can underneath the baby elephant's trunk first and put my 3M adhesives on but didn't take the tacky backing off until I knew exactly where I would place her.
• Little details - remember last time we talked about little details?  Here we go!
• Three little butterflies in colors that repeat in the florals
• And three tiny water droplets in flat jewels from Little Yellow Bicycle or your choice.
• Gold leaf pen trim around the image panel. 

The gold leaf pen is something I do often when creating a CAS design.  It just gives it that extra something special and I attribute it to my sweet online friend Katie Sims

Thinking of You Close Up

A simple way to tell your friends and family, "I'm thinking of You!"

And now dear friends I must tell you that I'm flying the nest.  This will be my last card for Hello Bluebird Stamps as a design team member.  I will continue to create cards with their delightful illustrations and post them here and on my other galleries, but it's time to slow down and enjoy this new decade and season of life.   I hope you'll continue to visit me here, on Instagram and Facebook as I continue to create and share my art.   As I go forth I want you to know there will always be a little bluebird on my shoulder!

With sincere love and hugs,

Susie ~

Hello Bluebird | Bluebird on my Shoulder

Hello dear friends,

Welcome to a cold and windy visit on my front porch!  A friend said the weather in Charleston is like picking power ball numbers - 56, 31, 27, 65, 19, 70!   Maybe I should purchase a ticket (she laughs).   How about you, how's your weather?   Our poor little cyclamen plants had to be brought in from the screened porch to weather out the next few days of cold.   But no matter the weather, rain or shine, I've got a bluebird on my shoulder!   And that my dear friends is the title of my newest card.

I'm sharing a mid-January card using several Hello Bluebird Stamp sets and transitioning these older sets to create new scene for Valentine's Day.  So let's get our beverage and start talking crafty talk shall we?

How did I create this card:

• Cut a 4.25 x 5.5 card base (top fold) from Neenah Solar White Classic Crest card stock 110 lb
• Cut a panel 3.75 x 5.25 from Neenah Solar White Classic Crest card stock 80 lb 
• Ink blend the 3.75 x 5.25 panel with Ranger Distress Oxide Spun Sugar and Wilted Violet and spritz with water.  Stamp your sentiment and set aside to dry.   I used Brutus Monroe Detail Ink (Raven) as my ink choice.
• Stamp your images and color with your choice of medium, then die-cut with the available coordinating dies.  I used the following stamp sets:
• Rainy Day
• North Star
• Springtime
• Rainbow Script
• I colored my images with Copics so I chose to use Memento (Tuxedo Black) as my stamping ink.
• With my panel now dry, I arranged my colored images.  I used the stamped sentiment to ground my larger elements.  The little girl is popped up with 3M tape as are the clouds and sunshine  The puppy and duck are adhered with Nuvo by Tonic Deluxe Adhesive 
• Instead of raindrops I've added rays of sunshine hearts in yellow "sunshine" by PaperSource
• Little details are subtle:
• The bluebird on the shoulder 
• Tiny heart on the puppy's collar
• Valentine heart in the little girl's hand.

Don't forget those little details for in my humble opinion they take a design to the next level.   A simple card such as this now keeps the viewers eye longer and brings a sigh of delight (I hope) *laughing*   Background colors also play a big part too.  I tried several different colors and mediums before settling on the purple/pink combo (remember your color wheel).

It's my hope to have a dialogue with crafters here on my front porch; so thank you as always for visiting and leaving such lovely comments.  I hope you've enjoyed this sunny little valentine.

The sun will be out tomorrow, but in the meantime let's create something that makes that little bluebird on our shoulder sing!  Until next time.

Very sincerely,

Susie ~

Hello Bluebird | Storybook Cottage

In the highlands, in the country places,
Where the old plain men have rosy faces,
And the young fair maidens quiet eyes...
~ R L Stevenson

Once upon a time in a village far away sat a little cottage waiting for spring.  With the gales of winter past, tiny blossoms blanket the hillside and new lambs spring to-and fro playing silly lamb games.  Raindrops splash against the window pane and she is reminded March in the highlands can still be cold and damp.  She pulls her cape tighter, preparing for the long journey...

Hello Bluebird Friends!

I'm sharing another sweet storybook card with you today that encompasses some of my favorite friends.   Our scene opens up through a make believe portal to a little cottage in the glen.  I used the sweet Storybook Friends stamp to build a landscape around my sketched cottage on a round panel cut from Fabriano Artistico Hot Press watercolor paper.

Once I sketched and stamped the foundation I laid down a light glaze of watercolor and set it aside. I will go back to it later.   To begin building the scene I like to stamp the elements on masking paper and fussy cut them.  The slightly tacky paper allows me to arrange and rearrange until I am satisfied with placement.   And in this case I did change it up in the end (she smiles).   I didn't use some of the pieces you see here, but wanted you to see the process and how it can aid in building your design.



All the little characters were stamped with Distress Antique Linen ink on the Fabriano Artistico Hot Press watercolor paper.  I prefer hot press for the smooth white appearance.  The difference between hot press and cold press in a nutshell is the surface and texture of the paper.   For this piece I've used several different watercolor mediums.  The cottage scene and landscape is watercolored using Schmincke Horadam pan watercolors, and all the little storybook characters are watercolored with Kuretake Zig Watercolor Brush Pens.   I like to use my pens a little differently by putting some of the watercolor ink on a small clear block and picking up the watercolor from there.   This helps me avoid harsh lines and get closer to that no-line watercolor look.

To ground the scene I cut a little opened book from patterned paper as a visual for the story. Last, I arrange all the characters around the die-cut circle for the final layer.   And, like my other storybook cards I've sprinkled some happy moments in stardust form along the path and around the cottage using Stickles Stardust glitter glue.  All of the characters are adhered along the circle with glue or raised when appropriate with 3M double sided tape for additional dimension.

Those who know me know that I like to add in patterned paper when I can.  I looked through my stash for a small pattern and found this wheat colored lattice pattern - perfect!  I cut a circle one size smaller in the lattice pattern and adhered it over the cottage scene.  Then I placed the circle with our characters over the scene.  The path to our storybook card is complete.

Stamp sets used on this card:

• Storybook Friends
• Away in a Manager
• Banner Buddies
• Fairy Garden
• Field Mice
• Moose and Friends
• Rainy Day
• Fishin' Hole
• Springtime
• Spring Gatherings
• Pumpkin Time, and
• Companion dies for all sets.

A dainty tea awaits our friends as springtime blossoms in the highlands.  I hope you've enjoyed your visit today and will create your own storybook card to share with us.

Very sincerely,
Susie Lessard ~

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 ~

25 Days of Christmas Tags with Hello Bluebird Stamps

Hello Friends!

I'm excited to be joining Tracey McNelly and the design team from Hello Bluebird Stamps today as we bring the 25 Days of Christmas Tags to a close.

I'm featuring stamps sets from the 2019 and 2018 Winter Release.   I love wee images, they're a fabulous value and a wonderful way to stretch your stamp sets. 

If you're new to the Hello Bluebird Stamps products here are some things to know:   Illustrations  are scaled to work with all the sets.   And, you'll find left and right images as-well- as little hearts, stars, dots, and the beloved bluebird in many of the sets.   Storybook characters and stand alone dies are endearing and make scene building a "dream come true!"

All my cards and tags today are colored with Copic markers.  Hello Bluebird Stamp products will be listed at the end of the post.

Patterned paper in bright primary colors and ink blended edges, and our beloved bluebird to herald Christmas morn.

Mrs. Claus sips her hot chocolate as elves are checking the list not once, but twice, and fox lights the way through the white and drifted snow!

And here come the little helpers to make that special delivery!

Christmas is coming and bear and fox are lighting the way - Peace on Earth are words they say!

From scene building, clean and simple, layered, traditional, elegant, or die cut designs; the strength of Hello Bluebird illustrations and die cuts provide paper crafters the opportunity to share their style in a captivating and creative way.   Ink blending, Copic coloring, colored pencil, and watercolor - all mediums work well and give a different look to these fun, whimsical, and always on trend stamp sets.

So Deck the Halls, Jingle all the Way, and Bring on the Merry, Santa's on his way!

Soft and elegant.  Holly and Pine dies create a lovely feminine presentation.

Couple this tag with coordinating card and a package wrapped in silver for elegant gift giving.

Thank you to all the Hello Bluebird friends, old and new -- we appreciate YOU!   I hope you've enjoyed my sweet offerings during this event.   And a huge thank you to Tracey McNelly for all you've done this month during the fabulous 25 Days of Christmas Tags event.
Warm Wishes, and may peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!

Sincerely,
Susie ~

Hello Bluebird Stamps used:

• Frosty Friends Stamp
• North Pole Littles Stamp
• Merry Greeters Stamp
• Christmas is Coming Stamp
• Quiet Christmas
• Merry Mice Stamp
• Frosty Flakes Die
• Holly and Pine Die
• Snowy Sky Scene Die

Hello Bluebird | Merry Mice and Dickens Carol

Hello friends, I'm up on the Hello Bluebird Blog today and hope you'll meet me there as I continue to feature our new release sets.  I've created a classic card today featuring, Merry Mice, using a few different coloring mediums I think you'll love.

It's been a whirl wind week for Hello Bluebird, and our International design team continue to inspire us as they feature their sample cards.   The festive and beautiful stamp and dies sets will get your holiday juices flowing.   So, grab a cup of your favorite hot chocolate and come visit me today!

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 ~

Hello Bluebird June Release Preview Day 2 - Seaside Girls

Welcome Bluebird friends!   It's Preview Day 2 of the June 2019 Release featuring, Seaside Girls

Spikes of coastal grass poking out of sea glass and gravel, give way under the crunching tires of the car - then spring to life again.   Unrestrained shouts of summer laughter fill the air.  Car doors fly open as children scatter like sandpipers along the waters edge, and gulls cry out a welcome.   The summer place sits as it always has, weathered and slightly salted, ready for a fresh coat of exhilarated joy!   Rustic window boxes filled to the brim with a kaleidoscope of wild and unruly color.  Aged lace curtains ripple gently in the breeze in need of a stitch or two.   And the sweet smell of summer's bounty fills the air as the door swings wide.  A summer place, safe and warm, rain or storm.    A place a family shares.    All their hopes.    All their dreams.    All their love.

Laughing gulls, sun-kissed cheeks, ocean breezes, and sand between your toes.  What treasures do you think this little darling will find as she wades through warm aqua rippled tidal pools?   A periwinkle, starfish, clam, or maybe a mischievous little crab!

What ideas might you have for this adorable set from the newest Hello Bluebird stamp collection?   Instead of a card, I created a project that I could frame and give as a gift. 

I began by placing a piece of Neenah 110 lb Solar White card stock in my stamp positioner and stamping all my images with a hybrid black ink that is Copic friendly.   I colored them with Copic markers and some Polychromous pencil for additional depth.  I die-cut them with the available companion die and set them aside for later.

My layout includes the use of a new stand alone die called, Ocean Scene.  This die creates a frame, an inside scene of waves and clouds that can be kept together in a static display or taken apart and used individually.   Because I decided to frame this piece I wanted the outside frame a little larger.  Something I could fit the Ocean Scene into.   I chose several wave pieces, plus the clouds.   I colored two of the wave pieces in a sand motif by using an easy technique called, Pointillism.   I positioned both the sand colored pieces on my background panel to create a tidal pool area colored in a light blue-green.  The third wave is colored in a deeper blue-green to give perspective to the tidal pool.  I used white gouache to show the light that bounces in and around tiny bubbles in the water, mixes together to look white, and appears to be breaking waves washing on the sand along tidal pool edge. 

Next, I masked the bottom area, then sponged some clouds in the background with Ranger Distress Ink (adding a little yellow that would be behind the little bathing beauty's head).   With the background complete, I stamped my sentiment from the Seaside Girls stamp set using a nice black dye ink.   Tip:  When using dye ink, please remember to either heat set or allow your piece to air dry completely before moving on.   Once dry I added the die-cut clouds to the upper part of the panel.

   The scene is now ready to set inside the frame and add the die-cut colored images.  I added some shells and greenery for embellishment and balanced the design by adding the gull in the bottom right corner.

I hoped I've inspired you to step outside the box today with my summer project.   A gift from heart and hand to another.  A gift that says, I made this for YOU!

Don't forget to visit the Hello Bluebird Blog for a chance to win a $50 dollar gift certificate.   Just leave a comment on Preview Day 1,  2, and 3    The winner will be announced on Preview Day 4, June 26th, before the release goes live at 7pm MST

I'll be back tomorrow with Preview Day 3 of the newest Hello Bluebird release.  Until then, thank you for your visit and have a wonderful day!

Hello Bluebird June Release Preview Day 1 Strawberry Jam

Hello Bluebird friends, and welcome to my front porch and day one of the June 2019 release previews.   For the next four days I'll be featuring some of the cutest storybook stamp sets ever!

The Hello Bluebird Summer Release features six stamp sets, companion dies, and stand alone dies.

Todays card sample features the new, Strawberry Jam stamp set.  The set has a companion die set which is a wonderful asset when creating little scenes like this one.   Tip:  The smaller stamps also make lovely embossed or watercolored backgrounds, or compliment a singular larger stamp for a striking CAS card.  Once colored and die cut move your elements around and try a layout that fits your style!

How do you begin when creating a card?   I began by stamping and coloring all the stamps on Neenah 110 lb Solar White card stock and coloring the pieces with Copic markers and some Polychromous colored pencils for additional depth.   With the companion die set, I cut out all the colored pieces and set them aside.   Then I began working on the layout by using the new Gallery Frame #4 which provides a nice pinked edge frame as-well-as a small plain inside frame that you can use for later if you wish.  It also includes some sweet tags - what a bonus!

The big surprise for this set is the additional stand alone die, Strawberry Jam Part B, which cuts a shaped outline of the strawberry vines.   After die-cutting I sponged around the edges with Ranger Distress ink in Scattered Straw and set it aside to dry. 

On a second piece of card stock I started working on the background picnic scene.   I used Ranger Distress ink to sponge some clouds in a pale pink, and green to ground the characters.   Then I began arranging the colored characters and additional pieces I had die-cut earlier.   Happy with the placement, I adhered the pieces with both Tonic glue and dimensional tape.    I then adhered the panel that was die-cut with the Strawberry Jam Part B die with some soft fun foam over my picnic scene.

Time to adhere the pinked edge frame which includes my stamped sentiment from the Strawberry Jam set.   Additional lift is achieved with dimensional tape on the back of the frame and carefully placed on top of the Strawberry Jam cut-out panel.   I now have my background scene with characters, the Strawberry Jam cut-out on top of that, and the frame as my border.   To finish this card I placed both left and right strawberry vines on the frame using the Strawberry Jam Part B cut out as my guide.  I used Tonic glue where the leaves touched the frame, and dimensional dots under the berries where needed.   Some Sour Apple Tonic Nuvo drops are all I need to bring this project to a close.

I'd like to invite you to hop over to the Hello Bluebird Blog for a chance to win a $50 dollar gift certificate.   Just leave a comment on their blog on Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3   Winners will be announced prior to the release on Wednesday, June 26th

Thank you so much for visiting today.   I'll see you tomorrow with another sample card from this adorable release!

Hello Bluebird | Memorial Banner

Hello friends!  I have a card to share with you today that I created for Memorial Day this past Monday.  We are a military family.  Service to country runs deep on both sides.  From WWII through the war in the Middle East our family members have served proudly.   While crafting this card I thought about the fields of crosses in Verdun, France that seemed to go on forever, and the graves of Arlington, Virginia where friends and colleagues lay.   I don't think there is a family in our country that doesn't have a story of service in their family.  So today I honor them.  Those who put the comforts of home and love of family aside to protect the freedoms we hold so dear.

A Memorial Banner of Red, White, and Blue

This new card uses a number of different Hello Bluebird sets.  I began by scoring the foundation panel of Neenah Solar White card stock (80lb) on the diagonal.  This is nice way to provide interest to a CAS design.   For the base of the floral spray I used the very popular, Vertical Banner die from the Banner Buddies release.  Flowers and leaves were both stamped and die cut using the following sets:  Flower Garden and Wildflower Bouquet and the Wildflower Bouquet companion die,   The large leaves were die cut using Gallery Frame #2 and the stars were die cut from Gallery Frame #1   I trimmed the foundation panel with a gold leaf pen, and both panel and the floral banner were adhered to the card base with fun foam.

I hope you've been inspired by my card and words today.   It is a small offering from heart and hand.    The stamp and die sets I've shared today can be found on the Hello Bluebird web site and are waiting for you!

On Monday I posted these words from Thomas Pain:

"These are the times that try men's souls."    Written during the darkest hours of our nations struggle for liberty.    A struggle that brought Gen. George Washington humbly to his knees in prayer.   Surely a country had never paid such a high cost for freedom as this...   Our founding fathers knew the cost.   The struggle against tyranny and oppression will always cause suffering and pain - this we know. 

But the desire for freedom is greater.

Remembering