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Posted by on May 28, 2018 in Blender Pins, Botanical Gardens Designer Series Washi Tape, Lovely As A Tree, Rooted In Nature, The Creative Way, The Creative Way -May 2018 | 1 comment

Nature’s Way

I’m completely sorry this post is a bit late today.  I had technical difficulties last night that completely deleted today’s post. Anyway, now on to why you came The Creative Way – Rooted In Nature

The Creative Way – A Product Feature, Rooted In Nature

Nature has a way of helping you know that life is constantly changing.  The seasons are ever-changing. As is the, day-to-day weather.  Nature is the beauty of the world speaking to us every day.  We don’t really notice all beauty Nature tries to show us.  How often do we as people stop to just enjoy how magnificent a trees really are.  How they start from little seeds and grow into mighty trees.  They stand tall and proud over us.  Watching as the years pass by.  (I know you see my point, so I want to go on and on about the beauty of the years passing by. Seeing the happy, the sad, the new, and the contentment….) inspiration comes from all sorts of places in nature.  Nature’s way of helping us see beauty….

One of the very first thing’s I told you about the Rooted In Nature stamp set was that it was a companion set to Lovely as A Tree.  And, I promised a card that combined the two sets.

Lovely As A Tree

Lovely As A Tree Stamp Set

Lovely As A Tree is a beautiful stamp set that celebrates the beauty in the Natural World around us!  Just like Rooted In Nature, this set lends itself very well to different styles and techniques of card making.

Rooted In Nature Stamp Set

Rooted In Nature Stamp Set

You can see how the sentiments will work amazing with either set.  And the leaves also coordinate very well together.  Today, I’m using the leaves from Lovely as A Tree and combining them with a tree from Rooted In Nature. This combination was picked to hopefully reflect the beauty that exist in a simple tree.

The Creative Way - Rooted In Nature

  • The two leaves from Lovely As A Tree (127793) are stamped in the new Gray Granite (Available June 1, 147118) on Shimmery White Paper (101910)
  • Then using a blender pen (102845) the ink was moved around to softly color in the leaves
  • The large tree from Rooted In Nature (Available June 1, 146479) is stamped in the returning color, Mossy Meadow(Available June 1, 147111)
  • Fabulous at any age, Itty Bitty Greetings (Available June 1, 146664), was also stamped with Mossy Meadow
  • The final touch was to die cut the greeting with the new label in Stitched Labels Framelits (available June 1, 146828)

Each of your comments makes me smile! Please, comment HERE.

The first post in The Creative Way  series shares a lot of my thoughts about the Rooted In Nature Stamp Set and the Nature’s Poem Suite that Rooted In Nature  is apart of! You can find that post here

For day 2! 

For Day 3!

For Day 4

For Day 5

For Day 6

For Day 7

For Day 8

 

The Share What You Love bundle is jammed packed of stamping wonderfulness for every card maker or paper craftier out there!!! This bundle is only available for a limited time

Share What You Love Bundle

  • Bundles are exclusive to the suite early release and will no longer be available after May 31, 2018. Individual items from the Share What You Love suite will be available when the 2018–2019 annual catalog is released on June 1, 2018.

If you would like to see Cards with this bundle click here and here

Lots of awesome products are retiring from the Occasions and Annual Catalogs .You defiantly don’t want to miss out on these fabulous items!!

Retiring Stampin' Up! Products

I hope everyone is enjoying their Memorial Day.  This day holds a lot of meaning to most. So, I hope you are celebrating in style.  I will be working just a bit today.  Then home to chill and enjoy.  This day always reminds me of when I was a teen and would go to our City’s, Alabama Jubilee,  Hot Air Balloon activities. It was the one time a year my Dad could get me up early on the weekend.  I hope you got some creative time in.  I squeezed in a little painting on Saturday Night which was super fun.  Then Sunday afternoon a little card making.  Go and live creatively my friends.

Peace-

 

Jennifer

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Posted by on May 25, 2018 in Rooted In Nature, The Creative Way, The Creative Way -May 2018 | 8 comments

Blueberry Hill….

I found my thrill on Blueberry Hill……I talk a lot about what inspires me to make different cards. I really enjoy sharing my process with you guys. That’s one of the reasons that The Creative Way is named what it is! Cause, I wanted to share the creative process of using a stamp set several different ways with you!

Blueberry Hill

Two things I need to tell you before I start this story.  My dad is a music person…Band Director, trumpet player, and  from the generation just before rock.  I guess that’s actually 3…He’s always asking me why I like the music I do…He is very talented and loves “real music” whatever that is….

You should also know that he still to this day ask me who was that playing in your car (and that was 20 years ago)…. He means Pink Floyd.  I had acedently left the music turned way up. It was really quit then all of a sudden it was blaring…like Pink Floyd music does….I have always suspected from that day he was a secret Pink Floyd fan….?

One day this week I was having a conversation with my dad about songs.  We were talking about an album that I have been listening to a lot lately. Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs and Englishman live at the Fillmore East.  We had been discussing it all day. Everything from how fast Joe Cocker sings Cry Me A River to how awesome Rita Coolidge sings Superstar (check it out!!!) Anyway, late in the day I said there’s a song on now that you would probably like.  He said what??? I said “Blueberry Hill” (not on the album we had been talking about) ….his exact words were “that stupid song” I was kind of surprised… So of course I had to probe….I asked him why???…is it to simple???….he said no…he said it’s just stupid and started singing the basic rhythm of the song.  And then again just said stupid…I said yea, you think it’s to simple.

So, yesterday I was relaying this story to one of his fellow music friends (also a band director) and he was like ugh that song…he felt the same way…What was it about this song was so affisive to musicians…do they not like playing it??? Do they think it’s boring??? More of the same???

I find it quite interesting that when we know an art form we expect everything to be awesome hard or very intricate.  Lot’s of details.  But, as some one who appreciates an art form we just think its nice, or pretty, or sounds good, or looks beautiful! As a admirer we do not know that this song is to simple or that song is brilliant cause of how complicated it is. We just know we like it….  I love the song Blueberry Hill, I think it’s simplicity is its genius.  And the mood that the simple  rhythm and Fats  Domino’s voice creates tells a perfect story.  I love seeing how happy Fats Domino looks sing this song so many years after it first hit the music world!!  It is like he is remembering his own Blueberry Hill….

The Creative Way – A Product Feature

Card making can be much the same as the story above.  I often think that to make an awesome card it need lots of layers, a cool technique, or a certain style.  But, is this really true??? Does every card have to be over the top??? I think not!!  Today’s card takes a very easy watercolor style and a simple card design and shows the beauty in simplicity.

Rooted In Nature Stamp Set

Rooted In Nature Stamp Set

Rooted In Nature truly is perfect for all styles of card making! Everything from layered to simple and elegant!  I love this set so much! You can even create your very own Blueberry Hill!

Card inspired by the song Blueberry Hill

  • The tree was stamped with soft suede and. Shaded Spruce on cold press watercolor paper
  • Using a aqua painter the tree was softened
  • Then I added sky and grass using the aqua painter.
  • The grass is Soft Sea Foam. The sky is Balmy Blue

Each of your comments makes me smile! Please, comment HERE.

I’m leaving you today with a fun version of Blueberry Hill, preformed by  Chris Isaak and Johnny Holiday.  And you guesses it tomorrow I will torturing everybody at work with Chris Isaak’s Baja Sessions.. Though my Dad will not be In town. So, maybe I will save it for when he gets back home…He will love that ???

The first post in The Creative Way  series shares a lot of my thoughts about the Rooted In Nature Stamp Set and the Nature’s Poem Suite that Rooted In Nature  is apart of! You can find that post here

For day 2! 

For Day 3!

For Day 4

For Day 5

For Day 6

 

The Share What You Love bundle is jammed packed of stamping wonderfulness for every card maker or paper craftier out there!!! This bundle is only available for a limited time

Share What You Love Bundle

  • Bundles are exclusive to the suite early release and will no longer be available after May 31, 2018. Individual items from the Share What You Love suite will be available when the 2018–2019 annual catalog is released on June 1, 2018.

If you would like to see Cards with this bundle click here and here

Lots of awesome products are retiring from the Occasions and Annual Catalogs .You defiantly don’t want to miss out on these fabulous items!!

Retiring Stampin' Up! Products

Enjoy your Friday! Wow! What a week, I have had a very unique week that left me a little on the weary side.  I’m happy to be sharing with y’all today finally!!!  Anyway, I will do better next week sharing with y’all!  So, we get through today and it is the Weekend!!! Yeppie! What are you guys doing for Memorial Day???  Me??? I plan on celebrating with painting and making cards… Have some much-needed coffee and go live creatively my friends

Peace-

Jennifer

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Posted by on May 21, 2018 in Diagonal Stripe Background Stamp, Itty Bitty Greetings, Rooted In Nature, The Creative Way, The Creative Way -May 2018 | 1 comment

Quick and easy birthday card!

A few days ago I mentioned that I struggle making Masculine cards.  I just find them a little daunting.  But, with a great color combination and a clean card design. The task becomes fun!

The Creative Way – A Product Feature, Rooted In Nature for a Masculine Birthday Card!

I love square cards!  They are perfect of sticking in a package or on top!  One of my favorite square sizes is 4×4.  To make this size card base you need to cut your paper down to 4 by 8 .  Then scoring and burnishing at 4 inches on the 8 inch side.

During The Creative Way I have shared lots of different cards using trees and leaves from the Rooted In Nature stamp set!  Today’s card focuses on the tree ring stamp! I have not used this stamp to its fullest potential.  So, I’m giving it a whirl!

Rooted In Nature Stamp Set

Rooted In Nature Stamp Set

The tree ring was paired with the Diagonal Strips (retiring 141914) and the all new Itty Bitty Greetings (Available June 2 , 146664).

The next task was picking out a Masculine color combination!  I started with picking Very Vanilla for my card base.  I choose Very Vanilla because it felt more subdued than Whisper White. The second color was picked for the tree ring.  I went with Soft Suede. (My favorite) but, really just about any brown would work very well.  The third color was picked because, I wanted a dark green. So of course, I had to go with Mossy Meadow

Rooted In Nature stamp set is perfect for masculine cards

  • The background diagonal stripe was stamped in Mossy Meadow on Very Vanilla
  • The tree ring was stamped with Soft Suede. Then using my paper snips (103579) fussy cut.  This tree ring is super easy to fussy cut!
  • The final step was to add happy birthday using the Classic Label Punch (141491)

By keeping the card clean and simple it really helped me achieve a more masculine look!

I’m going to say it one more time….If you do not own the Diagonal Stripe (141914) Background Stamp get it now!!! It will be going away at the end of the month!!! You want this stamp I promise!!!  And with Itty Bitty Greetings you can change up the greeting to fit any occasion!!!   

Each of your comments makes me smile! Please, comment HERE.

The first post in The Creative Way  series shares a lot of my thoughts about the Rooted In Nature Stamp Set and the Nature’s Poem Suite that Rooted In Nature  is apart of! You can find that post here

For day 2! 

For Day 3!

For Day 4

For Day 5

For Day 6

 

The Share What You Love bundle is jammed packed of stamping wonderfulness for every card maker or paper craftier out there!!! This bundle is only available for a limited time

Share What You Love Bundle

  • Bundles are exclusive to the suite early release and will no longer be available after May 31, 2018. Individual items from the Share What You Love suite will be available when the 2018–2019 annual catalog is released on June 1, 2018.

If you would like to see Cards with this bundle click here and here

Lots of awesome products are retiring from the Occasions and Annual Catalogs .You defiantly don’t want to miss out on these fabulous items!!

Retiring Stampin' Up! Products

Have a Great Monday!  Have some much-needed coffee and go live creatively my friends

Peace-

Jennifer

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Posted by on May 18, 2018 in Layering ovals, Layering Ovals, Nature's Poem, Rooted In Nature, Stiches Shapes Dies, The Creative Way, The Creative Way -May 2018, Uncategorized | 2 comments

You are Wonderful!

The Natures Poem Designer Series Paper is beautiful!  I love one particular paper because of the softness of the leaves.  The paper looks like faded burlap with a soft twig and leaf pattern on top!  It is Wonderful!  This paper was my inspiration for today’s The Creative Way card!

The Creative Way – A Product Feature

Rooted In Nature Stamp Set is available in a Bundle with the Nature’s Roots Framelits Dies. (Available June 2)  Theses dies cut the trees and leaves in the set. There are also dies that make an embossed leaf. These embossed leaves are beautiful!  They add settle texture to your cards.

Nature

Rooted In Nature Bundle

The Nature’s Poem Designer Series Paper is full of Natured inspired patterns! This paper can take a wide range of cards from Masculine to soft and sweet!

Nature

Nature’s Poem Designer Series Paper

I really like how soft some of the Nature’s Poem patterns are!  Yet there are some bold patterns that compliment the softness of the leaves.  Like I said above, I particularly love this soft Mint Macaroon leafy twig pattern on top of the soft burlap pattern! It is just beautiful!

You are Wonderful

  • The first step was to use the textured leaf dies.  This is how I did that.  The first thing was to ink up the embossing die.  Then gently laying it onto whisper white. Finally embossing using the Big Shot
  • You can see on my leaves where ink was in spaces besides the vanes. But, I decided to use them anyway.  1. It is a handmade card, this adds to that feel. And 2. I think this makes it look more like nature. Imperfections are beautiful in Nature.
  • The You are Wonderful is layered using the Stitched Shapes Dies and the Layering Ovals Dies

I really love all the looks you can create from the leaves in the Rooted In Nature stamp set and the Nature’s Roots Dies!

Each of your comments makes me smile! Please, comment HERE.

  I hope you have enjoyed seeing this bonus card for The Creative Way!!  I have so enjoyed sharing Rooted In Nature with you! Also seriously, the Tempting Turquoise ink is amazing for watercolor!! If you like this look I highly suggest you purchase it now!!

The first post in The Creative Way  series shares a lot of my thoughts about the Rooted In Nature Stamp Set and the Nature’s Poem Suite that Rooted In Nature  is apart of! You can find that post here

For day 2! 

For Day 3!

For Day 4

For Day 5

 

 

The Share What You Love bundle is jammed packed of stamping wonderfulness for every card maker or paper craftier out there!!! This bundle is only available for a limited time

Share What You Love Bundle

  • Bundles are exclusive to the suite early release and will no longer be available after May 31, 2018. Individual items from the Share What You Love suite will be available when the 2018–2019 annual catalog is released on June 1, 2018.

If you would like to see Cards with this bundle click here and here

Lots of awesome products are retiring from the Occasions and Annual Catalogs .You defiantly don’t want to miss out on these fabulous items!!

Retiring Stampin' Up! Products

Happy Friday! I hope each of you have a great weekend! Go and live creatively my friends

Peace-

Jennifer

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Posted by on May 15, 2018 in Big Shot, Black embossing powder, Heat Embossing, ink as watercolor, Lemon Lime Twist, Rooted In Nature, The Creative Way, The Creative Way -May 2018 | 5 comments

Rooted in Nature Thinking of You Card

Yesterday, I shared my version of a masculine card using the Rooted In Nature stamp set and Faux Batik technique. Today’s card is a softer more feminine card using a simple watercolor background and the same set! Thinking of you cards can be the hardest to make.  A soft watercolor wash seems to give a soothing fell along with a soothing color palette.

The Creative Way – A Product Feature – Rooted In Nature

This month for The Creative Way I am sharing projects made with the Rooted In Nature Stamp set!  This set will be available in June 2. I have so enjoyed working with the awesome stamp set.  Rooted In Nature is available as a Bundle which saves you 10%  The bundle includes coordinating dies!! How cool is that!!! You can join me Every Monday & Friday for The Creative Way – A Product Feature. Any yes, I know today is Tuesday!  It is a bonus day!  Yeppie!!!!

Nature

Rooted In Nature Bundle

I love watercolor backgrounds.  They are a quick way to add so much interest to a card!  Plus there’s like a million ways (techniques) that you can use to create fun watercolor backgrounds.  When I pull out watercolor supplies I normally end up making a bunch of backgrounds.  Mainly because I love the process of just sitting and trying different things till I’m content.  Also, it gives me a starting point for so many projects if I have a few watercolored papers hanging around. The other thing is watercolor always, always, always looks it’s worse right before it looks nice or pretty.  And wet always looks way worse than dry.  I can’t tell you how many prices of watercolor I have pulled out of the trash because I threw them away wet.  And once they were dry, I decided that’s not so horrible.  One of my favorite colors to use for watercolor is Tempting Turquoise (Retiring).  I just adore this color when it is combined with water! So, I wanted to make sure I used it on a card before it was gone!

Thinking of you card using Rooted In Nature

  • The watercolor was very simply done with ink refills and a aqua painter using Bermuda Bay and Tempting Turquoise
  • I worked Tempting Turquoise from one end to the middle. And Bermuda Bay from the other to the middle . Letting the two cross and blend.  This makes a very easy gradient wash.
  • After the initial color dried, I splattered Lemon Lime Twist on the background
  • The Leaves from Rooted In Nature were stamped in Lemon Lime Twist, Mint Macaroon, and Bermuda Bay. The die cut with the coordinating dies.
  • The Sentiment heat embossed with black embossing powder on vellum
  • The final step was to add some texture with the Sliver Thread and Nature’s Poem Twine (Mint Macaroon)

I love envelopes decorating! So I decided to add the leaves to the envelope!!!

Envelope decorated with Rooted In Nature Stamp Set

  • Using the same colors as the card, Bermuda Bay, Mint Macaroon, and Lemon Lime Twist the leaves were randomly stamped on the envelope flap
  • To protect the envelope front while stamping the flap, I used A piece of masking paper (Avery removable labels 6465)
  • The finishing touch was to add a few leaves to the front of the envelope

Thinking of you

Each of your comments makes me smile! Please, comment HERE.

  I hope you have enjoyed seeing this bonus card for The Creative Way!!  I have so enjoyed sharing Rooted In Nature with you! Also seriously, the Tempting Turquoise ink is amazing for watercolor!! If you like this look I highly suggest you purchase it now!!

The first post in The Creative Way  series shares a lot of my thoughts about the Rooted In Nature Stamp Set and the Nature’s Poem Suite that Rooted In Nature  is apart of! You can find that post here

For day 2! 

For Day 3!

For Day 4

The Share What You Love bundle is jammed packed of stamping wonderfulness for every card maker or paper craftier out there!!! This bundle is only available for a limited time

Share What You Love Bundle

  • Bundles are exclusive to the suite early release and will no longer be available after May 31, 2018. Individual items from the Share What You Love suite will be available when the 2018–2019 annual catalog is released on June 1, 2018.

If you would like to see Cards with this bundle click here and here

Lots of awesome products are retiring from the Occasions and Annual Catalogs .You defiantly don’t want to miss out on these fabulous items!!

 

Retiring Stampin' Up! Products

Have a great Tuesday!  As always if you have any questions about today’s card or any paper crafting project you have seen here at Westside Paper Creations feel free to contact me!  Tomorrow is the Inking Royalty Blog Hop!! So, I hope each of you will be back for that fun day!!  Go and live creatively my friends!

Peace-

 

Jennifer

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