Decorating for Valentine's Day

I've never been one to decorate much for Valentine's Day, but this year I thought I would set out a few things.

This wreath I created from a plain grapevine wreath.  I just added silk roses, some delicate baby's breath and a cream ribbon with my hot glue gun.

A little candlescape sits on the table.  I have altered a burgundy candle with a piece of Stampin' Up Very Vanilla Seam Binding and some metal vintage keys.  The two glass votive holders I purchased years ago from Yankee Candle.  Pretty pink rose petals are scattered around the tray for a little romance.

My wrought iron shelf holds two Serena antique mercury glass pillar holders.  I like the warmth of the patterned brass bands with the silvery handblown mercury glass. 

The love letter candles are reminiscent of vintage Parisian telegrams.

Vintage-inspired gate keys hang from the hooks with two red glittered heart ornaments.

Thanks so much for stopping to visit.  Have you decorated for Valentine's Day?

Snow Leopard

Hi there,

My project today is a Stampscapes scene using the Snow Leopard stamp by Coronado Island.  They have some wonderful images, which I purchased almost a year ago and I'm trying to ink up all my rubber.  This is a birthday card for a male friend.

On a piece of glossy paper, I stamped the Boulders with Lichen several times in StazOn Black using a Stamp-A-Ma-Jig for placement.  I then positioned the Snow Leopard and moon also stamping them in StazOn Black.

The sky was sponged in Bordering Blue, Ballet Blue, Brocade Blue and Night of Navy.  The leopard was colored with Sahara Sand and Distressed Pumice Stone.  I colored the nose with a Pretty in Pink marker.  The eyes were done with a Ballet Blue marker then added a sky blue Spica pen with Crystal Effects.  Rocks were sponged in Basic Gray, Distressed Forest Moss and Distressed Black Soot.  To soften the leopard's face and ears I applied ColorBox Frost White.

I adhered the image to a piece of Basic Black and mounted it onto a pewter gray card.

Using my Big Shot I cut a piece of Whisper White paper using a Spellbinders Labels Seventeen #6 die.  The inside sentiment was inked in VersaMark then Brocade Blue and embossed with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.  The twisting leaves were stamped in StazOn Black.

May your day be filled with smiles!

Card Recipe:
Stamps:  Coronado Island, Stampscapes Boulders with Lichen, Full Moon & Twisting Leaves, Happy Birthday Sentiment by PSX
Paper:  Pewter Gray, Basic Black, Glossy White, Whisper White
Ink:  Images - StazOn Black, Sky - Bordering Blue, Ballet Blue, Brocade Blue, Night of Navy; Leopard - Sahara Sand & Distressed Pumice Stone; Eyes - Ballet Blue; Nose - Pretty in Pink; Rocks - Basic Gray, Distressed Forest Moss, Distressed Black Soot, ColorBox Frost White; Inside Sentiment - Brocade Blue with Clear EP
Accessories:  Crystal Effects, Spellbinders Labels Seventeen #6, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, Post-It Notes 
Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Nature Walk French Birdcage

This card has been sitting on my project table for way too long!  I kept thinking it needed something else, but finally decided it was time to assemble it.

Starting with a piece of Shimmery White paper I inked up the birdcage stamp first by loading it with VersaMark then Early Espresso ink.  I embossed it with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Flourishes were stamped in Distressed Victorian Velvet and the edges were sponged in Distressed Antique Linen.

Using the paper piercing tool from my Stampin' Up Crafters' Tool Kit, I pierced a whole in the paper and added silver cording in order for the birdcage to appear as though it is hanging.

I created a triple loop bow with some pink May Arts silk ribbon.  The bird is from SU's Carte Postale set and stamped in StazOn Black and sponged with Brilliant Blue for highlights.  I stamped the friend sentiment in StazOn Black on a piece of Blushing Bride cut from a Spellbinders Labels Four die.

So here we have an elegant birdcage with a little bit of French flair.

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Nature Walk, You're a Gem, Carte Postale, The Stamp Pad Co. Flourish
Paper:  Natural White Linen, Blushing Bridge, Shimmery White
Ink:  Birdcage - Early Espresso with Clear EP; Flourish - Distressed Victorian Velvet; Bird - StazOn Black then sponged with Brilliant Blue; Sponging - Distressed Antique Linen; Sentiment - StazOn Black
Accessories:  May Arts Pink Silk Ribbon, Silver Cording, Crafters' Tool Kit, Nesties Labels Four #2

Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")