Everyday Expressions

Hi Everyone! Thanks for joining me again today. Just when I think Ohio is getting ready for fall, it has turned HOT here again. That’s Ohio weather, though. Complaining about the weather here seems so petty with the horrible weather other parts of the country have experienced in recent weeks. We are praying for all of our friends and everyone recovering after the hurricanes.

I created this card for a friend’s birthday with thoughts of beautiful fall colors in mind. Have you tried Ranger and Tim Holtz’ new Distress Oxide inks? Oh. My. Goodness! I couldn’t live without these inks now. The best way to describe them is a cross between dye, pigment, and chalky inks all in one. The colors are soft, creamy, and blend beautifully.

Now here’s the trick with Distress Oxides; Add water, and you have something completely different! The stamped image remains, but the color runs a little for a dreamy watercolor effect. Can you see it in the pictures? I stamped the background flowers, sprayed with water, and then gently dabbed it up. (For another Distress Oxide card background, click HERE.)

I’m sure you’ve all guessed how much I adore Altenew flower stamps, and I used Altenew’s Build-a-Flower Coral Charm stamps and dies for this card. This one does not disappoint! I used fired brick, orange marmalade, and fossilized amber for the layered flower, and twisted citron with  peeled paint for the leaves. The matching dies made this flower so easy to assemble.

Do you want to know one of my favorite crafty things right now? I am obsessed with wonky stitched dies! I made these panels with Simon Says Stamp Wonky Rectangles dies. I cut the outer panel for the background, then cut that again with the smaller rectangle to pop it up for dimension. I decided that it looked too busy, and added the vellum over the smaller panel to soften the overall look. Next I adhered it all to a Neenah Desert Storm card base.

Isn’t the script on the ‘Birthday’ sentiment from Simon Says Stamp, Thoughtful Messages, so pretty? I heat embossed the sentiment in gold before adding the die cut flower and leaves with foam dots. Finally, I added Nuvo Jewel Drops in Key Lime. (I’m not completely satisfied with the color for this card, but it was all I had. And I have to add me some Nuvo drops now to just about every project! ;)-

So there it is! My first fall-ish card of the season. What do you think? Are you ready for the warm, rich colors of fall? Thanks again for stopping by! Love and crafty hugs!

Erin

PS – I am not compensated by any companies nor do I receive free products. I just like to share my favorite crafty things in case you are interested in checking them out too.