Jumping into the Waves – Just Be Happy cards

Posted on February 14, 2019 by dannscraftingwhims

Hello and welcome! I intend to make a splash with today’s fun cards that I’ve been sneak peeking on Instagram!

When I first saw the stamp of this girl jumping (by Visible Image), I knew I wanted to have her jumping into the wave (by The Ton). If I were younger, I’d join the jumping photo craze and get a picture of me jumping into a wave at the beach!! This, however, is as close as I’m going to get! Lol!

First, I started by trying out different color combinations for the wave with the inks I had on hand. Which combo do you like best? (Comments from Instagram peeps who have been watching the progress mostly favor the Hero Arts combo. For me, it’s Simon Says Stamp.)

The one done with Distress Oxide Ink gets some additional water effects by spritzing:

Next was to add the clouds. Then I cut out the clouds and wave out of acetate and use blending brushes to add the sky and sunrise/sunset. with so much blending to do, I chose to try comparing my different blending brushes. I tried the new-to-me Tim Holtz brushes. They worked good, but I didn’t get the evenness I’d’ve liked. Perhaps I just need more practice.

I’ve always wondered if plain xl paint brushes would work. The answer is: Yes, but not as well as blending brushes!!

So I finished off with my standby Clarity brushes. Love ’em!! Don’t know if the Ken Oliver brushes work as well… they look the same. And I have yet to see the new ones there’s so much buzz about… (Life Changing Brushes by Picket Fence Studios… Ya’ll can send me some if you want!)

Next, I added the jumping girl. I though black would be too stark, so chose dark blues/aquas. To give her a dripping wet look, I then embossed her with clear embossing powder.

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Because she’s in the water, people have said she’s a mermaid… almost looks like it, but when you look at the stamp, I’m pretty sure it’s a shoe, not a tail.

The inside of each card got her stamped in Versamark ink:

That left the sentiment. I love the carefree typography of the Just Be Happy sentiment — it goes great with this joyous jump!

Card 1 Supplies used:

The Ton Stamps: Wave; Golf Course A (layering clouds, Palm Tree (birds) & Pyrotechnics (sun rays)
Visible Image Tomorrow Doesn’t Exist stamp set (jumping girl and sentiment)
Wave inks: Simon Says Stamp: Audrey Blue; Scuba; High Dive
Other inks: Simon Says Stamp: Blue Jay, Cloudy Sky, Duckling, Hot Mama, Orange Slush Rosie Cheeks, Sunkist, Teeny Bikini
Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink
Tsukineko Versamark Ink
JoAnn Crafts clear embossing powder
Core’dinations Parisian Nights card base
Recollections white cardstock.
Scotch adhesive runner

Card 2 Supplies used:

The Ton Stamps: Wave; Golf Course A (layering clouds, Palm Tree (birds) & Pyrotechnics (sun rays)
Visible Image Tomorrow Doesn’t Exist stamp set (jumping girl and sentiment)
Wave inks: Papertrey Ink dye inks: Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores, Tropical Teal
Papertrey Ink dye inks: Lovely Lady, Lilac Grace, Summer Sunrise, Orange Zest
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks: Tumbled Glass, Broken China
Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink
Tsukineko Versamark Ink
JoAnn Crafts clear embossing powder
Core’dinations Parisian Nights card base
Recollections white cardstock.
Scotch adhesive runner

Card 3 Supplies used:

The Ton Stamps: Wave; Golf Course A (layering clouds, Palm Tree (birds) & Pyrotechnics (sun rays)
Visible Image Tomorrow Doesn’t Exist stamp set (jumping girl and sentiment)
Wave inks: Hero Arts: Summer Sky, Aquatic, Pool
Hero Arts: Fiesta Red, Fiesta Yellow, MMH Rusty Orange, Passion Flower, Soft Pool and Simon Says Stamp Rosie Cheeks
- Note I don’t know if I switched the inks in the picture or switched my Post-it notes in the cards, but these MAY be the inks for card #5. My senior moments seem to have rapidly expanded into senior days, weeks, months and years! Hahaha!
Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink
Tsukineko Versamark Ink
JoAnn Crafts clear embossing powder
Core’dinations Parisian Nights card base
Recollections white cardstock.
Scotch adhesive runner

Card 4 Supplies used:

The Ton Stamps: Wave; Golf Course A (layering clouds, Palm Tree (birds) & Pyrotechnics (sun rays)
Visible Image Tomorrow Doesn’t Exist stamp set (jumping girl and sentiment)
Wave inks: Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide: Broken China, Mermaid Lagoon, Salty Ocean
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress inks: Broken China, Carved Pumpkin, Faded Jeans, Milled Lavender, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Tumbled Glass, Victorian Velvet, Worn Lipstick
Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink
Tsukineko Versamark Ink
JoAnn Crafts clear embossing powder
Core’dinations Parisian Nights card base
Recollections white cardstock.
Scotch adhesive runner

Card 5 Supplies used:

The Ton Stamps: Wave; Golf Course A (layering clouds, Palm Tree (birds) & Pyrotechnics (sun rays)
Visible Image Tomorrow Doesn’t Exist stamp set (jumping girl and sentiment)
Wave inks: Lawn Fawn Merman, Mermaid, Peacock
Lawn Fawn: Bubble Gum, Carrot, Forget-me-not, Fresh Lavender, Lemonade, Sunflower & Tsukineko Memento Angel Pink dye ink
- Note: I don’t know if I switched the inks in the picture or switched my Post-it notes in the cards, but these MAY be the inks for card #3. Yep, nearly constant senior moments… now I’m just waiting for the occasional junior moment to pop up. Lol
Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink
Tsukineko Versamark Ink
JoAnn Crafts clear embossing powder
Core’dinations Parisian Nights card base
Recollections white cardstock.
Scotch adhesive runner

Which one is your favorite?

I’m entering this card in the following fun challenge… click on it for more information on how you can play along:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge – Typography – Card #1 using SSS inks (Card #5 will be entered from IG (sorry, it didn’t let me choose one of the additional pics on that post.))

Thanks so much for stopping by and for all of your encouraging comments. I really enjoy reading them!

~D.Ann

p.s. any ads on this page are placed by WordPress and are not endorsed by me.

Newton’s Nook Find Your Paradise Tropical Kitty Card

Posted on June 27, 2017 by dannscraftingwhims

Hello, and welcome back!

It’s hard to believe the Summer 2017 Coffee Lovers Hop is more than half over!

Simon Says Stamp’s Monday Challenge is Stencil It and Newton’s Nook Inky Paws Challenge #49 is a sketch challenge:

Here’s what I came up with:

Yep, when I imagine paradise, I’m definitely going to want a hammock!! Of course, I’ll want a jaguar or bobcat to cuddle with, too! >^.^< Can’t wait until they’re peaceful critters again!

I like how the embossing of the Art Deco diamond die kind of looks like sun rays! The shimmering cardstock looked more of a golden-orange-yellow on its own, but I still like the cool accent.

A couple of small details:

I love the shine of that BoBunny embossing paste on the fun Ocean Spray stencil! And the Flower Soft on the anthers of the Hibiscus stamens adds a little dimension. Did you notice kitty’s claws have snagged that cup, but are loosing their grip? At least it’s not going to spill on him!

Materials used:

Newton’s Nook Designs: Aloha Newton, Newton Loves Coffee, and Paradise Palms
Spellbinders dies: Art Deco Ritz Decorative Elements & Card Creator A2 Valiant Honor
Die Cuts and More (DCAM): Ocean Spray stencil
Memento dye inks: Bamboo Leaves & Tuxedo Black
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink: Peacock Feathers
Copic Markers: C3; E11,23,25,33,51,74; G24,99; R20,22,24,29,32; RV02,17; Y13,15,28; YG61,67; YR02,04,24,31; W1
BoBunny Caribbean glitter paste
Tonic Studios Nuvo Crystal Drops: Morning Dew
Flower Soft: Daffodil
Simply Defined 80# Heavyweight Cardstock
Core’dinations white cardstock
DCWV Shimmer Stack
3m aluminum oxide 150 grit sandpaper
Tombow Xtreme permanent adhesive
Simply Defined “Stay Put” All Purposed Liquid Adhesive
Therm-o-Web Zots Medium clear adhesive dots
Misc. ribbon

I am playing along with the following hops and challenges… click on any one of them for more information on how you can join the fun.

Summer 2017 Coffee Lovers Blog Hop
Newton’s Nook Deisgns Inky Paws Challenge #49
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Stencil It
Cropstop June Challenge Linky Party #29: Anything Goes (Core’dinations, Flower Soft, Ranger, Spellbinders, Tombow, Tonic Studios)

This will probably be my last post for the Coffee Lovers Hop as I’ve caught up with my pre-made cards for this hop and probably won’t be able to make up any more. Y’all TRY to have fun without me. Wink-wink, I KNOW you will! Craft til you drop is the real theme of the hop! Thanks again for stopping by and for all your sweet comments!

~D.Ann

p.s. any ads on this page are placed by WordPress and are not endorsed by me.

One last bit of humor before I go:

A Quick Trip to Sanibel Island, Florida

Posted on January 27, 2017 by dannscraftingwhims

Hello everyone! Last week we had a wonderful surprise… some friends who have a timeshare over at Sanibel Island, FL, had their plans change at the last minute and, rather than let it sit empty the rest of the week, offered to let us to stay there a couple of days. Sanibel is one of our favorite spots to relax! So, despite our current health issues, we headed over for a mini vacation. Since many of you are stuck in the cold and snow, I thought you might want to turn up the heat, fix yourselves a warm cuppa and enjoy a brief break in the warm sun for a change. Here we go….

One would think being on the west coast of Florida means sunsets on the water, but we were on the south side of the island and actually had gorgeous SUNRISES.

In the distance we can see Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Springs and, maybe a bit of Naples.

It’s fun to watch the skillful cast net fishermen. (If you want to watch, press the play button (the white arrow).):

To see the sunset, we have to go to some of the northern beaches, like here at Blind Pass Beach, which is just before crossing over to Captiva:

If you watch carefully, you can often see dolphins playing in the gulf waters. Here’s a very short video. Press the ‘play’ button (the white arrow).

(Hint: look in the distance toward the left) To my cat loving friends: There are lots of cat’s paw shells on Sanibel and I usually find the most PAIRS (they’re bivalves) here at Blind Pass. Just sayin’. >^.^<

There’s plenty to do on the island. #1 for me is shelling. It’s addictive and no matter how many shells one has, there’s always one more pretty one that HAS to go home.

Here are some of the shells you might find. And, yes, one of the rangers at the NWR said there ARE seahorses in the water.

Of course you have to watch out for the live ones… it’s illegal to take them home!

This guy looked like he was hoarding his own stash of shells, so I left him alone.

Tip: try finding a single tide day where low tide is just before dawn. The tide is stronger and brings in more shells and if you can get out just before dawn, you’ll be treated to nice shells AND a pretty sunrise.

You can also do the regular things, like sit in the sun – or shade – and read…

… or make sand castles or something out of the ordinary like an iguana…

… or a seahorse.

Another fun thing to do is drive through the JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge – I recommend doing this at low tide as all kinds of birds tend to come in then to feed. As of this writing, the fee is $5 per car and you can drive through as many times as you wish. (If you have the lifetime Senior Pass to the National Parks, you get in free.)

Here’s a short video of the pelicans coming in… Press the ‘play’ button (the white arrow):

There are white pelicans, spoonbills, sandpipers, egrets, ibis and others. The ranger is talking about the anhinga (commonly known as snake birds) that are often see with their wings spread out. Be sure and look up often as you drive through the park and the island… there are numerous osprey nests and there is even a bald eagle in the area.

Near sunset in the park, you can see flocks and flocks of birds coming in to roost. Watch for the mullets who seem to be jumping for joy! lol!

At the visitors center, they have something fun for the artsy-craftsy folk (Well, I THINK it’s for US, tho there were a lot of KIDS there. hahaha). They have a table with raised etchings of various forms of wildlife and plants in the area and a pile of crayons and blank paper so you can make rubbings. I put several together on a page….

I may have to try that with some of my embossing folders! : )

As you drive through the park, be sure to stop at the mangrove overlook. As you walk through you will see what look like brown ‘knots’ on the mangrove trees. Look closer!

They’re crawling with crabs! You may also see what look like strings of pearls – those are actually spider egg sacks. The guide said each one may have some 50,000 inside. Yikes! I think they’re basilica orb weavers. When you get out to the water be sure to look down… you may spot some of those seahorses!

Traveler’s tip: be sure to spray yourself with insect repellent before getting out of your car in the park or going to the beach to protect yourself from no-see-ums… those tiny biting midges or sand fleas are so small and fast you won’t know they’re biting until it’s too late.

Ok, lets leave the creepy critters behind and take a look at some of the pretty and unusual plants on the island:

This one’s called a Necklace Pod (Sophora tomentosa).

Well, it’s about time for me to cast off. (See what I did there?!) Wink-wink!

I hope you enjoyed your little trip to Sanibel Island! I’ll be back soon with some pictures from the Naples Botanical Garden to help you hold on until your spring flowers arrive!

Thanks for stopping by!

~D.Ann

p.s. any ads on this page are placed by WordPress and are not endorsed by me.

The Smallest Things Can Make Your Day: Green Tea Frap, Sunrise & Sundials

Posted on December 15, 2015 by dannscraftingwhims

Goood morning sweet coffee, tea and cocoa loving fiends… I mean friends! : ) Since some of you are experiencing nasty winter weather, I thought I’d send you a bit of balmy Florida 74 degree sunshine to warm you up and brighten your morning. Now you know why I still consider a Frappuccino a winter card!

At our southeast Florida beach, you will mostly find small white and cream colored shells… tellins, arks, clams, broken cockles, and occasionally coral bits and cat’s paws. Not the plethora you find over at Sanibel, but just a few hither, thither and yon. Today, instead of drinking my green tea Frappuccino (In case you’re wondering why it’s brown, it’s made with raspberry syrup, YUM!) while comfortably sitting in my car with the windows down and enjoying the sunrise, like usual, I actually got my feet in the sand now that it’s cooled down enough to walk on it without scorching them. I just went down to the went down to the tide line for a couple of minutes to take this picture of the card on some coral rocks with the ocean and sunrise in the background and I happened to look down and found my first sundial ever in decades (not saying how many!) of beach combing! What a pleasant surprise!!

Ahhh…. a green tea frap, a glorious sunrise and a rare shell… Yep, sometimes it’s truly small things in life that can make your day a whole lot better!!

The sundial is in the left corner, closest to the purple and beside the amazing neon yellow little shell. What gorgeous creations!

I CASE’d this CAS card from Unity Stamp Company’s quick tip video by Angeline Choo, which you can see at this link that you can copy and past because if I link it, it puts the video in my post and blocks half my post. Some day I’ll get this!Meanwhile, here’s the link:(www.facebook.com/unitystampco/videos/1093341690700443/?theater)

In case you were wondering, the acronyms are for: Clean And Simple (CAS)and CASE, which means Copy And Share Everything, including credit for the person whose card you copied.

I knew it was going to be a frappy day when I finished coloring my card and pulled off the new-to-me 3M Micropore tape that was a gift to me for DIY washi tape. I thought I’d use it to mask the inking and get some inked tape to boot. It didn’t take the distress ink too well and it ripped the top layer of the cardstock. YIKES!

Fortunately there are fixes for minor disasters such as this, like covering it up with just a pinch of lace! I daresay that at a first glance you didn’t notice the tear, although now if you go back and enlarge it, you can still see it’s still there, but at least anchored at the top under the lace. I’m sure my friend who often brings me my favorite frap for a treat won’t mind the little imperfection. Life goes on.

Materials used:

Core’dinations white cardstock
Lil’ Inker Designs Coffee Talk stamp set
Memento Tuxedo Black and Rose Bud dye inks
Inkadinkado Stamping Mask paper
3M Micropore tape
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks: Festive Berries, Picked Raspberry, Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
Tombow mono permanent adhesive
Misc. lace

I’m playing along in the following hops and challenges: