A Blog Called Wanda

Introducing The Greetery - by Betsy Veldman!

Okay friends....hold on to your hats! Today is a SUPER FUN day and a REALLY FABULOUS announcement. I'm very very very happy to be part of this, and to finally share with all of you! My friend and amazing artist Betsy Veldman is opening up her own stamp company! YES! It's called The Greetery. Isn't that a pretty name?  Her tag line is "Where Making and Giving Meet." I have admired, loved, collected, and created with her beautiful designs for many years. Her art and her stamps/kits  have been among my favorites forever. She is a wonderful, kind person, and so very talented.

Today, I am honored to be part of the kickoff countdown to The Greetery's product launch! Betsy's been doing sneak peeks on The Greetery Blog for the past couple of weeks. This week there will be guest artists sharing projects every day. Then, The Greetery storefront goes live on Friday April 26th at 10am ET. (I'm predicting a sell out!) Big, heartfelt congratulations to Betsy on her new creative business venture! WOOT!

THE GREETERY WEBSITE

THE GREETERY BLOG

I have three projects to share with you! Lots of pictures in this post, and I'll try to give you as many instructions and tips as possible as I go along. The stamps and dies are all made in the USA and they stamp and cut perfectly right out of the package. Excellent quality! It was a creative pleasure to work with the innovative new stamps. I'm featuring the "Hand in Hand" stamps and dies, the "Fir and Foliage No. 1" stamps and dies, and the Pathway Stencil. 

First up is a card made with both of the stamp sets and also the Pathway Stencil. I used it all! Because I just had to! The finished card is A2 size for scale. Everything was inked and water colored using Tim Holtz Distress Inks and a small water brush. The images are so pretty. I am obsessed with the trees!

 

The next few images are some close ups, because I know you all are going to want to see everything! There are two different sized trees, and each tree is made up on one tree trunk stamp and three different foliage layering stamps. Genius! The lady and the dog are part of the Hand in Hand set. There is also a man and two children! I used the Pathway stencil to make the walkway they are on. It's a two step stencil.

 

The dies cut a clean, perfect edge. I stamped everything using Archival Black Ink on the lady and the dog. The rest is all Distress Inks. 

 

I used a cloud stencil to make one row of blue clouds at the top. The sentiment was stamped onto a thin strip of vellum and layered around the card, and under the tree.

 

 

 

Here are some step out photos for you! I stamped the tree trunk in brown Distress Ink onto watercolor paper. (Everything is stamped onto watercolor paper for this card). After I stamped it I used a brush to gently move the ink around on the page. Tip - Stamp the tree trunk first, and then use the trunk to line up your die cut. Cut it out, and then use the outline to line up the foliage!

 

See the difference just a bit of water makes? It really looks water colored!!

 

I added the first layer of foliage in the lightest green and softened it with water...

 

Then I stamped the other two colors of green and softened those colors with water as well. Tip - let each color dry completely before doing the next color.

 

Here is the stenciled portion only. I inked it with a sponge dauber and Distress Inks. Then I splattered a bit of ink over it to look liked aged stones.

 

I added some bits of green to 'ground' the stone walkway...

 

 

 

 

 

Now, those of you that have followed my blog for a while know that I LOVE FALL!! So, of course, I had to make an Autumn tree!! I did the same technique as above, but in shades of yellow, orange and red Distress Inks! This card is also an A2 size. I die cut an oval and used an old text stamp to stamp words across the bottom of the oval. This would be a good sympathy card, or masculine card. I purposely left off a sentiment so I can use it for any occasion.

 

 

Just a small strip of pretty orange gingham paper makes this card complete. The edges of the oval were inked with brown Distress Inks for an antique feeling.

 

 

 

A very clean and simple card design - but that tree makes a huge impact!

 

My third card for today is a colorful umbrella card with lots of white space. I stamped the umbrellas onto watercolor paper and colored them with Distress Inks. This is an A2 card, and the base is made from Neenah Solar White cardstock. This umbrella image is part of the Hand in Hand stamp set.

 

Each umbrella is attached to the card (in rainbow order of course) with foam tape. I added a few raindrop gems to finish off the card. The sentiment was stamped onto a banner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lastly, here is a photo of the beautiful Greetery logo and packaging. Betsy has thought of everything - and it's all beautiful and fresh! I really can't wait for you to try out some of these stamps too! I know you will love them just as much as I do! 

Thank you for stopping by to share in my excitement of the launch of The Greetery! I hope you have a wonderful week! XOXO

CLICK HERE to see Betsy's blog post for today! Please make sure to visit the blogs of my fellow artists and friends - who are also sharing The Greetery projects! What fun!

  Heather Nichols

Dawn McVey

Lizzie Jones

Debbie Olson

Wanda Guess

Keeway Tsao

 

Happy Easter 2019 from my home to yours!

 

HAPPY EASTER 2019!

FROM THE GUESS FAMILY TO YOUR FAMILY!

John 11:25-26 - ²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. ²⁶ And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

 

Pretty Pastel Easter Eggs!

Hi everyone! Happy Friday! Happy GOOD Friday! Rejoice! I'm so happy that Easter weekend has arrived and I'm looking forward to activities at church and rejoicing in the resurrection of our Savior and King. Such a very special time of year. I love everything about it and it's been a nice few weeks of reflection and prayer. I hope you and your family enjoy a beautiful holiday with those you cherish. It's going to be a gorgeous sunny weekend here. We can all wear our Sunday finest to church. All is good. 

I have one last Easter crafting project to share today, before I put everything away. This idea came to me late the other night as I was sitting at my craft desk reading my favorite magazine (Country Living UK Edition).... I saw this gorgeous photograph with a beautiful Easter table. And the table cloth fabric was pastel, speckled eggs! Well, my mind went "ding" and I remembered the perfectly sized Egg Die from the most recent Pretty Pink Posh collection. So, one thing led to another, the magazine was put aside, and I started water coloring eggs! LOL. Can you picture me? And Lucky yawning in his bed? 

 

At first I just watercolored a bunch of eggs... Then the next day I turned them into two cards and a pillow box treat! It took me a long time to come up with a card design. You have no idea how many things I tried! I ended up with a simple wreath and a pretty Easter word die cut. I kept it clean and simple. 

 

The pillow box was made with kraft cardstock and the We R Memory Keepers Pillow Box Punch Board. I splattered white paint onto it after it was assembled. I added a doily and some pretty natural cord then affixed the eggs to the front with foam tape.

 

It's hard for me to pick a favorite color!!! On all of the eggs I watercolored them with wet on wet technique and then let them dry. Then I splattered the same color paint and brown paint and then finally white ink! (That's a lotta splatters!)

 

Here are all my pretty eggs lined up in a row! I guess I should have made a dozen! 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the inspiration photo that started this whole project!

 

I die cut the eggs and the Easter word die from watercolor paper. The word die is watercolored with brown paint and splattered with white.

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's it for today.... And that's it for Easter projects for 2019! Hope you have a beautiful, happy and blessed weekend! He is Risen! XOXO

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Altenew Rose Blossom Stamp Set - and the Sweet Life!

Hello friends! Today I have a pretty floral card to share with you! I used lots of new products and I'll talk to you more about them later in the post! The stamp set featured today is an exclusive collaboration set between Altenew and Scrapbook.com! It's a beauty, and it's called Rose Blossom! It makes the most gorgeous flower blooms and leaves. I loved it right away! This post is sponsored by Scrapbook.com as one of my Creative Ambassador posts for 2019. Yeah! So excited to share with you throughout the year... I am quickly becoming (more of) a fan of Scrapbook.com since I've received more of their products. They are starting to carry more stamp companies and that's great - since they always have sales and the shipping is lightning fast!! I'm really proud of this partnership.

Happy Holy Week too! It's Easter week so my mind is turning towards thinking of Jesus and his last week... We've been spending a lot of time in church activities and quiet reflection of the meaning of Easter. I will have one more pastel project to share with you later this week to finish up my Easter projects. I hope you're having a good week too!

My finished card is an A2 card base made from Neenah Solar White. I will buy a package and then get out my trimmer and my Scor-pal and make a bunch of card bases to keep on my desk. That way I can just grab one when I need it. There is only one other paper layer, and that is a white layer die cut with a Stitched Rectangle Die cut.

 

This stamp set does not have matching dies, but it was very easy and quick to trim out the flowers and leaves with my detail scissors. You know, old school! LOL. I used shades of pinks and red to make the flowers and shades of green for the leaves. This stamp set is a multi layered set. Each flower is made up of four stamps.... With each color slightly darker to give that pretty effect. The stamp set comes with a guide to show you how to line up the flower layers for ease of stamping. I also used my MISTI for this one. I initially made some flowers by just 'eyeballing' the layers and they came out nice too. NO stress. 

In this close up photo you can see my accents. The big blooms are the star of the show... But I stamped an outline image and some blue dots (from this set) onto the paper to make my background. 

 

This was my first time using the exclusive Scrapbook.com Hybrid Ink Pads. OH MY GOSH. Yeah, perfect stamping right from the get go. Brand new stamps and brand new ink pads. The coverage was PERFECT. And the colors are awesome. Each ink pad has a color name, but also a number. I.e. Pink 1, Pink 2, Pink 3, etc. so it's super easy to see which colors match! LOVE. I'm pretty much sold on these inks now. The flower that is slightly darker than the other one - I used RED instead of pink as the final step. I like that they are different. 

 

Some of the colors I used on this project!

 

The sentiment is from a not yet released stamp set called "Best Year Ever!" and it will be a freebie on World Card Making Day! I used brand new Nuvo Dream Drops in Cloud to add some pearlized accents to the card. My first time using Dream Drops too. This card has a lot of firsts!

 

 

Thank you for stopping by today! Enjoy your week! Blessings to you all! XOXO

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Easter Blessings with Hello Bluebird Stamps!

Hi everyone! I'm scurrying around still, trying to get all my Easter ideas executed!! I have sooo many cute new stamps and sooo many ideas. I don't think I'm going to be able to get them all done! Easter is in a week now! It's finally Spring time here and I'm excited for Easter festivities at church. Easter is my favorite holiday of the year. Everything about it - but especially the meaning to me as a Christian woman. I always try to think of Jesus and his last days during this time of year and be extra mindful of His sacrifices and His resurrection. It's a time of reflection and prayer especially as we go into the coming week. I wish you and your family a beautiful Spring and Easter!

Today's card was made with brand new stamps and dies from Hello Bluebird. One of my favorite stamp companies now. Every release is cuter than the last one! EEK. I also used a Christmas die on this Easter card! It's full of spring pastels and furry friends... And those tiny bluebirds?? So sweet!

The finished card is an A2 card base covered with Pastel Gingham paper. Then I layered one layer of white cardstock for my top layer. 

 

I used the awesome new banner stamps and dies with the cute animal stamps. I love how they're looking up at the banner! This banner die is so versatile. I have loads of ideas for using it for different holidays and things! I used Spun Sugar Distress Ink to blend the color onto the banner. I splattered Worn Lipstick Distress Ink and White paint over the blended pink ink. I set that aside to dry... 

 

Next I stamped and die cut out the animals and birds and leaves and colored them with Copic Markers. I added bits of highlights with a white gel pen.

 

Here's a close up of the animals' coloring. I stamped the "Easter Blessings" onto the pink banner in black ink. 

 

 

 

I die cut the word Rejoice using the Christmas dies! I love to re-use supplies in different ways. I die cut it out of white paper and then inked it with a sponge and Distress Ink to match the blue of the gingham paper.

 

This banner die is really cool.... The ends of the banner pieces actually fold over the bar. It makes it look so realistic! Everything was attached to the card using foam tape.

 

I used a small flower from the Doodlebug Sprinkles collection to add to the leaves at the bottom of the banner.

That's it for today! Have an awesome weekend everyone! Thanks for stopping by! See you soon. XOXO

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Spring Showers and Lots of Love!

Hello crafty people! Another week is rolling by! Hope yours is going great so far. Guess what? It's raining again! LOL. It's just really starting to be funny...but not funny at the same time... But I'm rolling with it! Everything around here is GREEN and lush and so beautiful. It's remarkable what all that water has done. I was inspired by the rain to make this fun shaker card to share with you today! It's from a Queen & Company Shaker Kit that is one of my favorites! But, it's being discontinued, so there are only a few left!! It's called the Spring Shaped Shaker Kit. It's a sweet umbrella with the sun and clouds, in bright pretty colors. And lots of bling! I'm posting this real quick and then I'm off to my Tuesdays Together Meetup! Have a blessed and happy day! 

The finished card is an A2 card base. I covered it in that yummy rainbow striped paper, and then layered an panel of white paper, offset to one side. 

 

I stamped the sentiment onto a banner, die cut from a new Foundations Die Set from Queen & Company. I die cut the sun and cloud out from cute polka dots paper. The sun and clouds are also shaker shapes but I just used them flat, instead. That cloud is really fabulous! It makes me happy. I die cut the umbrella out of pink paper and then die cut a second one from gray paper to make the handle a different color. I sprinkled in some gems and it was done! (If you've never used a Queen & Company Shaker Kit, you need to! They are SO easy. Really everything is done for you!!)

 

Those pretty droplets come in lots of colors! They're sooooooo shiny!

 

I layered the sentiment over the umbrella handle and wrapped the bottom back around it. I added white raindrop gems to mimic the rain....

 

 

 

 

If you like this kit, snap it up! There are only a few left in the warehouse, and this one isn't coming back! I'll be back soon with an Easter card! Been working hard to get all my Easter ideas out of my head and onto paper! XOXO

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Spring cards with brand new stamps and dies from Doodlebug!

Happy Happy Friday! I'm doing a little happy dance in my studio! (I can't dance outside because, um, it's freaking raining again!) Oh Lord! I am waiting for my husband to get home from work so we can go and celebrate his well deserved promotion he received at work this week. Praise the LORD! I am so proud of him and so excited for him to achieve this goal he's been working towards. He is a good man and he works so so hard. This is a good day. We're going out for some Italian food and probably a drink or two. YEAH!!

Okay, back to crafting! The other day I received a big ole box of happy from Doodlebug Designs! YIPPEEE! Long one of my very favorite companies. I adore their sweet style and cute images. They always make me smile. (And I totally collect their awesome pins too!) I received this box because Doodlebug recently revamped their clear stamps products and now they have matching dies for all their stamp sets too! I made some projects yesterday and can't wait to share them with you. So cute for Spring and Easter. Lots of bright color and just down right cuteness.

For my review of the stamps - they stamp nicely, straight out of the package. No bare spots or ink blotching. A+ in that regard. When I went to open the dies, much to my excitement, I found out that they are pre cut! AWESOME! You don't have to cut them apart with your snippers! I love that some companies are starting to do this now. It's such a nice touch. So, I definitely recommend the Doodlebug stamps/dies.... And you guys know I'm addicted to their shape Sprinkles already. But we won't go there today. 

 

First up is a bright and colorful Easter Card! The finished card is A2 size with a white card base. I layered a strip of that gorgeous plaid paper on the right side, and then layered more white on top of that piece. Next I stamped and die cut out all those adorable shapes, and colored them with Copic Markers! I used colors to match the patterned paper so it all goes together.

 

The sentiment was stamped and die cut out with a banner from my stash. I added some flowers and leaves to complete the banner edge!

 

 

 

I die cut a stitched circle out of white and then a larger stitched circle using the grass patterned paper. Then I layered on my bunny, lamb and Easter basket! SO SWEET! I added a few more of the shape sprinkles tiny flowers.

 

 

 

Here are some of my supplies! 

 

Next up is a cheerful all occasion card sure to make someone smile!! The card is an A2 white card base. I layered beautiful golden yellow floral paper to make my bottom layer. I die cut a stitched rectangle from Neenah cardstock. I used the Polka Party Stencil from Taylored Expressions to make a dots background. I faded out the color from the bottom right up to the top left. Just thought it looked happy!! 

The 'grass' layer is part of a scalloped rectangle die cut, cut to fit. I used Twisted Citron Distress Ink to color it a bright green.

 

I stamped and die cut out the bee, the sun and the little girl and colored them with Copic Markers.

 

 

 

Isn't she sweet!? Sending you Sunshine!! 

That's it for me today! Wishing you a blessed, happy and creative weekend! See you soon! XOXO

All Doodlebug is on sale right now at Scrapbook.com! Woot! CLICK HERE to see what's new! EVEN the pins are on sale!

And, again, THANK YOU SO MUCH for your support of my Amazon Storefront! I appreciate it so much! 

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Spellbinders April 2019 Card of the Month Club Kit launch! Pretty in Pink!

Greeeeeetings! Popping in today with something really really fun! I had the opportunity to work with the newest Card Kit from Spellbinders! It launched yesterday! This is my first time receiving and using a Spellbinders Kit and I loved it! I was very impressed by how much product was in the beautiful box. A great value! The kit has a full stamp set, An entire 6x6 paper pad, cards and envelopes, beautiful and creative dies, cardstock stickers, sequins..... All beautifully packaged like a present in the mail. The cost? $35.00! What?? I bet I could have easily made ten cards without stopping. So many goodies. This month's kit has a feminine, ballet theme to it and pretty shades of pink, grey and black. I think it will be perfect for Mother's Day cards and Bridal Shower cards just to think of a few ideas. Gorgeous. I'm excited to share this with you. I made three cards to showcase the kit! Let's get started!

Here are my three cards together...

 

First up is a collage type of card I made to feature the awesome dress dies that come in the kit. This is an A2 card size. I splattered the front of the card with black ink first, before adhering all of my pretty layers. The dress is my focal point. It's made by using three different dies (easy to mix and match colors) and the papers that come in the kit. The bodice is black, the belt is silver and the skirt is floral. I added a second skirt layer by die cutting the skirt die from vellum and layering it underneath. EEEK. So pretty!!! 

 

There is no stamping on this card! Yay! Sometimes that is a fun way to make a card. I used the tags, the flowers, the words, the heart and the butterfly that all come with the kit! I played around with the layout until I got it just right! Then I glued everything down with foam tape. These colors make me swoon. 

 

I added a bit of twine from my stash - to the top of the tag.

 

Here's a close up of the dress/skirt layers. The die cut makes the flat piece and then there are score lines to fold the skirt into perfect pleats!

 

Next up is a clean and simple layout birthday card. Again, a white A2 card base. I used the big birthday cake cardstock sticker as my focal point. I used Copic Markers to color directly onto the sticker to make pink icing and to color the flowers and the cake stand. SO EASY! 

 

 

 

For the sentiments, I alternated stamping the little words from the stamp set and the word banners. I love this playful look.

 

And for this last card, I stamped the pretty ballerina onto a circle die cut and made her dance right on by! This is an A2 card base layered with black cardstock and then striped paper. I wrapped a bit of floral paper around the bottom third of the card front. 

 

The two step stamping was quick and easy to line up. I stamped her body in black ink and the dress in pink ink. Done. I layered the circle with another vellum circle... Added some sequins and some leaves from the kit. The sentiment is a word banner cardstock sticker. 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are just a few things that come in this wonderful kit! 

That's it for today! I was so anxious to share this with you. I've had these done for a couple of weeks! It's hard to keep a secret sometimes. I hope you're having an awesome week. Our roof is now fixed and I'm breathing a big sigh of relief. Thank you for all the encouragement and kind words the past week! Love you. Mean it. XOXO

CLICK HERE TO SHOP THE MONTHLY CARD KIT!

 

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(I linked to the card kit and also to the supplies that are sold separately)

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