Prairie Paper & Ink:

« March 2020 | Main | May 2020 »

April 30, 2020

EASY Faux Watercolor using Distress Oxide Ink with SSS Layered Tulips Stamp Set

Hey everyone! It's the end of April already?!?!? It felt like this was the LONGEST MONTH EVER and yet it's already over.

Anywho - I'm still obsessed with tulips. I've done several tulip cards this past month - you can find them all here if you missed them:

Distress Oxide Ink Blended Background | SSS Stylized Tulips Mother's Day Card

Watercolored Tulip Background | Good Job Mama Card

No-Line Watercolor with Prima Watercolors | Sketch Tulip Bouquet Take 4

For today's card I was so inspired by one that Debby Hughes posted a couple of weeks ago. You can check out her card HERE <------click!

I used Simon's Layered Tulips stamp set that was part of their Lucky to Know You release. I inked up the different layers with Distress Oxide inks (the colors I used are listed and linked below) and then sprayed it all with water to get that "faux watercolor" look. I added splatter (of course) with the Dried Marigold and Picked Raspberry inks, and added MORE splatter with Ranger Perfect Pearl powder mixed with water.

I used Simon's A2 Thin Frames to die cut a frame from Gold Pearl card, and adhered it to the tulip panel. The sentiment is from the new Luck and Hugs set and I gold heat embossed it onto vellum and layered up the vellum with my Xyron sticker maker before adhering it to the card.

I kept the inside of the card simple and stamped the big hugs stamp from the Luck and Hugs stamp set with the Dried Marigold Distress Oxide ink then added another companion sentiment that I'd gold heat embossed onto vellum.

To see how my card came together check out my video below:

Or watch in HD over on YouTube HERE <-------click!

Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube!

I get asked a lot about where to purchase the supplies I use in my videos and blog posts. I list all the supplies I use at the end of my posts (below) or in the description box directly below my video on YouTube.

Compensated affiliate links used when possible at no extra cost to you. Affiliate linking is what keeps my blog and YouTube channel up and running and enables me to work from home and provide for my children! I appreciate your support more than words can say! I occasionally receive product for free from stores/manufacturer with no obligation on my part to use/review - I only use and share what I personally love. Everything else I purchase myself!

Permalink | Comments (3)

April 29, 2020

Distress Oxide Ink Blended Background | SSS Stylized Tulips Mother's Day Card

Hey everyone!! I'm the host of this week's Color Throwdown Challenge:

You can check out what the rest of the team created with these colors HERE <------click! and play along yourself if you'd like!

Here's what I made:

I created an ink-blended background using Dried Marigold, Picked Raspberry and Seedless Preserves Distress Oxide ink. I then die cut and stacked Simon Says Stamp's Stylized Tulips wafer die 3 times from white card stock.

I white heat embossed the sentiment from the Mom Word Mix 2 stamp set onto vellum and die cut it with the coordinating Word Mix 2 wafer die. I ran it through my 3" Xyron machine and backed it with a second layer of vellum before adhering it to my card.

I stamped the Tulip Background stamp onto the inside of the card with the Dried Marigold Distress Oxide ink. I added splatters with the Picked Raspberry and Seedless Preserves Oxide inks to pull in all of the colors. I finished it off with another sentiment from the Mom Word Mix 2 set and that was it!

To see how my card came together check out my video below:

Or watch in HD over on YouTube HERE <------click!

Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube!

Permalink | Comments (4)

EASY Foiled Birthday Cards with MFT Impressive Die-namics

FOIL. That's right. FOIL. I hoard foil like a magpie (and bling but y'all already knew that if you've followed me for a minute), and I need to make a point of USING it more. So that's what I did for these cards:

I have a bunch of newer My Favorite Things products that have been piling up for a while now. Some of it they sent to me and some I purchased (because I always tend to want the things that don't get sent so I buy them lol). I got their new Happy Birthday Impressive Die-namics - these are not regular wafer dies. The Impressive or Foiled (same thing) Die-namics are meant to be used in hot foil machines.

I have the Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil machine that I use in my Spellbinders Platinum 6 die cutting machine. There are other hot foil machines on the market that will work with the MFT Impressive/Foiled Die-namics I just can't comment on them as I don't own them.

Anywho - I used the Happy Birthday Impressive Die-namics with the Glimmer Hot Foil machine and 3 different colors of Glimmer Foil (I linked to all of them below) just on white card stock. I then used a variety of MFT Die-namics sets and their new Birthday Brights 6x6 patterned paper pack.

I used the Hip Hip Hooray Die-namics on the card I used the Rainbow foil on. I added a small die cut star using an oldie-but-goodie SSS Mini Stars wafer dies just to fill in that spot.

On the top card I used the Perfect-Fit Balloon Die-namics, and added a SSS Inside Out Birthday sentiment strip that I coloured pink with a Copic marker.

Finally on the pink foiled card I used the Mini Cupcake Maker Die-namics.

I finished the insides of all the cards with bits of the Birthday Brights patterned paper and various sentiments and that was it!

To see how these cards came together check out my video below:

Or watch in HD over on YouTube HERE <------click!

Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube!

Permalink | Comments (4)

April 26, 2020

Honey Bee Stamps Farm Fresh Flowers | Prima Watercolors

Hello everyone!

SO - Honey Bee Stamps recently had a HUGE release. They celebrated 5 years in business and as always they released a ton of great new products. I will have a Release & Review video to share with y'all as soon as the package I'm waiting on gets here with the last of the products (I want to be able to include them in the video!) - so stay tuned for that!

In the meantime you can check out all the new products HERE at SSS <-------click!

And here's a card I made using some of the new products:

Of course I couldn't resist the new Farm Fresh Flowers stamp set and coordinating die set. Anything that has large floral images I'm IN. I stamped the floral image and the milk can from the set onto Distress watercolor paper with VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink. I used Prima watercolors to color them in - both the Classics set and the Pastel Dreams palettes.

I white heat embossed the new Buffalo Plaid background stamp onto another piece of Distress watercolor paper. I then blended on Cracked Pistachio Distress Oxide ink and splattered the same ink over it. I used one of my all-time favorite die sets: Honey Bee's Scallop A2 Card Frames to die cut the panel before adhering it to my card base.

I did the same thing with the Cracked Pistachio ink onto a piece of Distress Watercolor paper and then die cut it with the new Friend wafer die.

On the inside of the card I stamped the floral cluster from the Farm Fresh Flowers set with Cracked Pistachio Distress Oxide ink. I then stamped a sentiment from the Friend stamp set that coordinates with the Friend wafer die.

To see how my card came together check out my video below:

Or watch in HD over on YouTube HERE <--------click!

Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube!

Permalink | Comments (7)

April 25, 2020

EASY Distress Ink Watercolor on Suzy's MOTHER'S DAY Watercolor Prints

Hey everyone!! Welcome to Day 2 of blog hops for Simon Says Stamp's Sunny Days Ahead release! If you didn't start at the beginning HERE <-------click! is where you can click through to the start! I also have GIVEAWAY info at the end of this post!

I've already done a couple of videos surrounding this release - if you've missed them I have them linked below:

SSS Sunny Days Ahead Release & Review! April 2020 Release

Watercolored Tulip Background | Good Job Mama Card

As part of the blog hop, when you shop at Simon Says Stamp this weekend you can get a FREE Intense Black ink pad with any purchase with the code sssink - OR - code HPT2T9 will get you $5 off orders of $5 or more!

OK here's the card I made:

I didn't do ANY stamping on this card. I used one of the new Suzy's Mother's Day Watercolor Prints. These are drawn by Suzy Plantamura and SSS prints them onto the smooth side of Distress watercolor paper. I used several Distress Inks to watercolor them in (specific colors are listed in the supplies below), and went with a peach/orange/coral/yellow combo.

I added splatter with some Ranger Perfect Pearl powder mixed with water, and added a few of the new Soft Sunrise sequin mix as well.

The Outline Mum wafer die was cut from Simon's Gold Glitter card stock and vellum. I ended up running the vellum through my little 3" Xyron sticker maker and backing it with a second layer of vellum before adhering it to the card. The 'I Love You' sentiment strip is from the Reverse Mom Days Sentiment Strips pack.

I kept the inside of the card simple and added another sentiment from the Reverse Mom Days Sentiment Strips and that was it!

To see how my card came together check out my video below:

Or watch in HD over on YouTube HERE <-------click!

Next stop on the hop is Heather's blog!! <-------click!

If you missed any of the other stops here are all the links - there is a TON of amazing inspiration along this hop as well as Day 1 if you missed it!

Simon Says Stamp Blog

Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube!

Now for the GIVEAWAY info!!

Simon Says Stamp is giving away a $25 coupon to every stop on the hop (thanks Heidi!!) from each blog's comment section (so leaving comments on all the blog posts of the hop increases your chances of winning!). Simon will choose the winners over the weekend and post on the Simon Says Stamp store blog on Wednesday the 29th of April (4/29). All the winners can email Simon Says Stamp to claim his/her prize.

Thanks so much for stopping by and good luck! ❤️❤️❤️

Permalink | Comments (163)

April 24, 2020

SSS Sunny Days Ahead Release & Review! April 2020 Release

Happy Friday!! I hope y'all are settled in for a long and chatty video lol!! I have most of the NEW Simon Says Stamp Sunny Days Ahead release to share with y'all:

You can watch in HD over on YouTube HERE <------click!

Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube!

Check out the entire Sunny Days Ahead Release HERE <------click!

ALSO - Code HPT2T9 will get you $5 off orders of $5 or more!

My previous post with the card I shared in the video:

Watercolored Tulip Background | Good Job Mama Card

And here are all the links!

Permalink | Comments (9)

April 22, 2020

Watercolored Tulip Background | Good Job Mama Card

First off: YES!! Simon has a NEW release - check out the Sunny Days Ahead release HERE <-------click! So many great new products!!

I'll have a Release & Review coming and more cards and projects so stay tuned! For now I have this card to share with y'all:

How could I resist this background stamp? I heat embossed the new Tulip Background stamp onto watercolor paper with Ranger Liquid Platinum embossing powder. I then watercolored it with my Prima Classics set, and added a bunch of splatter with the watercolor and Ranger Perfect Pearl powder.

The 'mama to mama' sentiment is from an older set - I bought the CZ Design Good Job Mama stamp and die set last year and pulled it out the other day to make cards with. It just seemed fitting to use it on this one. The companion sentiment was cut from the new Reverse Mom Days sentiment strips from SSS. I also added some Soft Sunrise sequins to finish it all off.

I stamped the Tulip Background onto the inside of the card with Apricot ink, then added another sentiment from the Reverse Mom Days pack and that was it!

To see how this card came together check out my video below:

Or watch in HD over on YouTube HERE <-------click!

Permalink | Comments (2)

No-Line Watercolor with Prima Watercolors | Sketch Tulip Bouquet Take 4

Hello everyone!

This week's Color Throwdown Challenge is up!

You can check out what the rest of the Design Team created with these colors HERE <------click! and play along if you'd like!

Here's what I made:

I pulled out another old favorite: Simon Says Stamp's Sketch Tulip Bouquet stamp set and coordinating wafer die.

I stamped the tulips onto Strathmore watercolor paper with Antique Linen Distress Oxide ink and did no-line watercoloring using the Prima Classics watercolor palette. I added splatter with the watercolors as well as with Ranger's Perfect Pearl powder mixed with water to add some shimmer.

I pulled out the Diagonal Stripes background stamp and stamped it onto my card base with Blueprint Sketch Distress Oxide ink, then added a BUNCH of splatter while I was at it!

I die cut the Painted Thanks wafer die from Neenah Desert storm card stock, and to complement that added some of the new Studio Katia Cafe Au Lait pearls.

I inked up the tulips with Distress Oxide inks and stamped them onto the inside of the card as well as a sentiment from the Sketch Tulip Bouquet stamp set and that was it!

To see how this card came together check out my video below:

Or watch in HD over on YouTube HERE <-------click!

Permalink | Comments (3)

April 20, 2020

Feeling Cooped Up? | Honey Bee Stamps | Karin Brushmarker Pro

Hello everyone! I pulled out some oldie-but-goodie Honey Bee Stamps and dies to make this card:

This is a 5.5" square card.

I thought this was a rather fitting card for the current times - as it DEFINITELY is how we've been feeling around here!

I pulled out Honey Bee's Spring Chicks stamp set and the coordinating wafer dies. I stamped the chickens onto Strathmore Ready Cut watercolor paper with Versafine Clair Fallen Leaves ink then coloured them in with Karin Brushmarker Pro's and a water brush.

I used Honey Bee's Chicken Coop wafer dies and die cut the main part and the "inside" from woodgrain card stock, then used Distress Oxide inks (colors used are listed in the supplies) to sponge on the colors I wanted. I used Honey Bee's largest Deckle Edge Square wafer die to die cut the background and also sponged and splattered some Distress Oxide ink on it.

For the sentiments on the outside and inside of the card I used the Eggcelent Sentiments stamp set and the coordinating wafer dies. I white heat embossed the sentiment and die cut it for the outside and stamped the second sentiment (and one of the chicks from the Spring Chicks set) on the inside of the card and that was it!

To see how the card came together check out my video below:

Or watch in HD over on YouTube HERE <-------click!

Permalink | Comments (6)

April 18, 2020

One Background 2 Cards | SSS Cosmos Bloom BG Take 2

Oh hey everyone! I have been struggling to get videos edited and uploaded lately as my laptop decided now was a great time to break down. While I deal with getting it fixed I'm working on my old dinosaur desktop - it's slow and frustrating but I'm making it work!

Anywho - this week's Color Throwdown Challenge was this:

You can see what the rest of the CTD design team created with these colors HERE <-------click! and there's still time to play along if you'd like!

Here's what I came up with:

I white heat embossed Simon Says Stamp's Cosmos Bloom Background stamp onto some Schoolhouse Red card stock. I die cut part of it with one of the Basic Rectangles wafer dies, and then trimmed the rest with my paper trimmer. That way I got 2 pieces from the one embossed background to make 2 cards with.

I used the Thank You Script wafer die set for the main sentiments of the cards, and the Tiny Words stamp set for additional sentiments. Of course I couldn't resist adding a little bling to the cards as well - I linked to the specific ones used below!

On the insides of the cards I stamped the Cosmos Bloom Background with Fog ink, then used one of my all-time favourite sentiments from the Thankful Heart stamp set. I stamped it with Schoolhouse Red ink and that was it!

To see how these cards came together check out my video below:

Or watch in HD over on YouTube HERE <------click!

Permalink | Comments (6)

April 14, 2020

NEON Florals with Karin Brushmarker Pros | SSS Look For the Rainbows Take 4

Hey everyone!! I missed the boat with last week's Color Throwdown Challenge - this video/cards/process just took longer than usual for all the reasons. That said - these were fun to make and the crazy-bright neon colors just make me happy!!

It's the 4th time I'm using the Look for the Rainbows stamp set - if you missed any of my previous posts using it you can find them all at the links below:

Copic Coloring on Floral Images | SSS Look For the Rainbow Stamp Set

Birds on a Wire Distress Oxide Watercolor | SSS Sept Card Kit

NEW Karin Brushmarker Pro First Impression | SSS Look For the Rainbow Take 3

For today's cards I'm using my Karin Brushmarker Pro's again - I recently got my hands on the neon set of them and have been itching to play with them!

I had the hardest time getting pictures of these cards. Filming the video seemed to work OK but trying to photograph such intense neon colors kept making my camera go haywire (literally - I'm not very skilled with a camera and I'm sure there's settings to combat that but I'm clueless).

I stamped the florals, stems and leaves from the Look for the Rainbows stamp set onto Bristol Smooth card stock using VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink and then clear heat embossed all the images. I then used the Neon Karin Brushmarker Pro's to color them in, and one of the browns (Praline) from the big box to color in the flower centres.

I used the coordinating wafer dies to die cut all the images, and arranged them into bouquets on all 4 cards.

The card bases were stamped with Simon's Outline Leaves Background using Fog ink - just subtle and perfect IMO!! I white heat embossed one sentiment on black card stock and stamped another sentiment onto the card bases from the Look For the Rainbows set.

Of course I finished off the fronts with some bling - Pretty Pink Posh's Flamingo Pink crystals were perfect for these cards.

I finished off the insides of the cards by stamping the florals with neon inks. The ones I used aren't available at SSS anymore - however I've linked to alternative RinaK inks that work fabulous. She's got a bunch of awesome neon products available now <-----click to check 'em out! I'm going to have to order a bunch of it b/c I have a thing for neon (and bling, and large floral stamps, etc etc etc lol).

So I finished off the insides of the cards with the large sentiment from the Look for the Rainbows set and that was it!

To see how these cards came together check out my video below:

Or watch in HD over on YouTube HERE <------click!

Permalink | Comments (3)

April 10, 2020

NEW Waffle Flower Patterned Paper Packs!

Hello everyone! I'm part of a blog hop today to celebrate Waffle Flowers NEW Patterned Paper! Not only is there a ton of inspo in the hop (start HERE for the links and stops on the hop!) but there's GIVEAWAY info at the end of my post!

Here's a quick bit of info on the new patterned paper release:

Waffle Flower now offers pattern paper! These papers are designed by cardmakers, so expect to see some new and innovative approaches!

For example, Waffle Flower paper pads measure a generous 5.5 inches by 8.5 inches (half-page of US Letter size). They settled on this size to give cardmakers more paper and less waste! Simply fold each page in half to make a standard landscape A2 card. Or trim a page in half to make two A2-sized card fronts. This larger size can also be used for A7-sized cards (5"x7"). The beauty of our unique page sizing allows us to have half-half designs. For more details, visit their paper introduction page here.

You can check out all the new packs here:

Waffle Flower is also Simon Says Stamp's Brand of the Month for April! You can shop Waffle Flower products HERE <-------click! and with purchases of $25 or more in WF products get the Dots & Lines Half Half paper pack FREE with the code WFR549 *while supplies last. Note the current shipping restrictions due to COVID-19 HERE

I made a few quick and EASY cards using the new patterned paper and Waffle Flower's Holiday Hugs Die and Holiday Hugs stamp set:

I had bought the stamp and die set back in the fall and meant to use them in my Christmas Card series but life got in the way. I pulled them out to use for these cards as some of the sentiments are great for any occasion plus the dies make these cute cards!

I used papers from the Half Half Dots Unicorn pack and Half Half Dots Botanical pack of papers. The card base is the patterned papers, and then I die cut the same patterns using the "arm" die from the Holiday Hugs die set.

All the "mittens" were die cut from Flock Transfer sheets (all the colors I used are linked below). So they're all fuzzy but not at all bulky. Plus because the flock transfer sheets have paper backing they're REALLY easy to adhere!

I used sentiments from the Holiday Hugs stamp set to stamp on the front of the card base and the inside with black ink and that completed each card!

To see how these cards came together check out my video below:

Or watch in HD over on YouTube HERE <-------click!

Next stop on the hop is Cathy Zielske's blog! <-------click!

And if you didn't start at the beginning of this hop you can find all the links and info HERE on the Waffle Flower blog <------click!

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY INFO!!

For today’s hop, Waffle Flower is giving away the entire Everyday Paper Bundle to THREE lucky winners. You can leave a comment on this blog and along the hop by 11:59pm EDT on April 12th, 2020 for your chances to win. Winners will be chosen at random from the comments left on any of the posts in this blog hop and will be announced on the Waffle Flower Blog on 4/15/2020.

Thanks for stopping by and good luck!! ❤️❤️❤️

Permalink | Comments (81)

April 09, 2020

Slimline Card Using Honey Bee Stamps Up, Up and Away Stamp Set

Hey everyone! I'm still chipping away on projects and filming - while I've worked from home for years now it's a totally different ballgame when all the kids + Chris are here with me 24/7!

Anywho - I'd shared this card and video earlier this week on the Honey Bee Stamps blog and YouTube channel so here it is for those that may have missed it:

I decided to create a Slimline Card - this one measures 3.5" by 8.5" - and used Honey Bee's Up, Up and Away stamp set and coordinating Honey Cuts dies as my main focus.

I created an ink-blended background using Distress Oxide Inks (all the specific colors are listed and linked below) over Distress Watercolor paper. I white heat embossed the hot air balloons and used more Distress Oxide inks and a water brush to paint them in.

I white heat embossed the cloud images from the Up, Up and Away set onto vellum and die cut them with the coordinating wafer dies. I also used the Large Clouds wafer dies to complete my scene. Of course I couldn't not add some Studio Katia Majestic Sequins for a little bling lol!

On the inside and outside of the card I used the Blown Away stamp set and coordinating wafer dies for all of my sentiments. I added one more hot air balloon to the inside and that was it!

To see how this card came together check out my video below:

Or watch in HD over on YouTube HERE <-------click!

Permalink | Comments (2)

April 08, 2020

February & March 2020 Happy Mail Haul | Cards from You!!

Hello everyone!! OK here's 2 months worth of cards that have arrived in my PO Box!!

You can watch in HD over on YouTube HERE <-------click!

I mentioned me guest designing for The Collective Creators - you can check out their site HERE <------click!

Also here are some links to the different products I mentioned:

And now for the rest of the info:

My Patreon page<------click!

If you'd like to mail a card to be featured in an upcoming Happy Mail Haul video here's my mailing address:

Amy Rysavy

Box 1041 MARTENSVILLE PO

Martensville, SK

S0K 2T0

Canada

April Theme: Birthday/Rainbow Colors

May Theme: Flowers

June Theme: Masculine Cards/Nature

(((a note about the themes - if you have ideas/suggestions for future themes feel free to post them in the comments below!)))

(A repost of some important info!!)

Like I mention in all the Happy Mail Haul videos - I am not strict with the themes. The post can be notoriously slow sometimes especially getting to me here in Canada, so I like to share everything that shows up in my PO Box the previous month regardless! If you ever want to check out previous months Happy Mail Haul videos you can find them all here:

RAK/Happy Mail Hauls

If you want to send ahead and mail cards for multiple themes in the same package I am totally OK with that. It helps if you add a sticky note or something to mark what month each card is for. Please do not send more than 2 cards for each theme (so there are the 3 upcoming months therefore 6 cards in total). I cannot accept large packages/boxes of cards. I don't have anywhere to store large amounts plus it takes up a lot of my time to film/edit/upload these videos and limiting the submissions to 2 per person ensures it's fair for everyone. Thank you for understanding!

If you are interested in donating your cards there are MANY charities and organizations out there. You would need to do your own research to find a cause/group/organization that works for you and what you want to do! Everything from local nursing homes/palliative care units/Ronald McDonald Houses to charities to cards for troops is out there - LOTS to choose from!

Also if you haven't sent in a card before but want to go ahead! I love seeing what y'all are making, and being able to share it with the rest of my audience. We all have to start somewhere ;). Also again there's no need to send gifts or anything like that. I more than appreciate the thought, and I read all the letters I receive (I can't respond to them but I read and keep all of them!).

For those reading/watching - I would love if you'd take the time to leave comments/questions/etc for those that sent in something in the comments below and I know those that sent in would love to read them!

Permalink | Comments (2)

April 05, 2020

Waffle Flower 6th Birthday Hop!

Hey everyone! Today's post is to celebrate Waffle Flower's 6th Birthday!!

I love Waffle Flower's products - I've done a bunch of posts using them over the years and will share 6 of my favourites along with the links to the original posts for you to check out if you missed them. Also there's GIVEAWAY info at the end of this post!

I have an entire category of my blog dedicated to projects I've made with Waffle Flower products - you can find it HERE <------click! then just scroll down through the posts. There's several pages of them! I'm going to post my 6 favorites with links to the original posts to celebrate Waffle Flowers 6th Birthday:

Original Post

There will be a lot more inspiration from a bunch of other designers sharing their favorite projects using WF products. You can start at the Waffle Flower blog HERE <-----click!

Next stop on the hop is Cathy Zielske's blog <------click!

Now for the GIVEAWAY!

To celebrate the blog hop, Waffle Flower is giving away a $100 gift certificate to THREE lucky winners!!

You can leave a comment on my blog and along the hop by 11:59pm EDT on April 8th, 2020 for your chances to win. Winners will be chosen at random from the comments left on any of the posts in this blog hop and will be announced on the Waffle Flower Blog on 4/10/2020.

Thank you for stopping by and good luck!! ❤️❤️❤️

Permalink | Comments (157)