Purple Onion Designs

Spotlight Tuesday

Occasionally, I get to see what is created with my stamps.  I might run across something online, someone will send me a link or I will receive an email from a happy customer.  I thought I would share some of these creations with you from time to time.  Today I have some great cards straight from Australia compliments of Melissa Goodman.  Thanks for letting me share your wonderful cards Melissa!  

Melissa Goodman

I really like the soft watercolors Melissa used on this card along with the pattern found on the orange part of the flower head.  I am a fan of mixing stamps and Tucker looks adorable with this flower.  Then of course a little stitching for texture never gets old by me.

stamps used:  Mixed Middles Flower, Homegrown Sentiments & Tucker

 

It is always nice to see a different shaped card.  I love how the hearts are hanging by string on this card.  The coloring really makes them pop too!

By the way, I updated the Specials page the other day and both these stamps are on sale!  You can see the sale prices here.

stamps used:  Hearts on a String & Citrus Set

 

This card has all kinds of good things going on...texture from the embossing and twine, dimension from the frame/window, a pop of color and the contrasting black & white.

stamps used:  Sunny Blooms & Instant Film Frame

 

Wonderful coloring and a fun hand drawn border...

stamps used:  Toadstool & Homegrown Sentiments

New Specials & Some Cards

Eventhough, I haven't been updating the blog much, I have been updating the Specials page of the website.  My quietness is due to working on new images.  Yeah!  All I can say is...when it rains, it pours.  I have so many new stamps in the works!  I hope to have something to share with you soon.  I am just waiting to have all the collections completed.  In the meantime, take advantage of the specially priced stamps on the Specials page.  Here are a few cards to give you some inspiration...

Simone Schwagler

stamps used:  Bear Framed Doodle

 

Jennifer Roach

stamps used:  Bear Framed Doodle

 

Therese Calvird

stamps used:  Butterfly Set & Doodle Flower Sentiments

And guess what?  There is a little video that accompanies the card above...

 

 

Have a sizzlin' good time!

I just got an email from Therese with a card AND video that is perfect timing for Memorial Day weekend.  This weekend is kind of an unofficial kickoff to summer which means plenty of barbque's!  The BBQ Set that Therese used on her card and video is great for party invites, Father's Day cards, summer themed cards and scrapbooking.

Therese Calvird

stamps used:  BBQ Set 

One of the details that I really like and want to point out is how Therese colored the fire.  The stamp image only has a few flames shooting out above the grill.  Therese colored inbetween the grates of the grill so that it had the appearance of fire under the grill as well (as it should).

This time around Therese used Prismacolor pencils on kraft cardstock.  It is a favorite look of mine.  The kraft cardstock really makes the colors pop.  You can see how she applies the layers of color in the video.  Another fun tidbit to notice on the video is the way Therese applies her tape for mounting her card layers.  I found it interesting.  I will have to remember this if I am ever using a tape with a backing.

  

Schools Out

Today's card from Jennifer R. uses the School House stamp set which is part of Stephanie Ackerman's Hometown Collection.  It is a great set especially for the beginning and end of the school year. 

Jennifer Roach

This set is not only perfect for graduation and teacher appreciation cards.  How about a set of thank you cards as a teacher gift?  Maybe even personalizing them?  I can also see this set used for end of year class parties. 

Sale Stamps & Free Shipping Continues!

I have been busy working on next month's stamp release.  Yippee!  I will have some updates and maybe some peeks in the upcoming weeks so stay tuned right here. 

In the meantime, I have updated the Specials page with some new stamps that are on sale.  In addition, the shipping promotion continues!  All domestic orders $15.00 or more will ship for free.  All international orders $15.00 or more will receive a 15% discount.  The sale prices along with the free shipping makes these stamps a great deal!

How about a little coloring video that is so appropriate for the all those sale stamps?  Therese did a color comparison video a few weeks back that I know many of you will appreciate seeing.  She used "Freckles" and colored him with 3 different products.  Here is her comparison between Copics, Prismacolor Pencils (Magic Colored Pencil Technique) and Inktense Pencils.

    

Welcome Therese Calvird!

There is a new face joining the Purple Onion design team.  Welcome aboard Therese Calvird!  You might already be familiar with Therese's work from one of the other design teams she is on or maybe you have stumbled upon one of her You Tube videos.  If you aren't familiar with Therese, then go on over and check out her blog Lost In Paper.  There is probably a little something for everyone since she dabbles in different styles, mediums and techniques.  You will also find some great technique videos.  In fact, I have one to share with you today!

As I mentioned, Therese likes to use different mediums when creating her cards.  Here is an adorable card she created using Inktense pencils.

Therese Calvird

stamps used:  Sweet Offerings, Home Sweet Home & Doodle Flower Sentiment Set

 

Now the best part...see how Therese created this sweet card. 

 

I hope you are as excited as the rest of us to see what Therese has in store for everyone!

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!  I just updated the "Specials" page of the website with lots of great stamps for scrapbooking, mini albums, journal cards and Project Life.

And...the shipping promotion continues!  Free shipping on all domestic orders over $15.00 and 15% off all international orders over $15.00.

The sale will be up for at least the weekend...please share this with all your scrappy friends!

Julie Dudley

stamps used:  Vintage Journal Label, Late 1800's Script Background, Photographer,

Date Me - Seasons & Blossom Set

 

Jennifer Roach 

stamps used:  Scallop Circle, Doodle Heart Set, Sweetheart Ticket Set, Date Me,

Deluxe Labels & Days of the Week

 

Jenn Biederman

stamps used:  Photographer & Late 1800's Script Background

 

stamps used:  Photographer

 

stamps used:  Photographer

 

 

 

Free Shipping!

How about some free shipping while we are working on new stamp designs? 

Free shipping on all domestic orders $15.00 or more!

International orders will receive a 15% discount.

Please remember when placing an international order to choose "check or money order" as your payment method.  A Paypal invoice will be sent to you with the correct total.  

Jennifer Roach

stamps used:  Post Office & Happy Mail

 

Spread the word!

It's beginning to feel a lot like...

Spring!  Finally?  It has warmed up a bit the past few days.  Let's see if it lasts.

I always love how Stephanie Ackerman's stamps look when stamped on patterned paper.  It is such an easy way to create a card with color and pattern. 

Alice Wertz

stamps used:  Home Sweet Home

 

Donna Mikasa

stamps used:  Faith The Chicken & Cracked Egg - Bouquet

 

Kelly Booth

stamps used:  Curly Bird, Home Sweet Home & Homegrown Sentiments

Unexpected Pairing

I used to enjoy mixing and matching different stamp lines to create little scenes for my cards when I first started stamping.  It was fun to hunt around and see what images would work well with one another.  It wasn't always easy to find what I was looking for because of style and scale.  I was also looking for unmounted stamps and the selection 12 years ago was kinda slim.  Occassionally, I would give in and buy mounted stamps.

One of my long time favorite stamp companies that I used to create these cards is Eat Cake Graphics.  I instantly fell in love with Holly's illustrations.  There was nothing like her stamps at the time.  The line was much smaller then and that is what sent me on my stamp quests.  It was always fun to share the cards with Holly.  I still remember how excited I was when she started sharing the cards in her gallery.  In fact, my first magazine submission used her stamps.  It was published in Rubber Stamper back in 2003.  I believe the theme was "by the lake."  The adorable bathers are from Eat Cake Graphics.  The alpha stamps were from The Angel Company.  I believe the dock was Rubby Baby Buggy Bumpers and I can't recall the grass.

So, can you guess where I am going with this little story?  I received this wonderful card from Simone the other day that uses 2 of my stamps that I would of never thought to put together.  It goes back to style and scale.  They are both completely different but it works! Take a look...

stamps used:  Rosie and Doctor's Office

 

Seriously?!  I would of never thought to pair up Rosie with one of the Hometown buildings.  The style and lines seem pretty different but the real kicker for me is the scale.  It is totally off, yet it works!  Nice job Simone!!