
Welcome to the Pals’ Blog Hop! We’re so glad you’re here because we made some great projects for “It’s the Sentiment That Counts” – showcasing new or favorite sentiments as the focal point of their project. You may be starting the hop here or coming from a previous Pal’s blog. Either way, you’ve come to the right place. You’ll find the full line-up below to help you move, or “hop” along from Pal to Pal.

My hubby’s 46th birthday was on Monday and I made him this card using the Rustic Retreat Stamp Set from the 2019-2020 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog. This stamp set was inspired by 2 million dollar sales acheiver, Mary Polcin. I had the honor of meeting her at the April 2019 Minneapolis OnStage, where we both presented. Her presentation was introducing the 1200+ demonstrators in attendence to this stamp set. The sentiment meant everything to her and it means the same to me. ” You are BRAVER than you believe, STRONGER than you seem, SMARTER than you think, and LOVED more than you know. A.A. Milne”
Everyone needs to hear these words every now and then, and I thought it was a good time for my hubby to hear them.


Cut a piece of Whisper White Thick Cardstock to 5 1/2 x 8 1/2. Score and fold at 4 1/4.
Cut a piece of Shimmery White Cardstock to 5 1/4 x 4. Apply Night of Navy (sky) and Mossy Meadow (ground) Classic Ink as shown with an Aqua Painter. Allow to dry completely.
Gently rub the Night Navy portion with an Embossing Buddy. Stamp the sentiments (Rustic Retreat & Itty Bitty Birthdays) in Versamark Ink onto the Night of Navy portion as shown. Cover with White Stampin’ Emboss Powder, flick to remove the excess and set with a Heat Tool. Adhere to the card base with Snail Adhesive.
Squeeze some ink from a Whisper White Craft Refill onto a Clear Block B. Grab with an Aqua Painter, trying not to squeeze out water, and flick onto the Night of Navy portion until you obtain the coverage desired.
Stamp the cabin and tree line (Rustic Retreat) in Jet Black Stāzon Ink onto Shimmery White Cardstock. Color with an Aqua Painter and the following Classic Ink Refills: Mossy Meadow (trees), Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Smoky Slate, & Sahara Sand (cabin). Snip with Paper Snips and adhere as shown with Multipurpose Liquid Glue and Stampin’ Dimensionals.

If you would prefer the splatter of white (stars) were a little brighter colored, you could flick with Versamark Ink and cover with White Stampin’ Emboss Powder. I would just recommend covering the areas you are planning on placing the sentiment covered so that the sentiment can be applied to a clean area and remains readable.

Just remember, when you watercolor, it isn’t necessary to stay within the lines and keep the edges clean. Of course, it is always personal preference, but I like the look of going outside the lines. A little imperfection can make a project feel a little more handmade.

More inspiration awaits! Use the Blog Hop Line-up below to visit the rest of this month’s Design Team. My fellow Pals are excited to show you what they’ve created! Don’t forget to show us some love by commenting on our creations.
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, October 9, 2019 when our Hoppin’ Pals share “My Favorite Season” projects. Don’t miss the fun!
Pals September 2019 Blog Hop Line-Up:
- Mary Fish at Stampin’ Pretty
- Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping
- Beth McCullough at Stamping Mom
- Wendy Klein at Doggone Delightful Stampin’
- Mary Hanson at Up North Stampin’
- Tricia Chuba at ButterDish Designs
- Peggy Noe at Pretty Paper Cards
- Rae Harper Burnet at Wild West Paper Arts
- Karen Hallam at Karen’s Stamping Habit
- Lori Pinto at LollyPop Paper and Ink
- Su Mohr at Aromas And Art
- Debbie Mageed at Secrets to Stamping
- Debra Simonis at Deb’s Stampin’ Grounds
- Jackie Beers at Blue Line Stamping
- Jeanie Stark at Just Stampin’
- Rosanne Mulhern at Heartfelt Stamping
- Lynn Kolcun at Avery’s Owlery
- Pamela Sadler at Stampin Pink Rose
- Denise Hoepfner at The Mountain Magpie
- Stesha Bloodhart at Stampin’ Hoot!
- Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
The dimension you created is fabulous! I too love the sentiment and it pairs perfectly with the scene you created. This is a beautiful card.
So pretty. Your colors are amazing. I love that sentiment too.
LOVE this card. You definitely have a style that sings in my soul!
WOW! I am sure your hubby loved this card! Love your water coloring and all the details! THanks for the tips too! Perfect masculine card!
Beautiful, Stesha! It’s obvious a lot of effort went in to making this extra-special card!
Wonderful, artistic, card as always, Stesha! And, perfect for your hubby’s birthday!
Your watercoloring is beautiful, Stesha! And, the cabin is darling 🙂 Your husband will love it!
What a great card, Stesha! You make them look almost easy LOL but it’s surely very difficult to make a wonderful scene like this. I hadn’t gotten this stamp set yet but think it’s now going on my next order! Lots of great tips in your post that I will be using. Thanks!
I bet your husband LOVED this awesome card!