Friday, January 31, 2014

Here's the Scoop!

I suppose I should have made a card with a sun on it since it is so cold everywhere! Ice cream is probably the last thing on anyone's mind right now. But -- here's hoping to a super warm summer where I WANT ice cream. :)
Images are from Just Rite's The Scoop Vintage Labels Four. I stamped my cone in VersaFine Sepia on some of Prima's Life Time 6x6 papers, and then embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. The Prima paper had the perfect waffle cone color, as well as a textured "vanilla" piece that I colored in with an alcohol marker. The sentiment was stamped with white pigment ink and then embossed with White Embossing Powder.
My backgrounds are made with two Spellbinders embossing folders. The Kraft base is embossed with M-Bossabilities - Regal and the pink Oval die cut is So Trendy. The embellishments I used were Latte Pearls, 1" pink ric rac, a cute doily, and pink Prima Encore flowers. Pink is the best-selling color of flowers at The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store, and they sell out quickly, as these did. But -- Sharon has some beautiful Encore flowers in other colors here, as well as other pink flower choices here.

I use a variety of adhesives, and you can find a great selection of all kinds in the Store here. Everything you need all in one place!

Sharon has bins full of fabulous sale items at amazing prices! Go check it all out!
Thanks for stopping by!



Thursday, January 30, 2014

A Sketch, A Tutorial, and My Favorite Flowers


It's Thursday and that means a new sketch
at The Deconstructed Sketch
Plus I have a tutorial to show you, which I have dubbed "Air Smash."
It is a take on the fun Spray and Smash Technique.
I used Sheena's Paint Fusion Poppies from Crafter's Companion 
for my images and Tim Holtz Distress Reinkers in
Barn Door, Dried Marigold, Spiced Marmalade, Wild Honey.

My cardstock is High Gloss
I stamped with VersaFine Onyx Black ink and then embossed with Clear Embossing Powder, Not all of the inks were dry, so some of the inside of the flowers have raised clear powder on them. I liked how it gave the flowers some texture. Don't worry if it isn't totally dry! If you don't have canned air (I got mine at Office Max), try a straw!
Add any embellishments you like (Butterfly by The Paper Studio) and some pretty designer paper (Bo Bunny's Enchanted Collection) and you are all done! Here is the picture of Step 4 side-by-side:
 I have another piece to save for later!

 
To play along, here’s the scoop on what you need to do:
1. Use the sketch up top to make a project, any kind you like using any image you like. Use the sketch to inspire your own creativity. Feel free to substitute shapes for what you have available and mount tags and circles to a card base if you’d prefer.
2. Post it somewhere on the internet (your blog, SCS, Flickr, etc). Use keyword DS136 if you post to an online gallery like Splitcoaststampers.
3. Link back here to Inlinkz at the bottom of the post HERE.
4. Be sure to stop back by net week to see if you are one of the featured projects!





Be sure to check out the rest of the fun inspiration from The Deconstructed Sketch Girls! And welcome to Joanne!!




 

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

The Beat Goes On

Music has played an important part in my life in all sorts of ways, so when I saw this new CAS-ual Fridays Love Notes stamp set and Heart Note Fri-Die, I snatched it up right away! Both are available at i {heart} papers!
I stamped my sentiment with Memento Lady Bug ink on Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock and added a sparkly little heart brad next to it. I chose a rainbow of colors and cut the Heart Note die using those seven colors. All layers are held together with 1/4" Scor-Tape.

And that's it! A cute little musical love note~!
 

 

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Tree Trunk Love

These sweet dies (Love Tree) are from Taylored Expressions - LOVE TE's dies! Every time I use a banner on my cards (and that is frequently), I go to Taylor's! I cut everything twice - in different papers - so I would have a sentiment shadow and also some red leaf hearts. I sponged my clouds in using a hand-cut cloud stencil.

A fun and easy Valentine!


Paper: Bazzil Textured Pink, Colorbok Textured White, SU! Pink Pirouette, MME Love Me DP
Ink: Bashful Blue
Accessories: TE Love Tree dies, Kaiser Blush Pearls, Fiskars Grass Punch, paper piercer, hand-cut cloud stencil

Challenges:
Opus Gluei - Trees
Sentimental Sundays - Lovey Dovey
 

Friday, January 24, 2014

Key to My Heart -- With a Twist

Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday. Yes, I have said that many times. It just makes my heart happy. Today's valentine packs some color punch, but was so easy to make. You can find so many fun valentine things at The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store!
First off, I like to use Christmas paper year round. I mean, would you have known this was from a Christmas pad? Be sure to look at your supplies and get the most use out of them that you can! I am sure there are many of you that also do this! Here is the paper pad that I used (Webster's Pages It's Christmas - on sale for $3!):
I LOVE the fact that the sheets are loose and not bound together, that they are heavier cardstock weight, and double-sided! Sharon has MANY Webster's Pages patterns in the store here.
I stamped my sentiment and keys (JustRite Clear Stamp - Antique Valentine Tags One - also on sale!) with VersaFine Onyx Black ink. I attached my beautiful Red Wrinkled Edge Sheer Ribbon (LOVE it! SO many colors available) and tied around the front panel with a big bow. The hearts were cut using Spellbinders Classic Heart dies. Finally I used a piece of Tim Holtz grungeboard (similar to pliable chipboard) in a key hole shape and embossed it with Silver Embossing Powder. I colored it red and stamped with VersaMark watermark ink prior to embossing. Sharon carries a beautiful selection of chipboard here.

A little bling with Red Rhinestones (Kaisercraft) finish the project.
My adhesives are 1/8" and  1/2" Scor-Tape,  Scrapbook Adhesives-3L E-Z Runner and Thermoweb 3D Foam Squares

Sharon has bins full of fabulous sale items at amazing prices! Go check it all out HERE.
Thanks for stopping by!







Challenges: 
Artistic Stampers - Love is in the Air
The Stamping Boutique – Valentines 
Papertake Weekly - Add A Bow & Use A Die
Party Time Tuesdays - Use Ribbon
 City Crafter Challenge - Use A Key & A Heart
 Add a Little Dazzle - Red 
WordArt Wednesdays - Anything goes 
4 Crafty Chicks - Bling 
Delightful Challenges - (include a heart)
 

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Deconstructed Sketch #135 with Kraftin' Kimmie!


It's Thursday and that means a new sketch
Our sponsor for today's Sketch #135 is
Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!

I had the opportunity to work with Jasmine from Once Upon A Time 3 by Cheryl Alger.

What a sweet image and a fun layout!

 
To play along, here’s the scoop on what you need to do:
1. Use the sketch up top to make a project, any kind you like using any image you like. Use the sketch to inspire your own creativity. Feel free to substitute shapes for what you have available and mount tags and circles to a card base if you’d prefer.
2. Post it somewhere on the internet (your blog, SCS, Flickr, etc). Use keyword DS135 if you post to an online gallery like Splitcoaststampers.
3. Link back here to Inlinkz at the bottom of the post HERE.
4. Be sure to stop back by net week to see if you are one of the featured projects!


Be sure to check out the rest of the fun inspiration from my teamies!

Stamps: Once Upon A Time 3 (Kraftin' Kimmie)
Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black & Spectrum Noir markers
Paper: Ultrasmooth White CS (Crater's Companion), Fancy Pants DP
Accessories & Tools: banner dies (Taylored Expressions), gems (The Paper Studio), 
paper flowers (Wild Orchid), Circle die (SB), paper piercer



 

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Just a Little Thumb Thing.....Filled With Love!

Today at the Hambo Hoedown we are sharing some fun ideas for Valentine's Day with our theme of LOVE. This is the second week of the challenge, so be sure to stop by the Hoedown and play along!

My card is made with one of the most versatile Hambo stamps there is: Fingerprint (0709). The sentiment is Little Thumb Thing (1510). I have made several things using this cute little stamp and I just love how it looks as a heart:

Pretty fun, huh? It is a cute little 4.25" square card that will be perfect to contain a gift card for a dinner out. Show us your ideas to share the love and come play along!

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

It's a Party!


There is a new challenge at Party Time Tuesdays today! 
Be sure to check it out and join in the fun with 
PTT and Really Reasonable Ribbon! 

Check out my samples HERE and HERE
I would love to hear what you think!


Monday, January 20, 2014

A Non-Traditional Valentine

Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday. I love it. Less stressful than some others, and it is a great way for me to send love and show love in a special way to my family and special friends. Today I am sharing a non-traditional valentine using stamps available at Crafter's Companion.
This awesome bee image is from Sheena's Floral Fantasy Collection called Violets. I love all of the possibilities for coloring this. I chose two color groups - both regal for this Queen Bee - golds and purples (Spectrum Noir markers CT3, GB4, GB6, LV2, PL1, PL2, PL3).


After coloring, I added Judikins Diamond Glaze to each and every dot to add dimension and shine.
I tied on my little charms with some gold thread and kept them in place with Adhesive Foam Squares. The background is embossed with the Embossalicious Gun Metal embossing folder to add some texture.

Definitely non-traditional colors - but I love how it turned out!

Challenges:

Saturday, January 18, 2014

New Releases This Week at Crafter's Companion

Another crazy windy day here - Thursday we had gusts of 60-65 mph and several semis blown over on the interstate. Today it's a mere 35 mph (rolling my eyes). So I am headed to the warm beach..... in my mind! Ha! Today I made a card using a cool starfish from one of the new Sheena collections coming out this week at Crafter's Companion.  There are two new Under the Sea sets and this release is called Hidden Stars
My star fish is colored with the Spectrum Noir markers listed below. The grungeboard tag (I love grungeboard!) is inked with VersaMark and then embossed with a mix of several embossing powders.  

So ready for SUMMER......



Friday, January 17, 2014

No Stamp Elegance

Today I have a fun design to show you that is easy to make and didn't even take as much time as I thought it would! You can find all of the supplies at The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store, along with lots of other fun things! 

There is no stamping involved, just scoring, cutting, and sewing, along with gluing~! This is a design I found on Pinterest, and just cased from photos, as it was all in Russian (?) or another similar language. So I guessed on a lot of it!

First of all, choose some patterned paper that you like that has five patterns you want to use. Mine are coordinating colors, but you could use totally different colors on each panel. My paper is from Prima's Life Time 6x6. I love the sturdiness of the heavier papers in Prima's collections.  I used a piece of 12x12 CS for the base, and cut it to 5 1/2" X 9 3/4". Using one end to measure, I scored it at 4 1/4", 6 1/2", and 8 3/8",  again guessing as to measurements. I sponged the edges with Brushed Cordoroy Distress ink.
Next I cut the papers from the Prima pad slightly smaller on each panel, sewed around each edge with a straight stitch, and adhered to the base (except for the front panel!). I love the 1/2" Scor-Tape and 3L's Tape Runner. Then I began the process of decorating each panel, working from the back.
Wilton Doily and May Arts Sheer Frayed Flower
Spellbinders Classic Heart die, corrugated cardboard heart and a glittered flower from Prima's Wishes and Dreams collection.
Finally, I added the Elegant Peacock seam binding on the front BEFORE adhering the paper. Use a long enough piece to tie the size bow you like. Mine is about 20 inches long. I used the Scor-Tape to secure the seam binding to the base, then adhered the paper on top. I added two more flowers to the front to look like a little floral spray when the card is closed and a few dew drops for bling.
Standing up and then open and laying flat: 
And finally tied closed:
This was a lot of fun to make. Thank you to the original poster. She has great photos to show how it's done. I will be making more of these and experimenting with the size.

Sharon has bins full of fabulous sale items at amazing prices! Go check it all out HERE.
Thanks for stopping by!


Thursday, January 16, 2014

Deconstructed Sketch #134


It's Thursday and that means a new sketch
My card today uses Flourishes' Dahlias
~ available at i {heart} papers! ~
My image and sentiment are stamped with VersaFine Onyx Black ink on Ultrasmooth White CS and then embossed with Clear EP and colored with alcohol markers. The sweet papers are from MME's Memorable 6x6 designer paper pad. I added some pearls for embellishments.  Zva Dimensionals and ISP Red-Line Tape hold everything together. 

Linked supplies available at i {heart} papers

 
To play along, here’s the scoop on what you need to do:
1. Use the sketch up top to make a project, any kind you like using any image you like. Use the sketch to inspire your own creativity. Feel free to substitute shapes for what you have available and mount tags and circles to a card base if you’d prefer.
2. Post it somewhere on the internet (your blog, SCS, Flickr, etc). Use keyword DS134 if you post to an online gallery like Splitcoaststampers.
3. Link back here to Inlinkz at the bottom of the post HERE.
4. Be sure to stop back by net week to see if you are one of the featured projects!





Be sure to check out the rest of the fun inspiration from my teamies!





 

Monday, January 13, 2014

It's Monday -- Bee Sweet!

Today I am hosting the Splitcoaststampers Technique Challenge 464 and it's all about sewing! If you have never sewed on cards before, check out the challenge for a wonderful tutorial by Lori Craig. 
My cute little bear is wishing someone a sweet day! I embossed him using VersaFine Onyx and Clear EP on Ultrasmooth White CS and then colored with Spectrum Noir markers. The sentiment and star are stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black. The star is colored in with a Black Spica Glitter pen. All of these images are from Lawn Fawn's Critters in Costume -- and there are coordinating dies!! My designer paper (including the flower) is from Pebbles' Walnut Grove collection - perfect papers for this set!
 

I sewed around my main panel using white thread (should have used black!) and a fancy stitch. Everything is held together with 1/2" Scor-Tape and Zva Dimensionals. All linked supplies are available at i {heart} papers!
Stamps: Critters in Costume and coordinating dies (Lawn Fawn) - available at i {heart} papers
Paper: Kraft, Summer Sun, Walnut Grove DP (Pebbles)
Paper Size: 5" SQ
Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black, Spica Glitter pen (Black), and Spectrum Noir markers
Accessories: natural string twine, button, distressing tool, Clear EP (Ranger), paper piercer, sewing machine, flower die (MFT), glitter (wings), black pearl (flower center)
Techniques: embossing, piercing, sewing


Challenges: 
Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Stitching 
Crafty Cardmakers - Bears 
Sparkle N Sprinkle - Anything Goes with Glitter, Embossing Powder and/or Flocking



Sunday, January 12, 2014

Bebunni Love - A New Release!

Today I have a sneak peek for a new release to share with you by Crafter's Companion.  The collection is called Bebunni Love and will be released for purchase on Thursday, January 16th. There are 4 new sets AND a CD-ROM with lots of adorable images and papers for printing.  My card uses images from the Love You set.
I colored my image using Spectrum Noir markers BG1, IB1, IB2, IG1, IG2, IG3, PP1, PP2, PP3, and the Blender pen. A little piercing and some pearls (they are turquoise, not black!) and lace, and this card is all set to go to my sweet daughter! I also added some Starfire Glitter to the heart hanging from Bebunni's ear.
You can see lots of fun sneak peeks at the Crafter's Companion blog HERE - there is another new set coming out too, so go take a peek!
Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge - Something New
Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge - Cute and Sweet 
A Creative Romance - Something New 
Docerela Creations - Use Something New