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Monday, June 30, 2014

A Stenciled Birthday with Heart!

I have another bright and colorful stenciled card to share today. (see my previously posted card here). 
 I, once again, used 3 brandy new stencils by Dina Wakley - this time I used Tracks (for the background), The Basics (for the heart and sun), and Moon Faces - using Ranger Distress Tumbled Glass, Fired Brick and Mustard Seed and Archival Jet Black inks.  I stamped the sentiment from Woot Woot by Cas-ual Fridays Stamps on a white scrap and punched it with the Word Window punch from SU.  I layered the white stenciled panel to a slightly larger black panel - and layered that to my Summer Sunrise card base.  I love how bright, bold and artsy this looks!

I'm linking my card to this month's Cas-ual Friday challenge - Summer Lovin' - to use hearts in summer colors. My blue and yellow are obviously summer colors - and hopefully the red heart can be considered red hot like the sun at the beach!

I hope you'll stop by tomorrow when I'll have a Mixed Media project as a member of the Design Team for the very first Monthly Mixed Media Card Challenge!

Stamps:  Woot Woot - Cas-ual Fridays Stamps
Paper:  White, True Black, Summer Sunrise - PTI
Ink:  Ranger Distress Fired Brick, Tumbled Glass, Mustard Seed; Archival Jet Black
Accessories:  Stencils - Tracks, Moon Faces, The Basics - Dina Wakley, Word Window Punch - SU

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Brighter Days

I need some Get Well cards for my stash - so I made today's card with the "Wishing You Brighter Days" sentiment from Healing Touch Sentiments from PTI.
First I adhered a piece of Tissue Tape/Sketch Book from Idea-ology/Tim Holtz across a white 4"x4" panel.  I stamped the sentiment in the bottom corner with Archival Jet Black Ink.  Then I took a wooden frame and a wooden dragonfly from Stationers Desk by Prima - inking the frame with black ink and the dragonfly with Gold Pigment ink.  I adhered them over the tissue tape with Glossy Accents.  Then I adhered the panel to the 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" card base. Even though it's white on white - the layering gives the card a finished look.  I also like to wrap the tape around the panel edge - to be sure the ends won't lift off.

I'm linking my card to this week's Cas-ology - Cue Card - Wood challenge.
I'm also squeaking this into the Stamplorations Challenge - Borders and Stamps

Stamps:  Healing Touch Sentiments - PTI
Paper:  White - PTI
Ink:  Archival Jet Black, Color Box Gold Pigment Ink
Accessories:  Tissue Tape/Sketch Book - Idea-ology/Tim Holtz, Wood embellishments - Stationers Desk/Prima, Glossy Accents - Ranger.

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Pastel Christmas in the Round

I have two round Christmas cards to share today -  
I used the same technique for the background on both cards.  I took Worn Lipstick and Salty Ocean Distress Stains and ran them over my NonStick Craft Mat in two lines.  I spritzed the mat with water over the stains and then swiped a panel of glossy card stock straight through the colors.  I flipped over the panel and let the colors drip a bit - then dried it with my heat tool and blotted any big pools of color with a paper towel. The card above was made using the first panel I swiped through the stains - so the colors are stronger.

The card below was made with a glossy card stock panel swiped through what was left on the mat after the first swipe, so the colors are a little weaker, especially the Worn Lipstick on the right..  I die cut the panels with a circle Nestability as well as the card bases - having the die a little over the fold in the card so it didn't cut through all the way around, leaving a fold at the top.  The PEACE cut out was made with a Movers and Shapers die from Alterations/Tim Holtz.   This panel is popped up on foam dots to accent the cut out.  I adhered Lemonade Blend sequins from Avery Elle on the card above and sequins from Neat and Tangled on the card below (the sequins were included free in an order I just got from them!)
I'm linking my cards to two Christmas Challenges:
Festive Friday - which was this photo for inspiration
and Merry Monday - which was to use sparkle -  I used sequins for sparkle and glossy paper that shines!

Joy Card:
Stamps:  Joy to the World - Verve
Paper:  White - PTI, Gloss Card Stock - Ranger
Ink:  Archival Jet Black
Accessories:  Circle Nestabilities - Spellbinders, Ranger Distress Stains Worn Lipstick and Salty Ocean, Non Stick Craft Mat - Ranger, Water Mister - Ranger, Lemonade Blend sequins - Avery Elle.

Peace Card:
Paper:  Sweet Blush - PTI, Gloss Card Stock - Ranger
Accessories:  Circle Nestabilities - Spellbinders, Peace Movers and Shapers die - Alterations/Tim Holtz, foam dots, sequins - Neat and Tangled, Non Stick Craft Mat - Ranger, Water Mister - Ranger,

Friday, June 27, 2014

Have a Sunny Stenciled Birthday!

Today I have a birthday card to share that I made using some brandy-new 'stuff' and some older stuff.
The new stuff is two stencils by Dina Wakley - I inked the Plastic Canvas stencil with Peacock Feathers Distress ink - leaving a white patch in the center.  Then I stenciled the rays in Mustard Seed and the half 'sun' in Spiced Marmalade - both of these stencils are part of The Basics stencil.  I'm taking a class that Dina is running in the end of August at Absolutely Everything in Topsfield, MA so I'm buying up some of her 'stuff' to play with before the class! The Happy is a PTI die from Tipped Tops Die set that I popped up on foam dots over the sun - then I stamped the 'birthday' from Studio Calico (retired I think?) in black along the bottom of the card.  I layered the panel to a black panel, then layered it all to my white card base.  This card makes me HAPPY -  with the bright colors and the contrast with the black sentiment!

I'm linking my card to two challenges:

Addicted to CAS - Code Word SUN
and Seize the Birthday - anything goes.

 Oh - and check out this new challenge blog Mixed Media Card Challenge -  they are introducing half of the new Design Team today -  you might see someone you know there ;)   The first challenge is coming on July 1st!

Stamps:  Studio Calico
Paper:  White, True Black - PTi
Ink:  Ranger Distress Peacock feathers, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Archival Jet Black
Accessories:  Happy die - Tipped Tpos Die - PTI, Stencils - The Basics and Plastic Canvas - Dina Wakley, foam tape.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

CC3 Challenge #5 - Distress Watercoloring - Part 1

The Compendium of Curiosities Vol 3 challenge #5 has just been posted (on Saturday).  For the next 2 weeks we are to look at  Page 39 of CC Vol 3 -  the technique is Distress Watercoloring - Part 1.  We cannot describe the technique - as they wish for you to purchase your own copy of Tim's book - but here is my project using the technique.
 I sell some of my cards at work and I recently had a run on birthday cards - so I decided to make a simple card basically using just the technique.  I stamped the cupcake from the Blue Print Assortment stamp set using Archival Jet Black Ink on Ranger Watercolor paper.  Then I got out my Distress Markers and waterbrush and colored the image using the technique Tim describes for us.   I adhered the stamped panel to my white cardstock base with foam tape.
I stamped the sentiment and frame from the Saying Stuff set on white cardstock with Ranger Distress Worn Lipstick ink and Archival Jet Black, cut it out and layered it over the stamped panel, again using foam tape.  I actually used  the Distress Watercoloring technique Part 2 on my image as well, found on page 40 -  but Linda said that it was ok if we wanted to!  (we'll be doing Part 2 on it's own in a later challenge as well!)

There are several prizes to be won with each CC3 Challenge - there's a new challenge every other Saturday -  this week one of the prizes is a $50 gift certificate from the Inspiration Emporium
So - get out your Compendium of Curiosities III -  and take a gander at page 39 and join us!  You'll find all the instructions and wonderful inspiration from the Curiosity Crew here

Stamps:  Blue Print Assortment and Saying Stuff - Stampers Anonymous (Michaels)
Paper:  white - PTI, watercolor - Ranger
Ink:  Archival Jet Black, Ranger Distress inks - Worn Lipstick and Pumice Stone
Accessories:  Ranger Distress Markers - Worn Lipstick, Spiced Marmalade, Salty Ocean, Pumice Stone; foam tape, Ranger Distress Marker Spritzer, Ranger Waterbrush.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

eclectic Paperie and Add a Little Dazzle Blog Hop (Day 2)

eclectic Paperie  and Add a Little Dazzle Blog Hop.  Welcome to Day 2 of our exciting blog hop. We have been busy playing with our new products and are having lots of fun. Yesterday we had an exciting line up of designers who showcased eclectic Paperie Products and Add a Little Dazzle Craft Metal Sheets.
Today the inspiration continues with more amazing projects. It’s so much fun to see all the beautiful creations and we are excited to share another inspiring day with you. Remember to leave comments for a chance to win an amazing prize.

First I’d like to share a little bit about the two companies…
eclectic paperieeclectic Paperie is a different breed of craft store, conceived as more than just a place where you can purchase supplies, we believe in the strength of collaboration, in coming together and sharing with like-minded crafters. Our goal is to offer a mixed media marketplace where a generation of artists can congregate, explore, imagine, and inspire one another.

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps and Add a Little Dazzle Blog Hop
Add a Little Dazzle specializes in an exclusive line of craft metal sheets that helps you take your crafting to the next level. Whether you are a seasoned or new crafter, our craft metal sheets will help you create unique projects that will make you stand out among the crowd. Are you ready to take your crafting to the next level? Add a Little Dazzle Craft Metal Sheets will help you turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.

And here is the project I created for today's Blog Hop.  A masculine theme tag using two colors of the Add a Little Dazzle metal sheets -  Dark Rich Chocolate and Baby Blue.
I started with a manilla tag and sponged it with Ranger Distress Inks - Broken China and Vintage Photo. I embossed a piece of the Dark Rich Chocolate metal with a Texture Fades Steampunk embossing folder.  I sanded the metal piece with my Tim Holtz sanding grip block and sand paper which took most of the dark brown color off the raised pieces.  Then I used Acetone (nail polish remover!) and a Q-tip and rubbed over the raised areas to remove more of the color.  Next I rubbed Gold Champagne and Snow Cone Gelatos over the raised pieces using my finger, to give a little color to the piece.  When I was happy with the colors -  I adhered the metal panel to my tag using ScorTape.  I adhered my tag to a slightly larger piece of black cardstock, punched the hole through the hole on the tag and slipped a piece of Ideology Trimmings/Naturals through the hole stapling the ends together near the tag.  I sponged over the trimming with Vintage Photo.
I stamped images and a sentiment from the Stampers Anonymous set - Steampunk on white card stock, sponged the edges with Vintage Photo and then all over the pieces with Broken China.  I adhered a piece of Film Strip ribbon to the tag using my Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher.  I stapled it a few inches in on each end so the ends curl up a little. I adhered a Mini Gear and Game Spinner with Glue N Seal.
Notice the little blue dots and circles on my tag?   I made them with a little die that is part of a Tag Set (meant to cover the hole on the top of the tag) from WMS.
I die cut them out of the Baby Blue Metal sheet and adhered some circles and the inner dots to my tag with Glue N Seal.  A little bit of home made bling!
So that's my project - I hope I've inspired you to try out these fun metal sheets on your projects - and I know the rest of the DT participating today will have other inspiring ways to use them - so let's go see, shall we?!

Prize Alert!

Make sure to stop by and visit each of the Design Team Blogs linked below for a chance to win 1 of 2 prize packages from eclectic Paperie and Add a Little Dazzle  valued at $25.  You have until Friday, June 27th to leave your comments.  The winners will be announced on the eclectic Paperie and Add a Little Dazzle blogs on Saturday, June 28th.  You must leave a comment on all blogs.

Missed Day 1?

Visit Eclectic Paperie and Add a Little Dazzle to check out Day 1 of the Blog Hop!

Stamps:  Steampunk - Stampers Anonymouse
Paper:  Manilla Tag - Ranger, White and True Black - PTI
Ink:  Archival Jet Black, Ranger Distress Vintage Photo and Broken China.
Accessories:  Sand Paper block and paper and Mini Attacher- Ranger, Idea-ology - Trimmings/Naturals Cream and Black, Film Strip Ribbon, Mini Gears, Game Spinners, Steampunk Embossing folder - Texture Fades Tim Holtz Alterations,  Gold Champagne and Snow Cone Gelatos - Faber Castell, Scor Tape, Folding Tag Die - Waltzingmouse,  Dark Rich Chocolate and Baby Blue Metal Sheets - Add a Little Dazzle.


Saturday, June 21, 2014

So Glad You Asked for My Number!

Today is Kent and my 17th wedding anniversary -  so when I woke up this morning and Kent was still sleeping, I made this card for him - somehow family cards are the last to be made!  Do you find that to be true??!!  I'll give it to him as we eat supper out on our deck tonight.  We're a little low key on our celebration of events lately -  we'll be going out to dinner tomorrow afternoon to celebrate, since I attended a work dinner last night and am still stuffed from it!!
I used a really fun stamp set called 'It's Today, Right?!  from Lil' Inkers Design - that I purchased quite some time ago after seeing some really cute cards using the stamps out in blogland.  So today - I cracked the set open and got it inky!
I tried to keep it masculine - using white, kraft and black - with just a touch of bling and color with the Lemonade Blend sequins from Avery Elle - and the coloring on the flower and dress hem on the image with a Wild Honey Ranger Distress Marker.  I used a stitched mat Circle and Square dies from Lil' Inker Designs and a Pinking Circle Nestability die.  The image is popped up on foam tape.

and here are 3 more sentiments from the set that I used on the inside - SO FUN!
This is a second marriage for both Kent and myself -  he was widowed 2 years before I met him - and I was divorced - a single parent- for 13 years when we met.   We met through mutual friends - and hit it off right away - started dating a week or two after we met and got married 2 years later.  He has been and continues to be - a blessing in my life - Love You Kent!

I'm linking my anniversary card to the following challenges:
Cas-ology - celebrate (they are celebrating their 100th week!)
Cas(e) this Sketch - combined with Fusion this week - I just used the sketch here.
NBUS Challenge - Celebrations  (my 2nd entry) 1st time I've used this stamp set.


Stamps:  It's Today, Right? -  Lil' Inker Designs
Paper:  White, True Black, Kraft - PTI
Ink:  Archival Jet Black
Accessories:  Square and Circle Stitched Mat dies - Lil Inker Designs, pinked circle die - Spellbinders Nestabilities, foam tape, Wild Honey Ranger Distress Marker, Lemonade Blend Sequins - Avery Elle.

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Fusion Card Challenge - June 19th

It's Thursday!  and this Thursday brings a very special Fusion Card Challenge -  we are joining forces with Cas(e) This Sketch for your inspiration!
In honor of this joint challenge - I FUSED the image and the sketch on my card!  I die cut the lacey butterfly out of white card stock and inked it with Mustard Seed Distress Ink.  I covered the butterfly with Glue N Seal and poured Ranger Mustard Seed Distress Glitter over it.  I let it dry and then brushed off the excess glitter.
I cut the tag with one of the Waltzingmouse Stitched Tags out of a Golden Glimmer Metal sheet.  I die cut the heart from Folding Tag Die set from Waltzingmouse and the Birthday die from PTI using a Lovely Lavender Metal Sheet.  I adhered all the pieces with Scotch Quick Dry adhesive to the metal tag.  I adhered the metal tag to the Stitched Mat Rectangle die cut panel with my Scotch Tape Glider. 
We hope you will join along in this fun joint challenge!  



Here are some fabulous cards by our design team showing you how it works!


So come along and join us!  You'll find the Fusion link up here.





Stamps:  Party Animal - Avery Elle
Paper:  White - PTI,
Ink:  Ranger Distress Mustard Seed, Memento Grape Jelly
Accessories: Lovely Lavender and Golden Glimmer Metal Sheets - Add a Little Dazzle, Word Window Punch - SU, dies: Butterfly - Marianne Createables; Stitched Mat Rectangle Die - Lil' Inker Designs; heart hole cover from Folding Tag set and tag from Stitched Tags - Waltzingmouse; Wonderful Words Birthday - PTI, Scotch Tape Glider, Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive - Michaels.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

CC3C Challenge #4 - Layering Stencil Texture Paste

I'm playing along with the Compendium of Curiosities Vol 3 challenges.  Challenge #4 is to use the Layering Stencil Texture Paste technique that Tim teaches us on Page 49 of CC Vol 3.  We cannot describe the technique - as they want you to purchase your own copy of Tim's book - but here is my project using the technique - and I can describe how I put it together!
I made an ATB (Artist Trading Box) using Eileen Hull's Blocks/Cube die from Sizzix. There are 3 sizes on the die.  This is the largest one measuring 2 1/2" square. I was going to be making tags for all of these challenges - but I'm really having fun with these wonderful ATB's so decided to use this technique on a block!
I used the Layering Stencil Texture Paste technique on the panels that I adhered to each side of the box.  Here is the panel before I cut it since you can't see it too well with all the findings I decorated my box with!
Here are the 2 die cut pieces that make up the box.  I cut them out of white Little Sizzles Matboard and sponged all the edges and folds with Crushed Corduroy Distress Ink
I adhered the cut stenciled panels to all of the sides and then started adding my findings.  You want to be sure you have placed things the right way up when you go to put your cube together!
All of the 4th of July images on the panels are cut from Tim Holtz Paper Stash 8X8" Seasonal.  I sponged the edges and curled the corners of the images before layering them on the panels.  I added a Chit Chat Sticker to each as well as a Mini Gear that I inked with Carnation Red Archival ink.
Here's the front.
the side
the back
and the other side - I put a piece of Film Strip Ribbon with the Chit Chat Sticker on this side.
Here's the bottom
and the top!  I added some Remnent Rubs Botanical and Life Quotes here. 
I screwed a Clock Key in the center of the top of the box, died some Crinkle Ribbon with Worn Lipstick and Salty Ocean Distress Stain and water, dried it and looped it through the holes on the key.  I added a Mini Numeral 4 to the Clock Key with a thick glue dot as well as the Paper Rosette that I cut out of Ranger Distress Core-dinations paper.
Here you can see how I just hung the tails of the ribbon over the side of the box.
CC3C is sponsored by the Funkie Junkie Boutique this time and a $25 gift certificate will be awarded to one lucky randomly chosen winner! There's also a prize package from Tim and Mario awarded!
 I'm also linking my 4th of July box to Eileen Hull's Art with Heart June Challenge - Summer Celebrations.
Thanks so much for stopping by -  I really appreciate any comments that you leave for me!

Paper:  Little Sizzles white Matboard - Sizzix, Ranger Distress Core-dinations, Paper Stash 8x8" Seasonal.
Ink:  Ranger Distress Brushed Corduroy, Archival Carnation Red.
Accessories:  Idea-ology - Clock Keys, Chit Chat Stickers, Film Strip Ribbon, Mini Gears, Remnent Rubs Botanicals and Life Quotes, Mini Numerals, Crinkle Ribbon; thick glue dot, Glue N Seal, ScorTape, Water Mister, White Embossing Paste - Studio 490 Wendy Vecchi, Stencils: Stargaze- My Favorite Things, Cargo and Dot Fade Tim Holtz, Paper Rosette die Alterations, Blocks/Cube Die - Sizzix Eileen Hull.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

eclectic Paperie Blog Post - Bingo Matchbox

Today is my day to post over at the eclectic Paperie blog and I made some fun little boxes using the Tim Holtz Match Box Die.  These are 2 5/8" x 1 3/4" x 1/2" in size.
 To  hold a little sewing kit:
 To hold postage stamps:
 To hold pocket change:
There are more pics and details on how I created these on my eclectic Paperie blog post here. I'd love it if you'd take a peek!

I'm also entering this Bingo Match Box into the Frilly and Funkie Challenge - for all our fathers.  I'm getting this in just before the deadline!

What I used:
Tim Holtz/Alterations Matchbox die
Tim Holtz Idea-ology 8" x 8" Paper Stash Collage.
Idea-ology - Sprockets, Mini Gears, Faucet Knobs, Curio Knobs, Chit Chat Stickers, Adornments, Corners, Vial Labels, Linen Ribbon, Buckle
Art Parts Door Plates and Keys
Tarnished Brass Distress Glitter
Adirondack Orange Blossom and Dandlion Inks
Ranger Distress Vintage Photo Ink

Monday, June 16, 2014

Spread Your Wings - A Vintage Journey Challenge #8

Today I'm sharing a project I made for A Vintage Journey Challenge #8 - Wings and Things.  Sandy is the challenge host this week and here is the challenge in her words:

"Hi Everyone and welcome.  S@ndy here - I'm so happy to be with you this fortnight as your host for another leg of our journey.  This time we are thinking about Wings & Things, birds, bees, butterflies & dragonflies.  Those delightful little creatures who come to visit our gardens in spring and summer.  Please join us by making a card, tag or project being sure you show any one or all of these critters. 
Our challenges are inspired by the products and techniques of Tim Holtz so don’t forget to let us know how your project was inspired by Tim.  Take a minute to look over the Traveling Instructions and don’t forget, that all important, link to the Vintage Journey blog in your post."

I used a burlap bag for my 'Wings and Things' project.
This 5"x7" burlap bag started out life plain and simple.  First I brushed on some Gesso and let it dry.
Then I brushed on some Wendy Vecchi Crackle Texture Paste and let that dry.
Next, I tore a piece of Tissue Wrap Melange where the beautiful big butterfly was along with some musical lines.  I brushed Mod Podge on the back of it, laid it on my bag and brushed more Mod Podge to seal it onto the bag.  After it dried - (there's so much waiting to dry with mixed media projects!) I sponged the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.
I die cut the Caged Bird out of Grungeboard painting the pieces with Silkes Acrylic Glaze.  I painted the cage with Emperor Gold, the bird and branch with Bolivian Blue and the birds wing with Key Lime.  These paints are SO deep in color and also have a shimmer to them.  I adhered the wing to the bird and the bird to the cage with Glue N Seal and pinned the cage to the bag with a Trinket Pin.
I wove some Linen Ribbon through the holes on the base of the cage - and wired some Type Charms to spell "FLY" through 3 of the holes.  I just used some black coated wire I had in my stash.  I added a black rhinestone to make the eye of the bird and some dots on the cage using a Gelly Roll Black Glaze Pen by Sakura.   I added some Remnent Rubs/Botanicals to several places on the bag and cage.
And here's the finished view again.  I'm not quite sure yet what I'll use this for - maybe give a gift in it - or maybe hang it on the wall - I could put some dried flowers in it....
You really must check out all of the wonderful inspiration from the Vintage Journey Creative Guides (DT) - they are SO creative!   I hope you'll create a Wings and Things project and link it up there too!