Destination Inspiration Post Up at A Vintage Journey

I have a project for the A Vintage Journey's Destination Inspiration over at the AVJ blog today.

The contents of our travel bags for this month are:

Product - Crackle Paint/Paste

Technique - Die Cutting

Colour - Any Fall colours you fancy

Substrate - Corrugated Card

Can you see how I used all these supplies?

 Please check it out at A Vintage Journey where you'll find more photos and see how I put together this cute pumpkin patch!

Stamps:  To the Moon - Altenew

Paper:  white - PTI, Corrugated Cardboard from a package.

Ink:  Soft Stone, Orange Zest, Smokey Shadow - Papertrey Ink, Ranger Distress Carved Pumpkin and Forest Moss, Versamark.

Accessories:  On the Fence Die - Tim Holtz/Alterations, Big World Die - Altenew, real maple leaves, slice of aspen branch,  Ranger Distress Tan and Brown Embossing Powders, Adirondack Cranberry Embossing Powder, heat tool, Idea-ology Pumpkin Pieces, Small Talk Stickers/Occasions, Mini Pumpkins, white Crackle texture Paste - Finnabair/Art Extravagance, palette knife, Tom Bow Glue, black wire, small pieces of cinnamon sticks, Infusion Colored Stains Sleight Blue and Green Man - PaperArtsy.

Says the Fox

Today I played along with the Inspiration Challenge over at Splitcoaststampers - and once again, it reminded me of how great participating in challenges is -  as it makes you get out things you haven't used!

For the Inspiration Challenge Steph asked us to look at the cute web site JellyCat.  I was inspired by Cordy Roy Fox and made this cute card!

I used a really fun die from Sizzix that I purchased probably a year ago but never used!  It's called Card-Fox Label Fold-Along Die  

Note: if you buy the die - be sure to watch the video there to show you how to die cut it and how to put it together.

This is how it looks opened up -  and you can use the smaller fox shape inserted inside (that my sentiment is stamped on) as a label by itself (hence the naming of the die "Label Fold Along Die") there's a separate die for that piece.  

All I had to do was die cut the pieces - fold the front area (there's a little indent on the die marking where you do a score line - and add the eyes, mouth, fur and tail.  I sponged around the face pieces and tail tip with Ranger Distress Tea Die ink .

This is going to a friend who just had foot surgery - and I'm sure it will bring a smile to her face!

Stamps: Inky Antics
Paper: orange - Prismacolor, White, Black, Rustic Cream - PTI
Ink:  Ranger Distress Tea Dye, Archival Jet Black
Accessories:  Card-Fox Label Fold Along die - Sizzix, Tombow glue
  

Fall Leaves

I've been busy making fall cards and thought I'd put them all on one post!  

You will find supply lists for each card at the bottom of my post!

For this card I actually used a real leaf that I picked up while walking -  to try and preserve it I inked it with Versamark and embossed it using cranberry and brown embossing powders!  Sentiment is from an Alison Bomber set from PaperArtsy.

For this card below I die cut the leaves out of corrugated card and inked them with Distress Oxide inks and then spritzed them with water to spread the ink and used another quote sentiment from an Alison Bomber set from PaperArtsy.

I made my background below by adding alcohol inks to a felt applicator and pouncing it onto a Yupo panel. I layered it under a panel die cut with a circle Nestability. The panel is up on foam dots so the background is recessed. I die cut the leaves out of a sheet of thin copper metal and layered them over the background with foam dots.

For the background below - I pressed 4 Distress oxide inks onto an acrylic block, spritzed with water and pressed a white card panel over the block. I die cut the panel using Notes-Scalloped A2 die from PapertreyInk. I die cut a piece of Saffron Spice card with a stitched rectangle die from Lawn Fawn. The leaf was left overs from another card I made - I used Distress inks on a craft mat spritzed with water to color it and then die cut it.  The stamp is by Alison Bomber from PaperArtsy.

For this card below I first stenciled the leaves using Distress Acrylic Rusty Hinge Paint and then rubbed inks on my craft mat, spritzed with water and dabbed the panel into the inks one at a time, drying in between.  The paint resists the ink so they still showed through. And, yes, yet another quote sentiment from an Alison Bomber set from PaperArtsy!

I'm linking my cards to:

  Double D Challenge - Leave it to Me -  use leaves on your card/project.

Fusion Card Challenge

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge Anything Goes

Happy Fall everyone!  we are finally getting some beautiful foliage here in Massachusetts!

Days Decrease
Stamps: Alison Bomber Set #EAB04 - PaperArtsy
Paper: Rustic Cream, Scarlet Jewel - PTI, corrugated cardstock- The Write Stock
Ink: Versamark, Wendy Vecchi Archival Tree Branch
Accessories: a real fall leaf, Brown Embossing Powder - Ranger, Cranberry Embossing Powder - Adirondack, heat tool, enamel dots, Arch Frame Die - Tim Holtz/Alterations, Quick Dry Tacky Glue
 
True Autumnal Day
Stamps: Alison Bomber Set #EAB4 - PaperArtsy
Paper: Canyon Clay, Dark Chocolate, Rustic Cream - PTI, Corrugated Paper - The Write Stock
Ink: Wendy Vecchi Archival Tree Branch, Ranger Distress Oxides Fired Brick and Spiced Marmalade
Accessories: Tattered Leaves Die - Tim Holtz/Alterations Sizzix, Mix and Mat Flourishes - PTI, enamel Dots, Foam dots, water mister

Autumn is a Second Spring
Stamps: Paper Sweeties
Paper: white, Canyon Clay - PTI, Yupo
Ink:True Black - PTI, Alcohol Inks Butterscotch, Lettuce, Red Pepper, Gold Mixative, Sunshine Yellow
Accessories: felt pad and applicator, circle Nestability die, foam dots, Stitched Leaf Dies - Lawn Fawn, copper metal sheet - Add a Little Dazzle 

Gorgeous Autumn
Stamps: Alison Bomber Set # EAB04- PaperArtsy
Paper: white, true black, Saffron Spice, Rustic Cream - PTI
Ink:Ranger Distress Oxides Spiced Marmalade, Candied Apple, Fossilized Amber, Cracked Pistachio, Archival Jet Black, Ranger Distress Inks Carved Pumpkin, Candied Apple, Crushed Olive, Frayed Burlap
Accessories: acrylic block, foam dots, Stitched Leaves Dies - Lawn Faun, Notes Scalloped A2 - PTI, Stitched Edge Rectangle - Lil Inker Designs

 Learn to be Silent
 Stamps:Alison Bomber Set #EAB03 - PaperArtsy 
 Paper: Mixed Media Card Stock - Ranger, Canyon Clay, Rustic Cream - PTI
 Ink:  Archival Jet Black, Ranger Distress Fossilized Amber, Hickory Smoke
 Accessories:  Ranger Distress Acrylic Paint - Rusty Hinge, Mini Leaves Layered Stencil - Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous, enamel dots - My Minds Eye, Idea-ology Linen Ribbon

Brown Paper Packages

I'm playing along with the Merry Monday Challenge today!

I just bought this cute box die from Ali Express (a craft website in China - look for the dealers that don't charge any postage! yes, it's true!)  and knew it would be perfect for this challenge!  Here's my card:

I also had the perfect sentiment from a newly purchased set from Papertrey Ink - Quoted: Favorite Things. (this mini set only costs $5.00!).  I cut a little square of green tissue paper, folded it up a bit and slipped it into the top piece of the box and tied a piece of Peppermint Twine around the bottom section.  I grounded the box on a strip of washi tape and added 3 clear rhinestones to 3 snowflakes on the DP.

And now, I'm singing the song -  are you??!!  The rest of the line is stamped on the inside of my card!

Have you got all your Christmas cards done yet?  Check out Merry Monday!

Stamps:  Quoted: Favorite Things Set - PTI
Papers:  White, Pure Poppy, Kraft - PTI, DP - PaperStash/Tidings - Tim Holtz/Idea-ology, green tissue paper.
Ink:  True Black - PTI
Accessories:  washi tape - Lawn Fawn, peppermint twine - The Cat's Pajamas, foam dots, clear rhinestones - JoAnn.

Eileen Hull's Sizzix Dies Fall-iday - Pucker Up!

This month Eileen Hull's Inspiration Team is making projects for Fall-idays -  creations using Eileen's Sizzix Dies with any holiday theme!

Today I've used Eileen's Embroidery Hoop Sizzix Die to make a Christmas Ornament!  I made this using a tutorial over at Splitcoaststampers where they use a real wooden hoop and real burlap.

I cut the hoop out of white mat board, then cut it again out of a piece of wood veneer that I used for the outside hoop. I cut a smaller circle out of burlap patterned paper and adhered that in the center of the hoop.

I cut a circle out of black card and white embossed the little mouse with the mistletoe on his tail onto it. Since I wanted it to look like a blackboard I didn't use my embossing buddy before inking so some of the white stuck to other places looking like chalk smudges.

I layered the black piece to a red scallop edge circle. I die cut the label and stamped the sentiment on it. I die cut and stamped the holly. Everything is popped up on foam dots. Then I adhered some vintage lace around the edge from the back and looped a piece of silver thread so I can hang it up.

Please check out Eileen's blog all month for more Fall-iday inspiration!

Stamps:   Mistletoe Mouse, Pucker Up - Amuse, Holly - Christmas Critters - Papertrey Ink 

Paper: white, black, pure poppy - PTI, Burlap DP - Pizazz/Michaels, white matboard - Sizzix, wood veneer sheet 

Ink: Versamark, New Leaf, Pure Poppy - PTI

Accessories:     Embroidery Hoop Die - Eileen Hull/Sizzix, Flag it Die - Taylored Expressions, Holly Die - Christmas Critters/Papertrey Ink, white embossing powder, heat tool, Circle Nestabilities, vintage Lace, silver thread  

 

CAS Mix Up Challenge - October Mid-Month Reminder - Layering Stencils

I'm here today with a mid-month reminder that you still have until October 24th to link up a card for the CAS Mix Up Challenge!   I am the hostess this month and this is my challenge:

For my card, I used stamping, layering stencils and a stitched edge die.

Here is a pic of the supplies I used -  the stencil is from The Crafters Workshop and I overlapped 3 of the stencil designs inking each one with a different Ranger Distress Oxide Ink.  I used Salty Ocean, Abandoned Coral and Spiced Marmalade. Distress Oxides are really juicy so you need to dry each stenciling before moving onto the next when you overlay them.  Also with a stencil like this you need to clean it off well and dry it before stenciling another part on your panel - you can get smudges 

(you can see a couple of smudges on my panel below! luckily they mostly got cut off with the die!)

I die cut the stenciled panel with a stitched edged rectangle and then spritzed it lightly with water.  The water makes the Oxides turn chalky and sort of seals them into the cardstock.  I layered it to the card base with foam dots and stamped my sentiment.

 After I made my first card - I tried another using the same stencil but different color inks - this one looks more masculine using Distress Oxide Inks in Peeled Paint, Frayed Burlap and Walnut Stain.

So please join us over at the CAS Mix Up Challenge and show us how you layer stencils on your CAS card!   You have until Oct 24th!

Stamps:  Clearly Sentimental about Art - MFT (no longer available)
Paper:  White - PTI
Ink:  Ranger Distress Oxide - Spiced Marmalade, Salty Ocean, Abandoned Coral, Peeled Paint, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, True Black and Cocoa Bean - PTI
Accessories: Stencil - The Crafters Workshop (TCW), water mister, Stitched Edge Rectangle Die - WMS, foam dots.

The Right Words Make All the Difference

My very talented friend from England, Alison Bomber, whom I have 'met' being on the A Vintage Journey Creative Guide team with, has designed several sentiment quote stamp sets for PaperArtsy.   The company is based in England and so far, the US companies that carry PaperArtsy have not stocked her sets.  

Alison loves words - as witnessed on her blog - Words and Pictures.  I loved her sets, as soon as I saw the projects she was making with them - and Alison was kind enough to purchase several of them for me and sent them across the pond (I reimbursed her of course!) 

So I wanted to share the cards I have made with them so far.  You'll find a list of supplies I used for each card at the bottom of my post.

This Kalil Gibran quote is from her first set # EAB01.  I made the panel with a watercolor wash background for a CAS Mix Up Challenge.

This card uses the same stamp along with a die cut tree.  I made this card for an Inspiration Challenge over at Splitcoaststampers and was inspired by this ceramic tree bowl from this Pinterest board

Another card I made for CAS Mix Up watercolor wash challenge.  The Monet quote is also from Alison's first set #EAB01

For my Halloween card below - I used a Shakespeare quote from her set #EAB04. 

I'm linking my Halloween card to:

Double D Challenges - Fright Night Challenge

 

The Charlotte Bronte quote  below is from set #EAB03. 

I made the background using the dendritic technique - dropping acrylic paints on an acrylic block - pressing it to another acrylic block to squish the paints - separating the blocks causing the dendritic striations and pressing card stock onto the blocks to get a print.  I learned this technique over at Splitcoaststampers during the Falliday Fest challenges.

The Longfellow quote below is from set #EAB05 and I thought it went wonderfully with this snowy winter scene I created for another challenge at Splitcoaststampers.

So -  I'm going to keep checking with the US companies that carry PaperArtsy -  Simon Says Stamp, Frantic Stamper, are two that I know of -  and also let them know I'd like them to carry Alison Bomber stamps!  Please let me know if you find them anywhere in the US!

And big congratulations Alison - on all of your wonderful PaperArtsy stamp sets!

Trees are poems #1
Stamps:  Tree Line - Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous,  Trees and Flowers/Alison Bomber/Eclectica3 - PaperArtsy
Paper:  Arches Watercolor Paper, White - PTI
Ink:  Archival Jet Black
Accessories:  dark pink and blue watercolor paints, paint brush, water, Tall Pines Embossing Folder - Tim Holtz/Sizzix, Sugar blend sequins - Avery Elle.

Trees are poems #2
Stamps: Alison Bomber - EAB01- PaperArtsy
Paper:  White, Soft Stone - PTI, tan Kraft Core Coredinations
Ink: Cocoa Bean - PTI
Accessories: Tree die - Ali Express (gift from Loll), Stitched Mat Rectangles - Lil Inker Designs, foam dots, mini sander 

I must have flowers 
Stamps:  Trees and Flowers - Eclectica3 Alison Bomber - Paper Artsy, Flower Girl - Stampotique
Paper:  Canson Watercolor Paper, White - PTI
Ink:  Archival Jet Black
Accessories:  Clear embossing powder, heat tool, watercolor paints, water, paint brushes, painters tape (to mask edge), Heritage Embossing folder - Provo Craft, Vintage Chic Sequins - Lucy's Shop, Key Lime and Orange Marmalade Nuvo Jewel Drops.

By the pricking of my thumbs
Stamps: Skull - Undertaker Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous, Newt - Wanda's Pantry Waltzingmouse/retired, sentiment - Alison Bomber EAB04/Paperartsy, Border - The Beauty of Art - Wendy Vecchi/Stampers Anonymous
Paper:  white, True Black - PTI :
Ink: Archival Jet Black
Accessories:  Dangling Spider Die - Memory Box, Tiny Twinkles - Taylored Expressions

Silence is of different kinds
Stamps:  Alison Bomber Set EAB03 - PaperArtsy 
Paper: White, Terracotta Tile, Rustic Cream - PTI, tan - Coredinations
Ink: Wendy Vecchi Archival Tree Branch
Accessories: Folk Art Acrylic Paint Buttercrunch, Poppy Red, Pastel Green, form dots, Stitched Edge Rectangle Die - Lil Inker Designs, Mix and Mat Flourishes Die - PTI, 2 rectangle acrylic blocks.

Silent Soft and Slow
Stamps:   Alison Bomber Set #EAB05 - PaperArtsy 
Paper:   white, Dark Indigo, Blueberry Sky - PTI 
Ink: Versamark, Wendy Vecchi Archival Corn Flower Blue 
Accessories: Stitched Landscape Dies - PoppyStamps, Snow Covered Stacker Tree - Dees Distinctively, Heat and Stick Powder - SU, Dazzling Diamonds - SU, foam dots, mini sander - Idea-ology     

Thinking of you when leaves are falling

Well, our leaves are falling - the maple leaves that is - but they aren't falling because it's fall and they aren't in beautiful hues of red and orange -  no - this year the maple trees in our area are suffering from some form of blight -  they have been falling off the trees since late August and they are green with horrible black spots on them - like they have been sprayed with tar.   I can only hope next year they all return in good health!

So I have to pretend I am surrounded by lovely New England Fall colors by using them on my cards!

I die cut my leaves from a panel I made by rubbing Distress Inks in Carved Pumpkin, Candied Apple Crushed Olive and Frayed Burlap onto my craft mat, spritzing with water and dragging and pouncing a panel of Mixed Media Cardstock through it all.   Then I used the lovely Stitched Leaves Dies from Lawn Fawn to cut the leaves. 

 Here's a close up so you can see the stitching on the leaves.

The circles frame is from the Mix and Mat Flourishes Die set from PTI (LOVE this die!)  I layered the larger leaf onto the panel of Rustic Cream with a foam dot and then adhered the smaller leaves flat on the panel.  I stamped the Thinking of You sentiment in Cocoa Bean ink.

I had colored a 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" panel with the inks so I was able to die cut lots of leaves out of it.  I made 2 Thinking of You cards and 4 Thanksgiving cards.  The Happy Thanksgiving is from a retired Waltzingmouse set.

I'm linking my cards to the October CAS Watercolour Challenge -  

 Did you hear they are celebrating their 1st birthday?  And there are prizes to be won!

$25 Gift Certificate to Simon Says Stamp for Challenge Winner

&

$25 Gift Certificate to Simon Says Stamp for one random draw of all entries

 (must follow rules to be eligible for prizes)

So join in and maybe you'll win?!!

Stamps:  Thinking of You - Autumn Abundance/PTI,  Happy Thanksgiving - Peace and Plenty/Waltzingmouse Retired.
Paper:  Mixed Media Card Stock - Dylusions/Ranger, Rustic Cream, Canyon Clay - PTI.
Ink:  Ranger Distress Carved Pumpkin, Candied Apple, Crushed Olive and Frayed  urlap, Cocoa Bean - PTI.
Accessories:  Stitched Leaves Die - Lawn Faun, Mix and Mat Flourishes Die set - PTI, foam dots, Tombow Glue.

Something Wicked

It's funny how some months different challenges have the SAME challenge! 

I made some CAS pumpkin face cards using a die I've had for many years but never used until this week!  It's a Movers and Shapers Tim Holtz/Alterations die called Silly Jack O Lantern.

I also made one with a white background (I love white pumpkins!)  this guy looks a little more scary even though his face is still goofy!!  

The sentiments are both from Haunted Headstones by PTI.

The challenges are:

Splitcoaststampers - CAS Challenge - Pumpkin Time

House Of Cards October Challenge CAS Halloween or Colors

Stamps:  Haunted Headstones - Papertrey Ink 
Paper: orange Cordinations, white Bazzill, white, true black - PTI
Ink:  Hero Arts Black
Accessories: Silly Jack o Lantern - Movers and Shapers Die/Alterations, Tombow Glue

Eileen Hull Sizzix Die Fall-idays

This month Eileen Hull's Inspiration Team is making projects for Fall-idays -  creations using Eileen's Sizzix Dies with any holiday theme!

I used her Cup Cake Stand and turned it into a spooky apothecary table from a witches laboratory for Halloween!

 Here are the pieces of the Cup Cake Stand die that I cut out of Little Sizzles Black matboard (I didn't end up using the banner piece at the top there).  I also cut out a square of DP for the table top and 4 pieces of DP to cover the legs, front and back.  DP is from Tim Holtz Paper Stash Materialize.

Then I gathered items to put on the table knowing I wanted it to be for Halloween

Several things from Idea-ology - Skull, Adornment spider, Clipping Stickers/Halloween, and Pumpkin Pieces.  I also made a tiny Poisons in the Nature book using this sheet from Ever After Miniatures Etsy shop - you cut out the pieces, fold up the pages, glue, make the cover and adhere the pages in the cover. (you can see a tutorial of another book from another Etsy company that I made here)   I embossed a real fall leaf I picked up when I was taking a walk using Versamark ink and 2 Adirondack Embossing Powders - Cranberry and Tan.  I cut the raven using Tim's Movers and Shapers Mini Cat and Raven die.

I used a black Sharpie to color the white that showed up on the creases of the matboard.  I added and Idea-ology Apothecary Vial to the table filling it a third of the way with Tarnished Brass Distress Glitter.  Then I adhered some of the glitter to the table, the leaf, the pumpkin and the cork on the bottle.  I tied a spider to a piece of twine and knotted it around the bottle.

I added red Tiny Twinkles to the skulls eye sockets and orange ones for the ravens eyes (front and back).  The Miniature Poison Book is just placed on the table so it can be taken off and looked through!

I put Clipping Stickers/Halloween on each side of the table edge.

I love how this came out and think it will make a great Halloween decoration for table, window sill, desk or shelf!

Please check out Eileen's blog all month for more Fall-iday inspiration!

I'm linking my project to:
Country View Challenges - Autumnal Hues

Paper:  Little Sizzles Black Matboard - Sizzix, Paper Stash Materialize/Tim Holtz
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories:  Eileen Hull Cup Cake Stand and Pennant Die - Sizzix, Mini Cat and Raven Movers and Shapers Die - Tim Holtz/Alterations, Ideaology Skulls, Clipping Stickers/Halloween, Apothecary Vials, Adornments Halloween (Spider), Pumpkin Pieces,  Miniature Poison in the Nature Book - Ever After Miniatures Etsy Shop, real leaf,  Tan and Cranberry Embossing Powders - Adirondack, twine, Tiny Twinkles - Taylored Expressions, Tarnished Brass Distress Glitter - Ranger, black Sharpie marker, Black Stabilo Pencil.