Frankly, You're Great!

 I'm sharing a card today that I made for a few challenges.

I recently purchased these Hot Diggity Dog and Squeeze Bottle die sets from Hero Arts - as well as the coordinating sentiment stamp set - Many Franks!  I was happy to get them out and use them!

I die cut the pieces from colored card stock and sponged around the edges with Old Paper Distress Ink.  I cut two different pieces of DP from Gosh, I Love You from Unity for the background.

Inside I stamped:

It's Your Birthday

Have a Bun-derful Day

Challenges entered:

Featured Stamper Challenge - Splitcoaststampers

inspired by this card by MN_Stamper

Cardz 4 Guyz #388 Summer Theme

ends 8/17

NBUS

1st time using these dies and stamp set.

Stamps: Many Franks - Hero Arts
Paper: White, Summer sunrise, Kraft Card, Americana - PTI, DP Gosh I Love You - Unity
Ink: Nocturne - Versafine Clair, Old Paper - Ranger Distress
Accessories: Hot Diggity Dog Die, Squeeze Bottle Die - Hero Arts, finger dauber

March Group of Seven Cardmakers - Technique: Embossed Gilding Flakes

 It's time for the March Group of Seven Cardmakers Post!  This month we are playing with the Embossed Gilding Flakes technique.

Here are the two cards I created.  

This card uses the debossed panel.

I bought these Museum Bust Fancy dies from Hero Arts after Kent and I went to the King Tut Show in Boston last year.  I used the classic busts on these cards but the set includes two Egyptian busts as well.  I think they worked perfectly with the panels I created using the gilding flakes!

This card uses the embossed panel.

The black panels are embossed with Lumen Embossing Folder from Simon Says Stamp.

I die cut the statues out of Distress Woodgrain Card and then rubbed Lost Shadow Distress ink lightly over them to try to simulate marble.

Here are a few process photos creating the embossed gilding flakes panels.

I covered 2 panels of white card stock with Stick It, a double sided adhesive sheet.

I removed the top of the Stick it Sheet from the card panels and laid the panels, sticky side up, inside a pizza box to help contain the flying of the gilding flakes!  I spread the Autumn Gilding Flakes over the panels and pressed it onto the panel with my fingers.  Then I brushed the gilding flakes off with a stiff brush.  

Note:  She uses 3 colors of gilding flakes on the video but my Autumn Flakes are already a mix of colors so I just used that.

I took the gilded panels and put them together with the gilding flaked sides facing out and placed them inside the 3D Texture Fades Botanical folder from Sizzix.  Then I ran the embossing folder through my Big Shot twice to give a good impression.  That gave me an embossed panel and a debossed panel.

(The white line and spots on the panels below are places the double sided adhesive paper didn't stick- I colored over those spots with a gold metallic pen.)

I die cut arches out of the panels using A2 Arches from the Greetery.  

The final step is to rub a black ink over the panels.  On the embossed panel it hits the raised image and on the debossed panel it hits the background.  

Note:  The tutorial says to use a permanent ink like StazOn or Archival -  but I found those inks made the panels very sticky and it never seemed to dry, maybe due to whatever the flakes are made of?? maybe my inks were old?  Anyway, I decided to make two new panels.

So after trying ALL my various kinds of black inks unsuccessfully (ie they all felt sticky), I tried Memento Tuxedo Black ink and that seemed to dry. I also noticed that all the black inks seem to fade a little as they sit on the flakes.

You will find a link to a YouTube video with this technique over at The Group of Seven blog.

So please check out the rest of the Seven's creations, and if you decide to give this technique a try please link your card up over at The Group of Seven Blog! 

I'm interested to hear what black ink you were successful with on the embossed gilded panels!

I'm also linking my card to:

Time Out Challenges

my sentiment Make each day your masterpiece.

Die Cut Divas - Anything Goes 

die cuts

Path of Positivity

anything goes

Stamps:  Motivational Center Mona Lisa Moments - Cornish Heritage Farms (retired)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Lost Shadow Distress (rubbed over statures), Versamark.

Paper:  White Distress Woodgrain Card - Tim Holtz/Ranger, white and True Black - Papertrey Ink,  Metallic Gold - Parklane/JoAnn.

Accessories:  Stick It Double Sided Adhesive Sheets, Autumn Leaves Gilding Flakes - Cosmic Shimmer, Fancy Dies Museum Busts - Hero Arts, A2 Arches die - The Greetery, 3D Texture Fade Botanical Embossing Folder - Tim Holtz/Sizzix, Lumen Embossing Folder - Simon Says Stamp, Gold Embossing Powder (for sentiment), heat tool

Owl be Home

 A simple design for Christmas - getting cards done so there's no rush in December!

I stamped the wood slice on a panel of watercolor paper and stamped the sentiment beside it.  I embossed the panel with the weathered embossing folder from Taylored Expressions.  I die cut and stamped the owl and adhered it over the wood slice with foam dots.

I'm linking my card to:

The Paper Players

 

 

Stamps: Color Layering Owl - Hero arts (retired), Great Outdoors - Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous.

Paper: watercolor paper - Canson Cold Press, white - PTI.
Ink: Mocha, Obsidian - Altenew
Accessories: Color Layering Owl dies - Hero Arts (retired), Weathered Embossing Folder - Taylored Expressions, foam dots.

May CAS Stencil Card Challenge - Stenciling Over Coloured Background

It's time for the May CAS Stencil Challenge!  Sue is our hostess with the mostest this month an she wants us to stencil over a coloured background. 

I checked out this video posted on the challenge site for inspiration:

  Stenciling over Ink Blended Backgrounds by Kristina Werner (first 3 minutes).

I created my first colored background using the same Ranger Distress Ink colors Kristina did (Wilted Violet, Picked Raspberry then Seedless Preserves through the stencil) just to see how the technique all worked!  The idea is (I think!) to use the darkest color over the stencil.  I used white card as my base - Kristina used kraft card.

I used a recently purchased stencil from AALL and Create #31 Bohemian, laying it over the panel and inking it with Seedless Preserves.

I love this stencil - not only the design, but whatever plastic it's made of.  It is very sturdy and cleans up with just a quick rinse! 

(I have found that thinner plastic stencils can lift up and bend on delicate designs when you sponge over them.)

I cut the panel in half to make my card CAS and added die cut HUGS (I layered 3 cuts to make it stand out).  I stamped the sentiment on a white strip and adhered it above the die cut.

Then I thought I'd try some lighter spring colors to see how they worked out.  I used Squeezed Lemonade and Twisted Cintron on a white card panel.

I used the same stencil.

I sponged over the stencil using Ripe Persimmon

Such a different look just changing the colors used!

Here are the two sets of cards side by side.

So please try out this stenciling technique and link up your CAS design over at the CAS Stencil Challenge Blog!  Check out all the lovely inspiration from the Design Team as well as from our wonderful May Guest Designer Michelle!  You have until 5/24 to play along!

Stamps:  Sentiment Set - Hero Arts
Paper:  White, Green Parakeet, Amethyst Allure - PTI
Ink:  Ranger Distress Wilted Violet, Picked Raspberry, Seedless Preserves, Squeezed Lemonade, Twisted Cintron, Ripe Persimmon, True Black - PTI
Accesories:  Stencil #31 - AALL and Create, Big Hugs Dies - PTI, Tombow Glue.

Happy Anniversary

I realized I needed some anniversary cards for my stash of cards that I sell to friends at work - so today I made a CAS one.

I used a super fun stick figure set from Lil' Inker Designs called It's Today, Right?  I stamped the couple on a white square, colored in just the flower and hem of the dress with Copics and layered it to a Tropical Teal square set on an angle.  The Happy Anniversary is a Hero Arts wooden stamp.  Inside I stamped "to the best couple ever" from the same Lil' Inker Set.

My sketch is the latest Cas(e) this Sketch.

Also linking to Addicted to CAS

I can't believe the weekend has passed and I'm back to work already!  Days off go by so quickly don't they?!!

Stamps:   It's Today, Right? - Lil Inker Designs, Happy Anniversary - Hero Arts
Paper:  White, Tropical Teal - PTI
Ink:  Archival Jet Black
Accessories:  Copics - BG18, Y17, foam dots.

Fusion Card Challenge - August 28th

Welcome all to a brand new Fusion Challenge - I think we are acknowledging that summer is winding down and we're looking ahead to the earth tones of fall with the inspiration photo!!

I was inspired mostly by the photo for this challenge - although I do have a sentiment strip in there!  The shelf unit in the photo made me think of my Poppy Stamps screen door die and I thought this paper from Paper Stash/Seasonal by Idea-ology worked to represent the letters (these are all portions of Thanksgiving words on the paper - Gobble, Turkey, Pumpkin, cranberry, thanks and family from top to bottom).  I rubbed some Frayed Burlap Distress Paint over the edges and then distressed the edge as well.

I die cut the door and then pounced Ranger Distress Paints over it - using Rusty Hinge, Seedless Preserves and Frayed Burlap - to give it that peeled paint look.  I added a brad for the door handle.  I adhered the door to the panel with strips of foam tape.

The screen door actually opens to reveal the complete sentiment that I stamped on a Sentiment Strip.  I added some Chocolate Sundae Sequins to draw your eye around the card and layered the panel to a piece of Scarlet Jewel paper and then to my Rustic Cream card base.

So now it's your turn!  Will you be inspired by the photo or the sketch - or maybe you will do a FUSION - combing both on your creation??  You'll find all the details and the link up here.

For more inspiration please check out the rest of the Design Team's Creations - linked below.

Betty J
Dannielle Robeson
Deepti
Jeanne Jachna
Julia Aston - me!
Katie Brooks
Kelly Griglione
Kimberly Wiener 

Lyndal Higgins

Lynn Mangan 

Michelle Folland

Michelle Lupton

Sindu
Stephanie Severin

Stamps:  Hero Arts

Paper:  Rustic Cream, Scarlet Jewel, Kraft - PTI,  DP Paper Stash/Seasonal - Idea-ology

Ink:  Archival Jet Black, Ranger Distress Gathered Twigs

Accessories:  Classic Screen Door - Poppy Stamps, foam dots, brad - Imaginesce, Sentiment Strip die - MFT, edge distresser - Ranger, Chocolate Sundae Sequins - My Craft Spot, Glue N Seal - Ranger, Ranger Distress Paints - Rusty Hinge, Seedless Preserves, Frayed Burlap.

Anniversary Tag Card

Today I have an Anniversary tag card to share.  I used several dies I've had for some time but have not used -  it was good to get them out of their storage envelopes to see the light of day!

I used a lovely heart embossed tag die called Love Tags by Lil' Inker Designs - cutting one out of striped paper and one out of white card stock, the boy and girl dies from Boy Meets Girl from MFT and the hearts are from the Love Note die set from Reverse Confetti.  I also used a sentiment die from MFT that I use quite a lot!  I tied the two tags together off center with a piece of twine and adhered them to the card base.

My card design was inspired by these combined challenges:

Tag You're It

Cas(e) this Sketch

I'm also entering this in Time Out Challenge - Celebrations.

The weekend passed by so quickly didn't it?!  Kent and I did a lot of cleaning in the house on Saturday morning followed by some stamping in the afternoon  - then today after church we went to visit my stamping friend Anne.  Her husband had hip replacement surgery 2 weeks ago and is doing quite well. We shared a meal and had a lovely time chatting as we always do.  

And some great news!  Claire is going to be releasing 8 new Waltzingmouse stamp sets on August 27th!  The Design Team will be posting sneak peeks starting on August 24th -  you won't want to miss them!!

Stamps:  Hero Arts

Paper:  White, Summer Sunrise, Pure Poppy - PTI, DP Sn@p/Simple Stories

Ink:  Archival Jet Black

Accessories:  Dies - Love Tags - Lil' Inker Designs, Love Note - Reverse Confetti, Boy Meets Girl and Sentiment Strips - MFT, glue pen, glue dots, twine - The Twinery.

The Root of the Carrot

I'm busily making Easter cards both to send to friends and relatives and to sell at our Easter Sale at church.  Here are two that I made last night.

I die cut a stitched mat rectangle and stamped the carrot on it.  I colored the carrot with Ranger Distress Markers.  I stamped the little bunnies from A Good Egg by Waltzingmouse in Grout Grey ink on the panel to keep the focus on the carrot.  I embossed my orange panel with a mixed dots embossing folder by Darice.

I used the same carrot on my second card - stamping it multiple times in an uneven row.  I splattered some River Rock ink mixed with water on the panel using an old toothbrush.  The sentiment is Hero Arts.

They both have carrots on them so I could link them up over at the CASology challenge - cue card ROOTS.  Since a carrot is a ROOT vegetable I think these will do!

Stamps:  Carrot -  says Heather on the side (a wooden stamp), bunnies from A Good Egg - Waltzingmouse, Easter Greetings - Hero Arts.
Paper - White, Orange Zest - PTI
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, Grout Gray - Color Box, River Rock Reinker - SU
Accessories:  Dots Embossing Folder - Darice, Stitched Mat Rectangle die - Lil' Inker Designs, foam tape, Ranger Distress Markers Shabby Shutters, Spiced Marmelade, Enamel Dots - My Minds Eye

A Trifecta!

Yes folks -  I have 3 items to share today -  all made for various challenges.

First up is a cute polka dot kraft bag that I decorated for gift giving. I made this for the Color Challenge over on Split Coast to use cream, black and crumb cake, and for the Less Is More challenge - to use Kraft and Cream.  I decided to step down from the SCS Color Challenge DT this week and so Karen chose colors I might have chosen and the optional dessert was to go CAS (my usual style!)

The bow is a sneak peek of a template from Creations by AR that is being released on Saturday (please stop by on Sat to see several fun projects I made using the bow and one other template being released!) The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.

My second creation is a card made for the Runway Inspired Challenge.  This was the runway inspiration:

and here is my card.

I paper pieced the ladies dress, colored her skin, hair and the flower in her hair with Copics, cut her out and layered her over a black Wonky Rectangle.  I stamped the sentiment and cut that with a smaller Wonky Rectangle.  Both images are popped up on form tape.  Both stamps are Hero Arts

And my third card was made for the CAS-ology Cue Card:  Fairytale.

My cute little frog prince who is just waiting to be kissed - is from a mini set from Waltzingmouse called Heroines - Fairy Princess.  I framed him with a Postage Stamp Nestability and added orange Tiny Twinkles to his crown (hopefully to attract the ladies!)

I hope you'll stop by again on Saturday -  I'll have a fun post of two new templates being released by Creations by AR!

Friend bag:
Stamps: In Bloom - Papertrey Ink
Paper: vintage cream - PTI, polka dot kraft bag - Impress Rubber Stamps
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: scor tape, It's Bow Easy template - Creations by AR (available Sat 2/9) 
You're Old School
Stamps:  Hero Arts - sentiment from My Type set, Woman is a wooden stamp from Hero Arts - no name on it
Paper:  white, true black - PTI, DP Authentique - Uncommon
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories:  Copics: E00, E35, R20, B24,  Wonky Triangle Nestabilities, foam tape.
Kiss Me
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Heroines - Fairy Princess
Paper:  white, true black, Simply Chartreuse - PTI
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories:  Postage Stamp Nestabilities, glue pen, foam tape, Tiny Twinkles - Taylored Expressions.