Rainbow Edges

 

I needed a quick and easy card for my son to give a neighbor as a thank you card. I used the Technique Junkies Rainbow Edges technique in the Dec 12/ Jan 13 issue. I pretty much CASED Holly Brown's artwork from the issue since I loved the simple elegance. 

Stamps: Inkadinkadoo's Thankful for Everything; Ink: Memento's Bambo Leaves, Ranger's Faded Jeans, Shabby Shutter, Spiced Marmalade, Scattered Straw; paper: SU's Old Olive, Neevah's Classic Nateral White, Accessories: Spellbinder's Labels Four Small and Gold Labels Four, CB's Swiss Dots embossing folder. 

Butterfly Beauty

A quick post to share my Butterfly Beauty card I'm sending to someone special.  I received a couple of Spellbinder dies for Christmas and have been dying to try them out.  Here is the Butterfly Magic Expandable die as the background.  I also received Twisted Metal Tags and Accents which coordinates with Unity's Twisted Metal Tags & Accents stamp set and used both items here.  The word "beauty" is from Unity's Butterfly Beauty stamp set.  I used Stickles on the outlining dots around "beauty" to separate the Lavender Lace layers and Crystle Gemstones from Hero Arts for the corners.  A fairly easy card, but one that I hope is elegant in it's simplicity.

Stamps: Unity; Ink: Lavender Lace (sponging) & Elegant Eggplant (SU!); Paper: Lavender Lace, Elegant Eggplant, Basic Black (SU!); Accessories: Spellbinder Dies, Stickles, Crystle Gemstones, Cuttlebug, Xyron.

If I had a flower

Here is a card I made for a friend to say "thank you." She is one of the best hostesses I have ever met and I love to join whatever event she is hosting. (Shhhh Michelle, don't tell her about this card!)

Now on to the card! I used a sentiment from PMS called If I Had A Flower. The sentiment reads: "If I had a flower for every time you made me smile, I would walk in a garden." Isn't that just beautiful? I used a Technique Junkie (TJ) technique called Wisped Frames (Feb 2010) and Desert Sand ink, but the color wasn't right for the copper background so I added Potter's Clay. Ahhh, much better!


Now speaking of the copper background, this is another TJ technique called Double Embossed Metal (Feb 2010). This is actually a think craft sheet of copper metal. This second picture shows the metal sheet and it's technique a little better. I used my Copic markers to color on the metal sheet. (LOVE those Copic markers!)

I used oval and scalloped oval Nestabilities for the sentiment layer. The ribbon is two different widths of organdy blue ribbon.

Stamps: If I Had A Flower (PMS); Ink: Desert Sand & Potter's Clay (Memento); Paper: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa & Very Vanilla (SU); Accessories: Light & Dark blue organdy ribbon, Copic Markers, large sponge daubers, CB & folders: Bird & Swirls and Victoria.

Frog Valentine

I first wanted to show you a picture of my Valentine. Before I even got out of bed this morning I had TWO Valentines from my little guy! He used his cardstock but my glitter pens (asking afterward if it was okay! Hahah!)


I was going to post a picture of his Valentines to me, but Blogger won't allow me up upload another picture right now. I will note that the first Valentine's card opened backwards, or perhaps his heart was just upside down! ;)

Before I show you the card I made my DS I wanted to send out a "Thank You!" I actually WON a new set illustrated by Theresa Momber from GinaK's sneak peek last week called Hang In There. Theresa is terrifically talented! I just love seeing her artwork and tutorials. She definitely inspired my card, not just because I used her set. You see, the night I saw on Gina's blog that I had won, my DS came downstairs to get me and I was so excited I showed him the set and a couple of DT samples before I took him back up to bed. Well, he commented that perhaps I could make him a Valentine's card using the cute frogs (he's ALL boy! LOL!) I told him I would if the set arrived in time, (I definitely wasn't expecting it that soon you know, there's always hope.) Imagine my surprise when a package arrived in my mailbox Friday! YES!! It was here and without further ado here is the card I made for him.


I had to take several pictures to get a good shot of this. This card uses the Double Embossed Metal TJ Technique. I was at Hobby Lobby several months ago in the framing section (not usually in that section of HL) and found this roll of soft aluminum on sale so I bought it. I KNEW I'd be able to use it for something! Thanks so much Pat for the inspiration!

The layout is from today's CPS card sketch #154. They actually posted it a bit early (last night) to their Facebook page so I immediately started to use it for this card.

Can you see Theresa's influence on this card? After I colored this cute little guy using my Copic Markers I masked him and sponged all around him. I really like how this turned out!

The DP was embossed with the Leafy Branch folder and brayered Bamboo Leaves (Memento) over to highlight the embossing.

Thanks for reading this far!! Happy Valentine's Day!

Stamps: Hang in There (GinaK); Ink: Memento: Bamboo Leaves, New Sprout, Dandelion & Cantaloupe, SU Basic Black Marker (sentiment); Paper: Wild Wasabi, Neenah Solar White, DCWV Old World textured mat; Accessories: Cuttlebug & Leafy Branch EB folder, Soft Aluminum sheet, Heart punch (Emagination), Large Sponges, Copic Markers: G02, G09, G28, E43, E44, E49, YG00, YG03, YG63.

Artful Inkables Fox

I just love Kristin's stamps (Artful Inkables.) I have used her fox from Critter Country. I made this card for the Think Ink challenge in the Artful Inkable's blog to use red, black and white. (There is some yummy blog candy at stake!) Do you think this qualifies? ;D

I also used the sketch from Mojo Monday. This week Mojo Monday is celebrating with a sketch a day and this is actually Tuesday's sketch.

I also used color challenge from Copic Creations challenge #10 to use red and pink. The pink is the fox's head. I actually did a quick Google search for red foxes and noticed that their heads were a lighter, almost pinkish, color from their red bodies. The black layers are sprayed with Pearl Glimmer Mist so there is some sheen to them. You can't tell much, but the bottom black layer was embossed with the Bird and Swirls folder to add some texture.

Stamps: Critter Country (AI); Ink: Tuxedo Black & Bamboo Leaves (Memento), various Copic markers; Paper: White Pure Luxery (GinaK), Basic Black (SU), Red (Brights mat stack from DCWV), Solar White (Neenah); Accessories: scallop rectangle Nestabilities, Sunburst Border punch (Fiskars), Horizontal Slot punch (SU), Corner Rounder (SU), Bird & Swirls (CuttleBug), white organdy ribbon; Pearl Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels).

Pink Blooms

I love working with my Copic markers and love Kimm's color challenges. Well this week's color challenge WAS a challenge for me. We were to use R20, R83 and RVOO. I don't own a single one of those colors. I'm really not a pink kinda gal. I own nearly all the purples, many blues. . . . well, you get the idea. So I had to improvise a bit. I ended up using R22 (close to R20), RV02 (close to RVOO) and R02 (I don't know why, it seemed somewhat similar in a sorta' kinda' way.)

I also wanted to use CPS's cark sketch for this week. And to add to the mix I recently bought some DCWV Brights Mat Stack with the white core so I could do the CB sanding technqiue. :) Well, here is what I came up with:

Those blooms are Sunday International, I bought them from OnyxXpressions. I did lots of sponging on the bloom layer (started on white c/s) since I just love the artwork that Michelle and Theresa create. The sentiment is from SweetandSassy Stamps in the Be Still stamp set.

As you can see I need to practice using my VersaMarker to apply my EP. I started heating my blooms and realized I went beyond the vine. I used a nut cracking tool (that ended up in my craft carasol since it was neglected in the kitchen but holds down c/s being heat embossed wonderfully) to scratch off excess powder before heating.

This card will be going to a girlfriend whose DH left last month for a year away (she's an Air Force wife.) She's had a bit of a rough time the last couple weeks.

Stamps: Spring Blooms (Sunday International), Be Still (SweetandSassy); Ink: So Saffron, Appricot Appeal, Creamy Caramel; Paper: Rose Red, White, green (DCWV), Accessories: Clear embossing powder, pink ribbon (SU), CB and folder, sanding block (SU), Butterfly charm (bought at Wal-Mart), VersaMarker, Copic Markers.

Purple Flowers

Here's a quick upload, it's bedtime! ;D

This image is the latest OnyxXpressions offering from Sunday International. These stamps are already mounted on EZ Mount and are beautiful!

The color challenge is from Copic Creations Challenge #3 to make a card using purple flowers. The colors I used: BV00, BV04, BV08, YG03 & YG63, E15, and the colorless blender pen on the tips of the flowers. I sponged Lovely Lilac around the flowers, but the scanner washed much of it out.

The sketch is from 3 Clovers Thursday Sketch #11.



Editing details: Stamps: Spring Blooms (OnyxXpressions), "Enjoy" from Flair of Summer (ISC); Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Lovely Lilac, Elegant Eggplant (brayered over Swiss Dots); Paper: Basic Black, Lavender Lace, Neenah Classic Solar White, DP from Once Upon A Time (DCWV), small & large oval punches (SU), corner rounder (SU), stipple brush, black velvet rick-rack, Swiss CB folder, Copic Markers listed above.

Brunished Velvet

I just had to try the Burnished Velvet technique that I saw on the Cuttlebug Challenges blog. The technique is the large white layer, so all those swirls and birds were burnished with glitter. Yes, it was a bit of a mess but not too bad. I used that large Powder Pal I received from Stampin' Up! that I never thought I'd use! The cardstock is actually a Shimmery White whcih I think looks great with the shimmer of the glitter. Here's my card:


The sketch is from the current sketch challenge at Our Creative Corner. I really think this is a lovely sketch, but that middle layer gave me fits! The lighter layer is actually vellum over the Tempting Turquoise. I just couldn't figure out what to do with it so I just left it. It does help soften the card as it is a bit bright and sparkly.

The scanner faded the sponging on the sentiment layer. I used the Nestie to mask the edge of the oval, thus a faux layer.

For the two butterflies I used my Martha Stewart punch and used my Quickie Glue Pen all over the butterfly, then as soon as it turned clear I pushed it into the glitter. The glue did make the vellum curl up so I let it wrap itself around my finger while I was waiting to dip it into the glitter. Although in the scan the butterflies are flat once the card was released from the scanner the butterflies did curl a bit so it really gives the card dimension.

The glitter I used is from P K Glitz and is just gorgeous! The colors are China Jade, Azure & Eggplant.

Stamps: Dreams du Jour (SU); Ink: Wild Wasabi; Paper: Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, Shimmery White, Tempting Turquoise, Vellum; Accessories: Cuttlebug, Nesties, P K Glitz glitter, butterfly punch (Martha Stewart), Quickie Glue Pen, Border punch (Fiskers), stipple brush.

One More Valentine

Yesterday David asked me to send a Vday card to his mother. (Yes, yesterday was Valentine's Day, yes he forgot to ask me earlier; oops!) So this is what I came up with:

I used the OCC Challenge for the sketch and SCS CC205 for the colors: Perfect Plum, Pretty in Pink & Old Olive. I sponged Old Olive around the base of Pretty in Pink to tone it down a bit. I'm not a pink kinda girl. :)

The large butterfly is from Provo Craft's Cuttlebug Butterflies. I've had this for awhile but just used it for this card. After the butterfly was die cut and embossed I brayered Perfect Plum over the top to highlight it more. The brayering added soft texture as well. I colored the antennae black. The Pretty in Pink layer is embossed and Old Olive lightly sponged over it to help it pop. The small butterfly is a Martha Stewart punch that is embossed with the Swiss Dots embossing folder and Perfect Plum sponged over the dots. I probably should have added some texture to the Perfect Plum scalloped edge to help it out too or perhaps that would have just been too much??

The flowers are from the Prima Eire Collection 2 that I colored with Celery Shimmerz (link to Shimmerz). The flowers started out olive and cream. The designer paper is from the Old World Stack (DCWV).

The only stamping on this entire card is the sentiment from ISC. I embossed the sentiment to help it stand out more.

Stamps: Flair of Summer (ISC); Ink: Perfect Plum, CRAFT Basic Black, Old Olive; Paper: Pretty in Pink, Perfect Plum, Old World Stack (DCWV); Accessories: Martha Stewart butterfly punch, CB, CB Butterflies, Swiss Dots & Textile folders; sponge daubers, Scallop Edge punch (SU), Pretty in Pink button (SU), Black hemp (SU), Black detail embossing powder (SU).

Valentine for my son

Happy Valentine's Day!

This image is the second one I purchased from Spiral Whisper named Skateboard Kev. (The first image was Wizard Dan.) I really like this one too. My DS dreams he can skateboard like this! LOL! Perhaps one day, he's only 5.5 y/o now. Anyway, I wanted to participate in the Copics Colour Challenge #1, hence the reason for these colors; B28, V06, YR07. (Now I don't actually own these exact colors but I was able to procure close-enough colors with my 40% from Hobby Lobby.) Young boy + bright colors = fun card!

Beate has restarted her Week-end sketch challenges! Yeah Beate! This card is in response to WSC#68. I did change it from a long card to a regular A2 card as I thought with the size of this image it would work better.


I sponged on some gray to give it the feel of street dirt! (Check out those knees.) My DS asked what that "stuff" is on it. I guess it didn't dawn on him. Oh well, maybe next time. The base is Apricot Appeal. The blue stripes is from an old package from SU I think called Sweet. The red circle is from my Basic Grey Scarlet's Letter. (Notice how when embossed with the CB folder it now looks like a basket ball! Oops!)

I used my clear Sakura gelly roll pen on the red top of the skateboard. Looks great IRL, I'm not sure you can really see it in the scan.

Well, now I need to run and make a Vday card for my MIL.

Another CPS Submission

When I first uploaded my AI Duck I didn't realize I was entering it into the CPS contest. Well, since you can upload two cards I decided to try my hand at this sketch again. This time I wanted to try a new TJ technique called Background Burst. Only thing is that I didn't do it as a background. Oops! Sorry Pat! ;D The technique is actually the heart itself. Well, it was until I needed it to stand out more and I clear embossed the heart. I actually did a good bit of tinkering with this card. Here is the first rendition.


I used the heart from Gentler Times (SU retired). Now I don't have a fancy scallop heart punch. I actually used a trick to add the scallops around the edge. (I would LOVE to give credit, but now I can't find the source, if you know please let me know so I can include proper credit!) Basically you punch a scallop circle and then punch the inside out so you are left with a thin scallop border. Clip the scallop border and now you can add the scallops around any shape you want. Probably clear as mud! I've got to find that tutorial!

The flowers were painted with Shimmerz! I have seen this done several times and I love the look IRL. In fact, I think I prefer the flowers painted over painting an image! You can visit Shimmerz here. I added little pearl (generic) drew drops to the center of the flowers using my Mono Multi.

The base Old Olive has another stamp from the Gentler Times VersaMarked to add some depth and interest to that layer. The first card also uses VersaMark on the Lavendar Lace layer as it just needed "something". Famous last words, I know! You guessed it, I really wasn't happy with this card so I removed the Lavendar Lace layer and replaced it with Lavendar Lace with Swiss Dots embossed and swiped with Craft White for interest and texture. Please let me know what you think of this new card! This is the final version and what I have uploaded to the CPS contest.
Stamps: Gentler Times (SU, retired); Ink: Craft White, VersaMark; Paper: Old Olive, Lavender Lace, Elegant Eggplant; Accessories: Prima Flowers, Shimmerz: Cleery, Lilac & Opal; Scallop circle punch (SU), Colozzle circle (to cut out the center of scallop punch), Swiss Lace folder, CB, pearl dew drops, chalks (SU).

Father & Son & 50% Off Promotion Code

I just had to use one of my brand new stamp sets. Here is Father & Son from Artful Inkables. This set is currently 50% off! Kristin has a number of other stamp sets for 50% off until the end of the month. Run, do not walk to her website and check out her awesome sell!! (Not affiliated just an extremely satisfied friend/customer!) Just make sure to use the promotion code: 50% off to get the discount.

This card combines SCS color challenge CC202 and Techno Stamper's sketch challenge #54. I just realized as I was typing up the recipe that I forgot the Regal Rose for the color challenge. Oops! Well, I'll leave it since I'm pretty sure that if DH thought purple wasn't masculine he'll think even less of Regal Rose. LOL!

Stamps: Father & Son (AI), Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Bravo Burgundy; Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Old Olive, Whisper White; Accessories: CB & Folder, sponge, Large Oval, Large Scallop Oval, Label One Nesties.

Errr, Merry Christmas. . .

Yes, too much time has passed since I have posted anything. Rather than give excuses (we've heard them all) I thought I'd just post my Christmas card for 2008 and share a couple of other Christmas cards that are special to me.

My first share is from my darling 5 y/o son. He proudly made it himself while I was out shopping (and DADDY supervised!!) Yes, I was shocked! Daddy usually steers away from my craft room so to have him supervise Troy was quite the surprise. Yes, they used my Tonic guillotine cutter and my ATG gun!! Yikes! That is some serious crafting, hehe! It is probably difficult to see, but he stamped the Santa and tree from Crayon Christmas (SU) and scribbled colored them in. This lavendar layer is actually adhered to a white base, hence the ATG need. I do believe that my DH suggested they go buy me a card but Troy wanted to make one. That is how David got sucked into "supervising".


This is the card that ended up going out to friends and family. My first version was stamped onto acetate, colored on the back with COPICs, vintaged the Very Vanilla layer under the acetate and distressed the edges, used brads to adhere the acetate to the top two layers. This photo is actually the second version. I stamped onto Very Vanilla, aged and distressed, added brads, mounted on burgundy. The background stamp is SU's Antique Background using Galaxy Gold Brilliance ink. About a 1/3 of my Christmas cards looked like this one. The final version just omitted the brads. I didn't want to add more to postage because of the thickness. I was reminded by Lisa Somerville that simplier is usually better (or something along those lines). Thanks Lisa! :D Oh, you really can't see in this scan that I colored the windows with So Saffron. It was the only coloring I did, sponging not included.


Stamps: The Forest Chapel (CHF), Antique Backgrounds (SU), Season's Greetings (SU), Ink: Basic Brown, Basic Black, Glaxy Gold (Brilliance); So Saffron Marker (windows), Antique Linen & Brushed Corduroy (Distress Ink); Paper: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip; Bravo Burgundy; Accessories: brads, Cut-N-Dry (Ranger), Distress tool (SU).

The next card is the O-N-L-Y card that my DH has ever said "Let's keep this!" Yes, after stamping for eight years those were the first words out of his mouth when he opened his card from me this year. Here's why:
I got this stamp, Miss Crystal, from RubberNecker.com. I used one of Tim Holtz' 12 Days of Christmas 2008 ( Day 2) for her dress and paper pieced the dress. I used stickles for the white rim of her hat, the stars she's holding and the "string" so it all sparkles. I used the snowflake CB folder for the white layer. I used the scallop punch from SU for the opening base layer (Elegant Eggplant.) I also scalloped a white layer inside the card and offset it so when it is closed you can see the white peeking out. It really helped add to the card without adding any more embellishments. Oh, this card was inspired by Linda Duke. I used some CB snowflake dies for the last embellishments. Whew! So what do you think of Miss Crystal??

Stamps: Miss Crystal (RubberNecker); Ink: Tuxedo Black (Momento), COPIC: Skin White (E00), SU Markers: Real Red, Close to Cocoa; Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White; Accessories: CB snowflake embossing folder and snowflake dies, Tim Holtz Day 2 Technique; Stickles, Paper Snips (SU).

Child's Birthday and Son's Artwork

I've been super busy with my volunteer position, but had to take a break and make a card for a boy in my son's class, who's birthday party he was attending this week-end. So I was actually relieved to "have to" stamp this week-end! It is simple I know, but I let Troy pick out the stamps for me to use. He said his friend loves football and he picked the sentiment from my GinaK Make A Wish stamp set. He also said his friend's favorite color was red and Troy picked Ruby Red for the card.

Stamps: Good Sport (SU), Make A Wish (GinaK); Ink: Ruby Red, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip; Paper: Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, Shimmery White; Accessories: Brads (pewter), sponge daubers, SAMJ.

Next up is Troy's artwork. (Humor me here, he doesn't want to stamp as much as he used to.) He was finally ready to make a card for his cousin that is living in S. Korea right now. My brother is active duty Army and his wife is an Army Civilian. They are both working in S. Korea for two years. Troy has a mind of his own so I must admit that I groaned a bit when I turned around and saw his "sunset". We had stamped the tree (ISC) and grass (A Muse). I CB these dinos and was trying to figure out what to do to "kick it up a notch" when I turned and saw that he had colored all this red to make a sunset. So we talked about sunsets and layering colors and how the sun is at the horizon when a sunset is happening. (He is only 5 and still learning all these little details! LOL!) So orange was added. Since we needed a horizon that was added with green marker (over the grass) then the blue beyond the sunset.

We put the dinos through my little Xyron and added Dazzling Diamonds, then Troy added them to his picture. The tall one is supposed to be eating leaves from the tree. I'll bet Betsy didn't envision that when she was designing this tree!

Stamps: Marvels of Nature (ISC), Hero Mail (A Muse, grass & Sentiment), Ink: Real Red, Green Galore, YoYo Yellow (Sun started out as a circle stamp from SU), Markers: Bashful Blue, Gable Green, Only Orange, Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip; Accessories: CB Dinos, Xyron, Dazzling Diamonds.

Thanks for your patience with my little guy. I'm a proud Mama!

Heart to Heart Thanks

I'm pretty sure everyone that is into paper craft blogs as seen Cammie's blog candy. Wow! Truly an amazing blog candy at that, $1,000 worth of crafting goodies! I think what Cammie is doing to honor her grandmother is such an incredible testament to her love for her grandmother.

Ever have one of those cards where you think you are all finished but when you see the card on your screen to upload somewhere you notice just how it isn't quite finished? Well, that was this card for me. Just to show you, here is the first scan.


That long layer is just polished stone technique. I hadn't done it in so long that I thought I'd use it here. Also, this is MJ's Techno Stamper's Sketch #36 for this week. What a great sketch! I just bought that CB folder at Hobby Lobby a week ago and was dying to use it. So as you can see, it is just okay. Nothing jumps out at you about this card.

First I added another layer of Not Quite Navy under the main layer, that helped a good bit. But that Polished layer still needed something. So I started looking through my silhouette stamps and came upon this one from ISC's Nature's Silhouette I. Because of the glossy cardstock I didn't get a perfect image (some of the silver showed through and I didn't like it that way) I used my Copic black marker and colored it in. Without further adu:


Stamps: Nature's Silhouette (ISC) So Many Sayings (SU); Ink: Black Staz-On, Basic Black Marker (sentiment), Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Encoure Silver Refills; Paper: Not Quite Navy, Soft Sky, Glossy; Accessories: Large Oval Punch (SU), Birds & Swirls CB Folder.

BEElieve

Well, I fussed and fussed with this card and I think I finally got it to a point where I like it. I started with the Technique Junkies' Mesh Direct background. When I was making it, it reminded me of a beehive, but after I was finished I was thinking giraffe. I wanted to use the Technostamper's Sketch Card Challenge #19. The size of my giraffe just wasn't working with the sketch so I switched to this lovely bee from ArtfulInkables. I really like the size of this bee, it isn't so small that it gets lost on your card.

Well, I haven't used my few Stickles very much so this seemed like as good of time as any so I used a yellow and Diamond on my bee. Well, that had to dry so I moved on the the More Mustard layer and decided that my bee needed some flowers so I used my CB flower folder.

Now for those three circle's in MJ's sketch. . . . Well, "BEE" just jumped out at me so that part was simple but figuring out the size was another. I ended up using my Rummage magnetic stamp alphabet from Making Memories that I've had, er, well. . . . for too long and hadn't used yet. After that I tried using the set for "LIEVE" to finish off the BEE, but I really didn't like it (I used the word window punch.) In the meanwhile I decided my BEE needed some attention. I decided to make the white circles smaller, then decided I didn't want to use my Build A Brad (which has yet to be used as well) so I used Crystal Effects (CA) on top to give it some shine. I pulled out my Euphoria Alphabet (SU retired) and used my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to stamp the "HAPPY" and then punched out with the small oval and layering onto a More Mustard large Oval.

I have always liked when I see ribbon used as loops, not sure why and I hadn't thought it add them to any other cards, but it helped to add some balance here. I carefully assembled the card, which wasn't too easy because the CA still isn't dry but I'm too impatient to wait until tomorrow to scan and post this card!

I plan on giving this card to a friend that recently accepted the challenging volunteer position as president of our local Officer Wives Club Association. So here is to Lori! May she bee happy this next year as our president!!

Stamps: Bee (Artful Inkables) Rummage Alphabet (Making Memories), Euphoria Alphabet & Numbers (SU); Ink: Summer Sun, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black; Paper: Summer Sun, More Mustard, Whisper White, Shimmery White (bee), Basic Black; Accessories: mesh, brayer, Ribbons (SU), large & small oval punches, CB folder, 1/2" circle punch (SU) Stickles, Crystal Effects, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig.

Acetate Butterflies

Innovative Stamp Creations (ISC) is hosting their first challenge ISCC1. A winner will be selected at random and will win some FREE stamps! Being a bit addicted to rubber (especially FREE) I had to give this a try! The challenge was to make a tag.

This is actually an acetate card. It is almost 2am and my DS has soccer in the morning so I'm not going to rescan this so please don't notice the blemishes in the picture. Looks like it is time to clean the scanner. *blushes* Heck, why clean when you can stamp??? ;D

The inside has a Bashful Blue tag that has the ISC sentiment "A friend is one that knows you as you are." It just seemed appropriate with butterflies and a flower! ;D

There are no special techniques here, just stamping on acetate. I know, all my Junkie friends will be disappointed!

Stamps: Friendship (ISC); Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, StazOn Ultramarine, COPIC: YG06 (Yellowish Green), Y15 (Cadmium Yellow), Y17 (Golden Yellow); Paper: Bashful Blue, Shimmy White; Accessories: acetate, rhinestone brad (SU), Cuttlebug tag dies.

Penciled Twinks Frog

I had this partially finished frog sitting on my desk for probably a couple of months. I'm just not really good at watercoloring. But Kathy at Kathat Stamps issued a bit of a challenge to color something so I went back to this poor frog. (BTW, she is offering up some blog candy!)

I used the Penciled Twinks (from the Technique Junkies Feb 2008 newsletter) technique to watercolor this darling from Artful Inkables. *sigh* If only I could color as well as Kristin! Oh well! When I was adding some water to move the Twinks around I smeared the red so I used my white Signo gel pen to help cover up what I couldn't get up with a towel.

I used gold brads and heated with my heat tool then dipped in embossing powder to get this nice green, then reheated from the bottom so that the EP crowns nicely on top. This EP is from PK Glitz, a vendor I found while visiting the Scrapbook Expo about a month ago. They've got some gorgeous colors with matching glitter!

I plan on sending this to my DH who is away attending a military school for another four weeks. (He's been gone for nearly six weeks now.) I'll have to add some kooky frog sentiment to the inside to let him know I miss him! ;)


Stamps: Artful Inkables; Ink: StazOn Black; Paper: Wild Wasabi, Night of Navy, Watercolor paper (SU); Accessories: Twinkling H2Os, Watercolor Pencils (SU), Paint brush (SU), Cuttlebug with folder, brads (SU), China Jade EP, Signo Gel pen.

7 Things Tag & CB Birthday Card

7 Things Game

I was tagged by Jamie at Stamp This! for the 7 things game.


The Rules for 7 Things:

1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.

2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.

3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.

4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

So, here are my 7 things:

1. My favorite color is purple. Yes, even when I was a child, before Donny Osmond made purple popular! (Does that date me???)

2. I am left handed, although I do things like throwing or cutting with scissors right handed. (Just wanted to note that I do NOT throw scissors!) Crafts like crocheting or sewing I can do either handed.

3. I went to my first Stampin' Up! workshop October 2000 while my DH was deployed to Bosnia, thinking "why would anyone use rubber stamps, you'd only use them once?" Yes, that's what I thought! I was a demo April 2001!

4. I am the eldest of four, and am older than my two half-siblings from my father's second marriage.

5. All four of us have served in some manner in the Army! I am a ten year veteran, one brother and sister are currently on Active Duty and my other brother is in the National Guard (currently serving in Iraq.)

6. I HATE raisins, but LOVE wine and grapes!

7. I lived in Alaska from age 15 until I was 21. Such a beautiful state, but I would only go back to visit; it is WAY too cold for my thin blood now!

7 People that I tag:

1. Britta Not only do I enjoy her projects, but her children are so darling!
2. Nancy She is a sweet friend and a talented crafter!
3. Frances Check out her G'day Mate card!
4. Libby She's got a great blog, PLUS she is offering some Blogoversity Candy!
5. Colleen Some more gorgeous cards!
6. Cindy She's a true crafter, she stamps, quilts, crochets and more!
7. Susan All I can say about her blog is WOW!

Now that you have read through all of that I wanted to leave you with this card.


My MIL is such a sweet lady and her birthday is coming up in early May. She totally supports my craft habit in some way each Christmas! She has totally supported my CB addiction so I wanted to use my CB to make her card. Perhaps I overdosed a little? ;D

Here are the steps I used to make her card. I almost forgot to add that I used a sketch from PageMaps' CardMaps.

1. I used a piece of cardstock with a TJ technique that didn't really work, but still had such lovely color and shimmer that I decided to keep it. I ran it through my CB and used it here along the top of the card.

2. I used StazOn Black to stamp the Happy Birthday onto acetate then used my CB to cut the inner circle tag. TIP: The tag die is slightly larger than the center of the So Many Scallops stamp and some of the outer part of the stamp is cut into when using the die, so I used some StazOn Cleaner to carefully clean the edges.

3. I wanted to use some more of my new PK Glitz Azure glitter so I ran the acetate through my Xyron 150 then adhered the glitter to the back of the acetate. I punched a Tempting Turquoise scallop and layered the acetate tag on top using the silver brads to adhere the layers.

4. Next I used one of those small embossing square folders along the bottom. I ran it through three times moving the folder to get the design along the bottom.

5. I used a double layer of thin black organdy ribbon to separate the two layers.

6. The Turquoise scallop needed something to separate it from the Tempting Turquoise layer so I punched another scallop from Basic Black and layered under the turquoise scallop, then used mini glue dots to adhere it to the card.

Stamps: So Many Scallops; Ink: StazOn Black, Brilliance Gold, Pumpkin Patch Spectrum pad; Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black, glossy; Accessories: acetate, CB folders & circle tag die, 3/8" Black Organdy ribbon, PK Glitz Azure glitter, Xyron 150, silver brads (SU), scallop punch (SU).

Polished Glittery Fairy

When I ordered from Stamp Francisco I ordered two fairies. Here is the second one. This card uses Beate's weekend sketch challenge #44 and some Polished acetate that I (still) had lying around.

I read a technique on Jamie's blog that showed how to add glitter to stamped acetate. I sort of modified her technique because I used acetate that was already polished. In a nutshell this is what I did. (Please check out her blog to see how she did her version, it's really cool!)

1. Stamped on polished acetate.
2. Ran acetate through Xyron.
3. Placed acetate (intact) onto light table.
4. Cut sections of the carrier off from the acetate only where I wanted to place my glitter. (I did this a section at a time adding the color of glitter I wanted in that section.)
5. Trimmed my acetate to the size I wanted my completed piece to be.
6. Removed the remaining carrier from my acetate and placed the acetate on a piece of Whisper White cardstock the same size as my acetate and burnished the acetate to the c/s.
7. Layered this piece onto a layer of Brocade Blue, then added to my card.

Let me talk about the glitter I used here. When I attended the scrapbooking convention two weeks ago in Collinsville, IL I stopped at the P K Glitz booth. I just fell in love with their glitter and Powder Keg Emboss Powder! I just loved how you could coordinate the EP with the glitter and the colors are beautiful! I could only afford to purchase three colors (Eggplant, Azure & China Jade.) I used all three on this card as well as SU's Dazzling Diamonds (on the crown.) The China Jade was used on the jewel in the crown, so I'm not sure if you'll be able to see it. I used Azure on her wings, but blue and yellow make green so it looks like her wings are green. The eggplant was used on her dress. In retrospect, I probably should have used one of my COPIC markers to remove the alcohol ink from the crown area before adding adhesive, but that would have taken way too much forethought! LOL! At the time I didn't even know what colors I was going to use.

As for the rest of the card I used my Swiss Dots CB for the two Very Vanilla sections, then used a sponge dauber to brush Brocade Blue onto the dots. The designer paper is from DCWV Old World mat stack (top right) and Wild Asparagus (lower left). Yes, a simple layout, but with the effort of adding the glitter to the acetate I didn't feel the need to embellish any further. :)

Stamps: Stamp Francisco; Ink: StazOn Black, Brocade Blue, various alcohol inks; Paper: Brocade Blue, Very Vanilla, DCWV & Wild Asparagus Designer paper; Accessories: acetate, CB & Swiss Dots folder, Glitter Glitz, Dazzling Diamonds, light box & exacto knife.