Cherish Happiness

 

Hey, look, I made a blog post!  But all the details are on the eclectic Paperie blog! **smile**  Click on over for more photos and directions!

 

Enjoy!

Be Brave

I think it's time to get back to the real world today...We had a windy, snowy day yesterday and it was a delightful excuse to spend the day in PJs, with a big mug full of coffee and my abundance of Girl Scout cookies!  Whew...talk about laziness!  Honestly, it felt great to really relax for a day, which is perfect for recharging one's batteries.  Welcome to Monday!

 

Today's card is one that I created last week for the new mixed media challenge on Splitcoast.  Love that they've created a mixed media challenge, a great way to get folks interested in this type of creating.  I'm having such a great time exploring all the new techniques and products that come along with this art form.  And journaling...seriously, you need to try your hand at journaling.  It's so much fun!  I'm sharing one of my pages at the eP blog this weekend so be sure to check it out!

 

OK, today's card...The challenge was to use resist embossing on your project.  On the day that the challenge was posted I saw a card where someone embossed with white embossing powder on kraft cardstock and then colored in the image.  I loved the look so I did the same thing on my card! 

 

First, I used the Be Brave stamp from the She Sprouted Wings stamp set to stamp all over a piece of cardstock.  The words were embossing in white embossing powder and then I used Dylusions Ink Sprays (Crushed Grape and Lemon Zest) on cover the piece of cardstock.  (Use paper towels to remove excess ink)  Next, I stamped and embossed the bird cage image, from the same stamp set, and colored in the picture with Distress Markers (Copics would remove the embossed edges).  Then, I assembled!  Embossed the card base with the Elite embossing folder from Spellbinders, die cut the fancy square, layered on my be brave panel, bird house, sentiment, and a few tiny gold pearls.

 

Have you checked out the Mixed Media Challenge on Splitcoast?  If not, why not check it out today...there's a new challenge posted each Friday!

 

Enjoy!

Sweet 'n Sassy Release Week Celebration - Day #4

Has everyone had an amazing time during this month's Sweet 'n Sassy release week?  I'm so excited about the beautiful spring images that were included in the release...someone, send warmer weather and singing birds soon!

 

Today's card features the new Springtime Sparrows set.  This set comes with Includes one large image and seven fabulous sentiments ~ Set measures 6"x4" ~ Image illustrated by Chris Dickinson.  Here's the complete set:

On my card, I paird this pretty set with brand new paper from Authentique, the Seasons: Spring line.  My image was stamped on the line paper, like using designer paper for the main image sometimes, and colored with Copics.  I added a few tiny rhinestones to the center of each flower.  Then I just needed some twine and a big 'ol button to finish my card.  Enjoy and be sure to follow along with the rest of today's hop!

Check out some of the fabulous samples made by our talented DT in the thumbnails below.

Be sure to leave a comment of each of the blogs along your journey because we're giving away this adorable stamp set to one lucky commenter!

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST Wednesday, February 13th. The list of winners will be announced on our website homepage on Thursday, February 14th.

 

Sweet 'n Sassy Release Week Celebration - Day #3

Welcome to Sweet 'n Sassy's release week next stamp set reveal, Jesus Paid it All!  (This set also comes with a coordinating die!!) 

For my card today, I layered a whole bunch of die cut and embossed cardstock to keep the focus on the main image.  To create the scene, I used a blending tool and Distress Ink to add a bit of yellow to the cardstock, then I placed a punched circle over the yellow and addded some blues around the rest of the cardstock.  Remove the circle and you have a perfect sunrise!  See all the details about this new set below!

This lovely silhouette of Calvary is perfect for elegant and simple Easter or Christian projects. You'll find yourself grabbing it again and again! And the matching die is the icing on the cake!

• Set includes 1 image and 6 sentiments
• Set measures approximately 4"x6"
• Image measures approximately 3 3/8" x 2 1/2"
• Designed by Korin Sutherland
• Set is priced at $15
• Die is priced at $9.75

Check out some of the fabulous samples made by our talented DT in the thumbnails below.

Be sure to leave a comment of each of the blogs along your journey because we're giving away this adorable stamp set to one lucky commenter!

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST Wednesday, February 13th. The list of winners will be announced on our website homepage on Thursday, February 14th.

Sweet 'n Sassy Day #2 Release Day

Welcome to Day #2 of the Sweet 'n Sassy release week celebration!  Today we're celebrating the coming spring (it's sure to be here eventually, right) with a darling set called Springtime Babies that features sweet baby bunnies and chicks, butterflies, and flowers...just perfect!

 

This set, pictured below, features 10 individual images and three sentiments.  The set measures 6x4 and retails for $15.00

 

 

I created by card by using some brand new paper from Authentique and stamping my bunny and butterfly on a separate piece of cardstock before cutting them out and attaching to the front of my card.  (I colored the images with Copics).  I loved the browns in the paper and the way I could color my bunny to match. :-)  I also did a tiny bit of paper piercing (haven't done that in ages) in two of the corners.

 

And now how about visiting some of the other design team's blogs to see their creations?  Just click on any of the links below and don't forget to leave a comment along the way, you'll be entered into a drawing for this set!  You have until Thursday, February 14 to comment!

 

 

Welcome to Day #1 of the Sweet 'n Sassy Release Week Celebration!

Hi all and welcome to the first day of the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps release week!  We're so excited that you've decided to join us and come along for this creative journey!  Today we're announcing the release of a beautiful new Easter-themed set called Easter Blessings.  This beautiful set is perfect for all of your Easter cards and projects and the image can be used for encouragement or thinking of you cards.  You can see the entire set and its description below:

• Set includes 1 image and 5 sentiments 
• Set measures approximately 4"x4"
• Image measure approximately 2 1/8" x 2 3/4"
• Illustrated by Korin Sutherland 
• Set is priced at $11

My card was created using some beautiful paper from Teresa Collins and coloring the image with Copic markers.  Ready for some more samples?  Be sure to check out all of the projects created by our talented design team; just follow the thumbnails below.  And be sure to leave a comment on each of the blogs along your journey because we're giving away this set to one commenter!  Enjoy!

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST Wednesday, February 13th.  The list of winners will be announced on our website homepage on Thursday, February 14.

eclectic Paperie - Get Altered Challenge

Hi everyone and welcome to our next Get Altered Challenge, hosted on the eclectic Paperie blog!  Today's challenge was to alter a book...ohhh...loved it when I first heard the idea and then spend two weeks fretting over what to create!  I was actually reading to one of my children one night when this idea popped into my head!

I decided to create a faux book out of square chipboard coasters.  Why create a book?  Well...I just couldn't find any books in our house that I had the heart to alter!  LOL!  I think I need to visit my local antique store to grab some worthy of altering...My faux book opens to a picture frame, which fits pefectly on my night stand.  Let me tell you how I created my book...

 I started by grabbing a stack of chipboard coaster, some paint (Pool & Espresso), a few embossing folders, and grungepaper.  I ran all of the grungepaper through my Vagabond to emboss each piece.  Then I painted the two cover pieces with the Pool paint and the extra strips with Espresso.

 I let the paint dry, which happens pretty quickly with the paint, and then used my sanding block to remove some of the paint (mostly on the embossed areas).  Then I used my blending tool and Walnut Stain Distress Ink to age the cover.  Check out the difference after aging!  (My youngest told me, "Mom, I'm not sure this looks so good...it's all messed up and kind of old looking."  Exactly, kid, exactly...)

 Next I glued all of the chipboard coasters together so two stacks of five coasters; five for the left "page" and five for the right.  Then I roughly covered the inside of both pages with the Espresso paint and glued tissue wrap to both pages (seriously, one of my all time fav products!) 

One the glue was dry, I went back with three different types of tissue tape, tore little pieces, and attached them all over the pages.  Aged with my Walnut Stain, and use matte glue 'n seal to seal the entire piece.

Then I printed out two photos of my cutie boys, in black and white, trimmed them, rounded the corners and attached them to the pages.

To my inside pages I used white embossing paste and the mini cursive alphabet stencil to add some dimention to the outside edges of the pages.  I added a few other pieces of tissue tape to hold each photo and then found some of those random mini stickers we all have lying around our studios to add a title.  I also found some perfect rub ons that I used at the botttom of each photo.

Once the inside pages were complete, I started to assemble, which consisted of adding the three bands to the outside of my book to hold it together.  I simply added a few brads to each band and attached them with Glossy Accents (that stuff will hold anything!)  And then my book was finished!  Super fun, I had a great time creating my book and am looking forward to altered more books!

 

Be sure to check out all of the design team's work on the eP blog, and then enter the challenge for an opportunity to win a $15.00 gift certificate to go shopping at eclectic Paperie!

She Sprouted Wings

Tim posted his February tag a few days ago and I managed to fit in some crafting time this weekend that started with the tag.

So...any time I've followed along with Tim's tags - and I have for about four years now - I always approach my creation in the same way.  I follow his techniques and then create my own design, using what I have on hand, since not all of us have all of the products (well...I have them but I have to send them to customers...ohhh...it's hard not to shop from my own store whenver the mood strikes! LOL!)

This month's tags included the following items that I wanted to be sure and incorporate into my tag:
1) Kraft core embossed paper
2) A main image that resembled a card
3) Twine
4) Using Distress Markers
5) Using Distress Stain
6) Incorporating metal
7) Using foam tape to pop up one part of the main image

First I created the background of my tag just like Tim did in his tutorial...Barn Door Distress Stain, aged the edges, Black Soot Distress Ink.  Then, since I don't have the stamp set he used, I just grabbed a text stamp that I love and stamped portions of it a few times on the background.

 

Then I grabbed my stash of Kraft Core-dinations cardstock (yes, I think I'm adding this back to the store...it's just too good not to share!), ran it through my Vagabond in a Tim-designed embossing folder, sanded the embossed areas, tore the edges, and attached the pieces to the top and bottom of the tag.

 

Next came my main image....I did snag this great stamp set, She Sprouted Wings (Unity), from the store and stamped it once on cream cardstock (note that I am out of watercolor paper!  This is tragic!).  I then used a ruler and a black Zig pen to toss in a few lines...kind of like that playing card look.  Got to work with my Distress Markers...When I watercolor with the markers, I scribble on my non-stick craft sheet, and then use a water brush to pick up water and apply it to the paper.  Once my little lady was colored, I cut out my "card" and attached it, with foam tape, to the tag (with aged edges..of course)!  Next I stamped the image again, colored just the wings, cut them out and attached them to the main image. 

 

Then my lady got a crown...of course...

 

My last step was to add the twine (OK, never considered using my blending tool and Distress Ink to color the white part of the twine...duh...), sentiment and label sticker.  Oh, and the tag "string" made out of tissue tape....yet another time I smacked my head and said, "why didn't I think of that?!"

 

Hope you enjoyed today's tag...Head on over to Tim's blog to play along!!

 

Let Your Dreams Take Flight

Hey...have you heard?  Splitcoast has started a brand new mixed media weekly challenge!  Isn't that fabulous!!  I'm so excited that SCS has decided to venture into this wonderful new art...once you get started, you won't be able to stop!

And I'm even more excited that I had time today to make a card for the first challenge! Woot! Woot! The challenge this week was to combine paint and something shiney, such as embossing powder, metal, etc.  I decided to stick with acrylic paint and embossing powder.

 

I started by painting a piece of sticky back canvas with Adirondack acrylic paints.  I used what has become my fav color combo, Salmon and Terre Cotta.  I then added just a hint of Eggplant to the edges when I had finished.  (Know what is a great blending tool...besides your finger...a baby wipe!  Perfect for working in the darker color paint with the background colors!)

 

I then added a few bits of script from a much loved Tim stamp (from way back when!) and then I stamped my Hollyhock image with VersaMark ink and embossed with black embossing powder.  (That's my shiney element for the challenge!)

 

I stayed true to my love of all things CAS with my card, which can be a challenge with mixed media projects, but I'm learning and having fun experimenting. The background of my card base is embossed with an embossing folder and then I layered the canvas on another piece of white cardstock and popped up the entire main image with foam tape. 

 

I had a great time playing along with the challenge...why don't you give it a try?!  Enjoy!