O Happy Day

One of the companies I used to design for, PSA Essentials, is having a fun filled blog hop today and I created a spring-themed card to show my support!

 

My card features a darling set of Hello Kitty stamps...aren't these images darling!?  This set comes with five Hello Kitty stamps and one circle outline stamp, full of sweet little flowers.  I stamped each image slightly off center, on a 1 1/4" square, and then colored the images with Copic markers.  This fun paper is from the Park Bench paper line from Fancy Pants.

 

I hope you enjoyed today's card and be sure to hop on over to the PSA blog for all of the blog hop details!  Prize info below:

 

During the blog hop, you could win 1 custom stamp, 3 Peel & Stick stamp sets, 2 notecards, 1 alignment tool, 1 black ink, 1 2-color ink, and free shipping to the winner. Value of the package is $150. Just comment on the post on the PSA Blog or like PSA Essentials on Facebook using the Rafflecopter widget at the end of their post.

New to PSA Essentials? Check them out at PSA Essentials!

eclectic Paperie eTeam Picks Challenge

Howdy and welcome to March's eclectic Paperie eTeam Picks Challenge!!  Don't know much about this challenge?  Head on over to the eP blog to find out more and to find out how to enter for a a chance to win a $15 gift certificate to eP!

This month's challenge was selected by Bonnie and she inspired us to create a project with corrugated cardboard or cardstock.  (And you have to check out her amazing project!)  Since we just received a shipment of 12x12 corrugated cardstock from Fancy Pants, I knew I had to get busy and create a scrapbook page to show off a photo of my oldest from his birthday party last week.

Believe it or not, this started out as a piece of kraft corrugated cardstock but I couldn't leave it just like that...I had to alter!  I started by adding some white embossing paste to give me a surface to add some stamping or rub ons, if the mood struck.  Then I added color from a few ink sprays (After Midnight, Lemon Zest, and London Blue.)

Next I used white linen ink spray (love this stuff!) and a few stencils to add some design to the page.  (My second stencil got a coat of black acrylic paint)

Then I grabbed a paper pack that I've been hoarding for years and pulled out some papers that I thought would work well for my page.  I randomly stamped a script image on one of the papers and used a few older rub ons on some others.  (Rub ons...just random...I love that!)

And then...I have these darling balloons that were created using a new Sweet 'n Sassy product that is going to be announced next week...hummm...and see that Happy, Happy BDay sentiment...that might be part of a new release next week too...and then there's the hat in the photo below, the candlesticks, the tiny flames...Ohhh...exciting stuff!  Make sure you don't miss the release party!!

The balloons, hat, and candlesticks/flames were all die cut and then some elements were stamped, for design, and others were just cut from the designer paper pack.  I layered up a journal card, swirl, sentiments, and my design elements all in one spot on the page, just below the balloons.

I also had these fun corrugated numbers in my stash that were the perfect color for the page.  I added those and another run on sentiment before calling it a day!  Oh, and I kept my photo black and white since there was so much color going on with the page.  I must confess...I do adore scrapbooking.  It's such a great way to capture memories.  This new page is now hanging on my living room wall and is a constant reminder of my sweet boy and the joy he experienced opening not one...not two...but seven new Lego sets on his birthday!  A builder's paradise!

I hope you enjoyed today's project and be sure to check out the challenge details on the eclectic Paperie blog!

Making Art to Share

A month or so ago I received an email from a customer who invited me to join the Everything Wendy Vecchi design forum.  Well...I love Wendy, I love her products, and I adore sharing design work so I jumped at the opportunity!  And then I had delightful surprise of being able to participate in an ATC swap.  Oh my, what could be more fun!  Not only do I love swapping but I love ATCs...such sweet, little packages of crafty goodness!

Since this was a 3 for 3 swap, I decided to create three different ATCs, using the theme of leaves and green.  I can hardly wait to receive three new ATCs from another forum member...the waiting...it's painful! LOL!

So let's get on with some descriptions because I had a boatload of fun creating these!  My first ATC, shown above features Wendy's white embossing paste, Lovely Leaves stencil, Original Art and Parisian Art stamp sets, and silver berry flower centers. 

I started by using the stencil and embossing paste on white cardstock.  Once the paste was dry I colored the leaves with Faber-Castell big brush markers.  Then I cut the leaves out...hey...handmade embellies!  The base of my ATC is actually cardboard (super sturdy) that I covered with some older Autentique paper.  I stamped the text stamp, from the Parisian Art stamp set, onto the ATC background and embossed it with white embossing powder.  The top of the ATC has a piece of stamped kraft cardstock (with images from the Parisian Art stamp set) and a scalloped piece of designer paper attached.  I then layered my leaves and flowers.  The flowers are from a My Favorite Things die.  I layered the petals, sponged the edges with Walnut Stain ink, glued them together, and added the silver berry center.  The word ART is from the Original Art stamp set and I just colored it with a Distress Marker, cut out the letters and attached it to the top of the ATC.

 My second ATC features more embossing paste (I am seriously in love with the stuff!), the same stencil, and the Original Art stamp set.

I started by using a few Distress Paints for the background.  I just swiped Bundled Sage, Wild Honey, and Fried Brick across the cardboard.  I did use a bit of water to get the paint to run.  Love that random look!  Then stamped the fern image (from the Original Art stamp set) in Archival Ink onto the ATC.  The leaves were then added using embossing paste.  Once the paste was dry I broke out my barely used PanPastels (taking a class next month to learn more about how to use these babies!) to paint the leaves.  (Once you're done with the PanPastels you need to set them...I used hairspray...works like a charm!)  Then I just added the GROW sentiment, again painted with Distress Markers, to the bottom of the ATC.

And the third tiny creation!  Another GROW ATC...which I wanted to kind of look like a clipboard.  I'm not sure I really achieved the clipboard look but I sure had fun trying!  I covered the back of this ATC with denim designer paper and painted around the edges with gold acrylic paint (I got a thing for the gold on grungy projects!)  I then cut a smaller piece of heavy cardstock and created that notebook edge with a SU! punch.  I used Dirty Martini and Lemon Zest Dylusions Ink Sprays to color the paper.  Then I grabbed everyone's fav Dylusions, White Linen, and the Lovely Leaves stencil to add the images on the paper.  Some random music notes in black, the sentiment, and two dictionary paper flowers (using the silver berry center again) finished off this project!  (Want to learn more about so quick and easy it is to make these flowers?  Our DT member and online class coordinator, Donna-Marie Cecere, has a great video posted on her You Tube channel!)

 

So those are my projects for the ATC swap!  I hope you enjoyed today's rather lengthy post and that you're inspired to try some of your own tiny art.

Thoughts of You

It's time once again for a sketch challenge on Splitcoast and this one is again sponsored by Sweet 'n Sassy so I had to participate!  And it's one fun sketch...this one is going in to the sketch book for keeps!

 

Since we were in the middle of yet another snowstorm today (yes, this week it's officially spring this week and we just got hit with another eight inches of the white stuff!) I almost went with a snowman or snowflakes for today's card but while searching for some good designer paper I stumbled upon a piece of paper from the Place in Time collection from Graphic 45.  I threw caution to the wind and decided to put away the snowflake stamps and bring out the flowers!  Spring has to arrive eventually, right?  Please tell me I'm right...

 

I started by cutting my card base and deciding on the color scheme, which was easy since I was able to follow the colors from the paper.  The fun thing about this paper line is that it included tags and journal blocks that could be cut out from the cardstock.  I decided to grab the March journaling tag to house my stamped images. 

 

Once all of my pieces were cut and the cream cardstock was embossed, I stamped the flowers from the Long Stem Silhouette stamp set onto the journaling tag.  I used my Distress Markers to color directly onto the stamp before stamping on the paper.  That way I was able to have the flowers purple and the stems green.

 

Then I just assembled and added a rhinestone swirl.  Fun stuff!  Why don't you check out this week's sketch and play along!

 

Enjoy!

 

Many Blessings

It was a good weekend...I had some time to craft!  I had started to make a tag for Tim's March tag challenge over a week ago and finally found the time to finish my project. 

My favorite part of this tag?  Painting the metal flowers!  Isn't that so cool?  And I like to heat up the paint just until it bubbles a bit...makes for a great vintage look.

I kept the design similiar to Tim's, again, using the same techniques.  I don't have the bunny movers & shakers die so I used a butterfly and the house die.  Coloring the tinsel with alcohol inks was very fun too and I can see using this technique on other projects.  As for the grass, I had picked up a free QuickKutz die years ago and I finally got to use the die for this tag.  I knew that die would come in handy sooner or later!

Here's the finished tag!  Sorry for the low lighting...was night time when I finally had time to take a photo.  Well I'm off to tend to this week's sick child...we've had a stomach bug that just won't stop for the past week.  Call me weary and heartbroken for my boys...So looking forward to warmer weather, being able to open windows, less germs, and the return of butterflies!

Sweet 'n Sassy Release Day - Flower Blocks

I can't believe it...it's the last day of the Sweet 'n Sassy March release celebration...Did you have a great time seeing all the beautiful projects and new stamps?  I loved this month's release, full of such a variety of designs and styles.  Something for everyone!

 

I think today's set, Flower Blocks, has to be one of my favorites.  It's no secret that I love flowers and this set, with four huge flower images, is perfect for every occasion.  For my card, I embossed the image in silver embossing powder (I love silver and purple!) and then colored the images with my Copics.  Then I simply added one of the sentiments included in the set, layered the image with purple cardstock, and used foam tape to attach it to an all white card base.

 

Want to see more?  Follow the links below to the other DT member's blogs and be sure to comment along the way...prizes are involved!

 

Thanks for visiting the Sweet 'n Sassy DT during release week!

Sweet 'n Sassy Release Day - Vintage Seed Packet

Oh my, how in love are you with this month's Sweet 'n Sassy sets!?  Today's full reveal has to be one of my favorites...Vintage Seed Packet!  This amazing set contains this beautiful, round, vintage frame and flower along with a boatload of various sentiments and other elements to decorate your frame...how fabulous is that!?

 

I decided to try and create the look of a real seed packet so I stamped the frame, 10 cent image, grow in grace (and the sentiment is already curved so it fits perfectly in that spot!), and good seed sentiments on a piece of cream cardstock.  Then I bent the "fine seed..." sentiment so it fit in the top of the frame.  The flower was stamped on a separate piece of paper, colored with Copics, and mounted in the center of the circle.  Then I aged the edges of the cardstock with Walnut Stain Distress Ink and crinkled the paper...just a bit.

 

The background of my paper got stamped with a chicken wire stamp, from Tim Holtz, and I added a big 'ol crinkled bow for some more vintage charm.

 

Looking forward to seeing more creative ideas using this set?  Visit the DT blogs, listed below, for some crafty goodness and be sure to comment along the way for a chance to win lots of fun prizes!

 

Sweet 'n Sassy Release Day - Special Blend

Yippee!  It's my favorite time of the month again...release week with Sweet 'n Sassy!  So much fun and so many great new sets to see!  Today's we're showcasing the new set, Special Blend.  A few days ago I shared a sneak peek of a card using this set, Thanks a Latte, and today I'm back with an ode to an English tea party...at least that's what I think of with this image and designer paper. 

 

I had this paper in my stash and loved the look of it paired with kraft cardstock.  It's like an old fashioned wallpaper, isn't it?  And I thought the paper would be perfect with this sweet stack of tea cups, which reminds me of my Grandmother.  She has an extensive collection of china tea cups and when I was little nothing made me happier than to sip my juice from one of those cups!

 

After stamping the image in Memento ink, I colored the cups with Copic markers and then popped up the tea bag with foam tape.  The inside of my card contains the rest of the sentiment...

Love this set?  Ready to see more?  Visit each of the DT blogs listed below!  And don't forget to leave a comment along the way for an opportunity to win prizes!!  Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

Breathe

Yes, I made another blog post!  But it's on the eclectic Paperie blog...I know, I'm such a tease.  :-)  You can check out all of the details here.

Thanks a Latte

Hey, lookie, I made a card and posted on my blog!  It's a good week!  Actually it was a good weekend, stock full of lots of crafty projects.  And making cards for the upcoming Sweet 'n Sassy release week celebration (starting on March 9th!) was high on the list!

 

So today...I'm giving you a tiny sneak peek at a soon-to-be-released stamp set!  This set features one of my favorite things...coffee, teas, and friendship!  Can't wait to share more...  My image is paired with paper from Carta Bella...Loving the grey, red, yellow color combo!  The cup is colored with Copics.

 

I'll also be submitting this card for this week's sketch challenge over on Splitcoast, which is being hosted by Korin, owner of Sweet 'n Sassy stamps!  Head on over and check out all of the loveliness!