613 Avenue Create - ATG/Twist - International Colors - Use The Colors of Your Country's Flag

Hi, Crafty Peeples!   I have not been doing a lot of crafting lately, so I am reposting a project that was on my site earlier this month.  I had planned to make another patriotic card, but some recent health challenges prevented me from doing so.   I hope our international crafters will join in and make this challenge extra colorful.  To join in the 613 Avenue Create "flag day" challenge, Click Here

LOOKING FOR THE CCCB BLOG HOP?  CLICK HERE

Thanks for stopping by!  Hugz, Chana

CRAFTER'S CAFE DT TEAM REVEAL

Hello, Crafty Peeples!

Welcome to the Crafter' s Cafe Challenge Blog's Design Team Reveal!  Today we are introducing you to the members of TEAM B.    We are excited about all the fabulous changes here at CCCB.  We have new, wonderful and talented ladies joining us, and, we are now a weekly (rather than monthly) challenge blog.

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors:

LACY SUNSHINE

The rules are very simple, Start at the CCCB Challenge site and leave a comment, then follow the hop remembering to leave a comment on each designer's blog.  The winner will be chosen by random drawing.   

CRAFTER'S CAFE CHALLENGE BLOG  - START HERE

Karen  - <-----If this is where you came from, then you are right on track!

Chana <------ You are here

Rosica ------->  Your next Stop!

Michelle P 

Isobel 

Zoe 

Maureen (Mo)  

Carol (Cass) 

Alex T  

Ems 

HAPPY HOPPING!

Hugz,

Chana

Crafter's Cafe Challenge Blog - New DT Reveal Blog Hop

Hello, Crafty Peeples!

Over the next 6 days, Crafter's Cafe Challenge Blog will introduce our new Design Team Members.  You will not only get to meet this talented group of ladies and see some of their favorite projects, but also you will have a chance to win some free digis  from our sponsors.

We have a large team, so we are doing the hop in two installments.  Today we reveal the members of Team A.  Please visit their blogs and  leave a comment on both their page and the main blog page. 

Start the hop and find all the detail by clicking  HERE  

You Are The Music - 613 Avenue Create Challenge - Celebration

Hello, Crafty Peeples!

I have spent the past three weeks struggling with daily cluster headaches ( headaches that occur at approximately the same time every day and which last for hours).  Mine wake me up at 4:00 AM each night.  The next three to four hours are spent in pure agony.  The rest of the day is spent trying to recover.  The headaches never really go away,  pain meds simply make them tolerable.   I would take advantage of every pain free minute to try and get some crafting done.  That I was able to complete any projects is amazing even to me.  I guess I must really love my hobby.

This project was supposed to be posted Sunday and I finally managed to get it posted to my challenge blog yesterday.  I started out going in a totally different direction but had to scale back my design ambitions in deference to my suffering! :D)  

Our sponsor this week at 613 Avenue Create is The Paper Shelter.  I had planned to use two of her pre-colored images and then hand color one other, but was unable to complete the projects.  I do love this image.   

Image:  She's A Maniac  Pre-Colored

I used my Glimmer Mist (made with Distress Inks and Perfect Pearls, and Rub and Buff Metallic Wax to create the disco colors on my aluminum foiled background.  The wax provided a toothy surface for glimmer mist.  This is my first time using a pre-colored image.  I may do so more in the future.  Coloring with Copics is not my strong suit.  I am more of a paper crafter.  Anyway, I actually

liked the truncated version of this project!

My doctor has me on a medication that is supposed to break the cycle of my headaches.  I did sleep until 8 AM this morning with no pain.  Now as I sit here typing this, I can feel a twinge so, I am going to take my final meds for the evening, grab a quick shower, and call it a night.  I hope I get over this soon.  I miss being in my studio.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz,

Chana

Challenges Entered:

Try Stampin' On Tuesday - Sketch

Living In America - Greetings Challenge -The Outlawz

LIVING IN AMERICA

Create A Project Using Stars and/or Stripes

Hello, Crafty Peeples!

 Back in October of last year, I found myself engaged in a wonderful conversation with two fellow crafters. We met, casually, at the fabric cutting counter of Hancock Fabrics. They were curious about my purchase of so much burlap in different colors and were fascinated when I explained that I planned to use it to embellish greeting cards.

One of the ladies, a wonderful woman named Gloria P., invited me to do a class at her church. They had a group that was planning to make cards to send to the soldiers in Afghanistan. At the end of the second day of class, Gloria gave me a container full of  wonderful pieces of fabric saying, "I'm sure you will make something pretty with these".

When, I saw the theme for this week's Greetings Challenge, I knew it was the ideal time to use some of Gloria's wonderful fabrics.  As I sifted through the container of materials,  the idea for this project took root and all the elements seemed to arrange themselves with very little effort.

 My husband has declared this his favorite of all my cards to date. I rather like it, too, but I think that is  because we are both ex-military and this card strikes a special cord.  I have other fabrics that I may try to use for the 4th of July, we'll see!

I had only this one square of material with the anchor.  I could only trim one side and my hands were shaking as I cut it.  I remembered that Gloria had offered me more and that I had refused because I felt guilty about the fabric I had already accepted from her.  As I cut, I was wishing I had accepted at least one more piece. :D)

The words Valor and Honor, Liberty and Justice and USA were cut from different fabrics.

  I was very fortunate to find the words I wanted to use on the edge of  all the materials and

I was able to perserve the integrity of the remaining fabric for future projects.

 Once the tag is removed, this is what you see!

I love working with acetate windows.  It is possible to create so many interesting visuals. 
"Valor" is on the outside of the acetate.  Notice how much darker Courage appears.  Cool!

I cut the American Eagle from the same cloth as the words Valor and Honor.

I glued the Star Spangled Material to the back of the pocket card and then glued the

Eagle Material on top of it.  I used a very thin layer of Fabric Fusion

I think it is just amazing that these four different fabrics were so complementary to each other.

I am so happy that I was able to make this awesome project because of the kindness of a fellow crafter.

One day, maybe I will showcase some of Gloria's extraordinary embroidery projects!

I should have the step by step tutorial up for this later in the week!

Thanks for Stopping By!

Hugz,

Chana

Entering These Challenges:

Cards For Men - Boys will Be Boys

365 Cards - Sketch

Craftin Desert Diva's - Red White and Blue
Created With Love - Anything Goes
Creative Creations Challenge - For You Dad/Masculine
Kaboodle Doodles Challenge - For Your Favorite Guy

Make It Monday - Always Anything Goes
Platypus Creek Digitals - For The Boys
Tammy's Scrapin' Corner - Anything Goes Manly/Father's Day
Brown Sugar Challenge - Fabric or Felt

Friends and Flowers

The Linen Look
from a Tutorial by Tammy Tutterow

Hello, Crafty Peeples!

The tag I am posting today was not created for any particular challenge.  A few months ago, I stepped down from five design teams so I could free up time to spend with my husband and also so I could spend more time learning new card making and other paper crafting techniques.

I used to describe myself as a "slow designer" but now I consider myself a "deliberate" designer.  I have in the past, and on my three current design teams, worked with ladies who were/are capable of creating mini masterpieces in five minutes.  I don't even wish I could do that.  For me, the true fun of my hobby is the creative process itself.  I don't want to finish a card in five minutes, I want to linger over it, have an opportunity to run across that "perfect" embellishment that will make this little creation spring to life.  Now, with only 3 DT projects to produce on alternating weeks, I have time to explore YouTube, take classes, and take my time.  None of this makes me a better designer.  But it does allow me to return to the pure enjoyment of relaxing and making cards.

 Today, I am posting a tag that was the result of my efforts to learn a new technique.  The goal was to make my tag background look like "linen".  This post will chronicle my "failed attempt". 
 I really like the tag I eventually created.

I didn't realize that my Ranger Picket Fence Distress Paint was almost empty and because of that, my paint layers were too thin to make the lines appear as distinct as they should. But I think you can see the linen pattern in the area around the large butterfly.  The linen effect is achieved by putting down a layer of Picket Fence Distress Paint and while it is still wet drawing vertical lines the lenght of the tag with your craft scratcher.  Dry the layer with your heat tool and then repeat the process only this time the lines are drawn horizontally.  I did four layers (two each vertical and horizontal).

Unfortunately, I do not own a lot of background stamps, so the image I stamped was a large Flourish.  You can see a bit of it above the butterfly wings.  The image is stamped with embossing ink and then heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  Next you apply the Distress Paint (you cannot use Distress Stains for this) and dry with your heat tool.  Once it is dry, you place the tag inside a folded piece of newsprint or kraft wrapping paper and iron it.  This will remove the embossing powder.

The trick to ironing off the embossing powder is to remove the paper while the embossing powder is still hot.  If you are not quick enough, the paper will stick to your design.  If that happens, you can simply iron it again.  I rather liked the look of the few patches of paper that stuck to my tag, so I left them and dabbed this with a little Ranger "Vintage Photo" Distress Ink.  I really liked the one large patch at the bottom of the tag.  There is a smaller patch above the large butterfly's right wing that I stained with a bit of Ranger "Antique Linen" Distress Ink.

Here is the link to Tammy Tutterow's Tutorial.  As you will see, if you use a stamp with a bold design, your linen look tag will be more dramatic.  Tammy creates the most amazing tags.  She also teaches fabulous techniques so if you have not signed up for her e-mails, you should.

Tammy tried to comment on my project, but the comment did not go through.  Here is her comment.  I feel better about the tag now and how it turned out!

Tammy Tutterow commented on Tuesday Tutorial: Distress Paint Linen Texture.

in response to Chana Malkah:

Thank you so much for giving it a try! I tried leaving a comment, but I am not sure if it went through. I think your tag turned out stunning! I really loved the distressed effects around the edges. Beautiful!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Hugz,

Chana

Materials used:

Dies:  Spellbinders' Parisian Motifs

inks/Paints:  Ranger Distress Paints: Picket Fence, Faded Jeans; Ranger Distress Inks: Vintage Photo, Antique Linen

Other embellishments:  K and Company Grand Adhesions: Small Butterfly;  Prima: Flowers, wooden banner and larger butterfly.  Pearls: Want2Scrap;   Cheese Cloth from stash.

Challenges Entered:
Aud Sentiments Challenge - Anything Goes (must have a sentiment)
4 Crafty Chicks - Flowers
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Anything But A Card
Crafts and Me Challenge - Shabby Chic
The Paper Shelter - Flower Power
Whimsical Designs - Vintage

Crafter's Cafe Blog Challenge

FIRST KISS


Hello, Crafty Peeples!

Father's Day is closing in on us and over at CCCB we would like for you to create a card, tag, ATC, scrap page or altered object for that special man in your life.  I have been working on a rub-ons resist technique that I learned over at Tim Holtz' blog, so I decided to do this tag to to tie on my husband's father's day gift.  My grandson called it "pretty, but girly".  I think my husband will understand.

Digi Image: "First Kiss" by Limited Runs Stamps

Butterfly by Prima

Rubber Stamp by LaBlanc

I really love the look of this technique using rub-ons.  Notice how my stamped image seems to float beneath the sentiments, even though the rub-on were applied to the tag first, before the distress inks and stamped images.  Cool, huh? 

 I have fallen all the way in love with Ranger's Distress Inks and Paints.  Joann's has them on sale today for $2.99 which is a $2.00 savings and I  purchased all the colors that were available on line.   The colors I ordered will hold me over until the next sale and then I will get the rest.  

Another item you will want to have, particularly if you plan to do Vintage or  really Funky Steam Punk cards and tags, is Rub and Buff Wax Metallic Finishes.  You can find the sampler kits on Amazon and Overstock.com.  They tend to have better prices than art supply stores.

Thanks for stopping by!
Hugz
Chana Malkah

Oriental Allure

MAKE A TAG OR LABEL

Hello, Crafty Peeples!

I guess I am just in a tag making mode!  I have another one coming Wednesday for my Crafter's Cafe Challenge DT project.  Anymahoo,  here is another one of my "having fun playing with my Tim Holtz and Graphic 45 Stuff projects.  This one was for the Saturday, Paper Ala Mode Challenge at The Outlawz!

I could have kicked myself when I realized I had not ordered the 3rd stamp set that goes with the Graphic 45 Birdsong Collection (I corrected that error today when I stumbled across the set in the clearance section at Scrapadabadoo.  I really wanted to leave the flower off the design, but to cut the dress out of the dp sheet, the edge of the train ends up being square.  When I tried to round it off, it looked funky, so I decided the flower(actually made for another project) was less funky and the colors just happen to agree.

Adding the Design Paper to the back of the tag is a good way to cover the brad legs, as well as the bleeds from the inks, paints and stains.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz,

Chana

Challenges Entered:

The Outlawz Paper Ala Mode Challenge - Tags or Labels
It's All About The Vintage - Oriental

The Outlawz Monday Greetings Challenge

SHOW US YOUR SILVER AND GOLD - Create a Project for A Couple

 (Wedding or Anniversary)

The Outlawz Greetings Challenge

Hello, Crafty Peeples!  

My fingers are blue/green because I have been playing with my Ranger Paints, Stains, and Inks.  I love mixing the three together and creating fun backgrounds for my projects.  This week's challenges

provided a wonderful opportunity to get "inky".  

To create this background, I used a #8 Manila Tag. I swiped the tag with the following stains:

Spiced Marmalade, Pickett Fence (Paint), Faded Jeans, Black Soot, Tea Dye (just a spot), and Squeezed Lemonade.  I usually experiment with with adding color, spritzing and blotting until I get the undercoat I want;  then I apply my final swipes. The tag tends to get saturated, so I use my heat tool in between putting down layers (of stains) and spritzing.  A terry towel works great for blotting excess water. I use a solid design paper or kraft paper for the back of the tag to cover any paint seepage.

Once the tag was throughly dried, I spritzed it with a mist made using Ranger's "Perfect Pearls - Gold".  The edges are inked with Ranger "Black Soot".  The glimmer mist is difficult to see the in the photo, but it is very pretty IRL.  Remember, if you want your colors to be "vibrant/hard", allow your tag to air dry.  If you want the colors to "soften", use your heat tool.  Adding a sealant will also soften the colors but, be careful because, the Ranger inks and stains are reactive with water and you may get some fading and spillover of colors.  This usually adds interest to the project rather than distracting from it.

~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~

The Papers are from G45's "Place In Time Collection "June Cut-Aparts"

The "Heart" Charms are from my stash and that wonderful "Butterfly" Charm was a gift from Scrapadabadoo for a purchase I made from their store.  I loved it so much I e-mailed them to purchase a package.  I was so disappointed to learn that they don't sell them.  I have looked everywhere for these.  If any of you know where I can find them.  Please e-mail me at cmalkah@hotmail.com.  The sentiment is from the  INKADINKADO "Patterned Love" Clear Stamp Set.

Hugz,  Chana

Challenges Entered:
The Outlawz -Saturday Paper Ala Mode Challenge - Tags and Labels
Card Mania - Shabby Chic
Created With Love Challenge - Anything Goes
Eureka Stamps Challenge #42 - Wedding
Make It Monday - Always Anything Goes
Whoopsi Daisy Challenge - Shabby Chick or Vintage
Crafting For All Seasons - Weddings

AMAZING GRACE - A HYMN OF OUTSTANDING FAITH

Hello, Crafty Peeples,

Today is my daughter's birthday and I decided that I would not create for her the very traditional card, but rather one that uses one of our favorite hymns.  I love the story behind the writing of this song, and if any of you saw the movie, then you know about the awesome move of G-d that took place in this man's life.


This week at 613 Avenue Create, we want you to "Create Your Own Challenge" using this chart.

You must use items from each column (i.e.,  3 items from column 1, 1 or 2 items from columns 2-5).

 To create my project, I used "IMAGE, PATTERNED PAPER AND SOLID PAPER" from C-1.
C-2, I used  SKETCH and DIE CUT, C-3 I used STICKLES, C-4, CLOTHES PINS, and from C-5, I used RIBBON AND LACE.

The die cut panel was perfect to hold the sentiment.  I thought it was a nice design point of interest to simply change the orientation.  It was also the perfect size for the "Amazing Grace Stamp" by Our Daily Bread Designs.  

 Note: It is very important to trace around the die and then cut around the tracing and keep them even.  I was a little off, but my daughter actually likes little imperfections in her cards.  She thinks it makes them more personal.  Nice thought, but I think I should get it perfect.

 

All of the papers and embellishments (except the LACE AND RIBBON) are from the  Prima "Lyric Collection".   The Lace is by Prima (I think) and the ribbon is from my stash of crinkled ribbon.

Hint:  It is always easier to crinkle large sections of ribbon at one time.  I know the colors I use most often, so I use distress inks and glimmer mists to create my color combos.  I store them in plastic sandwich bags.  I keep all cut away pieces because they can make small bows, like the one on this project.

The tutorial for this gatefold card can be found at BECCY'S PLACE TECHNIQUE CHALLENGE

This design was chosen in the Top Five at All Sorts Challenges

Thanks, so very much!

Entered in the following Challenges:

All Sorts - Here Come The Girls - Any project for  any lovely lady in your life.  *****
Tammy's Scrapin Corner - Vintage
Hiding in My Craft Room -HIMCR#100B-Die Cuts (site has multiple challenges)
Our Creative Corner - Recipe Challenge (I used Lace, wood, inks, ribbon)
Paper Creator's Crafts - Anything Goes
The Hobby House Challenge - Anything Goes
Scribbles Designs Challenge - Celebrate Mom or A Special Woman with Flowers!
The Cupboard Trilogy - Birthdays