A Ghost of Christmas Past

Hello, Crafty Makers!

Christmas is not a holiday that I celebrate and, in the past, I would not create projects with Christmas related themes.  This year, I decided that I would send Christmas cards to my friends who do celebrate this holiday.  Sadly, half of the cards had been mailed before I decided to create this blog post!

Cards for the Ghost of Christmas Present
Because of my limited supply of Christmas dies and stamps, I had to keep my designs simple.  I was able to create cards quickly and reduce my stash!

The tree was cut from kraft card (I cut three and glued them together to add dimension).  I applied glue using a glue stick and then sprinkled it with glitter.

Happy Holidays!

Materials Used: 

Watercolor Paper - cut to 5-0" x 3-3/4" (cut as many panels as needed)

Kraft cardstock

Gold cardstock

Silver cardstock

3-Watercolor Brush Pens

3-Small containers

Re-inkers: Any re-inker will do.  I used:  

   (Iced Spruce, Stormy Sky, and Faded Jeans)

Gold Shimmer Ink

Shimmer mist or brush (I used Wink of Stella-Clear)

Dies: Poppy (small Deer), Memory Box (X-mas Tree), Unbranded Dies (sentiments, snowflakes, and large Deer), Tim Holtz Thinlits Seasons Greetings

Shopping Our Stash Weekly Challenge - Use The Smooshing Technique

Hello, Crafty Makers!

This SOS Challenge features one of my favorite techniques: Smooshing!  
Of course, I had to create two cards for this challenge!

Smooshing is a  fun way to create a "faux" watercolor look especially for non-painters like me. The technique works with all ink types.

I admire the work of Tammy Tutterow and was so happy when she joined Spellbinders® Stamp Designers.  This is my favorite, I think!

Stash Items Used:

Bazzill Basics - Hummingbird

Neenah - Natural White

Tim Holtz™ - Water Color Paper

Tammy Tutterow™ (for Spellbinders®) Be Sunny

Ranger Distress Inks: Carved Pumpkin, Squeezed Lemonade, Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Scattered Straw, and Vintage Photo

Glossy Accents (just a drop)

Water

I laminated a piece of cardstock and used that as a proof sheet for mixing my colors.   I applied the ink directly to my acetate sheet, spritzed it with water and then "smooshed" it on the cardstock.

 ~~~~~~

 Smoosh, Splatter, Swipe and Emboss

Two years ago, I was a Guest Designer for ClearSnap®.  One of their partners at the time was Hot Off The Press™ and they sent this fabulous "Feathers" stamp set to all the designers.  I have provided the link to Paper Wishes which is the site for HOTP retail customers.

Stash Items Used:

Bazzill Basic - Wild Pansey

PaperTrey - White Cardstock

Paper Wishes™ "Feathers" Stamps w/Sentiments

Tim Holtz Rub On - Elements

ColorBox® - White Embossing Powder

 Distress Inks:  Milled Lavender, Scattered Straw, Dried Marigold, Cracked Pistachio!

Water

For this card front, I applied the ink to my laminated sheet, spritzed with water and then applied the diluted ink to the card front.  I wanted more control and I wanted to do more splashing, wiping and splattering than smooshing.  Some designers like to have a plan before they smoosh.  I just freestyle!

(CLICK SMOOSHING TO SEE TUTORIAL)

Happy Making!

HUGZ,

Chana Malkah

Shopping Our Stash Weekly Challenge: Welcome Home - Peaches and Cream

Hello, Crafty Makers!

This week's theme at Shopping Our Stash challenges us to make a project that represents where we live or where we come from.  I was born in Pennsylvania, lived for nine years in Florida, and now call Georgia home.  I decided to go with Georgia because I have been in the Metro-Atlanta area since 1970. 

 It should be no surprise that I decided to embrace 

"The Georgia Peach and Cream"

I used one of my off-brand $2.99 dies to create this "Peaches and Cream" gatefold card.  I don't mind waiting for these dies to ship from China because the shipping is free and three dollars beats thirteen to fifteen dollars every time.  Actually, this set came with two dies this floral and a vintage lamp post die.

The vellum is such an elegant touch and I like the graphic tension that is created by using the rustic twine against the elegance of the rhinestone-bedecked floral and vellum gatefolds.   The Georgia Peach sentiment strip also brings another rustic element to the design. I think the project embodies the spirit of Metropolitan Atlanta a great mix of both rustic and elegant living!

I created my own peaches using a Ranger Blending Tool

 I simply could not represent Georgia without including a little "Pine Green" since we are also known for our Pine Trees.  I looked through my stash but did not have a single stamp or die of Dogwoods or of our fabulous Azaleas!

"The Official Georgia Peach"

These fun gatefold cards are easy to make and there is plenty of room to write long notes!

 Hello, from Decatur, Georgia!  We just love all y'all!

HUGZ!

Chana Malkah

Welcome Warm Greetings

Hello, Crafty Makers!

The Hubster and I have been holding our breaths for the past few months hoping that the house next door would be sold and not rented.  Prayers answered and a very nice family is moving in.  Hubster and the neighbor have already bonded over lawn mowers and leaf blowers.  My kind of neighbors, indeed.  I decided to create a quick card to welcome them to the community.

Welcome!

 Here's the Key To The Community

I have had this Memory box® die around six years or so but have only used it once or twice.  It is one of those things you get for a DT project and then forget about.  But along with my goal of learning new techniques, I am also trying to use stamps, dies, and embossing folders in new ways.  I scored the lines on this panel because I had already stamped and cut my panel but it still needed something.  I had one little boo b00 but I hope they will over look that!

I tried reducing the light hoping that the shadowing behind the leaves would show better.  I wanted to use the negative die so that the gold layer would be the color of the leaves.  But I also wanted to add more visual interest so I die cut a piece of black craft foam slightly smaller than my main panel and offset it just a bit. Not only did this create the shadow effect it also added dimension.   I added green and clear rhinestones to each leaf and scattered a few outside the main image.  I am working on making more effective use of the graphic design grid so on this card everything is left aligned.  It still feels weird but I guess I will get used to it!

I kept the inside simple and just wrote a short note welcoming them to the neighborhood and providing the contact information for our block captain.

Card Size:  4-1/4" x 5-1/2"

Materials and Supplies:

Memory Box "Lorelai Leaf" Steel Die

Sizzix Framelits™ w/Stamps "Warm Holiday Greetings"

Want 2 Scrap - Baby Bling Rhinestones: "Silver"

Kaiser - Rhinestones: "Split Pea"

Want 2 Scrap - Charm "Key to My Heart"

Bazzill Papers

Gold Card Stock

Black Craft Foam

Scor-Tape

Glitter Glue

Tools:

Die Cutting Machine

Stamp Platform or Acrylic Block

Scoreboard or Embossing Folder

Shopping Our Stash Weekly Challenge: Upcycle - My Little Inks In Use Box

Hello, Crafty Makers!

The current challenge at Shopping Our Stash is "Upcycle!"

Donna is this week's host and she is challenging us to:

  Use a non-crafty thing somewhere on your project( i.e., shiny washers you picked up off the ground, or a paperclip...or whatever).

For my make, I decided to take the "whatever" route.  The truth is that my old "In Use Box"  had become really grungy!  I use these little boxes to hold inks, water brushes, markers, that I am using a project in progress.  The content is driven by the design.  The top three drawers of my work table hold things that I need at hand for all projects (adhesives, baby wipes, rulers, etc.).  

Humble Beginnings

Empty readers.com box

How This Was Done:
I painted the corners of the box with black chalk ink.  I only needed to paint in 1/2".  I did the same on the flaps and inside of the box.  I also applied black ink on the interior corners.

Measured and cut yellow cardstock for the interior lining.  I adhered the cardstock using both Scor-tape and Glitter Glue (placing a wet glue on top of the Scor-tape allows me to move thing around a little).

Measured and cut printed scrapbook papers for the flaps and exterior of the box.  Because I wanted a cuff on the box, I cut the paper for the flaps to the size of the flap but adhered it 1/" below the flap top.

Added metal handles and black elastic cord.

                                                       Help Save The Environment

Once a month, I receive my infusion meds and my injectable meds.  These shipments come from two different pharmacies but usually arrive within a couple of days of each other and each is packed in frozen gel packs and wrapped with bubble wrap or silver thermal paper.  Hubster and I spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to recycle all that stuff.  We finally found a place that would accept the gel packs and the bubble wrap.  

Recently, one pharmacy switched packaging that allows them to use fewer frozen gel packs.  It is soft, firm fibrous material and I have found all kinds of uses for it. On this project,  rather than glue a sheet of printed paper to the bottom of my box, I used this material and just placed the paper on top.  The material is about 3/4" thick and quite absorbent.  Now, when my paper gets grungy, I can easily replace it.

Another great advantage to the removable bottom is that it allowed me to cover the interior (yellow) cardstock or to paint over it.  This will help keep the box looking pristine a long time.

Stash Items: Scrapbook Paper, Yellow Cardstock, Metal Handles.

Materials:
Small Cardboard Box
Recollections Printed Scrapbook Paper
Elastic Cord
Metal Drawer Handles

Supplies:
Scor-Tape
Glitter Glue


HUGZ!
CHANA MALKAH

Stamping with Mica Powders- Perfect Pearls - "L is For Leaf"- Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers

Hello, Crafty Makers!

This is my second make for the current challenge over at

"Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers"

  The note card base and the top panel of this project were cut from the same 12"x12" paper.  The top panel was covered with VersaMark embossing ink and then covered with perfect pearls.  I used a small makeup brush to spread the mica evenly.  I arranged my stamps on my Tim Holtz Stamp Platform and applied VersaMark embossing ink.  I stamped the image, applied more ink, and then stamped again.

The embossing ink lifts away the mica powder and leaves a beautiful impression and your background has that fabulous sheen. I thought the textured paper added additional visual interest and helped ground my embellishments!

Click HERE to watch Jennifer McGuire's Tutorial for this technique.

HUGZ!

Chana Malkah

Challenges Entered :

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers

Play Along with The Sisterhood!

Sisterhood of The Snarky Stampers - Weekly Challenge - "L" is for Leaves

Hello, Crafty Makers!

My goal this year is to learn a lot of new techniques and to use old supplies, tools, and materials I have been hoarding since the 1980's that I've never used.

This is the first of two cards I created for the "Leaf" challenge over at the Sisterhood of The Snarky Stampers.  I was looking for inspiration to use my Perfect Pearl mica powders that I haven't touched for years and surprise, surprise, Jennifer McGuire posted a new video this week on that very subject.

This card was actually created using the residual VersaMark ink on the image after the main stamping has been done.  My VersaMark pad needs replacing and I think a fresh pad would have left behind more ink and given a better image.   I also used textured paper and that may have had an impact.  All in all, I am pleased with the results.

Here is a better shot of the gold mica stamping as well as the background stamp.  I colored some elements of the background stamp using my Arteza Brush Markers.  I am not an artist so I don't try to do fancy shading, etc.  I just add little bits of color and keep it moving.  

HUGZ!

CHANA MALKAH

Visit SOSS and play along with them!

What a wonderful stash clearing exercise using the following stuff:

Materials:

Cardstock:  Neenah "Solar White", Bazzill Basics Lavender, Gold CS

Perfect Pearls: Sunshine Sparkle

Arteza Brush Markers

Heartfelt Creations: Bella Rose Vintage Background Stamp

Gold Ribbon (stash, have no idea but I think it was in Michael's sale bin)

Want 2 Scrap Baby Bling Rhinestones

Finish Spray (I used Aleene's Matte Finish) this is optional, you could use water.

White Craft Foam or Foam Tape.  I used Craft Foam.

Tools:

Soft makeup brush (works just as well as the Tim Holtz brush)

Trimmer

Strong Adhesive

Project Sizes:

Base: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2", Gold Panel: 4.0" x 5-1/4", Stamped Panel: 3-3/4" x 5.0"

Challenges Entered:

Sisterhood of The Snarky Stampers - L  is for Leaves

Shopping Our Stash Weekly Challenge - Crazy For Coloring - Use Markers, Pencils, Gelatos, etc.

Hi, there, Crafty Makers!

We have another fun challenge for you this week at Shopping Our Stash.  This is the week to explore your stash and make use of all the coloring tools you have not used in a while or ever!  For me, that meant: Use Those Gelatos!!

This project is really a fusion of Gelatos and Arteza Brush Markers.

I own only four Gelatos which rather limited my color choices.  The background and border were painted using Gelatos.  The flowers were painted using both gelatos and Brush Markers.

I wanted to create an abstract feel for this design so I stamped my image with black ink and then moved my card panel just a smidgen (I used my Tim Holtz Stamping Tool) and stamped a second time with VersaMark. The image was heat embossed with white embossing powder.  The painted  border serves as a "faux" layer.

It is difficult to see here but in real life, this card has a wonderful shimmer.  When all the painting was complete, I spritzed the panel with a sparkle shimmer mist then used my heating tool to speed up the drying process.  I used Distress Ink to stamp the butterflies. 

Stash Items:

Everything used for this project has been in my stash for over four years.

Materials Used:

Cardstock: Neenah Solar White, Papertrey Vellum

Faber Castell Gelatos: Blood Orange, Banana, Aqua (I think!!) Here is the Amazon Link 

Arteza Brush Markers

Distress Inks: Peacock Feathers, Candied Apple, Wilted Violet

Inks: VersaMark and Momento Tuxedo Black

Embossing Powder

Scor-Tape and Art Glitter Glue.

Tsukineko Sheer Shimmer Spritz: Sparkle

Crafting Tools Used:

Tim Holtz Stamping Tool

Heat Tool

Rotary Cutter

Autumn Greetings - Joseph's Coat #2

Hello, Crafty Makers

I am still messing around with the Joseph's Coat technique.  I created another card and I think I am going to enter it into the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge.

I am going to try these same colors using Oxide Distress Inks™.  The regular Distress Inks™ do not blend as well.  Still, I like the results but really should have distributed the colors more evenly.  I love this technique and will continue playing with it!  If you have never tried it, there is no time like the present!

HUGZ!

Chana Malkah

Tools:

Paper Trimmer

Die Cutter

Heat Tool

Materials:

Stamps (I used an old set of Martha Stewart Stamps)

Cardstock for Base

Glossy Cardstock for Panel

Distress Inks™/Oxide Distress Inks™

VersaMark (or another embossing ink)

White Embossing Powder

Distress Inks I used:  Mowed Lawn, Candied Apple, Scattered Straw, and Gathered Twigs

Simon Says Stamps Monday Challenge: Fall/Autumn

Hello, Crafty Makers!

I have spent the past two weeks or so working on an old technique called "Joseph's Coat."   I have done several iterations (some far more successful than others) and this Autumn themed card is my favorite thus far.  This was created for the Simon Says Stamps Monday Challenge.

"Nature's First Green"

It is always fun to discover techniques both old and new and add them to your skill toolbox.  While some may have really elevated reasons for trying techniques, I normally don't.  For example, I was looking for projects that would allow me to make use of the five reams of glossy cardstock I have been holding on to since the year 2000.  I think eighteen years is long enough.  This technique was the perfect solution. For those of us who are blending challenged, it is good practice in blending and working with both types of Distress Inks®. 

There are a ton of colors in my "forest" background.  In my first attempt, I used Distress Oxides™ but that panel did not turn out right.  On this panel, I used regular Distress Inks™.  The Oxides work fine, but they didn't create the kind of depth I wanted.  I used Teresa Collins for ColorBox® "Gold Shine" to color my "Hello" die.  To get the best effect, I cut several of the sentiment (kraft paper), glued them together, and then pressed them down into the ink pad.  

Challenge Link:  Simon Says Stamps Monday Challenge

Other Challenges Entered:

Crafty Sentiments Designs - Anything Goes

Through The Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Supplies:

Cardstock:

Dark Chocolate, Antique Gold, Glossy, Vellum, Kraft 

Stamps:

American Crafts "Autumn Leaves" Collection, Hero Arts "Hello" Stamp and Cut.

Distress Inks:

Wilted Violet, Vintage Photo, Mowed Lawn, Twisted Citron, Scattered Straw!

Other Inks: 

VersaMark Embossing Ink

Teresa Collins/ColorBox "Gold Shine" (Pigment Ink)

Miscellaneous:

Clear Embossing Powder

Tools:

Trimmer

Die Cutting Machine

Anti-Static Pouch

Sponges/daubers

Adhesive

Bone Folder

Note:  Chunky stamps work best for this technique but you can get fabulous results with line art stamps as well.  The key, I found, lies in choosing the right ink colors and not over blending.  

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz! 

Chana Malkah

Shopping Our Stash Weekly Challenge - Quit Buggin' Me!

Hello, Crafty Makers!

This week at Shopping Our Stash, the challenge is to use an insect somewhere on your card.   I don't do "cutesy" or "critter" cards, so there wasn't much in my stash that could be used in this challenge.

"The Butterfly Effect"

Every maker has at least one butterfly stamp, die, or embossing folder in their stash.  I decided to approach this challenge as an opportunity to continue practicing the technique of using Distress Inks to create watercolored backgrounds.  I also wanted to work more with pastel ink colors and heat embossing.

Stash Items:

  Everything used is over 5 years old.

Materials Used:

Neenah Cardstock: Solar White and Ebony

Vellum: Papertrey Vellum Cardstock

Distress Inks: Carved Pumpkin, Picked Raspberry, Mustard Seed, Peacock Feathers, Twisted Citron

Embossing Powder: WOW Bright White Extra Fine

Embossing Ink: VersaMark Watermark Stamp Pad

I followed this tutorial by Kelly Latevola

Happy Making!

HUGZ,

Chana Malkah

Shopping Our Stash Weekly Challege - Hot, Hot, Hot! - Stamp/Embossing on Vellum

Hello, Happy Makers!

The SOS challenge this week is full of fun!  Just make it hot, which means it could be spicy foods or weather-related.  You can use the word HOT if you so desire.  Be creative.  We can't wait to see!

~~~~~~~

  I used a Jennifer McGuire tutorial for this project.

The background was created using a stencil stamped with a pink solvent ink.  The ink was partially heat set and air dried. After the ink dried, I repositioned the stencil and applied VersaMark and then embossed with an opalescent embossing powder.  

 This view shows the beautiful colors in the background using the Opalescent Clear embossing powder.

It is difficult to photograph glitter but you can kinda-sorta see the pretty result achieved by applying Wink of Stella™ to the little puddles and foliage.

Materials used:
Hero Arts® Color Layering Flamingo
Hero Arts® Frame Cuts® Flamingo Die
ColorBox® Art Screens "Rooftop" Stencil
ColorBox® Opalescent Clear Embossing Powder
Inkadinkado Washable Ink - Hot Pink
Papertrey Ink LinenVellum Cardstock

Note: Use whatever supplies you have on hand.  With the exception of the die frame and stamps, I have had  the other materials for over ten years.   I was surprised the ink pads were still viable.

So glad you stopped by!  

Happy Making!

CHANA!