Fantasy Silhouette - Best Friends Forever

 Hello, Crafty Mates!

I had tons of fun following the Lavinia Stamps tutorial for this card!

I love Tracey's videos.  I don't have all the stamps and inks she uses, but I find I still get a decent result simply using what I have on hand!

Best Friends Forever

I don't own the Fox stamp that Tracey used in her tutorial, so I substituted the Hare.  I also added the little mouse because I am sending this card to a friend.  As a matter of fact, the only stamp I had that came close to Tracey's was the mushroom stamp.  

I kept the inside plain and simple!

I want to try as many of the tutorials as I can so that I become familiar with the different techniques used to highlight these stamps.  After that, I will venture into "from scratch" creations.  I really own so many of these stamps and I did purchase a couple today.  I thought they were cute and would complete my collection.  

Thanks for stopping By!

Chana Malkah

Stuff I Used:

Inks:

Distress Oxides: Stormy Sky, Chipped Sapphire, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Memento Inks:     Tuxedo Black, London Fog

Stencils:  Lotza Starz - AALL 7 CREATE #126

Stamps:

Lupin_Lavinia Stamps

StarStruck - Card-io Stamps

Arched Nesting Dies

Slender Mushrooms - Lavinia Stamps

Believe - Sprites

 Hello, Crafty Makers!

I only have a lot of silhouette fairy stamps that I rarely use!   I decided to follow some of the tutorials by Tracey over at Lavinia Stamps.  This is my take on one of her tutorials!

You can find Tracey's original "Elk" project here.

The new year will start in a few days.  I am committed to returning to a "No Spend" budget for my crafting.  I used the products I had on hand.  I used Distress Oxide Inks instead of the Pigment Inks she used. 

I created masks for the moon and hills, using the 12"x 12" Mylar Sheets I had in my stash.  I created some hills freehand; I used my old Sizzix Border Dies and my decorative scissors to create others.

I enjoyed this tutorial.  If you are looking for inspiration, the Lavina YouTube channel is a great place to visit!

Thanks for Stopping By!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

Stuff I Used:

Papers

Feitake Alcohol Marker Paper

Peacock Feathers Distress Oxide Ink

Spiced Marmalade

Squeezed Lemonade

Picked Raspberry

Fossilized Amber

Black Soot

Tools

Mini Blending Brushes

Season of Cheer -Slimline Card

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

I hope everyone had a joyful and peaceful Christmas.

I am working on gifts for my Rheumatologist and a few other medical service providers who do a wonderful job of caring for my special needs!  They are the best!

I used my "Country Sleigh" stamp because it has become one of my favorites!

Season of Cheer

The card is oversized, but I plan to place it in the gift bag, so it won't make much difference if the envelope doesn't close completely.  I am not good with slimline cards; too much real estate,  but I like this image so much I wanted to use it on a landscape card. 

I reviewed a very nice pack of super smooth alcohol marker paper for Amazon.  I really like it.  I have shied away from purchasing the more expensive popular brands because I found them to be too much of an investment for everyday craft projects.  Since this was a promotional item and free to me, I gave it a try!  I am hooked.  It is not as expensive, and the results are amazing.

The package comes with 60 sheets, and since I will only use it for toppers and not as a base for my cards, this box should last a long time.  The paper accepts ink beautifully and has a satiny finish.

I blurred out the background to show the stickles on my sleigh and the bridle.    I thought that fairies lighting the path would be far more interesting than trees and mountains off in the distance!

In real life, the red mirror paper adds a touch of grace and eloquence to the card.  As usual, my photography is seriously lacking.

Feitake Alcohol Marker Paper

  Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

Stuff I Used:

Country Sleigh Stamp

Elf Stamp

CHRISTMAS AT THE MOUSE HOUSE! NO PEEKING!

 Hello, Crafty Cardies!

Lately, I have become obsessed with creature stamps and dies!  I don't know why because I have never been much of a "whimsical" card creator.  In the end, that is why this hobby is so much fun and so engrossing.  You never know where your next impulse purchase will take you!

Peeking Into The Mouse Hole!

The images and my Arch Die are new acquisitions.  

I really need to stop getting Temu emails!  I can't resist those $1.28 stamps and $2.98 dies.   January 1, 2024, I go back to my craft spending diet.  I did well, for 10 months in 2023. I hope to repeat that in 2024.  

I get a lot of nice promotional products from Amazon, so that has greatly reduced my spending.  My husband was shocked that I actually passed on a new electronic cutting machine.  I simply had no room for it!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

Stuff I Used:

No Peeking Stamp & Die

Tim Holtz Wall Stencil

A Place to Start: Something New: Sending Warmth Your Way

 Hello, Crafty Mates!

Here is another card using the "New" theme at A Place to Start!

This Christmas card (created for my sister-in-law) was supposed to be a 5"x 5"  card with a sentiment stamped in the center of the snowflake die cut. But as soon as I cut the die shape, I knew that I wanted to create a slimline card with an image at the bottom.

Merry & Bright Slimline Card

I wanted to add trees in the distance but I made that decision too late in the process and there was no way to mask and get the proper perspective...next time!  Both the stamp and the die cut are new purchases.  Although I do not celebrate Christmas, each year I purchase a few new stamps and dies so that I can always give my S-I-L new looks on her cards. 

I love this image because it requires very little coloring but tells a wonderful story!  I used splatter from my Posca Pen to create the snowfall!

I used Squeezed Lemonade Distress Oxide Ink to lightly add color to the snowflake die cut. My creative intention was to have the moonlight radiating through the snowflakes.  I added a few flatback crystals as stars.  I thought the Christmas script stamp would add more interest to the project than a landscape scene.

I am working on a smaller version of this card; one that is more in line with my original idea.  I am super pleased with the outcome of this card, but because of the size of the image, the card is slightly wider than a regular business envelope.

Thanks For Stopping By!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

Stuff I Used:

https://www.temu.com/goods.html?_

December 2023 - A Place to Start: ATG w/Optional Twist: NEW

 Hello, Creators!

Over at A Place to Start, we want to see your "NEW" creations.

Anything "NEW" qualifies.  New stamps, new dies, new inks.  

New baby? New house? New techniques?  

We want to see them!!!

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Merry Christmas

The "bubbles" and  Merry dies are both new acquisitions. The bubble die reminded me of a wreath and I decided to use it as one in this design!  The mirror paper that I used is also new.  I tried to photograph the project so that the beauty of the mirror paper and flat-back pearls would be highlighted.  A photographer I am not!

I took this shot using lower lighting!  This really is a festive card and the colors of the mirror paper are awesome.

Pines

This card was created using a new 3D embossing folder and my new Ohuhu Marker Pens!

I wanted to create snowing Pines without using white ink or glitter paste.  I wanted to create the impression of a top layer of snow and an underlayer of Pine.   

I used Distress Inks to color the debossed side of my EF.  I started with Hickory Smoke, followed by Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, and finally Rustic Wilderness.  After each paint layer was applied, the EF was run through my Big Shot!

I also applied a light layer of Glitter Glue on the Pine branches, but that is difficult to see in this shot.

Here is a picture taken in yellow light...

In real life the card just sparkles!  I mounted the face layer onto a piece of mirror card!

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Video Tutorial

 

 💜Design Team Call!💜

A Place to Start is looking for a few new designers!

If you are interested, email me at cmalkah613@gmail.com.

Make the subject line:  APS Design Team

Include a link to your blog!

New cardmakers are encouraged to apply!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

Wishes - Using Up My Glitter Stash

 

Hello, Crafty Makers!

I am now going through my "circle" phase.  For some odd reason, I only want to make cards that include some type of circle.  When I have time, I scour the internet looking for circle card ideas.  Now, I have so many ideas "circling" around in my head that I don't know where to start!   I did throw in a hexagon, but I like the circle better!

This picture does not really do the card justice.   I found this neat design on YouTube.  The designer used Mirror card in her design, but since I didn't have Mirror card, I decided to use Glitter cardstock!  The results on the circle card were much better than on the hexagonal.

I left too much space between my strips on this card so the effect is not as pretty but the card is still nice.  The recipient was pleased and ordered more cards in both styles!  I will tighten the spaces on the new order.

I did order the mirror card, so I will include both materials in the new order for this client!

Thanks for Stopping By!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah!

Big Love - Happy Birthday

 Hello, Crafty Mates

This has been an intriguing week!  We celebrated my eldest grandson's 19th birthday which was joyful and humbling.  And today, our family also had to band together as the decision had to be made to take my niece off life support. 

I was reminded of the prayer from the Common Book of Prayer (1559) "In the midst of life we are in death: of whom may we seek for succour, but of thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased?"

Cherish every moment!  Celebrate every milestone!

BIG LOVE BIRTHDAY CARD

My new stitched circle frame die was delivered just in time!  I wanted to make a different card for my grandson.  When he was a toddler, orange was his favorite color.  He used to drive us all crazy because not many things for little boys use orange.  As he got older, his color choices changed, but I thought this would be a great throwback to the "good old days" of orange hats, shirts, and socks! 😊

I wasn't sure how he would feel about the "glitter" cardstock!  Thank goodness he is an artist!  He is taking a gap year but will be attending the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). So he was pleased with his card!

He is an only child who was home-schooled, so his constant companions are his two Cockapoos, Skee and Mocha!  The little puppy is a nod to them!

I kept the inside simple!

Tutorial

Stuff I Used

Couture Creations EF Swiss Dots

Double Digits Date Stamp

Stitched Circles Frame Die

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

A PLACE TO START - SEPTEMBER 2023 - ALL THAT GLITTERS

 Hello, Crafty Mates!

I am running a little late with my project for the challenge at A Place to Start!

  This Month's Optional Twist

  "All That Glitters!"

Use At Least One Glitter Shiny Element

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I saw a spotlight card on Pinterest a few months ago, and I couldn't stop thinking about it.  I decided this "Glitter" challenge would be perfect to try out my idea for card style!  I am having a wonderful affair with circle cards these days!

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I think my favorite feature in this design is the use of multiple circles. I used one floral paper and two glitter sheets!  I took a chance using a strong contrasting floral with my mauve glitter paper, but I really like how they work together!

I used plain glitter paper for one of my spotlight circles and Swiss dot glitter paper for the other.  I also cut one of my foliage pieces from the plain glitter sheet.

I wanted to add a tad more interest to the front, so I used one of my border stamps to add text and images.  I originally wanted to use a flower, but the butterfly provided more continuity to the design.  

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Chana Malkah

The Dog Did It!

 Hello, Crafty Makers!

I like creating critter cards but I find that I don't reach for my critter stamps and die often enough! I made this card for my friend who just got a new Shih Tzu puppy!  Her cat, who is not very happy about the situation, has been acting out!   I simply could not resist sending her this card! 

The Dog Did It!

I purchased this AALL & Create stamp set when I was creating a planner for a cat lover.  They went into my stash and were untouched for over a year.  But I have used them twice in the past three months.

I found this great spilled milk image on Google.  It was perfect.  I used PS to resize the image.

The expression on his face is priceless.  It reminded me of my kids when they were little.  Standing there with crumbs all around their mouths and swearing they had not been in the cookies.  Just the other day my son (who is now 52 years old) asked if I was planning to make chocolate chip cookies when he comes to visit in August!  I swore that I was not.  Of course, I am!  It will be fun to watch his face as his kids eat them all!

Why I Need 1.5 Hours to Create A 10 Minute Card 

VIDEO

I remember when people used to do five-minute card challenges!  It takes me that long to find my glue!

 😁

Thanks for Stopping By!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

Submitted to:

Critter Crazy Challenge

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Stuff I Used:

Double Stitched Rectangular Dies-Gina Marie: https://wholesalecraftingsupplies.com/collections/dies/products/limited-edition-double-stitched-in-and-out-cut-rectangle-die-set-gina-marie-designs AALL & Create Stamps #465 - Tall Cats: https://www.franticstamper.com/AALL-Create--Clear-Stamp-A6-size--Set-465-Tall-Cats_p_189206.html