2020 Stash Party #26 - Thinking of You - A Sympathy Card

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

I rarely create sympathy cards.  For one thing, they are not a part of the expression of sympathy in my faith and for another, It is difficult to strike just the right balance in the tone of the card. I want my cards to be an elegantly clean and simple expression of sympathy.  I never ever put stamped text on the inside.  This card was ordered by my SIL.  She asked for something "different."  I hope she likes this when she sees it!  I am creating these as a set but each one will have a different background color.  I may post the companion pieces later in the week.

~~~~~
Thinking of You

Once again, I found a treasure in my stash.  When I purchased this stencil so many years ago, my plan was to use it on my Gelli plate.  But my Gelli plate enthusiasm waned when I got a look at the amazing work that was being done by mono-printing enthusiasts!  There are so many interesting ways to use this stencil but I decided to use it in the most traditional style.

After taping the stencil to my card, I pressed VersaMark Embossing Ink onto the stencil.  To ensure complete coverage, I made two or three passes over the entire design.  I then covered the stencil with Purple embossing powder and heat embossed.  I used copy paper (you can use a phone book or tissue paper might work) to cover the stencil (I used two sheets) and I ironed off the shiny layer.

I wish my photography skills were better and I could show you the satin finish that this ironing technique gives the ink. This card background was a deep, deep, purple but after ironing, I was left with this soft lavender color!

The ironing process also created this wonderful splattering of dark purple throughout the card. I added a little splatter around the area of the ribbon just to introduce a little more interest in the focal area. I still needed a bit more balance in the design so I finished off by adding the three sequins.

HUGZ,

Stuff I Used: 
Stamp'n Stuff - Violet Opaque Embossing Powder (no longer available)
Really Reasonable Ribbon -Diamond Satin Pastel Green

2020 Stash Party #18: Use One Stamp 5 Ways - A 5 Day Challenge - Day 5

Hello, Crafty Peeps

This five-day challenge hasn't been at all difficult or painful.  At the outset, I thought it would be both.  I think what my crafting buddy is trying to teach me is that I need to stop overthinking and believing that every card has to be an "artistic masterpiece."  Her words to me were, "just sit down and make something.  It's not like you are trying to win some national design award. We both are just amateur hobbyists doing what we love!"  I have to admit she was right and making a lot of sense.  Man, there will be no living with her now!😀

My final creation is the most severe progression!  I returned to my white card base and, of course, I had to keep the sentiment but I wanted to change the perspective of the design.  I was able to accomplish this by using an oval die-cut and a bold lavender background paper.  Green and lavender are among my favorite colors and they compliment each other so well.  I just knew that my little gingham bow (leftover from another project would work perfectly.)  The white frame on this card was a scrap from Project #3 in this series of cards.  It was pure coincidence that it fits the focal panel perfectly!  Honestly, I am sad that the challenge has ended!  I am sure she will have another!

Hugz,

Stuff I Used:

Gina Marie Dies - Wonky Stitched Oval

Really Reasonable Ribbon - Gingham "Moss Green"

Shopping Our Stash: Use a Cupcake: Image/Sticker/Paper, etc.

Hello, Crafty Makers!

Our fortnightly challenge at Shopping Our Stash invites you to create a project featuring Cupcakes!💖  I love cupcakes and oddly, I had only two cupcake stamps in my entire collection, at least in the entire portion of my collection that I had the strength to look through.😜  Exhausted, I went to Google where I found a FREE line drawing that worked perfectly for my idea.   

This project satisfies my personal goal of creating more "cutesy" cards using critter and people images.  It was also a stash reducer.
BIG HUGZ! 

I really must force myself to create more cutesy cards.  If nothing else, they will help me reduce my stash and my supply of Really Reasonable Ribbons.

What I did:

1.  I opened the cupcake file in Photoshop and resized to 2.333" x 2.977" (700px   893px).
2. The image was colored with Copic Markers.  Copics used: Icing: G82, G21, YG11,   Cupcake Holder: BV01, BV000, BV04, BV02, BV08, BV13. Glossy Accents™ was added to the icing and then sprinkled with glitter.
3. While my cupcake was drying (I always allow Glossy Accents™ to dry overnight) I cut a piece of white cardstock to 4.25" x 11.0" and folded it at 5.50". (A2)
4. I die cut an oval window on the front of the card and attached a piece of acetate.
5. I used my oval die to cut a piece of patterned paper to be used as a background layer for the cupcake.  
6. Next, I stamped my elephant image, colored and fussy cut it.  I also stamped my sentiment and cut it out with my scalloped punch.  
7. I cut four additional scalloped circles from a piece of scrap and glued them together and then attached them to the back of my sentiment for added dimension.  I also added double-sided foam tape to both the image and the sentiment. 
8. Finally, I attached a ribbon and bow to the bottom of the oval.

  

~~~~~

Stuff I Used:
Happy Elephant Balloon Stamp
Gina Marie Designs  - Stitched Wonky Oval Die
Simple Stories - Color Fusion Paper Pad
The Paper Studio - White Card Stock
Wink of Stella, Momento Tuxedo Black Ink
Really Reasonable Ribbon - Lavender Gingham Ribbon
Right-click image to download

Shopping Our Stash #378 - Inspired By Quilting - "My Tie Dyed Quilt"

Hello, Crafty Makers!

Welcome to another fun challenge at Shopping Our Stash.  Our theme this week is Inspired by Quilting.

 Tie Dyed Quilted Birthday Card

I used WRMK Next Level Embossing Folder "Quilted"

A couple of months ago I learned a new watercolor technique that is designed to be used with one color of ink, however, I thought if I used multiple colors I might get the tie-dyed effect.  I think I came fairly close.  A few more practice runs are all I need.

The sentiment comes from a knitting themed die and stamp set.

 I apparently threw away the label so I can't tell you the name of the set.  I wanted to use a sewing machine on the front but my dies were too large.  I think the needle works just as well, maybe even better!

The inside I kept simple!  I like to leave a lot of room for writing.

My teammates have created some pretty awesome projects for this challenge.  Please check them out!

Stash Items:   Everything used in this project is over one-year-old with the exception of the die which is only about six months old.

Embossing Folder:  WRMK Next Level "Quilt"

Ribbon: Really Reasonable Ribbon

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz,

Challenges Entered:

Everybody Art Challenge - Always ATG

Shopping Our Stash - Card Sharks - My Ace in the Hole

Hello, Crafty Peeples!

My teamies at SOS have yet to learn their lesson and have allowed me to host. 

 This week my theme is Card Sharks - Use A Playing Card.  

So Players think all the way outside the box or, in this case, outside the deck!

Here is my "Ace In The Hole" Thank You card!

This is call "forced creativity."  I created another project and when I went to post it, found that a teamie had already posted a project that was almost identical.  PANIC!  I actually like this design better!  Kismet!  

I even had some fun inside!  I must be in my Black and White period! :D)

Materials Used:

Neenah® Solar White Linen Cover Stock

Neenah® Epic Black Linen Cover Stock

Memory Box®  Open Studio™ Stitched Heart Layers

InkaDinkaDoo®  Vintage Expressions - Hello Clear Stamps

Tim Holtz® Idea-ology™Remnant Rubs - Words

Really Reasonable Ribbon

Memento™ Tuxedo Black Dye Ink

Bo Bunny® Brads

Thanks For Stopping By!
Click HERE to go to the challenge!

Shopping Our Stash Challenge #247 - You Stamped With What?

Hello, Crafty Peeples!

Chris is hosting this week and she has asked us and you to 

Stamp your project with a project not intended for stamping. 

For my project, I used bubble wrap to stamp both my background and the die cut panel beneath my leaf.

 This is a shot of the inside.   I love this stamp!

Thanks, Chris!  This challenge really causes one to step out of their comfort zone and push the creative boundaries.  

Stash Items:

Bubble Wrap

Ribbon

Water Color Paper

Tim Holtz Rub Ons

Charm and Leaf

Thanks for stopping by!  Now share some of that love with my teammates!

CHRIS

BARBARA

JESSI

DEENA

LAUREN

DONNA

ALICA

Shopping Our Stash - Challenge #235 - 3, 2, 1

Hello, Crafty Peeps,

USE 3, 2, AND 1 of Something
(papers, embellishments, etc.)

Here is another challenge designed to help you not only reduce your stash, but also push your creative limits!  We want you to use something you have been hoarding!

I have created a reversed canvas project.  I just love this technique and how easy it is to build a beautiful scene no matter how small your canvas.This project is 6" x 6".

Contents:  3 hearts and 3 flowers, 2 Brads

 1 Ribbon, 1 Banner, 1 Apothecary Bottle, and 1 Sentiment

I always apply several coats of gesso to cover the staples.

I had already chosen the colors I wanted to blend, and created my background paper design.

My next step was to try to match the frame to the background paper.

In the end, I decided to use burlap paper to cover the inside.

I tried several ways of adding my background paper, but was still not satisfied, so...

I decided to place the paper inside a small Tim Holtz Cabinet Card 

I chose the elements and cut a frame to cover the front of my shadow box. 

I really wanted to leave the staples exposed for a more rustic look, however, it just didn't work.

I distressed edges of my hearts with colors pulled from my background paper.  

I added a red heart, ribbon, and a red ephemera piece to bring color to the conposition.

Contents:  3 hearts and 3 flowers, 2 Brads

 1 Ribbon, 1 Banner, 1 Apothecary Bottle, and 1 Sentiment.

When using the cabinet cards, it is helpful to lightly sand them so they accept the distress ink.

I die cut a sheet of burlap to create my frame and created a lace border around the window.

The inside ledges were stained

Positioning the cabinet card was my biggest challenge.  Because my canvas was so deep, 

it was necessary to use 1/4 in bottle caps to elevate the cabinet card.

The lace was attached to the canvas frame using double-sided tape.  

Over which I applied two coats of Mod Podge.  The front was coated with fabric stiffner.

I used clip to prevent the frame from curling too much. 

The sides were stained with Tattered Angels Baseboard

Clay and Bittersweet

The Wooden Spoon Project - Earth Safe Finishes

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

Here with my post for Earth Safe Finishes

Remember all ESF Products are VOC free!

This week I am featuring a quick little up cycle project using a wooden spoon hubster found at The Goodwill Store.  I trashed my original project because it was just "UGLY!"

Earth Safe "Chalk It Up" Paints eliminate the need for a gesso base coat.  Since I decided my original project was just "not right," I had to create this project in about two hours so not needing that additional coat was a great timesaver!

So sorry I did not get a picture of my pretty little butterfly nestled in the bottom bouquet!

I had fun playing with the Lavendar Cream and Plum Preserves.  Trying to get the gradation just right was challenging.  The color change is not as subtle as I hoped, but it works!

Supplies Used:

Earth Safe Finishes "Chalk It Up" - Lavender Cream and Plum Preserves
Earth Safe Finishes "Chalk It Up" - No VOC Varnish
Craft Designer 1.5" Vine Wreath
15mm Berry Beads
Flowers of your choice
Flatback Pearls
Ribbon

Hugz!

Challenges Entered:

Recycle, Re-Purpose, and Re-Invent

Quietfire - Thank You - Boxed Set

Hello, Crafty Peeples!

This post features my final projects as a Guest Designer for Quietfire Creations.  

One of the products provided by Quietfire was their Floral Thank You (Item #5833.)  

The versatility of this rubber stamp set is a delight for the card crafter's heart!  

A Boxed Thank You Card Set allows the use of all stamps in the Collection

 and Gingko biloba (Item #5855) (The Gingko biloba card is not pictured below)

Directions for creating the box and lid can be found HERE  Thanks, PootlesPapercraft for the wonderful tutorial! 

I chose not to show all the cards I created for this project.  

The box accomodates 8 cards with envelopes

 I also created this combination Gift Card/Treat Box project using the "Thank You" sentiment!

These little boxes are easy to construct and and a perfect vehicle for the "Thank You" sentiment.

I originally planned to create a box using the same papers, but I was out of Teresa Collin's "Fabrications."  Hershey's Kisses look great in these boxes but all I had on hand were some Chiclets!

Directions for creating the Gift Card/Treat Box can be found HERE.   Thanks, PootlesPapercraft for the wonderful tutorial!

Materials Used:
Gift Card Box
Quietfire Rubber Stamps: Floral Thank You, Gingko biloba, Raindrops are like Fairy Whispers
Teresa Collins Fabrications 8"x8" Designer Paper Pad
Tattered Angels High Impact Pigment - Tan
Prima Flowers
Really Reasonable Ribbon - August 2015 Club Assortment
Fairy Dust Glitter
Acetate
~~~~~~~~
Gift Card/Treat Box
Quietfire Rubber Stamp:  Thank You
Bazill Textured Card Stock
Graphic 45 French Country Collection
Petaloo Vlvet Mini Blossoms - Dark Blue
Petaloo Chantilly Collection Velvet Hydrangeas - Blue
Tim Holtz Distress Ink - 
Adams' Chiclets Candy Gum

Thanks so much for stopping by!   

HUGZ, Chana