Friday, August 29, 2008

true strength is Delicate

The poppies in Lisa's Remember set are so neat. I just love the style. For this card, I decided to stamp my flowers using plum pudding ink. I started out by cutting a piece of vintage cream cardstock using a long nestabiliy die. Then, I stamped my flower, stem, leaves, and sentiment. I matted my image with plum pudding cardstock. I pierced the dots around the center of the poppy and stitched on some seed beads. Then, I made my card base from spring moss cardstock, cut a patterned paper piece, and matted it with black cardstock. I punched some plum pudding cardstock with my MS border punch and added it to my patterned paper. I tied some plum pudding ribbon around it and adhered all my layers.


Here you can see the seed beads. I love the dimension that this simple element adds. As a last step, I added some black stickles to the center of my poppy and let it dry.
Have a great day!
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Recipe
Stamps: Remember (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: vintage cream, plum pudding, spring moss (Papertrey Ink), black
Patterned Paper: Guide Lines (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: plum pudding, spring moss (Papertrey Ink), noir (Palette)
Accents: plum pudding stitched ribbon (Papertrey Ink), black sead beads, black stickles
Tools: punch (Martha Stewart), long rectangle nestability die

Sunday, August 24, 2008

feeling a little eel?

I got a chance to play along with another featured stamper challenge today. This week's featured stamper is Kokirose aka Patricia. She is a sweetie and has a great gallery. This is the card I chose to case. Rules are you must change at least 2 or more things. I changed the following:

* the image
* changed the stitching to piercing
* added the color soft sky and kept the old olive and black
* changed the scallop layer
* changed how my sentiment is added

I got a chance to scrapbook Friday and it was so nice. I plan to do a little more this afternoon. I miss scrapbooking more so I'm going to be fitting it into my schedule better. That may mean a few less cards here and there. I feel weird about not wanting to post photos of my kids on my blog. I see so many people do it. Am I just weird about this? If I shared my layouts occasionally, it would make it easier finding the time to fit scrapbooking into my schedule. Hmm.
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Recipe
Stamps: Edgar Eel, A little eel (High Hopes Rubber Stamps)
Cardstock: white (Papertrey Ink), old olive, black, soft sky (SU)
Patterned Paper: soft sky, old olive (SU - retired)
Ink: soft sky (SU), noir (Palette), graphite black (Brilliance)
Accents: black satin ribbon (Target)
Tools: copic markers, sponge, slot punch (Making Memories), paper piercer, mat pack (SU)

Friday, August 22, 2008

Tis the Season

I got to play in another Hanna Stamps Friday challenge. I think I'm on a roll! This week's challenge is called "My First Hanna" and the challenge is to use your first Hanna you ordered/received. I believe I ordered the first two Hannas together so I chose to use the second Hanna Kristi released called Tis the Season Hanna. I think I am in a Christmas mood because I've been making lots of Christmas cards lately.

Stop by and join us in the challenge and have a great weekend!

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Recipe
Cardstock: white (Papertrey Ink), baja breeze, riding hood red (SU!)
Patterned Paper: Figgy Pudding (Basic Grey)
Accents: dew drops, green satin ribbon (Target)
Tools: sewing machine, copic markers, long rectangle nestability die, border punch (Martha Stewart)

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Blessings

This was one of my favorite cards I made for the Papertrey Ink August release. Not sure why, but I just like how it turned out. I stamped the wheat image on white cardstock along with the string and sentiment and cut it out. Then, I inked the edges in dark chocolate ink (with sponge dauber) and distressed them with an edge distressor. I like how it makes it stand out. Then, I matted my image with summer sunrise cardstock. Next, I stamped my patterned paper using the egg and dart image and dark chocolate ink. I sponged the entire surface lightly for a more distressed look (with yellow sponge). I again inked the edges (with sponge dauber) and roughed them up with an edge distressor. Then, I wrapped my ribbon around the patterned paper and assembled my card.

NOTE about stamps for sale: all paid for stamps shipped today. Thanks so much, ladies and enjoy your new stamps!

I hope you all have a blessed day!

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Recipe
Stamps: First Fruits (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: (hand stamped)
Ink: summer sunrise, dark chocoloate (Papertrey Ink)
Accents: summer sunrise stitched ribbon (Papertrey Ink)
Tools: sponge, sponge dauber, edge distressor (CTMH)

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Season's Greetings

Isn't Charlie adorable?! He's one of the new Whiff of Joy stamps I received in the mail this week. I don't have very many boy stamps and as soon as I saw Charlie, I knew he was perfect to fill the void. He's adorable and mischievous just like my son!! I could definitely see my son with snowballs and the same expression on his face. lol

I used Katharina's sketch when creating my card. I stamped Charlie and cut him out using a nestability die. Then, I chose my patterned paper and colored my image in coordinating colors. I cut all my layers and stitched the pieces. I poked holes and stitched around my sentiment by hand. Then, I assembled all the layers.

For some reason, I had a terrible time getting a good photo of this card (When I lightened the photos, it distorted the colors so the photos are a little dark in order for the colors to be accurate and you can't see any of the shading.), but I had to share one more photo of Charlie.

Can't you just see a little boy doing that? Season's Greetings, splat!
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Recipe
Stamps: Charlie with Snowballs (Whiff of Joy), Holiday Wishes (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: white, dark chocolate (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Blush (Basic Grey)
Ink: graphite black (Brilliance), noir (Palette)
Accents: red twill
Tools: nestability circle and rectangle dies, copic markers, sewing machine

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Christmas Joy

I hear on the Papertrey Forum that people are starting to receive their orders from the August release. I can't wait to see what everyone starts making!

This was the second card that I made for the release using the Rustic Branches stamp set. I started out making my patterned paper with no real plan. But as I created, it evolved into this card. I really like the dark chocolate color with pure poppy and jardin moss for Christmas cards.

I got a chance to stamp today so I'll have something new tomorrow, hopefully, if I get a chance to take photos. Have a great day!

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Recipe
Stamps: Rustic Branches (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: vintage cream, dark chocolate (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: (hand stamped)
Ink: pure poppy, dark chocolate (Papertrey Ink), jardin moss (Palette)
Accents: pure poppy grosgrain ribbon (Papertrey Ink)
Tools: sewing machine, scissors

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Thanksgiving Table Setting Challenge

Nichole challenged the Senior Design team to make a Thanksgiving Table setting using the First Fruits stamp set that released on the 15th. I thought it sounded like fun and since I've never done anything like that, I decided to play along, too. My ensemble consists of a menu, invitation, place card, and a favor. There are so many great stamps in this set, but I decided to focus on my favorite, the pineapple. Be sure to click on the photos to see a larger version with more detail.


My favorite part of my table setting is the little favor basket I created. I used one of the 8 oz clear top tins. I started out by cutting the strip of paper of white cardstock to go around the bottom of my tin and stamping it with the pineapples. I sponged summer sunrise ink on the stamp and then sponged the edges using SU's pumpkin pie ink. I love those two colors together and I love how every pineapple is unique using this inking method (called rock n' roll, though I sponged mine for a little more control). (If only, I had thought to cut the pineapple like Nichole did. Isn't that amazing?!?) I wanted to carry on the look of the top of the pineapple, but since it wouldn't fit on my stamped paper, I sponged the edges of the spring moss twill instead with jardin moss ink. I attached the twill to the top of the tin. Next, I created my handle by layer summer sunrise satin ribbon and dark chocolate twill. I use my atg to stick them together. This made a stronger handle that wasn't floppy like it would have been with just the satin ribbon plus it carried out my color scheme. I punched holes in the tin using my crop-a-dile and threaded my handle through and secured it with glue dots. Then, I punched a couple holes through my handle and tin and added the silver brads for even more stability. I wanted to line the inside of my tin so I cut some summer sunrise cardstock and stamped the egg and dart image repeatedly using summer sunrise ink and lined the inside of my tin. Last, I filled my favor with dinner mints.


Here's a close up photo of the tin. I hope you can see the lining cardstock with the subtle pattern. Wouldn't these look cute sitting out on a Thanksgiving table?


I created my Thanksgiving menu by typing everything up on the computer, changing the fonts and color to a brown similar to Dark Chocolate and printing it on linen vellum. I love the texture of this vellum! I cut my layers for my invitation and added my two ribbons (again layered). Then, I stamped a pineapple on white cardstock and cut it out and added it to the corner of the menu. I used the rock and roll technique throughout making all my pineapples like I described earlier. I also used spring moss and jardin moss inks for the stems of the pineapples. I think creating the menu made me hungry for some oven roasted smoked turkey! I have a great brine recipe for smoking a turkey and can no longer eat plain old turkey! lol


For my invitation, I wanted something simple yet elegant. I started out by embossing my rectangle on white cardstock using a nestability die. (Nichole has a great tutorial here explaining how to do this.) Then, I stamped my pineapple and sentiment (using Warm Hospitality). Last, I added some layered ribbon to the top. I adhered the dark chocolate twill to the summer sunrise satin ribbon on all my creations. It gave me stability when tying them and kept everything just where I wanted it. I love the look of these two colors layer together.


My place card was very simple as well. You want something simple yet pretty when you're making lots of them for a dinner party. I started out my stamping my pineapple. Then, I added the name using the Trajan Monogram stamp set. I used Becky's name as a tribute to her for seeing her wonderful idea come to fruition. Congrats, Becky!! It's such a wonderful and versatile set!

I hope I inspired you in some way with my Thanksgiving table setting. I can't wait to see what the other designers came up with! Be sure to check out all there creations: Amy, Debbie, Heather, Lauren, Lisa, and you can see them all together on Nichole's blog.
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Recipe for all items
Cardstock: white, summer sunrise, dark chocolate (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Papers: (hand stamped)
Ink: summer sunrise, dark chocolate, spring moss (Papertrey Ink), jardin moss (Palette), pumpkin pie (SU)
Other: Linen vellum, 8 oz clear top tin (Papertrey Ink)
Tools: crop-a-dile, sponge daubers, rectangle nestability die

Friday, August 15, 2008

Halloween Sketch Challenge

It's my turn to host the Hanna Stamps Friday Challenge. I decided to have a Halloween sketch challenge (use Halloween stamps and the sketch). I used three more of the new Fall Riley stamps that came out a couple months ago. Aren't they cute!?! I started out by picking my patterned papers and coloring my Rileys in similar colors. Then, I stitched the layers and added some ribbon and copper accents.
The patterns behind the image are supposed to symbolize 3 different patterned papers. If you decide to play along or just want to use the sketch, leave me a comment so I can check it out.
Have a great day!!

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Recipe
Stamps: Pirate Riley, Super Moose Riley, Vampire Riley (Hanna Stamps)
Cardstock: white (Papertrey Ink), black (SU)
Patterned Paper: Boxer (Basic Grey)
Accents: black satin ribbon (Target), copper brads and ribbon slide
Tools: copic markers, sewing machine, long rectangle nestability dies (Spellbinders)

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Black Cat Licorice

I am so excited to get to share a sneak peek at one of Papertrey Ink's new sets coming out on the 15th at midnight. I created my Black Cat Licorice tin using the new Spooky Sweets II set and a nugget tin. I first created the band to go around my tin by stamping the black cat and the border stamp repeatedly. Then, I matted it with black cardstock and scored it to fit around my tin.

For my label, I stamped the label circle and added my sentiment in the center. I cut it out with a nestability circle die and made a black mat for it. I punched holes for my brads. Then, I created my custom brads and cat charms.


I created my own velvet like brads by altering some brads. (Let me know if you'd like a tutorial for making your own fuzzy brads. *wink*) Then, I stamped the black cat image using staz on black on shrink plastic. I punched a hole in the top and trimmed my images. Then, I shrank them using my heat gun. To finish off my tin, I added my cat charms and brads to my label before adding the label to my tin and filling it with black licorice.

This set is so much fun and there are so many possibilities for using it. Be sure to check out Nichole's post with creations from all the design team members and then, visit the design team's blogs for more info on their creations.
Have a great day!

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Recipe
Stamps: Spooky Sweets II (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: pumpkin pie, black (SU)
Ink: noir (Palette), black (staz on)
Patterned Paper: (hand stamped)
Other: fuzzy brads (altered), cat charms (hand made), nugget tin (Papertrey Ink)
Tools: nestability circle dies, shrink plastic, embossing powder, fun flock

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Hugs and Fishes!

I got a chance to play in the featured stamper challenge over on SCS today. I love getting to look through the galleries and pick just the right card to case. This week's featured stamper is Kim aka blondie090277. This is the card I chose to case. I changed the following:
* colors
* image
* layers
* embossing folder
* how I added the sentiment


Isn't Puff Fishy adorable!? lol I cut my oval out, stamped my fish in the center, and while it was still in the die, I sponged soft sky around my fish. Then, I colored him with copic markers. As a last step to finish my card, I added dimensional glaze to his fishy lips.
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Recipe
Stamps: Puff Fishy, Hugs and Fishes (High Hopes Rubber Stamps)
Cardstock: white (Papertrey Ink), pumpkin pie, pacific point (SU!)
Patterned Paper: soft sky (SU!)
Ink: graphite black (Brilliance), soft sky (SU!)
Accents: orange ribbon, orange dew drops (Robin's Nest)
Tools: copic markers, nestability dies, dimensional glaze, sponge dauber, embossing folder (cuttlebug)

Friday, August 8, 2008

Happy Fright Night

This week's Hanna Stamps challenge is a sketch challenge. You can find the challenge here. Amanda created this fun sketch for us. I started by picking my colors. I knew I wanted to use the Witch on a Broom Riley so I needed some Halloween colors. I think Papertrey's plum pudding, summer sunrise, and spring moss work so well together for Halloween colors. I stamped Riley and colored him with copic markers. Then, I cut it out with a nestability die. I cut all my other pieces and then used spring moss ink to stamp the bats on the spring moss cardstock. The sentiment is from Papertrey's Spooky Sweets set. I sewed all the pieces and then assembled my card. Last, I added some dew drops to the corners. (I love dew drops and Kristi just got in over 40 different colors!!)

Have a great weekend!

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Recipe
Stamps: Witch on a Broom Riley, Trick or Treat Mini (Hanna Stamps), Spooky Sweets (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: graphite black (Brilliance), noir (Palette), spring moss (Papertrey Ink)
Accents: dew drops (Robin's Nest)
Tools: copic markers, sewing machine, nestability dies (Spellbinders)

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Heartfelt Thanks

I finally got a chance to make a card! Between my daughter and business responsibilities, today was the first time I had a chance to sit down and make anything. I'll be working with the new Papertrey Ink stamps over the next few days. You will love the new sets!

For this card, I dug out one of my all time favorite sets. I love the Butterfly Kisses set. Those two sentiments are my favorites. I love the elegant first letters.

Do you see how glittery my flower is? I just got a new product called Shimmerz Paint. I used the Angel Wings paint to paint my flower and make it all shimmery. I love the effect and they are so easy to use. I just used an aqua painter like Cami mentioned (on her blog and the Shimmerz blog) to paint the shimmer onto my flower and let it dry. The colors are just gorgeous and the paints come in lots of different colors.

Another photo to share the beautiful shimmer on the flower. Such an easy technique and it adds so much.

Have a great day!

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Recipe
Stamps: Butterfly Kisses (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: vintage cream (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Guide Lines (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: noir (Palette)
Accents: plum pudding satin ribbon (Papertrey Ink), flower (Bazzil), brad (SU!)
Tools: Angel Wings (Shimmerz Paints)

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Tutorial: Preparing Unmounted Red Rubber Stamps

I've received many questions about how to use unmounted red rubber stamps, like Hanna Stamps' Riley Moose stamps and High Hopes Rubber Stamps. You can apply EZ Mount to the back, use double sided tape, or use Alene's Tack it Over and Over. I use Alene's Tack it Over and Over. I just received some unmounted red rubber stamps from High Hopes Rubber Stamps and thought I would share how I prepare them.

This is how unmounted red rubber stamps usually come. Sometimes they are in a large sheet and sometimes individual stamps, but you usually always have to trim them. (You can click on all these photos for a larger image.)

Use scissors that are meant to trim rubber. I use SU's scissors, but I have heard great things about the Tim Holtz Tonic scissors, too. Trim around the edges of the stamps. Make sure you do not undercut the image because that can affect how well the image stamps.

Clean the back of the stamps. I just rub them on my stamp scrubber that has been sprayed with stamp cleaner. You just want to make sure the back is not dirty.

Then, I lay all the stamps face down on pieces of transparency. I use transparencies under the stamps just because I don't want to get glue on my work space if I happen to make a mess.

This is what the Alene's Tack it Over and Over looks like. You need this and a foam brush for the next step.

Add a little bit of Alene's Tack it Over and Over to the back and spread it out with the foam brush. You just need a thin layer to cover the back of the stamp. Let it dry. I usually just let mine dry overnight. When it is dry, it will be clear.

After it has dried, it will be very sticky. I stick the stamp to the palm of my hand and remove it. Repeat this a few times to make the back of the stamp not quite so sticky. You don't want it to be stuck down permanent, just tacky enough to stick to the block.

Now, you can use your unmounted red rubber stamps with your acrylic blocks. They stick to the block and are easily removed when you are done. I store my unmounted red rubber stamps in dvd tins. CD cases also work.
Have a great day!

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