Easter Cards, Blueprint Style

Hi, guys!  Hope all is well!  I thought I would share some of the Easter cards I sent out this year.  I picked up the new Blueprint series of stamps by Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz and just love them.

The first 3 cards were all colored with Copic markers.

The next 3 cards were colored using Distress Markers to watercolor the images and I used Distress Ink to apply color to the paper edges to give them a more aged look.

As you can see, I really enjoyed using these stamps.  I am looking forward to using the other stamps in the series now that I am done with my Easter crafting! Due to the amount of cards shared in this post, I am not bothering to list all the supplies; if you have any questions, just shoot me an email and I will answer any you may have.

Wishing you all a very Happy Easter, and a BEAUTIFUL Springtime!

Hello Friend (March Submission - 12 Tags of 2013)

Hi, guys! Hope all is well!  As you may remember, I am taking part in the Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2013. Today I will be sharing the two tags I made for this challenge for the month of March.  I made two tags as I have a friend Ruth who loves my tags and so I am making double each month as one is set aside for her.  Ruth is not a crafter, but really enjoys handmade items, and she now is well versed on Tim's monthly tag project and his art.   Fun to share in the fun, right?

This month he did an Easter/Spring Theme.  I did not have his adorable mini bunny die, but Ruth was kind enough to give me a gift of his mini butterflies dies (Movers and Shapers) and so I knew I had to use them.

What do you think?  I think they turned out adorable, and even better, I enjoyed learning more about the use of the Distress Paints (I painted the metal flowers using the paints as Tim demonstrated).   One of the aspects of this challenge that I love is that we get to use the supplies we have on hand and try our hand at creating something uniquely our own with the techniques shown.  I really love how the tinsel butterflies turned out as well.  I used my Martha Stewart fringe scissors to make the grass and colored it with touches of Distress Ink.

Hope you liked these fun tags!  If you feel like you want to try some new fun techniques, I highly recommend you visit Tim's blog and try your hand at a tag!  You won't be sorry, and I bet you will be hooked too!

Until next time!

WOYWW 199 (Distress Paint Easter Card)

Hi, guys! It is Wednesday, so you know what I will be sharing today: what is on my work desk!  Today you will see that I have a variety of Distress Paints out and decided to use them to make an Easter Card. These paints are reactive with water just like the inks and they are very easy to get off your hands which is a bonus for me as some paints need more elbow grease to remove.

Also on my desk is my new Vagabond machine.  Yes, a new one as my old one went to Vagabond heaven due to my own mistake.  I was working on a lot of cards on Saturday evening and I got tired and distracted and made a wrong sandwich and jammed it very badly, to the point that I destroyed a plate in the process.  I was upset, to put it mildly.  My hubby was wonderful and took me to a few stores in search of a new one on Sunday.   I think to prevent myself from doing this again, I will be putting a curfew on my Vagabond use when it is late at night or when I am tired.  Too expensive a mistake to make again!  

Gosh, I knew I loved the machine, but when it was destroyed, I realized just how much I enjoy it and how much I use it.  So all is right in my stamp studio again!

Thank you, Julia, for this fun challenge!  I can't wait to see what others are working on this week!  I highly recommend you share a snapshot or two of what is on your work desk!  You can join in the fun here! It is a blast!

I wish all my WOYWW visitors a very Happy Easter and Passover!  Until next time!

Quotable Monster Cards

Hi, guys! Today I thought I would share a fun pair of cards I made using some cute monster stamps by Victoria Case.  I love them, but haven't really used them much.  I paired them up with quotes by Stampers Anonymous. I thought they went well together.

Supplies (both)
Stamps: Victoria Case, Stampers Anonymous
Paper: Gina K
Ink: Archival Black, Distress Ink, Copic Markers
Misc.: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Corner Rounder

I love these quotes.  When I was creating these cards, I thought about those words, and hope that my fears won't hold me back in life.  I also know that imagination is boundless for sure!

I am entering these in the following challenge:  http://www.simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.com/2013/03/challenge-quotable.html

Do you have a favorite quote that you use in your creations?  If so, why not join in the fun?

Until next time, my friends!

You're Special To Me

Hi, guys! Hope you are having a great day!  Today I am sharing some cards I made using my gelatos.  I was inspired by Jennifer McGuire who was showing watercoloring with Inktense pencils.  I do not have those, so I dug out my gelatos and watercolored on watercolor paper to make these fun banners. I then punched various size hearts out of the painted papers and scattered them around.  The cards are each embossed as well.

Supplies: 
Stamps: Hero Arts
Paper: Gina K Designs, Watercolor paper
Ink: Versamark, Faber-Castell Gelatos
Misc.: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Martha Stewart Heart Punch, White Embossing Powder

I love that they look so bright and cheerful.  Watercoloring is just so fun and so relaxing to me, and I just wish I could find time to do more of it!

Hope you find some time today to do something you love!

Know When To Hold 'Em

Hi, guys! Hope all is well. Today I am sharing a card I made for a co-worker to give a friend celebrating her 50th birthday.  I was asked to make the card personalized with her name and give it a gambling theme.  I put on my thinking cap, and this is what I came up with.

Supplies:
Paper: Gina K Designs White, Black
Misc.: Tim Holtz Bingo Chip, Tim Holtz Mini Deck of Cards,
Clip Art, Computer Generated Name, Oval Punches, Corner Rounder

I am told that Georgiann loved it! I wish her a very Happy 50th Birthday, and hope she wins a JACKPOT sometime this year!

Until next time!

Make A Wish (Tim Holtz Blueprint Stamps)

Hi, guys!  Hope all is well!  Today I am going to share a pair of cards I made this week for friends who requested personalized birthday cards to give.  I decided to use my Tim Holtz Blueprint Stamps as I find the images to be just so great and fun to color.  Both these cards use the same sets, but this first one is my normal size and uses only one image, whereas the second one is a large card using three images.

Supplies For Both Cards:
Stamps: Stampers Anonymous
Paper: Gina K Designs
Ink: Memento Black, Copic Markers, Archival, Distress Ink
Misc.: Computer Generated Names, Circle Punches, Tim Holtz Alpha/Numeric Sticker

I used my Copic Markers to color these images, and find they are just so fun to color. There is something very calming in sitting down and just coloring away.

Hope you enjoyed these cards as much as I did sharing them with you.

Until next time!

The "How-To" Of My Tim Holtz Tattered Floral Tea Party

Hi, guys! Hope all is well.  I promised that I would pop back with the details and supplies that I used on my tea party goodies for the Tim Holtz Tattered Floral Challenge.  If you didn't see the pictures from the tea party they can be found here.

When planning my florals for the napkin rings and place cards, I decided I would use my new Distress Paints to color them.  I used Tim Holtz Glassine Papers and Tim Holtz Kraft Resist papers.

Place Cards:

Napkin Rings:

I used the same flowers as the place cards, but decorated them all a bit different.  Some I used gears in the center, others buttons, etc.  The rings were made by cutting paper towel rolls.  I then wrapped them with tissue tape and sealed the rings with Claudine Hellmuth Matte Medium.  After drying, I sprayed them green with Dylusions Spray, then hot glued the flowers to the ring.

Stenciled Cookies

I love to stencil cakes and cookies.  Normally, I use my supply of plastic cake stencils.  That is what gave me the idea to make my own with kitchen parchment.

I ran a piece of kitchen parchment with the Tattered Floral die through my Vagabond machine.  That became the stencil.

Tip: Make sure you pull the parchment straight up as sugar will pool on it and it could fall onto your cookie, messing up the clean design.

I am looking forward to using Tim's Gingerbread die at Christmastime to decorate my gingerbread. So many options with my die collection!

Tea Sandwiches

These were a hit, and fun to do.  They are time consuming, but I will give you a few pointers to make it easier.

Using kitchen parchment again, I cut out the large flower from the die.

Tips:
1.  Use firm bread.  Rye worked great!
2.  Keep bread cold.  If it gets warm it will be hard to cut.
3.  You can also make a stencil out of firm cardboard (use food safe!) and it won't curl up.
4.  Use toothpicks to hold the stencil to the bread.   My husband used a paring knife to trim; I used my
     kitchen scissors (I am used to fussy cutting!)

After the bread is cut, just make sandwiches as usual.  Ours were tuna salad.  I then topped each with an olive.  Use the excess bread for bread crumbs, or to feed the birds (which is what we did).

I am looking forward to doing this again with brownies and think the gingerbread man made with wheat bread would make adorable holiday sandwiches.

Fascinator:

I used a hard headband that was sturdy to start with.  I attached some fun branches left over from my Valentine's Day bouquet (too cute to discard)!  I then twisted 3 colors of tulle together and hot glued it over the headband.  I then went to town attaching all the fun flowers I had made using the Tattered Floral die.  I used metal, felt, various papers, buttons, bottle caps, etc. to decorate.  I added leaves that I cut from the Tattered Leaf die.  Too fun!

I hope I have answered some of your questions, and inspired you to take out your dies and use them in fun ways.  I am grateful to Tim for this challenge, as it spurred me to use my die a lot, and I had a blast!

Have a great day!  Until next time!

Tim Holtz Tattered Floral Tea Party

Hi, guys!  Hope all is well!  Happy St. Patrick's Day to you!  Today I am going to share with you how I spent my St. Paddy's Day!   I held a tea party!  Not just any tea party, but a Tim Holtz Tattered Floral Tea Party! What is that?  Well, Tim Holtz is having a challenge called the Tattered Floral Challenge where you create something using his Tattered Floral Die.  Now, if you read my blog often, you will know that I love Tim's products and so of course I have the die.  I am also a big fan of tea, and tea parties as well.  You may recall a few tea parties I have held where we have our tea and stamped, too.  So I decided to hold a tea party and invited my sisters and nieces and the hubby as well.

I have been working on making some fun decorating pieces for the party this week.  I made invitations, napkin rings, and place cards.

What is a tea party without some yummy treats?  I decided to make my own stencils out of kitchen parchment paper using the Tattered Floral die and I decorated some cookies using it.  I used confectioners sugar and pretty pink sprinkles on them. (You could use cocoa powder or even cinnamon sugar if you prefer!)

For a tea party, you need tea sandwiches, right?  So I made another template of the large flower from the Tattered Floral Die using kitchen parchment paper.  Then, my husband and I cut our bread into these fun flower shapes! (Olives used for the flower center!)

Table shot before the party started!

After eating, and having plenty of delicious tea and laughter, we headed to the craft area to use the Tattered Floral Die to make hair decorations.  I decided to make a fascinator as my hat! I made a bunch of flowers using the die during the week.  Each one was different, and I used various materials.  I took out my trusty hot glue gun and went to town!

I don't think Princess Beatrice has anything on me!  It was such a hoot to make and now I have it in a vase in my studio to take out the next time the gang comes for tea!

As a nod to St. Paddy's Day, I played music by Eileen Ivers who is an amazing Celtic Fiddler.  The energy and fun and lively spirit well went with our fun day!

I can't tell you how much fun I had creating and spending the time with my family.  I hope you will consider joining in the fun of the Tim Holtz Tattered Floral Challenge!

I will be back this week sharing the "how-to's" to the various things I made as well as some pointers that may help you as well as a list of supplies.  I love that the napkin ring holders and place cards were made in a way that they can be used over again for the next party (looks like it will be for Mother's Day, and even my mom will get in the fun!).

Enjoy your night!!

St. Paddy's Day Tag

Hi, guys! Gearing up for St. Paddy's Day on Sunday here!  I was asked to make a tag for my friend Ruth to give her husband for St. Paddy's Day.  She likes funny sayings, and wanted a bit of a twist on the sentiment.  She is funny, and last year her tag was telling her husband how lucky he was to have her, so I went with this one below this year.

Front of tag

Back of tag

I used Dylusion Sprays on this tag.  I had fun with them, and yes, my fingers got very inky. I like to spray things like this in a big box to prevent my overanxious self from spraying my area (yep, I have been known to get it everywhere!).

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampin' Up,STP Canadian Maple Collections
Ink: Distress Ink, Dylusions Sprays, Copic Markers
Paper: Ranger Manila Tag, Gina K (White)
Misc.: Bakers Twine (Green and Orange), Tim Holtz Tradition Token, Computer Generated Sentiment

I want to thank my hubby for giving me the fun sentiment, as he understood what I needed and phrased it perfectly.

Hope you have a great day!  I can't wait for the Corned Beef dinner (we will be having it on Saturday with my father in-law)!

Shabby Chic Tea Cup Birthday Card

Hi, guys! Today I am sharing a birthday card that was commissioned by a friend for her to give to her husband's aunt.  After thinking about it a bit, I decided to use one of my favorite teacup stamps by Unity Stamps.  It is a large stamp, so I made a large card.  I heat embossed the teacup with white embossing powder on watercolor paper.  I used various antique color Distress Inks to apply color to the image.

Supplies:
Stamps: Unity Stamps
Paper: Gina K Designs, Watercolor paper, Paper Doily
Inks: Distress Inks, Versamark Ink, Distress Stains
Misc.:  Pearls, Seam Binding, Oval Punches, Computer Generated Name

I was going for a shabby chic/antique look for this card.  I added a doily that I applied Distress Inks to, and added pearls as well.  The ribbon is seam binding that is colored with Distress Stains and crumpled and dried to give it that aged look.

I am submitting this card for the Chic to be Shabby challenge over at:  http://simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.com/2013/03/challenge-chic-to-be-shabby.html
Do you have a creation that is Chic to be Shabby?  If so, why not submit yours too and join in the fun!

Hope you have a great day!  Until next time!

WOYWW 197 (Gelatos, and Lots of Cards)

Hi, guys! Hope all is well on your end. Today is Wednesday, so that means I will be sharing what is on my workdesk.  Thank you to Julia of http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/ for this fun weekly challenge.  I know that I am having a blast sharing what I am working on and LOVE seeing what others are creating, too.

Today, my desk looks VERY full of stamping goodness.  I decided to take out my gelatos and watercolor some cards after seeing Jennifer McGuire use the same technique with pencils.  I am happy with the way they turned out. (Yes, I have a bit of a Diet Pepsi addiction!)

There are a slew of cards on the desk as I promised my brother I would make a couple sets for him to auction off for a charity at his office.  I also am making a set for a blogger who was the winner of my first-ever giveaway (for my 1st blog anniversary!). 

When I took this picture, my fingers were EXTREMELY inky.  But, so very happy!

Looking forward to visiting with some of you today, and highly recommend you join in the fun if you haven't tried this yet.  You will be inspired!

Until next time!

May The Lord Comfort You

Hi, guys!  Today I am sharing a card I made for a family member.  I hope it helps them know they are being thought of in their time of need.

Supplies:
Stamps: Close To My Heart, Stampers Anonymous
Ink: Black Archival ink, Distress Stains, Distress Ink
Paper: Watercolor, Desert Storm

I loved playing with stains to make the background. I would highly recommend you try them if you haven't already!

Until next time!

Blueprint Birthday Card for 9 Year Old Girl

Hi, guys! Hope all is well.  Today I wanted to share a card I made for the birthday of a 9 year old girl.  A friend of mine asked for a card to be made with three requests:  1) It should have the girls name on it,  2) It should be a large card, and 3) It should have a balloon on it somewhere.  So, I used my new blueprint stamp set by Stampers Anonymous as I love the images and one just happened to be a large balloon!

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampers Anonymous
Paper: Gina K Designs
Ink: Black Archival, Prisma Colored Pencils, Distress Ink
Misc.: Computer Generated name

I really like the way it turned out.  I think it is happy in feeling.  I just love these stamps and can't wait to use them again.

I am submitting this card to:http://www.simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.com/2013/03/challenge-by-numbers.html

Hope you have a great week!  Until next time!