June 2014 Tag - Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2014 Stencil Fun!

Can you believe it is already nearly the end of June?  This summer has been very busy for me and I am glad that I was able to get in my June tag for the 12 Tags of 2014 by Tim Holtz!  Can't believe I got it done today under the wire!

This month Tim showed us a fun technique using his stencils and distress inks.  I used a new arrow stencil by Tim that I just picked up this weekend and I thought would be fun to use. I incorporated some of Tim's rub-ons and a plastic arrow as a 3D element.  The sentiment I used was one from the Stampers Anonymous set called Hashtags.

Have you ever tried making one of these monthly tags?  If not, why not give it a try? I find I learn a lot of great techniques and interesting ways to use the supplies that I have on hand.  You can find the directions over at Tim's blog.

Hope you have a great day! Thanks for visiting!

Distressed No Longer

It has been a whirlwind these past few weekends.  You may recall that I attended the Simon Says Create event a couple of weeks ago in Ohio.  I had a fabulous time and got to take my first classes with Tim Holtz.  Well, this past weekend he was teaching at our local scrapbook store Scrappers Playground and I was lucky enough to get into a class.  I took my sister along, and she is not a crafter, but was very curious to see why I was so excited.  She was very sweet and had a special t-shirt made for me.

What a fun time!  Maggie had a great time and got to learn about Distress Ink and products.  I knew it was successful when she decided to shop afterwards!  That is always a good sign!

Here is a picture of the folio I made.  I am just loving these Found Relative cards!  I can't wait to fill it up!

Tim surprised us all with a messenger bag and lots of goodies. I am looking forward to some down time so I can use some of them!

I am so thankful to Tim and Mario for the kindness and generosity they showed.  They take the time to speak with you and take pictures and are all around good guys.  All the years of waiting really were worth it.   If you get the chance to take a class with Tim,  I say go get inky!

Until next time!

May 2014 Tim Holtz Tag of 2014

Today I am sharing the tag I made for the Tim Holtz monthly challenge for May 2014.  Tim encouraged us take out our trinkets that we have in our stash and use them (what a novel thought!). It was a lot of fun digging through my collection of goodies to narrow down my choices.  Believe it or not, that took me a long time in itself!

This tag was fun as I got to use grungeboard, Distress Inks, an embossing folder and, of course, various ephemera.   If you know me personally, you would know I have a Diet Pepsi habit (some say addiction ...), so I love Tim's bottle cap embossing folder. I used one cap that I sanded using his Core-dinations paper.  I came across a fun piece of ephemera that said Serve ICE and knew I had to use it along with it.

The composed look is something I normally never do, so this really gave me something new to try.

I have some news to share with you today.  I will be taking a couple of classes given by Tim soon!  I cannot wait!  I have been waiting a long time, and the countdown has begun!  Okay, that is a lot of exclamation points, but that is only because I am truly excited.

Until next time!

Congratulations On Your New Alarm Clock!

My husband came home and asked if I could make a card for his co-worker friend James.  James and his wife had a little baby girl and he wanted a funny card for him.  I decided to use my alarm clock stamp from the Stampers Anonymous Blueprint series.  The image is heat embossed with Ranger silver embossing powder.  The card was distressed using Antique Linen Distress Inks.  If you look close enough you may notice a tiny pink safety pin!

I thought it would be fun to use computerized "crying" sounds coming from the alarm clock.  For the inside I used a fun sentiment from Raisin Boat congratulating the couple on their new alarm clock!  I really love Raisin Boat's "Innies & Outies" as the sentiments are perfect for card making and cut to fit the A2 size without trimming, etc.  

Congratulations to James and Kristin on the birth of their daughter, Charlotte! 

Until next time!

February 2014 Tim Holtz Tag - 12 Tags of 2014

I cannot believe how fast this month has flown by! I know February is a short month, but this one just got away from me early on!

Today I am sharing the tag I made for the monthly tag challenge - 12 Tags of 2014 by Tim Holtz.  This month he did stenciling with distress inks and a fun chalkboard technique.  I was fortunate that I have the stamp Tim used this month, as well as the stencil (this is not always the case). After that I was on my own to give it my own touches.  As many of you know, I have been participating in this challenge from the beginning and some months I get them done early, and other months I am scrambling to finish.  This was one of the latter.

I am looking forward to seeing what Tim creates for March!  I actually will be around that day, so maybe I can get a jump on it next time!   If you haven't tried a tag, I would suggest you pop over and see what all the talk is about.  You will learn fun techniques and how to use fun products and enjoy such a great community!  I love seeing what everyone creates and how unique everyone's work turns out to be.

WOYWW #227- A Distressed Desk

Hi, guys! Hope all is well.  Missed participating in WOYWW last week, but my husband and I were away celebrating our wedding anniversary at a local vineyard.  It was amazing. Thanks to Julia for this desk hopping fun!

This week I am participating in the online Creative Chemistry Class by Tim Holtz.  So this is my desk now after Day 1!  Lots of Distress on this desk for sure!

We are making technique tags as we go along.  These tags each represent a technique we learned in class.    I am sharing the three I completed last night. Each is using the Distress Paints (Marble, Distress Paint Crackle, Distress Paint Resist).  I am a bit behind, but work and home have to come first.

If you want to learn some fun techniques, and the science behind these great Distress Products,  I highly recommend this class to you.  It is never too late to join in the fun as the class has lifelong access.

Have a great day!  I look forward to visiting with you and seeing what you are up to!

Until next time!

Girlie Birthday Card For A Six Year Old

Hi, guys! Hope all is well! Today I am sharing a birthday card I made for a little girl who was turning 6.  I was asked to use an image with long brown hair and was emailed a picture to use as inspiration.  I decided to use a Suzi Blu stamp to portray the birthday girl.  Distress paint was used to color the Tim Holtz Alpha Number.  Distress ink was used on a doily to add some fun and more texture and color.

K & Company paper was used for the background paper and a computer generated name was added in a Spellbinder label die.

My co-worker told me her granddaughter loved the card, and it always makes me very happy to  hear the feedback.

Hope you have a great day!  Until next time!

Nothing Says Flag Day Like An Uncle Sam Kitty!

Hi, guys! Hope all is going well!  Today I am going to share a couple of cards I made this week for some family members.

I made this first one for my sister Maggie.  If you have been reading my blog for a while you may remember that I make her a special card each year for Flag Day.  I know it is not a usual "card" holiday, but it is a tradition between us.  You can see last year's card and explanation here. This year I decided to go with a kitty dressed up like Uncle Sam by The Stampsmith. The patriotic paper is from the Tim Holtz Seasonal paper pad. Distress ink was used to age/antique the image.

Next up is a graduation card I made for my nephew Christopher who is beginning High School in September.  I decided to use some of the fun goodies from my Simon Says Stamp June Kit.  It is the first kit I ever used, so it was fun to try my hand at using some new products.  I decided to use my Stampers Anonymous Lightbulb Blueprint stamp, as I thought it went well with the sentiment I found in the paper pad. Tattered Rose Distress ink was used on the image as it went very well with the sentiment color.

A special thank you to all who have sacrificed so much for our country and our flag! I hope if you live in the U.S. that you will hang out your flag today and show your appreciation and love for it along with me.

Until next time!

WOYWW #209 Prepping for Flag Day

Hi,  guys!  It is Wednesday, and you know what that means:  I am sharing what is on my work desk!  I am currently working on a Flag Day card for my sister.  Flag Day is on Friday (6/14) here in the States.  I took out a bunch of patriotic images, and my stash of red, white, blue ribbons, etc.

I decided on this adorable kitty dressed in an Uncle Sam hat by Stampsmith.  You will see my Distress Inks out on the desk as I decided to antique/age him a bit.

I hope to share the finished card on Friday after I give it to my sister!  Looking forward to visiting with you today and seeing what you are working on!

Thank you to Julia of Stamping-Ground for making this fun weekly challenge possible!  I love how crafters from all over the world spend time together each week and it makes the large world feel much smaller!

Until next time!

An Unforgettable Friend

Hi, guys! Today I thought I would share a card I made for a friend.  I decided to use an old stamp set from Stampin' Up that I love.  I think this elephant is just adorable.  I colored him with my Prisma colored pencils and used Distress Ink for the edges of the focal image and on the patterned paper.

He was quick to make and a lot of fun.  I used only a bit of ribbon and a pearl to accent this card.

I am entering this card in The Perfect Sentiments challenge PSC66.  

Until next time!

"Swell" News

Hi, guys! Hope all is well!  Today I thought I would share a special card I made.  My stepson is having his first baby and I wanted to send them a card congratulating them on the big news.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampin' Up
Paper: Gina K, DCWV
Ink: Memento Black, Distress Ink
Misc.: Ribbon, Tim Holtz Pin, Corner Rounder

Since we do not know the sex of the baby, I went with a color palette of green, yellow and purple.   To accentuate the growing belly, I decided to stamp the sentiment directly on it.   The sentiment inside the card reads "Congratulations on your swell news!".

This is such an exciting time for him and the family.  I am so happy and excited for them and can't wait until I can show some love to a new baby!

Wishing Eric and Jackie all the best as they embark on this new stage in their life!  

Until next time!

Girlfriends and Cosmos

Hi, guys! I am sharing the last of my Christmas cards with you today.  I made these for two of my girlfriends.  The first one was made using the fun Christmas words by Dyan Reaveley.  Plenty of Distress Inks and a fun sexy stylish woman image by Hero Arts were used on this one.

Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts, Dylusions by Dyan Reaveley, Stampers Anonymous
Inks: Distress Inks, Red & Black Archival
Paper: Gina K Designs

One of my good friends loves to sip Cosmos when we go out and makes a wicked one herself,  so I made this card especially for her (she knows who she is!).

Supplies:
Stamps: Dylusions by Dyan Reaveley, Vap Scrap, L. Jackson
Ink: Red and Black Archival
Paper: Gina K Designs

You can tell I had fun using the Dylusions Christmas Words set this holiday season.  I found them hysterical.

Now that the holidays are behind us, I will begin working on some birthday cards and valentines soon! Valentines are some of my favorite cards to make.  I can't wait to begin them.

Have a great weekend!

Tag a-long with Tim

Hi, guys!  As many of you know, I have been taking part in the Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2012.  Today I will be sharing the last two tags I completed for the December challenge.  All the products I used on these tags are Ranger and Tim Holtz products.

These were so fun to make.  When I work on any of Tim's tags, I end up using a lot of different products and techniques.  While working on these, I used Distress Inks, Distress Stains, Distress Markers (notice a pattern?).  I really enjoyed using the mirror sheets in the first one, as they are so pretty in person and so reflective and die cut very easily.  The poinsettia die was a fun one to use and I enjoyed using acrylic paint and the tissue tape.

Sad that the 12 tags are now complete, but feel so happy that I was able to complete them ALL!  I am hoping Tim continues this tradition in 2013!

Off to see the Nutcracker with my hubby and niece.  I cannot wait!  My niece has been doing ballet since she is 3 and now is 8 and so it is the perfect age for her to experience her first ballet.  Lincoln Center is just so beautiful and I can't wait to share the experience with her.

Have a great weekend!  Until next time!

Ornament Christmas Cards

Hi, guys!  Today's cards are similar, but the ornaments I made were different.

I have a lot of friends who love their kitties, and so I made this card with them in mind. Many cats love to check out the Christmas tree and have adventures.  I fell in love with this stamp and thought this would be a fun way to use it.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampendous, Stampin' Up
Ink: Distress Ink, Memento Black
Misc.: 3" Circle Punch, Ribbon, Copic Markers, Corner Rounder

This made me laugh and recall the cat I had for nearly 13 years.  Emily loved to sit under the tree and bat the ornaments. I would put soft ones, and ones with bells that couldn't be broken along the bottom, so she could enjoy them.  Emily was NOT a climber and couldn't care less about the rest of the tree.  It was fun to hear the bells in the morning.

The ornament on this next tree was made by paper folding.  It is hard to see in the picture, but the star is actually three dimensional.  I learned this technique from Jennifer McGuire in her Holiday Boot Camp Class last year.  If you are looking for a fun class to inspire you for Christmas card making or other fun classes on card making, I highly recommend you take one of these great classes.

Supplies:
Stamps: Paper Angel, Stampin' Up
Paper: Gina K Designs, Cosmo Cricket
Ink: Stampin' Up, Distress Ink
Misc.: Ribbon, Corner Rounder


I thought I would share the fun stamp I am using on the back of my cards this year. I got this fun fruitcake stamp from Viva Las Vegas Stamps.

Hope your day is a great one!  Hope you find a few moments in the day to do something you love!

Until next time!

Made With Love And Memories

Hi, guys!  Hope you are all doing well and enjoying the holiday season.  For today, I thought I would share two tags I completed on Friday.  I made this tags for my sister in-law as a gift.  As you probably recall, I have been taking part in the Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2012.  I had made a set of tags for myself a few months back when we learned to tint photos using distress inks.  My sister in-law liked the ones I did of my late husband and his mother and she requested a pair.  I decided to make them on Friday as it was the 6th anniversary of my husband's passing and thought it would be a fitting tribute to him.  I varied the tags from the ones I did for myself by using stamps that were more specific for a brother and daughter.

This project was very special to me.  I am not sure if I can relay the joy and memories that I was able to recall while creating these tags.  Charlie loved to sail, loved his garden, loved the stars and I was able to incorporate the verse my sister in-law read for us at our wedding.   For my mother in-law's tag, I used a Tim Holtz bingo chip to reflect the year of her marriage and it reminded me of her love of playing bingo and her "big" winnings of a couple dollars and her excitement.  I was able to use a page of an old book (avid reader and teacher) and scripture to reflect her strong faith.

When I was finished with these and put them in the mail, I felt very happy.  If you would have told me I would have felt those feelings Friday, I would have said you were wrong.  Crafting can bring me joy and contentment even when I am feeling at my lowest.  I am sure Tim Holtz probably never realized that such a project could have such a profound effect on someone.

If you are looking to make a special gift for someone (or just for yourself), I would highly recommend you visit Tim Holtz to learn how these are done. I am sure you will enjoy the experience and want to share your memories with those special in your life.

Thanks to Tim Holtz for always inspiring me (and countless others), and for sharing his knowledge. Teachers are truly special people.

Have a great day, my friends!   Until next time!

For Unto Us A Child Is Born

Hi, guys!  I am sharing a Christmas card I made for a friend.  She requested a special card for a little boy named Benjamin who will be celebrating his first birthday. Christine asked that it be a religious card for the season.

Supplies:
Stamps Stampendous, Studio G
Paper: Recollections, Core-dinations, Gina K (White)
Ink: Distress Ink, Memento Black
Misc.: Copic Markers, Glitter Pen, Circle Punch, Sanding Block

I just love this image and thought it would be perfect for a little one.

I am a big fan of Core-dinations paper, as I love to use my sanding block to distress it, and by using a swiss dot embossing folder and sanding the paper,  it gave the card a fun snow look to me.

Hope Benjamin has a very blessed First Christmas!

Enjoy your day!  Until next time!

Embossed Wedding Wishes

Hi, guys!  I'm sharing some wedding wishes with you today. I was asked to make a card for a young couple for their wedding.  I decided to use some embossing and sanding for the focal image.  I went with some fun Authentique patterned paper for the background to give it a modern look. I used NO stamps on this card!  That does not happen very often.

Supplies:

Paper: Authentique, Core-dinations, Ink Pad NYC Notecard

Ink: Distress Ink

Misc.: Gems, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Sanding Block, Oval Punches

Sending congratulations to Ise & Marc as they begin their life together.  

Until next time!

Falling Leaves

Hi, guys! For today I thought I would share my first Thanksgiving card of  the season.  I decided to use my Faber-Castell Gel Sticks to get a watercolor look.  I used watercolor paper, and used the gel sticks to color directly on my leaf stamp.  I spritzed the stamp with water and applied it to the paper. I decided to use my Stampin' Up spritz tool to apply a light mist of color to the background as well.

Supplies:
Ink: Distress Ink
Paper: Stampin' Up, Watercolor Paper
Misc.: Faber-Castell Gel Sticks, Leaf Buttons, Twine

I love watercoloring and painting, and using the gel sticks is an easy and fast way to get the effect.  The sentiment inside is also from Stampin' Up and reads "Give thanks and in all things be grateful."

Hope you have a great day!  Hope you find a few moments to do something you love.

October Tag Tim Holtz Tag 2012 - Help Me From the Grave

Just a note of thanks for all those who have been writing, emailing or commenting wishing me well during Hurricane Sandy.  We were without power for 5 days, but I am happy to report that it has been restored.  Never has a hot shower felt better! We were so fortunate.  I am keeping those who are suffering in my thoughts and prayers and would ask that you continue to do so as the devastation is so widespread.

For today I thought I would share the tag that I made for the Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2012. This is my October submission. This was a lot of fun to make.  I think my fingers were more inky today than ever while making this tag.  I got to use various inks, paints, glues and lots of glitter!

The stamps I used for the focal image were from Stampers Anonymous.  I was excited to get to use my new stamp set designed by Mario Rossi III!  It is a cool one.  I used the words "help me" coming from the grave.  I thought it would be a fun and creepy touch.  I used a  Studio G stamp and stamped it on a Tim Holtz journal ticket.   The bats were all painted and glittered as shown by Tim.

I hope you like this piece.  If you want directions on how to do it, head to his blog and he gives you step-by-step directions.  You then take it in any direction you want.

Be well, my friends!

Whinnying Birthday Wishes

Hi, guys! Today I am sharing a card I made for a little girl named Madison.  She loves horses and so I knew I had to incorporate one into the design.  I didn't have a stamp that was cute enough, so I used a fun clip art horse.

Supplies:
Ink: Distress Ink
Paper: Recollections, Echo Park (For The Record)
Misc.: Circle Punch, Oval Punches, Making Memories Metal Clip

I went very bright and colorful on this card for I wanted it to be very happy in feel.  I decided after making this card to take the clip off as I realized Madison may be able to get it off and it could be a hazard.  I took the picture before  I realized my mistake.

Hope you have a great day!  I am off to get my fingers inky!