Monday, January 30, 2017

Baby Girl Totebag

My friend Karen (Snippets) is hosting this week's Splitcoaststampers Technique Lovers Challenge TLC623 Totebag!

Lucky for me..I just made a Baby Girl Totebag yesterday for an upcoming baby shower :-)  I used the video that Karen shared on her Snippets Blog for a recent bag that she had made.

Here is my Totebag.....


Here another photo showing the Card and hand knit hat that will be inside the bag.

This photo shows the inside of the card front where I made a pocket for a gift card.

Here is the link for the Chic Totebag for Card Giving by LeeAnn Greff.  I followed her tutorial exactly.  I used a retired SU designer series paper and Regal Rose Cardstock. The inside of the bag shows off the back side of the baby shower designer paper.

The sentiments for my card were from SU "Cuddles and Kisses" (ret).  I inked with Archival Black ink and fussy cut.  I added SU "White Perfect Accents" to the handles for embellishment.  The cute little baby shoes I found in my stash.  I used scraps from my bag for my card front die cutting all 3 layers with my Memory Box "Stitched Rectangles".

A really fun project that looks so cute with white tissue paper inside and with the hat tucked in the tissue.  My card is 4 1/4" x 4 1/4",  but was too bulky so I made an envelope that was meant for a 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" card.  Worked perfectly.   My card is tucked into the totebag also.

Thank you again Karen for your inspiration and your fun TLC623 Challenge.  Be sure if you want to make this tote bag to go to Karen's "Snippet" blog and the SCS technique challenge for lots of inspiration.  Happy bag making my friends...Hugs..


Supplies: All the supplies listed in the video link above and my supplies that I have added to my description.

Aren't Karen's Tote Bags just so cute?!?

Her 2nd tote bag





Saturday, January 28, 2017

Another NBUS #9 Hidden Word

Here is my 2nd card for the NBUS #9 Challenge that Darnell is hosting to celebrate her 3 week blog Birthaversary!  Do check out her Blog for all the Deets :-)


My card is for you my friend...I hope my card makes you smile after your 2nd day of surgery or at least makes you think about smiling!  May every day get better especially after taking a peak between naps of all the gorgeous and creative hidden word cards :-)  Here is My 2nd Card!


I was inspired by your Hidden Word challenge Darnell and by Cornelia Revisits Alcohol Ink for STAMPlorations Spotlight Projects.  Cornelia has fun photo's of each of her steps to her cool alcohol ink card.  Thank you girls for your Inspiration.



I dropped different colors of Tim Holtz alcohol inks one at a time and then blowing each drop with a straw.  I left space between each drop the 1st time around then went back and added a few more blown drops.  I meant to have more white space like Cornelia's card,  but......!

I added Washi tape at the bottom of my piece.  Then Die Cut "Smile" by CUTplorations on my card front and popped it up with another die cut smile using coaster board.  Then I used a paint brush to flick 90% alcohol drops to my card front to add more texture.

Next I stamped my butterfly using my MISTI and Archival Ink.  I accidently moved my card front, so when I stamped again using my MISTI it blurred a little so....time for a fix... I stamped my butterfly the same way,  but used a different Yupo AI background that had the same colors and fussy cut my butterfly after I was sure my ink had dried...always check by blotting with paper towel.  My "today" stamped beautifully.

I have discovered when attaching yupo to yupo with liquid glue (I use SU fine tip glue pen) if I use an acrylic block for a weight and leave it a few minutes, whatever I am attaching sticks beautifully.

I hope my card brightens your day Darnell and thank you again Cornelia for your inspiration :-)  You have until January 29th to play in the NBUS #9 challenge and then there will be one more week with a new NBUS #10 Challenge.  I am having so much fun using new Schtuff!  I used my stamped butterfly and "today" for the very 1st time!

Hugs...




And STAMPlorations January 2017 Stamps and Mixed Media Challenge..no optional twist this time.


Supplies:
Stamps: STAMPlorations Trendy Butterflies.  Paper: SU Whisper White. Yupo.  Inks: Archival Jet Black.  Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks: Wild Plum, Watermelon, Flamingo, Sunshine Yellow.  Accessories: Big Shot, CUTplorations "Smile", SU Coaster Board and papersnips, MISTI, washi tape, SU fine tip glue pen, straw, foam tape.



Wednesday, January 25, 2017

NBUS #9 by Darnell

It is now time for Darnell's NBUS #9 Challenge she is hosting to celebrate her 3 week blog Birthaversary!  Do check out her Blog for all the Deets :-)


Here is my card using the Hidden Word technique and my NBUS CUTplorations "Oh Frap!" die.



My card was so fun to make using a piece of scrunched Glad Wrap on Alcohol Inks.  I dropped the Alcohol Inks onto Yupo paper, spritzed with blending solution,  then placed my Glad Wrap over the Ink and scrunched up the wrap to blend the inks, which gave the line design.  The most important step....set your piece aside until completely dry and then remove your wrap.  It can take 2 hours or more, so a good idea to leave overnight.

I die cut my piece with my CUTplorations "Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Nesting Dies"..using the smallest of the 3 dies.  Then die cut my hidden word with my CUTplorations "Oh Frap!" die.  I then die cut the Oh Frap! again with SU Coaster Board and attached both dies to give the die more dimension.

I stamped my sentiment with Archival Jet Black ink onto SU Whisper White CS,  fussy cut and attached to another piece of AI background for the frame.  I popped up my sentiment with foam tape.

I attached my background, Oh, Frap! and sentiment to my card base and was done!  Easy, Peasy! Enjoy and hope you get to play along too.  The challenge lasts until the 29th and then the 3rd NBUS challenge begins.  All 3 challenges have fabulous prizes too.

Darnell...I would love any of your prizes except the MISTI,  which I already have :-)  Thank you again for another AWESOME NBUS Challenge my friend.

Lydia's Mixed Media Background with Cling Wrap Video.   Lydia used dry powders directly on her cling wrap and then spritzed,  but you get the same lined design as I got using Alcohol Ink directly on Yupo Paper, spritzing with blending solution (or you can use rubbing alcohol) and then adding the Glad Wrap.   There are different plastic wrap manufactures,  but be sure to use the better quality plastic wraps.  They are a bit thick and easier to work with for better results.

My card is for the STAMPlorations Anything Goes Challenge Also..


Also the STAMPlorations  January Theme and Sketch Challenge...I only did the Theme.


And..Simon Says Stamp Blog Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes


Supplies: 
Stamps: SU "It's Your Birthday" retired.  Paper: SU WW thick and reg.  Yupo Paper.  Inks: Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks: Watermelon, Flamingo and Pink Sherbet.  Archival Black ink.  Accessories: Big Shot, CUTplorations Oh Frap!  and Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Nesting Dies. foam tape. Ranger Blending Solution, Glad Wrap


Thursday, January 19, 2017

My 2nd NBUS #8 Card

I am Hooked on Darnell's NBUS #8 Blogaversary Challenge using Kraft CS and Color Pencils and of course Never Before Used Schtuff!


Darnell is celebrating her and Mister's 46th Anniversary and her awesome djkardkreations: Blog 5th Birthday!  Also Darnell has a new header to celebrate her 5th year entertaining and inspiring all of us :-)

There are prizes and 3 challenges..one a week for 3 weeks.  Be sure and read all the rules.  #8 is all about using Kraft CS and colored pencils and of course NBUS (never-before-used-schtuff).   There are even more rules,  so be sure and read all for this fun challenge.

Here is my NBUS Kraft and Prismacolor Pencils Card...


I got braver coloring this card than on my 1st card , where I used smaller images to color with my pencils and gamsol.

Yesterday I received in the mail my STAMPlorations "Good Books and Coffee" set, which had this fun coffee and books image and 4 sentiments.  I cheated and went to Shery's STAMPlorations blog site to look for colored samples of this set.  I loved the 5 card set that Becca (The Damsel of Distressed) made using this fun book and coffee set.  She did not use pencils to color,  but I loved her shading,  so I CASE'd her shading design using Prismacolor Pencils and blending my colors with Gamsol (odorless mineral spirits) using paper stumps.

Since this is a technique I had not used in years I went searching for videos when I made my 1st card. I am sharing the video I found and another that my friend Susan found.  Bonnie found an interesting Prismacolor Chat Thread on Splitcoaststampers forum that has info on papers to use and more.

You Tube Videos...
Colored Pencil Blending by Dina Kowal
Colored Pencil Coloring with mineral spirits by Shari Carroll

After stamping and heat embossing my main image I colored with my pencils and gamsol and then fussy cut.  I then die cut my card front and stamped the sentiment using my MISTI.  I popped up my card front and coffee and book image with 3M foam tape.

I felt my card front needed more so I used my pencils to color the running stitched border.  Then I was happy.  Enjoy and have a cup of coffee or tea with a good book!  Hugs....

P.S.  I would love any of your prizes...except the MISTI...I have one...a must have tool!


My card is for STAMPlorations Anything Goes Challenge too.


And...STAMPlorations CAS Challenge: optional twist Silver or Gray..book pages have Gray


And STAMPlortions January 2017 Theme and Sketch Challenge



STAMPS: STAMPlorations Good Books & Coffee.  Paper: SU Crumb Cake.  Inks: Black Archival Ink.  Versafine Pigment Ink.  Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Stumps and sanding block. SU Black EB powder, heat tool and papersnips. Foam tape. STAMPlorations "Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Nesting Dies."

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

NBUS #8 Blog Birthaversary!

Darnell has so much to Celebrate...You must check out her NBUS #8 Blogaversary!


Darnell is celebrating her and Mister's 46th Anniversary and her awesome djkardkreations: Blog 5th Birthday!  Also Darnell has a new header to celebrate her 5th year entertaining and inspiring all of us :-)

There are prizes and 3 challenges..one a week for 3 weeks.  Be sure and read all the rules.  #8 is all about using Kraft CS and colored pencils and of course NBUS (never-before-used-schtuff).   There are even more rules,  so be sure and read all for this fun challenge.

Here is my NBUS Kraft and Prismacolor Pencils Card...


NBUS: Altenew "Doodle Blooms"...a Christmas gift from my special friend Loll (Stamping with Loll).  Thank you again my friend!  Also SU "Sunshine Sayings" sentiment.

NBUS: SU Washi Tape and SSS sequins.

I heat embossed my leaves and flowers and fussy cut my shaped flowers and attached with dimensional tape.  I used my Signo uni-ball pen to draw the white stitching.  I stamped my sentiment with Archival Black ink using my MISTI...of course.  Who wants crooked sentiments!  To add a bit of bling I added the sequins and Wink of Stella to the leaves and flowers.  I attached card front to base using foam tape.

The fun part was coloring the leaves and flowers with Prismacolor pencils and blending with  Gamsol (odorless mineral spirits) using paper stumps.  It was my 1st time to try the technique !!!  Another NBUS :-)

I found this very helpful video on You-Tube..by Shari Carroll for Hero Arts.
Here is another awesome video by Dina Kowal Colored Pencil Blending. My friend Susan shared this video and I like it the best.  More thorough!

That's It.  Fun and Easy 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" card.  I am so happy the way it turned out. Thank you again Darnell for an awesome NBUS challenge with 2 more to look forward to soon!  This challenge ends on Jan. 23rd,   so more time to join the fun.  Hugs...

P.S.  I would love any of your wonderful prizes except MISTI..I have my own..a must have tool!

Supplies: 
Stamps: Altenew "Doodle Blooms" and SU "Sunshine Sayings".  Paper: Crumb Cake. Inks: Archival Black, SU Craft Whisper White pigment ink.  Accessories: SU White EB powder, Heat tool,  Washi Tape, dimensionals and Fine Tip Glue Pen for attaching sequins. SSS moonshine sequins and Signo uni-ball pen for stitching.





Monday, January 16, 2017

CAS Watercolour January 2017 Snowflake Reminder Challenge

Here is my sparkly CAS Watercolour January Reminder Card...Snowflake!


So many gorgeous CAS Watercolour Snowflake Reminder cards by the Design Team and our Guest Designer, Hannelie (Desert Diva).   You will be inspired and hopefully will get a chance to play along. You have until January 24th to play!


A few days ago I had such a fun play day with my forever girlfriend Leslie (Running with Scissors). I got to see Leslie's amazing reorganized stamp room with a beautiful new larger window overlooking her beautiful gardens.  One of her kids (golden retriever) Lulu,  joined us for the tour, while Lulu's brother Wally stayed in the other room with Leslie's DH Rich.  The girls in one room and the boys in another...sound familiar?

We had fun sharing a few die cuts.  I used Leslie's die cut Impression Obsession "Fir Trees" and Memory Box "Frosty Border" on my card.  Thank you again Leslie for sharing.   They are now on my wishlist!  They were cut from Ninna 120# CS.

I used my Zig Clean Color Real Brush watercolour markers to color my white trees using a sweeping motion to give them more texture.  I then die cut my snowbank using Dienamics Snowdrift Die adding SU Fine Tip Glue and Dazzling Diamonds to my snowdrift and the trees.  I used the same glue to attach the pretty "Frosty Border" and then added Wink of Stella to the snowflakes. This is a really pretty sparkly card ;-)

The sentiment is from my brand new Penny Black "Heartfelt Thanks" sentiment set.  I LOVE all 13 of the sentiments in the set :-)  My card is for a dear friend who will soon be celebrating her Winter birthday.

Thank you for visiting and especially for your comments.  Sure hope you get to play along with us this month.   We love seeing all your gorgeous Clean and Simple creations.  Hugs...

Adding to Time Out Challenge.Winter..no optional twist


Sunday, January 15, 2017

CAS Mix Up January 2017 Reminder

Here is my Clean and Simple CAS Mix Up January Reminder Card


I used Stamping + Distress Ink Refills Liquid Colours + Die Cuts


Such an easy card to make.  I let the beautiful Simon Says Stamp Die Cut "Birch Column" be the star of this CAS Birthday Card.  I used a wet on wet watercolour technique on a piece of Strathmore Mixed Media paper.  Adding water with a paint brush onto my paper then drops of Tim Holtz Distress Ink refills: Broken China and Peeled Paint,  which I helped move around with another wet paint brush.

My next step was to die cut the beautiful "Birch Column" on a piece of 4" x 5 1/2" SU Shimmery White CS.  Then stamped and fussy cut my new Penny Black "Heartfelt Thanks" sentiment using Archival Jet Black Ink.  Adding a SU Basic Black CS frame and rhinestone.

I got into my stash of Memory Box die cut "Resting Birds" and chose 3 red birds for embellishment.

I attached the watercoloured background behind the "Birch Column" using SU Fine Tip Glue Pen and added the birds with the same glue.  Attached the card front to the black cardstock to make the images pop.  Adding foam tape to the card front and then to the card base gave my card more dimension.  The sentiment tag is also popped up.

I added Wink of Stella to the birds and "Fabulous" to tie into the pretty Shimmery CS.  I wish you could see in the photo, but we all know how they do not show up.....

Enjoy and be sure and check out all the beautifully creative CAS Mix Up January Reminder cards by the fabulous Design Team and Guest Designer, Trina.  You still have until January 24th to play along with us.  We love seeing your creative and inspiring cards in our challenge gallery. Hugs..


Saturday, January 7, 2017

Time to Celebrate!


Time to Celebrate my DH Denny's 74th Birthday :-)


And the Close Up


Denny is a lover of all nature,  but especially of trees!  I made several Alcohol Ink backgrounds the other day using different shades of green Alcohol Inks using the smooshed AI technique.  I used my Tim Holtz "Woodlands" die to die cut one background, which I had used Tim Holtz Pesto, Lettuce, Juniper and Citrus Alcohol Inks.  I set that tree aside.

I then die cut the same tree in an Arches Cold Press 4" x 5 1/4" card front that I had dry embossed with my SU Woodgrain EB folder.

I used another Alcohol ink background that I had used Tim Holtz Pesto, Lettuce and Pinata Gold Mixative AI,  which gave a gorgeous gold glimmer.

I placed the 2nd piece behind the die cut card front so it would show thru the die cut card front and give another layer for a tiny bit of framing.

Inlaying the die cut tree really made the tree pop.  I love all the different AI colors in the tree.

I added a stamped PB "Heartfelt Thanks" sentiment that I fussy cut and popped up.  Also a strip of leftover AI to ground the tree.

Denny's favorite style is CAS and he is intrigued with alcohol ink backgrounds,  so I think he will really like his card.

My card is for the CAS Mix UP January Challenge...my choice inlaid Die Cutting and dry EB.


Also for the Splitcoaststamping F4A359 Dye's  and SCS CAS210 Show me your new..my new PB sentiment.

And SSS Blog Wednesday Challenge: Something New..My 1st time using the Inlaid Technique with my Woodland Tree Die.


Thank you so much for visiting and especially for your comments. Hugs...

Monday, January 2, 2017

Live with Passion

Here is my 2nd card for the CAS Mix Up January 2017 Challenge


I used Stamping + Alcohol Inks liquid colors on Yupo + my choice..Stencil Tracing and Die Cuts


I am sharing a wonderful Alcohol Inks on Yupo Paper Video by our very talented Loll (Stamping with Loll).  I made my background piece using Ranger Alcohol Inks: Sunshine Yellow, Sunset Orange and Watermelon and spritzed with Blending Solution on a sheet of foil.  Then smooshed my Yupo paper...just like Loll.  I spritzed the remaining ink with more Ranger Blending Solution and smooshed another piece.  I used the 2nd piece that turned out lighter for my background.  I used my 1st background as die cuts for my CAS Mix Up January launch card.

I placed my New ARTplorations "Broken Glass" Stencil over my Alcohol Ink background and taped down with 3M masking tape.  Then traced the stencil using Staedtler permanent marker and die cut using CUTplorations "Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Nesting Medium Die".  I also die cut my SU Whisper White thick cardstock card front using the largest die from the same set.

I stamped my SU ""Sunshine Sayings" sentiments on SU WW Thick cardstock using Archival Jet Black ink and framed with SU Basic Black CS adding SU rhinestones for a bit of bling.

I popped up the background for added dimension.  An easy card for a January birthday card for a dear family friend,  who will soon be celebrating her 90th birthday and is as sharp as ever :-)

My card is also for the current Time Out #73 Words Challenge

'With each sunrise we are given a chance for a new beginning'

I used sunrise colors and a reminder that each day of our lives should be celebrated!

Also STAMPlorations Anything Goes Challenge


And..Simon Says Stamp Blog Monday Challenge..Start A Fresh..my stencil was fresh out of the pkg!





Happy New Years dear friends.  Wishing you all the best......



CAS Watercolour January Snowflake Challenge


The holidays are over,  but Winter has really set in for the Northern Hemisphere.   It is time for our CAS Watercolour January Snowflakes Challenge.



Here is my Watercolour Resist Snowflake card.


I enjoyed using a favorite older SU snowflake set..."Serene Snowflakes" (ret).   I inked up my stamps with Versamark and stamped the snowflakes onto Arches Mixed Media paper.  Then heat embossed with SU White EB powder.

Then I sprinkled Brilliant Blue Brushos powder onto my craft mat and spritzed with water.  I used water to wet my WC paper with a #6 paint brush and then painted with my diluted Brushos letting the ink spread.  When dry I  used the same wet on wet technique to add Purple Brushos diluted ink.

When dry I splattered with my paint brush the diluted Purple Brushos.

When dry I used my Tim Holtz "Dot Fade" stencil and SU Whisper White pigment ink and sponged the dots over some of the open areas.  Very subtle,  but does add more depth and texture.

I have been so inspired by my friend and fellow DT member Karen (Snippets),  who does the most gorgeous watercolor backgrounds and CAS designs.  Here is the beautiful snowflake card that Karen recently did for our CAS Watercolour December Challenge that inspired my card.  Thank you Karen.

After my background was finished I trimmed it by using my CUTplorations "Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Nesting" smallest die and used the largest die from the set to die cut my card front using SU Shimmery White CS.

I loved the effect of Karen's white die cut sentiment and so die cut my CUTplorations Stitched Thankful die twice using SU Shimmery White CS and popped up the stamped "for you" from SSS "Lots of Thanks".

I popped up my main image using 3M foam tape.

I am real happy with how my card turned out.  Thank you again Karen for the inspiration.  You will get more inspirations for your snowflake cards from all the beautiful cards from our very creative Design Team and this months Guest Designer, Hannelie (Desert Diva).  Be sure and check out the CAS Watercolour January Challenge.

Enjoy and thank you for visiting and commenting on my cards.  It makes my day.  Hugs


My card is for STAMPlorations Anything Goes Challenge..