6/30/14

Little Book of Dreams

Hi everyone, this is my first post as a member of the Eclectic Paperie design team and I am super excited to be working with this wonderful group of crafters.

Do you ever have a day where you just want to play?  A day where you have no idea what you are going to create?  A day where you just want to have fun and see where the fun takes you?  This was my day to play with resist papers and Faber Castell Gelatos.  These are amazing coloring mediums and I know there so many things you can do if only you had the time to play.   I picked up this Heidi swap paper pad recently and because of the cool resist nature of the papers, they really lend themselves perfectly to Gelatos.

Not totally sure what I was going to do, I cut apart many of the papers and started adding color with Gelatos.  Eventually this project morphed into a mini book.

I cut chipboard into 6" x 6" pieces, planning to use them as my covers.  But once I started playing with Gelatos, I decided to add covers to my covers! 


I created Gelato spritzers by cutting pieces of Gelatos and mixing them with water in a spray bottle.  After a few minutes of shaking, they dissolve and you get this amazing color spritzer.  I wish I had a bottle for each color I created!   I then used the spritzers to spritz the background of the cover pieces.  They didn't take long to dry so I was able to continuing working.


 
Then I decided to play with all kinds of mediums on the cover.  I used a Crafter's Workshop stencil on the right side and added Embossing Paste through the stencil with a palette knife.  Once dry, I added color with Gelatos and a Tim Holtz Water Brush.  I love how it gives the cover some nice dimension.  Next, a small branch as well as script stamps were stamped with Ranger Jet Black Archival Ink.  Since I knew I was going to add additional colors, I needed to use a permanent ink.  I then rubbed purple Gelato all around the edges of the cover using both a water brush and my finger as I wanted a blended (not streaked) look, but also something slightly imperfect.
 
 
 
I have a very delicate die that I wanted to use, so I colored white cardstock with coral, pink, yellow and green Gelatos - blending them with water.  Once dry, I placed the die on top and ran it through my die cut machine.  The resulting die cut is very pretty.
 
 
 
 


 

 
Cutting assorted interior pages 5 1/2" x 5 1/2", I used Gelatos to scribble color on the pages then used a water brush to smooth out the colors.

Purples -




Yellows and Gold -


Blues  and Greens


Yellows and Pink -



 
Using a paper towel helps buff the colors.
 
I punched holes in all the pages and tied the book together with May Arts ribbon.  Then, finding a stamp I liked, I stamped it on a scrap of resist paper in Archival Ink, tore the edges and added more Gelatos.  Once I placed in on the cover, I used a Faber Castell White Stampers Brush to draw some dash lines around it. 
 
Now this little book has become my little book of dreams.  It is just waiting for me to add some little poems and quotes that I find along my journey.  I hope you like it and I hope I've inspired you to pull out your supplies and find some time to just play!!!  

Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph

6/25/14

My Friend

Hi everyone.  It's Wednesday and that means its time for a new challenge at Mark's Finest Papers and Stamps.  

This week's Simple Salutations Challenge #103 is to create a summery card.  Now, for me, summer means bright colors and pretty flowers so this lovely iris was just perfect for this theme.


 
The stamp set I used is the Bearded Iris stamp set.  I used Clearsnap's Stephanie Barnard Ink in Celery and Artichoke on the stem and then Guava and Strawberry on the iris.  Assorted die cuts and an embossed background finished off the card.

 
The sentiment was stamped in Guava, embossed with Clear Embossing Powder and then added to the card with foam adhesives for dimension.
 
Thanks for stopping by today and don't forget to enter  your card here for a chance to win some stamps.
 
Steph

6/23/14

Summer Party Ensemble with Cut Cardstock

I was asked to be a guest designer for CutCardstock.com last week.  I created a summer party themed ensemble.  Here is the link to my post on the CutCardstock blog, entitled Summer Kickoff Series.

I received Kraft Brown Bag cardstock, Curious Metallic Cardstock and Chiyogami Origami paper to work with and was asked to create a Summer themed project.

Once I started creating, I just couldn't stop and ended up with this bright and sunny summer party ensemble which includes a banner, place setting cards and thank you gift boxes plus a thank you card.




The banner was created with my Circuit and then inked with Clearsnap Chestnut Pigment Ink.  The layers were cut from  Kraft Brown Bag Cardstock and Curious Metallic Cardstock in 2 colors.  The Metallic cardstock layers were also embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder for dimension.  The letters were die cut from Kraft Brown Bag Cardstock and Origami papers using my Cricut.  Assorted foliage was die cut and placed behind the letters for more dimension.  A punch was used to create the banner tops with Origami papers.  Since the papers are very thin, I placed them on cardstock first then punched them - worked great.



The place settings were die cut using Pop-a-Top die #17 from The Stamp Doctor and Kraft Brown Bag Cardstock.   Layers placed on top with Origami papers.  The die cut edges were cut from the left over Curious Metallic papers which coordinate with the banner, and then embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder.

Thank You gift boxes were die cut from my Cricut from Kraft Brown Bag Cardstock and all the edges were inked with Clearsnap Chestnut Pigment Ink before assembling.  Images were stamped using The Stamp Doctor Sunflower Bouquet stamps around the boxes using ColorBox Stephanie Barnard Licorice Ink, and then colored with Tombow Markers.  The sentiments were stamped on Cryogen White with ColorBox Stephanie Barnard Licorice Ink, inked with  Clearsnap Chestnut Pigment Ink, and matted with Kraft Brown Bag Cardstock before attaching to the boxes with twine.




My Thank you Card uses Brown Bag Cardstock forming a 5 1/2" square card.  The mesh insert was die cut using a Memory Box die with Cryogen White cardstock.   Additional die cuts were used to create dimension on the card as well as to "finish" the card, both inside and out.   The layers were inked with Clearsnap Chestnut Pigment Ink before adhering to the card.  The sentiment was stamped  with ColorBox Stephanie Barnard Licorice Ink on Cryogen White cardstock, inked with Clearsnap Chestnut Pigment Ink, and matted with Brown Bag Cardstock.  The Stamp Doctor Bottle Cap and Paper Flower die set was used to create the flowers from Origami papers.  The Origami paper is PERFECT to create these flowers since it is very thin.  You can die cup 6-8 layers in one pass and form awesome flowers quickly.  Foliage was also die cut from Origami papers and added to the card behind the flowers.



Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph


Supplies:
CutCardstock - Brown Bag and Curious Metallic
Manual Dies:  Stampdoctor.com; Spellbinders
Electronic Dies:  Cricut Expression
Punch:  EKSuccess
Stamps:  Stampdoctor.com
Markers: Tombow

6/20/14

The Robin's Nest Design Team




I am so excited to share that I am remaining on the Robin's Nest Design Team for another term.  I am just so happy to be a part of this wonderful group.    Check out this post for all the designers.




Steph

By the Sea Basically Bare Album

I have a post today on the Basically Bare blog.  I love this Simply Shapely Mini Album by Basically Bare.

bythsea-basicallybare-clearsnap-robinsnest-steph-ackerman
 
 
Please check out all the details here.

I adored working with this album and the Graphic 45 papers.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph


6/18/14

Good Luck!

Hi everyone.  It's Wednesday and that means its time for a new challenge at Mark's Finest Papers and Stamps.  

This week's Simple Salutations Challenge is to create a graduation card.

I cut the card with my Cricut and  stamped Good Luck (from the Bearded Iris stamp set) repeatedly across the bottom of the cap.




 
Thanks for stopping by today and don't forget to enter  your card here for a chance to win some stamps.
 
Steph

6/17/14

Friendship is......

Today's project uses a fun product from Ann Butler - Iridescents

Using a piece of embossed cardstock, I painted Aquamarine Iridescents on top.   As you can see, the embossing resisted the Iridescents.  Then I matted the panel with black cardstock to make the color pop.
 

 

I wrapped a piece of ribbon around the left side and added a sentiment that was stamped with Berry Crafter's Ink.

 

Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph

 

You are the light of my life

This month, the Robin's Nest team is working with the fabulous Robin's Nest Paris collection. 

Stop by the blog today and see the beautiful anniversary card and coordinating envelope I've created with these fabulous products.



Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph

Mini cards with Cornish Heritage Farms Backgrounder Stamps

Hi everyone, it's a new challenge at Cornish Heritage Farms, and  this week, I'd love to see your cards that use a stamp (or stamps) to create the background.

I found these mini cards in my stash recently.  The cards already had a flower die cut from the center, but they still looked pretty plain to me so I used the Large Dots Backgrounder stamp on the front of the cards.




I used Clearsnap Chalk Ink then embossed with clear embossing powder for some shine.  A coordinating strip of cardstock was added to the edge.  The sentiments were stamped and punch and added to the cards with foam adhesives for dimension.

 
The sentiments are from Script Essential Expressions which is a stamp set consisting of 56 sentiments and phrases.
 

Don't forget to check the Cornish Heritage Farms Design Team's cards on their blogs:


Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph

 

6/16/14

Hi! Miss You with Izink Pigment Ink

Hi everyone, the designers at Clearsnap and Cardmaker Magazine have come together today with a blog hop.  Hope you'll stop by everyone's blog and see what they've created.
 
Have you seen  Izink Pigment Inks yet?   Izinks are distributed by Clearsnap, and are an acrylic based pigment ink that can be used for most craft projects.  Use the included eye dropper or put some Izink in a spray bottle and spritz it.  You can mix and match colors and even create your own colors by mixing them together.  Let me show you what I've done.




I placed several drops of Bamboo, Cactus and Topaz Izink on a craft sheet, then using the Izink Spritzer bottle, I spritzed the craft sheet with water to liquify the colors some more. 


I dragged several pieces of cardstock through the watery mix.  Depending on the amount you have used, Izink dries quickly or, to speed along the drying process, you can always heat set it.  You can create some fun effects by adding additional layers of ink once the previous layers have dried.  Simply spritz more water on your craft sheet and drag the cardstock through it again.




Using a Sizzix die I created the card from brown cardstock.  Then I die cut the Izink'd paper to fit.  ColorBox Stephanie Barnard Artichoke Ink was the perfect match, so I inked all the edges of my papers before completing the card.  To add a little more dimension, I used a ColorBox Art Screen with the Artichoke Ink along the right/back edge.  Love the look!























 
 
I used ColorBox Lots of Thoughts Design Adhesives along with Goldmine Designer Foils on the card flaps.  They rubbed perfectly onto scraps of the Izink'd papers and fit perfectly in the small Sizzix die cut. 

It's hard to see but the Izink really shimmers and shines.  Izink is an amazing product that has endless possibilities.  Why not pick up a few and give them a try?

Stop by all the designers and see what they've created.  Leave a comment along the way for a chance to win a prize package of Izink from Clearsnap.


Blog hop list:

CardMaker
http://www.cardmakermagazine.com/blog/?p=9890
Steph Ackerman
http://stephaniescraps.blogspot.com/.../hi-miss-you-with...         HERE
Jeanne Streiff
http://inkypaws.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/?p=20022
Meihsia Liu
http://meihsia.blogspot.com/.../hello-friends-card-izink...
Kathy Martin
http://card-blanc.blogspot.com/.../clearsnap-and...
Jennifer Priest
http://hydrangeahippo.com/?p=6288
Kristie Hartfeil
http://krismybliss.wordpress.com/
Kristine Reynolds
http://stampingandscrapingincalifornia.blogspot.com/...
Vivian Keh
http://contadinak.wordpress.com/2014/06/04/cardmaker-hop/
Sabrina Alery
http://sabrinaalery.com/2014/06/16/cardmaker-clearsnap/
Tami Sanders
http://tamisanders.com/2014/06/02/cardmaker-blog-hop/
Vera Yates
http://lingshappyplace.blogspot.com/.../cardmaker...
Clearsnap Blog
http://blog.clearsnap.com/?p=10454


 
Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph

6/12/14

Gnome Sweet Gnome Blog hop with Susan K Weckesser and Unity Stamp Co.

OK, here is some info:

#1.  Please have your post scheduled to go live at 12:00 (noon) CST, which is when the Unity stamp sets will go live and be ready to order. 

#2.  I've attached a banner photo that you can use as blog Hop banner.   

#3.  Here is the permalink for Susan's blog post.  
http://mysweetearth.blogspot.com/2014/06/susan-k-weckesser-and-unity-blog-hop.html

#4.  You all have access to get the My Linky html for your blog posts.  This now includes all the Unity team, but the same code will still work.  It is looking really good when I do a preview.  

#5.  We have two prizes to give away on Susan's blog and two on Unity's blog.  

#6.  Here is what I'm sharing on Susan's blog  

"You do not want to miss out on the super cute projects created by designers from both teams. You can view them all by clicking on the links and/or thumbnails below.  Make sure you visit all the blogs as we have some fabulous prize packages to give away.  Hop through and visit all blogs (and leave some loving comments) then come back to the original post on Susan K Weckesser blog & the original post on the Unity Blog - tell us which stamp set you would most enjoy and which projects really caught your interest.   We will pick two winners from comments left on this blog post at Susan K Weckesser and two winners from those commenting on the Unity Stamp Company blog.  
"

#7.  The stamp set names that are the new releases are:
What's Up Gnomey?
Tumbleweed Houses 

#8  I might have some pics to share later for the stamp sets and/or the prize packages.   

************Thank you all SO VERY MUCH for working at the last minute and being patient with me.
Hi everyone, Susan K Weckesser has some new stamps with Unity Stamp Co.  Check them out, they are amazing!!!  I can't wait to use them all.


Cheryl Boglioli's photo.Cheryl Boglioli's photo.


For today's project, I've used the "what's up gnomey?" set, choosing to fussy cut the gnome and some greenery.  In folklore, the definition of a gnome is a small imaginary being usually portrayed as a hunchbacked man with a long white beard who lives underground guarding treasure.  Susan portrays him perfectly.




I chose to color my images with Tombow Markers and then fussy cut them.  I had this 4" x 4" burlap panel that I thought would be awesome to sit him on.  I inked the edges of my images and the burlap panel with Clearsnap Chestnut Pigment Ink, then I arranged the elements on the burlap panel.

Now this little gnome can protect my treasures!!!!

We have FOUR amazing Unity filled prize packages to giveaway each including one $25 gift certificate to Unity Stamp Co PLUS one of each BRAND NEW Susan K Weckessar stamp sets. Leave a comment on EACH blog in the hop (including the Unity & Susan K Weckesser blog) for your chance to win. The winners will be announced Saturday night on the Unity blog.


 
Thanks for stopping by today.
 
Steph
 

6/11/14

#1 Dad

Hi everyone.  It's Wednesday and that means its time for a new challenge at Mark's Finest Papers and Stamps.  

This week's Simple Salutations Challenge #101 is to create a Father's Day Card.


I used the Tailgate party stamp set and randomly stamped baseballs and footballs about the cardstock then adhere it to the card base.

 
 
 
A sticker was added to a chipboard circle and adhered to the card with some ribbon.
 
Thanks for stopping by today and don't forget to enter  your card here for a chance to win some stamps.
 
Steph

6/9/14

If Friends were flowers........

My first design team project for Susan K. Weckesser is up on the blog today.





I've used Susan's Fly Away stamp set from Unity Stamps, adding color with Pan Pastels and Clearsnap ink.  The trellis was added to the card with ScraPerfects's The Best Glue Ever.  The Prima flowers were also colored with Pan Pastels before adding them to the trellis with a tiny wood butterfly.  The butterfly needed a trail so I used The Best Glue Ever to place dots of glue onto which I placed Robin's Nest Dew Drops. 

A tiny chipboard sign was inked and a simple sentiment placed on top and nestled amongst the flowers.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph

6/7/14

May Arts DT Call

Hi everyone, did you know that May Arts is having a DT call?  I am super excited because I would love to work with Bethney and her team.  And, having a wonderful supply of beautiful and amazing ribbons on hand wouldn't hurt either!!!!

My samples for the call include:

Envelope card
Used a legal envelope and decorated with Authentique papers and Prima Doll stamp.
May Arts Ribbon was used where the papers were joined together before adhering to the envelope.
Used a circle punch to punch the front of the card where the card in inserted.
More May Arts Ribbon was used as the card pull and a gift card was added inside the pocket.


 
Grandma's Trunk
Painted a little wood box and put everything inside you'd think you'd find in Grandma's trunk - jewels, purses, shoes, doilies, flowers and more.
May Arts ribbon adorns the edge of the box as well as the dress form and latch.


 

 
Summer Album



I decided to take apart the album before working on it because I wanted the papers to be closer to the edges.  Since I have a Zutter Bind-it-all, it was very easy to reassemble.  Plus, because you can take it apart, you can put it back together  any way you want!!!!!


This album is full of assorted sized pages in canvas, chipboard, corrugated board, envelopes and acrylic.


Some May Arts mesh  was tied around the acrylic page which was finger painted with Art Anthology’s Copper Sorbet, and more  mesh  was tied around a paper covered envelope.  Rub-ons were scattered about the pages.
 
 
On the back page, I adhered some May Arts burlap ribbon.  Note to self – I think adding a few sea shells amongst the burlap would really add to the summer theme.


I used Art Anthology’s Colorations in  Peacock Feathers and  Waimea Bay to color the canvas, using the Basically Bare Paparazzi Embellies as masks on the canvas.  I’ve put the Embellies aside for other projects. 



There is a wonderful pocket page included in the album.  I covered it with pattern paper and added some May Arts burlap and placed some summer phrases on top. 


Using more  mesh  , I scrunched it up and adhered it to the corner of the next page.  Slip a photo underneath for a fun and funky look.  There are plenty of spots to add photos in this album.


The double front doors were layered with lots of papers and all kinds of summer phrases.   Then lots of May Arts ribbons were tied to the binding – all summer colors in a variety of styles and colors and sizes.  Some of the ribbons include: Iridiscent, Ombre, Polka Dots, Mesh, Sheer, and OrganzaMay Arts has such a wonderful collection of  ribbons to create some amazing projects.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph