Thinking of you

Hi everyone.  It's Wednesday and that means its time for a new challenge at Mark's Finest Papers & Stamps.   This week's Simple Salutations Challenge  # 108    is to create with yellow and white.

 

I've used the new Roses set, coloring the rose in yellow distress markers and fussy cutting.  A few pop dots provides some dimension to my card.

 

Thanks for stopping by today.

 

Steph

 

Elephant Congratulations

It's a new challenge at Cornish Heritage Farms, and Irit has asked us to use 3 different mediums on our projects.

I used the Gingham Backgrounder stamp, stamping it in brown on cream cardstock.  Congratulations from Script Essential Expressions was stamped in brown on cream cardstock and embossed with clear embossing powder.  It was then die cut and the edges inked with Faber Castel Gelatos.

 

I loved this elephant print so I matted it with brown cardstock and added it to the card base.   The sentiment was added with foam adhesives for dimension.

 

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

• Amber Hillman
• Ann Marie Saunders
• Frances Byrne
• Irit Shalom
• Kelly Santi
• Kristine Reynolds
• Maureen Russell
• Steph Ackerman    HERE

Thanks for stopping by today.

 

Steph

 

 

Renewing a notebook

I have a new project on the eclectic Paperie blog today.  It's all about reusing and repurposing.  Going from drab to fab and sending your child off to school with something cool!

Click  here for all the details.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph

Ann Butler and Cool2Cast blog hop

Hi everyone, this month the Ann Butler Design Team is working with products from Cool2Cast.  

Cool2Cast is a product similar to Plaster of Paris that you just mix with water and pour into a mold.  However, it is much lighter than Plaster of Paris and has a nice porcelain finish when dry.  Mix with water in a Ziploc bag; pour and wait approximately one hour before removing from the mold and then let it dry completely before coloring.  The cold cast designs you can create are amazing - and you can use any flexible mold.

I received an assortment of floral designs to work with  and created this dream canvas.

I began by spritzing the canvas with  water, then painted ColorBox  Crafter's Ink by Ann Butler in Aquamarine and Limelight on the canvas.  The water on the canvas allowed the ink to flow freely across the surface so I could get gradient colors.  I placed the canvas aside to dry while I prepared my other elements.

This Cool2Cast flower is very pretty (unlike my photo).   In order to get into the crevices, I spritzed the flowers with water, then used an art dauber with Berry Ink to add color. 

 Lilac and Berry inks were added to additional flowers.  Limelight and Sunshine were used on the leaves.  I stamped several floral stems on the canvas with Limelight Ink, then adhered the flowers and leaf.     To simulate grass along the bottom edge, I used the 2" Leaves all over stamp set.

 

 

Tangelo, Sunshine, Turquoise and Lilac were painted on the butterfly after first mixing the inks with water.  I just love the effect these inks have on the products.   The butterfly's tail was created by adding Dew Drops from the Robin's Nest.

 

 

For some more dimension, I used stamps from the 2" Stripes. Dots. and Hearts  stamp set and the 2" Doily Picnic stamp set, stamping them around the edges of the canvas in Aquamarine and Limelight.  Then added some Lawn Fawn stickers to spell out "dream" across the top of the canvas.

 

Be sure to stop by everyone's blog and see what they've done with these fabulous products --

Ann Butler
Ava Gavloski
Beth Watson
Carmen Flores Tanis
Connie Hall
Irit Shalom
Kristi Parker Van Doren
Larissa Pittman
Lisa Rojas
Roberta Birnbaum
Steph Ackerman       HERE
Tiffany Windsor
Vishu Reberholt

What's a blog hop without a prize package and leaving some comment love on every blog.

To Enter for the giveaway please leave a comment.  For each blog you leave a comment on, your name will be entered into the giveaway drawing, so be sure to check out the entire Blog Hop for more chances to win!

 Thanks for stopping by today.

 

Steph

 

 

Blog Hop with Susan K Weckesser and UmWowStudio

Hello Friends!! Welcome to the SUMMER BLOG HOP between UmWowStudio and Susan K Weckesser Inc. We'll be sharing gorgeous bright and shining inspiration with you from both teams all week long. Be sure to keep visiting, hopping and commenting to enter to win one of TWO prize packages. Each day is chock full of goodness and we don't want you to miss a thing.

Check out my project for this hop - an altered clock

.


Hope you stop by the blogs to check out everyone's projects.


Steph

Summer Blog Hop with Susan K Weckesser and UmWowStudio

Hello Friends!! Welcome to the SUMMER BLOG HOP between UmWowStudio and Susan K Weckesser Inc. We'll be sharing gorgeous bright and shining inspiration with you from both teams all week long. Be sure to keep visiting, hopping and commenting to enter to win one of TWO prize packages. Each day is chock full of goodness and we don't want you to miss a thing.

Don’t forget to leave a comment each day to be entered to win one of TWO surprise prize packages! Winners will be announced  on both Susan K Weckesser and UmWowStudio blogs.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph

Nature's Blessings

Hi everyone.  It's Wednesday and that means its time for a new challenge at Mark's Finest Papers & Stamps.   This week's Simple Salutations Challenge  # 106  is to use animals.

The card is 3 1/2" x 5" and incorporates the tree, deer and sentiment from the Bow Hunting set.

Don't forget to enter your card here for a chance to win some stamps.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph

Christmas in July

It's time for a new challenge at Cornish Heritage Farms and Ann Marie has asked us to create a Christmas card.

I used the Brick Wall Backgrounder stamp - stamping it with black ink on red cardstock

The 4 elements are from the Night Before Christmas stamp set and I've opted to color in just a few small areas of the stamps.

 

The background stamp is an amazing stamp that truly complements the other stamps.

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

• Amber Hillman
• Ann Marie Saunders
• Frances Byrne
• Irit Shalom
• Kelly Santi
• Kristine Reynolds
• Maureen Russell
• Steph Ackerman    HERE

Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph

Gift card holder

Today's post on the Robin's Nest blog uses the awesome  Outdoor collection.   Stop by the Robin's Nest blog for details and additional samples created with these amazing products.

 

Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph

May Arts Design Team Submission

I am so excited to have been selected to head into the next round for the May Arts design team call.  I was super thrilled to have gotten THAT email and got to thinking about what I could submit for the final round.  Fingers crossed that I can finally get on this wonderful team, work with Bethney and have a great selection of May Arts ribbon at my finger tips!!!!

I love creating cards and mixed media projects above all else.  I though perhaps I could combine aspects of both into a portfolio with coordinating cards, plus a few extras!!!!!.   So grab a cup of coffee or tea as this is a long post!!

 

I started with the Portfolio which was created with a template from Green Sneakers and my Scor-Pal.  Most of the lovely papers I used are from the Robin's Nest. 

 

 

 

I received some awesome May Arts ribbon for this submission, but forgot to get something in purple!   I had some White  May Arts ribbon, but it didn't really match my project - it was just a little too stark white, so I decided to change the color with Izink's Pigment Inks.  I put 6 drops of Izink into a spray bottle and mixed it with water and got a lovely shade of purple.

Placing the ribbon in a plastic bag, I spritzed the purple mix into the bag and mixed it around  till the ribbon changed color.  I added more drops of Izink to darken the ribbon, then a little more water because it was a little too dark.  Izink is a wonderful product to work with.

Once the ribbon dried, I added it to my portfolio - it ties it shut so the recipient has a gift to open.   I then made 5 cards to fit inside the portfolio using assorted lovely May Arts ribbon.

 

 

The portfolio easily holds 4 - 6 A2 sized cards depending on the bulk created when used lots of awesome ribbon.

 

 

 Hi/Hello uses Robin's Nest papers, Hero Arts stamp, Clearsnap Ink, Spellbinders dies and May Arts Pink Net  Ribbon.

 

 

Bloom uses Robin's Nest papers, Clearsnap Ink, Marks Finest stamps, and May Arts Solid/Ivory Plaid  ribbon.

 

Wishing you uses the Robin's Nest papers, Hero Arts stams, May Arts  Turquoise Sheer/Ruffled Edge ribbon  and   White Crochet Trim.

 

Wings uses Robin's Nest papers, Hero Arts stams, Clearsnap ink, Spellbinders die and May Arts   Turquoise Sheer/Ruffled Edge ribbon.

 

 

Kindness uses Robin's Nest papers, Hero Arts stamps, Clearsnap Ink, and May Arts White Crochet Lace., a tiny piece across the top.

 

I also love making larger cards.  These butterfly cards measure 5" x 6 1/2".  They are too big to fit inside the portfolio, but I did want to share them.  I used May Arts  Pink Net Ribbon  in the die cut opening to add some fun dimension to the first card.  I used the Green Sheer/Pinstripes Ribbon amongst the flowers to create the illusion of leaves on the second card.

 

 

 

Prima butterflies, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Spellbinders dies, Robins Nest Dew Drops, Clearsnap Ink and May Arts   Pink Net Ribbon.

Isn't the Pink Net Ribbon  gorgeous?

Thinking of You uses Heartfelt Creations dies, Gina's chipboard, Mark's Finest Stamp, Clearsnap Ink, and May Arts  Green Sheer/Pinstripes Ribbon.

 

I especially love this card.  To me it is simple but elegant and the green ribbon is a nice contrast to the pink and brown.

 

So what do you think of these cards and the portfolio?  Do you think you'd create this as a gift for someone near and dear?

Fingers crossed now for the final decision of who makes the May Arts Design Team for the next year.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph

Vintage Christmas Cards

Check out my post today on the eclectic Paperie blog.

See  how I dressed up  a gift card simply by using left over envelopes, pattern paper, die cuts and ink.  This is a great way to give a gift card and still give the recipient something to open!! 

So let your creativity fly as you create some amazing gift card holders for Christmas or any other gift giving reason.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by today and pop on over to the eclectic Paperie blog for instructions and tons of inspiration.

 

Steph

 



Paulie shows off

Hi everyone, I've been super busy lately but have been having fun playing with my craft supplies.  My pup, Paulie, is always a good helper - from picking up my scraps (and eating them!) to hanging out at my feet while I play.

Today he is modeling a bandana I colored with Izink!!!  Isn't he sweet!!!!!

For the details of his modeling gig, pop on over to the Clearsnap blog.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph

May you enjoy a long and wonderful Life

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 #105 is to create a card for someone who is moving into a new home.  Not having "home" stamps, I used Oriental Joy and Birds of the Orient along with some map paper. 

The map paper gives the illusion of movement as in moving into a new home or moveing across the country.  The butterfly/floral circle represents change. 

Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph

Clearsnap's Summer 2014 release

Hi everyone.  We’re so excited to share our brand new SUMMER release from Clearsnap with you! Gorgeous new Art Screens, more Creative Card designs, 6 new colors of ColorBox Spritzers, and 9 new Souvenir Stamps have been added to our lineup of products for your crafting fun. Our creative team has been busy behind closed doors creating inspiring projects with these new products, from cards to summer journals and more. Hop along with us today to check out these fabulous summer projects and be inspired.

Be sure to visit and comment on each blog in the hop. Then, use the widget on the Clearsnap blog to enter to win 2 of our new Art Screens and 2 of our new ColorBox Spritzers!

 I am so excited to share some of the new products that Clearsnap has coming out.Today, I am working with one of the new ColorBox Art Screens called Tropical and two new ColorBox Spritzers in Lemon Drop and Grasshopper.  Wonderful names, don't you think?

 

Since I wanted some dimension, I used molding paste with the Art Screen.  This is such an easy technique, but it gives an amazing 3 dimensional effect.   Once dry, I spritzed the panel with Lemon Drop and Grasshopper Spritzers, then used a baby wipe to remove some of the color.

The white ribbon I had was a  little too stark, so I placed it into a plastic bag and spritzed it with Lemon Drop and Grasshopper.  To dilute the colors a bit, I added water to the mix so the ribbon would have just a hint of color.

 

Branches and Blooms Design Adhesives were used as my focal image and covered with Campfire and Lucky Penny Designer Foils.   Design Adhesives are great because once you've added the Designer Foils, you can add a secondary layer of Design Adhesives with another color and it creates some nice dimension.    The sentiment was inked with the new ColorBox 6 color ink pad in Gypsy.   Using a ColorBox Art Dauber, I easily picked up the green ink and applied it to the sentiment.  I also used the green ink around my oval die cuts.

 

 

What is your favorite product?

 

Please visit everyone's blog:

Clearsnap http://blog.clearsnap.com/?p=10531

Sabrina Alery http://sabrinaalery.com/2014/07/07/washington-vacation-mini-album/
Steph Ackerman http://stephaniescraps.blogspot.com/2014/07/clearsnaps-summer-2014-release.html     HERE

Tami Sanders http://tamisanders.com/2014/07/07/clearsnap-summer-2014/

Jennifer Priest http://hydrangeahippo.com/?p=7768

Suzanne Austin  http://whatsinalousyananut.blogspot.com/

Vivian Keh http://wp.me/p1YKOT-1rK

Meihsia Liu http://meihsia.blogspot.com/2014/07/clearsnap-spring-summer-2014-new.html

 
Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph