11/30/14

A Little Birdie.....

Hey everyone, have you stopped by the Rubber Dance store yet?  You must see all the fun stamps that are available. 

I've used #B2-L: Vintage Birds which is a collection of 13 stamps.  I've used the Victorian ladies, stamping them in shades of brown.  The sentiment leads you to open the card to reveal what the birdie told me.  But that's a surprise!

 


To see more of the stamps available, visit the Rubber Dance store.

For more inspiration, please visit the Rubber Dance blog.

Supplies:
Stamps:  Rubber Dance
Ink:  Clearsnap


Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph

 
 

11/29/14

Candle Gift Set



Terri Sproul's photo.



Hi everyone, hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful.

Today the Robin's Nest team are blog hopping.

We are less than 4 week from Christmas and it's time to get those final projects completed.

Today I've made a gift bag with a coordinating card.  This makes such a perfect gift itself, but add a little something inside just because......



The Robin's Nest  Flame Glitter Swirl Cardstock was used in my projects.  This paper is beautiful with touches of yellow flames throughout.  And, the cardstock is double sided so I used both sides of the paper.  I die cut two ovals in graduating sizes and reversed the cardstock on the largest.  The die is a Memory Box die which I die cut from White Snow Glitter Cardstock.




A close up of the gift bag.  I die cut the candles again from green cardstock to finish off the holly and then added  Pointsettia Dew Drops to the berries and yellow Under The Sea Tear Drops for the candle flames.


The card uses the same papers and die, but I wrapped some Offray ribbon around the card before adding the die cut element.  Again, I added yellow Under The Sea Tear Drops for the candle flames.  They are so realistic!!


 
Who wouldn't want to get a gift with this gift set?
 
Thanks for stopping by today and please stop by the Robin's Nest team to see all their wonderful creations.
 
Steph
 

11/27/14

Give Thanks Canvas Bags

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.  Hope your day is wonderful.

I found these canvas bags recently and picked them up - figured I'd be able to do something with them!!  The bags already had "Give Thanks" on them, but they were rather plain.  So, being in an altering mood, I used the new ColorBox Crafter's Inks for Ann Butler.

I inked the canvas bag with Desert Sand Crafter's Ink using an art dauber because I just wanted a hint of color.


Using Evergreen, Desert Sand and Canyon Crafter's Inks, I inked a leaf stamp with an art dauber.


Stamp onto the canvas bag.


I reinked the stamp and repeatedly stamped it around the canvas bag.


I also inked the string with Canyon Crafter's Ink.


Fill these little bags with candy or little trinkets for your guests.


 


Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for stopping by today.


Steph

 

11/26/14

Mistakes are proof......

Hi everyone, we all know that mistakes are made.  Some of us will acknowledge those mistakes and some of us will not.

But check out this amazing stamp from Rubber Dance Art Stamps.  It's awesome.  Love the backwards "S".


 
I wanted a pink card so all the layers are pink and the sentiment was stamped in black on a pink panel.  I tore the edges just because.
 
 
 
 
 
To see more of the stamps available, visit the Rubber Dance store.

For more inspiration, please visit the Rubber Dance blog.

Supplies:
Stamps:  Rubber Dance
Ink:  Clearsnap
Pattern paper:  DCWV

Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph

 
 

11/21/14

Flower Molds with ETI

Hi everyone, I've continued to work with some wonderful products from ETI

Last week, I showed you how to create a personal mold using Easy Mold Silicone Putty.  Today I'd love to show you how I used the molds.

These flowers are the result of adding Easy Cast Clear Casting Epoxy to the flower molds I made.  By mixing equal parts EasyCast Resin and EasyCast Hardener, I poured the mix into the flower molds.  Be sure you are on a level surface and allow to cure for 24 hours   The resulting pieces easily popped out of the molds and the molds can be used over and over. 

The deeper mold in on the left and the shallow mold is on the right.  Now that I have both, I think I actually prefer the shallow mold!

 
In my haste to see what I could create, I completely forgot to add color to the resin!!  I solved the color issue by "painting" Ann Butler's Iridescents to my molded flowers.  I love the results and the pieces are gorgeous and translucent. 
 
 
As you can see, there are some "extra" pieces around the edges of the flowers.  That's because I filled the molds too high and the resin spread.  Next time, I'll add just a little bit less resin.  Now that I had these sparkling pieces, I needed to make something.  Having just picked up some mini wooden spools, I decided to see what I could create.  I first inked the spools with ColorBox Crafter's Ink for Ann Butler in Aquamarine and Lilac.  Then I added the molded flowers on top and placed a little flower in the center.


Wouldn't these look wonderful in a child's dollhouse?
 

Or, what about making a bunch and just let them sit amongst your craft supplies?


 
 
These are such fun products to work with.  I can't wait to play around some more and see what else I can create.
 
 

11/18/14

Give Thanks

It's a new challenge at Cornish Heritage Farms, and Kelly has asked us to create a card of gratitude/thankfulness using the color brown.

I stamped the Trees Backgrounder stamp (which is one of my favorites) in brown ink on pattern paper that I really didn't like.  It's amazing how much different that paper looks now - I love the look of the sunset on the trees.




The sentiment is from the Fall Harvest Stamp Set and was added to a chipboard element that was inked with Faber Castel Gelatos.  May Arts ribbon was tied to the chipboard and it was then added to the card with foam adhesives for dimension.


 

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



 

Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph

11/17/14

Falling Leaves

Hi everyone.  A little fall inspiration using some amazing stamps from Rubber Dance Art Stamps

Today, I'm using #NP1-M: I Love Leaves, a beautiful collection of leaves.  Since we are rapidly heading into winter and the leaves have changed so much, I used varying colors of brown inks, then added an acrylic layer on top to spell out fall.






To see more of the stamps available, visit the Rubber Dance store.

For more inspiration, please visit the Rubber Dance blog.

Supplies:
Stamps:  Rubber Dance
Ink:  Clearsnap


Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph

 
 

11/13/14

Candle Etching

Hi everyone, I've had the pleasure of working with etchall this past month and I've got all kinds of glass projects in the works.

I love how quick and easy glass etching is with etchall.



Begin by die cutting your image and removing the positive die cut.  I used a Memory Box die for this project.  Taking off the vinyl backing, be sure all the little pieces are removed.




Using vinyl transfer paper, place the vinyl die cut on your glass and rub gently so it adheres.


 
Remove the transfer paper and, using the squeegee, be sure to remove any air bubbles from the image.   Add masking tape around the image so the etching crème does not get on the exposed glass.
 
 
 
Add liberal amounts of etchng crème to the image, being sure the entire image is covered.  Wait 15 minutes then remove the etching crème and return it to the jar.  It's perfectly safe to be used again and again.



 
Rinse off the glass under running water and then remove the stencil. 


My jar is beautiful as it is, but I wanted to add some more personal touches.  I die cut the greenery from the same die and adhered it to the image.  The I added some dew drops from the Robin's Nest for the berries and the candle flames.
 


Be careful, glass etching with etchall is addicting!!

Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph

 

11/12/14

Happy Holiday Snowflakes

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 # 118 is to create a card with shades of gray.
 
I created a card from dark gray cardstock, then assembled my stamps on a sheet of light gray cardstock, stamping them with black ink.  The snowflakes were stamped and fussy cut and added to the card with a brad in the center.
 
 
 
 

 
 
Thanks for stopping by today.
 
Steph
 

11/9/14

2014 Handmade Holidays Blog Hop



Jennifer Priest's photo.

Hi everyone, today I am participating in the Handmade Holidays Blog Hop.  I've been involved in this hop for the last several years and I am so excited to be participating again.  I've created a Party in a Box that would be perfect for the busy moms in your life.



 


Head on over to the Clearsnap blog for details of my project and to see all the projects completed for this blog hop.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph




 


 


 



11/8/14

Thank you milk boxes

Hi everyone, as we get near the holidays, it's time to start thinking about those little gifts we need.  Today I'm using some new stamps from Rubber Dance.  Bibi makes some incredibly detailed rubber stamps and I've used #NP1-M: I Love Leaves.  This 5" x 7" panel includes an assortment of leaves in different sizes and styles - perfect for creating fall projects.

I created milk boxes and added leaves and a sentiment from #JNEN-2E: Just a note.

 
I chose the leaves I wanted to use, them stamped and fussy cut several leaves for each box.  Then I crinkled them, spritzed them with Smooch Spritzed and added them to each box.  To finish, I wrapped some twine around each box, then tied a sentiment.


These milk boxes make perfect treat containers for teachers and bus drivers.  Just add some treats and have the kids hand them out.  Alternatively, change out the sentiment and put them on the Thanksgiving table and use them as place settings.



To see more of the stamps available, visit the Rubber Dance store.

For more inspiration, please visit the Rubber Dance blog.


Supplies:
Stamps:  Rubber Dance
Ink:  Clearsnap
Twine:  The Twinery

Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph

11/7/14

Monogrammed note cards

Remember when writing a note was common?  When we all had monogrammed note paper or note cards?  When our parents had us write notes to our grandparents and other relatives?  I miss those hand written notes and decided to create my own set of monogrammed note cards.

Ann Butler's Flourish Monogram stamps from EZ-De's are 2" clear stamps that are perfect for creating personalized note cards.



I used Ann Butler's 1" Leaves All Over stamps from Unity Stamp Co. on each of the chipboard frames.

 
The floral card was lightly inked with Ann Butler's Limelight Ink from ColorBox before the chipboard frame was adhered.  The monogram was also stamped in Limelight Ink.
 
 
I used Ann Butler's Aquamarine Ink from ColorBox on this chipboard frame as well as the monogram.
 

 
This striped card was also inked with Limelight Ink as was the monogram.  Several leaves were stamped in the corners with the triangular stamp.

Wouldn't this make a nice gift set for a friend?
 
Thanks for stopping by today. 
 
Steph
 
 
 
 




11/4/14

Sending Well Wishes

It's a new challenge at Cornish Heritage Farms, and Maureen has asked us to create with Fall colors.  Now that the chill is in the air, we can feel fall arriving.

I've used a Thomas Kinkade stamp - Clocktower Cottage -  stamping the image in brown and adding just a hint of colors with Tombow Markers - blue for the sky and stream, green for the bushes and yellow/orange for the windows.


The sentiment is from Script Essential Expressions.



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




  • Amber Hillman
  • Ann Marie Saunders
  • Irit Shalom
  • Kelly Santi
  • Kristine Reynolds
  • Maureen Russell


  • Thanks for stopping by today.

    Steph


    11/3/14

    Cool2Cast eBook Review

    Cool2Cast


    Hi everyone, I am so excited to be participating in a blog hop with Tiffany Windsor’s Cool2Cast  products and Bella Craft Quarterly

    I  had the pleasure of working with Cool2Cast products recently so when the opportunity came to participate in a review of Tiffany's ebook, I was thrilled. The book has an amazing variety of projects from jewelry to canvases and more.  At over 100 pages, you can truly get a feel for using Cool2Cast.

    The book begins with a warning that Cool2Craft is addictive and I will advise that is definitely true!  
    I had never worked with Cool2Cast before so I was definitely intrigued with the product.    Cool2Cast is a product similar to Plaster of Paris - you just mix it with water and pour it into a mold - and you can use any flexible mold you desire.  Tiffany sent me an assortment of pre-casted molds of flowers, leaves and butterflies to work with and I created this canvas which can be found in Tiffany's book.


    It is very easy to add color to the casted items and add assorted details from findings to buttons to beads to hangers and more.  It's easy to experiment and see what you can create.  I added color to my pieces using Ann Butler's Crafter's Ink from ColorBox which I mixed with a little water and then painted on each piece.

    This book is very well written, the instructions are clear and easily explained,  and Tiffany provides many tips throughout the book.   There are lots of step by step photos to guide you along your casting journey. 

    Please stop by the Cool2Cast blog to find reviews by other designers as well as a chance to win some amazing products.


     
    Bella’s Website- bellacraftsquarterly.com

    Thanks for stopping by today.

    Steph
     
     

    11/1/14

    Floral Explosion Box with Scor-Pal and the Robin's Nest

    Hi everyone.  It is now officially fall and the Scor-Pal team is creating fall themed projects this month.

    Can you believe Thanksgiving is less than 4 weeks away and Christmas follows shortly thereafter?Join us as we showcase ways to use our Scor-Pals to create some amazing projects.

    This explosion box is easy to make while using your Scor-Pal.  The lines are so crisp and easy to fold.




    For the box, cut cardstock 9" x 9" and score every 3" around the cardstock.




    Score on the diagonal through the corner panels. 


    Fold on all score lines and pinch in the corners.


    Cut white cardstock 9" x 9" and score every 3" around cardstock.


    Cut away the outer 4 squares and fold on the score lines. Using Scor-Tape adhere the center square to the brown cardstock base.



    Cut striped pattern paper to fit the center square and cut floral pattern paper to fit the corners. Cut the corner pieces in half and ink before adhering them in place with Scor-Tape.



    Cut additional striped papers to fit the box base.
    Create pockets on each of the white squares, then insert tags which have been stamped and inked.  As this is a gift for a friend, I stamped friendship sayings.
    I stacked 3  floral stickers in the center of the box, using foam adhesives between the layers.


     
     
    To create the box top,  cut brown cardstock 5 1/4" x 5 1/4".
    Score 1" around the box and fold on all score lines.
     

     
    Cut in at all four corners.  Add Scor-Tape to the corners and assemble.
     


    Decorate with striped paper and add a floral sticker to the top with foam adhesives for dimension.

     


    Add a floral sticker to the top of the box using foam adhesives for dimension.


    And the finished box. 

     
    I love making boxes and using the Scor-Pal makes it so easy to get the perfect score line where you need it.
     
    Thanks for stopping by today.
     
    Steph
     
    Supplies:
    Scoring Tool:  Scor-Pal
    Adhesive:  Scor-Tape, Tombow
    Cardstock:  Bazzill
    Pattern paper, Stickers:  The Robin's Nest
    Ink:  Clearsnap
    Ribbon:  May Arts
    Stamps:  Hero Arts, Stampendous