Garden of Cards

Today's blog post at justimaginecrafts looks at the following items: Lattice Die, Butterfly Die, Punch 901, Punch 918.



I love the Lattice Die and can see so many different uses for it.



The butterfly adds just the right touch. Look at that dimension.



I used Punch 901 as a border inside my card.


This card uses Punch 918 and I love using these punches without the inserts because I can create 2 nice borders at the same time. When you are finished punching, you can easily seperate the 2 borders. This is a perfect way to use up your scraps!



On my card, I decided to use both borders - one along the top edge of my card and one along the bottom. I added a little ink for definition, a spring quote, a couple of brads and a pretty card was the result.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Pattern paper: American Crafts
Punch: Kreaxions
Ink: Ranger
Brads: Making Memories
Rubons: Royal

Happy Father's Day

It's almost time to celebrate Dad. I found this stamp on clearance recently and thought it would be great for a masculine card for any occasion. I chose to make this into a Father's Day Card. I wanted to keep it simple, so I didn't color the image.







Submitting to: Men and Boys challenge

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Pattern paper: Reminisce
Stamps: Inkadinkadoo, Hero Arts, Hampton Arts
Ink: Memento

Altered Guitar

My latest project at SIWL is a guitar. This was such a fun item to work with.

I first painted it with Ranger Mushroom paint. Flipping over the guitar, I traced the edges on my pattern paper. Using Modge Podge, I added the paper. I've had this paper for quite some time and thought it would be awesome on this guitar. Once it was dry, I sanded the edges.


The wings were the last item I added. I thought they'd be different. They are a Cuttlebug die. The stamp is from Outlines Rubber Stamps and it's perfect to convey the message I was seeking.




Supplies:
Guitar: SIWL
Pattern paper: Paperloft
Paint: Ranger
Ink: Memento
Stamp: Outlines
Die Cuts: Cuttlebug

I'm Dreaming of....

This week's challenge at ICOPIC is to create a card using Copic reds. Ahh, now that is a challenge. I find that reds are the hardest color to work with, but I needed to give this a try.

I had this lovely sleeping cat in a Santa hat stamp that I knew would be perfect for this challenge.



I first embossed the cat image in black then proceeded to add my reds. I used R59, R37, R29, and R17. Then I went over the entire hat with the colorless blender to work the colors better. I added some Spica pen to the bell, the edge of the hat and the berries. The cat was colored with E43, E47, E50 and the mouse with C1 and C3. The ribbon was a last minute add on to fill some empty space.



Once I had the cat colored, I went through my papers to find some Christmas papers. I used Scenic Route for the backgrounds and Cosmo Cricket for the tag. Because of the ribbon, I wanted the image to pop so I added big pop dots to the die cuts and smaller pop dots for the stamped image. Check out this dimension.

Supplies:
Cardtock: Bazzill
Pattern paper: Scenic Route, Cosmo Cricket
Stamp: Penny Black
Ink: Memento
Embossing Powder: Stampendous
Markers: Copics, Spica
Dies: Spellbinders, Nestabilities
Ribbon: stash
Other: Machine stitching

Spring is in the Air

This week's challenge at Embellish Magazine is to create a square card based on the color pallette shown.

Since I recently received a selection of Magnolia stamps, I just had to play. I colored the stamps with Copics, then created a background with Nestabiliteis. I inked the die cut with a dauber and Ice Blue Ink from ColorBox and then added Spring Mix from Flowersoft under the fence. The sentiment is a Hero Arts stamp that I then die cut with another Spellbinders die and placed it behind the focal image.



I added pop dots to the die cuts and also to the little image to help it stand out from the fence. The lace was just an added touch since I rarely use lace and wanted to play with it.



I am lovin' my supply of Magnolia stamps!!


Supplies:
Card: DCWV, Bazzill
Pattern paper: MME
Stamps: Magnolia, Hero Arts
Ink: Memento
Markers: Copic Markers
Flowers: Flowersoft
Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities
Lace: Hobby Lobby

Thinking of You

The challenge this week at Justrite Stampers is to create a card based on the provided sketch. I wanted to create a masculine card this week, so I used the sail boat from the By the Sea stamp set and the phrase from the Thinking of You stamp set (I just inked up the phrase).



I "painted" the image with assorted colors of Clearsnap Smooch Ink then cut the frame with my Cricut and the Elegant Edges cartridge. This was then sewn to my background piece. Buttons were threaded with fibers and added to the card with glue dots.




I added some fibers down the side of the card, then added foam dots to the back of my image for some depth. I cut the sentiment with my Oval Nestabilities and added it to the frame with a brad. Several foam dots hold it in place.





Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Pattern paper: Fancy Pants
Stamps: Justrite Stamps
Ink: Memento, Clearsnap Smooch
Die cuts: Cricut Expression; Spellbinders Nestabilities
Brad: Making Memories
Fibers, thread: Making Memories
Buttons: stash
Other: Machine stitching

Also submitted to:
City Crafter
Men and Boys challenge

Mother's Day

Do you have some paper in you stash that you think is not pretty enough to work with - or just something you know you will never use? Well I just can't throw something away because I think that is just a waste, so I decided to play around.

This paisley paper has been in my stash forever because I could never find it in my heart to create anything with it. I'm not a fan of paisley and these colors are very muted. I pulled out my Cuttlebug cut and embossing folder and cut the paper. This is the inside piece that was die cut.



Using the exterior die cut, I decided to add some Color Box chalk ink over the embossed design, allowing some time between layers. When I had the color I wanted, I left it to dry. After about 10 minutes, I realized that I wanted to add some embossing powder to see what would happen. Wow, even though the ink was dry to my touch, it still accepted the embossing powder! I was able to then heat set it and get a really vibrant shiny look. It almost reminds me of the flocked wall paper from years ago.

Oh, this is so much better than the original paper, don't you think!!!!!! So now that I had this gorgeous frame, I had to decide what to do with it.



So I came up with this card. The frame is perfect to showcase my new Magnolia stamps. Of course I had to color her first with Copic markers. After I cut her out, I inked the edges with Color Box Rose Coral. I stamped the sentiment with Warm Red and inked the edges with Rose Coral before matting on black cardstock.



Look at the dimension created by inking and heat embossing the dry embossed areas.



And I love using foam dots to add additional dimension.



So next time you find yourself holding a piece of paper that you don't want to use, I challenge you to actually find a way to use it.


Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Pattern paper: unknown
Stamps: Magnolia, Inkadinkadoo
Ink: Color Box Chalk Ink - Warm Red, Rose Coral
Markers: Copic Markers
Pearls: Queen & Co.
Embossing powder: Stampendous
Embossing folder: Cuttlebug

Fairy Dust

Clearsnap creates some amazing ink products from chalk ink to archival ink. Some of my favorite items are the Smooch inks - little bottles of paintable ink. I used lots of Smooch on this card.




The frame is a Spellbinders product which I cut and embossed with the Spellbinders Grand Caliber, their newest die cutter and I love it! The embossing is outstanding and provided me just what I needed for this card.

Once I cut and embossed the frame, I left the cardstock in the die and proceeded to ink it up with Ice Blue chalk ink . The best thing about Color Box ink is that it stays wet longer than many other inks.



I continued adding color until I had the shade of blue that I wanted, then I removed the die. Check out the really beautiful stencilled effect this method produced.



Since the ink was still wet, I added some clear embossing powder and heat set it. This added a little irridiscence to the ink and provided a nice raised effect, enhancing the blue color.



Next, I die cut the same frame from blue cardstock. This time, however, I left all the cut pieces on the cutting mat and proceeded to emboss all the pieces. What I now had was the background for my card as well as several other pieces for another card to be created in the future.



Using assorted colors of Smooch ink, I proceeded to "paint" my fairy. Since the brush tip is quite fine, it was easy to add color just where I wanted it. And the Smooch adds just a hint of glimmer and shine.



I wanted some touches of white cardstock to show through the Smooch, so I painted quickly and lightly. However, on the flower, I added several colors and several layers for a "puffy" effect.



In creating my card, I added black to my card base, then placed the blue embossed piece in place. I pop dotted the frame for some added dimension, then cut my stamped image slightly smaller to allow some of the black to show through. This really helps my image pop.



Before adhering my image, I used a dauber to add some of the Ice Blue chalk ink around my fairy. Since I inadvertently had some wet Smooch ink on my table, some of the colors mixed together with my blue and created a slightly marbled look to my background. I think it adds just the right touch of whimsy, don't you?



To complete my card I stamped the sentiment in black ink and matted in on light blue cardstock and added it to the card with pop dots. I then scattered some pearls about and tied a ribbon around the frame.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Ink: Clearsnap Iced Blue Chalk ink, Smooch Inks (many colors)
Stamps: Justrite Stampers
Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities
Pearls: Queen & Co.
Ribbon: Offray

So glad....

Supplies:
Stamp: Stampavie, Stampin Up
Markers: Copic
Pattern paper: Prima
Cardstock: Core-dinations
Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities
Embossing: Cuttlebug

Happy Mother's Day

The newest challenge at ICOPIC is to create grass on a card.

My Mother's Day card uses a Stampavie stamp which I colored with my Copic markers. I used YG0000 around the bottom of the image to create subtle grass shadings.



Supplies:
Cardstock: Core-dinations
Pattern paper: AtoZ
Stamp: Stampavie, Hero Arts
Ink: Memento
Markers: Copic
Die cuts: Sizzix
Other: machine stitching

Tag Book

This new post is up at Scrappin Stuff .

This really sweet Coupon book by Adorn-it caught my eye. While the packaging claims this kit to be a “heartfelt coupon book”, I wanted to see what else could be created with this kit. The kit comes with everything you need to create this tag book (except the paper), so I had lots of thoughts on the variety of projects to make.



Each page was created as a mini layout and then adhered to the envelope once it was completed. The base layer on each page was cut 3 3/8” x 6 ¼”, allowing a little bit of each envelope to show.



The front and back covers use Moxxie pattern papers along with some black cardstock to help the colors pop. I tied ribbon between the front cover layers and added an acrylic heart with metallic thread. Once completed, I punched holes and inserted the included rings. I then tied ribbons to the rings and added a key with metallic thread.


Pages 2 and 3 have spots for photos (2” x 2 ½”) along with some quotes.


Pages 4 and 5 have matted quotes.



Pages 6 and 7 have matted quotes, brads and a journaling block (3/4” x 4 ¾”)



Pages 8 and 9 have photo mats or journaling blocks (1 ¾” x 5 ¾”) along with some torn Moxxie papers.



Each tag was covered with cardstock and/or pattern paper. Quotes have been added to some and photo mats have been added. I have inked the edges where necessary.






This book would be a wonderful gift to give as a bridal shower gift. Change up the papers and create a Mother's Day Gift or even a Christmas gift. Oh the possibilities!!!!


Supplies:

Coupon Book: Adorn-It
Cardstock: Bazzill
Pattern paper: Prima, Moxxie
Brads: Creative Impressions
Ink: Clearsnap
Quotes: Making Memories
Acrylic: Nicole Collection
Ribbon: Offray

Happy Mother's Day

Less than a week to go till Mother's Day and since I just received my first batch of Magnolia stamps, I just had to create this card.



I embossed the orange cardstock with a Cuttlebug embossing folder. I cut a 6" circle from pattern paper with my Cricut then cut off the edge. After distressing the edges with a distressing tool, I mounted it on another cardstock circle.

Tilda with a Tulip was colored with Copic markers, then die cut with Nestabilities. The first layer was inked with Ranger Walnut Ink then mounted on the orange. The same dies were used for the sentiment. After the card was assembled, I added a few pearls.



I used the same papers on the inside of the card, adding a sweet sentiment.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Pattern paper: K&Company
Stamp: Magnolia, Stampendous
Ink: Memento, Ranger Walnut Ink
Markers: Copic
Dies: Spellbinders, Nestabilities
Pearls: Mark Richards

Circle Card

I have a tutorial up on the Just Imagine blog today on how to create this lovely circle card.



It really is quite easy with the right tools and the Kreaxions Circle Cutter is a must have in my opinion.

Put Your Best Foot Forward

Show off those shoes for Mother's Day. Using a pattern I found on the internet years ago, I created these shoes. Since Mother's Day is just around the corner, I filled them with candy.



Using Scor Tape, I adhered the lace to the inside edges of the shoes.



Flowers adorn the front of each shoe, held together with a large American Crafts brad.


I colored a white Prima flower with a mist of Smooch ink so it would match my green shoe.

Supplies:
Cardstock: DCWV
Pattern paper: Chatterbox, K&Co.
Ink: Memento, Colorbox
Stamp: Inkadinkadoo
Flowers: Prima, Bazzill
Brads: American Crafts
Lace: Hobby Lobby
Adhesive: Scor Tape

Entered in the following challenges:

SimonSays
Craft Us Crazy
My Mum's Craft Shop

Blog candy

Check out these blog candies I found:

Cabios Craft Corner
ends: May 14, 2011

Tracy's Stamping Corner
ends: April 30

Make It Crafty
ends: May 22

You

I was having a fun day creating so I pulled out my GinaK and Technique Tuesday stamps. Since we are hopefully getting some spring weather soon, I thought this image would be a great way to celebrate. I first die cut my card with Spellbinders Nestabilities, laying part of the folded paper away from the cutting edge. This allowed me to create a card. To regain the full die as the card front, I cut it again from a single piece of paper and mounted it on top.

After stamping the image on Papertemptress cardstock, I colored it with Copic markers. The image was die cut and embossed with Spellbinders Nestabilities and then inked with Colorbox Ice Blue ink. I then added this to some Blue Ruche cardstock (Papertemptress) that was also die cut and embossed. Once the card was assembled, I stamped the sentiment, allowing it to run off the card.



Clearsnap Smooch was added to the grass patches and the darker patches of blue water for a glistening effect (love this stuff).


Supplies:
Pattern paper: Quick Quotes
Cardstock: Papertemptress
Ink: Memento, Colorbok, Smooch
Stamps: GinaK, Technique Tuesday
Markers: Copic

You're Purrfect

I have had this Flowersoft stamp for awhile and finally decided to work with it. I honestly didn't realize how pretty she would be.



I used Core=dinations cardstock and embossed it with a Cuttlebug embossing folder. Then I sanded it so the other side would show through. The image was stamped on Papertemptress' white irridiscent paper (gorgeous!!) and colored with Copics. I then die cut it with 2 layers from the Nestabilties set. I inked the edges with Ranger Walnut Ink, then added Flowersoft for a little color in the grass.


Supplies:
Cardstock: Core-dinations
Dies: Spellbinders, Nestabilities
Stamps: Flowersoft
Ink: Memento, Ranger
Markers: Copic
Other: Flowersoft

You know.....

Rain, rain go away. It's been raining non stop for 24 hours and I am tired of the rain. But it does give me an excuse to create. So I pulled out my stamps and my copics and created this little beauty today. Since ICOP is having a monochromatic challenge, I think it fits the bill.





I love this set by GinaK . It has tons of fun images and phrases and I know I'll get a lot of uses out of it.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Papertemptress White Irrediscent
Pattern paper: MyMindsEye
Stamps: GinaK
Ink: Memento
Markers: Copic, Spica