Monday, April 27, 2015

Atlantic Hearts Sketch #105

  
 
Time is just flying... it seems like yesterday that it felt like tax season would never end and here we are at the end of the month already.
 
I decided to make a scrapbook page this time around using the sketch.  I threw together an album when my grandmother passed away.  I've never cared for it and always felt that the pictures from her and my grandpa's life deserved so much better.  So I've decided to slowly re-make them.  I did actually stitch on this page!  However, you can barely see it because I proceeded to cover most of it up...lol.
 
My grandfather was an "amateur" photographer and we are left with so many beautiful family pictures that it's intimidating to scrapbook them.  Here is my start.  I'm not positive this one is really done yet, but here it is.
 
The paper is Blossom and the flowers and sentiment are from the Complements.
 
Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to check out all of the other beautiful artwork at the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge Blog.  Happy Crafting!!
 


Friday, April 24, 2015

Using Scraps


So I had lots of pieces parts leftover that I couldn't just throw away after I made the gold embossed Exotic Flower card so I've been wanting to use up some of my old Laughing Lola papers-turns out they go pretty well together!  Here I cut out some of the tiny flowers from the paper and then used a little Wink of Stella glitter and some liquid glass to make embellishments.


I just used a little more gold embossing to decorate some of the sentiments and additions and they match perfectly.  Here I used some of our gold circle washi tape.  I also colored a butterfly with my Shin Han markers and then dipped it in gold and clear embossed the whole thing... love the look!



Here I just cut out a bunch of flowers and a paisley from the paper and used them as embellishments.  The frame is cut from Artfully Sent.  I used Design Space to cut out just the frame to go with one of the stamp sets that came with the cartridge.  I saved that and in the name referred to the stamp set so it's easy to go back and cut more just the right size.  Love that Design Space!!
Thanks for stopping!

Monday, April 20, 2015

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #104

 
Welcome to Sketch #104 at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.  This week's sketch will be a lot of fun whether you've ever made one of these cards before or not.  It's called Triple Time Stamping or other similar terms.  I have pinned a great tutorial on my Pinterest Tutorials board, but basically you cut your three white pieces 1" different (mine are 4 3/4 x 6 3/4, 3 3/4 x 5 3/4, and 2 3/4 x 4 3/4 for my 5x7 card).  Then you cut your mats a quarter inch larger (my lagoon pieces are 5x7, 4x6 and 3x5).  You lightly adhere the three white pieces on top of one another, nesting them one in the center of the next and then stamp.  Be sure to stamp across your pieces.  I think usually people use larger stamp images, but I had this idea and had to go with it.  Then you just layer your pieces.  I'm betting we are going to see some really beautiful cards this week from participants and Design Team as well!



So, let's talk about the ribbon.  Remember I was trying to dye some ribbon crème brulee and I was getting an odd effect where part of the ribbon was coming out yellow and part was coming out pinkish.  I decided I was going to leave my ribbon in longer to see if it went one way or the other... well, apparently when you forget about your ribbon you're dying and it's in crème brulee inker and the water completely evaporates you get a goldish color!  Which I was quite happy with since I've been on quite the gold kick!
 
And let's talk about what a slob I am with ink.  I am so messy and I just cannot have a clean white and simple card because inevitably I end up getting ink somewhere it shouldn't be.  And same with embossing... I guess it's a good thing I like the distressed look...lol!  So you may or may not feel the same and you may or may not appreciate my take on this week's sketch, but in the end it's one I really like looking at.  Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to hop over to Atlantic Hearts and check out some great artwork!
 


Sunday, April 19, 2015

More Gold!

 
This is the Exotic Flower stamp set that you can purchase as a Hostess for only $6.00 from the Seasonal Expressions 2 Idea Book.  I've been excited to start using it ... so many ideas.  As you know I've been obsessed with Gold lately and I had the idea to use it on black with gold embossing powder.  I dipped the edges of my cardstock pieces in the embossing powder as well.  this one is different for me and a little more "fancy" than I usually create, however I did manage to rough it up a bit by getting a little sloppy with the embossing on the edges.  I just can't help myself.

 
I stamped the image 4 times.  I cut the last little "flower" out of the center of my largest image since it won't show anyway... in hind sight I probably could have cut the circle out of one of the other pieces as well.  Anyway, it was fun and really was simple.. the hardest part was pulling my embossing supplies out but really... that wasn't so hard.  And I suppose if you don't like cutting like I do you may not call it simple either.  But really it was a quick card for me with a big impact.
 
Thanks for stopping by and check back tomorrow for my take on Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #104!

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Pretty in Pink

 
Did I get a little carried away?  Lately I've been loving gold with pink and teal/turquoise.  You might be seeing a bit more of this combo from me for a while until I get it out of my system.  This is one of the swing cards from Artiste and  had a lot of fun trying to get this one out of my head and onto paper.

 
When I was going through my stash I tried to find just the right flowers and then the thought of using the floral from brushed and then dipping the edges in gold embossing powder and embossing them came to mind.  So easy and fun!  I got the idea from seeing gold "dipped" feathers on Pinterest and I've been wanting to use that one a card.  That pink bow was from leftover seam binding ribbon that I used on my typewriter card.  It was a little bit of work to get a bow out of the small piece I had, but I did it and didn't have to throw it away!



The sentiment area on the inside has a glitter gold frame around it.  No worries... the heart I used was from I think Art Philosophy and it cut both the frame and the center out so I still have a pretty gold heart to use on another project.
 
So... sorry if you think it looks like pink and gold threw up on my card or it's a little much... I personally think it's just enough :)!
 
Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, April 13, 2015

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #103


 
The days are just flying by!  We are at Sketch #103 already for Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.  This is my take on the sketch. 
 
I love CTMH stamps!  Especially when they pretty much make a card.  This stamp makes it so easy to create a quick card for almost any occasion.  Along with this week's sketch, it was a breeze.
 
So here is what I've learned so far about dying my own seam binding ribbon.  I wanted my ribbon to be Crème Brulee.  An old retired CTMH color, but one I really miss.  When I took it out of the re-inker and water, it really looked more pink so since this paper pack also has smoothie in it I decided to use more smoothie to tie in the ribbon.  After photographing it, I noticed that in some places the ribbon takes on more of a crème brulee color and in others the smoothie.  Weird.  I suppose I could hilight it and make it more of a tie dyed look, but I decided to take some smoothie ink and sponged more onto the ribbon.  I will tell you the ribbon I used is a bulk non-CTMH seam binding ribbon I bought somewhere else because... well... I can't get the good stuff any more.  Oh, CTMH, please bring back the seam binding ribbon.  Until then, I'll keep you posted as to any other color snafus (is that spelled right?)
 
Happy crafting and don't forget to play along with us this week!
 


Monday, April 6, 2015

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #102


Here is my take on this week's sketch.  If you're having a hard time seeing it, it might be because I flipped it on it's side (drop your head to the left...lol).  I started out planning on following the sketch almost exactly and then .. well... things just got out of hand...lol.  Here is the sketch:
 
 
What's better than getting inspired to make a card?  Getting inspired to make two!

 

 
I've been wanted to play with the SOTM set, "Typed Note", for a while now.  I LOVE it because it's so versatile with sayings for all kinds of occasions.  I love the old typewriter and the hand stamp that I didn't use here.   I used Typed Note along with another one of my new favorite sets, "Finding The Right Words", which also has so many choices to say exactly what you want to say.  The papers are another oldie but goodie, Elemental.  I couldn't find the right ribbon for the Sorbet card and was going out of my mind when I remembered the old seam binding ribbon.  I cut a piece and put some water and reinker in a plastic cup and let it soak for a few hours.  I wanted it to be wrinkly so I squeezed out the excess water and let it sit for a while and then laid it out to dry.  It didn't take long under the fan and it was ready in a short time to use.  Made me want to go out and buy a ton of ribbon and make a bunch of colors so they are ready when I need them!
 
You can choose to make one of these cards if you attend my assorted card workshop later this month.  Contact me for details.
 
Now, hop on over to Atlantic Hearts to see all of the wonderful artwork- maybe this will be the week you'll get inspired and give it a try!

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Artfully Sent - Negative Spaces

 
 
So, on this card and on my I Woof You card below, I used the frame stamp from one of the sets that comes with Artfully Sent and as always the set has the size and page number of the cut that the stamp will fit on.  A friend told me once that when she cuts a shape that fits one of the stamp sets, she cuts multiple copies so that the next time she wants to use that stamp she already has one cut.  I decided to cut a few of those frames out and after I got done I was looking at the paper that was left and the negative spaces and since I let my Cricut software decide how to place the frames on the paper they were nicely even spaced apart so I decided to use that piece on a card.  You'll notice the most up front green piece has windows cut out of it the same shape as the frame.  I sponged green on it and then stamped it with a background stamp and then sanded it.  Then I used one of the frames I cut out the previous day for my sentiment.
 
The flowers were also a labor of love.  I got an idea from pinterest to cut the flowers out on plain cardstock and emboss them.  Then I sanded, edge distressed and ink distressed them.  Layered them together with a piece of foam in between each layer and curled and bent the petals.
 
Some cards come easy and some I have to keep working at because things just don't turn out how I have them in my head  The end result I'm happy with and love the bright colors.  Stop back tomorrow to see my take on this week's Atlantic Hearts sketch and I'll tell you a story about ribbon.
 
Thanks for stopping by!

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Build Your Own Workshop!

 
 ASSORTED CARD WORKSHOP
SUNDAY, APRIL 26TH
1:00PM - 4:00PM
 
Join me in my home for an afternoon of crafting, chatting, and snacking.  These are just two of the cards you will have to choose from.  You can work at your own pace and make as many cards as you wish of whichever designs you wish.  In the weeks coming up to the workshop I will be posting more of the cards you can make.  You bring your favorite papercrafting scissors and adhesive.  All of the papers will be cut and ready to assemble. 
 
The cost is $2.50 per card.  Sign up by April 15th to assure yourself a spot.  There is room for six at my new table in my wonderfully bright and well lit dining room (thanks to my husband and brother)!
 
Contact me for more details or if you have any questions.
 
Thanks to Susan Fogle for the washi tape idea on the dog card above.  Check out her creation at http://paper-menagerie.blogspot.com/ 

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Three Amigos Blog Hop April!

 
WASHI TAPE!!
 
I love it... I have all kinds... I hardly ever use it!  That's why this month I wanted our Blog Hop to be about Washi Tape.   This isn't ground breaking or anything no one has done before... but I love it!  I used many of my CTMH washi tapes to create my own background paper.  Then I cut one of the cards from the Artfully Sent cartridge out of it and backed it with some glitter paper.  I love this card... it was a lot of fun to make and I feel like it's a lot of fun to look at.
 
Now hop on over to Susan or Donna's blog and see what they created for you this month!


Wednesday, April 1, 2015

New Seasonal Expressions II-Products Available Now


A card made with Artfully Sent and the new Jackson papers and workshop stamp set available today!
 
Check back on the 3rd for the Three Amigos Blog Hop-Short But Sweet!