Saturday, July 31, 2010

Under the Sea



I used a variety of techniques to create this 6 x 6 card.  The background was made by using Distress inks and the sponged background technique.  Blues for the water and browns for the ocean floor.

Before I sponged my background, I stamped my fish image, made by Impression Obsession, onto watercolor paper and colored him in using Peerless Transparent Water Colors.  These are very vibrant and bright and I loved working with them.  Next, I used an embossing pen and clear embossing powder to emboss the entire image and then heat set it.  This way, you can wipe off the ink that gets onto your colored image. (Next time, I'll use a Versamark clear embossing pen instead of the Zig embossing pens I had.  They left a faint green tint on everything. They could have been old and that's why it did this because the packaging says they were supposed to be clear.)

The little crab in the bottom left corner is from Hambo Stamps that I colored with Copic markers and then cut out.  He is pretty small and you need to have patience to cut around each of his little legs. (My original plan was for him to have a buddy, but I didn't have quite enough patience for that.)  I pop dotted him for added height.  The starfish and shell were embellishments that I have had for a while.  I used Copic markers and a Spica Glitter pen to bring out their details.

This was layered onto a tan piece of Core'dinations cardstock that I sanded down some so it would look more like sand.  It's hard to tell that in the photo, but it looks cool in person.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Want to visit a winery?


This is a wonderful scenic cling stamp by Stampendous.  I have a few of these scenic stamps and there are so many different mediums that can be used to color these in.  You'll probably be seeing more of these soon.

For this one, I reached for my favorites, Copic markers, and colored away.  I stamped the image several times so I could cut out the grape clusters and pop dot them on top of the original for added depth and to use as an embellishment (which I also pop dotted).  I cut around my image after coloring it, matted it on purple cardstock, and then adhered it to the lighter patterned paper.  The base paper is a Basic Grey black cardstock (that has just a hint of color here and there).

Here is a close up so you can see the details a bit better..


I also layered two different types of ribbon and added three small pearls for a little extra bling.  This stamp makes me want to visit the wine country. Does it you?

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Meow means I Love You



The image and sayings are from a C.C. Designs rubber stamp set called HR Designs Milo and Greta.  I used my Copic markers to color my kitty (one of my cat's was the model for this kitty).   The yellow cardstock was run through the Fiskars Heart texture plate and adhered to my base.  Alcohol inks created the small strip that the saying is tucked under.  (Use glossy cardstock, drop a few drops of alcohol ink onto your surface, and pounce to your hearts' content.)  And as all you cat lovers know, "meow" does mean "I love you".

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Sweets anyone?



Three different sets of stamps were used to create this card: the cherry frame stamp, the ice cream cone, and the sweet candy.  All of the stamps are from Unity Stamps and are colored with Copic markers and Spica Glitter pens. 

I cut out each image, including the center of the frame and then layered and pop dotted them.  A Cuttlebug embossing folder helped to make the swirls in the background layer.  I was lucky to have a small piece of this felt ribbon laying around,  the colors coordinated beautifully, and there was just enough.

For a change, I decorated the inside of the card as well.  I used a Martha Stewart punch and tucked one of the candies behind it.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

5 o'clock somewhere


Both the glass and saying are from DRS Designs rubber stamps.  I used Stickles to simulate a salted glass rim and Copics were used to color in the image.  One of the new Tim Holtz texture fades (Ray) way used for my oval background.  I also a Distress ink pad (direct to paper method) to highlight the rays on the fade.

The blue background was created with my Copic markers and my airbrush system.  I varied the distance and pressure of the airbrush trigger to get different color results.  If you look closely, you can see fine light-colored  lines throughout the blue background.   I was able to get this effect by spritzing a rubber stamp (that had lots of detail) with Copic colorless blending solution and then holding the stamp down on the paper for a few seconds.  By doing this, it moved some of the ink away from that spot and lightened up that area.

I randomly stamped the saying around the focal point and I then used a black Spica Glitter pen to highlight some of the words.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

July Stamp Challenge - Ch{all}enege Masters



Two posts in one day. Yea!  So don't forget to scroll on down to see the Cool Cat. 

This is my first challenge at Ch{all}enge Masters and I challenge you to make your own, or better yet, join CM and have fun with all the challenges, and possibly be the Monthly Ch{all}enge Master and win swag from our sponsors.  We have lots of exciting things coming down the road.....just saying.......

Here's the challenge.....Take an existing stamp and look at it "outside the box" of what it was originally intended for. For example, your heart stamp can be used to make a shamrock or a flower or butterfly wings, etc.


The stamp I chose for this challenge is a large flower stamp that when turned upside down (and minus the stem) looks like a fireworks display to me. This "flower" stamp is by JudiKins. I also used a small portion of an Impression Obsession's stamp for the cobblestone path and paper pieced. The couple is an image from Inkadinkado that I layered onto the cobblestone.

Another example can be seen here.  Now go and look at your stamps in a whole new way.  I'd love to see what you create, so leave me a comment with a link to your cool creation.

One final note for today, I have enabled the Follower button, so if you want to know when I post without having to remember to go check, please sign up.  (as the old saying goes...the more, the merrier).

Cool Cat


With the temperatures already reaching 95+,  keep{in}g cool seems like a wonderful idea.  This is a digital stamp from Hambo Stamps.  Copic markers were used to color the image.   I used the colorless blender to get the textured effect on the float.

I also put Glossy Accents on the sunglasses (because all sunglasses should be reflective, right?).  On the four corners, I altered square brads by cutting off the prongs with Tim Holtz scissors and then used the Tim Holtz texture hammer to flatten them out.  I adhered them in a diamond pattern with glue dots.  The clear sticker is from Creative Memories.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Posy Patch purse


This was a really fun card to create.  I began by stamping the purse image (from Make An Impression) onto a subtle piece of patterned paper.  For the flowers, I used the Heartfelt Creations posy patch stamps and coordinating diecut sets.  I stamped four different sizes of flowers in both a light purple and a darker purple cardstock using Dusty Grape Distress Ink.  Before cutting out each flower with the posy die cuts, I used a glitter pen to highlight the center and the veins of all the flowers.  I then curled the edged and layered the flowers to give a dimensional look.  For the purse clasp. I adhered two black and silver brads.

Here is another angle so you can hopefully see how much dimension there really is on this card:


When I cut out the stamped image, I scored the paper at the top of the purse opening, folded it, and then cut around the image - all except the very top, making it into a note card.  On the inside, I adhered a few more flowers and added my sentiment.

Happy creating!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Chef Louie

This was a thank you card I made for a friend who made my family dinner.  The images are from Stampin' Up!   I used Copic markers to color him in.  Dark shades of blue were used on the pants to make them look (almost) black and dark shades of Cool Grey was used on the shoes.  I highlighted the toes of the shoes with a white gel pen to make them look like they were patent leather.

My accent strip of burgundy is larger than the card base, just to give it a different visual look.  On the inside of the card, I stamped a large "THANKS".

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Age Takes Its Toll


This card was created for The Color Throwdown's 100th challenge and the adorable little old lady is from River City Rubber Works .  (Don't you love the way her hand hangs over the edge of the frame?)  The Copic markers I chose were B91 (for Baja Breeze), R29 (for Real Red), R81 (for Regal Rose), and YG11 (for Certainly Celery).  All the papers that coordinated beautifully with this challenge are from Basic Grey's Euphoria collection.  I also used my Spellbinder's Scalloped Edge Frame dies to cut out my frame.  I cut this out twice, using two different pieces of patterned paper.  I chose the blue for my background here and I used the green insert on the inside of my card.  Finally, I accented her ears and around the frame with tiny pearls.

The inside of the card looks like this:


I distressed the inside of the card base with Antique Linen and Tea Dye Distress Inks before adhering my green insert with my stamped message, which is also from River City Rubber Works.  I created my own colored paper for the quilled flowers using glossy paper and alcohol inks.

You still have a little time to enter this challenge (11:59pm Monday).  So go have fun and get creative!

Friday, July 9, 2010

Shades of Purple

This card was designed to fit into an A10 envelope (long and skinny).  The first step to making this card is to stamp your image using an embossing ink onto glossy paper and emboss with clear embossing powder.  Next, I placed a couple drops of  alcohol inks (two or three colors) onto the felt pad of the alcohol ink applicator and used the pouncing technique to cover the glossy paper and the embossed image.

Once you are happy with the way the background looks, reheat your embossed image.  As the embossing powder remelts, your image will begin to show through.  This is a super fun technique and is only limited to the alcohol ink colors you have on hand.  Don't forget that you can use your Copic marker Various Ink Refills to do this technique as well as Adirondack alcohol inks or Pinata alcohol inks.

I layered the glossy paper onto my light lavender mat that was die cut using the Deckled Rectangles by Spellbinders.  All of this is layered on yellow cardstock and, using  lavender ribbon on opposite corners,gives the card more visual interest.  The final step is to layer this onto a white base cardstock (so your ribbon ends won't show).

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Flower girl


Copic markers were used (as usual) to color in the images.  The stamp is from Magenta and I purchased it here.  After I finished coloring everything, I used my Spellbinders Labels Eight to cut out the image as well as my mat.  I sponged Distress inks over the mat for more definition. 

I used Flower Soft to highlight the outside edge of my image and the rubber bands in her hair.  As a finishing touch, the ribbon was airbrushed the same color as the dress using Copic markers.  All of this was layered onto a light green patterned paper and then white cardstock for the base.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

I'm a Design Diva!



I am the new Stamping Design Diva at Ch{all}enge Masters.   There are lots of exciting challenges every week on all sorts of topics like altered items, scrapbook layouts, stamping, cards, techniques, etc.  There were eight different challenges added today alone!  So there's plenty to get those creative juices flowing!  It's a great group, so go check out us out and come play with us.   Hope to see you there!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Recipe Album



This is the 5 x 7 chipboard binder by Maya Road.  I took out all the original inserts and used a thinner chipboard for the inserts I made.  (I'm saving the original pages for a different project).  All the papers I used are from the Domestic Goddess line of Graphic 45 Papers.  I purchased all my supplies from here.  (Bonnie is a very neat lady, so if you live or visiting the Atlanta area, go see her and her store - very fun!)  I used my Binderie Punch by 7 Gypsies to punch the holes in my chipboard.

For the cover, I cut out the image and the small alphabet circles from the cover page of the Graphic 45 pad of paper.  The larger alphabets are punch outs included in the paper pad.  I used Glossy Accents on these letters to make them stand out more. 

"From My Kitchen" cartridge and my Cricut machine was used to create all of my categories for the recipe cards.  I'll come back and add actual recipes and photos to each section.

I used a total of six different categories, although the cartridge gives you lots to choose from.  I think this would be a great bridal shower gift for the bride with some of her future husband's favorite recipes or her favorites.  It would also be a fun housewarming gift for your child's first apartment (maybe with some of the ingredients to make that special dish.