Feel Better Soon {Scrapy Land #113}

It's the third Wednesday of April and time for a brand new Scrapy Land Challenge #113!  There are two winners chosen to receive gift certificates to Scrapy Land and the theme is always Anything Goes using any brand of die that Scrapy Land sells.

The following products were used to create this card:
Elizabeth Craft Designs: Dancing Butterflies (any of these would work as well)
Elizabeth Craft Designs: Lacy Poppies (most of these would work)
Paper Rose: Stitched Square Frame (most of these would also work)
Reverse Confetti: Word Up stamp set
Hero Arts: White embossing powder
Nuvo glitter: Chestnut Brown
Stampendous glass glitter: Champagne
Distress Oxides: Squeezed Lemonade, Mowed Lawn, Blueprint Sketch
Copic markers

I have to say, I really like the bright colors of this card.  It was also one of my most difficult cards because this card had three different iterations.  At first, it had a clear acetate cover with this image being placed on the inside of the card.  I was touching up a small spot on the front of the card with a Copic and my hand slipped.  No way to repair that.  So.... I cut off the front of the card to salvage the inside.  I decided to make this the front of the card and adhered it to a 6x6 piece of white cardstock for the base.  Well, I guess I scored and folded against the grain and when the card was opened and closed a couple times, it ripped.  So, on the third day of trying to salvage this card, I decided to go with a black card base and made sure I scored and folded it on the grain!

Other than my boo-boos, this is a relatively easy card to create.  Everything was die cut from white cardstock and colored with Copic markers.  Glass glitter was used to accent the large poppy center and Chestnut Brown glitter accents the butterfly body.

I also decorated the inside of the card as this is going to a friend about to have surgery.  I added the negative piece of green cardstock when the Stitched frame was die cut and I added a different butterfly from that die set.  His body also has glitter and sparkle.

Now it's your turn to head on over to the Scrapy Land Challenge and upload your project (or two).  You have until April 28th to be in the running for one of the prizes from Scrapy Land.

Peacock Feathers

It's the third Wednesday of the month and that means it's time for a new Scrapy Land Challenge!  The theme for this challenge is Add Texture, plus use any brand of die that Scrapy Land sells.

Now that's a pretty broad field and can mean anything from added glitter, dry embossing, cheese cloth, embossing paste, and the list can go on an on.  For my card, I added dry embossing, heat embossing with glitter, and Nuvo glimmer paste for my various textures.

The following dies were used to create my shadowbox style card:

                             

Die-Versions: Love Frame

Impression Obsession: Tied Line

Sue Wilson Designs: Italian Collection Background

The arch behind the Peacock Feathers is also a die cut, but I had borrowed it from a friend and for the life of me I can't remember who made it.  If you know who the manufacture is, please let me know so I can give them credit.

To create this shadowbox card, I started out by spritzing a piece of watercolor paper with water and then randomly adding yellows, reds, and oranges of Color Bursts.  This was spritzed again with water and I kept adding and drying until I was happy with the results.

Next I die cut the Sue Wilson background die and then ran it through my die cutting machine a second time with the embossing mat to dry emboss it.  This step really brings out the veins on the leaves.  I lightly spritzed this layer with a homemade glimmer mist (water and Perfect Pearls).  Unfortunately, the added bling is so subtle that I can't get the camera to pick it up (but it looks great in person 😃).  I then added a double layer of dimensional foam tape to the back of the die cut so that it would look like a shadowbox with the watercolors in the background.

Another option would have been to add a piece of acetate sheeting to the back before adding the dimensional tape and then adding some sequins to make a shaker card.  That would have really given it lots of texture.

To create the Peacock feathers, I began by taping down the Peacock Feather stencil from Stampendous/Dreamweaver down onto a piece of acetate.  Then I randomly added three different colors of Nuvo Glimmer Paste (Tanzanite Lavender, Peridot Green, Blue Topaz).   After the Glimmer Paste was dry, I cut around the outside edges of the feathers. I had so much fun making these that I made several and will use them in some future projects coming up.

The backdrop for these feathers is a die cut piece of patterned paper that I enhanced with a little Distress Ink (Mustard Seed, Vintage Photo).  This helped the feathers to be more of a focal point.

The "Love" sentiment is part of the Die-Versions Love Frame die that I cut out of fun foam and then heat set it to make it shrink.  Once it was shrunk down to a smaller size, I applied VersaMark and Royal Violet embossing powder and heat set it again.

For the bow and string, I die cut the Tied Line from Impression Obsession twice and fanned out the strings on either end and glued the two pieces together.  I then added VersaMark and heat set this with more Royal Violet embossing powder.

Now it's your turn to join us for some fun.  Maybe try a new technique that gives texture, or use one of your tried and true formulas.  Either way, I hope you join us for this Scrapy Land Challenge.  You have until February 26 and the winner (chosen by the design team) will win a $15 gift certificate to go shopping at Scrapy Land.  New Arrivals are added all the time!

Turkey Dish

Turkey Dish is one of the fun new stamp sets revealed this month from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  All these new Bugaboo stamps, which are now available in rubber only from SNS, are so fun to color.

The image was colored with Copic markers and various glitters were then added for lots of sparkle.  Autumn Medley glitter was added to the autumn leaf in her hair as well as to the highlighted words on the sentiments.  The glitter ribbon, which combines 1/8", 1/4", and 1/2" Tear-ific Tape is also covered with Autumn Medley glitter.

 Margarita velvet glitter was added to the green leaves on her hair decoration.  Rose Gold glitter accentuates her necklace as well as the buckles on her shoes and Sonic Silver velvet glitter creates a nice silver platter for this golden turkey to rest on.

Spellbinders Labels Twenty Eight were used to create the mats and Stampendous dies (Build A Pop-Up die set) were used for the sentiments.  The edges of all the white cardstock was given a bit of color using Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink.  The Distress Embossing technique was applied to the outside edge of the focal die cut using Sparkle embossing powder and Spiced Marmalade.

Best Wishes

Today's card features two of the new stamp sets revealed this month from Sparkle N Sprinkle, plus the new Dreamweaver butterfly stencil duo.  Donna's Stylin Sayings stamp set was used to create the background and the sentiment is from the Lucky Charm stamp set.

To start out, I used a pen to outline the butterfly stencil and then filled in the areas on the wings with the second stencil.  If you like Zentangle, or would like to try it, this would be a great way to get your feet wet.  Once everything was filled in, I used Copic markers to color the wings. Nuvo Crystal Drops and Nuvo Glitter Drops were used throughout project, including outlining the butterfly as well as filling in some of the circles inside the butterfly wings.  Sparkling Snow glitter was also added to various areas on the wings.  Once everything was dry, I fussy cut out the butterfly and began working on the background.

I started out with white cardstock and then stamped the brush stroke from the Donna's Stylin' Sayings set with Memento Ink (Dandelion and Tangelo) in various directions.  Then I began adding embossing powder.....lots of embossing powder :-).  I sprinkled on Super Thick Silver and Super Thick White on opposite corners and then heat set it from the bottom.  Once it was mostly melted, I heat set it from the top to make sure everything was melted.  These Super Thick embossing powders add lots of texture to any project and I love how you can layer them all together.  Once this was complete, I gently folded the wings of the butterfly so that I could pop dot them on the card for added dimension.

The sentiment was stamped onto Embossable Clear Acetate using Outer Space embossing powder.  Outer Space is a fun color.  It's not quite black, but it's not exactly dark blue either and it has lots of shimmer.  Then I die cut it using a Die-Versions die (Nesting Flowers).  I wanted the background to show through the sentiment, but I didn't want it to get lost either.  So I die cut a frame using the same set and heat embossed it with Clear embossing powder for a shiny look.

The focal panel was then adhered to a piece of cardstock dry embossed using the  Daisy Tiers embossing folder by Sue Wilson Designs.  This was then die cut using the largest Noble dies-Ornate Pierced Rectangles die by Sue Wilson Designs.  I wanted the card base to be slightly larger, so I used the largest die, traced around it onto white cardstock and then cut it with a paper trimmer.  To get the dots along the outside edge, I dry embossed it with the same die.  A bit of rick rack ribbon is the finishing touch for this card.

Happy Birthday pop up

As promised, here is my other pop-up card using the Stampendous Build A Bouquet stamp set and coordinating die set.  (You can see my other post here.)  This time I used the hydrangea stamp and a different vase.

After stamping the hydrangeas and leaves multiple times, I colored them with Copic markers and then die cut them.  I added a touch of Spectrum Noir Clear Sparkle markers to the centers of each of the blossoms.

The bowl was also colored with Copics and a thin layer of Glossy Accents was added to the top to make it look more like glass.

To get all the dimension, I used the Stampendous Pop-Up Die Set.  This just makes creating pop-ups easier.

front

For the front of the card, I used a Spellbinders die (Opulent Ovals) and a Elizabeth Craft Designs die (Happy Birthday 2).  I added a couple pearls and ribbon to finish it off.

Happy Birthday {Scrapy Land Challenge #37}

It's the first Wednesday of the month and time for a new Scrapy Land Challenge.  The theme for Challenge #37 is Anything Goes using any brand of die that Scrapy Land sells.

For today's card, I created a pop up card and used the following brand of dies:

Sue Wilson Designs: California Collection - Beverly Hills

Elizabeth Craft Designs: happy birthday2

Sizzix: Thinlets Tim Holtz Labels set

After die cutting the Sue Wilson Designs oval frame, I threaded a thin piece of ribbon through the openings and tied a small bow at the top.  The Elizabeth Crafts Designs sentiment on the front of the card was die cut from black cardstock and Clear Spectrum Noir Sparkle marker was liberally applied to the words before adhering.

The background is a piece of vellum that was dry embossed using the Sue Wilson Designs Rambling Blossoms embossing folder.  The vellum was a little tricky to get out of the embossing folder without tearing, so be aware.  I ran the embossed piece of vellum through a Xyron sticker machine for complete adhesive coverage before attaching to the card base.

inside

The inside of the card uses a stamp set from Stampendous (Build a Bouquet).  I purchased the Spectrum Noir Sparkle markers a couple months ago and this is the first time I've tried using them as if they were Copics and blending colors together.  The Spectrum Noir Sparkle markers I used include Solar Red, Emerald Green, Holly Leaf, Moonlight, Inspired Violet, Pink Champagne, and Red Berry.  I definitely need more practice blending these markers, but you've got to start somewhere :-).
Unfortunately, the camera really doesn't pick up all the shimmer and sparkle these markers have, but I tried.

The stamp set includes roses, daisies, hydrangeas, leaves, and a couple different vases.  (Next week, I'll post the other pop up card I created using this same set of stamps.)  

The sentiment on the inside of the card is a clear stamp by Inspired By Stamping, and was heat embossed onto the die cut shape (Tim Holtz Labels) using Clear embossing powder and Distress Ink (Black Soot).

You have until March 13 to upload your project to the Scrapy Land Challenge.  The winner is chosen by the Design Team members and will receive a $15 gift certificate to go shopping at Scrapy Land.

Life Is Better

Instead of creating a card today, I decided to create a "mini portrait" that could be displayed on a small easel stand.  The Life Is Better stamp set from Sparkle N Sprinkle was used to create this mini portrait.

The image was stamped onto watercolor paper and heat embossed with Black Detail embossing powder.  Distress Markers were used to add color to this little Pomeranian.  A Spellbinders Circle die cut the image and the edges were distressed with Distress Ink (Tea Dye).

The matting was dry embossed with a Sue Wilson Designs embossing folder (Eternity) and then more Distress Inks were added (Festive Berries, Tea Dye, Gathered Twigs).

The "frame" was an experiment where I cut strips of semi-glossy white cardstock and mitered the edges.  These strips were then colored with Gathered Twigs ink.  Next I ran a dot tape runner down the sides and covered the adhesive with Coffee embossing powder and heat set.  This gave me the texture I was looking for.  This adhesive wasn't really heat proof (unlike the SNS Tear-ific tapes, which can take the heat), but I kept the heat far enough away not to scorch the paper, but close enough to melt the embossing powder.

What's a formal portrait without a gold plaque?  To achieve this final part of the equation, I die cut a piece of white cardstock using a Stampendous die (Build a Pop-Up die set) and covered it with VersaMark ink.  Gold Detail embossing powder was added and heat set.  I did this step twice as I wanted it to be nice and smooth.  The "engraving" on the plaque was achieved by stamping the sentiment with VersaMark on top of the Gold Detail.  The embossing ink was covered with Coffee embossing powder and heat set.  Now my mini portrait is complete and ready for any Pomeranian loving dog owner.

Miss You {cut out}

Today I'm featuring one of the new Cut-Out dies from Die-Versions, the Miss You Cut Out.  

To create the card front, I started out by dry embossing the DV Blocks Background die.  Then I covered the raised areas with VersaMark and heat set it using Stampendous White Pearls embossing powder.  Next I die cut the Miss You and added a strip of black cardstock behind the panel.  Dimensional dots were used to add dimension and raise this panel from the card base, which is also white.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone here in the US.  

Spring: Aurora

Spring is the theme for the new Time4Scrap challenge starting today.  We have three sponsors for this challenge: Beccy's Place, The East Wind, and Art by Mirian.

I've chosen Aurora, Floral Kiss for my project and colored her with Copic markers.  I've also added various Spica glitter pens to her hair and several of the flowers, but it didn't photograph well (at all).

The background is one of the new Die-Versions dies called Morocco Background.  These dies cut beautifully, but I wanted some of the negative pieces to remain in the frame.  So instead of painstakingly replacing some of the pieces, I adhered a piece of sticker paper onto the back of the die after I ran it through my die cutting machine.  I had tilted it slightly to let most of the negative pieces to fall out naturally, so what was left stuck to the sticker paper.  Then I covered the entire die cut with Spirited Green glitter from Sparkle N Sprinkle.

The border is also a Die-Versions die (Butterfly Garden) that was die cut from a piece of white cardstock and quickly colored with Copic markers.  To add the sentiment, I inked up a Stampendous clear stamp with Momento Tuxedo Black ink, added Clear embossing powder to it, and heat set it for an added bit of shimmer. 

You have two weeks to share your Spring project with us at the Time4Scrap Challenge Blog.  I can't wait to see what you create.

Snowflakes

Using the new Die-Versions sweet petite Snowflake die, I created this sparkly monochromatic Christmas card. (It's much brighter in person, but I left the photo on the darker side so you could see all the shimmery goodness of each snowflake.)  After adhering glitter to adhesive paper, I cut out each individual snowflake and adhered them to a background panel that I embossed with a embossing plate.  I also pop dotted this entire panel for a bit more interest.  I added my sentiment, ribbon, and gems to the centers and created a quick and easy card.  If you want to see how I created my own embossing folder using this die, head back here on Friday for an easy tutorial.  The possibilities are endless using this technique.

Don't forget to head on over to the Die-Versions blog for LOTS more great inspiration!

Bells and Holly Wreath

The Die-Versions November release debuted Sunday evening and is now available for you to purchase.  This is the new Bells and Holly Wreath die and I've whipped up a couple different ideas for you using this fun die.

The first one is all about glitter - and let me tell you, it really shimmers and sparkles in person.   My second card is a "mixed media" example where I've combined cardstock, fun foam, and Liquid Pearls for a very textile card.  I also tweaked it a little by cutting out the bells and adding one of the ornaments from the new Ornament Trio die. (I'll have additional projects using this die throughout the month.)

Here's a closer view so you can see all the dimension and the different elements that I combined together.

You are definitely going to want to update your Christmas list to add these dies.  Also, be sure to head on over to the Die-Versions Blog for more great ideas using all of the new releases.  You'll need to bookmark it and keep going back to see all the new things.  (Susan is sneaky that way in that she doesn't reveal everything on day one :-P.) I've had a sneak peek and there are some projects that you definitely don't want to miss!

Where in the World Are We?

This is the Sweet Petite Sailing Ship from Die-Version's September New Release.  I cut the shape out twice so I could change the color of the ship's sails and I also ran the ship through my Sizzix Woodgrain embossing folder.  Added a touch of Distress Ink and we're all set to set sail.

The background is actually from an old text book that was laying around.  It had lots of great maps in it.  The sentiment is a clear stamp by Stampendous that I heat embossed.

 Here's another idea for these cute dies - make cupcake toppers!  I used the same idea of cutting the shape twice so I could have different colored sails.  (I added a touch of Copic marker for shadows on the sails.)  After assembling the ship, I attached a toothpick on the back and stuck it into my cupcakes.  The ideas are endless.

Check out the new Die-Versions blog to see more great ideas from our design team and get ideas of other materials these dies will cut (think fun foam, thin cork paper, shrinky dinks.....)

From my Kitchen

I know that it's Wednesday and that usually means a new Dude Time Doodles post.  Since there are five Wednesday's this month, we decided to let the Freebie/Guest Designer challenge run for two weeks.  That means you still have time to go grap the free image (Youth Football) and upload your creation for a chance to be a DTD guest designer.

This is a for-fun card that I made using a clear stamp set from Stampendous.  I colored all the little images with Copic markers and fussy cut them out.  Then I pop dotted them onto these small squares created with Lifestyle Crafts die (Nesting Frames 7) and lots of Distress Ink (Gathered Twigs).  The sentiment was cut using Spellbinders die (standard circle, small).  I also added Stickles (stardust) to the salt shaker and Distress Stickles (walnut stain) to the pepper shaker for some added fun.  I really wish I knew who these papers were made by, as I was given these three 6x6 pieces.  (If anyone recognizes them, please let me know, as I would love to get some more.)

Copics used: Y19, Y38,     Y32   E50, E51   Y19, Y38, C4   G09, G28, G46   E31, E33    YG11, BG10, BG0000   BG13, R24    YR04, YR18, C3 

Happy Spring

inside

This card was created using one of the older jumbo Stampendous cling stamps that I fussy cut out and colored with Smooch pearlescent inks.  The frame and larger butterflies are dies from Cheery Lynn Designs and the small butterflies are the "negative" portions of a Memory Box border die.  I continued the theme on the inside as well.