With Sympathy

Hi there!  I have another for-fun (ie not for a team) card to share with you today.  I've had a chance to play in my craft area and have been having a blast.  Today's project uses the Altenew Build-A-Flower: Columbine layering stamp and die set and a fun glueless glitter technique using a stencil.

I started off by creating the background first with some new glitters I was trying out. It was so hard to capture in the photo, but there are actually four different (subtle) shades of glitter used, going from a white with yellow undertones to the three shades of blues.  Here is a closer look where I darkened the photo somewhat so you can see the variation a bit more.

The background was created using the Tim Holtz stencil (Woven Layering Stencil) and the glueless glitter technique.  This is such an easy technique to do.  Start off by temporarily taping down the stencil to your cardstock (I used white, but you can use any color), making sure you can place the stencil back in the exact same position.  Then cover the open areas with VersaMark ink and then heat set using Clear embossing powder.  For this stencil, I added tape to the top of the stencil and created a hinge so I could move the stencil out of the way when heat setting.

Next, lay the stencil back in the same place and cover with VersaMark ink again. (Do not heat set yet!)  Remove the stencil completely and add your glitters.  If using multiple colors, apply each color separately and shake off the excess glitter back into the container.  Keep applying the colors individually until the entire area is covered.  The final step is to heat set one more time.  You can see the glitter start to twinkle, indicating that it's melting into the embossing powder.  Once it's heat set the second time, the glitter stays in place.

Since my glittery background was in subtle shades of blue, I decided to stamp my flower in shades of blue as well.  I used VersaFine Clair inks for all the stamping on this project.  

Here's a trick I used to help me line up the stamps.  First I die cut the flower and the leaf shapes from a scrap of cardstock.  I then used this as a template to lay the stamps into. This helped me tremendously with the alignment issues I was having.  And as a bonus, it made the stamping go much faster.

I wanted a bit of dimension to the flower head, but not the stem.  To achieve the look I was going for, I added pop dots to the top petals and glued the base of the head and the stem directly on top of the background. When adhering the completed flower to the glittery background, be sure to use a good adhesive that sticks to glitter.  

The sentiment is part of the stamp set and I stamped onto vellum with VersaFine Clair and quickly heat set it with Clear embossing powder.  I wrapped this around the first two layers of my card and adhered everything onto my card base.

Until next time.....

Witch's Hat

Halloween is only a few days away and I wanted to make one more card for a friend.  I created a shaker card using the Witch Hat by Die-Versions  The shaker part has spiders from the DV Spider Web die and orange glitter.

The hat was colored with various embossing powders from Sparkle N Sprinkle: Black Magic for the spiders, Firefly for the yellow lightning bolts, Pumpkin on the hat band, Amethyst on the outline of the hat, and Glow in the Dark on the spider webs.

My (not so secret) message, a rubber stamp from Stampers Anonymous, was stamped onto Embossable Clear Acetate with VersaMark and then heat set with more Glow in the Dark embossing powder.


 It's really hard for me to get a good picture of it glowing, but it really does. The photo on the left is blurry, but you can see how much it glows in the dark.  The photo on the right also shows the glow aspect, but it was taken in a dark room, but some light was shining in.

Be sure to check the Die-Versions blog often to see what the rest of the team has created for you.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Four Seasons {Scrapy Land Challenge #17}

Scrapy Land Challenge #17 begins today and the theme is Anything Goes using any brand of die that Scrapy land sells.  


Scrapy Land is also having a Guest DT call.  Visit the Scrapy Land Challenge Blog to find out how you can be a part of this team.  All the information needed to apply is included in the Challenge #17 post.

For this challenge, I've used two stamp sets to create a card for each of the four seasons:  Seasonal Trees by Sparkle N Sprinkle and Simple Sayings CMS155  by Stampers Anonymous.

Spring

As you can see from the photo on the right, each of the sentiment banners are curved for added interest.  Each of the sentiments were stamped onto vellum with Distress Inks and then heat set with Clear embossing powder.


The dies used for these cards are  Spellbinders (Labels Twenty-Eight, Grand Labels Large) and Paper Smooches (Dots and Dashes).

Summer

The edges around the die cut and the sentiment banner were heat embossed using Copper Peddler embossing powder and Distress Inks  (Faded Jeans, Picked Raspberry, Ripe Persimmon, Mowed Lawn) were used to stamp each of the images.

Fall

Winter

Liquid Applique was used to create snow on the branches of the winter scene.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team has created for your inspiration.  You have until May 17th to upload your project.  The winner, chosen by the Designers, will receive a gift certificate to go shopping at Scrapy Land.    And don't forget to check out how easy it is to become a Guest Designer.

Remember

Today's card incorporates two of the new April releases from Die-Versions:  Remember Express Edge Mini and the Hexagon Punch Border.

One of the things I like to do is to try and recycle items that come in my junk mail.  This Dream Catcher, which was originally a key ring, was one of them.  I started thinking about the various rubber stamps I have and remembered having a couple that centered around the word "dream".  This Stampers Anonymous (CMS 037) rubber stamp was heat embossed using Sparkle N Sprinkle's Native American embossing powder.  I also carefully sprinkled more of the embossing powder on top of the black cardstock and heat set it from the bottom.  (See you don't have to use Frantage powders to get that same look.  Try what you've already got on hand first.) 

To create the background, I started off by cutting a piece of white cardstock the size I wanted and then die cut the Hexagon Punch Border die all the way across the panel until the entire area was cut out.  Distress Inks (Salty Ocean, Vintage Photo, and Squeezed Lemonade) came out next to ink up the white cardstock.  The Remember Express Edge Mini was adhered to the side of the now colored background panel.

A little distressing along the edges of the card base and you're all ready to go catch some dreams.

Right Now

Today is the New Release from Die-Versions.  Today, I'm showcasing one of the new Express Edges Mini.  This is the "Right Now" Mini Edge.  They are smaller versions of the Express Edges, except instead of being 5/8" tall, they are only 1/2" tall.

For this card, I've combined several Die-Versions dies as well as a couple different rubber stamps.  I started off stamping the background stamp (from Just For Fun) with Distress Ink (Vintage Photo) and then heat setting it with Clear embossing powder.  I further distressed the background by adding Tattered Rose and Old Paper to it.  Next, I stamped the "Journey" Stampers Anonymous stamp onto Sparkle N Sprinkle's Embossable acetate with VersaMark and heat set it with Amethyst embossing powder.

"Your" is die cut using the DV Tide Pool font and "begins" is from the Missy Micro font.  The Mini Edge is heat embossed with Sea Foam embossing powder for a shimmery look.

I thought this would be a good graduation card for a guy either starting college or getting his first "real" job after college.

Be sure to visit the Die-Versions Blog for more great projects using all the New Releases and check out the DV You-Tube channel showcasing each of the new dies.

Altered Sewing Box

I had been given a large Altoids box (about 6" x 4") and I decided to alter it into a sewing kit.  I started off by painting gesso all over it and letting that dry.  As I knew I was going to add a crackle finish to it, I didn't worry about making it perfectly smooth.

Once the gesso was dry, I painted it with Distress Paints (weathered wood, stormy sky, vintage photo), again not worrying about streaks.  After going over different areas a few times, I stamped some of the images from the Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz Haberdashery set.  I wasn't worried about the entire image being stamped onto the lid either - it made it look more worn out to me.

The final step for the lid itself was to add Ranger's Crackle Paint and let it dry overnight.  I did add some Distress Inks after it was dry to enhance some of the cracks and a bit of Tim Holtz Ruler Ribbon was adhered along the edge of the entire box.

Next came out some dies and grungeboard hinges.  I used the rusted enamel technique for the hinges.  Although I learned it from Tim's Creative Chemistry 101 online class (highly recommend), it can also be seen in several You-Tube videos.  The sewing machine is a die from Die-Versions and I applied the tarnished silver technique to it (from Tim's Creative Chemistry 102 class).  Love how pitted it looks.  The spools and needle and thread are Memory Box dies.  I wrapped embroidery floss around the spools of thread and also threaded each of the vintage buttons with embroidery floss.

For the inside, I adhered a magnetic strip to the inside top of the lid to hold loose items and then added your basic sewing kit supplies into the inside.

Now all the basics for sewing on a button (about the extent of my sewing ability) is all in one place.

Thinking of You

I needed a card for a quick note to a friend and this is what I came up with.  The image is Geraniums from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  After coloring the image with Copic markers, I applied a layer of sticker paper and covered it with Cloud Nine velvet glitter.

I die cut the Spellbinders frame (Fleur de Lis) and then die cut the center (Classic Squares Large).  Cayenne Star embossing powder was used to add color to the frame.

The sentiment is by Stampers Anonymous and is stamped in Distress Ink (Stormy Sky) and fussy cut out.

Copics used: petals - R02, R08; leaves - YG93, YG95, YG97, YG99; background - B0000, BV000, BV02

Happy Birthday

This cute pooch from Inky Antics is using his noggin to say Happy Birthday to my nephew.  The sentiment is one of the many stamps from the Simple Sayings set by  Stampers Anonymous.

The image is colored with Copic markers and some Spica glitter pens have been added to the collar and heart.  I stamped the paws twice so I could give dimension to the paws and sign.

Around the edges of the matting, I used the distressed embossing technique.  instead of using VersaMark to go around the edges, I just inked the distressed the edges with Distress Ink (Mustard Seed) and then heat embossed with Clear embossing powder.  The dog charm is from MFT and is covered with Pebbled Copper embossing powder from Sparkle N Sprinkle.

I bit of raffia and this card is ready to go in the mail without much bulk.

Frankie

Die-Versions new release this month is all about sports.  Can you guess which sports themed die I used to create this Halloween card?  I'll give you a hint - it's the negative portion of the die cut.

Believe it or not - it's the Basketball Hoop die!  One of the first things I do when I get a new die is to cut it out from scraps of cardstock.  It helps me in the creative process.  The first thing I thought of when I saw this negative image was Frankenstein!  I set it aside for several days, but it kept drawing me back.  So I decided to go with it and Googled images of Frankenstein.  This one with Boris Karloff was one of them.  I printed it out (a couple of times) to get the sizing right and drew in the bolts on the side of his neck.  I also tweaked his hair around the edges, filling in the white space with dark Copics.

I love being able to use my supplies in ways other than they what they were originally intended for.  This might be way out there - but I love how it turned out.  Who would have thought a sports die would become Frankenstein!  I hope this starts you looking at your dies and stamps in a whole new light.  You might be surprised what you discover.

Gas Lamp Sign

It's time for the March new release from Die-Versions and there are some really fun dies!

This is the new Gas Lamp Sign and I've create a tag a la Tim Hotlz (sort of).  Just about everything on this tag is from one of his lines.  What I really like about this though is that the focal point is actually a piece of canvas that I colored with Distress Stains and then stamped a couple different Stampers Anonymous stamps onto it with Archival inks (coffee), making a sort of collage.  Next I cut out the lamppost from grungeboard -yes DV dies do cut it out!  I did run it back and forth through my machine a few times though.  A couple of the corners in the lamp section didn't cut all the way through, but they were easily snipped with a pair of scissors.  Just because there wasn't enough TH stuff on there :-P, I also added one of his File Tabs as well as Tiny Staples.

I painted the die cut with a metallic silver paint dauber and randomly sprinkled Sparkle N Sprinkle's Tiger Orange  velvet glitter on it while it was still wet.  I wanted it to look a little rusty.  I added tissue tape ruffles on the bottom of the tag, which was colored with Dylusions Ink Sprays as well as creating a ribbon loop for the top of the tag.

You're definitely going to want to visit the Die-Versions blog to see what the rest of the team has created with some of the other new releases.

Lord Money Man

It's the second Wednesday of the month.  Do you know what that means?  Yep, it's time for the Freebie/Guest Designer challenge at Dude Time Doodles.  Head on over and pick up Lord Money Man for free this week.  If you miss him, he's also available at the store, along with some fun sentiments.  As you can see, I used one of these sentiments on my card.

For the background, I used the Archival Resist technique taught in this class.  (You can still register and get all the materials.)  The rubber stamps used on the background are from Stampin' Up,  Stampers Anonymous, and 100 Proof Press.  All the edges are distressed with Distress Inks.  

Now, run on over to the Dude Time Doodles Challenge blog to pick up your very own Lord Money Man and enter our challenge.  You could be the next Dude or Dudette guest designer.  So very cool.....


Archival Inks: Saffron, Magananese Blue   Distress Inks: Frayed Burlap, Scattered Straw, Vintage Photo

Capt. Walen

Can't believe another month has just flown by.  But that means it's time for the Dude Time Doodles New Release Blog Hop!  There are some great new images this month and I'm sure you'll find one or two (or all) that you've just got to have.  All the images will be available at the store by 10am EST.

I've chosen Captain Walen and he was a dream to color.  I created a bookmark for my father-in-law as he loves to read.  (Too bad I didn't have a copy of Moby Dick laying around :-).)  He's colored with Copic markers, fussy cut, and his boots have been given a good coating of Glossy Accents to keep them waterproof.  The background was created using the Marbling Stains technique from the Tim Holtz Creative Chemistry online class (I think you can still register for it, if interested) and some rubber stamps from Blockheads Paper Arts and Stampers' Anonymous.  Creative Inspiration paints (pink highlights) was painted on the fish for an iridescent look (although it's hard to tell in the photo).

You should have arrived here at Anne-Made from the Dude Time Doodles challenge blog, but don't stress if you didn't.  The Dude Time Doodles blog hop is a circular hop - no beginning or end.  Just keep going until you have visited all of the Dude and Dudettes.  Be sure to leave a comment with each one of us as one of the design team members is the Mystery Host/Hostess and the winner will be chosen from that person's comments.  Now it's time to head on over to Michelle.  Here's a quick list of all the stops.

ANNE  (that's me)

MICHELLE

RUTH

CG

DAWN

SHARON

KEVIN

JUDY

TAMMY

DUDE TIME DOODLES

Copics used: B24, B26, B37, B39, Y13, Y15    BG10, BG11, BG13, BG15, BG23   C1, C4, C6    E33, E34, E39, E27    N4, N6, N8, N9    W3, W5, W7    EOO, E01, E13, E15    E97, E99, E09

Cowpoke

Can you tell by the card that the Dude Time Doodles inspirational theme this week is cowboys?  CowPoke Cal, the Howdy sentiment, and the Star are all from the CowPoke Cal set by Bonibleaux Designs.  Our sponsor for this fun and easy challenge is Paper Temptress and the winner will receive a $20 gift certificate.  Who wouldn't want to win that?!?

Everything is colored with Copic markers and fussy cut out.  Although it's hard to tell from the angle, but Cal is pop dotted pretty high away from the star.  I added twine around his hat, the star, the sentiment, and the card itself (might have gotten a little carried away :-) ).  Scattered Straw Stickles was applied to the wheat and the sentiment was heavily covered with Glossy Accents.  When it was almost dry, I took it and bend it this way and that to give it a nice crackle finish - like an old sign where the varnish is beginning to crack.

The revolvers are actually a Tim Holtz rubber stamp where I stamped the image, as well as made a reverse image.  After both of these were fussy cut out, I applied several layers of sterling silver embossing powder to the images in order to make faux medal embellishments.

Now I hope you are inspired to make your own cowboy themed project.  You have one week to upload your creation to the Dude Time Doodles challenge blog.  Don't forget, it's got to be for a Dude and you need to follow the theme.

Let It Snow with Rupert

This is the last challenge of the year for Stamping with the Dragon as everyone gets the last week off to celebrate the holidays with their families.  Stamping Dragon Designs is the sponsor and the theme is Let It Snow.  Show us your projects that has anything dealing with snow.  It's also a bittersweet post for me as this will also be my last official post as one of the design team members.  But you'll still see Rupert and all his friends here from time to time because he's the cutest dragon ever!

The image I chose is Snowfight and Rupert is having a blast playing in the snow and having a snowball fight.  Maybe Jiggy and Penny have ganged up on him.  Rupert is colored with Copic markers and I printed the image twice so I could fussy cut the head and pop dot it for more dimension.  I also used a Snow Writer for the snow and snow balls.  Both the sentiment and background papers are from Create with TLC. The card base was cut with my Spellbinder's Grand Ovals #3 (assumes #1 is the smallest die in the set) and I added snowflake ribbon all along the back of the card.  The sentiment is a Tim Holtz rubber stamp from Stampers Anonymous.  The background was created with a large backgrounder stamp (manufacturer unknown).

Just a quick reminder that you still have a short amount of time (till 7pm EST tomorrow, 12/23) to apply for this wonderful design team.  You'll be working with a great bunch of women and who wouldn't love more images with Rupert.  You can read all the details here.

Be sure to visit the rest of the design team to see what snowy creations they've come up with too.  So get busy and upload your project with snow to the Stamping with the Dragon challenge blog.

Copics used: R24, R29    BG11, BG15, BG18

Sanded Color Block technique

Edited:  My card won the challenge

I had a little time today to play with my rubber stamps, plus I wanted to participate in the Blockheads Paper Arts technique challenge blog hop which ends Saturday.  The technique is the Sanded Color Block with Distress Stains technique and you can find the directions here.

It's a pretty easy technique to do, but my thumbs wouldn't allow me to place as much pressure as I would have liked on the bone folder to burnish the image into the glossy paper.  The embossing was easier to see before I stamped my final image.  Next time I think I'll use a smaller, or partial, image.  Always learning :-) .

You can see the embossing better in the second photo.  Both the image (Just Believe) and the ticket stub (Odds and Ends) are from Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous and the embossing folder was Snow Flurries from Sizzix/Tim Holtz.  The Distress Stains used were Tumbled Glass, Faded Jeans, Chipped Sapphire,  Fired Brick, Wild Honey, Dusty Concord.

I'll have another project coming up Monday where I used the same sanding/embossing technique (but I didn't color block) and the results are a little cleared since the image doesn't cover the entire area.

You still have a little bit of time to participate.  Here's the link for the blog hop: