Be A Happy Camper!

Hello there inky friends!  I'm here today to share an adorable little scrapbook page I created using some of the newest Joy Clair clear stamp sets available THIS MONTH.  Check them all out in the Joy Clair store!

Here's a little framed 8x8 layout I created featuring the new "Happy Camper" and the Aztec Background clear sets from Joy Clair.  It also has a little peek at the the Butterfly Kisses set.  I had so much fun coloring the images and just had to feature them on a fun layout.  I'll have to hunt through my old camping photos of family to see if I can find the perfect black and white photo to insert into this page. For now, the page is "pictureless"...

Let's take a journey through my process in making this page, shall we?

I first stamped the evergreens, the fire and the fun camper with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  After that, I colored each image with Copic markers.  To add a bit of age and to "country-fy" the piece, I rubbed a bit of Pan Pastel (Pan Pastel Burnt Sienna) over each image.  Not only did this help tone down the brightness of the images, it allowed the images to become a bit more aged and fit more perfectly with my theme.  

I painted a bit of Metallic Silver Liquitex ink onto the wings and metal on the camper.  After that was done, I cut the images out and applied some foam squares then set them aside so that I could continue to work on the layout.  

Notice that shiny metallic look??? LOVE IT!

I stamped the Aztec Background stamp onto the cream cardstock using clear embossing ink then rubbed my pan pastel over that.  This allowed the pastel to grab onto the ink and leave a light dusting on the non-inked portion.  I also stamped a few tiny butterflies from the Butterfly Kisses stamp set onto the camper.  I thought it added a bit more whimsy to that fun camper color scheme.

I stamped the whimsical Happy Camper sentiment onto kraft cardstock, cut it in a banner format, stitched it onto the page with my sewing machine then added a bit of twine to finish the project off. Almost all of my work includes some form of fibers, so I thought it only appropriate to add some jute and a wooden button!  

I hope you enjoyed this peek at my newest layout.  This set AND the adorable coordinating set Wild and Free, are perfect for cute little camping related layouts, fun cards and invites!  

Masculine HELLO...

 I don't do many masculine cards, but when I do, they tend to have natural themes with trees, woods, and GREEN.  I selected this beautiful image (from the Scenic Combo Precut Set) for my card because it had that rustic feel I was after. 

I really like the look of weathered or crumpled paper and I'm so keen on distressing so I decided to really rough this card up a bit by crinkling it up until the fibers were soft and fabric-like.  Not much to it really, just colored the image and just about tossed it into the trash because the colors were too bright...Oh wait, then I decided to keep crumpling and then distressing it with some Ranger Distress ink!!!  LOVE that stuff! 

After using my Grand Calibur to cut out the Decorative Window Die, I chopped up the diecut a bit and arranged pieces behind the stamped image to create a little embellishment feature.  Since I love adding sewing to weathered and worn cards, I thought it was the perfect touch for this rustic card. 

Take a close look...I thought it needed some REAL wood embellishments so I stepped outside and plucked off a few twigs from the pine tree by my front door!  MMM smells devine! 

Card Details: 

HCPC 3355 Scenic Combo Precut Set

HCD 708 Decorative Window Die
Quickutz Tags Die RS-0626
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
Vintage Photo Distress Ink
Copic Markers: E31, 33, 71, 93; YG11; G99; W3, 5
Copic Xpress It Card
Bazzill black, green cardstock
Kraft Cardstock
Martha Stewart Bakers twine
Check ribbon: May Arts
Brown Sewing Thread
Twigs

Thanks for stopping by this week!  Hope you have some time to stop over at the Heartfelt Creations to check out the other projects presented by the designers this week.  Wednesday, the BIG Design Team reveal will happen...so keep your eyes peeled. 

See you Wednesday!

Stamped Greetings!

ALERT: Heartfelt Creations will be releasing the Create a Window SceneCollection on Thursday, Nov. 25 at 12 Midnight. As a special thank you to our customers, we will be offering some amazing "Black Friday Deals"on this must-have collection!

In preparation for the big release day, I decided to make a window scene card this week. Since I don't have the soon to be released collection yet, I'm using my own personal design for now...

Some of you may know that I went to the Smithsonian American History Museum last Friday for their Annual Teacher Appreciation event and I was inspired by some pop-up and layered books they had on display. I was inspired to make a little scene using one of the books on display. It's a pretty simple accordion folded book with lots of elaborate winter scenery. If you are inspired to make something too, give it a try!

CHALLENGE (WITH PRIZE)...

1. Become a Follower if you aren't already.

2. Create anything with a LAYERED WINDOW SCENE! You may use ANY stamps and ANY design.

3. Post a link to your entry below and you'll be in the running for a free BRAND SPANKIN NEW Heartfelt Creation Precut Stamp Set called (Pumpkin/Autumn Vines Precut Set HCPC 3329).

So, here's my creation, done with other sets since I love all things BLUE AND SNOWY!

I modeled this card after a pop up book I saw at the Smithsonian American History Museum. It was a wonderful book full of layers and layers of Ice Skaters and winter scenes. I added only three layers, and instead of doing an accordion fold, I used pop dots to raise my layers.

Here are a few close ups and the DEETS on this project:

The layers...Each layer had some embellishments, so when viewed head on, it creates a whole scene.

Here's a close-up of the BLING, SPARKLE and my coloring.

Papers: Cream Bazzill Cardstock: 5x5 Card Base

Core'dinations Lt Blue Sparkle (3 pieces 4x4 each)

Stamps: HCPC 3352 Snowy Cardinal Precut Set (cardinal in scene), HCPC 3345 Snowflake Medley Precut Set (snowflake on top layer), HCPC 3343 Let it Snow Flurries Precut Set (background)

Dies: Spellbinders Nesties Labels 1 (cut each layer for scene), Spellbinders Shapeabilities Snowflake Wonder

Inks: Memento Black for cardinal, Stewart Superior India Ink Black for sentiment and snowflakes, Antique Linen Distress Ink for background, Versamagic Oasis Green for snowflake background, Copic Black .35 Multiliner)

Copics:Cardinal: R02, R17, R37, R59, Pine boughs: G21, YG63, YG11, G99, Snow B0000, C1

Embellishments: Diamond Stickles, Gold Liquid Pearls, Darice Bling, Teal Satin Ribbon from stash

I will draw a winner on the RELEASE DAY, November 25 so you have plenty of time to participate!

Have Fun Creating!

I Did It!

Woo Hoo!!! Today it was announced that I was selected as a Designer for Heartfelt Creations (original stamps/dies and so much MORE!!!) I'm so excited! I've got more to share this weekend but wanted to pop in and share my unbelieveable news!!! You can read all about it HERE.

Here are two of the projects I created with Heartfelt Creations new Cardinal Family collection:

Heartfelt Creations sent me the most amazing group of stamp sets and dies I have played with EVER!!! I just LOVE how the cardinal dies matched the images! Shhhh...as you can probably see, I'm obviously not a bird expert because had I researched a bit more, I would have noticed that their beaks are RED, not gray like I colored mine...Oh well...He's unique right? I still love how the red coloring just makes the feathers realistic. It was a true pleasure to make this card.

This card was made using the following sets: Cardinal with Holly Berries PreCut Set, Cardinal Family Coordinating Dies . 

Many people have requested the Copic colors be listed for this card so here they are.  If you would like complete directions (in a .doc format) please contact me-or Heartfelt Creations and I would be happy to email it to you. 

·         Color with Copic Markers.  Cardinal/berries:  R27, R46, R05, R39, R02, E09  Leaves:  G99,G94, YG63, G21, YG91   Beak:  W1, W5, WG5, N7  Stems:  E44, E57

This is definitely a three dimensional card too. The bird is not just raised, but the edges are glued to the base layer to create a rounded effect and the holly berries and leaves are scored, folded and dry embossed to create a more realistic berry/leaf. I handmade the tag and attached it to the card as a sentiment.

I also created this fun little gift box. I love the combination of Kraft paper, rusted tin and gingham check ribbon so it worked perfectly for that rustic/country look I was after. I will treasure setting this box out as a decoration at Christmastime and throughout the winter.

I used the following sets to create this gift box and tag: Cardinal Family PreCut Set, Cardinal Pine Cone Border Pre Cut Set, Cardinal Family Coordinating Dies

Here's a closer look at the cardinal tag. Just a simple tag, but a MUST HAVE addition to any gift box!

I created some additional items that are hush-hush right now (Winter Wonderland Collection) as they haven't officially been released- so I'll share them at a later date.

If you are like me, you'll say I WANT IT ALL!!!

Hop over to the Heartfelt Creations webstore and check out the collection and the BLOG for an awesome video/tutorial by Emma Lou, a complete listing of the newest designers and their creations, and exciting news about your chance to win it ALL! You WILL NOT be disappointed.

Note: If you would like detailed instructions for any of these projects, please contact me.

Hugz-

Ker

Hop, Hop, Hop!

This lighthouse card is sure to light your way and guide you successfully through the blog hop...just follow the light hee hee hee...Stamp set used: By The Sea, WOODWARE USA

HELLO STAMPERS! You may be finding yourself here If you're on a hop, hop, hop through WoodwareUSA's first Design Team Blog Hop and I hope you're a happy hopper!!! Have you gathered your letters from BonnieRose, Harriet, Anne and Dawn? Here's your opportunity to pick up another letter. This very important letter is just as important as the others and it will help you put the pieces together to spell a word we're all looking for...My letter is:

Now hop on over to Piali's blog to grab your next letter. You're nearing the finish line. On your way, make sure NOT to drop any letters. You'll need ALL of them to figure out the secret!

And for those who just happen upon my blog today...Join the fun and start hopping HERE and follow the hop straight through (NO DETOURS OR LEFT TURNS). We have a sensational team of 8 paper crafters from all over the USA, and we want to show them off today! Please visit each team members’ blogs and leave them some love. You'll be able to grab a letter to help you figure out a secret. In the end, there will be a special stamping prize for one lucky participant. If you become a follower on the WoodwareUSA company blog, you'll have two opportunities to win!

Happy Hopping!
Ker

Ahoy there!

I'm very excited to announce that I've been selected as a designer for the debut of WOODWARE USA clear stamps!!! I'm so thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such awesome quality clear stamps and as you have already seen on previous posts, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE their adorable colorable images!!!

Now, you may say Hmmmm..Woodware, I recognize that name. Yes, Woodware Stamps isn't new...They've been around for YEARS in Europe and they have finally made their way to the US... Andre Cox is the distributor of WOODWARE stamps here in the USA we have all grown to love! I'm so thrilled to have the chance to design for the USA debut of this amazing stamp company!!!

The DT will officially be announced with an exciting blog hop starting right at the Woodware USA blog (The official Woodware USA home of inspiration). We'll be awarding a fabulous Woodware prize so I hope you'll come to check it out!

In the months to come, I'll be working with a fabulous list of designers to bring you inspiration and fun challenges. I recommend you become a follower of the WOODWARE USA Blog too, because there will be lots of fun sneak peeks, challenges and stamping fun to be had there!!!

If you like what you see, head over to the WOODWARE USA store and pick up a few sets too. I'd love to have a THROWDOWN or two using the same stamp sets!

Secret Revealed...

Hey stampers! So, did you want to wring my neck for that little tease? Well, sorry about that (not really ")) but I have some exciting news to share with you today. I haven't tried out for a design team position in a long time and thought after reading the DT call for Your Next Stamp on Splitcoaststampers that I would try out again. I tried my hand at Karen's call when she first launched her stamp company and did not make the cut, so why not try again right???

This summer was the perfect time to find a company that fit me to a "T". One that had stamps that were just fun, and YUMMY, DELICIOUS, QUALITY unmounted purple rubber!!! So, I hurried over to YNS and read the details. I bought some new stamps specifically for the call and they arrived yesterday. I tore into the envelope, and ran right up to my room to play!


So you know that image on my sneak? Well, below you'll find the full card. In the next few days, I'll post close-up shots of all my work for this DT call, but for now, I'll just post full project shots.



If you know me, you know that I LOVE ribbon, stickles, patterned paper, and of course my COPICS! You can see I HAD to use those items here. This was the first card I created for the call and I wanted it to be a bit different than what you usually see with this set. I picked out the patterned paper first then went on to coloring FLOWER POTS. I cut those out and then stamped the petal again. SHHHH...I'm sure some may think it's a sin, but I did cut the stamp apart...Now I have a stem and a flower bud... I know I could have masked, but it's much easier just pulling the stamp you want out. Yeah, sure I love bright cheerful colors, but I think this image works so well with the more natural colors too.

After creating this card, I moved on to a more playful stamp set. This set made me smile so I thought I needed to select a happy patterned paper... After selecting the paper, I set off to coloring the image in coordinating colors. I stamped BIG TALL GRASS onto some white cardstock then stamped Kite Flying Fhiona . Of course Fhiona needed her little pooch tagging along, so I added him too. I think he looks like a Schnauser I knew as a kid so I colored him different grays.

My last submission was a little project I made for one of my nephews. It's always hard to find great boy stamp sets but this set (Fhiona's Tent) screamed his name. He's an avid camper and LOVES to rough it in the woods with his Boy Scout brothers. Now I don't think he'll carry it along with him because his pack is the perfect weight, but it will be a yummy gift to enjoy before he heads out on his next adventure.

Yes! you can see it's a canvas bag full of goodies to make SMORES! No camping trip is complete without them right???LOL

So that's my submission for the Your Next Stamp design team call. I had tons of fun making these three projects specifically for the call and am excited to make more. Now that my new stamps are here, I'll be stamping away to make MORE creations.

Stay tuned to my blog within the next few days. As mentioned before, I'll post close-ups of each card/project.

Happy Stamping!