You're In my heart...

Hello there inky friends!  Today I'm sharing a card I created with the fab products from Miss Ink Stamps.  I wanted to create a fall/Thanksgiving card to send to some of my <3 people because I'm having to make some very hard decisions about Thanksgiving this year...Should I go, should I stay home, this decision is really weighing on me.  I know so many others are having to make these heavy decisions too, and I am not alone, but it still sucks royally!  

As I work through all the ramifications of my decision and how it affects so many (including myself), I think spending time crafting helps calm me and focus my intentions...So, while this decision was running through my mind, I pulled out my Gel Press, my acrylic paints, my stamps and my sewing machine and just got lost in the process.

 

To create my card, I started out by placing stripes of red/orange/yellow acrylic paint on my Gel Press.  I then used a sponge to blend them together in an ombre effect then added the fun Stripes in the Basics Stencil Bundle over the top then sponged again to help lift some of the paint.  I released the stencil and then stamped the leaf spray from the Springtime Banners set onto the paint to lift the ink from the plate.  I let that layer dry and then added some cream acrylic paint over that before adhering white cardstock and peeling it off to release the images from the plate.  

Next, I stamped the leaves as if they were falling onto the panel using black Versafine ink, heat set it and then colored the leaves with dark orange Copic marker.  I then flicked some black acrylic paint onto the panel and let it dry.

I machine stitched the black seam binding and pulled the thread to help gather and pucker the ribbon before attaching it to a piece of torn book paper.  I then used some white thread (colored with dark brown Copic) to add another layer of texture before attaching the paper to the panel.  I stamped the sentiment (from the Everyday Sentiments set) onto white cardstock and added that to my layers.  To finish things off, I colored some pearls with red Copic marker, attached them and then applied some Autumn Dazzle Dust to a wooden heart embellsihment.  

I attached everything to a piece of red/cardstock before mounting onto a white card base.  

Thanks for stopping over to check out my card... 

A little happy news...Miss Ink Stamps!!!

Hello there inky friends!  Today I'm excited to share that I've joined the Miss Ink Stamps designer family.  I'm so thrilled and honored to have the privilege to create with their yummy products and I look forward to playing for days and days!  

When I received my first goodies package, I ooohed and ahhhed over the stamps, stencils, sparkles and bling!  It was hard to choose the first products to use for my first feature product so I just closed my eyes and grabbed a stamp set!  HA HA.  I grabbed the gorgeous floral set called "Magnolia Sympathy" which to me, reminded me of the pretty old fashioned country roses lining the sides of the fence.  I decided to go with that and colored them a beautiful orangey-yellow color...I paired these images up with the fun Backgammon 2 stencil.  

Copics Used:  Y00, Y32, YR61, E34, YG95, YG61, FYG2 

To create the fun background,  I taped down the stencil and blended Ranger Distress Ink: Speckled Egg and Broken China onto a piece of white cardstock.  I then used the Speckled Egg reinker and splattered some onto the dark (bottom) edge of the paper and splattered more water onto the page.  I let that dry and then mounted this panel onto a piece of white cardstock to thicken it up.  Next, I machine stitched around the panel to give it some added texture. 

After that, I mounted the stenciled panel (turned it around so that the fading edge would be at the base and started arranging my floral spray.  I used foam squares to adhere all the flowers and leaves and then stamped the sentiment.  I tucked the sentiment into the spray and then attached some jute ribbon curls here and there. 

To finish the card off, I mounted this panel onto a piece of white cardstock and then attached it to a sage green card base (with a topfold).  I also added one small jute ribbon bow at the top. 

Thanks so much for hopping over to check out my first card for Miss Ink Stamps!  See you again soon!  :)

TCP Sneak Peek Week Day 4: Pattern Builder

Hello there inky friends!  I'm BACK!  Hee hee.  Today is Day 4 of The Cat's Pajamas Sneaky Peek Week.  We're sharing some fun inspiration featuring the brand spankin' new stencil called "Pattern Builder".  It's a pretty fun collection of pieces and parts to mix and match when stenciling fun plaid and linear patterns.  I chose to layer the thinnest stripes stencil three times (once with lime green and twice with cranberry red) to get my fun plaid pattern.  After stenciling, I added some black lines with my Staedtler Multiliner .01 pen and placed a dot at each intersection. 

I decided to pair up this plaid with one of my favorite holiday die sets from The Cat's Pajamas.  J*Y is a fab trio of dies that when put together, create the perfect "Joy" sentiment.  Adding a little sparkly snowflake was just what this card needed to bring it over the top!  

Thanks for hopping over to my blog to check out my project today.  I hope it inspires you to get your stencils out and make that plaid!  This stencil collection is available TODAY so hop over to the shop and pick one up HERE.  Also...  Make sure to visit each inspiration Sneaky Peek blog and leave a comment.  You just might win a fab gift certificate from TCP stamps!  

Sneaky Inspiration Today Provided BY: 

Wendy

Nancy

Brenda

Alma 

ME!

Sneaky Peek Week: The Cat's Pajamas...Hey Boo!

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Hey there inky friends!  Today is the first day of Sneaky Peek Week with The Cat's Pajamas!  This week we're sharing some fun inspiration featuring the newest stamps, dies and goodies from The Cat's Pajamas!  We're prepping for fall and this collection pulls out all the stops!  I know you'll be ogling over all the fun designs. 

To create my Halloween card, I started out by using the new stencil called "The Neighborhood" and some Pan Pastel.  I rubbed some dark plum and brown Pan Pastel over some green cardstock to create a nighttime spooky scene.  I then used my finger and some black ink to stencil the bats and added some flicks of acrylic paint here and there.  After distressing an A2 card base with black ink and the same stencil, I attached the green background to the card and attached a kraft diecut from my stash.  

Next, I stamped the tree, sentiment and the witch images from the new "Hey Boo" stamp set using my Mysti and then colored with colored pencils, Copics and acrylic paint.  Before attaching to the oval panel, I flicked some red, black acrylic paint and water onto the panel and let it dry.  I also used some golden paste to give some shine.  

To finish off my card, I added embellishes like golden thread, bling and some tiny star stamps.

Up close and with a bend of the wrist, this card shimmers and shines!

Thanks for hopping over to check out my creation.  Remember, many of my teamies are sharing projects today and you can hop over to their blogs for some yummy inspiration.  And know...If you love this witchy set, you can purchase it today!  Just head on over to the shop today!

More Hey Boo Inspiration:

Cristena Bagne

Wendy McGaffey

Julee Tillman

Brenda Nakandakari

Deborah Anton

Nancy Thomas

Melissa Chipperfield

Rebekah Weckerly

Kerry Urbatch----ME!  

TCP Sneaky Peek Week...Nature's Christmas Tree

Hello there inky friends.  Today I'm joining some of my fellow designers at The Cat's Pajamas as we give you a little sneaky peek of what's to come in our new release.  I'm featuring the gorgeous new sketchy Christmas set called "Nature's Christmas Tree" and a few other goodies coming to the shop!  You're going to FLIP!

NEW!!! Nature's Christmas Tree

NEW!!!   Great Outdoors Stencilz

NEW!!!  Big Beautiful Blending Brush

NEW!!! Clear Holographics

To create my design, I started out by using the fun four-sided Great Outdoors stencil to create a cloud background.  I used Distress Oxides for their beautiful blending capabilities and for the ability to give that "Snowy" effect with water.  The Big Beautiful Blending brush is AHHHMAZING in helping create a seamless blending and fun design. 

After creating the blended background, I stamped the snow dots and stars and naked trees onto the panel.  I also stamped some of the sketchy trees with some embossing ink so that I could add Hero Arts Puffy White embossing powder.  I think it gave the trees a snowy texture.  I also dipped the bottom edge of the stamped panel into the embossing powder so that I could create a little snowy ground.  

After that, I stamped the deer and the little bird and colored them with Copics.  I also stamped a few additional stars so that I could add some here and there on the card.  

To finish the scene, I added the cute little sparkly snow sequins onto the card.  They pick up a lot of the teal in the photograph but in reality, they are like a glossy icy color.  So yummy and perfect for a snowy scene! 

Thanks for hopping over to check out my creation.  I hope my card inspired you today!  One more Christmas card down, a million more to go!  WOOP! 

New Release: Wendy Vecchi Make Art Inks by Ranger...

Hello there inky friends!  I am so excited to share a brand spankin' new release at Ranger today!  Check out their blog post to learn more about it HERE.  The newest Wendy Vecchi Make Art blendable Dye Inks are such an inky dream and I'm so honored to be able to play and share with you today!  

The newest colors are lush, vibrant and GORGEOUS!  The six new colors include:  Carnation Red, Pink Peony, Cactus Flower, Tiger Lily, Forget-Me-Not and Leaf Green. 

Wendy Vecci Make Art Blendable Dye Ink Pads

For my first project with these deelish inks, I selected the trio of reds to blend and build a gorgeous background onto some Wendy Vecchi Perfect Cardstock (White).  This 110lb cardstock blends so beautifully well and the ink just rolled onto the page like butter.  YUM!  As you can see from my process photo below, I started out by using a blender brush to go around the top/right/bottom edge of the paper.  Top:  Carnation Red, Right Side:  Cactus Flower, Bottom:  Pink Peony. 

After finishing the background blending, I used the stencil in the "A Million Thanks" Stamp, Die, Stencil set to create a little pattern on the central portion of my background panel.  Next, I stamped the leaves onto the edges of the panel using my stamp positioner and some black ink.  After I was satisfied with the design, I splattered some black acrylic paint on the background panel with my super fine paint brush.  

Once my background was complete, I moved on to stamping and coloring the floral image and the butterfly image in the stamp set.  I used my stamp positioner to get the most perfect and crisp images.  I colored the images using Copic markers.  

Copics used on this project include:  

Reds:  R81, RV55, V05

Yellows: Y18, Y23, YR65

Greens: YG25, YG61

After completing the coloring, I diecut the images and then added a personal fussy cut edge to each design before attaching them to the panel.  I then attached some black satin ribbon and mounted this panel onto some lime green cardstock.  I mounted the completed panel onto .a coordinating fuchsia card base.      

**Thank you Ranger for providing these fabulous new Wendy Vecchi products to play with. I am excited to share additional projects very soon! 

A note to my blog readers:  

The links provided in my blog posts are not affiliate links.  I never use affiliate links on any products I use and love.  It's just not me.  Please consider purchasing these products directly through Ranger with no cut back to me.  I appreciate their kind and generous product contribution so much!   

November Joy Clair Challenge: Stencil It!

Hey there stampers!  Today I'm joining my fellow Joy Clair team members in kicking off the November Challenge on the blog with a fun stenciling challenge.  STENCIL IT!  We welcome you to play along and encourage you to post your creation in our inlinkz for your chance at a $25.00 gift certificate to Joy Clair!!!  Come on, Join the fun!

I totally intended on making this card a FALL card but...it just didn't want to be a fall card.  I think it wanted so much to be a snowy scene...so I just followed along for the ride.  

To create my "starlight scene", I made my own stencil using some punches and a piece of cardstock.  I originally started stenciling with the dauber but found that too annoying so I just inked up my finger and dabbed onto the stars and dots.  It worked much better!

Those itty bitty dots didn't stencil as well as I thought they would and just became some pin prick colors.  I think these dots would have worked a bit better in gold on dark cardstock but oh, well...I just had to keep applying the dots so it would look like I meant to have them all there.  HA HA.  

After doing the stenciling (notice my blue finger dabbed in yellow made an oopsie green star),  I started coloring one of the trees from the Happy Camper set.  I colored/painted it with a combination of Tombow #296, and Memento Cottage Ivy (with water) and Rich Cocoa (with water).  I colored the other two tree trunks and gave a little shadow with the Tombow N95.  I then cut out this tree and the other two trees so that I could figure out a nice arrangement on the card.  

 I figured out a nice arrangement, tied some twine, machine stitched some meandering lines, added some pop dots, laid the trees down, then searched for the perfect sentiment...I found it in the Salt and Light set.  Inked it up with Memento Black and stamped her on.

The stamped image was then splattered with some sparkle silk and pop dots were added to make her float on the card base.  FINITO BANDITO!  Love it!

I hope you enjoyed this creation and remember, if you don't have stencils, make your own!  Easy, peasy!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday Sip & Share...

Hello there coffee loving friends! I'm excited to share my FIRST Sunday Sip & Share post with you over at the Coffee Loving Cardmakers blog today! Every Sunday, I'll pop in to share a little project I create and will use that card as a springboard for a sketch design.

When I create cards, I tend to just go with the flow. I hardly ever sit down with a plan in mind. I just sit, sip my coffee and create...After I'm finished with my card, I love to create a sketch that mimics the layout. It's a bit backwards but it works for me!  

Every time I post a card for my Sunday Sip & Share, I'll share the coordinating sketch too. I hope you enjoy! If you choose to use our sketch to create a yummy card, please stop back at the CLC blog Post and share your creation. Just click on the Sip and Share icon below to link your photo back to the original post:  

We can't wait to see your interpretation of this week's sketch!  

So let's get on with the first Sunday Sip & Share, shall we?!  

I love creating fun backgrounds for my stamped cards and this one was sooo fun! I used a new stencil I purchased recently from Fun Stampers Journey called Abstract Wall and applied Light Gold, Yellow Ochre and Paynes Gray Tint Pan Pastels in an overlapping color pattern. Once finished, I added some gold embossing powder here and there by dabbing my Clear Pigment Embossing Ink on the paper and edges.  

Can you can see the shimmer effect that is created on the background layer? I love that the Light Gold Pan Pastel creates such a sheer golden shine. It's so gorgeous and helps take your page to the "fancy" stage. I love this medium and it works perfectly to create the soft backgrounds that I love so much!  

After creating the background, I applied some matching ribbon and lace from my stash.  Then, I selected a few feathers to add dimension and texture, then tied it with a little twine bow.  The sentiment and beans from the Uniko set "I LOVE COFFEE" were stamped using Versafine Onyx Ink and embossed with Journey Gold Embossing Powder.  I love this gold embossing powder because it has a low heat/melt rate and it creates such a true metallic gold shine.  I elected to stamp the sentiment onto graph paper to add a little contrast to the piece.  

The colors and triangle pattern seemed a bit masculine to me so I decided to add a bit of a girly touch by adding some yummy ribbons and lace.  I think it helped feminize the card.  Adding a little feather on a whim finished the card off.  

I hope you enjoyed this creation.  I had so much fun putting it together.  Now let's get to the sketch:  

Thanks again for stopping by!   I hope you enjoyed my creation today and if you love the sketch, please share your creation with us.  When posting your creation, please stop back and share your link. You can also use the hashtag #clcsipandshare when posting to social media.  You never know, I just might have some coffee loving treats for one special participant!