Polished Stone Ornaments

Hi everyone.  Today's card is for two challenges of the Dare To Get Dirty 2013 challenges at SCS (DTGD13BevMom and DTGD13TexasGrammy).  I've having fun making cards ... and this one was fun, but took several hours.  Not only was it a bit picky to make, but I covered the ornaments with Crystal Effects (lots and lots) so it took several hours for them to dry.  Then, I had trouble figuring out how to mount them.  In the end, I went with black card stock ... not something very common for Christmas cards, but they looked the best on a dark background ... white and silver made everything too washed out.  The next challenge was to get a picture ... and this was the best I could do after several, several attempts.  Unfortunately, the picture doesn't show how great these ornaments look in real life - you're going to have to take my word on that :)

I pounced light coloured inks with rubbing alcohol to create the paper for the ornaments and then die-cut them, layered with some glitter embellishments and covered thickly with Crystal Effects to give them shine and dimension.  Hope you like.


Here's a close-up (again, not a great photo, but you get the idea):

Paper:  Glossy White; Silver Glimmer
Ink:  Pretty in Pink, Baja Blue (SU!); Silver
Accessories & Tools:  Rubbing Alcohol, cotton balls, Big Shot, Christmas Ornaments die (My Favorite Things), Star of Wonder die (Memory Box), Snowflake die (Sizzix), silver cording, Crystal Effects, glue, sticky strips, and dimensionals

Let Your Dreams Take Flight

Hi everyone.  I'm working my way through the Dare to Get Dirty Challenges.  I have covered off two challenges with this card (DTGD13UnderstandBlueA, DTGD13Onehappystamper).  Sorry the sentiment is hard to read but I used Basic Gray for stamping and it's very light ... but perfect for the challenge.

I used the re-inker spread technique for this card (at least that's what I call it ... I first saw it on Dawn O's blog).  I have a plastic paint palette (from the $1 store) ... I placed three drops of water in two of the sections, then added one drop of yellow re-inker to one and one drop of turquoise re-inker to the other; stirred them with the end of my paint brush to mix.  Then I misted watercolor paper until it was very wet, stood it upright over some paper towels to catch the excess run-off.  Then I place it flat and used my Aqua Painter to pick up diluted re-inker and squirt it onto the watercolor paper.  I repeated this a few times until I was happy with the colors.  Let it dry, cut off a piece and used it for the butterfly die and used the large piece for the background of my aperture.  Just love yellow and turquoise together!

Here's a close-up:

Stamps:  Be Happy Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White, Watercolor
Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Gray (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Kaleidoscope Butterfly die (Memory Box), palette, aqua painter, water mister, Stamp-a-ma-jig, glue, glue dot, adhesives and dimensionals

Gingham and Flowers

Hi everyone.  This week is the "Dare to Get Dirty" Yearly Challenges where past and present members of the Dirty Dozen, set up a series of challenges - six per day for a whole week.  So much fun ... and there's prizes as well from SCS's Sponsors!!  FYI, you have to be a Fan Club member of SCS to participate.  I joined in the fun last year and managed to finish several cards (but not all).  It started yesterday, so I'm already behind :) ... but I managed to cover off four challenges (DTGD13Twinshappy; DTGD13kittie747A; DTGD13KarenGiron; DTGD13TammieE) with this one card - whew!!  Hope you like.

I used the gingham wheel stamp from SU! to stamp onto my flower box.  Then I layered dies that I had sponged and shaped for added dimension.  A few strokes with my white gel pen added some interest to the pink daisies.

Here's a close-up:

Stamps:  Gingham Wheel, A Word for You (SU!)
Paper:  White, Regal Rose, Old Olive (SU!)
Ink:  Not Quite Navy, Regal Rose, Old Olive, More Mustard (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Grand Flower Box die (Poppy Stamps), Fresh Daisies die (Simon Says), Little Leaves die (Sizzix), 8 petal Flower & Branch die (C.C. Designs), sponges, white gel pen, stylus and mat, glue, glue dots, adhesives and dimensionals

Little Snowman

Hi everyone.  Today's card features a free digital image from Bugaboo.  They have a new free image each Friday - how nice is that??!! :)  I changed the image up a little ... the original had a star dangling from the snowman's hand, but I replaced that with three red jingle bells that are not only fun to look at, but fun to listen to! :)

I paper-pieced the snowman, adding lots of layers and a little sponging.  I cut out the base image before paper piecing, so replaced the digital image of the ear muff wire with a piece of real wire - happy with how it turned out.  Hope you like.

Here's a close-up:

Stamps:  Lil Snowman Star (Bugaboo); Frosty Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White (Neenha); Be of Good Cheer DP (SU! - retired), red glimmer
Ink:  Smoky Slate, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Wire, Red Glitter Glue, Dazzling Diamonds, Hemp twine with copper, red jingle bells, glue, adhesives, glue dot, and dimensionals

____________________

My stargazer lilies are out in full bloom so wanted to share a picture with you.  These are my favorite flowers ... and I can smell their lovely scent when I'm sitting out on the deck.

More flower pots ...

Hi everyone.  Continuing to experiment with my flower box die ... turning it into pots.  This time I used the Small Flower Box die from Poppy Stamps.  I had a hard time getting the three pots the same size, so will have to figure out a process.  Even though they aren't perfect, still loving this card and another way to use an old (and well-used) stamp from SU! called Pocket Silhouettes.

Here's a close-up ... I'm thinking I should have made the pots a little larger and filled them more to fill the page - maybe next time :)

I'm still working on setting up the cards for my class in August and decided to make another flower box card using a different flower stamp (this time tulips).  I'll let the girls decide which one they want to make (the lavender from yesterday or today's tulip card).  Again, this is a re-make of a card I did last spring, changing up the colors, card base color and removing some layers to make it more CAS.  It inspired me to make the card above ...

Here's the new(er) version:

Same process as yesterday ... but I have just now realized that I didn't give any details, so in case you're interested in how I did this - here goes.  Masked my card front 1 1/2" from the bottom.  Placed my flower box die on top of the mask at the top and marked with a pencil at both ends ... this is to make sure I don't stamp flowers that would be outside the box.  Remove die and then inked my leaf sprig and stamped three times, including a second generation stamping with each pass (this gives lighter stamps that look like they are in the background and creates the illusion of depth).  Did the same with the flowers, inking the stamp with my Stampin' Write markers and stamping and stamping again before reinking.  Also added some leaf sprigs on the flower box.  Removed the mask, stamped the sentiment (just got it in the mail today from C.C. Designs) and then popped up the card front on the card base and added the flower box (also popped up for added dimension).


Here's a close-up:

Do love the two-tone tulips and the bright green leaf sprigs.

Stamps:  Pocket Silhouettes (SU!); Leaf Sprig - Cause a Scene Master #1 (Kittie Kits - Rubbernecker); Sweet Summer Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Gumball Green, Primrose Petals, Raspberry Ripple, Crumb Cake (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Grand Flower Box die (Poppy Stamps), Stamp-a-ma-jig, adhesives and dimensionals

Topiary

Hi everyone.  I've been battling the flu for the past week so haven't been around visiting blogs.  Starting to feel better and hope to be back surfing the net soon ... I have really missed seeing all my favorite crafters for a couple of weeks now and am eager to see what you've all been up to!

Today I'm organizing a CAS Card Class for mid-August and was going through my cards to pick out three for the class.  I came across a set of Flower Box cards that I made last spring and decided I would update one of them for the class to make (see below).  As I was making a sample card, I thought of changing it up a bit and making the image into a topiary.  I love how it turned out .... and you can see the similarities from my Flower Box card below.  Used the same inks, stamps and die-cut ... yes, that is a Flower Box die-cut from Poppy Stamps.  Once I cut it out, I repositioned it in the same die-cut to cut off the excess and make it into a pot ... so happy with how it turned out.  I sponged around the pot and shaped it a bit to give it a curve - love all the dimension!

Here's a close-up:

Here's where I started ... this is an updated version of a card I made last spring (I changed the card base to white, reduced the layers to make it more CAS and changed up the sentiment.

I am going to stick with the flower box card for the class as the topiary was a bit fiddly (and easy to mess up), so I'll leave that as a one-of :)  Still working on which other two cards I'm going to include.  I had so much fun re-making a previous card, that I may do that some more today. The class will get to try their hand at coloring a stamp with multiple colored markers, second generation stamping, sponging and masking.  Fun and easy techniques ... perfect for a beginner's class.

I think it's going to be a fun day and I look forward to getting back to having friends (and this time family as my cousins are coming to learn) over to share my passion for stamping.

Here's a close-up:

Stamps:  Pocket Silhouettes (SU!); Cause A Scene Master #1 (Kittie Kits - Rubbernecker Stamps); Be Happy Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White (C.C. Designs)
Ink:  Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant, Crumb Cake (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Grand Flower Box die (Poppy Stamps), sponge, Stamp-a-ma-jig, post-it note for masking, adhesives, and dimensionals

Sunshiney Days

Hi everyone.  Here is my Design Team card for the latest challenge at Addicted to CAS.

This challenge is being run by the very talented Shana Gaff (Stress Free Stamping with Shana), and she chose this "brilliant" word :)  ...

I hardly ever think to add glitter to cards except at Christmas time ... so thank you Shana!!!  I had to much fun making this glittery, summer card!

This challenge's sponsor is

Prize:  4 digital images from Delicious Doodles

(please follow the rules to be eligible to win)

Stamps:  Beach Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White (C.C. Designs); Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Champagne Glimmer (SU!); Turquoise Glitter ($1 store)
Ink:  Tangerine Tango
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Sunflower die (C.C. Designs), Wave die (MTF), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Orange glitter glue ($1 Store), Stamp-a-ma-jig, glue, sticky strips, and dimensionals

I die-cut three sunflowers (one yellow and two white), layered them to create a thick die and then painted them with orange glitter glue.  I did the same for the small orange circle in the center of the sun.  I die-cut two waves (one in turquoise glitter and one in white), and glued them together, off-setting slightly so that the white shows at the top of the waves.  I tore a piece of champagne glimmer paper and glued it to the wave.  All the dies are popped up on the card front to add lots of dimension.

I also added a small wave and sand to the inside of the card.


Here's a close-up:

I hope I have inspired you to join in our fun challenge ...  Addicted to CAS - Glitter. Come check out all the wonderful creations by the other Design Team members.

Copper Ornament

Hi everyone.  I'm back from my "mini" vacation to Galiano Island.  I was only gone for a short time, but I did have some messages waiting for me when I got back ... concerned on-line friends that wanted to make sure I was OK since they hadn't heard from me for a few days.  Thank you!!!  I feel loved!! :)

On to the card and I'll come back to Galiano later in the post.

My friend Bonnie is part of the Merry Monday DT and always provides such wonderful inspiration.  I've just started making Christmas cards the past few weeks, and when I saw Bonnie's gorgeous cards, I had to join in.  The card above is for the latest Merry Monday challenge - Anything Goes that runs all July long.  Thanks for inspiring Bonnie!

I mentioned previously that the craft store where I used to get my copper went out of business, so I researched and found a supplier in the U.S.  Basic Copper is based in Illinois.  They have many copper thicknesses to choose from.  I bought the 5ml ... which is what I used before.  I have to tell you that their copper was a little different that my previous copper.  It's a little more flexible, so it will take me a little time to get used to heating it.  But, for those who have asked where I get my copper (most of you are from the U.S.) ... this supplier is worth checking out.  Again 5ml copper sheets is that you want.  I can cut with my rotary cutter (although I'm sure if I did a lot it would dull the blade quickly), it cuts easily with my punches from SU! ... and I used it today with a die-cut from My Favorite Things.  I ran it back and forth a few times and it didn't completely break free, but was easy enough to push out with my hands (be careful, the copper edges are sharp).  For the small pieces, I used my scissors to cut into the outline of the die to loosen.

Stamps:  Christmas Greetings (SU!)
Paper:  White; Merry Moments DP (retired from SU!)
Ink:  Old Olive (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Christmas Ornaments die (My Favorite Things), Wreath Strip die (Cheery Lynn), copper metal sheet .005 thickness (K&S Precision Metals), butane torch, heat-proof surface, copper wire, glue, Stamp-a-ma-jig, sticky strips, pliers, wire cutters, and dimensionals


I heated the copper with my butane torch until it changed colors.  Once cooled, I die-cut the ornament and hanger.  I cut extra layers of the ornament from white and glued them onto the copper for a backing ... this made the ornament thick.

I added a strip of copper down the left side, topped with a strip of DP.  I did the same for the inside of the card, but changed it to run horizontal at the bottom.

I glued three pine branches together.  I cut a small piece of copper wire and used my pliers to form a hook to hang the ornament.  I glued the branches onto the card front and popped up the ornament for more dimension.

Here's a close-up of the ornament:

____________________

Here's some pictures from my vacation for those of you who are interested ...

Galiano Island is one of the Gulf Islands located between B.C.'s mainland and Vancouver Island.

We love the island ... and have been going there for the past five years or more.  It is one of the "quiet" islands that has been preserved for it's natural beauty.  It is also home to many talented B.C. artists.  While we were there, we visited our three favorite artist's studios.  Jer bought two glass pieces and I bought a pottery vase --- gorgeous!!!

Lots of wildlife, not much development (no chain stores of any kind, including restaurants) - it is the perfect place to rest, relax and get away from all the every-day stresses of life - ahhhhh!

I'm going to share some pictures I took while there ... if you've been following me for a while, they may look a little familiar as I did share pictures a few years ago ...

The "cabin" (2 bedroom house) is right on Active Pass ... a narrow channel between two of the islands.  Sorry the picture is so small, but I tried to capture the ships as they passed through.  There are actually three ferries in the Pass for this picture ... always something to watch!  This picture was taken from our deck.  We had the most beautiful weather when we were there!  We saw lots of seals, swallows, butterfly, deer, ravens, and dragonflies ... but no whales this time.  We've been lucky enough to see whales four times while visiting.

Here's my sweetheart, trying to relax ... but I kept calling his name until he sat up and looked at me :)

Gord and Jer ... patiently waiting for me to take the picture so they could chow-down on their yummy French Toast, Vanilla Yogurt and Plums.  You'll notice we always had binoculars close-by on the deck - lots to see!

Kunamokst is a mural mosiac done by 200 artist's from Canada, creating 231 panels.  It's an amazing piece of artistry, each individual panel a work-of-art in itself.  The mural is displayed at the Galiano Inn and Spa.  Here's a close-up ... or click on the link to check it out.

One more picture ... this is a Butterfly Bush in the backyard of our cabin (fabulous garden).  I was sitting on the back deck in the shade, admiring the garden when I noticed a large (3" across) butterfly land on the bush.  Then I noticed that there were at least eight ... probably lots more as I could only see the one side of the bush from where I was sitting.  I ran and got my camera and managed to get a good picture of one ... you'll see part of a second butterfly on the right hand side of the picture.  The colors aren't true because it was very sunny ... the butterfly was very bright yellow.

Flower for a Friend

Hi everyone.  Today's card is for the latest challenge at CAS-ual Fridays (CFC109 - Polka-dots).  I used an adorable image from Bugaboo that I got for free (they have a new free image every Friday).  Isn't he the cutest??  ... and I just love his polka-dot flower.  Hope you like too!

Stamps:  Tall Flower Bear (Bugaboo); Sentiment Sampler (Paper Smooches)
Paper:  White (C.C. Designs); Snap Color Vibe (Simple Stories); Soft Suede, Regal Rose (SU!)
Ink:  Soft Suede (SU!); Copics:  Y97, Y99
Accessories & Tools:  Stylus and mat, glue, adhesives, Stamp-a-ma-jig, and dimensionals

The bear and flower are paper pieced.  For the flower, I added a second layer after shaping each petal with my stylus (only glued at the center), to give the flower dimension.

Here's a close-up:

Ocean Paradise

Hi everyone.  Today I used a sweet digital stamp from Sweet 'n Sassy :)  Love this relaxing and peaceful scene - wish I was there! :)

Actually, I will be there soon as hubby and I are heading off for a few days of R&R (not really sure why we'd need R&R as we are both retired!) :) ... but after this crazy year, we definitely need a peaceful setting to kick back and unwind.   We were hoping the whole family would get away together, but Evan and Nikki have to work, so it will be us and my youngest, Jer.  We are off to Galiano Island soon where there are quite a few artists ... so we'll be checking out their studios - can't wait!

On to the card ...

I'm entering this into the latest challenge at Color Throwdown (CTD250 - bermuda bay, crumb cake, melon mambo, so saffron).  Was so excited when I saw these colors ... LOVE!  Color Throwdown is celebrating it's 5th Birthday - congrats to them!!!

Stamps:  Ocean Paradise (Sweet 'n Sassy); Beach sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  Watercolor (Arches); Crumb Cake (SU!)
Ink:  Bermuda Bay, Crumb Cake, Melon Mambo, So Saffron, Soft Suede, Basic Black (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders), blender pen, sponges, sticky strips, adhesives, and dimensionals


I used the same layout as yesterday's card, just changing the shape and size to a square ... do love the simple framing layout these days :)  I used the marker layering technique (using a blender pen to pick up ink from a stamp pad and blending it onto watercolor paper) to watercolor the sand, ocean, chair and umbrella.  I masked the umbrella and then sponged So Saffron and Bermuda Bay inks for the sky.   I removed the mask and then used my Aqua Painter to blend the sponged ink into the watercolor paper.  Easy, peasy.

As always, I found the perfect sentiment from Amy R (love her sets!).  Hope you like.

Here's a close-up:

____________________

Thanks to everyone that commented on my latest Card Candy Giveaway - #5 (Sunflowers).  I used the True Random Number Generator to pick the winner of the Card Candy:

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 16 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

... and the winner is ...

Valerie (Canonbury Creations)

Congrats Val ... please email your mailing address to me (click on the "Email Me" in the right-hand column near the top), and I'll send you the Card Candy. :)

Delicate Branches

Hi everyone.  Have been wanting to play along with the CAS - Colours & Sketches challenge all week, but just found time this morning.  Love the colours this week and decided to sponge a background with them and then stamp a simple silhouette.  Hope you like.

Here's the colors:

Stamps:  Delicate Branches (Inkadinkado); A Word For You (SU!)
Paper:  White (C.C. Designs); Whisper White (SU!)
Ink:  Pumpkin Pie, Kiwi Kiss, Pool Party, Basic Black (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Modern punch, sponges, adhesives, and dimensionals

Here's a close-up:

____________________

I have been working on my next set of card candy and made a prototype ... but decided to change it, so went to remove the items from the acetate sheet, only to find that the dimensionals that I had used to adhere the items worked too well. :)

I thought they would pop off the acetate sheet easily and then re-attach to a card, but no ... they attached the items to the acetate really, really well and are difficult to remove.  Oops!!

For everyone that has received the candy from me ... I apologize.  I'm going to use temporary adhesive from now on and hope that fixes the problem.

Christmas in July

Hi everyone.  There are two new challenges up today that are both "Christmas in July" ... how perfect is that??!!  So I'm entering this card into the Paper Players Challenge #153 and CAS on Sunday Challenge #12.

I created a 3-D poinsettia using my Memory Box "Blooming Poinsettia" die.  If you're interested in knowing how I made the poinsettia, check out my tutorial.  I spent ages yesterday writing and photographing for the tutorial.  Not completely happy with the pics, but after several hours I was at the "this will do" point :)  It's the first tutorial I've written in over a year and I am a little out of practice.

Stamp:  Christmas Greetings (SU!)

Paper:  White (C.C. Designs); Real Red, Old Olive (SU!), Designer Paper ($1 store)

Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Blooming Poinsettia die (Poppy Stamps), Flourish#6 die (Crafty Ann), green glitter glue, gold glitter glue, stylus and mat, glue, adhesives, and dimensionals

Very little stamping on this card - just the sentiment.  I used my circle nestie to make the aperture which is lined with beautiful gold, white and taupe designer paper (a great find at the $1 store!).  The two green flourishes and poinsettia center are painted with green glitter glue ... and the poinsettia petals are painted with gold glitter glue.  I've added a 1 1/4" strip of the designer paper to the inside bottom of the card.  The card front is popped up from the card base ... and the poinsettia is also popped up ... lots of dimension here - definitely a hand-delivered Christmas card ... no going through the mail with this one!  :)

Here's a close-up: