It has been a crazy, busy year! I realized today that I have not posted in a very long time. Since my last post I have launched a Steampunk clothing line with friends known as Victorian Secret, and gotten married.
My husband and I are in the process of reorganizing our 1 bedroom to live together. This means another down sizing of my craft room. I have listed items I no longer use on my eBay page.
With the holidays approaching, I will be vending at 3 craft fairs this season. Below is my newest addition to my winter holiday card collection.
This is a simple A2 sized card. I embossed the red cardstock with my Cuttlebug using the Oxford folder from Provo Craft. The buckle was made by cutting slits at opposite ends of the glitter cardstock square.
It's finally raining here in New Hampshire, USA. It has been a long hot and humid week. What better way to enjoy being inside then coloring and crafting. With many graduations only weeks or days away, I decided to work on graduation cards for friends.
I wanted something that was nostalgic and masculine. This is what I came up with.
I started by cutting out the die cut using my Cricut and the Ribbons & Rosettes cartridge. I used the medallion of page 41.
I then stamped the image using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.
I colored the flesh of the mouse, Maxwell, using Copic markers in E93, E41, and E42. The hair is colored using E31, E33, and E23.
The hat and robes are colored using N0, N3, N6, and N8. I also used a white colored pencil to lighten areas around the folds. I added shading to the diploma and the ground using N0 and N3.
I then matted the image on black cardstock that was also cut using the Cricut and the shadow option.
I layered the image on a piece of matted pattern paper measuring 3.5" square.
This was then layered on to the matted pattern paper that formed the card front.
Using the "cheater's method," I secured a piece of black ribbon to the lower portion of the card front. The front was then mounted to the card base. I added a bow and 3 mini buttons using glue dots.
A kit to make 6 of these cards is available in my eBay store. Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment below.
My favorite season is coming! I love the cool crisp air of fall. The trees are changing colors and painting the forests and skies. This will be the second season that my dear boyfriend and I will be able to go apple picking together. I have two favorite places; Carter Hill Orchard and Gould Orchards. Apple orchard are a great place to visit for a whole day. It's even better when they make their own apple cider donuts or have pumpkins for carving.
Do you have a favorite orchard that you and your family visit every year??
To celebrate the coming season, I decided to create a card that showcased the wonders of the fall season and my favorite holiday...Halloween. This is the sketch I used as inspiration.
I used my Copic markers to color this image from Stampin' Up's Halloween Smiles Set (now retired). To color the image
I used the following color combinations:
Pumpkins-YR31, YR68, YR15
Crows, Tire and Wheel-barrow -C7, C5, C3
Leaves and Grass-G99, YG95
Stems and Ground- E37
Wheel-barrow handles- E31, E33
I then used my Inkssentials Opaque Pen in white to accent the images to highlight.
Each Layer to the card is inked with Walnut Stain from Ranger by Tim Holtz
The lace is also distressed with the stain.
Using two buttons in different shades of orange I accented the pendent with twine.
I have put a kit with materials to create this card on eBay. You can find my eBay store by clicking the navigation tab above. Thank you so much for stopping by and happy crafting.
It's been so long since my last post. I have been so busy with Steampunk events that I really have not had the time nor energy to work on my art. However, I was able to complete a card for the 142nd Freshly Made Sketches. With the 4th of July only a few days away and friends coming home from over seas, I decided to create a card with a patriotic theme.
The paper has been in my stash since I started scrapbooking in 2001. I recently purchased the stamps from Close to My Heart at the CK Convention in May 2014.
Luckily we missed the most recent winter storm. Only 4 inches of snow; however, the temperatures remain low. Besides cuddling with my "minions"-I've been working on the Freshly Made Sketches #127 Challenge. You can see that blogs by clicking here.
Here is the sketch:
Here is my card based on the sketch.
I used some paper I have laying around in my stash along with an embossing folder to add texture to the tag.
I am so happy that it is finally starting to warm up here in New Hampshire. I think my dogs are very happy too. The other day as I was huddling in my blankets surfing the internet I stumbled upon a new blog to read. Freshly Made Sketches has a variety of fun challenges and sketches to spare my imagination.
Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #126:
Here is my entry for this challenge:
The paper used in this card is from American Crafts part of the Bookshelf Collection. The image is from TPC Studio Retro Greetings and colored with Copic maker in Lionet Gold (Y28).
Only a few days left until the 12 Days of Christmas online fun. I plan on posting a variety of cards, scrapbook pages and other projects to spur on your own holiday creativity. All the fun starts December 13th. Remember you can join in the fun by linking your projects through the comments section. As the date gets closer I will post more information.....
I'm working on new posts for the Technique page too. Joy-fold cards, alcohol ink and more
On another note-
An exciting opportunity has presented itself. On December 26th, I will be at Steele Hill Resort in Belmont NH from 1pm to 3pm. I will be giving paper crafting lessons, selling kits (scrapbook and card), scrapbook layouts and greeting cards. Here is a link to the resort.....just click here
It's warm and sunny here in New Hampshire. I love warm Autumn days. Today I have a vintage looking Autumn card that is super simple to create.
I used paper from the 2011 Fall/Halloween stack by DCWV and some Core'dinations Vintage cardstock to create the card. The image is stamped using Memento Rich Cocoa ink and distressed around the edges using Tea Dye ink by Ranger. The image is called "Colonial Fall" and is made by Impression Obsession.
I love how this card turned out. It's warm tones reminds me of Autumn joys from my childhood.
There are two card kits and a set of six (6) finished cards available for purchase in my eBay store. Just click the tab above.
Video:
Challenge: Today's challenge is to create a project that uses the vintage feel. It can be a card, scrapbook page or a piece of altered art. To enter your creation, just post your blog address where I can find the creation in the comments below by November 1st.
One of my all time favorite movies is The Nightmare Before Christmas. What better way to merge two great holidays into one movie. Plus, it's a Tim Burton film. (Love him!) I really enjoy the characters and how they learn about the spirit of giving. They also learn that "the grass is not always greener on the other side/holiday."
After watching this movie (third time this week), I started to plan out up coming blog/YouTube events to get the creative juices flowing. Here is a brief outline of the upcoming events.
Event One- 13 Days of Halloween starting October 18th (my birthday)
Each day will have a challenge based on products, movies, characters, colors and so much more.
If you participate in the challenges, you become eligible for a prize package. I will choose five winners. The winners will receive a prize package containing some of my favorite things from the paper crafting world.
All entries must be received by November 1st at 12:00am EST (Think about it, if you participate in all 13 challenges, that's 13 entries.)
Event Two-12 or 25 Day of Winter/Christmas starting December 1st.
Each day will have a challenge based on products, movies, characters, colors and so much more.
If you participate in the challenges, you become eligible for a prize
package. I will choose five winners. The winners will receive a prize
package containing some of my favorite things from the paper crafting
world.
All entries must be received by December 31st at 12:00am EST (Extra time to participate due to the holiday season :) )
I have rearranged this blog's layout to include a link to my eBay store. If you look above this post at the headings under the blog tittle, you will see a tab labeled "Butterfly's eBay Store". This will bring you to the store were I have card making kits, and pre-made greeting cards available for purchase.
3 tier stamping is a fun and easy way to create a layered card or background for a scrapbook page. This technique uses three layers of paper that gradually shrink in size. When stamped this layering creates a cascading effect with the stamped image. When practicing this technique, it is easier to use a stamp that has a flourish image.
You can find a printable version of these directions here.
Materials-
-(1) 8 1/2x11" piece of white cardstock
-(1) 8 1/2x11" piece of colored cardstock
-(1) stamp with a flourish
-(1) card base of 8x5 1/2" folded in half
-ink in your choice of color (chose an ink that won't run when using the distressing ink like Memento)
-distressing ink a coordinating color to the ink used to stamp the flourish-this should be lighter than the stamping ink
-distress ink applicator
-ashesieve
-1/8' pop dots
-fibers or ribbon for embellishment
Directions-
-Cut the colored cardstock into three pieces measuring (1) 3 3/4x5 1/4, (2) 2 3/4x4 1/4, and (3) 1 3/4x 3 1/4"
-Cut the white cardstock into three pieces measuring (1) 4x5 1/2", (2) 3x4 1/2", and (3) 2x3 1/2"
-Using
a small piece of adhesive, layer the three white pieces of cardstock so
that the smallest piece is on top (You may have to dull the hold of the
adhesive by pressing and lifting your finger off of it)
-Ink up the stamp using selected color
-Stamp randomly across the three layers of white cardstock making sure the flourish overlaps the layers of paper.
-Continue inking and stamping (for this size card about 3-4 times)
- Peel the three layers apart and apply distress ink using applicator tool.
-Adhere the stamped pieces to their coordinating sized background paper.
IMPORTANT- Check your stamped images to make sure they are going the right way and mimic the stamp image across the layers.
-Adhere the top and middle layer together by centering the top layer over the middle.
-Wrap ribbon or fibers to embellish around the top and middle layer.
-Use pop dots to adhere top two layers to bottom layer.
-Adhere bottom layer to card base and enjoy.
Here is a quick card I made using straps and hand cutting the pieces to make a coffee cup. I also embossed the Whitewash red paper using the Candy Cane Cuttlebug folder.
It 3pm here in New Hampshire. That means there is only nine hours left to the Core'dination Online Crop. I'm sad that it will be over so soon. I have really enjoyed chatting with participants online using Blogger and Facebook.
Challenge #10- Use tags and Journaling
I decided to make a card. I used tags to create the tombstones that line the bottom of the card and the journaling is a newer stamp from Memory Box.
The swirl was created by sanding a piece of Core'dination while it was on top of a chip board swirl then I cut it out.
I used Stickles in Midnight Blue to add some bling to the card base.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and please leave a comment.
HEre is my finished card for the Recipe Timed Challenge as part of the Core'dination Online Crop. I cut out the tags and embossed them using a Cuttlebug folder before sanding them. I stamped the sentiment on the horizontal tag before inking it with Distress ink in Wild Honey. Then I hand stitched with brown twine around the bottom edges of the card. The is used as an accent on the sentiment tag.
It's been a busy day! I just got home and it's ten o'clock at night here in New Hampshire. I was at Stamping Memories in Belmont New Hampshire helping set up for the Second Chance with Saving Grace Crop Fundraiser tomorrow. The Crop will be from 11am to 5pm.
This morning I worked on another challenge from the Core'dination Online Crop. Today's project focused on Lydia's color challenge. This is what I came up with:
I cut the flowers out using the George and Basic Shape Cricut Cartridge at three different sizes. The flowers are the two different reds layered together. I layered the two green and used the blue as the rectangle for a sentiment. The white paper in the center of the blue card stock is actually inked using Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Tumbled Glass.
I also made a portfolio to hold the four note cards and envelopes.
100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Second
Chance with Saving Grace Foundation
What is Second Chance with Saving Grace?
"SCwSG is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
founded by Paul and Dr. Diane Dike in 2007 with a desire to help others and
make their dreams come true. After rescuing Gracie, an injured and homeless
Italian Greyhound, Diane trained her to become her service dog. Gracie helps
her overcome and more safely live with cryoglobulinemia
vasculitis, a life-threatening blood
disease. Diane shares their incredible story at events, on radio and TV, and in
magazines, blogs, newspapers and other media to raise awareness for the many
ways SCwSG helps hurting people and animals." To read more go to http://www.dianedike.org/
Stamping Memories will be selling kits with materials
donated by Prima Marketing for a $20.00 donation to the Second Chance with
Saving Grace Foundation. The kit is
valued at $30. Please feel free to donate more.
Each kit includes:
·12 sheets of Prima Paper from the Annalee or
Backstage Collection ($13 value)
·a package of flowers ($5 value)
·1.5 yards of lace ($4 value)
·1 package of crystal flowers ($4 value)
·1 crystal swirl ($4 value)
Kits will be available starting July 1st 2012. You do not
have to be present on the day of the crop to donate and receive a kit.
Stamping Memories hopes to raise over $800 to benefit the
Second Chance with Saving Grace Foundation. A Link will be posted on our
website and Face book page for Second Chance with Saving Grace along with a
chart to track us as we raise awareness and funds for this foundation.
Here in New Hampshire it is sunny and 73 degrees. I can't believe it! So before I enjoy some sunlight I'm posting my newest card creation.
This card measures 4x5.5 inches. I used metallic bronze embossing powder to create the image of the dancers over the stamped music image. I used paper from Graphic 45's Steampunk Debutante collection and a jewelry finding from Jo-Ann's. The finding I chose represents a Claddagh ring.
The following is quoted from Wikipedia in regards to a Claddagh ring:
"The Claddagh's distinctive design features two hands clasping a heart, and usually surmounted by a crown. The elements of this symbol are often said to correspond to the qualities of love (the heart), friendship (the hands), and loyalty (the crown). A "Fenian"
Claddagh ring, without a crown, was later designed in Dublin. Claddagh
rings, with or without the crown (most commonly with a crown), have come
to denote pride in Irish heritage, while continuing to be symbols of
love or marriage.
Claddagh rings may be used as friendship or relationship rings
depending on the intention of wearer and, in the case of a gift, of the
giver. The way that a Claddagh ring is worn on the hand is usually
intended to convey the wearer's relationship status:
On the right hand with the heart facing outward, the wearer is single and may be looking for love.
On the right hand but turned inwards, the wearer is in a relationship, or their heart has been "captured".
On the left hand with the heart facing outward, the wearer is engaged.
On the left hand but turned inwards, the wearer is married."
Lately I've been so into the Steampunk Culture. I love the Victorian dress mixed with Sci-fi mechanics. So I challenged myself to create a series of cards using a Steampunk theme. And what better way to do this than with Graphic 45's Steampunk Debutante Collection.
The card below is my first in a series of Steampunk Cards. I Used a variety of techniques to create this card. This card measures 4x5.5 inches. I used Bazzill Cardstock to mount the Graphic 45 papers.
1st- I embossed the stamped image of the roses using VersaMark and Judi Kins' Metallic Bronze embossing powder
2nd- I used metal closures to accent the top left corner of the matted stamped image.
3rd- I used Copper thread to tie an antiqued metal bead to the base of the card.
