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.
Ok, ok, so I skipped ahead to late Summer with this card. I was inspired by the stamp and some of the new paper I purchased from Michael's. I personally love warm neutrals.
Here is a picture of the finished card. I wanted it to be simple in design due to the amount of color and work in the stamped image.
The stamp is from Stampabilities and is part of the House Mouse Collection. This stamp is called "The Thinker." I used Copic markers to color the image. The skin of Amanda (the mouse) is made up of E000, E00, E02, and R11. Amanda's hair is E31, E33 and E37. The stem of the sunflower is YG23 and YG17. The Sunflower is Y08, Y15, Y26, Y28, and YR23. The center of the sunflower is E25 and N3. The flower pot is E11, E15 and E18.
The sun is shining here in New Hampshire USA. However, the weatherman says another storm is on it's way this coming Tuesday. As much as I love snow....I'm tired of the ice. Plus, it's Spring. So to help bring on the feeling of spring I created this card for Easter/Spring.
The bunny was cut using one of the preloaded Cricut Alphabet Cartridge on my Cricut Expression 2 at 3.75". The mat behind the bunny was cut using the preloaded Cricut Essentials at 4". The bunny is adhered with foam dots.
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.
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.
I do apologize for not having this post up on the blog yesterday. I was rear-ended two weeks ago and I'm still recovering.
Today's challenge (or, well, yesterday's challenge) is to use Core'dinations Black Magic paper and pumpkin images to create a card, altered art item or scrapbook page. To enter simple leave your name and blog address where the image is posted in the comment section below. I can't wait to see your creations!
Here is an example-
Materials:
(1) 12x12 sheet of Core'dinations Black Magic Warlock
Stamping Up Halloween Smiles Stamp Set
(1) 8.5"x11" sheet of ivory Copic approved cardstock
It's finally Friday here in New Hampshire. I woke up this morning wanting to watch Return to Oz. If you haven't seen this movie you should. It's a great 'what-if' movie. Anyway...
Last night was a great night at the Steamy Swan Society's first movie night event. We screened League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. The event was a hit! We had about twenty-five plus people and plenty of goodies including popcorn (a movie staple), warm brownies, cookies, soda, and mini pies. As a group, we look forward to having more events like this in the future. We are currently working on a Masquerade Ball, Victorian Tea, and a Murder Mystery Theater.
I'm so happy to find people in my area that are into the culture/genre that is Steampunk. So this post has some of my recent projects that incorporate aspects of the Steampunk world.
Steampunk is basically a what-if scenario. What if technology didn't progress the way it did? What-if everything was still powered by steam? This genre takes on properties of popular fiction during the mid 1800's through about 1910's. Julies Vern for example.
3D Mandala using Assorted papers and Embellishments
A paper pin for the Mystery Murder Event
A card for a time traveler (i.e. Birthday)
Love Graphic 45 paper
Thanks for stopping by and reading. Have a great day!
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.
After participating in the Online Core'dination Crop last week, I have the bug. The Core'dination bug that is. I decided to use only Core'dination paper in this weeks challenge from Scrap the Music.
203B- Scrap a song that your parent sang to you or you sign to your child (ren).
I remember my mom would sing two songs to me. One is Ozark Mountain Lullaby and the other was Coat of Many Colors (Dolly Parton). My mom would also sew clothes for me. I remember a beautiful blue dress with little white dots and a lacy trimmed apron. I was two years old. My mom still has the dress. When I have a baby girl it will become her dress. My mom would always make an outfit for me every school year. I remember feeling so pretty. lucky and rich.
I decided to hand stitch each square on the 12x12 layout to represent the different pieces of material my mom would use. The picture is of me wearing a dress my mom made when I was about one.
I added flowers and buttons to accent the page.
Both pieces of writing are lyrics from the song. Lyrics can be found here.
I hope you like the layout and thanks for visiting my blog.
Challenge #13 is from Cari. I had a little trouble deciding what to do. I really love using the Black Magic Collection from Core'dination. I decided to use five different sheets to do a card stock only layout using a picture of me playing dress up (Yes even adults like to play dress up).
Here is the final layout:
I scored a line one inch in all the way around the 12x12 piece of Petrificus.
Then using a piece of Freeze I score at one inch intervals than turned the paper on an angle to repeat the scored lines every inch.
I the cut a strip of Protect. I scored every quarter of an inch flipping the paper back and forth. After sanding I cut the strip into a banner shape
The yellow piece is Magic. I scored every half inch on a diaginal.
The butterflies are cut using the Cricut from Wizard. I then used my bone folder to score the outline of the butterfly from the back side of the die cut before sanding.
Yesterday Core'dination posted four timed mini challenges. This is my version of the fourth challenge-sketch.
I used paper from the Chocolate Box collection. The pictures are on my two Min-Pins (Chica and Spike) and my Maine Coon cat (Cranky). They miss me very much when I'm at work. So once I get home I lay on the couch with them for a little bit.
The title "Miss You" is cut from the Paper Pups Cricut Cartridge.
Only one day left to the Core'dination Online Crop. I have a lot of work ahead of me. So far I have completed seven of the thirteen original challenges. I'm felling really good about them as this goes along. Now I am working on Debbie's card stock only challenge. My plan is to have that one posted tonight before I go to bed.
Here is my layout:
I used a sheet of paper from the Moulin Rouge Collection by Prima Marketing. I used three sheets of Core'dination Essentials in Celery, Burgundy and Pea Pod for the strips and the photo mount. I folded the strips and antiqued the photo mounts before sanding them.
I stitched the stripes into place using my sewing machine.
I used lacy green ribbon around the photo mount and embossed the word "Hope" using bronze embossing powder and my VersaMarker.
As many of my blog readers know I"m in love with Graphic 45's paper. So for the Core'dination Day One Challenge #2 by Kim, I decided to integrate some of the paper into my project. I love how the Core'dination Chocolate Box collection works with all of G45's paper. I used Chocolate Box in Blueberry, Black Cherry and Kiwi to make the banner that runs down the side of the notebook.
The inside is created using Black Cherry and Blueberry too.
I pushed for a Steampunk kind of feel. Here is the final notebook.
It's beautiful and sunny here in New Hampshire. I'm hanging out at Stamping Memories in Belmont New Hampshire till 6pm. I love exploring all their new items. There are some gorgeous fairy stamps from StampWorkz. I want them all. :) I'll post some pictures of the new items this week.
Here is a new video that I uploaded this week.
This is a really simple 2 page layout using papers from the 2012 DCWV Spring and Summer Stack, Bazzil card stock, ribbon, Inka gold in Rose, Stickles, 3D flower from K&Company and a jewelry accent. I hope you enjoy the video and please leave a comment or suggestion for techniques you would like to see in future videos.
Last night I posted two items on eBay for purchase. One is a new card kit using a Mardi Gras mask stamp from Rubbernecker stamps. The other is a six pack of my Steampunk themed rose cards. By clicking on the pictures below, you can see the eBay pages for the two different items.
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."
Good Afternoon Everyone! Welcome to the second video in my summer card series. I hope you enjoy the video and find it inspirational. Please feel free to leave a comment.
