Enjoying Small Moments

Good Morning.

I tried something different when I was playing around with my Distress Oxides and that is how I came up with this muted background.

I wanted a softer looking bkg for these beautiful Rubbernecker flowers.  There was a piece of white tissue paper sitting on my desk, so I flattened it a bit and rubbed my Distress Oxide ink pads directly onto the tissue paper.  Next, I laid that tissue paper, inked side down, onto my card front and sprayed with water to transfer the ink.  I just left it for a few minutes and removed to reveal this great blend of colours all ready to be stamped onto.

This stamp set is a 4 part flower so my Misti came in very handy.  I stamped the stems first by colouring them with my Tombow markers, sprayed with water and stamped.  I went on to do the flower heads and all the details in the same way.

Stamped the sentiment using my Misti too.

Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look.

Adding my card to these challenges:

A Bit More Time to Craft- ANYTHING GOES

Create and Inspire- ANYTHING GOES

Mix It Up- ANYTHING GOES, CLEAN AND SIMPLE

Supplies

Stamps- In the Breeze (Rubbernecker); Everyday Greetings (Mama Elephant)

Ink- Tuxedo Black Memento; Faded Jeans, Salty  Ocean, Seedless Preserves

Distress Oxide (TH)

Paper- heavy white (local store)

Accessories and Tools- Misti, Tombow markers, tissue paper

Sketch- The Flower Challenge

Good Morning.

It's been great to feel a touch of Spring in the air.  

Time for another challenge at 

The Flower Challenge.

This month we are creating cards based on a great sketch.

I began by masking the top portion of my card and then stamped this great poppy from an Altenew set onto my heavy white cardstock.  Then, using a Versamark pen, I colored in just the bottom 2 flowers and clear heat embossed them.  I did that so when I applied the blue inked background, I could keep those flowers totally white.

Next, leaving the mask in place, I sponged the card front using Distress inks.

When I was happy with the way the sponging looked, I used an iron to remove the embossing on the bottom flowers to reveal totally white flowers.

I removed the mask I had placed along the top portion of my card and scored some lines to define the area using my ScorPal and my ScorBug.

I stamped the poppy head again on another piece of card, watercolored it using my Zigs then punched out the circle so I could pop dot it over the first stamped poppy impression as per the sketch.

Lastly, I splashed some water on the background to lift a bit of the colour and then I added some Nuvo Drops to look like the morning dew.

Adding my card to these challenges:

Simon Says Wed- ANYTHING GOES

Crafty Cardmakers- SPRING INTO SPRING

AAA Cards CAS- SHINY SPRING

(shiny Nuvo drops)

 Sweet Stampers- SPRING OR EASTER


Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look.

Supplies

 Stamps- Painted Poppy (Altenew), Everyday Greetings (Mama Elephant)

Paper- heavy white card (bulk, local store)

Inks- Distress:Peacock Feathers, Salty Ocean, Chipped Sapphire (TH), Versamark, Memento

Accessories and Tools- Misti, ScorPal, ScorBug, iron, clear eb powder, heat gun, Nuvo, Zigs,

 circle punch, paint brush

Springtime- CAS Watercolour Challenge

I can't believe it's March already and that Spring is on our doorstep...can't wait.

So that means it's time for another challenge at the 

CAS WATERCOLOUR CHALLENGE.

Great theme this month....Spring!

Playing with a new stamp for me from Technique Tuesday called Cosmos.
I reminded me of poppies so I decided to colour them red.
 I placed the stamp inside my Misti, stamped then heat embossed with white powder.
I added a touch of colour to the flowers using my Zig markers then used a paintbrush to paint them in. It is so easy to get a watercoloured look using them.
Next, I die-cut the window using the Rectangle Peek a Boo die from MFT.  The stitched edges add such interest and framed out the image so well.
Lastly, I stamped the sentiment from Mama Elephant using my Misti again.

Adding my card to these challenges:

Addicted to Stamps and More- ANYTHING GOES

Crafty Creations- ANYTHING GOES

Paper Minutes- SPRING



Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look.

Supplies:  stamps- Mama Elephant, TT/ ink- Memento/ wh eb powder/ heat tool/ Misti/ Zig markers/ Cuttlebug

It's a Wrap

I hope you enjoyed a Happy Easter.  Sure didn't feel like Easter where I live as we had a mini snowstorm overnight and the ground was once again covered in snow.  Just when we think Spring has Sprung, winter just doesn't want to give it up!!

As most of you know, I have been having such a fun time playing with my Bister paint medium.  I saw this technique and wanted to give it a try.  Others that have done this technique suggest using glossy paper but since I didn't have any, I just used my regular heavy weight cardstock and went for it with pleasant results.  

First, you need to take a piece of plastic wrap and lay it down on your work surface but crinkle it up a bit.  Sprinkle some Bister over top of the plastic wrap then spray with water.  Next, I laid my paper on top of the plastic and wrapped it around my paper.  I set it aside for 10 minutes so the ink could soak into the paper then I removed the plastic to reveal this wonderful background.  Love the detail it left behind.  I stamped the sentiment with black Stazon then added the die-cut fern.  The fern mimics the lines on the background.

Adding my card to these challenges:

Seize the Birthday- ANYTHING GOES

Simon Says- HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Just Us Girls- SPRING

Simply Create Too- ANYTHING GOES

Sister Act- ANYTHING GOES

Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look.

Supplies:  stamp- Mama Elephant/ Bister/ plastic wrap/ Mini Mister/ Stazon bl/ Cuttlebug/ fern-Memory Box

Round We Go

Happy Saturday.  

Do you ever feel like you have lost time somewhere??  Phew...that's what I feel like after this busy week with no time and no mojo.  Is it the lack of sunshine or what!!

WELL, this am I was inspired by the challenge at Splitcoast from a Pinterest board called Beautiful Cookies.  I am not a big cookie eater but loved all the inspiring designs and colours I saw.  I found this unusual cookie that doesn't look very appetizing but had interesting designs on it:

 

 So, I began by stamping my Zentangles stamp from Serendipity Stamp in black onto my white cardstock.  I then cut squares that were one and a half inch in size.  I coloured the squares with Copic markers; should have used some purple but I liked the blue better with the colours I used and of course, what is a card without blue.  I then cut the squares in half diagonally and rounded the corners using my Corner Chomper.  I mounted the triangles using pop dots to created the pinwheel shape. 

The sentiment from Mama Elephant was stamped under that and the finishing touch was the button with the twine.

Adding my card to these challenges:

Simon Says- THINGS THAT FLY

Challenge Up Your Life- MASCULINE

Chocolate, Coffee and Cards- FOR A CHILD

Sister Act Card- ANYTHING GOES

Southern Girls- BOYS

Thanks so much for taking time out to come by for a visit.  

Supplies:  stamps- Serendipity, Mama Elephant/ Copic markers/ pop dots/ Corner Chomper/ Memento bl ink

Bloom

Good Morning.  Hope this weekend is finding you relaxed and happy.  I am just glad to have some warmer temperatures and to see the sun is shining.  

Here is the card of the day.  Still playing around with the Zentangle stamp from Serendipity.  This time I used it as a faint background behind my flowers.  I really like the interest and backdrop it created.  I masked the outside of my card then inked it up with a more pale colour by using Antique Linen Distress ink so the florals would become the focal point. 

 Next, I coloured the Delicate Florals from Penny Black using my Memento markers, sprayed with water to blend and then stamped.  I went back in and added some watercolouring using my Distress inks to the flowers as well.  I removed the mask and then stamped the sentiment from Mama Elephant.

I am adding my card to these challenges:

Simon Says- SPECIAL LADY

Addicted to CAS- DISTRESS

(Distress inks)

CAS on Sunday- GIRL POWER

Quirky Crafts- PRETTY IN PINK

A Gem of a Challenge- CLEAN AND SIMPLE

Your visit here is always most appreciated!

Have a great week.

Supplies:  stamps- Penny Black, Mama Elephant, Serendipity/ Memento markers/ paint brush/ Distress ink/ black Memento ink

Beautiful Blues

Well, it was just a matter of time before I had to get my blue Distress inks out and play with them again and here is what I came up with.  

This month at One-Layer Simplicity Challenge our theme is 

YOU BLEND

I blended with my blending tool, water and my markers.

I began by masking the edges of my card so I could stencil the background of my card using Salty Ocean Distress ink. It sort of reminds me of a trellis in the garden. I also splattered some water over to add some depth to the background.

 Next, I took my stamp from Rubbernecker and coloured on it with my Memento markers, sprayed with water and stamped.  By spraying with water it blends the colours together and gives a wonderful watercoloured look.  I stamped the sentiment from Mama Elephant using black Memento ink.

As I removed the border masks, I got a blue mark on the white cardstock that I couldn't rub out.  My solution to my mistake was to sponge the edges with Salty Ocean and Peacock Feathers Distress inks and again, I splattered with water.  I like the look of the border and how it turned out so my mistake was turned into a positive.  

Also adding my card to these challenges:

Simon Says- ANYTHING GOES

Little Red Wagon- WINTER/BLUES

 CASology- BIRTHDAY

CAS on Sunday- FLOWERS

Have a great week.  I am so behind with things after being sick so hope to see you soon.

Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look.

Supplies:  stamps- Rubbernecker, Mama Elephant/ Distress ink/ blending tool/ Mini Mister/ stencil

Jump for Joy!

Bringing you a little smile today.  I still can't seem to stop making Christmas cards.  At this rate, I will have some cards ready for next year! LOL

I saw this sweet little digi snowman from Digi Stamp Boutique and just had to have him.  I love his joyous smile.  Then, I saw this challenge at Splitcoast- Get to Work, use something from an office.  I decided I would place this little guy onto a postage stamp background.  Do they even use postage stamps in an office anymore?  Oh well, went with that anyways.

So, I began by printing off the snowman, coloured him with Copics markers, added some sparkle with my Stella Winks pen to the white areas and cut him out.  The postage stamp die-cut is from Spellbinders.  I sponged it with Peacock Feathers and Salty Ocean Distress ink while still in the die.  By doing that, it leaves such a nice white border.  I splattered on some plain water then some water mixed with Perfect Pearls for some shimmer.

Got out my rubber mallet again and did some random embossing on my card front (sorry it is hard to see from the photo)  I really like the look.  For those of you that have not read about that before, I place my cardstock into an embossing folder and hit it with a rubber mallet.  You can add the embossing to just the areas you want instead of having an all over embossed look.

I am adding my card to these challenges:

Addicted to CAS- DOTS

Little Red Wagon- SNOWFLAKES

Simon Says- BLING (added Stella Winks)

Shopping Our Stash- FAVOURITE TECHNIQUE

 (playing with Distress inks)

The Crafter's Cafe- CHRISTMAS

Hope my card gives you a little bit of joy at this busy time of year.

Thanks so much for coming by to take a look.

Supplies:  stamps- digi, Mama Elephant/ Distress ink/ Stella Wink pen/ Spellbinders/ pop dots/ sponging tool/ Perfect Pearls/ eb folder/ rubber mallet

Joy to the World

I don't do well with sketches.  I don't know why but I hit a mental block when I try to make a card based on a sketch.  So today I surprised myself.  At Splitcoast the challenge on Wednesdays is a sketch.  I did it...I made this card based on the sketch.

This is a simple one to create.  First, I inked up the evergreen stamp from Rubbernecker with Peeled Paint and Shabby Shutters Distress inks, sprayed with water and stamped. I stamped the sentiment touching the image to it tie it all together.  I then cut away the piece behind the image to create a panel.   After embossing a piece of dark green paper in a Cuttlebug EB folder, I added it to show under the cut away panel.  The addition of the little red pearls was the finishing touch.

I am also adding my card to these challenges:

Simon Says- CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAYS

CASology- OLD
(that eb folder is one of the first ones I bought yrs ago)

Crafts Galore Encore- CHRISTMAS 

The Craft Garden- CHRISTMAS

Kylie is Addicted to Stamps- CHRISTMAS


Thanks for coming by and taking a look.

Supplies:  stamps- Mama Elephant, Rubbernecker/ Distress ink/ Memento bl ink/ red pearls/ pop dots/ utility knife/ eb folder

Frosty's Day

Morning.  Back to making some more Christmas cards today and playing along with the challenge at Splitcoast.  Isn't this little guy just so cute!  He is a digital stamp from Bugaboo that I won.

I began my simple card by printing off the snowman two times.  Once onto my card front, then again onto another piece of cardstock.  I did that so I could cut out the head after I coloured it with Copics and pop dotted it onto my card front to add dimension.  I added Glossy Accents to the carrot nose and covered him using my Stella wink pen for sparkle.  The sentiment from Mama Elephant is stamped using black Memento ink.

Adding my card to these challenges:

Crafting When We Can- USE YOUR MARKERS

Jellypark Friends- MERRY CHRISTMAS

Stamping Sensation- SIMPLY CHRISTMAS

Thanks for looking,  Have a great week.

Supplies:  stamps- Bugaboo Digi, Mama Elephant/ Stella Wink pen/ Copic markers/ b. Memento ink/ Glossy Accents/ pop dots

Tag for Christmas

Morning.  Phew!  Such a busy week, feels like the cold weather has arrived and I have lost time somewhere.  With Christmas so quickly approaching, I want to make some tags for Christmas and was inspired by the challenge at Splitcoast this am.

 I also wanted to play along with the Mixed Media Twelve Tags of Christmas challenge my friend Loll Thompson is having on her blog.  So many wonderfully, inspiring tags to drool over.

I began by cutting my tag using a die from MFT.  I love the perforated dots it embosses on the edge of the tag.  Next, I drizzled some Aleene's Tacky Glue onto the tag and smeared it using my finger.  When that was dry, I dragged my tag through Distress ink that I had rubbed onto my non-stick craft sheet and sprayed with water.  The colours I used were Salty Ocean, Peacock Feathers and Seedless Preserves Distress inks.  The glue acted as a bit of a resist leaving behind texture and interest.  You could easily mass produce these as there is always ink left behind on the non-stick sheet. 
I wanted the snowflake from Lawn Fawn to be sturdy as it hangs off the side of the tag so I die-cut it using heavy white cardstock then pressed it onto my Versamark pad and heat embossed it with silver.  I repeated that process 3 times to give an enamelled look to my snowflake.  Finally, I stamped the sentiment and embossed it clear embossing powder and added the tag ring in silver. 

Also adding my tag to these challenges:

Addicted to CAS- TAG

Inspirational Challenge- SHINE

Virginia's View- METALLIC


Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look.

Supplies:  stamps- Mama Elephant/ die- Lawn Fawn and MFT/ silver and clear eb powder/ Aleene's Tacky Glue/ Distress inks/ ribbon

Beautiful Life

 

It's time for another Inspiration Challenge at Splitcoast so I am ready to get stamping.  Today, we are being inspired by a wonderful Pinterest board by Esta Home Decor with the Shabby, Chic and Romantic theme.  Here is the photo that inspired me:

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/131026670382272320/

 

I began by using one of my all-time favourite stamps.  It is from Innovative Stamp Creations.  The hollyhocks are so easy to colour for a watercolour effect.  So, I coloured them with Memento markers, sprayed with water then stamped onto my cardstock.  I then inked up my non-stick craft sheet with shades of pinks and red Distress inks, sprayed with water and dragged my paper through the wet ink.  When that was dry, I die-cut the flowers using my Impression Obsession holllyhock die and glued them onto my stamped flowers.  I added some pearls to the flower centers to reflect the elegance and the theme of the Pinterest board theme.

 

Simon Says- ANYTHING GOES

 

Addicted to Stamps- ANYTHING GOES

 

 

Hope you have a great weekend and thanks so very much for coming by and taking a look.

 

Supplies:  stamps- ISC, Mama Elephant/ Die-IO/ pearls/ Distress ink/ Memento markers/ Mini Mister/ non-stick craft sheet

English Garden

Morning.  I am playing with my new hollyhock die again, Distress and Memento ink.  The challenge at Splitcoast got my imagination going. 

I began by stamping the gate (which I have had forever made by Stampers Anonymous) in grey Memento ink.  I wanted it to appear like it was in the background and not overpowering my hollyhocks.  Next, I took a piece of watercolour paper and pulled it through wet Distress inks that I had rubbed on my non-stick craft sheet and sprayed with water.  By spraying the Distress inks, the colours blend and when dry, you can always add more ink to build up the colour you want.  When that was dry, I die cut my flowers and glued them to my card front. 

The twine is really blue but for some reason, my camera would not catch the colour...ggrrrrr.

Lastly, I stamped the sentiment from Mama Elephant. 

 

I am adding my card to these challenges:

 

Addicted to CAS- CELEBRATE

 

Seize the Birthday- TWINE

 

 

 

Sister Act Card Challenge- ANYTHING GOES

 

 

 

Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look.

 

Supplies:  stamps- Mama Elephant, Stampers Anonymous/ IO die/ Memento ink/ Distress ink- Salty Ocean, Peacock Feathers, Faded Jeans/ twine

 

 

Reach for the Sky

 

Good morning.  It's Saturday so that means it is time for the Inspiration Challenge at Splitcoast.  I find that challenge to be really wonderful for getting my creative juices flowing!

To see the post from The Perfect Palette that inspired me go here:

http://www.theperfectpalette.com/2014/01/party-palette-pantone-color-of-year.html

 

I wanted the background to have a mottled, soft look so I began by rubbing Memento markers in purple and pink tones over my Hero Arts stamp, sprayed with water and stamped. 

The flowers were made by rubbing Distress Ink (Picked Raspberry, Seedless Preserves, Barn Door) 

onto my non-stick craft sheet.  I sprayed with water to blend the colours and dragged my paper through the wet ink.  When it was dry, I die cut the flowers (from Impression Obsession)....love them!  The sentiment is by Mama Elephant. 

When the card front was finished, I mounted it onto a white card front but it needed something so I inked my long acrylic block with Distress inks again, sprayed with water and pressed onto my card front.  You can see that around the outside edges.  I think it brought the colours on the card to life.

 

Also adding my card to these challenges:

 

Virginia's View- DIE CUT

 

Crafty Catz- FLOWERS

 

 

Crafty Girls- ANYTHING GOES

 

Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look.

 

Supplies:  stamp- Mama Elephant, Hero Arts/ flower die- Impression Obsession/ Memento bl/ Distress ink/ Memento markers/ Cuttlebug/ acrylic block

Wonderful Scrolls

Welcome....so happy you dropped in!  Meet today's card.  This scroll stamp was one of the first ones I ever bought many years ago.  It still continues to be a favourite and never goes out of style.  It makes for a great focal point or stamped as a background.  I love the stamps that stand the test of time.

I began by stamping the background using Tea Dye Distress ink and sponged some extra around the edges.  Then using the same colour, I stamped the smaller flourish over the top of the background.

Next, I stamped the large scroll with Rusty Hinge Distress ink to the side, the sentiment from Mama Elephant and then splattered.  

Adding my card to these challenges:

Simon Says- YOU GOTTA HAVE FRIENDS

Seize the Birthday- ANYTHING GOES

CASology- CELEBRATE

Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look.

Supplies:  stamps- Technique Tues., Mama Elephant, PB/ Distress ink/ Memento Bl/ paint brush

Mixed Media

Just me here playing again.  This was a very simple card to make although you may think it looks more difficult then it is.  

The front panel on this card was truly a leftover.  While working on another card, there was ink left on my non-stick craft sheet.  Instead of wiping it off with a baby wipe to clean it up, I grabbed my mini mister and sprayed it with water then I dragged my paper through the wet ink to reveal a mix of colours on my paper.  I heated up my glue gun then added some glue lines onto my panel and when cool, rubbed some blue paint over the lines to blend with the background.  

The card front was created by inking up my Hero Arts stamp with the same colours as my panel, spraying with a generous amount of water and stamping.   Lastly, I added some splatters of blue, stamped the sentiment from Mama Elephant and mounted it with pop dots.  

I am adding my card to these challenges:

CASology- CELEBRATE

Keep it Simple- SPLATTERS

Craft-Room Challenge- SUN, SAND, SURF (I used the colours of water, sand)

Ladybug Crafts Ink- FOR HIM

Through the Craft Room Door- ANYTHING GOES

I so appreciate that you came by to take a look.

Supplies:  stamps- Mama Elephant, Hero Arts/ Distress inks/ glue gun/ black Memento ink/ pop dots/ paint

Two-Step Stamping

Morning.  Today I am using a two-step stamp and a new technique to me on my card.  I love coming across some new ways to play with ink and paper.  

I will start by explaining how I did the background behind my flowers.  

I rubbed DYE ink onto my acrylic block by randomly pressing the ink pad directly onto my block.  I added a few drops of Tim Holtz Alcohol Blending Solution right onto the ink.  It reacts with the ink by pushing it away leaving some wonderful patterns behind.  Then I pressed my block directly onto my paper and let it dry so it would be ready for the next step...the flowers.

For any of you that have never used a two-step stamp set, they are wonderful especially for getting a watercolour look.  I took the solid part of the flower stamp and coloured it with Memento markers in a deep blue so it would stand out and the leaves in green.  I sprayed with water and stamped onto my inked background.  When that was dry, I inked the outline stamp with Memento black and positioned it over the solid image and stamped.  

The flowers I used here are from Rubbernecker Stamps.  They have a fantastic selection of floral two-step stamps that are easy and fun to use.  

The large bkg. is inked with Distress inks, sprayed with water and stamped for a more subtle, distressed look.

Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look.

Supplies:  stamps-Rubbernecker, Mama Elephant, Hero Arts/ Memento markers and ink/ twine/ pop dots

All Good

Meet today's card.  Just me playing with Distress inks, water and paper again and playing along with the challenge at Splitcoast.  I am using the Embossing Folder Stamping Technique again for my bkg.  I know you must be tired of seeing it again but I love that I have a new use for my embossing folders and any time I can play with the inks, I am in!

I inked using Salty Ocean, Peacock Feathers and Dusty Concord directly onto my eb folder.

I die cut the flowers and glued them onto my card front then stamped the sentiment.  

Here is the link to the technique.

Adding my card to these challenges:

Less is More- DIE CUT

CASology- FLOWER

Addicted to Stamps- ANYTHING GOES

Inspirational Challenges- BLOOM

Thanks so much for coming to take a peek.

Supplies:  stamps- Mama Elephant/ Embossing Folder/ Distress ink/ Die cut-SS

Splash of Colour

It's Saturday and time to play.  The Inspiration Challenge today at Splitcoast was just what I needed to get me going after such a busy week.  

I began by making my background.  It certainly was not what I had set out to create.  I inked up a chalkboard background stamp with Distress inks, sprayed with a generous amount of water but when I stamped it, all you could puddles of colour and no words.  Too much water!  So I inked it again, sprayed with lots of water again and stamped in the opposite direction.  I really like how it ended up all blending together.  

When it was all dry, I stamped the flower then the sentiment.

I am also adding my card to these challenges:

CASology - #96 FLOWER

Shopping Our Stash- #152 HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Addicted to Stamps- ANYTHING GOES

Brown Sugar Challenge- ANYTHING GOES

Thanks so much for looking and have a wonderful weekend.

Supplies:  stamps- Stampendous, Mama Elephant/ Distress inks/ Bl. Memento/ Mini Mister

Faux Watercolour (first attempt)

Happy Saturday.  Here is Canada we have a long weekend...gotta love that with more time to play.  

I have been taking the Online Card Watercolor classes but haven't had time to play along.  

Here is my first attempt card I made after watching the Day 5 videos where you use a stamped image and watercolour it.  I am not going to share a lot of details as I feel it wouldn't be fair to all the contributors or to all the others that are participating in the classes.  All I can say is that I can't get enough!!  If you are thinking about signing up, do it.

My card was inspired when I saw the Inspiration Challenge at Splitcoast this am.  We are to be inspired from the Grandin Road site and this is the rug I saw and loved!

I am adding my card to these challenges:

Seize the Birthday- FLOWERS

Shopping Our Stash- SING IT TO ME

(song: Round and Round the Garden)

I work with little people and sing this many times a day!

Virginia's View- STITCHING or SEWING

Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look.  Hope you have a great weekend.

Supplies:  stamps- Rubbernecker, Mama Elephant/ Distress inks/ paint brush/ sewing machine/ bl Memento