Another tale

Loved this stamp by Catslife Press.  In my head I was going a whole different direction with this image, but when I saw some of the parts to this Graphic 45 paper, it seemed best to go with a serendipitous moment.  Sometimes it's really hard to let go what's in our head, but I'm glad I did because I like the results.   Added some color to the bird with colored pencils.

Bo Bunny Birthday

Got another teenager's birthday coming up.  So, thought I'd go a little wild and have some fun.  Took a Bo Bunny white with polka dot paper from their "Enchanted" line.  Did a direct to paper with pigment pads using yellow, purple, and lime.  Cut out the frame which has black sparkle glitter on the edges, and colored it green.  The center of the frame has a punched scallop and in that is a stiched cloth sticker.  Added some images in black to the paper to create a college effect.  All this was added to a Memory Box lime green card. 

Sprays and Stencils

Sprays are big in stamping.  There are lots of choices!  This card was done with Fireworks and Adirondack sprays.  A steel Dreamworks stencil was laid on the paper and masks covered the edges.  Once the center was sprayed, the stencil was moved and sprays used again.  A piece of vellum was cut and folded over and glued on the back. Words were added with a black dye ink. 

Gourmet Stamps

We got in stamps by a new company to us, Gourmet stamps.  They are small, simple, and sweet.  Two stamps went together perfectly to create this card.  The image was colored in with Copics.  It was stamped onto a "Twinchie" board and mounted onto the grey paper.  I've always liked yellow and gray as a combination.  The cheese and grater seemed the perfect reason to do a yellow and gray card.

Paris in Springtime

It was six years ago this time that my husband and I celebrated my 50th birthday by going to Paris.  I love this card because it reminds me of that happy time.  It is using 3 stamps from one set which were all inked with a gray pad onto pink paper.  The background is Tim Holt's postal image done on cream paper and sponged in pink.  We're sticking closer to home this year.  Doing lunch and a musuem and then off to a baseball game.  One of the benifits of being so close to DC.  Hope you have a good day, too.

Sizzix Pop up Cards

Folks have been asking what got me the most excited at the show.  Would have to say it is the die cut pop up cards.  Here is a picture of the creator of them.  She's a civil engineer-so guess she's using her skills in surprising ways!  You can buy "sliders" that will go into a base that create all sorts of shapes and words.  Very cute!  Looking forward to getting these in so I can try them out.  Hope you have enjoyed the review of the show.  I'm looking forward to getting back in my stamp room and putting to use some of the ideas I've learned from the show.

Dylusion Sprays

Enjoyed seeing the face behind the Dylusion sprays.  She was doing a demo at the Ranger booth and showing how she uses the ink to color with as well as use them as sprays.  She has a line of stamps that are fun and funky.  Made me want to go home and play.

Wow Embossing powders

What got you inticed into stamping?  For me and many others, it was seeing the magic of embossing powders.  There is a new company now that has some very fun powders that they are not afraid use!  Took a class with these folks and we got to experiment with lots of colors and effects.  Good quality and a nice range of colors.  Got a boat load of it coming into the store.  Soon as they arrive I'll start sharing some samples.

Copic and Shrinky Dink

We've been so busy at the show I haven't been able to post.  Am home now, and thought I'd share a few more pics.  Here is a picture of my cohorts at my table working on our Copic colored necklace.  We stamped with Momento and then colored in with Copics, then heated the plastic and watched it shrink.  Such fun!  Look for an up coming class in this.

More from the Trade show

I'm up and ready for another big day of classes.  This bag book is what I made in one class yesterday.  It used some of the latest and greatest from Cat's Pajama's.  I always like putting a face to a company, so here is the creator and owner of Cat's Pajama's.  A lovely lady from CA who came all the way to here for our show.  Also took a card class with her and her cohort.  Will post those another time.  For now, off for more learning!

From the Trade Show

Well, it's been quite a day.  Lots has been happening here at the Trade Show Angela and I are at.  This is some of the fun I had with Elizabeth Crafts today.  Never left the hotel which wasn't to different from most up here in Boston.   We certainly had lots to keep us busy, but we also kept our eyes rivited to the tv whenever we could get a break.  Quite a strange sort of day with such contrasting emotions.

Memory Box "Hope" Card

Had a fun class this week with several lovely ladies.  We used this stamp to create a card showing how to use several colors together on one stamp, as well as use some Distress ink on the background of the card.  I'm re-posting this card because it uses different colors so hopefully it will give them even more ideas on how to use this stamp.  Now I'm off to pack for a trade show this weekend.  Looking forward to taking classes and learning even more techniques.  Don't worry, I'll share when I get back!

Graphic 45 Card

I'm still using up those tags!  Went back to Graphic 45 and found some flower tags to add to the Thank you tag.  Used a die cut at the bottom along with some small black gems.  All paper is also by Graphic 45.

Printsworks Poppies

I saw a fabulous sample done with this poppy in watercolor.  Today I wanted to show how you can use this poppy in a group.  The poppy was inked in black and color was added using "Ladybug" red and "Tangelo"  (both by Momento) using a blender pen.   The paper is by Kaiser and both sides are being used.  The lacy black was done with a die from Impression Obsession.

Memory Box die with Printworks Words

Just got this die by Memory Box.  Thought it went well with the Printworks word stamp.  More of Kaiser paper was used for this card.  The buttons are also on the paper.  Added some gems and a die of the black scallop, and it all came together.

AccuCut Fence Card

Inky Antics has some great garden stamps.  It was used here and colored with Copic markers onto a die cut circle.  Organza ribbon was woven in and out through the holes and tied at the top.  This was mounted onto another die cut piece and that was placed onto the AccuCut die cut fence piece.  A little brown was sponged into the corners and onto the fence.  Words are also by Inky Antics and were attached with foam tape.

Graphic 45 Card

Had a scrap of this paper so I paired it with this quote.  Behind the umbrellas and quote is also a strip of vellum printed paper.  Just a quick card which I'll be sending to my dad this week. 

Stampscapes and IO Quote

The words on this card are by Impression Obsession.  When I saw it I knew it would go perfectly with some of my Stampscapes stamps.   Here's my first pairing.  After setting the images and words with black ink, color was added by Copic markers.  The sky was sponged with some pink and blue dye ink.  The brown background was embossed with the Sizix wood grain embossing folder. 

Hero Arts Travel Birthday card

 

My husband and I like to travel so I enjoyed this set that came out this year by Hero.  The tag pieces were placed on an acylic block and stamped all at once.  Then reinked and stamped again to fill up the space on front of the this card.  The suitcase was colored with Copics and cut out.  The tag was attached to the handle with black satin ribbon.  Inside it says, "Life with you is always an adventure."

Graphic 45 Thank you

When cleaning off my desk the other day, I came across a set of word tags.  It seemed a good time to use them in cards.  So, I opened up my trusty container of Graphic 45 papers and put them together to make this card.  The tag was attached with a black stain ribbon.  The bird piece was popped a bit with foam tape.  Added a few gems, and it's done.

Bulletin Board

Had an inspiring visit over the weekend to one of my favorite stores.  This wooden frame was one of my finds.  It came white, and I painted it green. Took some acylic paint and brushed the paint on, then wiped some off.  Added some Distress Bronze Stain and some Distress Brushed Burlap Stain and wiped them off as well.  On a piece of book board, PVA glue was brushed twice.  Then this cork  was layed over the book board and heavy books were placed on top.  In the morning, I slipped the bookboard into place in the frame and sealed it all shut with tape.  Glued some buttons to thumb tacks, and now I have a handy bulletin board in my kitchen!

Memory Box Butterfly card

Turns out, much to my surprise, my sister-in-law's favorite color is purple.  It 's a surprise because she doesn't have it in her house or even wears the color much. But, she mentioned that this was her color of choice.  So, thought I'd send some purple her way.  The butterfly paper, the butterfly image, and the base card are  by Memory Box.  The checked paper and flowers are by Graphic 45.  The word stamp is by Serendipity and was inked in black dye ink.  The butterfly was inked with a Colorbox chalk pad.  Two purple pearls were added to the body of the butterfly.  Inside it says, "and birthday wishes".

Hero Arts Toad

Had one of those unexpected days today.  What I thought was going to be a glorious amount of stamping time turned into half a day over haul of my desk area.  What happened was my light had gone out and replacing the bulb didn't fix it.  That led to getting a new lamp and then having to clear everything off the desk so it would fit. (sigh)  "I just wanted to make a card!" I kept muttering.  The unexpected bonus, though, was an organized work place and three bags of discarded items pitched out.  And yes, that part did feel good.  So, five hours later, here's my card.  (The words are a scrap found as I was digging out.)  It became the focal point from which the rest of the card was built around.  The toad was colored with Copics and the eyes were done with black Glitter glue.  The scallop was a die by Memory Box.  The strip of bumps was done with a Cuttle Bug embossing folder.  A paper scrap was placed at the bottom.   Yeah, it was "toadally" worth it.

Brewing up a Birthday

So how perfect does a card need to be for you?  On this card the words got a little cut off.  It's still readable, so I chose to keep it.  I'm learning to balance how important "perfect" is against "it's ok" considering time and need.  The cup was inked with Colorbox "Tangerine".  Colored pencils filled in the inside of the cup.  The decorations and steam were done with Liquid Pearls.  The nice part of using the Liquid pearls is how it gives dimension to the card.  The brown paper is printed paper from my scrap stash.  Inside it says,"hope your birthday is good to the last drop".

Hero Arts Birthday Card

More birthdays!  Am trying to stay better ahead of them this month. (Who am I kidding-my first card was late!)  The elephant was inked with a Versafine gray, cut out, and mounted with foam tape.  Some twine was tied around the nose.  I think the gray paper was cut with a Nestibilities die.  Words are also by Hero.  Inside it says, "wishing you everything wonderful". 

Sunshine

We finally had two days of sunshine in a row!  Still cold, but a sunny day really helps coping with the coolness.  The image today is by Stamp in the Hand.  It was inked three times with Versamark Black onto three different colored card stock.  Add some torn paper, some fringed string, and a couple of great beads, and it's done!  Now I'm off to get some of that sunshine.

Memory Box Cherry Blossoms

It sure has been a cold spring.  They have had to postpone the Cherry Blossom festival in DC twice now.  But, by this weekend, the blooms are suppose to be close to peak.  It really is such a pretty sight.  Being this close to Washington, I like to make cards with cherry blossoms.  Got a double delight when I found paper that went perfectly with this Memory Box stamp.  Pink gems were added to the blossoms as well as a little pink Copic color. 

Stampscapes Easter Card

One more Easter card for now.  Yesterday's card emphasized the amazing beginning to Easter morning.  Today's card reflects the joy as it sunk in.  God has granted us freedom from our wrongs by taking them all to the cross and satisfying the need for justice by answering it with Jesus' death for all these wrongs.  He was our substitute when it came to justice. Now we can live by grace, grateful for what Jesus has done for us.  It's the begining of living life in a whole new way.  How glorious!

The sun image was inked in yellow and orange and red was sponged over it.  The Clouds were inked in blue and dotted blender stamp was inked with pink and stamped over the clouds.  The word is from a Clear and Simple set.