Glowing Tree

I love Ranger's Adirondack earth tone inks. The colors are sublime. I find myself using the same colors over and over; Butterscotch, Caramel & Ginger. I use the reinkers to watercolor backgrounds with, which is what I did here for this very simple card. I can't brayer color evenly at ALL, so this works much better for me. I could've sworn the tree was from Cherry Pie Art Stamps, but I can't find it anywhere on their site, so I may be wrong, or it is discontinued.
Update: The tree is not by Cherry Pie, as soon as I find out who the maker is, I will post it here.
Stamps: Stamps by Judith, Papertrey Ink, Unknown tree stamp
Ink: Versafine, Adirondack, Distress
Paper: Arches hot press w/c paper, Cosmo Cricket, SU!, PTI, Bazzill
Accessories: Dew Drops

Votive Candle Cover

I have many, many candles. But I'm not really crazy about any of the candle jars. So, I was on a mission to make 'covers' for them. Sort of like a luminaria. I set to work using some chipboard coasters to make into a open box that slips right over the candle. It was pretty easy, actually. The coaster for the front of the candle cover has a square cut out with Nestabilities to create a frame. I stamped on a piece of iridescent vellum, decorated it with lots of glittery Stickles and 3D paint and attached it to the inside of the frame. I attached DP to all of the coasters, inside and out. I used shimmery Stardream paper for the inside so when the candle is lit it sparkles and shines beautifully. To attach all the sides I simply cut out strips of constrasting DP, scored them in half and used them as a 'hinge', gluing one side to one coaster and the other half of the strip to the other coaster. Pretty straightforward, just a little time consuming. Well worth it though, when there's a candle lit in it (or one of those battery operated faux tea lights) the effect is stunning! I need to make a whole bunch of these! They would make awesome gifts too, with a beautiful scented candle to go with it. Hope you like!
Stamps: Verve Visual, Impression Obsession
Ink: Versamark, Distress
Paper: Memory Box, Stardream, Iridescent vellum
Accessories: Nestabilities, Coasters, Stickles, Copper EP, Scribbles 3D paint, Copper brads, Copic Spica pens

Rustic Branches Mini Card Tote

3 x 3 notecards are addicting! It's so quick to make up a set of them, and with a little more time and effort a matching tote box to hold them in. I haven't used this set from Papertrey Ink much yet, but when making up this set I had tons of ideas for them! I got the template for the tote box from Melstampz blog. She's got tons of cool stuff on there! Everything used was from Papertrey Ink except the tiny little self stick rhinestones. (I think they were by K & Co.) They were originally pink and red nested rhinestone hearts that I cut up to use individually.
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Ink: Versafine, Perfect Match, Distress
Paper: PTI
Accessories: Nestabilities, Pink self-stick rhinestones, PTI twill ribbon

Pine Bough Window Card

I've been distracted from stamping lately because I'm addicted to a game!! Yes, it's true, I can't stop playing Sims Castaways! I try to put the game down but 15 minutes later I hear it calling me again! Just go collect a couple more shells and corals and see what you can trade it for! LOL, it's maddening!
I actually had this main image stamped when I first bought the First Fruits set from Papertrey Ink, but wasn't in too Christmas-y a mood to use it till recently. I added some sparkly 'snow' to the pine needles with old fashioned German glass glitter I had laying around. (Actually it was buried with my craft supplies in the shed and took quite a bit of digging to get it out!) It does have an awesome icy twinkle to it that just can't be duplicated with plastic glitter!
Anyway, the image is actually on the inside of the card, the front has a window cut out using my circle Nestabilities. I like the way it looks.
Now, I really should go play with all my new JustRite 2x stampers that I won as a finalist in their recent contest. I got a huge gift basket with a bunch of the 2x stampers, & preinked alphas! I was shocked! LOVE IT! Thank you JustRite!

If the Stamps Doesn't Fit...

....change it! I love this stamp by Penny Black, but--the original image has the sweet l'il bunnies looking up at a flower. It's called 'Sharing Spring'. As soon as I saw this image I knew I could make them looking up at a snowflake, for winter, or Christmas! So, after playing with masking for quite a while without success, I decided to just stamps the bunnies and cut them out. I popped them up using dimensional tape. I use regular old cheap photo mounting tape that I buy by the huge roll at the big box stores. Then I simply cut off little strips or squares, whatever size I need and mount them that way. I've tried all sorts of dimensional dots and squares, but I always go back to this method. Works best for me. The snowflake was embossed with copper EP and embellished with Stickles, Liquid Pearls and 3D paint, cut out and also popped up off of the background DP. It's got a really nice vintage, distressed look to it that I love.
Thanks for stopping by!
Stamps: Penny Black, Impression Obsession
Ink: Palette, Distress, Colorbox Copper pigment ink
Paper: Fabriano w/c paper, Cosmo Cricket, PTI
Accessories: Stickles, Liquid Pearls, Scribbles 3D paint, EP

Candy Corn Tree Doorhanger

I had to try to think of something else besides a card to make with this tree from Stamps by Judith because it's a fairly large image. I don't usually like to make large cards, so I searched and searched, blogs, template sites, SCS & everything trying to figure out what to do besides a card. Of course, I was browsing the SCS gallery when I happened upon a couple of these doorhangers! Perfect! I didn't have a template though, so I just winged it. I made it 4" x 11" (or half a piece of cardstock), covered it in decorative paper then measured to the center and cut a circle with my Nestabilities. It would work with just a circle, but it tended to hang to one side instead of dead center. So, I measured to the center again, and using a small circle punch, cut about half a circle above the larger circle. This way the shaft of the door knob will hold it place.

It looks so much nicer IRL, I hate that I just can't capture it in my pictures! A photographer I am NOT! Anyway, you should try this easy project. One for each door in your house, for each holiday, occasion, etc. etc....LOL.

Stamps: Stamps by Judith, Papertrey Ink, Pink Cat Studio

Ink: Palette, Distress

Paper: Fabriano w/c paper, PTI, Stemma, Bazzill

Accessories: Nestabilities, 5/8" circle punch, Dew Drops, Stickles, Tombow/SU! markers, plaid ribbon (AC Moore)

Magnolia-Tilda on Sled

Isn't Tilda adorable sitting primly on her little sled? I colored her with Distress Inks and a blender pen. I wanted something to resemble large snowflakes here and there but didn't want to use glitter for the background. I remembered using Mica flakes long time ago when I was sewing my own dolls and holiday decor. They're these silvery chips, very light and fine and they remind me of ice. I think they were commonly used in vintage holiday decorations years and years ago, but made a bit of a comeback in the Primitive/Folk Art crafting world some years ago. If you search eBay, you'll find many beautiful reproduction items using Mica flakes.
Anyway, I adhered just a few of them to the background, and although it's hard to see in the picture, they really do look like snowflakes!
Stamps: Magnolia, Verve Visual sentiment
Ink: Palette, Distress
Paper: Fabriano w/c paper, Basic Grey, PTI, Prism, SU!
Accessories: Cream Twill tape, Basic Grey button, brown brads, Mica Flakes, Tombow markers

Gingerbread Tree

Here's another tree using Stamps by Judith. I am pretty partial to little gingerbread guys so when I saw these little fellas, I had to have them! The background was stamped on Papertrey Ink's Kraft paper using the Guide Lines set. Love how simple it is to create awesome background papers with that set! The pine needles were inked with SU! markers in two colors, to give them some depth and the little ginger guys I cut out and 'popped' them up using dimensional tape.
Stamps: Stamps by Judith, Papertrey Ink, Pink Cat Studio
Ink: Palette, Adirondack, Distress
Paper: Hot Press watercolor paper, PTI
Accessories: Copic Spica pens, SU!/Tombow markers, Sakura Glaze pens

Cupcake Birthday Tree

Love this sweet little (actually not so little, it's a 5" x 7" card) cupcake tree! I've been wanting these stamps from Stamps by Judith for a while, because they only come mounted and I wanted so many it was pretty pricey! But, I couldn't resisit anymore and ordered up the Tree for all Seasons and a bunch of tiny 'Stick and Stubby' stampers. I didn't use many of them on this card though, most of the little cupcakes, balloons and flowers are from Pink Cat Studio's Limitless Limbs set. I love them all! You could do any occasion with the variety of tiny images to decorate the trees.
I die cut some felt flowers using a Bosskutz die and glued it to the center of the JustRite circle. Also applied pink and blue Stickles to the balloons, but it doesn't show up well on the monitor. Lots of sparkle IRL!
Thanks for stopping by!
Stamps: Stamps by Judith, Pink Cat Studio, JustRite
Ink: Palette, Distress, Adirondack
Paper: Hot Press watercolor paper, Cloud 9 Designs, PTI, Bazzill, orange floral paper unknown
Accessories: PTI saddle stitch ribbon, Felt, Brad, Bosskutz die, Nestabilities, McGill circle punch, Stickles, Copic Spica pens

Great News & Some More Cards n Stuff!

I am so excited I think I'm going to pee myself! A while ago I applied and submitted some of my stuff to Magnolia Stamps for their design team. I got a reply back that they would like to have me on their team! So I quickly replied, all kinds of excited, and---nothing. I sent another email thinking it may have gotten lost, or they never recieved it. Still nothing. I was soooooo disappointed! This was almost 2 months ago. So, I felt I had to contact them one more time before I gave up, just in case something went awry with my messages, and sure enough, I got a reply back this morning! Can you say WOO HOO!!! I am a member of the Magnolia Design Team!!
I feel faint....
I cannot wait to get started, and you will see it all right here! So keep coming back!
Anyway, while I'm waiting for the voting to end over at JustRite Stampers, I'm keeping myself busy making cool stuff. I really like how this witch card came out. It's kind of spooky and elegant at the same time, KWIM? The moon is a big Nesties circle of watercolor paper that I randomly colored with several colors of Twinkling H2O's. Very shimmery IRL, just like a Halloween moon should be! This was a pretty easy card, no layers at all, just the image, sentiment and card base. Because of the Cuttlebug embossing folder pattern, I didn't want to subtract from the design with a lot of busy layers.
Stamps: Papertrey Ink, JustRite
Ink: Perfect Match, Versafine, Palette
Paper: Watercolor paper, Bazzill, PTI
Accessories: Perfect Pearls, Cuttlebug EF, Striped ribbon, Twinkling H2O's

And another project:

Aren't these mini wool mittens adorable? I saw these stamps from Cornish Heritage Farms, and had to have them! I love vintage labels, and have been looking for a long time for something like this. Now they need to do more holidays, sentiments, etc. etc. I knew the mitten label would be perfect with a little pair of mittens, so I quickly sewed up a pair from wool felt. I stitched the cute little snowman faces on each one, with little black beads for their eyes. This would make an adorable ornament for a Christmas tree, and I just might have to make more!

Stamps: Cornish Heritage Farms
Ink: Palette
Paper: Prism, PTI
Accessories: Metal brad, cotton thread, wool felt, emroidery floss, black beads, Poly-fill

JustRite Stampin' Champion Contest

We were asked to make two projects for the Stampin' Champion Contest. One was to be a card, and one should be something other than a card. Well, I had no trouble with the non-card project because I had just made myself this snazzy little purse for my cell phone, and of course, then it needed a matching charm for the phone itself! So, it was fairly simple to put together. I used shrink plastic again to make the monogram charm, then linked it with silver wire and jumprings to a wool bead and a gorgeous Swarovski crystal. The wool purse was a different story! A LOT of work! I had purchased the most gorgeous wool batt from Etsy and knew I had to make something with it! I looked on the web for directions on how to make wool felt, and that's exactly what I did. It's a work out, let me tell you. After I had my felt, I cut out the pattern for the purse, and yes, I used a large Nestabilities scalloped circle to cut the flap! Woo hoo! They're not just for paper you know! I sewed it up, added some beads and buttons, made the handle, and had myself a gorgeous little bag. I love it.
Now, my next project.

I've been a customer over at PcCrafter for a long time. I love their clip art collections! This is a set called Sweater Weather by Shelley Comiskey. I printed it to fit the 1 1/2" silver Memory frame from Ranger. I also attached some tiny flat back Swarovski crystals for the 'snow' for a little added sparkle. I think it makes an adorable ornament! I'm going to make several for my own tree come Christmas!

So that's it! I hope you like them and don't forget to keep checking back at the JustRite blog for all the fun till the winner is chosen!
Cell Phone Charm Supplies:
Stamps: JustRite
Paper: Shrink Plastic

Ink: Palette
Accessories: Nestabilities, Wool, Embroidery thread, silver wire, jump ring, Swarovski crystal
Card Supplies:
Stamps: JustRite
Ink: Adirondack
Paper: Basic Grey, PTI, Bazzill
Accessories: Nestabilities, White ribbon, Ranger Memory Frame, Swarovski flat back crystals

JustRite Projects Not Entered into Contest.

This was a potential entry for the JustRite Stampin' Champion Contest. I made several for the final round, and decided this one wasn't the one for the contest. You'll have to wait till tomorrow to see which one I entered! There are so many beautiful projects, the competition is really fierce! To me it's all about fun, though. I mean sure, it would be great to win, but I've already been pleasantly surprised that a couple of my projects were chosen as 'hopefuls' for the finals! I won quite a few gift certificates, so I am anxiously waiting for JustRite's new releases in a couple of weeks so I can spend it all! I make cards and paper crafts because I love it. If it starts to become a 'job' I'm afraid I won't love it as much any more! KWIM?


Anyway, a little about this gift bag. The ornament/tag attached is actually called a 'penny' made of wool felt. Well, the red and blue layers are anyway. The snowman was stamped onto regular paper, then glued onto the wool. The edges were emroidered using a blanket stitch, which is typical of this type of craft. Usually there are many, many of these stacked 'pennies' made of all types of heavy weight fabric scraps, then sewn together to form decorative placemats, wall hangings, doilies, etc. I love the folk-art look to them.


Then of course, the tissue paper filler just wasn't the right color, so I sprayed it with some Moon Shadow Mists and Adirondack reinkers! Gotta get everything to coordinate!


Stamps: Inky Antics, JustRite
Ink: Palette, Distress
Paper: Watercolor paper, PTI, Cosmo Cricket, Prism
Accessories: Cream Twill tape, PTI twill ribbon, Nestabilities, Kraft Gift Bag, Moon Shadow Mist, Adirondack reinker, Wool Felt, embroidery thread, Sakura Glaze pen, Tombow/SU! markers

Here's a card I also considered entering into the contest, but decided against it in favor for another. I saw someone use Distress inkpads to watercolor with and loved, loved loved the look! It's got a vintage, aged look to it that just suits this image perfectly!

The card background was simply stamped with Versamark, so the flourishes are just a shade darker than the cardstock. Some layered ribbons, a scalloped circle sentiment that reads, 'Take the time to smell the flowers', and that's all there is to it!

Thanks for looking, and don't forget to vote for your favorite on the JustRite blog starting tomorrow!

Stamps: JustRite, Stamp Avie, Inkadinkado

Ink: Versamark, Palette, Distress, Paper Salon

Paper: Watercolor Paper, Papertrey Ink

Accessories: Nestabilities, Dew Drops, Tombow/SU! Markers, Lacy edge ribbon, PTI twill ribbon, Scribbles 3D paint, paper piercing tool

Peaceful Autumn Scene

Be on the look out for all things felt in the near future! I dug up my old stash of wool felt and have all sorts of ideas for incorporating it into my stamping/papercrafting. You know those pretty felt flowers and embellishments you see everywhere? The cost can really add up. So, the solution, make your own! I've cut felt with dies through my Big Shot machine using the Cuttlebug flowers die, as well as Bosskutz dies. Works beautifully. Just experiment with the right 'sandwich'. Or, like I did with this card, I hand cut them with sharp scissors. I stamped the flowers from Verve Visual's Fancy Florals with Burnt Umber Palette ink, then simply cut them out. Yeah, it takes a bit of time and patience, but I think the result is well worth it! The buttons were colored with some Adirondack alcohol inks to coordinate with the flowers.

Stamps: Rubber Stamp Ave., Verve Visual, Papertrey Ink

Ink: Palette, Adirondack, Distress

Paper: Prism, Kraft, PTI

Accessories: White buttons, PTI twill ribbon, Cuttlebug Houndstooth EF, Sakura Glaze pen, Wool felt

'Crazy Quilt' Halloween Card

I know, I haven't been posting for a while! Life has been very hectic lately! We got a new puppy the weekend before last (English Springer Spaniel), plus the kids started school last Monday, so it's been a whirlwind around here! Finally, I can settle down and resume my routine.
The card I'm posting today is inspired by a handmade felt purse I saw in a book. I've been fascinated by felt lately. Not the cheap craft felt, but the real wool felt. It's so warm, soft and has lots of texture. I used to love sewing with it many years ago. I used to make penny rugs, which were basically wall hangings, or table rugs made with scraps of wool clothing cut into graduated circles and stacked and hand sewn in layers. There was usually some kind of applique and decorative stitching done as well. Anyway, my interest in them has resumed, and it got me to thinking how I could incorporate the style into stamping/papercrafting. The original purse this card was inspired by was actually strips of felt sewn together. The colors were very Halloweeny, so I decided to make a card with that theme. I used a black Sakura Glaze pen to make the faux stitching around all the strips of paper.
Stamps: Papertrey Ink, Pink Cat Studio
Ink: Palette, Distress
Paper: Papertrey Ink
Accessories: Nestabilities, Sakura Glaze pen