CPS #71 Challenge

Here's my card for the Card Positioning Systems challenge. I'm doing pretty well with challenges! I've never wanted to do them before, and I don't know why. I recently saw a sketch that I loved, used it as a guide to make a card, and that was that! I'm hooked on challenges. I think it helps me branch out into card making that I normally wouldn't do on my own. Expand my horizons, so to speak.
Anyway, it's too bad you can't see the subtle sparkle from the little areas I filled in with Copic Spica pens. I must've taken half a dozen pictures trying to capture it, but had no luck. You'll just have to take my word for it!
Stamps: Impression Obsession, Papertrey Ink
Ink: Adorondack, Palette
Paper: Papertrey Ink, Basic Grey
Accessories: Tombow markers, Copic Spica pens

Boards & Beams Framed Wall Hanging

Well I made something other than a card! I received my set of Boards & Beams from Papertrey Ink last week, and I really like it. So much so that when I finished coloring in this image, I decided I didn't want to make a card, take a pic of it and put it away for safe keeping until I needed it, I wanted to display it everyday! So, I mounted it on some decorative paper, added a few embellishments and had Jimmy make me a custom frame for it. I finished the crackle painted finish on it today, and hung it up on my wall. I intend to hang it up in our studio when we're done building an addition to our house this fall.
Stamps: PTI, Cornish Heritage Farms
Ink: Palette, Distress
Paper: w/c paper, SU!, PTI, Cosmo Cricket
Accessories: Natural Twill tape, Tea Stain reinker, Nestabilities, SU!/Tombow markers
Frame painted with Americana, Folk Art Crackle & Delta acrylic paint

Ways to Use It SCS Challenge WT172

Today's challenge over on Splitcoast Stampers was Ways to Use....Birds! Well, what a coincidence, I happen to have quite a few brand new bird stamps! Just got them as a matter of fact, from Papertrey Ink. Where else??!!

I love using multiple colors to ink up solid image stamps, that's what I did with the birds on both cards. This was my first time using scented embossing powder, but I was a little disappointed that the scent didn't last after heat embossing. Smelled really good while I was using it, but then it just disappeared. Hopefully, if I keep it in an envelope, and when it gets pulled out there will still be enough scent to surprise the person who gets these!

Stamps: Papertrey Ink, Inkadinkado

Paper: Papertrey Ink

Ink: Perfect Match, Palette, Versamark, Distress

Accessories: Nestabilites, Cream grosgrain ribbon, Martha Stewart Hydrangea puches, Liquid Pearls, CHF Vanilla EP

CPS #70 Challenge

OK, I'm going to try to participate in more challenges. I think it exercises the creative part of my brain if I'm using someone else's idea. So, here's my card for Card Positioning Systems blog challenge. Since I just got Papertrey Ink's new Grid Lines stamp set, I put it to perfect use for a border that this sketch called for. I also got my beautiful new bunny stamp designed by Rachelle Anne Miller for Ladybug & Friends. This was always one of my favorite illustrations by her, and I was so excited to see it made into a stamp!

Stamps: Papertrey Ink, Ladybug & Friends

Ink: SU!, Palette

Paper: watercolor paper, PTI cardstock, SU!

Accessories: Nestabilities, Flower Punches from The Punch Bunch, Tombow/SU! markers, Copic Spica Pens, Liquid Pearls

Picture Frame Wall Hanging

I wanted to make something nice for my mother, but more than a card, so I put together this wall hanging out of three chipboard coasters. I covered the coasters with Memory Box paper from the 'Grove' collection, then cut out a scalloped rectangle with my Nestabilities. When I glued the rectangle on to the coaster, I only applied glue around the edges, so I could slide a photo into it. I punches some holes to set some eyelets in, and threaded some violet grosgrain ribbon through both pieces to connect them. Of course, I had to decorate it with a bunch of flowers! I hope she likes it!
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Ink: Perfect Match, CTMH
Paper: Memory Box, Arches watercolor paper
Accessories: Nestabilites, Liquid Pearls, Tombow markers, Grosgrain ribbon, eyelets, Assorted flower punches from The Punch Bunch

Serene Blue Crysanthemums

I usually get my inspiration to do a card from patterned paper. Not always, but a lot of the time. I love Memory Box patterned paper packs and they just released some new lines, 'Provence' and 'Grove'. This is from Provence, gorgeous lavenders and blues. So I watercolored a piece of paper using colors drawn from the DP. I then used a Boss Kutz Blossoms die to cut a bunch of the nesting flowers shapes and shaped each one with a stylus. I layered them and used a bit of yellow Liquid Pearls for the centers. The little tag is attached to the bow with a simple jumpring.
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Ink: CTMH
Paper: Memory Box, Bazzill, w/c paper
Accessories: Violet grosgrain ribbon, Nestabilities, Boss Kutz die, Liquid Pearls, Tombow markers, silver jump ring

I've Been Busy!

What seems like a long, long time ago (actually only about 1 1/2 years) I had my own Queen Anne Victorian house with plenty of room for all the stuff I love. Folk art, primitives, whimsical decorative art. Rooms full of tinware, antique distressed wood furniture and shelves, a huge collection of prim raggedy Annies (most of which I sewed myself) and folk-sy snowmen. Saltbox houses, willow tree paintings, warm silicone candle lights, etc. etc. Anyway, I don't have any of that anymore (no room now, I've moved) but when I saw this set from Cornish Heritage Farms, my heart ached with nostalgia for times past. So, I tried to recreate that feeling with this card. Warm, earthy colors and aged patinas. I really like the way it came out, and I think I will definitely be making more. I used to paint these kinds of scenes in acrylic on all sorts of found wood and tin surfaces, and had to stop suddenly when all my supplies had to packed away, but I still love that style, and maybe I will pull out the paints and brushes and start fresh someday soon!

Stamps: Cornish Heritage Farms
Ink: Adirondack reinkers, Palette
Paper: Kraft, Fabriano w/c, Bazzill
Accessories: Cream Twill tape

And then, there are more things that I love! Like the color of this Basic Grey paper, and Magnolia stamps. I wanted to post this on the Tilda & Co. challenge blog, but missed the deadline. The challenge was 'Swirls'. I used Maya Road chipboard swirl that I painted with white acrylic paint (ink shows better on white base, and the chipboard doesn't suck up all the ink, so you use less), then inked it with Tsukineko Glue pad and sprinkled pearl glitter over it. I think Tilda looks lovely on the pretty blue background!

Stamps: Magnolia
Ink: Palette, Versa Magic

Paper: Arches w/c paper, PTI, Basic Grey, Memory Box

Accessories: White grosgrain ribbon, Snowflake punch from The Punch Bunch, Art Institute glitter, Tsukineko Glue Pad, Tombow & SU! markers, Copic marker, Stickles and Sakura Glaze pen

Autumn colors

The heat wave has finally relented! It was unbearable. Hot, sticky and sometimes stormy. Last night we had one final storm, with tornado watches (fortunately nothing here, just a lot of broken branches and overturned garbage cans) and afterwards it cooled off. This morning is beautiful and cool again. I've been busily making flowers, flowers and more flowers. I figure if I make enough of them until I get sick of it, I won't ever have to buy Primas again. Seriously! And I kind of like mine better, and I can always find the color I want!
I needed to get away from pastel colors for a bit. I love soft colors, but I needed to make something bold and earthy. So I decided on an autumn theme. I water colored a piece of paper in Adirondack inks again, Raisin, Pesto, Butterscotch and Ginger, then used the same spectrum pad for the leaves. I couldn't find an appropriate sentiment, so I left it blank. I can always go back and add one if I decide later.
Stamps: Inkadinkado
Ink: Adirondack
Paper: SU!, K & Co. Mira collection, Memory Box
Accessories: Olive grosgrain ribbon, nestablities, Assorted flower punches from The Punch Bunch and Carla Craft, Martha Stewart leaf punch

Simple Joys....More Flowers.

The last flower card I made I used Dr. Ph Martins liquid watercolors to create a background wash paper, but I love Adirondack ink colors, so I used the reinkers to watercolor these flower papers. I love the soft look of watercolors so much, I don't think I'll be using solid color cardstock any time soon!

Jimmy and I have to go to the restaurant in Ridgewood, NJ again (where we painted murals), the owners wanted some more painting done. They want parts of the ceiling painted with clouds, which we are NOT looking forward to! We're going to have to lie down on a scaffold a la Michaelangelo to get it done. I've never painted lying flat on my back! It should be an experience. Hopefully we'll have it done this weekend. Two long days...
No stamping for two---days...
I don't know if I can make it, LOL.
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Ink: Perfect Match, Adirondack
Paper: Papertrey Ink, Arches w/c
Accessories: Nestabilities, Dimensional Fabric Paint, The Punch Bunch punches

Verrrrry Early Halloween Tag!

I've been wanting the Spooky Sweets set from PTI for a while, and although I really, really tried to wait till at least the end of the summer, I just couldn't--so I got it last week. I love it! I was just playing around with them and somehow this tag made itself! Now I just have to make sure I don't misplace it before Fall, because it would look perfect hanging from one of my huge pumpkins!
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Ink: Perfect Match, Palette
Paper: Manila tag, Papertrey Ink, Bazzill
Accessories: Nestabilities, Brown Stitched ribbon, Olive Grosgrain ribbon, Copper jumpring

Something New...

Have you ever made something that just took your breath away? Well, I can't say that it happens to me often, but this time--it did!

I am stunned at how well this card turned out. It all started out with punched flowers. You know, the hundreds that are available at craft stores everywhere? Well, I was reading Lauren's blog a while back, on making paper flowers using assorted punches, and was so fascinated by the technique I had to try it myself. I ordered some punches from Scrappily Ever After so I could give it a whirl.

Well, yesterday, I decided to run into Michael's for a few things I needed (clothespins to organize my ribbons) and of course wandered through the whole store before I got what I came for. In the Martha Stewart aisle, I spied some of her new stuff and nearly squealed with delight when I saw two Hydrangea punches! Why was I so excited? Well, first of all, I love, love, love Hydrangeas! Especially the blue varieties. Second of all, I couldn't find a Hydrangea punch at the Scrappily Ever After store, I was just going to try to get as close as possible with what they had. So, I get both punches, (and a Martha Stewart calligraphy monogram clear stamp set--shame, shame!) and off I go. I decide to try to incorporate all of my favorite things with this Hydrangea punch. I didn't really have a plan in mind, and was just experimenting and going with my creative flow. I love watercolor almost as much as I love Hydrangeas, so I grabbed some Arches watercolor paper, scribbled some of my favorite marker colors on an acrylic block and proceed to make a background paper with random washes of color on it. I definitely recommend a sturdy paper for this technique. I've tried it with w/c paper, Papertrey Ink card stock and Bazzill and it holds up well. Sometimes the paper buckles a bit from the pressure, but this can add to the realism. The w/c paper, OTOH does not and holds it's shape beautifully.

Watercolor washes look something like this:

I used only three or four colors, so the washes wouldn't get muddy and added more to certain areas to vary intensity. OK, looked good! Then I start to punch a bunch of flowers out. Small, medium, large. Then, with a pile of flowers, and a cheap mouse pad, a round ball stylus in two sizes and my bone folder I start to emboss and shape the flowers on the reverse side.

Now this is when the WOW! factor comes in. Because of all the subtle variations in color in my water colored paper, each flower has multiple hues, shades and highlights that make them look so realistic. I'm loving this! The rest is history. I die-cut out an oval from white paper, stamp some leaves on it and start gluing the flowers in a pleasing arrangement. That done, I add some pale yellow Liquid Pearls to the centers and voila! Amazing! This is definitely a technique I am going to be using a lot of. I even ordered an instructional book called The Paper Garden to learn some more flower making techniques.
Well, I'm off to make more flowers!

Stamps: Papertrey Ink Beautiful Blooms
Ink: Perfect Match, Adirondack, Printworks Designer Ink
Paper: Arches cold press w/c paper, Memory Box, PTI, vellum
Accessories: Nestabilities, Book plate die, Liquid Pearls, Tombow/CTMH markers, PTI twill ribbon, brads