Mom's Haute Tote - CR84FN26

So glad you could stop by today for another wonderful color challenge at CR84FN!  Thanks to all who joined us for last weeks challenge, it was wonderful to see your creations!  As we usher in May at the CR84FN blog, we welcome Lin Brandyberry as our Guest Designer and send out special birthday greetings to our fellow teammate Stephanie, who will be celebrating a birthday later this week!

With Mother's Day next week, I used this weeks beautiful colors of Kraft, Pale Yellow and Gold, to create a project perfect for Mom!  I used the Haute Tote Template along with Kraft card stock and some Stampin' Up! Pattern Paper for the Kraft portion of the challenge.  To bring in the Gold and Pale Yellow colors, I embossed the Heartfelt Creations Floral Grande 1 and 2 Blossom in Gold on Banana card stock. 

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The Tote is generous in size allowing for a gift to be added.  To conceal the gift, I stamped the floral images in Gold on Tissue paper.  The inside of the tote also has a wonderful compartment where you can slip in a gift card.  Just be sure when you assemble that piece, you fold over your Score Tape so you have enough room for the Gift Card.

Here's this weeks color inspiration, we'd love for you to play along with us at CR84FN, you can find all the details here on how to enter. If you upload to any online gallery please use keyword CR84FN26 so we can find your creations!

Looking for more inspiration using this weeks challenge visit the other Designers Blogs:

Mona Pendleton* Sue Lelli * Andrea Matthews *  Stephanie Kraft * Suzanne Czosek *  Heather Jensen (may be posting later this week)*  Deborah Frings * Lin Brandyberry - Guest Designer

Details:
Stamps – Heartfelt Creation HCPC 3375 Flora Grande 1, HCPC 3374 Floral Grande 2
Ink – Ranger Pumice Stone Distress Ink, Versamark, Gold Brilliance
Card Stock – Kraft, Tissue Paper, Banana
Other – Corduroy Brads, Piercing Tool, Swivel Clasp, Spellbinders Blossom 3, Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Score Tape, Big Shot, Pattern Paper (Stampin’ Up!)
**Note, I used the Silhouette to cut my pieces

Other Challenges Entered:
Tuesday Throwdown - Buttons/Brads, Simon Says Anything Goes, 2 Sisters Challenge - For a Mom, Fairy Tale - Mother's Day, Crafts 4 Eternity - Anything Goes, Inspire Me Friday - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by!

Life in Nothing without Friendship - SDC29

This weeks at the Stampotique Designers Challenge Blog, Kim gave us this sketch to work with.  I think sketch challenges are my all time favorite of challenges, as part of the design process is already done for me.  I just need to pick my papers and stamps, and off I go to create! 

I used the cute 3 Girls image as the focus for my card.  I had originally created this beautiful brayered scene (3 different times actually), but when I went to add my stamped image, it didn't want to take to the Matte Coated card stock.  I had splotches in areas, so I had to scrap the idea, and change card stock.  Smooth card stock would not let me move the inks for brayering, so I used a Calypso K-Pad and the Spectrum Roll Technique to add color.  I normally don't like to do this tech on Smooth card stock either, but I was determined to use this image.

This challenge is a STAMPOTIQUE only stamps week, so grab your Stampotique stamps and join challenge for your chance to add to your stamp collection with a prize of $30 gift certificate for stamps at Stampotique. For more details stop by the Stampotique Designers Challenge Blog!

Details:
Stamps - Stampotique 3 Girls
Ink - Ranger Black Archival, Calypso KPad
Card Stock - Teal, Black, Vanilla
Other - Brayer, Ranger Perfect Pearls Mist, Non Stick Craft Mat, 1/4" Circle Punch, Basic Grey Pattern Paper

I'll be back later tonight with the CR84FN challenge, I've got a cute idea for Mother's Day to share with you!  See you then!

Explore...Dream...Discover

I just love the Artistic Outpost Huck Finn plate, it's great for masculine cards.  Here, I stamped Huck and Tom in Black Archival, and colored them using the Marker Watercoloring Technique.  I found proper placement for the sentiment using my Stamp-a-ma-jig, once dry, I masked my image, then did some Acrylic Block Stamping with a Blue Frost K-Pad to add over all color.  Even though the blue did not come out too even in places, I love the look, looks like little ripples in the water.

Details:
Stamps - Artistic Outpost Huck Finn
Ink - Ranger Black Archival, Markers, Blue Frost K-Pad, Ranger Pumice Stone DI
Card Stock - Black, Blue, Watercolor
Other - Acrylic Block, Mister, H20 Brush, Sponge Dauber, SAMJ

Creations by AR Design Team Blog Hop with Prizes

Please scroll down or click here for my Wednesday Heartfelt Creations Post

Welcome to the Creations by AR Design Team Blog Hop!  Today, Creations by AR is releasing two new templates.  Each of the Designers will be giving away one of the new templates, so you'll have plenty of chances to win! To participate and be eligible to win a free template, simply leave a comment on this post, and hop over to the other DT members Blogs and comment for multiple chances to win!

The first template I'm using is the Ribbon Keeper

The Ribbon Keeper comes in two sizes, and has openings to allow ribbons to slip through for easy access.  The Regular size can also hold up to eight round embellishment containers. (I only had 7 on hand)

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I used Sahara Sand card stock along with some Stampin' Up! Paisley Petal DSP to create the Ribbon Keeper, then added some Seam Binding (dyed with Ranger Walnut Distress Stain) and added a Blossom using Heartfelt Creations Flora Grande image cut with Spellbinders Blossom 3 Die.

Next we have the Menu Keeper and Stand

Not only does this organizer hold recipe cards, but it's the perfect size for organizing greeting cards or photos! 



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I opted to use the template for Greeting Cards, using Marina Mist card stock, along with the Paisley Petal DSP.  I added a Scallop trim to the front, then tied on some Winter White Seam binding and added a Rolled Ribbon Rose (see this post for details).  Won't this make a wonderful gift!

Here's a few additional views



Looking for more inspiration using these new templates, be sure to stop by and see what the other designers created:

Amy Park * Andrea Budjack * Magdalena Cortez * Mandy Gill * Maria Bell * Sarah Gough * Adela Rossol

Thanks for stopping by!

Love Makes all the Difference

Happy Heartfelt Creations Wednesday!  With Mother's Day just a few weeks away, I wanted to share a card using the Sentiments for Mom set.  I started out using Sketch 188 from MoJo Monday, rotating it to fit my sentiment. The floral image is from Heartfelt Creations HCPC 3388 Spring Cardinal PreCut Set, I stamped the image in Ranger Coffee Archival Ink on Watercolor paper, then cut out just the floral image.  The leaves are watercolored with Markers, then flowers paper pieced with Pink Paislee pattern paper and Heartfelt Creations Posy Patch Flowers/Die Cuts.

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Details:
Stamps - Heartfelt Creations HCPC 3388 Spring Cardinals PreCut Set, HCPC 3303 Posy Patch Flowers PreCut Set, HCPC 3389 Sentiments for Mom
Ink - Ranger Coffee Archival, Soft Suede, Marina Mist, Marker (Pear)
Card Stock - Vanilla, Soft Suede, Watercolor
Other - Accoutrement Button, Stick Pin, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Recollections Gems, Sponge Dauber, Spellbinders Oval Die, EK Success Scallop Die, Pink Paislee Pattern Paper, Seam Binding, Big Shot, Heartfelt Creations HCD 701 Posy Patch Die

Challenge Entered:
Simon Says Stamp and Show some Buttons, Simon Says Anything Goes

Looking for more Heartfelt Creations inspiration, stop by the company blog to see the beautiful creations by the other Design Team members.

Yee Haw!

Happy Kitchen Sink Stamps Monday, thanks for stopping by, I hope you had a wonderful Easter!  This week, I'm using one of my favorite Kitchen Sink Stamps, Multi Step Cowboy Boots!  I don't know what it is about these boots, but I just LOVE them!  I started out with a sketch, but after a few alterations, my card went in a totally different direction, and looks nothing like the sketch, but I'm happy with they way it turned out.

The boots are stamped in shades on brown on Vanilla card stock, then layered on panels circle panels cut with Spellbinders Dies.  All pattern paper is from Cosmo Cricket.  The sentiment is from Kitchen Sink Stamps Multi Step Cowboy Hat, just perfect for those boots, don't' you think!

Details:
Stamps - Kitchen Sink Stamps Multi Step Cowboy Boots, Multi Step Cowboy Hat
Ink - Caramel, Cocoa, Ranger Coffee Archival
Card Stock - Soft Sky, Vanilla, Chocolate
Other - Hemp, Spellbinders Circle Die, Sponge Dauber, Star Embellie (Hobby Lobby), Big Shot, Cosmo Cricket Pattern Paper

Color Recipe:
#2 Cocoa stamp off, #1 Caramel, #3 Cocoa, #4 Archival Coffee, #5 Arcihval Coffee

Click here to save 10% on all your KSS purchases, the discount will automatically be applied to your cart.

Thanks so much for stopping by, be sure to visit the other Design Team Members

Angela • Connie • Julie • Lynn • Makiko • Maria

Have a creative week!

Easter Wishes

Look what the Easter Bunny left for me!  Just wanted to wish you all a Happy Easter!  I used the Carrot Box Template (cut with the Silhouette) to create the box, embossed the card stock and added some highlights to the embossing.  Tied on some raffia, added a tag and Recollections flower blossom.





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Sorry about the shadows in the photo, hard to get a clear photo of 3D items!

Hope you have a Blessed Easter spent with Family and Friends!

For You - CR84FN25

Thanks for stopping by, it's time for another wonderful color challenge at CR84FN!  This weeks colors are Red, Aqua and White, such a lovely color pallette to work with, we're looking foward to seeing your creations.

I inked up this cute Mabel Lucie Attwell image from the Artistic Stamper and colored him using the Marker Watercoloring Technique.  I mixed some papers from Basic Grey and 7 Gypsies for my background.

Here's this weeks color inspiration, we'd love for you to play along with us at CR84FN, you can find all the details here on how to enter. If you upload to any online gallery please use keyword CR84FN25 so we can find your creations!

Looking for more inspiration using this weeks challenge visit the other Designers Blogs:

Mona Pendleton* Sue Lelli * Andrea Matthews *  Stephanie Kraft * Suzanne Czosek *  Heather Jensen *  Deborah Frings * Silke Ledlow - Guest Designer

Scene Stamping - Stampscapes

I had a fun creative day with my friend Sue yesterday - it's always a good time getting together to create with friends!  Usually when we get together I never get anything completely finished, I have a hard time creating out of my element, it's not that Sue doesn't have fab things for me to create with, because she does!  I think I just get distracted, because there are so many things I could create with!

Anyhow, yesterday we took a class at Stamp, Scrap n' More using Stampscapes Rubber Stamps.  I've personally never used Stampscapes before this class, but just LOVE the cards I've seen using them.  I tell you, I could spend hours creating all sorts of scenes!  While I'm not sharing anything we did in the class (because I didn't finish assmebling them).  I played with some of Sue's images and added color with Distress Inks to create this beautiful scene.

I have a long way to go to master adding color, but love this little scene!   I'll be back a litle later with the CR84FN challenge!

Bloggers Challenge - Ribbons and Lace

Happy Bloggers Challenge Friday!  Thanks to those who played along with last weeks Sketch Challenge, it's always wonderful to see so many different takes one one sketch.  Sketches are usually my starting point when creating, although most of the time I end up off track with something totally different!

This weeks Bloggers Challenge is Ribbon and Lace.  Those of you who know me, must really think I've lost it.  If you look back on my blog over the past years, you'd hardly ever find a trace of ribbon, yet alone lace on my projects.  This past year with some enabling from some friends, I've found that Ribbon and Lace can be my friend!  Heck, I think I even surprised a few of you when I started adding Flourish Gems to my cards! 

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As with most of my projects, I sat down to create and ended up far from where my original creative process was.  Let's just say I couldn't find my lace that I wanted to use to create a background with.  I think I tossed it as it was looked rather muddy!  Anyhow, a challenge is a challenge, so I decided to created some Rolled Roses out of Crinkle Ribbon, Lace (Crochet Trim), and Twill Ribbon.  LOVE these Ribbon Roses as they are so easy to create!  Again, I'm using of my scraps of My Minds Eye Papers, and paired them up with this beautiful image and sentiment from Our Daily Bread Designs.

I dyed the Crochet Lace with Rangers Broken China Distress Stain.  Both this flower and the Crinkle Flower were created in the same manner - punch a 3/4" Circle and use about 12" of ribbon - you'll want to add adhesive to the circle before you begin.  Tie a knot in one end and adhere that to the center of your circle, then take the rest of the ribbon, twist and turn as you wrap it around the center knot, until the circle is complete, flip the end to the back and secure.  The larger (Orange) flower started out with a 1" circle.

Details:
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs
Ink - Cool Caribbean, Pumpkin
Card Stock - Vanilla, Pumpkin
Other - My Minds Eye Stella and Rose, Spellbinder Circle Dies, Scallop Edge Punch, Seam Binding, Pearl Gems, Crochet Trim, Twill Ribbon, Zva Creative Flourishes, Dimensionals, Big Shot, 1" Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch

If you'd like to play along with this weeks Bloggers Challenge, please link back to this post on your blog and mention you created your card for the Bloggers Challenge Ribbon and Lace Challenge. Please add your link using the Link Tool below. Just a note on the link tool, your link should be a direct link to your Bloggers Challenge Post, use your name as the Title. Please do not link to cards that were created prior to the challenge date. Entries not linking properly will be removed.

Have a great weekend!

100 Proof Press Poppy - Design Contest

A few weeks ago I applied and was accepted to compete in the 100 Proof Press Design Contest using their beautiful Poppy image.  The designers who were selected to compete in the contest were all supplied with the Poppy image and asked to create a project for the contest.

I had a few things in mind, and in the end created an Easel card.  To add color to the Poppy, I used the Marker Wash Technique (Pear and Peach Markers), then went back in and added a bit darker color to the areas that lightened when spritzed.  I also used the Poppy to add color to the butterflies, stamping the Poppy in Pumpkin, then sponging the edges.

Here's the open view.  I die cut the image with Spellbinders Oval Die, sponged the edges and adhered it to the Decorative Window Die from Heartfelt Creations.  Adding the butterflies and Zva Pearls as embellies.

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Click here to see what the other designers created, and cast your vote for your favorite!

Details:
Stamps - 100 Proof Press
Ink - Ranger Coffee Archival, Markers (Peach, Pear)
Card Stock - Watercolor, Suede, Pumpkin, Vanilla
Other - Big Shot, Zva Pearls, Butterfly Die, Making Memories Butterfly, Spellbinders Oval Die, Dimensionals, Spritz Bottle, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, My Minds Eye Stella and Rose Pattern Paper, Heartfelt Creations Decorative Window Die

Spring Cardinal

I'm really trying to be better about using up scraps from previous projects.  I was working on a card the other night (I haven't posted it here yet), then reworked it into something else, so I ended up with some precut pattern paper panels and wanted to put them to use before they got buried in my scrap pile. 

I used Heartfelt Creations Spring Cardinals Precut Set along with the Posy Patch set and some My Minds Eye Stella and Rose papers to create this card

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The image is stamped in Black Archival on Watercolor paper, then cut with Spellbinders Circle Dies. The Cardinal is paper pieced with some Red pattern paper from my scrap pile. I watercolored the Posy branch with Pear and Peach Markers, then stamped the Posy on My Minds Eye Stella and Rose papers and paper pieced the blossoms.  The Seam Binding is dyed with Ranger Wild Honey Distress Inks, with a Build-a-Brad added to the center.

Details:

Stamps - Heartfelt Creations Spring Cardinals, Posy Patch, Cardinal Family

Ink - Black Archival, Soft Suede, Markers - Peach, Pear

Card Stock - Black, Watercolor, Pumpkin

Other - Sponge Dauber, My Minds Eye Stella and Rose, Big Shot, Spellbinder Circle Dies, Gems (TPC Studio, Studio 18), Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Heartfelt Creations Posy Patch Die, Cardinal Family Die, Decorative Dutch Iris Die (Flourish), Seam Binding, Ranger Distress Ink Wild Honey, Heat Gun, Build-a-Brad, 1/2" Circle Punch

Finished Size - 5-1/4" x 5-1/4"

Challenges:

Tuesday Throwdown - Polka Dots

For My Friend

Sometimes procrastination pays off....

I was waiting for the Dryer repair man to come this morning, and didn't have anything ready to post, so I got a late start....Good thing, as I was able to play along with a few challenges. I started with the MoJo Monday Sketch 187 and the Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger for inspiration.   The Pink Paislee Papers were just perfect for the Tuesday Trigger, and I love the way they look with this sweet Friends image from Stampotique.

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The image is stamped in Coffee Archival Ink on a piece of the Pink Paislee paper, then cut with Spellbinders Circle Dies, layered on a Suede Circle, then onto the Pink Paislee panel I cut the circle from.  The light green panel, fits Linda's Gungy Monday Challenge - Texture Fades and Distress, which also happens to fit Simon Says Stamp and Show a Tim Holtz Technique.  For the technique I used the Damask Texture Fades folder and Antique Linen Distress Ink on a piece of Pink Paislee pattern paper.  I realize you don't see a lot of it showing, but trust me, it's there.  I really wasn't happy with the way it turned out on the pattern paper, I prefer the technique much better on a Tag or card stock, but I ran out of coordinating card stock in the color I wanted.  So I improvised.  The Seam Binding is dyed with Rangers Antique Linen Distress Stain - did I mention I just LOVE this product for dying the Seam Binding!

Inspiration Photo and Sketch

Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger

Details:

Stamps - Stampotique - Little Friends, A Friend's Touch

Ink - Ranger Coffee Archival, Antique Linen Distress Ink

Card Stock - Suede, Pear Tart

Other - Big Shot, Seam Binding, Recollections Mulberry Flower, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Ranger Antique Linen Distress Ink, Heat Gun, Jenni Bowlin Pin, Small Oval Punch, Sponge Dauber, Tim Holtz Damask Texture Fades Folder, Spellbinders Circle Dies, Pink Paislee Pattern Paper, Scallop Edge Punch

An Elephant Never Forgets - KSS Monday

Happy Kitchen Sink Stamps Monday, thanks for stopping by!  Today I have a project to share with you that's featured on page 99 of the June Craft 'n Things.  My project uses  Kitchen Sink Stamps Multi Step 'Lil Elephant.  I created a Memo Journal, that's handy to keep in your purse, so you can easily jot down notes and whatnot while you are out and about.

Details:
Journal Book – purchased from Target
Ink – Stampin’ Up! Going Grey, Sahara Sand, Basic Grey, Ranger Black Archival, Ranger Distress Ink Pumice Stone
Card Stock – White, Black (Stampin’ Up!)
Other – Sizzix Journal Folder, Big Shot, Sponge Dauber, Spiral Punch (Stampin’ Up!), Black Twine
Stamps – Kitchen Sink Stamps Multi Step ‘Lil Elephant, Distress Tool (Ranger), Basic Grey Boxer Pattern Paper 6” x 6” Pad

Click here to save 10% on all your KSS purchases, the discount will automatically be applied to your cart.

Thanks so much for stopping by, be sure to visit the other Design Team Members

Angela • Connie • Julie • Lynn • Makiko • Maria

Have a creative week!

Grungy Monday on a Sunday

This last week Linda's Grungy Monday challenge was Exploring Tim Holtz Colorwash Sprays.....Let's just say I think I'm wearing more product on my hands than actually ended up on my project!  While I love the Colorwash Sprays, I knew there was a reason I don't use them that often.  Even with replacement nozzles in my spray bottles, they still clog (note these are the old style bottles), anyone have a sure fire solution for keeping the spray nozzle clean?

It took me four tries to create the look I was after, as those darn bottles kept clogging.....Still didn't end up with full coverage on one side, but I'm not wasting anymore Matte card stock, I'm calling it quits, if I don't my hands will be stained for a week!

The fab image is from The Outpost Plate by Artistic Outpost, one of my many favorite images.  It's stamped in Black Archival on Matte coated card stock.  To add the color I spritzed a piece of acetate with Colorwash Sprays and smooshed onto my stamped panel.  If you do this, it's best to leave your stamped panel a tad larger, as the inks pool at the edges, that way once try, you can cut off the ends that look all muddy.

Details:
Stamps - Artistic Outpost
Ink - Ranger Black Archival
Card Stock - Matte Coated, Black, Bermuda Bay
Other - Acetate, Heat Gun, Adirondack Colorwash - Stream, Butterscotch, Lettuce