Designs by Lisa Somerville

The Mighty Sea - ODBD February Blog Hop

2012-02-01T07:00:00.078-06:00

Welcome to the Our Daily Bread Designs February Release Blog Hop! If you arrived here from Connie's Blog, you are in the right place, if not, you might want to start at the ODBD Blog, and hop from there. There will be FOUR winners who will each win 1 Free Stamp set of their choice and ONE Bread Basket Bundle Winner - for full details click here. The Hop will run 8am EDT Feb. 1st til 8pm EDT Feb. 2nd, the winners will be announced on the ODBD Blog on Feb. 3rd.

For my project featuring the February Release, I created an Explosion Box. I used the Silhouette Cameo to cut the Explosion Box Template from Chocolate, Vanilla and Core'dinations Whitewash card stock. For the box lid, I stamped the hymn, It is Well with my Soul in Black Archival on a Vanilla panel, then added the image from The Mighty Sea in Caramel. I added a dyed Seam Binding Bow, a tag stamped with a sentiment from The Sea, and verse from The Mighty Sea.

For the front panel of the box, I stamped the image from The Mighty Sea in Black Archival, then colored with STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor Pencils and Gamsol. To add the cloud background, I sponged Blue ink around a scallop edge.

The flaps of the Explosion Box are perfect for photos, or stamped images.

On the box bottom, I stamped the sentiment from The Sea in Black Archival, then added the image from The Mighty Sea in Caramel.

Details:
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs It Is Well with my Soul, The Mighty Sea, The Sea
Ink - Ranger Black Archival, Caramel
Card Stock - Vanilla, Chocolate, Core'dinations Whitewash
Other - Silhouette Cameo, Silhouette Explosion Box Template, Sponge Dauber, Seam Binding, Non Stick Craft Sheet, Ranger Distress Stain, Maya Road Trinket Pins, STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor Pencils, Gamsol

Thanks so much for stopping by, I'm your last stop on the Hop! Remember, to be entered into the drawing you need to leave comments on each designers blog, then return to the ODBD Blog and leave a comment.

Have a great day!

Love Is - Zva Creative January Blog Hop

2012-01-30T08:00:00.060-06:00

Welcome to the Zva Creative January Blog Hop! If you arrived here from Christin's Blog, you are in the right place, if not you might want to start at Zva Creative Blog, so that you don't miss any of the designers beautiful creations! Hidden along the hop are FIVE Zva Creative prize packages, so it's important to leave a comment on as many blogs as you can along the way. Winners will be randomly chosen after the hop is over.

I stamped the verse from Our Daily Bread Designs in Coffee Archival on Vanilla card stock, sponged the edges then cut with Spellbinders Oval Die, layering on Spellbinders Labels Twenty Die cut from Chocolate card stock. To embellish I added pieces of Zva Creative's Fancy Butterfly Pearl Crystal in Peach/Champagne (PEB-03CB-110), Mini Roses in Cream (FLBK-03CB-111), and a Sweet Rose in Peach (FLBK-03CB-139).

Details:
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs
Ink - Ranger Coffee Archival, Ranger Distress Ink Gathered Twigs
Card Stock - Vanilla, Chocolate
Other - Spellbinders Oval/Labels Twenty Dies, Big Shot, Graphic 46 Pattern Paper, Sponge Dauber, Dimensionals, Zva Creative Fancy Butterfly Pearl Crystal Flourish, Zva Creative Peach Sweet Rose, Zva Creative Cream Mini Roses, Glue Dots

If you are looking to purchase Zva Creative products, you can find a list of stores and online retailers that sell Zva Creative products here.

The Blog Hop runs through Midnight EST on Tuesday, January 31st. I'm your last stop on the hop, but be sure to visit the Zva Creative Blog and leave a comment there for a chance to win an extra prize package just for visiting the blog and telling them that you stopped by! To increase your chances of winning:

Leave a comment on this blog post
Leave a comment that you posted on your Facebook page about the hop (link to any of the blog hop posts)
Leave a comment that you "tweeted" about the hop (link to any of the blog hop posts)
Leave a comment that you asked your local store to carry Zva creative products. If they already do, that's fantastic, maybe you can suggest other products that they don't carry

Our next hop will be on Monday, February 27th, be sure to check the Zva Creative Blog on Wednesday February 1st, to see if you are one of the lucky Zva Creative Prize Package winners!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cowgirl Up!

2012-01-30T00:13:00.002-06:00

Happy Kitchen Sink Stamps Monday, thanks for stopping by, I hope you had a great weekend! Today I'm sharing a CAS cowgirl card created with Kitchen Sink Stamps Multi Step Cowboy Boots and Multi Step Cowboy Hat sets.

The cowboy boots are stamped in shades of Brown on Vanilla card stock, then cut so the tip of the boot is out of the box. The edges are sponged in Brown ink, then layered on a Chocolate panel. The Pink panel is embossed with the Paisley Embossing folder, added a bit of Chocolate sponging to the edges. To embellish I added some Hemp and an Antique Star.

Details:
Kitchen Sink Stamps Multi Step Cowboy Boots, Multi Step Cowboy Hat
Ink - Ranger Coffee Archival, Chocolate Chip, Cocoa, Caramel
Card Stock - Pink, Chocolate, Vanilla

Other - Big Shot, Embossing Folder, Sponge Dauber, Hemp, Antique Star, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Color Recipe:
Boots - #4 Ranger Coffee Archival, #3 Chocolate, #2 Cocoa, #1 Caramel

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, for more Kitchen Sink Stamps inspiration, be sure to visit the other Design Team Members

Connie • Julie • Lynn • Makiko • Maria

Thanks for stopping by!

Best Fishes

2012-01-29T15:03:00.000-06:00

Just a quick card for DS's 18th Birthday! I stamped the Bluegill image from Fred B. Mullett in Versamark, then dabbed on some STAEDTLER Chalk Pastels to add color to the fish. Once all the fish images had color, I stamped the Bluegill image again using a SAMJ and Black Archival ink. To fill in the White space, I added the sentiment in Black ink, and dusted off my Spritzer Tool to add some Black flecks.

Here's the BD man opening his presents before he left for work!

Go Confidently - CR84FN47

2012-01-28T22:55:00.001-06:00

It's time for another wonderful color challenge at the CR84FN Challenge Blog! We are thrilled to welcome Monika as our Guest Designer for the next two challenges! The colors for this TWO WEEK Challenge are Pink, Red and Light Blue.

To add pink hue to the background, I used Ranger Spun Sugar Distress Stain, smooshing the stain on a Non Stick Craft Sheet, spritzed with water, then smooshing the watercolor paper into the ink mixture and heat dried. All stamps are from Stampotique, stamped in Black Archival on Watercolor paper, then colored with STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor Pencils and Marsgraphic Markers. I added clouds to the background sponging around a scallop scrap piece of paper with Blue ink.

Texturize It - Bloggers Challenge

2012-01-27T00:10:00.005-06:00

Happy Bloggers Challenge Friday! Thanks so much to those of you who played along with last weeks Elements of Time Challenge, it was wonderful to see how everyone was inspired by the challenge theme. This weeks challenge theme is Texturize It.

To create the texture on my card, I used the Shabby Tin Technique from the December Technique Junkie Newsletter. I paired my Shabby Tin butterfly with the Finish the Moment stamp from Our Daily Bread Designs.

For a limited time Metallic Paint Dabbers can be found at Blitsy for $2.25! I used Copper and Silver Dabbers on my Shabby Tin Butterfly!

Details:
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs
Ink - Ranger Black Archival
Card Stock - Copper, Brown, Kraft
Other - SU Butterfly Die, Metallic Paint, Grunge Paper, Texture Fades Embossing Folder, Tulle, Dimensionals, Idea-ology Pieces, Bo Bunny Pattern Paper

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 Texturize It Challenge. Please add your link using the Link Tool below, 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, or backlinked will be removed. If you have the captcha enabled on your blog, please consider turning it off, as it makes it so much easier to leave comments.

Have a great weekend!

Think and Wonder

2012-01-25T00:42:00.001-06:00

Wonder and Think.......

I'd love to tell you how to create the background, but I can't take credit for it. Recently Gerrie sent me some scrap (2-1/2" x 11") pieces of paper she created using the Gelli Arts Gel Printing Plate, so I could see what they looked like. OMW - I'm just lovin' this, doesn't it make fab artsy backgrounds! The scraps weren't big enough to turn into a card, so I used bits and pieces for the background design, adding some stamped images from the Artistic Outpost Whimsical Melange set in Black Archival. The house is also from this same set, again I pieced together the scraps, by taping the leftover panels together, then cut out the house and layered it on a black panel. Still working with the scraps I stamped the sweet kids from the Artistic Outpost Think and Wonder plate in Black Archival, then cut them out and adhered them to the house. They are actually pieced together on 3 different scraps of the Gelli Arts paper, but you can't really tell that from the photo.

Details:
Stamps - Artistic Outpost (Think and Wonder/Whimsical Melange)
Card Stock - Black, Blue, Watercolor
Ink - Ranger Black Archival, Ranger Distress Ink Gathered Twigs
Other - Gelli Arts Gel Printing Plate, Dimensionals, Sponge Dauber, Acrylic Paints

Fight the Good Fight - {ODBDLYLS13} Scrapbook Challenge

2012-01-24T06:00:00.001-06:00

I pulled the Red and Blue colors from the inspiration photo, to create this Patriotic scrap page that features photos of my Grandma and Mom (age 3), and Grandpa/Mom, when they flew out to see my Grandfather while he was on leave from the war. I used the wonderful papers from the Bo Bunny Liberty collection, stamping the Honeycomb BG from ODBD on the top portion in Ranger Gathered Twigs Distress Ink. The ODBD Old Flag Background is stamped in Navy ink on the Vanilla Panel, then colored with STAEDTLER Watercolor Crayons. The verse is from ODBD's Not Forgotten set is stamped in Navy.

Details:

Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs Honeycomb Background, Not Forgotten, Old Flag Background,

Ink - Ranger Distress Ink Gathered Twigs, Stampin' Up! Night of Navy

Card Stock - Navy, Red, Vanilla

Other - Bo Bunny Liberty Pattern Paper, STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor Pencils, Sponge Dauber, Metal Stars, Glue Dots, Hemp, Blending Stump, Gamsol

Use any or all of the colors in the inspiration photos, feel free to add basic colors such as brown, black, or white. The ODBD Scrapbook Challenge runs through Tuesday, January 31st, at 6 p.m. Eastern, click here for complete details!

Thanks for stopping by!

Yours Forever

2012-01-23T11:21:00.002-06:00

Happy Kitchen Sink Stamps Monday, thanks for stopping by, I hope you had a great weekend! We've been having some really weird weather - on Friday we got 7" of snow, then late Sunday night we had Thunder/Rain and Lightening, which kept knocking out my ISP. Thus my late post today, as we keep losing our connection.

To create my card I used the beautiful Kitchen Sink Stamps Multi Step Sweetheart Roses, along with some Basic Grey pattern paper. The top panel is embossed on the edges, on the bottom panel I added "yours forever" from Kitchen Sink Stamps Ready 4 Any Holiday set.

Color Recipe:
Sweetheart Roses - #2 Cranberry, #3 Cherry Cobbler, #4 Cherry Cobbler, #1 Cranberry stamped off

Details:
Stamps - Kitchen Sink Stamps Multi Step Sweetheart Roses, Ready 4 Any Holiday
Ink - Ranger Black Archival, Stampin' Up! Cherry Cobbler, Cranberry
Card Stock - Cherry Cobbler, Vanilla, Black
Other - Big Shot, Embossing Folder, Seam Binding, Brad, Maya Road Trinket Pin, Basic Grey Pattern Paper

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, for more Kitchen Sink Stamps inspiration, be sure to visit the other Design Team Members

Connie • Julie • Lynn • Makiko • Maria

Thanks for stopping by!

Scallop Easel Valentine - Staedtler Fimo Giveaway

2012-01-22T22:16:00.002-06:00

Inspired by this weeks sketch at Card Patterns, I created a Scallop Easel Card, using shapes from the Silhouette Library. The Scallop Circle and Circle patterns are from Silhouette's Nesting Scallop. I opened the image in the Silhouette Designer Software, selected the image, then ungrouped it, keeping the Circle and Scallop Circle, then deleted the rest of the images. Working with the Scallop, I mirrored the image, moved the circles and welded to create the shaped card. Once resized, I added an additional Scallop to the mat, and cut from Red card stock.

The Circles (also from the Nested Circles) are cut from Black and Confetti card stocks (cut 2 of each). I created the Black Scallop panel by welding together two of the Small Scallop Border images from the Silhouette Library, the Confetti panel is a Round Rectangle that I sized to fit on the Black Scallop. To create the background I used the Chalked Emboss Technique using STAEDTLER Chalk Pastels in shades of Red. On the inside of the Easel card I stamped the Verses Sentiment (RR1014-C) in Black Archival on the Confetti panel.

To embellish my card I added some Clay Hearts that were created with STAEDTLER Red Fimo Effect Clay. I love the added glitter in this clay. To create the larger Heart, I used a Fimo Shaped Cutter, for the smaller heart I used a Fimo Push Mold. While the clay hearts were still wet, I lightly pressed a paper doily into the clay to add some texture. Once the clay was hardened, I painted on a light coat of Gloss Varnish.

Want to win a STAEDTLER Fimo Clay Prize Package? STAEDTLER has generously supplied 3 Gift Sets of Fimo Clay products to each of their designers to giveaway! In each prize package there is a package of Fimo Effect Modeling Clay, a Shaped Cutter, Fimo Air Natural Clay, Fimo Air Microwave Clay and Fimo Air Basic Clay (colors may vary). To enter to win one of three STAEDTLER Fimo Giveaway Packages from my blog, simply leave a comment on this blog post by Sunday, January 29th for your chance to win. Please only one comment per person. I'll post the winners names on Monday January 30th, so be sure to check back to see if you've won.

Details:
Stamps - Verses Rubber Stamps
Ink - Ranger Black Archival
Card Stock - Black, Confetti, Red
Other - Silhouette Cameo, Silhoutte Files (Nested Circles, Small Scallop Border), STAEDTLER Fimo Effect Clay/Fimo Varnish/Fimo Shaped Cutter, Chalk Pastels, Adhesive Sheet, Sponge Dauber, Glue Dots, Seam Binding, Maya Road Heart Trinket Pins, Valentine Embossing Folder

Thanks for stopping by!

Think and Wonder - MME Card Sketch 31

2012-01-21T20:36:00.001-06:00

Inspired by My Minds Eye Card Sketch 31, I used the Silhouette Cameo Studio Software to set up my mock design, using templates from the Silhouette Pattern Library. (3D Ruffle Flower, Faux Stitches Decorative Border, Doily Lace). If you own the Silhouette, and have been wanting to upgrade to the Silhouette Designer Studio Software, now is a great time! Currently at Plum District you can purchase a $50 worth of Silhouette merchandise* for $27 when you click this link and enter the promo code fabulous! * (some exclusions apply)

Then moved the images to a new page

Set my pattern paper on the mat following the above layout and cut my shapes using the Silhouette Cameo

Once all my pieces were cut, I stamped the image from the Artistic Outpost Think and Wonder set in Black Archival on the Confetti panel, and colored using STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor Crayons. When coloring with WC Crayons I just scribble my crayon onto the back of an acrylic block then use an H20 Brush to pick up the color.

The edges of all panels are sponged with Ranger Gathered Twigs Distress Ink. To create the flowers, I pinched the petals of the 3D Ruffle Flower between my index finger and thumb, and layered them on top of each other rotating the layers. Here's a close up of the blossom.

Details:
Stamps - Artistic Outpost (Think and Wonder)
Ink - Ranger Black Archival, Ranger Gathered Twigs Distress Ink
Card Stock - Black, Soft Sky, Confetti, Saffron
Other - My Minds Eye Lost and Found Sunshine Pattern Paper, Silhouette Cameo, Dimensionals, Silhouette Studio Software, Silhouette Studio Designs (3D Ruffle Flower, Faux Stitches Decorative Border, Doily Lace), H20 Brush, Acrylic Block, STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor Crayons, Sponge Dauber, Brads

Thanks for stopping by!

Elements of Time - Bloggers Challenge

2012-01-20T00:05:00.000-06:00

Happy Bloggers Challenge Friday! Thanks so much to those who played along with last weeks Wings and Things Challenge, there were so many wonderful entries! I did stop by all your blogs, but those of you who have your comment boxes set to "embedded comment box", unfortunately I was unable to comment. If you were not aware, blogger made some upgrades last week, and those upgrades are causing problems for people who use IE. Blogger suggests that until the issue is resolved, bloggers change their comment box to either Full Window or Pop Up, so that IE users are able to comment. If you are not sure how yours is set up, you might want to take a look, go to settings>comments then look at the comment placement section and see what is check marked.

On to this weeks challenge.....This weeks theme is Elements of Time - the theme is open to your interpretation. I had a lot of different ideas running through my head for the challenge....time travel, era in time (I was going to use the Artistic Outpost Flapper plate for that), but then went with the easiest element of time clocks, to created a belated birthday card.

The image and sentiment are both from the Artistic Outpost Wonderland Collage plate. The image is stamped in Coffee Archival on Confetti card stock. I added STAEDTLER Chalk Pastels in Blue to the background, then colored the image with STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor pencils and Gamsol and sponged and distressed the edges, then clear embossed the entire panel. To create the colorful background panel I used the Chalked Emboss Technique from the Technique Junkie Newsletter. I did morph the tech quite a bit - I used Adhesive Sheets instead of Glue Stick, covered my embossing folder with Saran Wrap so I wouldn't have to worry about cleaning it, and clear embossed the entire panel to tone down the STAEDTLER Chalk Pastels a bit. To embellish I added some Idea-ology parts.

Details:
Stamps - Artistic Outpost Wonderland Collage
Ink - Ranger Coffee Archival, Ranger Distress Ink Gathered Twigs
Card Stock - Summer Sun, Caramel, Chocolate
Other - STAEDTLER Chalk Pastels/Karat Aquarell Watercolor Pencils, Gamsol, Adhesive Sheets, Texture Fades Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Saran Wrap, Sponge Daubers, Blending Stumps, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Prima Distress Tool, Clear Embossing Folder, Heat Gun, Idea-ology Parts

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 Elements of Time Challenge. Please add your link using the Link Tool below, 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, or backlinked will be removed. If you have the captcha enabled on your blog, please consider turning it off, as it makes it so much easier to leave comments.

Have a great weekend, stay warm!

3D Lighthouse

2012-01-19T09:30:00.006-06:00

Thanks to everyone who stopped by for the Creations by AR Blog Hop! Adela released this fab Lighthouse Template along with the ones we used in the hop, and I just now had a chance to make mine! The lighthouse template is a box that stands 8 inches tall with a lid that was designed to hold a battery-operated tea light (which I currently do not have on hand).

I cut all pieces using the Silhouette Cameo, using Black card stock and Core'dinations Whitewash (purple is the core side). After cutting the Core'dinations pieces, I embossed them with a Texture Fades Folder, then lightly sanded to show the core color. My hubby and boys couldn't believe the lighthouse was created from paper, and suggested I added a door. To create the door I used the Silhouette Designer Studio Software, and welded a rectangle and oval shape, then added the square cut out for the window.

If you own the Silhouette, and have been wanting to upgrade to the Silhouette Designer Studio Software, now is a great time! Currently at Plum District you can purchase a $50 worth of Silhouette merchandise* for $27 when you click this link and enter the promo code fabulous! * (some exclusions apply)

Details:
Card Stock - Black, Core'dinations White Wash
Other - Silhouette Cameo, Texture Fades Embossing Folder, Scor-Pal, Scor-Tape, Rope, Pearls, Maya Road Trinket Pin, Acetate, Lighthouse Template from Creations by AR

Challenge entered - Simon Says Stamp and Show anything but a Card

The random winner from my blog for the Shadow Box and Surprise Purse Templates is....

Sheila said...

They are just beautiful. Thanks you for sharing

Congrats Sheila - please email Adela to claim your templates!

Have a great day!

Love and Music

2012-01-18T00:55:00.001-06:00

Inspired by this weeks Mojo Monday Sketch, I set out to use up some of my many scraps of pattern paper. After seeing some of the Winter CHA previews for some of the new paper lines, there's a lot of new papers my wish list. Guess it might be time to donate some of the older papers that I keep saying I'm gonna use, but never get around to finding just the right project to create with them!

Click to Enlarge

The sentiment is from Verses (Love and Music #RR0722-D), stamped in Ranger Black Archival on Vanilla card stock, then sponged with Ranger Gathered Twigs Distress Ink. To add a splash of color to the second "love", and the box around the word, I used Ranger Distress Stains and an H20 Brush. The banner shape is from the Silhouette Studio (7 labels), I love this download as there are 7 different types of labels. I just ungrouped the one I wanted to use, resized it so I could layer pattern paper on a card stock layer, then cut with the Silhouette Cameo. To embellish I added a dyed Seam Binding Bow, bits and pieces of Zva Creative's Fire and Ice Crystal Flourish (CR-03CA-109) a Zva Creative Peach Sweet Rose (FLBK-03CB-139), and Maya Road Trinket Pin.

Details:
Stamps - Verses Rubber Stamps (Love and Music)
Ink - Ranger Black Archival, Ranger Distress Ink Gathered Twigs, Ranger Distress Stain
Card Stock - Vanilla, Black, Mustard
Other - Zva Creative Flourish/Rose, My Minds Eye Pattern paper, Dimensionals, Sponge Dauber, H20 Brush

Thanks for stopping by!

Elegant Gift Set - Creations by AR DT Blog Hop

2012-01-17T05:00:00.007-06:00

Welcome to the Creations by AR Design Team Blog Hop! Today the Design Team is showcasing two new wonderful templates. These templates are available for use with Cutting Machines and also as PDF files!

The new January Templates are:
Shadow Box Frame Set
Surprise Purse

Each of the Designers will be giving away BOTH new templates, so you'll have plenty of chances to win! To participate and be eligible to win, simply leave a comment on this post, by Wednesday January 18th, then check back on January 19th to see if you've won! Don't forget to hop over to the other DT members Blogs and comment for multiple chances to win!

To create my projects I cut the templates from Black card stock and Bo Bunny pattern paper using the Silhouette Cameo. Before adhering the pattern paper to the Black card stock, I randomly stamped the Honeycomb BG from Our Daily Bread Designs in Going Grey, and stamped the Dahlia in Grey then sponged the edges.

Here's the Clutch Gift Card Holder I created using the Surprise Purse Template

Instead of using the Shadow Box Frame for a picture, I added a stamped verse

The verse is from Our Daily Bread Designs Little Things set stamping in Black Archival on the cut out scrap of pattern paper, then I repeated the stamping of the Honeycomb/Dahlia like I did with the purse. The edges of the frame are covered with Scor-Tape, then dipped in Micro Beads. The flowers are a pattern in the Silhouette Library (3D Ruffle Flower) cut from Black card stock, then pinched to add dimension.

Details:
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs Little Things, Dahlia, Honeycomb Background
Ink - Black, Going Grey, Grey
Card Stock - Black
Other - Bo Bunny Enchanted Pattern Paper, Scor-Pal, Scor-Tape, Brads, Glue Dots, Sponge Dauber, Silhouette Cameo, Micro Beads

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

Adela Rossol * Amy Park * Julia Moss * Magdalen Cortez * Mandy Gill * Maria Bell * Patti Gilliam * Sue Kment

Thanks for stopping by!

Come Warm your Heart

2012-01-16T00:11:00.001-06:00

Happy Kitchen Sink Stamps Monday, thanks for stopping by! I'm not a coffee drinker, but I do love my hot chocolate - doesn't this look yummy!

The Cocoa mug is stamped in shades of Brown, then masked to add the peppermint stick. The sentiment is stamped in Chocolate and Red inks. The large Vanilla panel is embossed, then I added a few Red Crystals (CRW-04CB-103) from Zva Creative to the flower centers.

Details:
Stamps - Kitchen Sink Stamps Cup of Warm Comfort
Ink - Chocolate, Cocoa, Caramel, Red
Card Stock - Vanilla, Chocolate, Cherry Cobbler
Other - Big Shot, Embossing Folder, Zva Creative Red Crystals

Color Recipe:
Hot Chocolate Mug - #4 Chocolate, #3 Cocoa, #2 Caramel, #1 Caramel stamp off
Peppermint Stick - #2 Red stamp off, #1 Red stamp off, #3Red

Connie • Julie • Lynn • Makiko • Maria

Thanks for stopping by!

Valentine Subway Art

2012-01-15T12:50:00.000-06:00

So what is Subway Art? It's a bunch of text in different fonts...all text doesn't have to be going in the same direction, it can be rotated, in different colors, there may even be graphics added with the text. Subway Art has become pretty popular in Home Decor lately, and after creating this Valentine Subway Art, I can see why! It's addictive!

I used the Silhouette Studio Software to create my text, adding different words relating to Valentine's Day, changing the fonts, text size and rotating the text as I went along. For the cupid image, I uploaded a piece of clip art and used the trace feature in the Silhouette Software to create a cut file. I also manipulated the LOVE YOU file that comes with the Silhouette Software. I ungrouped the Love You Bubble, removed the bubble, then copied the heart so I could manipulate it for the bottom left; regrouped the Love You and fit both images in with my other text. The images and text are cut from Ruby Red Vinyl using the Silhouette Cameo, then added them to the glass using Transfer Tape.

Here's the same project, this time I inserted a piece of Memory Box pattern paper between the two glass panels.

CraftVinyl has some awesome prices on vinyl and other products for use with cutting machines. (I'm not affiliated with them, just a happy customer!) They are currently offering 20% off to new customers (some exclusions apply), they also have a drawing to enter to win a free Silhouette Cameo!

If you're looking for more Valentine ideas, be sure to stop back on Tuesday for the Creations by AR DT Blog Hop, we're featuring new templates and have some giveaways planned!

Thanks for stopping by - off to find something else to alter! Have a great day!

Every Little Thing - CR84FN46

2012-01-14T22:55:00.000-06:00

It's time for another wonderful color challenge at the CR84FN Challenge Blog! The colors for the current Challenge are Light Pink, Yellow and a Neutral. Please take note that this Two Week Challenge will be ending at few days earlier - CR8FN46 will be open until Wednesday, January 25th.

I found some wonderful Websters Pages pattern paper in my stash that worked for the color Yellow and paired them up with the sweet vintage sisters from the Artistic Outpost Birds of a Feather collection. Speaking of Artistic Outpost, be sure to stop by their blog to get a sneak peek of their upcoming collections. The image is stamped in Black Archival on Confetti card stock, colored with STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor Pencils/Gamsol, then cut out and adhered to the pattern paper. The sentiment is from the Artistic Outpost Typography collection. To embellish I added bits and pieces of Zva Creatives Pearl Flourish (PES-02CB-101), a Seam Binding Bow and a Zva Creative Peach Rose (FLBK-03CB-139)

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 CR84FN46 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

Details:
Stamps - Artistic Outpost Birds of a Feather, Typography
Ink - Ranger Black Archival, STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor Pencils, Ranger Distress Ink Gathered Twigs
Card Stock - Vanilla, Black, Saffron, Confetti
Other - Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Blending Stumps, Sponge Dauber, Zva Creative Pearl Flourish, Zva Creative Peach Rose, Seam Binding, Glue Dots

Thanks for stopping by!

Wings and Things - Bloggers Challenge

2012-01-13T00:09:00.002-06:00

Happy Bloggers Challenge Friday! Thanks so much to those who played along with last weeks Color Challenge. This weeks Challenge is "wings and things", I'm looking forward to seeing your creations!

To create my card I used the Watercolor Distress Technique using Ranger Distress Ink Stains. Normally when I do this technique I used Matte Coated card stock, but because the bolder images don't stamp as nice I Matte card stock, I used White. I started out by stamping the Grunge Butterfly from Our Daily Bread Designs God's Love collection in Ranger Black Archival on White card Stock, then added the sentiment from ODBD's Simple Things collection. I also stamped the open butterfly from ODBD's 2 Step Butterfly on scrap piece of White card stock, then added Rangers Fired Brick Red, Mustard Seed and Wild Honey Distress Stains to a non stick craft sheet. After spritzing the stains, I smooshed the Stamped panels into the ink, lifted up and heat dried. I used ODBD's Custom Butterfly 2 Die to cut the 2 Step Butterfly then adhered it over the Grunge Butterfly with dimensionals.

If you're looking for a good price on the Distress Stains, I just saw they are currently onsale at Blitsy!

Details:
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs 2 Step Butterfly, God's Love, Simple Things
Ink - Ranger Black Archival, Distress Stains Wild Honey, Mustard Seed, Fired Brick, Distress Stain Gathered Twigs
Card Stock - White, Black, Red
Other - Spritz Bottle, Non Stick Craft Sheet, Dimensionals, Sponge Dauber, Heat Tool

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 Wings and Things Challenge. Please add your link using the Link Tool below, 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, or backlinked will be removed. If you have the captcha enabled on your blog, please consider turning it off, as it makes it so much easier to leave comments.

Have a great weekend, stay warm!

It Only Takes a Moment

2012-01-12T09:48:00.001-06:00

Inspired by this weeks Mojo Monday Sketch, I created a card that would be perfect for a Valentine or Anniversary.

The sentiment is from Verses (RR1014-C), stamped in Black Archival on Confetti card stock then cut with Spellbinders Circle Dies. To create the flower I used clip art and the trace feature in the Silhouette Studio Software, then cut with the Silhouette Cameo from Pink card stock. I applied Ranger Rock Candy Distress Stickles to the Edges and added a Seam Binding Bow and Maya Road Trinket Pins.

Here's the cut file I created to use with the Silhouette Cameo

The bracket shape is from Silhouette Studio (7 labels), I simply ungrouped it from the other labels and cut it from Pink card stock.

Details:
Stamps - Verses Rubber Stamps (RR1014-C) Only A Moment
Ink - Ranger Black Archival
Card Stock - Pink, Black, Confetti
Other - Silhouette Cameo, Ranger Rock Candy Stickles, Glue Dots, Seam Binding, Maya Road Heart Trinket Pins, Basic Grey Pattern Paper, Spellbinders Circle Dies, Half Pearls, Custom Made Nested Flower Cut File, Silhouette 7 Labels File

Thanks for stopping by!

Champagne Celebration

2012-01-09T00:21:00.003-06:00

While creating for today's Kitchen Sink Stamps post, I pulled out a bunch of different Zva Creative Pearls and Crystal Flourishes and asked DH which ones he liked better, since I couldn't make up my mind. I had these beautiful Crystal Flourishes that I really liked, but they looked better using the backside of the Bo Bunny paper, and the Champagne Glasses looked better on this side, so I went with his pick, using the Pearl II Flourish.

To further embellish I added some Seam Binding I dyed with Rangers Spun Sugar Distress Ink, Maya Road Heart Trinket Pins and Zva Creative Pink Mini Transition Roses. I dabbed some Ranger Rock Candy Stickles onto the flowers and Champagne Glasses.

Details:
Stamps - Kitchen Sink Stamps Multi Step Champagne Celebration
Ink - Grey
Card Stock - White, Black, Pink Pirouette
Other - Rock Candy Stickles, Sponge Dauber, Glue Dots, Spellbinders Oval Dies, Big Shot, Zva Creative Pearl Flourish II, Zva Creative Pink Mini Transition Roses, Bo Bunny Pattern Paper, Maya Road Heart Trinket Pins, Ranger Spun Sugar Distress Stain, Heat Gun, Non Stick Craft Mat

Color Recipe:
Champagne Glass - #3 Grey, #2 Grey stamp off, #1 Grey Stamp off, #4 Grey

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, for more Kitchen Sink Stamps inspiration, be sure to visit the other Design Team Members

Connie • Julie • Lynn • Makiko • Maria

Have a creative week!

A Trio of Boxes and a Storage Solution

2012-01-08T15:05:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago SVG Cuts shared these wonderful One-Piece Boxes on Facebook, and I've finally had a chance to create with them. Not having a lot of 12 x 12 pattern paper on hand, I loved the fact that these are also sized for 12 x 6 Mats. On the boxes I created I used Bo Bunny pattern paper. The picture above is a close up of the Nested 3D Flower (Silhouette file) that was cut from card stock using the Silhouette Cameo. As with all flowers that I've created in the past with dies, I simply scrunched the petals between my thumb and index finger to give them some form, then stacked them on top of each other and inserted a Brad. To attach to the Box, rather than poking holes, I used Basic Grey Magnetic Snaps. To embellish I added some Dyed Seam Binding and a tag using a sentiment from Our Daily Bread Designs Simple Things stamp set.

Here's a picture of the Tall Box along with Boxes 3 and 4 from the One-Piece Box Collection

For the bottom box (#3), I added the Pink card stock trim and a flower blossom using Silhouette's Nesting Flower 4 cut from scraps of the Bo Bunny Paper. Again, with this flower I used a Basic Grey Magnetic Snap to attach the flower to the box. I tied both box 3 and 4 together with some dyed Seam Binding, then embellished the top box (#4), with a Butterfly die cut from scraps of the Bo Bunny paper using the ODBD Grunge Butterfly Die, and added some Zva Creative Crystal Flourishes.

Details:
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs Simple Things
Ink - Ranger Distress Ink Gathered Twigs, Ranger Coffee Archival
Card Stock - Stampin' Up! Pink Pirouette
Other - Bo Bunny Pattern Paper, Zva Creative Crystal Flourish, Seam Binding, Non Stick Craft Mat, Distress Stain Spun Sugar, Frayed Burlap, Brads, Glue Dots, Heat Gun, Scor-Tap, Silhouette Cameo, SVG Cuts One-Piece Box Templates, Silhouette Nesting Flower 4/Nested 3D Flower, SCAL3, Basic Grey Magnetic Snaps, Sponge Dauber, Long Window Punch

Now onto my studio reorganization...I'm working on cleaning and purging some things from my studio. Last month I purchased the new Tim Holtz Cargo and Trinket Storage Cases, I love these for organizing my stuff!

In the Trinket Case, I've put the Maya Road Trinket Pins in the top compartments. In the boxes under that I have some Tim Holtz Accoutrement Buttons, Alterable Wood Buttons, and miscellaneous embellishments from Tim Holtz and May Road. In the very bottom I've stored more of the bulkier Idea-ology Findings.

If you missed my post on the Cargo Case, here's the photo of my supplies. As Tim posted last week, there are a ton configurations for storing your supplies using both of these boxes.

Thanks for stopping by!

Be Good for Something - Mojo#222

2012-01-07T00:01:00.002-06:00

Inspired by this weeks Mojo Monday Sketch I set out earlier in the week to create my card, but my muse had other ideas, and I'm now finally getting around to finishing the card. I swear I must have pulled out every piece of pattern paper I own trying to decide how to use them along with the sketch. I finally settled on the wonderful papers from My Minds Eye Lost and Found Sunshine Collection.

The sentiment is from the Artistic Outpost Typography plate, stamped in Black Archival on My Minds Eye paper. To embellish I added a Butterfly cut from the MME papers using Cheery Lynn Designs Exotic Butterfly Die and some Zva Creative Flourishes in Topaz (CRS-02CB-105).

Details:
Stamps - Artistic Outpost Typography
Ink - Ranger Black Archival, Ranger Gathered Twigs Distress Ink
Card Stock - Black, Soft Sky
Other- Dimensionals, Sponge Dauber, Zva Creative Topaz Flourish, My Minds Eye Pattern Paper, Spellbinders Circle Die, Cheery Lynn Designs Exotic Butterfly Die, Big Shot, SAMJ

Thanks for stopping by!

Sweet Simple Things - Bloggers Challenge

2012-01-06T00:59:00.002-06:00

Happy Bloggers Challenge Friday! Thanks so much to those who played along with last weeks Celebration Challenge, it was wonderful to see what everyone created for the challenge. This week Kim sent me over a photo of her floral Kindle Cover, which is the inspiration for this weeks Color Challenge (Green/Black/Purple/Blue/Vanilla or White).

Instead of using pattern paper, I created my own background using the Dahlia from Our Daily Bread Designs, stamping the image in Amethyst, Bashful Blue and Rangers Black Archival.

The sketch was inspired by Let's Capture These Sketches #10, I moved my sentiment (ODBD Simple Things) to the center circle, stamping in Black Archival and sponging the edges in Amethyst. To embellish I added some Zva Creative Black Flourish Gems (CRS-02CB-106), some dyed Seam Binding and Zva Creative White Elegant Rose Buds (FLBK-03CB-145)

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 Color Challenge. Please add your link using the Link Tool below, 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, or backlinked will be removed. If you have the captcha enabled on your blog, please consider turning it off, as it makes it so much easier to leave comments.

Details:
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs Simple Things Dahlia
Ink - Stampin' Up! Bashful Blue, Amethyst, Ranger Black Archival
Card Stock - White, Gable Green, Amethyst, Black
Other - Spellbinders Circle Dies, Non Stick Craft Mat, Spritz Bottle, Sponge Dauber, Zva Creative Black Flourish Gems, Zva Creative Elegant White Rosebuds, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Big Shot, Heat Gun
Size - 5-1/4" x 5-1/4"

Have a great weekend!

Enter to Win a Silhouette Cameo

2012-01-04T20:01:00.001-06:00

Expressionsvinyl.com is giving away a Silhouette Cameo! Click the logo above, or click here and enter by January 24th for your chance to win! *see site for restrictions

Get Well Soon!

2012-01-02T00:15:00.002-06:00

Happy Kitchen Sink Stamps Monday, thanks for stopping by, I hope you had a wonderful weekend! I just love this sweet teddy bear from Kitchen Sink Stamps 3 Step Get Well Teddy Set, isn't he cute!

I paired up the teddy with some scrap pattern paper from K & Company, I just love the colors in this paper along with the White embossed flowers. Now if I could only use up more of my pattern paper stash before Winter CHA I'd be in good shape!

Details:
Stamps - Kitchen Sink Stamps 3 Step Get Well Teddy
Card Stock - Sage, White, Chocolate
Ink - Stampin' Up! Chocolate, Caramel, Cocoa, Ranger Coffee Archival
Other - Dimensionals, K & Company Pattern Paper

Color Recipe:
Teddy Bear - #2 Cocoa, #1 Caramel, #3 Chocolate, #4 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, for more Kitchen Sink Stamps inspiration, be sure to visit the other Design Team Members

Connie • Julie • Lynn • Makiko • Maria

Have a creative week!

Dream Lofty Dreams - CR84FN45

2011-12-31T22:55:00.002-06:00

It's time for another wonderful color challenge at the CR84FN Challenge Blog! We're so happy to have you play along with us in 2012! The colors for this TWO WEEK Challenge are Medium Blue, Orange and Yellow.

Isn't she sweet! I've had this image (B-Line Designs) and sentiment (Obsession Impression) stamped on a piece of watercolor paper and hanging on my inspiration board for quite sometime, I thought the sentiment was fitting to ring in 2012! To color the image I used STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor pencils, blending with Stumps and Gamsol.

A Look Back at 2011

2011-12-31T00:20:00.002-06:00

As I look back upon 2011, I'm so thankful for the wonderful creative opportunities that have blessed my life. I've been able to create for a number of fabulous companies, I've had my work published in various craft magazine and have made some wonderful friends along the way! I'm also thankful to you my blog readers who continue to stop by and support me with your encouraging comments, you truly inspire me to share my work!

I took a glance back through my blog to share some of my favorite projects I created this past year...

Wishing you all the best in 2012, have a safe and Happy New Year!

Bloggers Challenge - Celebrate Good Times!

2011-12-30T00:59:00.004-06:00

Happy Bloggers Challenge Friday! With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it was wonderful to see some entries in last weeks Ornamental Challenge! I haven't spent much time in my studio in the past week, as I ended up with the stomach flu twice, and haven't been able to muster up the energy to get creative, let alone be online. I'm hoping to get back in there this weekend and finish up some projects that I started.

This weeks Bloggers Challenge theme is Celebration (open for your interpretation). I opted to put on my party dress for this weeks challenge and kept it CAS. I paper pieced the dress with some Pink Paislee papers and adhered it to a Ranger Hanger, then to the embossed white panel.

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 Celebration Challenge. Please add your link using the Link Tool below, 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, or backlinked will be removed. If you have the captcha enabled on your blog, please consider turning it off, as it makes it so much easier to leave comments.

Wishing you all a creative 2012!

Simple Things {ODBDLYLS12} Scrapbook Challenge

2011-12-27T06:00:00.002-06:00

There's still time to play along with this months Our Daily Bread Designs Scrapbook Challenge! This month Patter is challenging you to create a layout of any size using ODBD stamps and the sketch below.

Here's my take on the sketch using an old photograph of my mom. I scanned the photo and printed it in Black and White and paired it up with the beautiful Bo Bunny Papers, some of ODBD's December releases and a few NEW stamps and dies from ODBD that will be released on January 1st!

Click to Enlarge

ODBD Products Used: Honeycomb Background, Little Things, Bo Bunny Designer Paper new products being released 1/1/12 - God's Love, Butterfly 2 Die, 2 Step Butterfly

I stamped a portion of the grunge butterfly from God's Love (January 2012 release) in Ranger Black Archival onto the Bo Bunny pattern paper. On the center panel I stamped the Honeycomb Background in Black, and added the sentiment from Little Things in Black on a scrap of Bo Bunny paper. The butterflies are from the 2 Step Butterfly (January 2012 release), die cut with the Butterfly 2 Die (January 2012 release), then added to the scrap page with dimensionals. To embellish I added some Zva Creative Black Flourish Gems (CR-03CA-107).

The ODBD Scrapbook Challenge runs through Saturday, December 31st, at 6 p.m. Eastern, click here for complete details!

Details: (8" x 8" page)
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs Honeycomb Background, Little Things, new products being released 1/1/12 - God's Love, Butterfly 2 Die, 2 Step Butterfly
Ink - Ranger Black Archival, Stampin' Up! Gray
Card Stock - Black
Other - Bo Bunny Pattern Paper, Zva Creative Flourish, Dimensionals, Ink Blending Tool, Big Shot

Thanks for stopping by!

KSS Monday - Sweet Little One

2011-12-26T22:05:00.003-06:00

Happy Kitchen Sink Stamps Monday, thanks for stopping by, I hope you had a Merry Christmas! I used this weeks Mojo Monday Sketch as inspiration for this sweet baby card.

All pattern papers are from Pink Paislee. I used images from Kitchen Sink Stamps Multi Step Baby, stamping the blocks in Pink and Browns, then added the text in Chocolate, and sponging the edges in Ranger Gathered Twigs Distress Ink. To embellish, I added a tag, Seam Binding, Button and Trinket Pins.

Details:

Stamps - Kitchen Sink Stamps 3 Step Baby
Ink - Stampin' Up! Pink Pirouette, Chocolate, Caramel, Ranger Distress Ink Gathered Twigs
Card Stock - White, Pink Pirouette, Suede
Other - Trinket Pins, Button, Glue Dots, Seam Binding, Pink Paislee Pattern Paper, Oval Punch, Sponge Dauber

Color Recipe:
Blocks - #3 Chocolate, #2 Pink Pirouette, #1 Caramel stamp off

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, for more Kitchen Sink Stamps inspiration, be sure to visit the other Design Team Members

Connie • Julie • Lynn • Makiko • Maria

Have a creative week!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T10:20:00.003-06:00

From our house to yours - we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Another Chance Sale - Fab prices!

2011-12-23T12:19:00.001-06:00

All available items that have been offered since Blitsy opened last month on Black Friday are now back in stock and on SALE until January 3rd! There's some fab crafty deals to be had at awesome prices!

You'll find products from Spellbinders, Ranger, Sizzix, Tim Holtz, Tattered Angels and more! Click here to see all that Blitsy offer!

Bloggers Challenge - Ornamental

2011-12-23T00:51:00.000-06:00

Happy Bloggers Challenge Friday! Sorry I haven't had a chance to make it around to check out all the linked in blogs from last weeks challenge, I'll be stopping by next week! This weeks challenge is Ornamental- the challenge is open for your interpretation.

I used an "ornamental" frame from Hobby Lobby that serves dual purpose as an ornament. The Santa image is from the Artistic Outpost Snowy Woods plate, stamped in Black Archival and colored with STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor Pencils and STAEDTLER Marsgraphic Duo Markers.

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 Ornamental Challenge. Please add your link using the Link Tool below, 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, or backlinked will be removed. If you have the captcha enabled on your blog, please consider turning it off, as it makes it so much easier to leave comments.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

Shimmer, Glimmer, Glitter and Glitz - SDC44

2011-12-22T00:23:00.000-06:00

It's time to make it shine! Val is the hostess for the current Stampotique Designers Challenge, and she's challenging you to break out your "Shimmer, Glimmer, Glitter and Glitz"! This will be the last SDC where you can use ANY stamp companies images. Starting in 2012, all challenges will be Stampotique Only Challenges.

My shimmer can be found on the embossed butterfly, I used various Metallic Dabbers in Silver, Copper and Gold. The Technique is called Shabby Tin and can be found in the December Technique Junkie Newsletter. I stamped the sentiment in Black Archival on Bo Bunny pattern paper, and embellished with dyed Seam binding, a button and Flourish Gems.

We'd love for you to play along with this weeks challenge, you have until December 27th at 5PM ET to enter for your chance to win a $30 Stampotique Gift Certificate. Click here for more details.

Details:
Stamps - Stampotique Originals Go Confidently
Ink - Ranger Black Archival
Card Stock - Black, Caramel
Other - Metallic Dabbers, Embossing Folders, Big Shot, Flourish Gems, Prima Distress Tool, Bo Bunny Pattern Paper, Seam Binding, Non Stick Craft Sheet, Antique Linen Distess Stain, Button, Hemp, Dimensionals

Magic Reindeer Food

2011-12-21T00:38:00.002-06:00

My boys happened to be home from taking their HS Finals when I was finishing up this project, and my oldest (almost 18) said, "mom, you forgot the glitter, you need to add sparkly stuff so the reindeer can find their way"! There's something still magical about Christmas!

This is my last post as a member of the eCraft Design Team, as I did not apply for another Design Team Term. I love using cut files in my creations, so I'll still be posting those and other projects I create using the eCraft here on my blog and on Facebook.

I used the eCraft to cut all the card stock for this quick and easy project, using my Test Tube Holder Template that Adela converted into an SVG file (click here). I printed the text on Bo Bunny Snowfall pattern paper, then used the Hinge Cut Method to cut the tag, and layered it onto tags cut from Chocolate and Marina Mist card stocks. To embellish the tag, I used the Reindeer Template, shrinking it to fit my tag.

Click here for downloadable directions and a supply list.

For added inspiration using eCraft, be sure to stop by the eCraft Blog to see what the other designers created this week. While your there, be sure to enter the Peachy Keen Stamps Giveaway!

Have a great day!

Let us be Grateful - Zva Creative Blog Hop

2011-12-19T08:00:00.092-06:00

Welcome to the Zva Creative December Blog Hop! If you arrived here from Tara's Blog, you are in the right place, if not you might want to start at Windy's Blog, so that you don't miss any of the designers beautiful creations! Hidden along the hop are FIVE Zva Creative prize packages, so it's important to leave a comment on as many blogs as you can along the way. Winners will be randomly chosen after the hop is over.

The verse (Verses Rubber Stamps QQ852-F) is stamped in Ranger Black Archival on a piece of Prima Printery pattern paper, then lightly sponged with Ranger Gathered Twigs Distress Ink. I used the eCraft to cut the circles from Black and Prima papers. To embellish my card I used Zva Creative Black Flourish Gems (CRS-02CB-102) and Taupe/Chocolate Gems (CRS-04CA-119), along with Zva Creative's Mini Rose in Cream (FLBK-03CB-111), Ginger (FLBK-03CB-108), and the Sweet Rose in Ginger (FLBK-03CB-140). I added a bit of Ranger Rock Candy Distress Stickles to the blossoms.

If you are looking to purchase Zva Creative products, you can find a list of stores and online retailers that sell Zva Creative products here.

To increase your chances of winning:

Leave a comment on this blog post
Leave a comment that you posted on your Facebook page about the hop (link to any of the blog hop posts)
Leave a comment that you "tweeted" about the hop (link to any of the blog hop posts)
Leave a comment that you asked your local store to carry Zva creative products. If they already do, that's fantastic, maybe you can suggest other products that they don't carry

You have FOUR chances on each blog to win one of our FIVE prizes! The Blog Hop runs through Midnight EST on Tuesday, December 20th.

Your next stop on the hop is Carole's Blog!

Our next hop will be on Monday, January 30th, be sure to check back on Wednesday to see if you are one of the lucky Zva Creative Prize Package winners! The winners will be announced on each winning blog, with a complete list posted on Windy's Blog.

Thanks for stopping by!

Details:
Stamps - Verses Rubber Stamps
Ink - Ranger Black Archival, Ranger Distress Stain Antique Linen
Card Stock - Black, Suede
Other - Dimensionals, Zva Creative Black Flourish, Zva Creative Taupe/Chocolate Flourish, Zva Creative Mini Rose Ginger/Cream, Zva Creative Sweet Rose Ginger, eCraft, Ink Blending Tool, Ranger Rock Candy Distress Stickles, Glue Dots, Prima Printery Pattern Paper, Seam Binding, Ranger Antique Linen Distress Stain, Heat Gun, Non Stick Craft Sheet

Peace, Joy and Happiness

2011-12-19T00:13:00.000-06:00

Happy Kitchen Sink Stamps Monday, thanks for stopping by, I hope you had a great weekend! We finally finished up our Christmas Shopping on Sunday and took the yearly picture of the boys, now if I can only get my cards finished and into the mail I'll be good!

I used Kitchen Sink Stamps 3 Step Poinsettia for the flower and sentiment, framing the image with the Out of the Box Technique. I had no intention of using the OOB Technique, but ended up getting ink smudges on the larger panel I was creating. I guess sometimes things work our for a reason, as I'm happy with the way this turned out. I paired the image with some wonderful Websters Pages pattern paper.

Details:
Stamps - Kitchen Sink Stamps 3 Step Poinsettia
Ink - Ranger Black Archival, Ranger Distress Ink Gathered Twigs, Stampin' Up! Cherry Cobbler, So Saffron, Burgundy, Garden Green, Hunter
Card Stock - Cherry Cobbler, Black, Vanilla
Other - Sponge Dauber, Dimensionals, Websters Pages Pattern Paper, SAMJ, Eclipse Tape

Color Recipe:
Poinsettia - #3 Cherry Cobbler stamp off, #2 Saffron, #1 Saffron stamp off, #4 Cherry Cobbler, #5 Ranger Black Archival
Leaves - #2 Garden Green, #1 Garden Green stamp off, #3 Hunter, #4 Ranger Black Archival

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, for more Kitchen Sink Stamps inspiration, be sure to visit the other Design Team Members

Connie • Julie • Lynn • Makiko • Maria

I'll be back later with my project for the Zva Creative Blog Hop!

Have a creative week!

Blessings for a Peaceful Christmas

2011-12-18T07:57:00.000-06:00

Yep....still working on those Christmas cards! I used the Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia along with the Punched Pearls Technique from the December Technique Junkie Newsletter to create my background on Basic Grey Pattern paper. The sentiment is from Our Daily Bread Designs Christmas Door set, stamped in Black Archival on Vanilla. To embellish I added Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia die cut from Burgundy and Kiwi Card stocks, I added a bit of Ranger Distress Stickles to the poinsettia and leaves.

For every $50 you spend on select stamp sets (see sale sets here) at Our Daily Bread Designs from now through December 24th 2011, you will receive a coupon code for $10 in Daily Dough Dollars, redeemable from January 1 - March 15, 2012. Simply use coupon code DOUGH at checkout, you'll also receive FREE SHIPPING on all orders placed during this sale!

Details:
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs Christmas Door
Ink - Ranger Black Archival
Card Stock - Black, Vanilla, Burgundy, Kiwi
Other - Big Shot, Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia Die, Gold Tulle, Brad Big Shot Rock Candy Stickles, Dimensionals, Viva Decor Pearl Pen

Thanks for stopping by!

Joyeux Noel

2011-12-17T14:00:00.000-06:00

I'm still feverishly working on getting my Christmas cards completed - I still need to take the yearly holiday photo of the boys so I can add it into a few of my cards, hopefully I'll get that finished up tomorrow!

I love the Chalked Emboss Technique from the current Technique Junkie Newsletter, it's a great way to use your Pastel Chalks. Here I've used the technique with STAEDTLER Soft Pastel Chalks and the Snowflake Texture Fades folder. To embellish I silver embossed the sentiment from the Artistic Outpost Snowy Woods plate, added some Tulle and Silver Snowflakes using Spellbinders Create a Flake Three dies.

Details:
Stamps - Artistic Outpost Snowy Woods
Ink - Versamark, Blue
Card Stock - Blue, Silver, Navy
Other - Glue Stick, Tulle, Silver Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Spellbinders Create a Flake Three, STAEDTLER Pastel Chalks, Brad, Big Shot, Snowflake Texture Fades Embossing Folder

Tim Holtz Cargo/Tinket Boxes - Great Deal at Blitsy

2011-12-16T14:39:00.002-06:00

Still looking for a gift for the crafter on your list! I'm always looking for storage solutions for my crafty products and just LOVE these boxes! Here's my Cargo box filled with supplies!

If your looking for fab prices on your crafting supplies - check out Blitsy , they have new sales every Monday/Wednesday/Friday and brought back the Cargo and Trinket Cases! Right now you can purchase the Cargo Box for $34.95 and the Trinket Box for $24.95, that's a fab deal considering they sell for $50 and $35! Click here to order for Blitsy and get your craft goodies at a great price!

Between the top two trays you can hold 40 Distress Inks, if you wanted to use the bottom for ink, it holds 40. So many ways to use the box for storage!

***product shown is not included with the boxes

Tie it Up - Bloggers Challenge

2011-12-16T10:03:00.001-06:00

Happy Bloggers Challenge Friday, sorry for the late post today! Thanks to those who played along with last weeks Frosty and Friends Challenge, I enjoyed stopping by your blogs to see your creations! This weeks challenge is Tie it Up, think packaging, or things that can be tied. I look forward to seeing your creations!

For my project I used the "tie it up" challenge to create this cute Apron Box to hold some homemade goodies, perfect to have on hand to give to the Mail Carrier/UPS guy, or just about anyone! That is if you can keep your family from eating the treats inside! To create my Apron Box, I used the Crafter's Apron Template, cutting the card stock and Bo Bunny Snowfall papers with the eCraft. To embellish I added Scor-Tape around the box, then pleated some Felt Ribbon. The image and sentiment are from Our Daily Bread Designs Baking Tag Set, the image is stamped in Coffee Archival on Vanilla then colored with STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor Pencils, blending with Gamsol.

What's in the Apron you ask? White Chocolate Oreo Balls and Peanut Butter Balls - YUM!

I make these in my food processor, easy peasy!

Recipe:
1 package of Oreo or Nutter Butter Cookies
1 - 8 oz. package of softened cream cheese
White Chocolate

Chop cookies in food processor, add cream cheese and mix. Roll into balls, place on wax paper. You can then either freeze them until firm, then roll in melted chocolate or drizzle it on. Or you can roll in balls then make a thumbprint in the center and pour in some White Chocolate. Store in the refrigerator, or in my house I hide them in the freezer! ENJOY!

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 Tie it Up Challenge. Please add your link using the Link Tool below, 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, or backlinked will be removed. If you have the captcha enabled on your blog, please consider turning it off, as it makes it so much easier to leave comments.

Details:
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs Baking Tag Set
Card Stock - Chocolate, Vanilla
Ink - Ranger Coffee Archival, STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor Pencils
Other - Spellbinders Circle/Oval Dies, Ribbon, Bo Bunny Snowfall Pattern Paper, Scor-Pal, Scor-Tape, Gamsol, Blending Stumps, Crafters Apron Template from Creations by AR, eCraft
Challenge - Our Daily Bread Designs - SNTIDBD49 Christmas Gift Giving

Have a great weekend!

12 Days of 3D Christmas - Day 6....Rosette Wreath

2011-12-13T00:22:00.009-06:00

I'm excited to be back as your hostess for Day 6 of 12 Days of 3D Christmas with creations created by the Creations by AR Design Team. Each day, one of the Designers will be sharing a 3D Christmas project on the Creations by AR Paper Craft Planet Group created with one or more of Adela's wonderful templates (templates are available as PDF's and also for cutting machines).

I love the adding Rosettes to my cards and projects, with Adela's new Accordion Rosette Set, creating these lovely blossoms is a breeze! This template is created to be scored at either 1/4" or 1/2" intervals, and works perfectly with the Scor-Pal, you've gotta love that! This template also includes a variety of flower centers.

I used the Accordion Rosette Set to create this beautiful wreath, cutting the images from Prima's Printery Paper Stack using the eCraft. I created a circle using SCAL for my wreath form, cutting from thin cardboard. Once my Rosette's were created, I hot glued the centers, then hot glued them to my wreath form. I swiped the Rosette's with Versamark then embossed with Tinsel Embossing Powder to add a bit of shimmer.

WANT TO WIN THE ACCORDION ROSETTE SET AND THE TAKE OUT PIZZA GIFT CARD TEMPLATES ? It's easy! Commenting on this post is welcome but does not enter you into the contest. To enter the contest, you'll need to leave a comment on the Creations by AR Paper Craft Planet Group before the next day's post is up to be eligible to win! TWO random visitors will win the Accordion Rosette Set Template and Take out Pizza Gift Card Templates! Be sure to check back on the PCP Group for Day 6 on December 14th, to see if you are one of the lucky winners!

Here is today's Creations by AR Deal of the Day.....

Details:
Card Stock - Black
Other - eCraft, Prima Printery Pattern Paper, Scor-Pal, Scor-Tape, Glue Gun, Heat Tool, Tinsel Embossing Powder
Template - Creations by AR Accordion Rosette Set, Non Stick Craft Sheet

Thanks so much for stopping by!

12 Tags of Christmas - Day 12....Let it Bling!

2011-12-12T12:07:00.000-06:00

Inspired by Tim's tag for Day 12, I set out yet again on a creative journey, and I have to say this is my favorite tag of those I've created for this years 12 Tags of Christmas! Lot's of improvising going on here, but it's all about being creative, right!

All stamps are from Artistic Outpost. I stamped the Script from French Flight on the Manilla tag, then created the Faux Silk piece by stamping the music from Ephemeral Backgrounds on Tissue paper, adhering it to the tag with 3L Adhesive sheets (gotta love these). I stamped the house from Whimsical Melange on a scrap piece of Bo Bunny Snowfall paper then added some Rock Candy Distress Stickles, Ranger Embossing Tinsel and Gala Glitz to bling it up a bit. The sweet kids are from Think and Wonder, stamped in Ranger Black Archival, colored with STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor Pencils and Marsgraphic Markers. I added some Butterfly Wings using Hot off the Press Silver Stickers, adhered them to the house then coated them in Ranger Distress Stickles.

The Flower is created with Tissue Tape, then embossed with Tinsel Embossing powder. To embellish the flower I added some flourishes using Spellbinders Floral Flourish die cut from Bo Bunny Snowfall paper, the leaves are die cut from Pink Paislee paper using Spellbinders Rose Creations Die. Distress Rock Candy Stickles was applied to all die cut pieces. The Snowflake is die cut using Spellbinders Create a Flake 3, then covered in Gala Glitz and Tinsel Embossing Powder.

Details:
Stamps - Artistic Outpost Think and Wonder, Ephemeral Backgrounds, French Flight, Whimsical Melange
Ink - Ranger Black Archival, Ranger Gathered Twigs Distress Ink, STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor Pencils, Marsgraphic Markers
Card Stock - Vanilla, Manilla Tag
Other - Heat Gun, Tulle, Rock Candy Distress Stickles, 3L Adhesive Sheets, Dimensionals, Gems, Distress Stain, Seam Binding, Non Stick Craft Sheet, Tissue Tape, Bo Bunny Snowfall Pattern Paper, Pink Paislee Pattern Paper, Websters Pages Center, Glue Dots, Gala Glitz, Tinsel Embossing Powder, Scor-Tape, Spellbinder Create a Flake 3/Floral Flourishes/Rose Creations Dies, Tinsel, Hot off the Press Stickers, Big Shot, Prima Distresser, HVAC Tape, ODBD Crochet Edge Die

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Reindeer Flight

2011-12-12T00:02:00.002-06:00

Happy Kitchen Sink Stamps Monday, thanks for stopping by, I hope you had a great weekend! It's hard to believe that there are less that two weeks until Christmas! How's your Christmas Shopping going? I managed to get some done over the weekend, but still not completely finished, I'm also hoping to get my cards finished and mailed this week.

I used this weeks Unscripted Sketch Challenge, using papers from the Bo Bunny Snowfall collection, adding the Reindeer from the KSS Year of Thanks II Set in Coffee Archival to a Rosette. To embellish I added some Zva Creative Flourish Pearls.

Details:
Stamps - Kitchen Sink Stamps
Ink - Ranger Coffee Archival
Card Stock - Chocolate, Vanilla, Marina Mist
Other - Zva Creative Pearls, Dimensionals, Spellbinders, Sponge Dauber, eCraft, Rosette Template from Creations by AR, Bo Bunny Snowfall Pattern Paper, Glue Dots

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, for more Kitchen Sink Stamps inspiration, be sure to visit the other Design Team Members

Connie • Julie • Lynn • Makiko • Maria

I'll be back later with my version of Tim's Tag for day 12! Have a creative week!

12 Tags of Christmas - Day 11...Sewn with Love

2011-12-11T22:05:00.000-06:00

Inspired by Tim's Tag for Day 11, it was time to improvise again! I rummaged through my steel ruled dies looking for something that I thought would be a decent size when shrunk, and after many attempts, went with the Sewing Room Die.

The tag background was created with the Spritz and Flick Technique using Distress Inks in Weathered Wood and Iced Spruce, edged with Gathered Twigs. I overstamped the Honeycomb Background from Our Daily Bread Designs in Antique Linen. The sentiment is from ODBD Sewn with Love stamped in Coffee Archival on Sticky Back Canvas. I die cut the French Pastry Die from Bo Bunny Snowfall pattern paper to add behind the shrunken Sewing die. To finish the tag, I added some Faux Stitching using a STAEDTLER Triplus Fineliner and Drywall tape.

Details:
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs Honeycomb Background, Sewn with Love
Ink - Ranger Distress Ink Weathered Wood, Iced Spruce, Gathered Twigs, Antique Linen, Ranger Coffee Archival, Alcohol Inks
Card Stock - Manilla Tag
Other - Needle, Thread, Glue Dots, Tulle, Melt Pot, UTEE, STAEDTLER Triplus Fineliner, Button, Ink Blending Tool, Non Stick Craft Sheet, Gold Pen, Sticky Back Canvas, Drywall Tape, Prima Distresser, Cheery Lynn French Pastry Die, Shrink Plastic, Bo Bunny Snowfall Pattern Paper, Sewing Room Die, Big Shot

12 Tags of Christmas - Day 10....May Your Christmas Be Merry

2011-12-10T20:54:00.001-06:00

Inspired by Tim's Tag for Day 10, but knowing that the Transfer Tape Technique and I do not work nicely together, I opted to go a different route with the Facet.

I dug through the garbage in my studio for the image of Old St. Nick that I tossed from one of this weeks tags that didn't go as planned, and recycled him for use with the Facet. The image is from the Artistic Outpost Snowy Woods plate, stamped in Black Archival on Vanilla card stock, colored with STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor Pencils and Gamsol, then cut out. I used HVAC Tape in place of the foil, and Tinsel embossed the edges of the Faucet. The sentiment is Gold Embossed on a scrap piece of My Minds Eye Lost and Found Christmas paper.

Details:
Stamps - Artistic Outpost Snowy Woods, Ephemeral Backgrounds
Ink - Versamark, Distress Ink Gathered Twigs, Distress Ink Festive Berries, Ranger Black Archival, STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor Pencils
Card Stock - Vanilla, Kraft
Other - Prima Distresser, Hobby Lobby Christmas Finds, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Glossy Accents, HVAC Tape, Twine, Brads, Facet, Seam Binding, Heat Gun, Tinsel Embossing Powder, Non Stick Craft Sheet, Verdigris Embossing Powder, Prima Bling, Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls Mist

Thanks for stopping by - I'll see you tomorrow for Tag 11!

12 Days of 3D Christmas - Day 3...Winter Trees

2011-12-10T00:16:00.000-06:00

I'm excited to be your hostess for Day 3 of 12 Days of 3D Christmas with creations created by the Creations by AR Design Team. Each day, one of the Designers will be sharing a 3D Christmas project on the Creations by AR Paper Craft Planet Group created with one or more of Adela's wonderful templates (templates are available as PDF's and also for cutting machines).

The projects I created all use the Winter Tree Set cut from Bo Bunny Snowfall pattern paper using the eCraft. I love these tree boxes, the flaps on the bottom open up so you could use them as gift boxes or treat boxes. The smallest sized one is the perfect size for an ornament! To embellish the ornament tree, I added Zva Creative Flourish Pearls, some Crinkled Seam Binding and a Maya Road Trinket Pin.

The trio of trees were embellished with Recollections Silver Gems, and Silver Garland (Hobby Lobby). For the larger tree I cut a Snowflake from Spellbinders Create a Flake 3 for the topper, the medium sized one has a Star Embellishment (Hobby Lobby) and the smallest one a Prima Bling Center.

WANT TO WIN THE WINTER TREE TEMPLATE?
It's easy! Commenting on this post is welcome but does not enter you into the contest. To enter the contest, you'll need to leave a comment on the Creations by AR Paper Craft Planet Group before the next day's post is up to be eligible to win! TWO random visitors will win the Winter Tree Template! Be sure to check back on the PCP Group for Day 3 on December 11th, to see if you are one of the lucky winners!

Here is today's Creations by AR Deal of the Day.....

Details:
Paper - Bo Bunny Snowfall
Card Stock - Vanilla
Other - eCraft, Scor-Pal, Scor-Tape, Spellbinders Create a Flake 3 Die, Big Shot, Zva Creative Flourish Pearls, Seam Binding, Gems
Template - Creations by AR Winter Trees, Gold Elastic Cording

Thanks for stopping by!

12 Tags of Christmas - Day 9....An Ornament this Time

2011-12-09T15:54:00.000-06:00

Inspired by the Rusty Enamel Technique Tim use for Tag 9, I again veered off the creative path and made a dimensional ornament instead.

The Ornament is from Our Daily Bread Designs Ornaments 2 set stamped in Evergreen Bough Distress Ink, clear embossed then die cut with Spellbinders 2011 Heirloom Ornament Die. I added Distress Ink in Festive Berries, clear embossed, then swiped the embossed ornament with Ranger Vintage Photo Distress Stain. I stamped and embossed five of the ornaments, then scored them down the center using the Scor-Pal. I adhered a piece of Scor-Tap to the center of one panel, then attached a piece of Gold Elastic Cording. To adhere all the ornament panels together I used 3L Scrapbook Adhesive Sheets.

Details:
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs Ornaments 2
Ink - Ranger Distress Ink Evergreen Bough, Festive Berries, Distress Stain Vintage Photo
Card Stock - Vanilla
Other - Big Shot, Clear Embossing Powder, Gold Elastic Cord, Non Stick Craft Sheet, Spellbinders 2011 Heirloom Ornament Die, Heat Gun, Seam Binding, Spritz Bottle

Frosty and Friends - Bloggers Challenge

2011-12-09T00:10:00.001-06:00

Happy Bloggers Challenge Friday! Thanks to those who played along with last weeks Anything but a Card Challenge, I enjoyed stopping by your blogs to see what you created! This weeks challenge is "Frosty and Friends".

I just love this vintage Frosty image from the Artistic Outpost Frosty and Friends plate, and he's just perfect for this weeks challenge theme! The image is stamped in Ranger Black Archival on Vanilla card stock and colored with STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor Crayons and an H20 Brush. All pattern papers are from My Minds Eye Lost and Found Christmas Collection.

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 Frosty and Friends Challenge. Please add your link using the Link Tool below, 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, or backlinked will be removed. If you have the captcha enabled on your blog, please consider turning it off, as it makes it so much easier to leave comments.

Details:
Stamps - Artistic Outpost Frosty and Friends
Ink - Ranger Black Archival, Ranger Distress Ink Gathered Twigs, STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor Crayons
Card Stock - Black, Cherry Cobbler
Other - Ink Blending Tool, Non Stick Craft Sheet, H20 Brush

12 Tags of Christmas - Day 8...Winter Wonderland

2011-12-08T09:53:00.000-06:00

Inspired by Tim's Resist Tag for Day 8, I again set out on my creative journey to go a different route, kinda a spin off of my tag from day 5. I had a Steampunk looking tag going, but opted to finish this one, I'm sure I'll come back to the other one later when I have a bit more time. Using the Resist Technique, I stamped the trees from Artistic Outpost's Sleigh Ride set in White Snowcap and heat set. To add the color to the tag, I smooshed lines of Iced Spruce, Evergreen Bough, Festive Berries and Crushed Olive onto my non stick craft sheet sprirtzed then smooshed the tag. Doing it this way allowed me to have more of a scenic looking background. The Post Card text is from the Ephemeral Background plate, the sweet children are from Think and Wonder. The children are stamped on Vanilla card stock in Coffee Archival then colored with STAEDTLER Marsgraphic Markers and Karat Aquarell Watercolor pencils. I roughed up the edges a bit to add some dimension then adhered them to the tag using 3L Adhesive Sheets.

I embellished the tag with some dyed Seam Binding and Christmas Findings from Hobby Lobby. I wanted the bells to have a bit of a rustic look, to do that I soaked them in a mixture of Cider Vinegar and Salt overnight, then rinsed them the next day and let dry. I had a bunch of these done up ahead of time in anticipation of using them on the tags, to add some sparkle, I embossed them with Tinsel Embossing Powder.

Details:
Stamps - Artistic Outpost Sleigh Ride, Ephemeral Backgrounds, Think and Wonder
Card Stock - Vanilla, Kraft, Manilla Tag
Ink - Ranger Coffee Archival, Ranger Distress Ink Walnut Stain, Festive Berries, Iced Spruce, Evergreen Bough, Crushed Olive, STAEDTLER Marsgraphic Duo Markers, Karat Aquarell Watercolor Pencils
Other - Prima Distress Tool, Ink Blending Tool, Seam Binding, Spritz Bottle, White Snow Cap Paint, Hobby Lobby Christmas Finds, Tinsel Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Glue Dots, 3L Adhesive Sheets

Thanks for stopping by!

Time to Celebrate

2011-12-08T00:12:00.002-06:00

I don't seem to create a lot of masculine cards, not sure why as I live with a house full of men! The December Technique Junkie Newsletter provided me with a good opportunity to create a masculine card using the Chalked Emboss Technique. What a great way to use chalks to create a stunning background! I used STAEDTLER Soft Pastel Chalks as my medium and the Clock Embossing Folder on Saffron card stock, then added the sentiment from Our Daily Bread Designs Time set. To embellish I added some Clock Gears, spinner game pieces and an Vintaj Jewelry Blank I embossed.

Details:
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs Time
Ink - Ranger Coffee Archival, Distress Stain Wild Honey
Card Stock - Saffron, Chocolate
Other - Glue Stick, STAEDTLER Soft Pastel Chalks, Non Stick Craft Mat, Gears, Spinner, Embossing Folder, Vintaj Jewelry Blank, Sanding Block, Dimensionals, Heat Gun, Seam Binding

Challenge entered: Simon Says Stamp and Show some Elements of Time

I'll be back later with Tag #8 - see you then!

12 Tags of Christmas - Day 7...From our House to Yours

2011-12-07T14:30:00.000-06:00

Inspired by Tim's Tag for Day 7, I set out on my creative journey, improvising along the way, here's what I came up with

For the base of my tag, I used Distress Inks in Antique Linen and Vintage Photos, but sprtized my Tag with Perfect Pearls Mist before smooshing into the non stick craft sheet. Once dry, I stamped the Honeycomb Background from Our Daily Bread Designs in Frayed Burlap (stamping off before I stamped onto the tag). I used the Glassine Paper for the Poinsettia, inking one sheet in Fired Brick Distress Ink, and the other in Forest Moss, crinkled, then highlighted with Vintage Photo Distress Ink and die cut with Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia Die. The die cuts looks a little plain, so I popped them into an embossing folder to add a bit more texture. Don't use the standard embossing stack when embossing the Glassine after it's been cut, or your die cut pieces will fall apart - trust me, lesson learned! Still wanting to give the die cut pieces a bit more pop, I edged with with a Gold Leaf pen. I added Gold Tulle and an antique crochet piece until the flower, then adhered to the tag using Glue Dot. To further embellish I added bits and pieces of Zva Creative Flourish Crystals, dyed Seam Binding and the sentiment from ODBD Christmas Door set.

Here's a close up of the Poinsettia

Details:
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs Christmas Door, Honeycomb
Card Stock - Kraft, Manilla Tag, Kraft Glassine Paper
Ink - Ranger Distress Ink Frayed Burlap, Vintage Photo, Antique Linen, Distress Stains - Fired Brick, Forest Moss, Vintage Photo, Alcohol Inks - Lettuce, Currant, Pearl Mixative
Other - Non Stick Craft Sheet, Gold Pen, Zva Creative Pearls, Prima Distress Tool, Spritz Bottle, Perfect Pearls, Seam Binding, Heat Tool, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Big Shot, Texture Fades Folder, Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia Die, Crochet Trim, Gold Tulle, Maya Road Trinket Pins, Seam Binding

Thanks for stopping by!

Baby Onesie Favor Box

2011-12-07T00:12:00.001-06:00

The eCraft Designers have been busy creating up a storm using products from Peachy Keen Stamps and Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L to create our December projects. This week, I'm sharing a Baby Onesie Favor Box, using the Baby Onesie Template cut from Confetti card stock using the eCraft and embossed with the CuttleBug Swiss Dots Folder, then sponged with Ranger Gathered Twigs Distress Inks. To embellish the Onesie, I used the Li'l Bear Card Template, cutting the pattern from Chocolate, Blue and Confetti card stocks, using the eCraft.

Click here for downloadable directions and a supply list.

For added inspiration using this weeks Challenge Theme, be sure to stop by the eCraft Blog to see what the other designers created this week.

Thanks for stopping by, I'll be back later with Tag #7!

12 Days of Christmas - Day 6...Hubby to the Rescue

2011-12-06T13:04:00.000-06:00

Inspired by Tim's Tag for Day 6, I set out on yet another creative venture to be ME! I'm enjoying this years tags much more than in previous years, as I'm taking more creative liberties with the tags and techniques. Today's tag is no different, I have fabulous metal from Ten Second Studios that I would have used, but of course it was in the wrong color, so I turned to Hubby's supplies and grabbed his HVAC Tape, works like a charm!

I adhered the HVAC Tape to a piece of card stock, then die cut with Spellbinders 2011 Heirloom Die and embossed with a Sizzix Texture Fades folder. The image and sentiment are both from the Artistic Outpost Sleigh Ride plate. Old St. Nick is stamped in Black Archival on Vanilla card stock and colored with STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor Pencils and Gamsol. I used 3L Adhesives sheet to adhere the colored piece to the ornament, then cut a Black layer to go under the ornament to help it pop. To embellish the tag and Ornamanet I used Zva Creative Flourishes and Gems, then added some Dyed Seam Binding, Pine Cones and Glittery Foliage.

Details:
Stamps - Artistic Outpost Snowy Woods
Ink - Ranger Black Archival, Distress Ink Gathered Twigs, Distress Ink Festive Berries (to dye seam binding), STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor Pencils
Card Stock - Black, Vanilla, Manilla Tag
Other - Basic Grey Jovial Pattern Paper, Silver Foliage, Ink Blending Tool, Non Stick Craft Mat, Seam Binding, HVAC Tape, 3L Adhesive, Zva Creative Flourishes/Gems, Pine Cone Bunch (Hobby Lobby), Blending Stumps, Spellbinders 2011 Heirloom Ornament Die, Big Shot, Texture Fades Embossing Folder

Thanks for stopping by!

12 Days of Tags - Day 5...Let's go on a Sleigh Ride

2011-12-05T09:36:00.001-06:00

Inspired by Tim's Tag for Day 5, we're going on a Sleigh Ride! Improvising yet again, as I could not get the technique to work for me. After three failed attempts I went a different route, and Tinsel embossed the Trees from the Artistic Outpost Sleigh Ride set. The sweet little kids are also from the Sleigh Ride set stamped in Black Archival on Vanilla card stock, colored with STAEDTLER Marsgraphic Markers, and Karat Aquarell Watercolor Pencils. A BIG Kuddos to those of you who fussy cut, as I almost lost parts of my sleigh while cutting. I attached the colored image and clear tag to my card stock using 3L Adhesive sheets.

Details:
Stamps - Artistic Outpost Sleigh Ride
Ink - Ranger Black Archival, Stone Wash Alcohol Ink, STAEDTLER Marsgraphic Markers, Karat Aquarell Watercolor Pencils, Peeled Paint Distress Stain
Card Stock - Clear, Manilla Tag, Olive, Black, Vanilla
Other - Ink Blending Tool, Blending Solution, Seam Binding, Pine Cones, Tinsel Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Non Stick Craft Sheet, 3L Adhesive Sheets, Gamsol, Blending Stumps, Xacto Knife

Thanks for stopping by!

Tis the Season to Bling!

2011-12-05T00:06:00.004-06:00

Happy Kitchen Sink Stamps Monday, thanks for stopping by, I hope you had a great weekend! How's your Christmas card creating going? I'm still feverishly working on mine, I'm not good at mass producing one design, so I've been creating a little of this and a little of that! My design is a loose interpretation of Bo Bunny's card Challenge Tuesday. Yes, I'm obsessed with the Snowfall pattern papers!

I love this cute little present from Kitchen Sink Stamps, not only is it perfect for Christmas cards, but it works wonderfully for birthday's too!

I pulled in the colors from the Snowfall paper to stamp the present, added the sentiment in Chocolate, then die cut the Spellbinders Create a Flake Three from scraps of Bo Bunny Snowfall paper. To finish I added some bits and pieces of Zva Creative Crystal Pearls. A fun and festive card!

Details:

Stamps - Kitchen Sink Stamps Multi Step Gift

Ink - Marina Mist, Brocade Blue, Cocoa, Chocolate

Card Stock - Vanilla, Chocolate, Marina Mist

Other - Zva Creative Crystal Pearls, Gems, Spellbinders Create a Flake Three, Big Shot, Sponge Dauber, Glue Dots

Color Recipe:

Gift - #1 Bordering Blue, #2 Marina Mist Stamp off, #3 Marina Mist, #4 Marina Mist

Ribbon - #1 Cocoa stamp off, #2 Cocoa, #3 Chocolate, #4 Chocolate

Connie • Julie • Lynn • Makiko • Maria

I'll be back later with my version of Tim's Tag for day 5! Have a creative week!

12 Tags of Christmas - Day 4...Let's Improvise some more!

2011-12-04T19:02:00.000-06:00

Inspired by Tim's tag for day 4, I had to improvise again, as I do not have all the fun goodies he used on hand! The good thing about my improvising was that I found my misplaced Umbrella Man and Old Jalopy embossing folders, while looking for other product in my studio to use on today's tag!

Click to Enlarge

I followed Tim's direction to create the lovely background, but before inking the tag, I spritzed the Distress Inks with some Perfect Pearls mist for added shimmer. I did add some flourishes using Our Daily Bread Designs Ornaments 2 (the flourish with the Christmas Tree), but you won't see it, as the Picket Fence Stain just seemed to absorb into my background. The Snowflakes are from ODBD's Peace and Joy stamped in Weathered Wood Distress Ink.

I cut the ornament from Grungepaper using Spellbinders 2011 Heirloom Ornament Die, then cut the small Reindeer from the center so I could follow Tim's steps. In place of music paper, I used a scrap of Bo Bunny Snowfall paper. Once my Glossy Accents finally dried, I felt the ornament was too plan, so I covered up the deer and Silver Embossed an ornament from ODBD's Ornament 2 set. I applied Scor-Tape to the edges of the tag and Ornament and added Gala Glitz for some added bling. In place of the Snowflake Edge, I used an On the Edge die, that was embossed with the Texture Fades Folder.

Details:
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs Ornaments 2, Peace and Joy
Ink - Ranger Distress Ink Weathered Wood, Iced Spruce, Distress Stain, Weathered Wood, Picket Fence, Frayed Burlap, Versamark
Card Stock - Manilla Tag
Other - Non Stick Craft Mat, Scor-Tap, Gala Glitz, Reindeer Die, Spellbinders 2011 Heirloom Ornament Die, Bazzil Buttons, Prima Bling, Seam Binding, Tulle, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Bo Bunny Snowfall Pattern Paper, On the Edge Die, Snowflake Texture Fades Folder, Silver Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Ink Blending Tool, Glossy Accents, Tinsel

Thanks for stopping by!

True Friends - CR84FN44

2011-12-03T22:55:00.001-06:00

It's time for another wonderful color challenge at the CR84FN Challenge Blog! With the busy holiday season now in full swing, this weeks color challenge will only be for ONE WEEK, using the colors of Light Pink, Coral and Aqua. We would like to thank those of who play along with the CR84FN Color Challenges, after the current challenge ends, Bi-weekly Challenge will start up again after New Years.

My mind is still wrapped up in creating with Christmas colors, so I had to put on my thinking cap, and rummage through my Pattern Paper bin to find something for this weeks colors. Luckily for me, I had this beautiful paper from K&Company that seemed to fit what I needed!

The Footprints in your Heart quote from Verses (QQ1130-E) stamped in Ranger Coffee Archival on Vanilla card stock. To embellish I added some Zva Creative Flourish Pearls, Zva Mini Pink Transition Roses, Dyed Seam Binding and a Trinket Pin.

12 Tags of Christmas - Day 3

2011-12-03T15:42:00.001-06:00

Inspired by Tim's Tag, but yet again not having supplies on hand I set out with my take on his tag. While I do have a lot of crafty Ranger products, I didn't have the Reinkers, stamps or matching embossing folder. So I did the next best thing, improvised with what I had on hand!

I cut a Kraft tag using SCAL and the eCraft for my base. The stamped image is from Our Daily Bread Designs Christmas Door set; to add color I used STAEDTLER Marsgraphic Markers, coloring directly on the rubber, then stamping onto the Kraft Tag. I love these dye based markers as they stay really wet, and allowed me to do second and third stamp generations which I'm saving for future projects! Once my tag was dry, I embossed with the Snowflake Texture Fades folder and swiped the snowflakes with Ranger Picket Fence Distress Stain. To embellish, I embossed my jingle bells with a mixture embossing powders (brown/Ranger Tinsel) and added the Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia Die. (Note this die is not currently listed on the ODBD website, but you can call to order.) I added a bit of Tinsel EP to the Poinsettia/Leaves to add some bling.

Details:
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs
Ink - Ranger Distress Ink Gathered Twigs, Festive Berries Distress Ink, Ranger Picket Fence Distress Stain, STAEDTLER Marsgraphic Markers
Card Stock - Karft, Red, Green
Other - Gathered Twigs Embossing Folder, Twine, Ribbon, Big Shot, eCraft, Gems, Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia Die, Brown EP, Ranger Tinsel EP, Prima Distress Tool, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

12 Tags of Christmas - Day 2....Let's Improvise

2011-12-02T17:11:00.000-06:00

Note to self....when you say "oh crap, I shouldn't have just done that", it's a little too late to go back and fix what you just did. Trust me, lesson learned!

On to Day 2...Inspired by Tim's tag, yet not having the tools I needed, I set out to improvise, and things were going rather well, until I picked up that bottle of White Picket Fence Distress Stain. I should have left well enough along. You are going to have to trust me on this one, this tag looks better IRL.

Not having Kraft Resist Papers, I set out to create my own background. I stamped the Christmas Tree Collage from Our Daily Bread Designs in Ranger Black Archival on a piece of Bo Bunny Snowfall pattern paper. Then colored the tree with STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor Pencils and Gamsol. That's where I should have stopped, but I didn't until after the first swipe of the Picket Fence Distress Stain, too late, it already started to blend with my beautifully colored tree. No time to move on, I'll fall even further behind! My accent trim was cut from Bo Bunny Snowfall pattern paper using the Vintage Border Die from ODBD. To accent I added the cute little Reindeer cut from Bo Bunny papers, and wrapped some Silver Garland around his neck.

Details:
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs
Ink - Ranger Black Archival, Ranger Distress Ink Gathered Twigs, STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor Pencils
Card Stock - Tag
Other - Bo Bunny Snowfall Pattern Paper, Seam Binding, Spritz Bottle, Perfect Pearls Mist, Garland, Gems, Bells, Big Shot, Prima Distress Tool, Reindeer Die, Dimensionals, Glossy Accents, Gamsol, Blending Stumps, ODBD Vintage Border Die, Non Stick Craft Mat

3D Gift Card Box - Bloggers Challenge

2011-12-02T01:02:00.002-06:00

Happy Bloggers Challenge Friday! Thanks so much to those who played along with last weeks Color My World Challenge, I always love to see what other crafters favorite colors are! This weeks challenge is Anything But a Card, I'm looking forward to seeing your creations!

I'll be giving quite a few gift cards to the older nieces and nephews this year for Christmas, and found the perfect way to give them this year! I used the 3D Gift Card Box directions from the Technique Junkie Newsletter 3D and Fancy Folds CD (ordering information below) to create my beautiful gift box holder!

I did add an additional layer of card stock under my pattern paper, but other than that, I followed the directions on the CD. The beautiful papers are from the Bo Bunny Snowfall Collection. To embellish the outside of the box, I added the cute little Reindeer cut from scraps of the Bo Bunny paper, adding dyed seam binding left over from yesterday's tag, some Gold Tulle and a Rosette also cut from the Snowfall Paper. The Rosette is a sneak peek of a new template coming soon to Creations by AR!

On the Gift Card panel, I stamped the house from Our Daily Bread Designs Christmas Door set in Caramel, then added the sentiment from this same set in Ranger Iced Spruce Distress Ink. The sentiment on the outside of the box is from ODBD Ornaments 2 set.

Still looking for a stocking stuffer for the crafter in your life, or just want to try some of these Fun Folds - click below to order your CD!

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 Anything but a Card Challenge. Please add your link using the Link Tool below, 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, or backlinked will be removed. If you have the captcha enabled on your blog, please consider turning it off, as it makes it so much easier to leave comments.

Details:
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs Christmas Door, Ornaments 2
Ink - Ranger Distress Ink Iced Spruce, Distress Ink Gathered Twigs, Stampin' Up! Caramel
Card Stock - Chocolate, Vanilla
Other - Bo Bunny Snowfall Pattern Paper, Glue Dots, Oval Punch, Circle Punch, eCraft, Gold Tulle, Reindeer Die, Big Shot, Silver Gem, Ink Blending Tool, Scor-Pal, Scor-Tape, Creations by AR Rosette Template

Have a great weekend

12 Tags of Christmas - Tag 1

2011-12-01T20:37:00.001-06:00

whew.....2 hours later and it looks like my studio threw up! Seriously, there's card stock glitter and scraps of stuff everywhere! I don't think I've ever torn apart something I put together so many times, who knew hot glue would actually lift up so nicely!

Inspired by Tim's tag for day 1, here's my take, I think I'm going to use these on my gifts this year, or just hang them on my tree as ornaments.

I cut the tag, flourishes, and Joy from Core'dinations card stock, using the eCraft. I welded the word "Joy" using SCAL software, once cut, I covered it with Stickles and Dazzling Diamonds and let dry. I followed Tim's directions for the Tag background - just love the addition of the White EP over the embossed snowflakes. For my banner, I used the center piece from the Ornament Box Set, cutting a old piece of music sheet using the eCraft, then crumpled and inked to age it a bit. The pinecones took me the longest, even though I've made them before. I gave up on the Tim's toothpick method and just rolled and glued, and was happy with the way it came out. Once I got them shaped to my liking, I inked with Versamark, then embossed with Tinsel Embossing powder. The vintage snowman is from the Artistic Outpost Frosty and Friends plate, stamped in Coffee Archival on Vanilla, then colored with STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor Pencils and Gamsol.

Details:
Stamps - Artistic Outpost
Ink - Ranger Coffee Archival, Distress Ink Gathered Twigs, Iced Spruce, STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor Pencils
Card Stock - Core'dinations, Vanilla, Chocolate, Olive
Other - Tattered Pinecone Die, eCraft, Hot Glue, Tinsel Embossing Powder, Prima Distresser, Seam Binding, Non Stick Craft Mat, Spritz Bottle, Heat Gun, Dimensionals, Music Sheet, Stickles, Dazzling Diamonds, SCAL software, Gamsol

Off to clean up the studio, so I'll be ready for Day 2!

PS - the winner of the Crafter's Apron Template from the Creations by AR DT Blog Hop is.....

Vee said...

Hi Lisa Ab-Fab designs as always love your work Hugs Vee x

November 29, 2011 8:02 AM

Congrats Vee - please email me with your information!

Baby's 1st Christmas Ornament

2011-11-30T07:21:00.002-06:00

Where has the time gone! Christmas will be here before you know it! This month the eCraft Design Team is being sponsored by Peachy Keen Stamps and Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L; our challenge for the week is to create something Christmas Themed with the images we received from Peachy Keen Stamps. The images I received were the Teddy Bear and Reindeer Face Parts. I thought these images would look cute paired up with the Li'l Bear Card Template from Creations by AR, to create a Baby's 1st Christmas Ornament.

All images were cut from card stock/pattern paper using the eCraft. I did have to shrink down the Li'l Bear Template to about 2" x 1-1/2" (assembled size) to work with the Teddy Bear Face images. I used the Ornament Basics Template (original size) cut from Chocolate for my Ornament, then shrunk the pattern and cut the Ornament from Basic Grey pattern paper. The Ornament Topper is from the Ornament Box Set (Large Template - original size) cut from Silver card stock and embossed with the Distressed Stripes Embossing Folder. I found it best to cut the words from vinyl, with them being so small (1/4" tall) it was much easier to adhere them to my project since they were already sticky.

Click here for downloadable directions and a supply list.

For added inspiration using this weeks Challenge Theme, be sure to stop by the eCraft Blog to see what the other designers created this week.

Thanks for stopping by!

PS - thanks to all of you who stopped by and left comments on my Zva Creative Blog Hop project! Zva Creative would like to congratulate the FIVE November Zva Blog Hop winners! Winners names can be found on the following blogs: Susan Lui * Andrea Ewen * Lisa Somerville (that's me) *Karen Shady *Tara Orr

One winner from each of the 5 blogs will receive a Zva prize package worth $30.00. Congrats to the winners!

whoo hooo - the winner randomly selected from my blog is....

Suzanne C said...

Beautiful! Lovely Sentiment and the design is gorgeous.

Please email me with your shipping information to claim your Zva Prize package!

Sweet Simple Things of Life - {ODBDLYLS11} Scrapbook Challenge

2011-11-29T07:00:00.000-06:00

The November Scrapbook Challenge at Our Daily Bread Designs is to create a layout of any size using Our Daily Bread Designs Stamps and a photo as inspiration for the colors on your layout. When I was visiting with my mom in October, I took home some older family photos, and thought this picture of my grandparents would be perfect for this months challenge. I scanned the photo and printed it on my printer, once dry, I gave the flowers a pop of color using STAEDTLER Lumocolor Permanent Markers.

I randomly stamped the Dahlia in Ranger Coffee Archival on the Prima Pattern Paper, coloring with STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor Pencils, blending with Gamsol, then added a few bees from ODBD Simple Things set (being released December 1st). The Honeycomb Background and Quote are also new release sets available from ODBD on December 1st. To embellish my page, I added the Cheery Lynn Designs Victorian Romance Flourish cut from Chocolate card stock, Seam Binding, Zva Creative Pearls/Flowers and a Maya Road Trinket Pin.

Here's the inspiration photo

You have until Wednesday, November 30th, at 6 p.m. EST to play along with the November Scrapbook Challenge. ODBD will select a winner from ALL of the November scrapbook challenge entries for a $20 gift certificate to the ODBD Store! Click here for more details. The winner will be announced with our new challenge that will begin Tuesday, December 6th.

Details:
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs - Dahlia, Honeycomb Background, Simple Things
Card Stock - Chocolate
Ink - Ranger Coffee Archival, Ranger Distress Ink Gather Twigs, STAEDTLER Lumocolor Permanent Marker, STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Watercolor Pencils
Other - Zva Creative Pearls/Flower, Cheery Lynn Designs Die, Seam Binding, Spellbinders Edgeabilities Die, 3L Dimensionals, Ink Blending Tool, Gamsol, Maya Road Trinket Pin, Prima Pattern Paper

Finished Size - 8" x 8"

Have a great day!

Gift Giving - Creations by AR New Release Blog Hop

2011-11-29T02:00:00.096-06:00

Welcome to the Creations by AR Design Team Blog Hop! If you're looking for fab packaging ideas for Christmas your in luck, Adela has some wonderful new templates and an Ornament Cut File available for use with Cutting Machines and also as PDF files!

Each of the Designers will be giving away the new Crafter's Apron Template, so you'll have plenty of chances to win! To participate and be eligible to win, simply leave a comment on this post, by November 30th, then check back on December 1st to see if you've won! Don't forget to hop over to the other DT members Blogs and comment for multiple chances to win!

My projects feature the new Ornament Box Set and Crafter's Apron, both projects are created with Bo Bunny Snowfall pattern paper. The Ornament Box Set comes in two different sizes, here I've used the larger sized box, which is fits 6 cards and envies wonderfully!

I added the center band panel to the box, and embellished with some Gold Tulle and Tree Findings from Hobby Lobby.

The Crafter's Apron is only limited to your imagination! Use it as a container for your Holiday Cookie/Candy Exchange, or use the optional template that holds Test Tubes for a fun way to give Cookie Mix/Sprinkles or your favorite cocoa mix! To embellish my box, I added a Rosette created with the Scor-Pal and Bo Bunny pattern paper, the small Reindeer, Tulle and the sentiment from Our Daily Bread Designs Christmas Door Set.

Details:
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs
Ink - Ranger Coffee Archival, Ranger Distress Ink Gathered Twigs
Card Stock - Chocolate, Blue
Other - eCraft, Tree Trimmings (Hobby Lobby), Gold Tulle, Glue Dots, Scor-Pal, Scor-Tape, Bo Bunny Snowfall Pattern Paper, Small Reindeer Die, Ribbon, Cello Bag, Embossing Folder, Creations by AR Ornament Box Set Template/Crafter's Apron Template

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

Adela Rossol * Amy Park * Julia Moss * Mandy Gill * Maria Bell * Sue Kment

Thanks for stopping by!

Enjoy the Little Things - Zva Creative Blog Hop

2011-11-28T08:00:00.044-06:00

Welcome to the Zva Creative November Blog Hop! If you arrived here from Carole's Blog, you are in the right place, if not you might want to start at Windy's Blog, so that you don't miss any of the designers beautiful creations! With this being the first hop with the new Design Team, there are FIVE hidden Zva Creative prize packages along the hop. Winners will be randomly chosen after the hop is over, so it's important to leave a comment on as many blogs as you can along the way.

Zva Creative offers many beautiful color groupings of pearls, flowers and crystals, for this hop each designer was given a specific color combination to use when creating their project. My colors for the hop are Purple (Grape and/or Lavender) & Clear Crystal.

To create my card, I used some pattern paper from Bo Bunny and a quote from Our Daily Bread Designs new December Release (available December 1st) called Little Things. I love using bits and pieces from various Zva Creative products, to create the flourish on this card I used pieces from the Double Flourishes Crystal [CR-03CA-116] and Lovely -Lavender/Grape Crystal [CR-04CB-119], and embellished the flourish with a Seam Binding Bow, Trinket Pin and Roses (Elegant Rose Buds/ Mini Transition Rose) from Zva Creative.

Details:
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs
Ink - Ranger Black Archival
Card Stock - Black, Vanilla, Orchid
Other - Spellbinders Circle Dies, Big Shot, Zva Creative Elegant Rose Buds White (FLBK-03CB-145)/ Lavender (FLBK-03CB-150), Mini Rose - Lavender Transition (FLBK-03CB-121), Double Flourishes Crystal (CR0-03CA-116), Lovely Lavender/Grape Crystal (CR-04CB-119), Trinket Pin, Seam Binding, Glue Dots

If you are looking to purchase Zva Creative products, you can find a list of stores and online retailers that sell Zva Creative products here.

To increase your chances of winning:

Leave a comment on this blog post
Leave a comment that you posted on your Facebook page about the hop (link to any of the blog hop posts)
Leave a comment that you "tweeted" about the hop (link to any of the blog hop posts)
Leave a comment that you asked your local store to carry Zva creative products. If they already do, that's fantastic, maybe you can suggest other products that they don't carry

You have FOUR chances on each blog to win one of our FIVE prizes! The Blog Hop runs through Midnight EST on Tuesday, November 29th.

Your next stop on the hop is Tara's Blog! Our next hop will be on Monday, December 19th, be sure to check back on Wednesday to see if you are one of the lucky Zva Creative Prize Package winners!

Thanks for stopping by!

You Melt my Heart

2011-11-28T00:26:00.001-06:00

Happy Kitchen Sink Stamps Monday, thanks for stopping by, I hope you had a great weekend! It's time to kick things into high great and get some more Christmas creations done! For today's card I used the Multi Step Invisible Snowman, along with some Bo Bunny Snowfall pattern paper.

I stamped the hat first, masked the image and added the scarf and other elements of the snowman, then added the sentiment as shown.

Details:
Stamps - Kitchen Sink Stamps Multi Step Invisible Snowman
Ink - Chocolate, Caramel, Cocoa, Brocade Blue, Pumpkin
Card Stock - Vanilla, Chocolate, Brocade Blue
Other - Sponge Dauber, Eclipse Tape, Bo Bunny Snowfall Pattern Paper

Color Recipe:
Hat - #2 Caramel, #3 Cocoa, #4 Chocolate add band color with marker
Nose - #2 Pumpkin stamp off, #3 Pumpkin
Pipe - #2 Cocoa, #3 Chocolate
Scarf - #2 Brocade Blue, #1 Caramel
Buttons/Eyes/Mouth - Chocolate
Heart - Brocade Blue

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, for more Kitchen Sink Stamps inspiration, be sure to visit the other Design Team Members

Connie • Julie • Lynn • Makiko • Maria

Have a creative week!

Santa Ornament

2011-11-26T13:27:00.000-06:00

When I find cute little frames, I tend to buy them up and put them away for the following Christmas. I bought this Photo Frame last year at Hobby Lobby and recently altered it with one of the images from Artistic Outpost's Snowy Woods plate. How to details can be found in the December issue of Crafts 'n Things.

From now through November 30th, you'll get rewarded when you shop at Artistic Outpost! For every $25 you spend, Artistic Outpost will send you a special gift code for $5 (GC must be used by March of 2012). Better yet! These gift codes stack! If you spend $50 you will get a $10 certificate, spend $100 get a $20 certificate! Remember, in the US you get free shipping when your order totals $50 ($250 internationally).

Color My World - Bloggers Challenge

2011-11-25T00:11:00.001-06:00

Happy ~~Black Friday~~ Bloggers Challenge Friday! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Thanks to those who played along with last weeks "For the Boys Challenge", I haven't made it around to everyone's entry yet, but I'll be by this weekend! This weeks Challenge is Color My World (use your Favorite Colors). I have to admit, with this being a short holiday week, I'm gonna cheat a bit. I don't really have any ONE favorite or go to set of colors that I use frequently (unless you count the Black layers I love to use), but I do have to say I'm in love with the colors from the new Bo Bunny Snowfall papers! I'm gonna double up the BC with this weeks Stampotique Challenge, don' you just love my holiday dress!

I stamped the Dress on a piece of Bo Bunny Snowfall paper, then attached it to the hanger with Glue Dots and adhered to the paper with Dimensionals. The sentiment is stamped on scraps, adhered to Chocoalte card stock then the base card with dimensionals.

Details:
Stamps - Stampotique
Ink - Ranger Coffee Archival, Ranger Distress Ink Gathered Twigs
Card Stock -Caramel, Chocolate
Other - Bo Bunny Snowfall Pattern Paper, Hanger, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Ink Blending Tool, Texture Fades Embossing Folder, Big Shot

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 Color My World Challenge. Please add your link using the Link Tool below, 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, or backlinked will be removed. If you have the captcha enabled on your blog, please consider turning it off, as it makes it so much easier to leave comments.

Have a great weekend!

Happy Turkey Day!

2011-11-24T07:01:00.006-06:00

I'd like to wish all my family, friends and blog readers a Happy Turkey Day! I'm grateful for those of you who stop by with your words of encouragement; my family for their continued love and support; my friends for just being you, and the wonderful companies and designers I have the opportunity to work with! May your day be filled with family, love and friends!

Here's a virtual card from me to you!

The beautiful cornucopia stamp is from Our Daily Bread Designs Give Thanks set. Stamped in Black Archival on Vanilla card stock and colored with STAEDTLER Kara Aquarell Watercolor Pencils and Gamsol, after coloring I added a few highlights with STAEDTLER's Triplus Fineliners. The edges are sponged with Ranger Gathered Twigs Distress Ink, to add some dimension, I used a Stylus to puff out the images, then matted on My Minds Eye Sunshine Pattern Paper.

Details:
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs Give Thanks
Ink - Ranger Black Archival, Ranger Distress Ink Gathered Twigs, Ranger Distress Stain Antique Linen, STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell Pencils, STAEDTLER Triplus Fineliner
Card Stock - Vanilla, Chocolate, Mustard
Other - Stylus, 3L Dimensionals, Button, Glue Dots, Seam Binding, Ink Blending Tool, Heat Gun, Maya Road Trinket Pin, My Minds Eye Pattern Paper, Non Stick Craft Sheet, Gamsol, Nibs

Our Daily Bread Designs is having 10% off sale and FREE shipping (free shipping is on US orders only, International orders will receive $5.00 discount on shipping) through Sunday, November 27th (12AM EST). Use code thanks2011 at checkout. You also have a chance to win 1 of 4 ODBD $20 Gift Certificates, see the ODBD Blog for more details!

Gobble!!!! Gobble!!!

Patchwork Stitched Stocking

2011-11-23T00:18:00.002-06:00

Sorry Mr. Turkey, but I still have a lot of Christmas projects left on my create list, so please bear with me while I share another holiday project, I'll have a Thanksgiving project to share tomorrow!

Like many of you, I've dabbled in a little bit of everything when it comes to crafting! Many years ago, I made patchwork Christmas Tree Skirts and Pillows for gifts, I told DH when I was working on this weeks project, I sure which I had an eCraft back then! It sure would have saved me a lot of time! This week, myself and the other members of the eCraft Design Team were challenged to create a 3D Christmas project using stamps from Pink by Design and the eCraft. So I dug out that now "vintage" material I saved for a rainy day, and created a Patchwork Stocking Ornament.

The stocking pattern is from eCraft, I did alter the pattern a bit, by removing some of the "nodes" (see downloading directions for the how-to). This enabled the cutting to go a bit faster. I applied Heat and Bond to all my fabric pieces before cutting, this made working on the patchwork a bit easier. To embellish, I added some Zva Creative Pearls, Pine Cones from Hobby Lobby, and the stamped tag using one of the Christmas Sentiments from Pink by Design. Click here for downloadable directions and a supply list.

For added inspiration using this weeks Challenge Theme, be sure to stop by the eCraft Blog to see what the other designers created this week.

Thanks for stopping by!

Live your Beliefs

2011-11-22T09:35:00.001-06:00

The new French Flight images from Artistic Outpost make wonderful masculine cards! Lots of cool steampunk images in this set that also coordinate wonderfully with other Artistic Outpost plates.

I randomly stamped image images from the Artistic Outpost French Flight and Whimsical Melange sets in Ranger Black Archival on a piece of Graphic 45 pattern paper. The focal image is from the French Flight set stamped in Ranger Black Archival on a piece of Bo Bunny pattern paper, then I overstamped the script in Ranger Gathered Twigs Distress Ink. The sentiment is from the Artistic Outpost Typography set, stamped on scraps of Bo Bunny paper.

Details:
Stamps - Artistic Outpost French Flight, Typography, Whimsical Melange
Ink - Ranger Black Archival, Ranger Distress Ink Gathered Twigs
Card Stock - Black, Vanilla
Other - Bo Bunny Pattern Paper, Graphic 45 Pattern Paper, Ink Blending Tool,

Eat Ham!

2011-11-21T00:08:00.001-06:00

If Tom the Turkey could talk, I'm sure that's what he'd say! I had planned on sharing another Christmas card with you today, but DH and our oldest told me I need to let Turkey have it's day!

This card was all about Tom strutting his stuff! I used the CAS-ual Friday Sketch, and stuck to the CAS look....yes I really wanted to add embossing and lots of sponged edges, but I resisted!

Details:
Stamps - Kitchen Sink Stamps 3 Step Turkey Trot
Ink - Chocolate, Pumpkin, Saffron
Card Stock - Vanilla, Chocolate

Color Recipe
Turkey - #2 Pumpkin, #3 Chocolate, #1 Saffron

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, for more Kitchen Sink Stamps inspiration, be sure to visit the other Design Team Members

Connie • Julie • Lynn • Makiko • Maria

Have a creative week!