Another Squirrel

Since I had taken out a variety of things to complete our current Squirrely Challenge, I decided to make another card.

My photo ended up crooked, but you can see the card. I really love the clock embossing folder - maybe I should use it more often!

We wish you....

I finally finished my Christmas cards. It was rough going as I just had no idea what I wanted to do. Since getting into the Holiday spirit has been difficult, I decided to go very simple this year. So, I used some pre-cut card kits (leftovers from Club Scrap kits) and stamps from Close to My Heart:

The nesting dies are by Stampin' Up! Not one of my more spectacular efforts, but at least they are done!

So, I am almost done with the using the lovely London Market collection from Pink Paislee (and my Simon Says Stamp kit). It made me be a bit sad - so I did order additional 12 x 12 papers (blush!) I loved the collage feel of one of the patterns. I thought it would be fun to add to the collage with stamps and a bit of color:

I stamped the frame (Stampin' Up) and cut it out. I also cut out the inside so that the pattern of the paper could show through. I added a bit of color with the flowers and bird. Do not be afraid to add to a background paper - especially one with an understated design. A fun addition, the border is actually from a different patterned paper. I just cut off the edge!
If you are new to collage, this is an excellent way to get started -  just add a few elements to a collage paper.

Squirrely Challenge

This time our Squirrely Challenge is Colorful Silhouettes. it is from the August 2011 Technique Junkies Newsletter. After white embossing a panel, I added several blue tones of Distress Inks. The bird from Impression Obsession was back embossed. The result:

I repeated the white embossed Stampin' Up background on the white card base.The label was stamped and punched, with color added from Distress inks. I used a Ranger nib dipped onto the ink pad to color the label.
For links to other Squirrely Girls, visit Nancy's blog.

More Paper Play

I used the same Pink Paislee line as yesterday's card. Parts of the paper were a bit on the busy side, so I cut the main body out of the center of a 12 x 12 sheet of patterned paper. The pink swirls and flowers along the top were from another part of the same 12 x 12 sheet of paper. I cut them out and added them. I used the Stampin' Up butterfly embosslit for the small butterflies (and a bit of acrylic paint).
Remember, you can use any part of a 12 x 12 design and re-arrange it as you see fit. You just have to cut it (and I know sometimes that is NOT easy!)

Paper Play

I have fallen in love with patterned paper. Yes, it has been around for many years - and I had a lot at one time. It was mostly 8 1/2 x 11, and pretty basic. So, I stopped buying it and starting making my own with rubber stamps and inks. Then, I could customize each page as needed.
Jump ahead: there are so many wonderful themes and collections available. I resisted for a while - mainly purchasing (and hoarding) Basic Grey. Then, came all the Graphic 45 collections....sigh. So, I have not only embraced patterned paper, and bought patterned paper, I have been using patterned paper. The above card is all Pink Paislee except for the stamped message. I cut (and die cut) portions of a 12 x 12 sheet - making a pretty little card.

Squirrely Challenge

The current Squirrely Challenge from Nancy is from the latest Technique Junkies Newsletter. The technique she chose is cascading images:

I chose one of the images as a starting point, masking and stamping the other images. I made this second card as a sample for my upcoming Stencils class:

The little square opens to a little image of a flower and mini butterfly. You can find more examples of this technique at Squirrely Art.

Brushless Watercolor

Club Scrap's Pro Scrapbooking League, winter edition, has been going on these past 6 weeks. Today is (thankfully) the last day. You can tell when I am participating - that is when you will see the few scrapbook pages I post (or parts of pages). I am so glad this will be over for many reasons. But this week we had to follow any of 6 posted sketches...for a week...so, yes I am done. 

Today, I made cards using Ranger's (and Tim's) Brushless Watercolor technique. I originally remember using this technique several year ago with Adirondak Ink pads. This time, I used 3 colors of Distress Ink (Rusty Hinge, Honey, and Forest Moss) on a Club Scrap stamp:

After inking the stamp, you spritz it with water and then stamp. The results are slightly different every time. Since Distress was formulated to react with water, it blends much easier than the Adirondak Inks. 

Sticker Play

On Tuesday's Tips, I posted some ideas for using stickers on cards and layouts - mainly for cards. One of the ideas was to use punches.  For the card above, I punched the flowers at the bottom from the edge of a set of Alphabet stickers from Club Scrap.

For this card, I just punched out the center 1/4 inch circles from the same sheet. Good way to get more mileage from your stickers - and to think outside the box!

Monochromatic...

well, kind of monochromatic! This was a Club Scrap challenge - use one color at least 3 ways on a card or layout. Since I am making card sets for a friend's charity event, I thought this challenge would be fun.

 The flower was painted with Radiant Pearls (which I have not used in quite a while!)

 I used Washi tape placed back to back on the above red card. It is difficult to tell from the photo, but the dots in the corner of the black panel are red Smooch ink/paint.

Challenge yourself to create cards, layouts, or journal pages with one color. It is a great way to use your stash! Card stock used is from Club Scrap. I used rubber stamps from Club Scrap and Stampin' Up and inks from Ranger.

Merry Christmas to All

                     Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas - enjoy the time with family an friends!

In Process...

I am currently working on Christmas cards - as well as gift tags. I always think I will start during the summer, but that has never happened! Since I am a bit pressed for time, I thought I would use a die cut image to save steps and time. I use the Sizzix/Tim Holtz reindeer die to cut out the deer. The were then embossed and inked with Distress Inks. The other images were stamped in Distress Inks and Brilliance Galaxy Gold. I still have several more steps, but they are moving along! When you make your cards, are you a stamping purist, or do you use die cuts, stickers, etc?

A Little Stamping

It seems like a very long time since I stamped a card. I made the above card for friends who were married back in August. Yes, I am a bit late! I thought a something simple using similar colors to the colors of the bridesmaids dresses. Making this card reminded me why I became interested in rubber stamping - making my own cards. I am currently working on Christmas cards (about halfway done) and getting caught up on real life since I have been home.

Stains and Stencils

I have been enjoying playing with Distress Stains and stencils. In addition to the myriad of stencils from Club Scrap, I have quite a few from Crafter's Companion. At the end of June, I will be teaching this class at A Work of Heart. I thought that some of the Distress colors would work well with Club Scrap's Raku kit.

In addition to stencils, I lightly stamped a cluster of butterflies in the background. I added a punched greeting and a couple of die cut butterflies.

The number and clock stencil needed a little extra care in applying the stain. Some of the graphics have small cuts that would be easy to bend/break if you are heavy handed with the stain applicator. In the class, we will be making a 12 x 12 background that will be cut to make 6 cards (with some leftover pieces).

Notecard Keeper

I changed a recent Club Scrap project into a note card keeper. The actual purpose of this Comics project is as a card keeper.

It contains 16 note cards to be used. I stamped the greeting and layered it over embossed card stocks. I sent this out to a friend for a charity event. It makes a great little gift if you fill it with usable note cards or fold over cards.

Squirrely Challenge

This week's Squirrely Challenge was a pop up card. It was a very easy pattern to follow from Splitcoaststampers.com. I used the stamps and card stocks from Blossom. I thought it would make for a cheery card.

This the card folded up, as if to fit into an envelope. Although it may not look it, it is a standard A2 card.

This photo is of the open card - or, I should say "popped up". Remember to visit the other "Squirrel Girl" blogs this week for other variations:
Nancy's blog; Jen's blog; Chrissie's blog; Julie's blog; and Diana's blog.  Enjoy!

A Little Something for Charity

A friend had asked for donated handmade items to sell at a charity event for Children.  I thought it would be great to put together card packs. After stamping 4 sets of 4 cards, I did not want to just place them in a plastic baggie with envelopes. I had made the card box at my friend,.Elaine's, house. The great thing about making this box - it took one sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 inch card stock. I used a combination of card stock's on the 3 boxes, embellishing with flowers and pearls. Is there a particular project you like to make as a card holder?

Squirrely Challenge

This week's Squirrely Challenge is Technique Junkies Bohemian Layers. I used Club Scrap's Blossom kit for this card. The technique uses 3 shades of the same color ink applied with a brayer over heat embossed images.

I applied the inks in a circular pattern, rather than linear, with the lightest color in the center. To see other interpretations of this technique, visit the blogs of the other "Squirrel Girls":
Nancy , Jen, Chrissie, Diana, and Julie.

Squirrely Challenge

This week's Squirrely Challenge was a 2010 Technique Junkies Technique - Pinwheels. I made a couple of different styles of cards using this technique.

This first card was made for a friend's 4 year old granddaughter. She loves purple and bling! I embossed the flowers on the Pinwheel and added a glittery border to each square. Card stocks used are from Club Scrap and Hero Arts. Stamps are from Stampin' Up and Club Scrap.

This second card was made for a friend. A little more subdued, I used some new pattern paper and stamps from Moulin Rouge. I also used Club Scrap card stocks and Stampin' Up stamps.

This week, you can see other examples of this technique at:
SquirrelyArt, Scrap Happy Sister's Ink, Chrissie Creation, Crafts and Adventures from the Enns, and Cape Cod Scrapper.

New Embossing Folder

I purchased (on sale) a card sized embossing folder made by Szzix. I really love it. The folder is a classic style, suitable for any types of card. This is a simple and quick card, but I envision a variety of possibilities. I lightly inked the raised lines to bring out the design. Is there a particular new find that you really like?