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!

Squirrely Challenge

It has been a while since Nancy posted a Squirrely Challenge. Instead of a technique, we had a list of requirements to meet. The card needed to be masculine. It also needed to have been made using a tool, an embossing folder and something from your stash.
For my card, I chose a leaf punch for my tool. (technically not new, but then again I haven't bought any new tools in a while!) The wood banner was from my stash, as was all the card stock!

You can see Nancy's cute banner card here.

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends...

Faux Fresco

I signed up for an online card class, Holiday Card Workshop, to get back into the spirit of creating. Plus, I really need some Christmas card ideas for this year's cards. One of the techniques demonstrated was a "Faux Fresco" using an embossing folder,markers and paint or Distress Stains. I cut my embossed card stock in half to create 2 cards using this technique - one with white paint and one with white Distress Stain.

The folder is by Cuttlebug, actually both folders used are from them. After running a piece of card stock through my Big Shot, I very sloppily colored with light markers (an eggshell/light tan and a light blue/aqua). Once dry, I dapped a Ranger  white paint Dabber (top card) and Picket Fence Distress Stain (bottom card). When the panel was dry, I sponged along the edges with Old Paper Distress Ink. I used glossy card stock, since I already had it on my desk. I think I might try again Bristol for a different look.

A Bit of Washi

I had made the base of this card a while back. I love Washi tape and tend to use it a lot, particularly in art journals. When I received this floral tape from my friend Sherry, I knew it would make a fun background. So, I just cut a panel and taped away!

It was quick and easy - and I really love the shades of blue in the tape. Since tapes are the hottest product out there, you will have a variety from which to choose for backgrounds and accents! I added colored card stock (Club Scrap) and some Stampin' Up stamps and punch. I used Distress markers to color the inside of the flowers. It is difficult to see, but I used a vine embossing folder on the brown strip. Quick and easy, especially if you have pre-made bases!

A Bit of Inspiration...

I was in need of a baby card - but was a bit stumped. I am having issues with my mom (in rehab, refusing physical therapy and a cousin who is a nightmare....think Jerry Springer) so I have not been feeling terrible creative. While out looking for some wrapping paper, I found this tissue paper in the same colors as the outfit I bought.

I love the color combination of pink and grey! So, I pulled out an embossing folder,ink pads,  some stamps and punches:

I was very pleased with the clean and simple look of the card. From what items have  you drawn inspiration lately?

Squirrely Challenge Part 2

I had another idea for the Squirrely Challenge. I originally thought I would use darker, more masculine colors, but just went with the flow:

The pearl was white, but I colored it with a Copic marker. The background was colored with Distress Inks. The stamp is from Club Scrap.

Squirrely Challenge

The Squirrely Challenge is from the current edition of Technique Junkies Newsletter. It is called the "embossed puzzle" - dry emboss a card stock panel, cut and ink. For more information, check out TechniqueJunkies.com. For links to additional Squirrely Challenge girls, visit Nancy's blog at Squirrely Art. My contribution:

I inked the embossed pieces with a variety of Distress Inks. The telephone was colored with Distress Marker (yellow) and a Cut and Dry Nib inked with Distress Raspberry ink.  Stamps used are from Printworks and SimonSaysStamp.

Kind of Squirrely...

Last week's "Squirrely Challenge" involved double embossing: stamp and white emboss background and then stamp and black emboss image. I was looking for some other backgrounds to use for this technique, and really liked the pattern of an embossing folder. Thus began an experiment:

The embossing folder is a newer Tim Holtz/Sizzix one (came in a set - might have been Spring). I embossed the white panel with the folder. I used my Versamark pen to color the raised areas and white embossed. I did this a section at a time for best coverage. After embossing and allowing to set, I sent the panel through my Big Shot to flatten it out. (My first test did not turn out well as the image was raised too high to get a good stamped image). Then, I black embossed the butterflies and completed the card. The sentiment and punch is from Stampin' Up. I few extra steps, but I now know another use for my embossing folders!

To Die (cut) For...

I bought the new Sizzix/Tim Holtz border die. I love it! There are a ton of flowers and leaves, in slightly different shapes and sizes. The card above is a class sample. I did not use any leaves, as I liked the large swirl instead. Card stock is Club Scrap and miscellaneous others. I used an embossing folder (QuickCuts, I think) on the background.

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.

Merry Christmas to All

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

In continuing with the Double Embossing technique, I used a Christmas tree border folder with my Top Boss pad and Big Shot. The embossing powder is an abalone pearl I bought years ago. The color and texture always look better in person. I decided I wanted a lighter look to the embossed background (the card stock was a dark green from Club Scrap). So, instead of clear Top Boss, I used Colorbox white pigment ink:

I liked the look of this combination much better...so I made a handful more!

Double Embossing

Here is one of the many gift tags I recently made. The background was created using an embossing folder and heat embossing. I inked up the folder with a Top Boss embossing pad and placed a glossy panel into the folder (glossy side to the ink). I ran it through my Big Shot. After dry embossing, I dumped some (very old) Embossing powder onto the panel and heat embossed. The technique is known as double embossing. I had a fun time trying different combinations of card stocks, inks, and powders. The swirl tag was stamped with Pool Adirondak ink on a white scrap and punched out using a Stampin' Up punch.

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?

Done!

A couple of weeks ago, I completed some projects that were laying around awaiting the finishing touches. (I posted the Shadow box a couple of days ago.) Back at the end of July, I took a couple of Tim Holtz's classes when he was teaching in the San Jose area. Well, the largest of the projects has finally been completed. The great thing about this class and project was the variety of techniques it showcased. We used tapes, paints, alcohol inks, stains, embossing, chipboard, and metals. Most of the techniques were not new, but the class was a great reminder of using your materials!

We even added a cute (or so my friends think "creepy") little porcelain doll, and some fun gears and watch parts. If you have a chance to take this class, I highly recommend it!

Tuesday's Tip

I have been making a lot of cards as a gift for my mom to use. A quick and easy background that I like to use is embossed panels. I have a bunch of folders from a variety of manufacturers. Every now and again, I cannot seem to find exactly what I am want/need for a particular design. Sooo...I die cut/punch out shapes out of cereal box (or plain cardboard - not too thick). Glue the shapes to a larger piece of cardboard in the size you would like. Once the glue is dry, place your card stock over the panel, create your "sandwich" and run through your Sizzix or Cuttlebug. You may need to use an embossing pad depending on your sandwich. Easy peasy!

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

Well, I am posting a bit later than normal. The Club Scrap Die Cut Blog Hop and real life have taken up some of my time. Last week's challenge was from October 2010 Technique Junkies newsletter - Cute Cuts. I used the Cuttle Bug Happy Birthday embossing folder with Club Scrap's Welcome kit.

I think a more simple folder would have been better.

Tuesday's Tip

While making a bunch of simple cards, I was using a couple of my favorite embossing folders. As we all have figured out, there is a front side to the folders. However, sometimes the reverse image can be just as decorative. I have a retro circle folder that has interlocking circles on the correct side. However, the reverse has cool looking diamond shapes - also retro. Next time you are using your embossing folders, think of using the reverse for more mileage from your folder!