Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Watercolor & Stampfest Fun

Last week I stamped with a friend. Among other things, we tried the watercolor technique shared by Bonnie Krebs at Art Impressions. She has several great VIDEO TUTORIALS
Recently, I stopped at  Creative Cuts and Crafts and just had to buy the Little Girl stamp (I Brake for Stamps) and "Art is cheaper than therapy" (Stampers Anonymous).  Other stamps used: clear acrylic Hero Arts Type set CL483. Used Tim Holtz as well as other stamps.
I like to surf the internet for ideas and inspiration. So I cannot take credit for the designs of all of these!  I like the way great artists are described as "being inspired by" another artist. I think it's the same way in stamping!  I definitely see this inspiration in the various stamping companies products.

Yesterday, I worked with watercolor paper, stamps, inkpads and a brush to create this.  I watched the Art Impressions videos as I worked. Stamps used: Stamps by Judith and Stampin' UP!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Yay RAKs

Received these special treats from some very dear stamping friends.
Created by Jane Giggy.

 Created by Jane Giggy.

Created by Tonya Davidson

Created by Mona Sanderson

Created by Hetty Sanders

Sunday, February 19, 2012

2012 CSF Valentine Tag Swap

Creative Stamping Friends, a yahoo group, has a most talented group of artistic stampers. I have been a member for about 10 years. Here are the results of the 2012 Valentine Tag Swap, the first swap that I've hosted. Click image for a larger view.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

It's a Valentine Anniversary-59 years!

My parents are married 59 years on Valentine's Day! Yay Mom and Dad!

 Above: outside of card
Below: the inside
Stamps: Hero Art, Rubber Stamped, Printworks, Stampin Up
Distress ink: broken china, spun sugar, worn lipstick.

Below is a simple Anniversary card for a dear friends.
Stamp: PSX
Distress ink: Antique linen

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Gift Bags & Tags


Lately, kraft type (aka paper bag) has been a favorite. Made this tag and stamped the paper gift bag for a hostess gift. Stamps used: Hero Arts, Printworks

I have been wanting to use the "3 guys" stamp for awhile. Decorated this bag for my son-in-law's birthday gift. Stamps used: Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous, Dawn Houser

Friday, February 10, 2012

Day 5 - Card Captain at Michael Strong's Group

Here are two views of my File Folder Card. I start with an 8-1/2 x 5-1/2 inch piece of card stock. Fold it in half as if you were making the usual card. Then trim a small 3 x 7/8 inch section from the top left, if you are looking at your card with the fold on the bottom. It's easier to figure out once you have your paper in hand. You don't have to use my measurements. You can design your file folder card however you wish! I used a corner rounder punch on the edges.

My 2 inserts are 3 x 5 inches. Once mine were a stamped and done, I stapled ribbon for tab on each insert. You can use  a paper rectangle or a punched tab or even make "paper ribbon".
Stamps used: Michael Strong's Mini Cloisonne Hearts, Mini Cloisonne Cat and Dog and Cloisonne Leaves.
Additional stamps used: Hero Arts, Inkadinkado, PrintWorks, Stampendous and Stampin Up.
Distress inks used:  spun sugar, worn lipstick, dried marigold, tumbled tile, broken china, crushed olive
Stampin Up Rose Red
Sizzix Rays embossing folder
A mini green clip was used to folder card closed. You could use a paper clip or just slip your file folder in the envelope.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Day 4 - Card Captain at Michael Strong's Group

It has been fun making a card a day for the enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo group. Today I used Mike's Cloisonne Dragonfly on my Happy Birthday card, stamping it in crushed olive distress ink, then embossing it with clear embossing powder. The Happy Birthday (Hero Arts) is stamped with distress embossing ink then embossed with some gold embossing powder, manufacturer unknown. The center layer is the back of a piece of corrugated cardboard from a coffee sleeve. The green layer is cut with a nesta die and distressed with vintage photo distress ink. I crocheted the flower with some old Knit-Cro-Sheen (size 10 cotton thread). I added a bit of tulle to a large brad, then placed that brad in the center of the crocheted flower. You can find the crocheted flower instructions here:
Since making that crocheted flower, I have learned that stores now sell a size 3 cotton thread that's thicker and easier than the Knit-Cro-Sheen.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Day 3 - Card Captain at Michael Strong's Group

On my third day of being Card Captain at the Enjoy Michael Strong Stamps Yahoo Group, my card is very simple. I used Michael Strong's Special Lily stamp embossing it in Adirondack Red Pepper embossing powder. The mini tag is stamped with a Printworks stamp and it's also embossed with the Red Pepper. Used a brad with a red gem and some tulle for a tie on the tag. As you can see, I'm in Valentine mode!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Day 2 -Card Captain at Michael Strong's Group

In addition to this being my Day-2 card for the Yahoo group, Enjoy Michael Strong Stamps, it's also my "take" on the February sketch challenge there.  

Mike's Mini Cloisonne hearts are stamped in Worn Lipstick Distress Ink then embossed with clear embossing powder.  I just love the intricate designs in Mike's stamps! Used Cuttlebug embossing for the hot pink background. Used printed paper from My Mind's Eye for the square piece with the words love repeating throughout. The sentiment, LOVE, is a clear acrylic stamp from Hero Arts.  My "paper ribbons"  were embossed first, then distress inks were applied, from top to bottom: pumice stone, worn lipstick, spun sugar, weathered wood,  I added a piece of fabric tulle behind the printed paper square.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Day 1 - Card Captain at Michael Strong's Stamping Group

I am Card Captain this week for the Yahoo group, Enjoy Michael Strong Stamps. This card is also a submission for Mike's February 2012 Challenge, Hooray-for-Hollywood. I thought "cinema" when using Michael Strong's Cloisonne Mosaic Frame stamp. It's embossed in Zing Gold Glitter Finish embossing powder.  I found the Hooray for Hollywood music sheet via a google image search. The film strip was made from a Tim Holtz clear acrylic stamp and his Vintage Photo Distress ink pad.  I made my own "ticket" by cutting a rectangle, then using my 1/4 inch punch on the corners.  If you are interested in a great ticket tutorial, Hetty from Craft Chaos kindly sent me this link when I mentioned that I couldn't find it. I added a section of Mike's Frame stamp in the center of the ticket and wrote the words with a Pilot G-2 (size 0.38) black gel pen, a recent favorite of mine.