Sunday, June 30, 2013

I've got "stagefright" because I'm a finalist!

I can't believe it, but I'm one of the ten finalists in the Kraftin Kimmie Guest Designer contest! I'm a lot excited and very nervous too.

The next step was to create a card with both the outside and inside decorated, which is not something I do often.

Here's what I created!























Here's the inside:
























I cheated and used a sketch from Paper Take Weekly:













My card stars the  Kraftin' Kimmie's wonderful Cheshire Cat, who always makes me smile. I colored him in non-Disney colors using Copic markers in the BG and C families, which is coming up as slightly purple on the photo. His eyes have a touch of Spica Black Glitter pen to give them a mischievous sparkle. His nose has some Clear Gelly Glaze pen for a bit of dimension and shine. I sketched in the branch using a Copic Multiliner, then colored the branch with Copics.

The Cheshire Cat was stamped again onto Eclipse tape, fussy cut, then adhered over the image to protect it while I airbrushed a greenish/bluish hazy background.

The patterned papers are from several My Mind's Eye 6x6 pads from the Stella & Rose: Gertie and Hazel pads, some from the Fine & Dandy: Boy pad, and a sheet from an 8x8 Olde Curiosity Shoppe pad by Graphic 45. These are old and likely out of stock, but you can always find great papers HERE at a nice price!

I die cut white cardstock using SCACD's fabulous Breezy Branches Statement Corner die, then colored the die cut with Copic markers and popped it onto the card. I finished the outside of the card with Mint Green Kaisercraft rhinestones.

I decided to get all digital and scanned the stamped Cheshire cat, then erased everything but his smile, using PhotoElements, and printed it out onto white cardstock. Then I assembled the inside of the card using the same sketch and similar patterned papers from the pads mentioned above.

Thanks for visiting today and wish me luck! I think I'll need it!

I shall enter this card in the following challenges:
Kraftin Kimmie: Finalists Challenge
Paper Take Weekly Sketch #81: Free for all
Simon Says Challenge: Anything Goes
Outlawz/Alcohol Ink Friday; Anything Goes

Friday, June 28, 2013

SCACD New Release Blog Hop!

Greetings! I hope you arrived from Delphine's blog, where I'm sure you saw something totally marvelous!

Today Susana Loves Stamps releases yet another round of those FUN little pranksters, the Oddly Sweet Curiosities! With their universal appeal, the Curiosities were just begging for another turn in the spotlight. These little guys are the perfect way to provoke a smile or a laugh. We're addicted, and from the popularity of the previous sets, we know you will be too!

Here's my card featuring Great Minds!
























Great Minds and the sentiment were stamped using Tuxedo Black Memento ink and colored with Copic markers. Their eyes were coated with a layer of Clear Gelly Glaze pen for dimension and shine. The light bulb was surrounded with Lemon Spica Glitter pens. The patterned papers are from the Modern Romance Collection by Webster's Pages.

***

Susana Loves Stamps is also showcasing a  fresh new line: the MechAnimals. This edgy but endearing range of Steampunk animals will lend themselves to all sorts of projects and styles and earn a place in your crafty hearts.

Here's my card featuring Radiant Moth!






































Radiant Moth was stamped using Onyx Black VersaFine ink and heat embossed with Filigree Clear Fine Detail embossing powder. He was colored using Copic markers. When I was done coloring, I set him aside to work on the background.

I found a large piece of 140 lb. watercolor paper in my stash and sprayed it with After Midnight, Vibrant Turquoise, and Fresh Lime Dylusions sprays. I sprayed, misted with water, dropped water, rolled paper towels, and heat set, then repeated the process until I was happy with the color coverage and layering. The next step was to spray water over the Flower Frenzy stencil by The Crafter's Workshop. This left a slight ghosting effect, but it was a bit too muted for me, so I sprayed White Linen Dylusions over the stencil, which yielded a much more pronounced ghost effect. I heat set the paper, then actually got out the iron to flatten the paper. Shhhhh! Don't tell my husband that I used the "good" iron and/or that I actually ironed something without burning a hole in it!  When the paper was flat, I cut a circle using my old and trustworthy Creative Memories cutting system.

The next step was to stamp the sentiment using white hybrid ink from Paper Trey, which I must admit works rather well, though it did fade into the background a bit when heat set. Fortunately, I was happy with that look!  I adhered the sentiment, framed the colored Radiant Moth within the circle aperture of the sprayed paper, and set about creating a flower embellishment.

I put multiple white fabric flowers into a tin, sprayed them with After Midnight Dylusions spray, and then set them on the craft mat to dry a bit. I repeated the process using other white fabric flowers and the Vibrant Turquoise Dylusions spray. I dried those slightly, then put both sets of flowers back into the tin and heat set them all. Putting them in the tin prevented them from flying around! I even remembered to use a cloth to handle the hot tin! The flower was put together and adhered over the sentiment strip, slightly overlapping what would be the edge of the card.

The card front was adhered to a 8.5" x 5.5" card and gemstones were added to the centers of the flower and as a moth/butterfly flight trail!

***
 



 


SCACD Digital  is a new adventure for Susana and will see the revival of "some" past releases available in rubber and the addition of some fresh new fun! They are available now for purchase but watch out for some fun from the design team and friends to showcase the digital releases in the near future! SCACD Digital's first collaboration is Carmen Medlin for SCACD Digital.  Carmen's range will definitely have something for everyone, from elegant to adorable -- and everything in between.

Gosh! That sure was a lot of information! Here's one last thing: For my international friends, these can be purchased from Quixotic Paperie.

Well, it's time to send you along your way. Your next stop is Sandie Dunne's blog. I'm sure you'll love what she has to show you!

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Bombshell's Hump Day Hop!

Wow! I can't believe it's already the last Wednesday in June, which means today is the day for Bombshell's Hump Day Hop!

Alison, our talented and lovely Challenge Captain, has decreed that this month's challenge is:
 "Textures and Layers!" I want to see lots of funky textures, and plenty of layers!

You should have arrived here from Kelli, where she doubtless wowed you with something creative and wonderful!

Here's my card!
























That's the Sheriff Pin-up from Bombshell's  Retro Cowgirls set. I bet she has no problem keeping people in line. If not, she can always rope 'em and hogtie 'em, though they might like that. "One never knows, do one?"

She was stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink onto Neenah cardstock and colored with Copic markers. Gold Spica Glitter pen was added to her spur, buckles, and the dealie on her holster. The image panel was die cut using a Nestabilities die, then kept in the die while Old Paper Distress ink was sponged around the sides and the bottom. A slightly larger Scalloped Rectangle Nestibilities die was used to die cut a sheet from the Pride 6x6 pad by Authentique.

The center panel of the background is a actually 4.75" x 6.75" piece of 140 lb. watercolor paper.  I sponged several colors of Paper Artsy Fresco paints onto it, blended them, heat set them, and repeated the process til I was moderately happy. Then I grabbed Vintage Photo Distress paint and sponged it through the  Harlequin stencil by The Crafter's Workshop and then heat set it. It was too dark, so I knocked it back (technical term) with a baby wipe, and sponged some more Fresco paints over it too. You can still see some of the Harlequin pattern, but it's subtle. Just like me.

I set that aside and grabbed a scrap of red patterned paper sheet from the Pride 6x6 pad by Authentique (It's on sale now). It took a ride through my Big Kick inside a herringbone embossing folder by Cuttlebug. I then grabbed a scrap of blue patterned paper from the same pad and ran that through the Big Kick inside a star embossing folder. After embossing them, I lightly sponged white Snowflake Fresco paint over the raised bits, the idea being that the stars pop out and the herringbone look kinda like stripes. These embossed strips were adhered to the painted watercolor sheet and the edges were distressed with the edge of a scissor, then edged with a Krylon gold leafing pen. Gold foil stickers were added between the layers to contribute a metallic shiny element.

I found a gold metal corner in my stash and painted it with Chipped Sapphire Distress paint, then immediately wiped it off. The paint behaved itself and settled into the grooves just like I wanted. I do like when that happens. I heat set the paint and burned myself because I can't seem to remember that metal gets HOT when exposed to a heat gun. Definitely a dumbo moment. *sigh*

A Grungeboard arrow was painted with Snowflake Fresco paint and heat set. It was edged with Krylon pen. The sentiment, also from the Retro Cowgirls set. , was stamped using Onyx Black VersaFine ink, then heat set.

I mounted everything onto a white card front and called it done. The photo might have a certain suckitude, so I might try for a better one tomorrow. Or not.

Thanks for visiting today!

Here's the Hump Day Hopper Roster!
Bombshell Blog
Alison
Kim
Jodi
Stempelientje
Marnie
Alaine
Glittery Katie
Suzi
Kapree
Jenn
Sharon
Kelli

Copic markers used:
Skin: E000, E00, E11, R20, BV20
Hair: C4, C5, C6, C7
Outfit: B37, B39; R22, R24, R27, R29, R59
Hat, Gloves, and Boots: E40, E41, E42, E43, Y23, Y26, R27
Rope: Y23, Y26, E81, E84

I shall enter this card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp and Show: Stripes -- I hope my herringbone counts as stripes!
The Squirrel and the Fox: Use something metal
Sugar Creek Hollow: Mixed Media
Emerald Faeries Challenges #44: Dies & Punches
Oozak Challenge #15: Blue, Stars & Stripes

Monday, June 24, 2013

An Owl Bookmark and Paper Artsy Fresco Paints

So, my friend and "boss", Susana, told me about Paper Artsy's Fresco Paint. She's an evil, evil enabling woman.

First I had to do my requisite amount of research and watched myriad U-Tube videos, read reviews of the paints asked friends their opinions, blah, blah, blah. Then I agonized a while because after all, I do not have much luck with acrylic paints or rather, didn't until I tried the Distress Paints. Being me, I agonized a bit more, then found a sale and bought a few opaques and a few translucents in my usual favorite color palette.

Then they sat for a spell while I watched even more videos, several times. Finally today, I got them out and gave them a go.

Here's what happened.






































I started out by grabbing a leftover scrap of 140 lb. Strathmore water color paper, figuring that I'd be abusing the heck out of it, plus I wanted it to stand up to the rigors required of being a bookmark, which is hard work.

Three opaque Fresco paints were put onto my craft sheet, then sponged onto the paper using Cut N Dry Foam. I blended the colors, experimented with the coverage, and generally played around. When I was happy with the result, I heat set the paints. Then I repeated the process adding a few of the translucent paints into the mix. I added a bit of water spritzes, and did some blending and "knocking back" using a baby wipe. When I was happy with that layer, I heat set it. I did this several more times, building up layers of color, then set the paper aside to dry completely.

I cut a piece from the Study Hall patterned paper from the Oxford Collection by Basic Grey. I rarely buy 12x12 paper these days, but AC Moore had a sale and had this sheet, which I figured (correctly) would be useful. I "fussy cut" the top of the paper between the books and used a black Big Brush pen to change the color between the books, though I should have done this step when I was feeling a bit steadier-handed. This patterned paper was adhered to the dried painted watercolor paper.

I wanted to use the owl from the Birdy Up stamp by Stampotique, so I placed a Post-It note over the other birdies, inked the stamp with Jet Black StazOn ink (and yes, I sniffed the pad), removed the Post-It note, and used a Stamp-a-ma-jig stamp positioner to position and stamp the owl.

The next step was to color it, which I did using Distress markers. I ended up having to add shading with a Prismacolor pencil because the ink from the Distress markers didn't work for layering. Go know. I also used the colored pencils to deepen the eye and talon color. Then I coated the eyes, beak, and talon with my ever-so-useful-almost-a-necessity Clear Gelly Roll Glaze pen!

The quote is from a set that I've had forever by Paper Trey Ink, but never used. Bad, bad me!

The flourishes at top and side were created by sponging Frayed Burlap Distress ink over a stencil by Andy Skinner/Tando (which was also purchased due to that evil temptress mentioned above).

The bookmark was mounted on brown cardstock and I called it "Done!"

Thanks for visiting today!

I shall be entering this bookmark into the following challenge:
Stampotique Designer's Challenge #105: Anything But a Card
613 Avenue Create #25: Anything Goes 
Challenges for Everybody: Anything Goes!



Saturday, June 22, 2013

Nothing ventured, nothing gained -- The Sequel

I really love Kraftin' Kimmie's Trixie Tapper stamp. I can picture her tap dancing on all sorts of places. I've already had her tapping on piano keys.

Now she's dancing atop a sparkly rainbow!
























Trixie Tapper (on sale now!!!) was stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink and colored with Copic markers. Her cane and shoes were glitzed up with Clear Wink of Stella Glitter pen. Her buttons were touched with Clear Gelly Roll Glaze pens. When I was done coloring her, I added a cloudy sky using Copic markers.

My lovely husband bought me a rainbow die a while back and I don't recall who makes it. I used the rainbow die to die cut music paper from an old Paddington 7 Gypsies 6x6 pad (which I hoard), separated the rings, colored them with Copic markers, then used my Clear Wink of Stella Glitter pen to add the requisite sparkle. I let the rainbow dry over night.

Here's a close up, held at a weird angle, that captures the sparkle!
























When I was absolutely, positively sure it was dry, I adhered it under Trixie Tapper, so it would look as though she were dancing upon it.

The image panel was matted onto glittery black metallic cardstock.

A 5" x 7" card was created from glittery white metallic cardstock. I used the same white metallic cardstock to create flourish die cuts using Memory Box's Madera Corner and Elegant Scrollwork dies. I adhered these shimmery white die cuts on the the shimmery white card front, then added the matted image panel and called it "Done!".

I did not add a sentiment because I can always add one later when I determine who will get it for what occasion!

Copic markers used:
Skin: E000, E00, E93, BV00, R20
Hair: E35, E25, E27
Tuxedo & Hat: C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, 100
Bow Tie, Vest, & Hat: BV62, BV66, BV69
Sky: B21, C00, C0
Rainbow:  R27 Y06, YR07, G05, B06, B69, V09

I shall enter this in the following challenges:
Kraftin' Kimmie: Guest Designer Contest
CMC Copic Challenge Group #71: Colors of Summer
Southern Girls: Give it an Upper Cut and Punch It all Out

Friday, June 21, 2013

Nothing ventured, nothing gained...

So Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps is holding a contest for a Guest Designer spot, so I decided to go for it. After all, as the post title says, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained."

Here's my entry, which had to include some sparkle.
























I actually won this stamp, which had was accompanied by the sentiment "Sharing is Loving", but since I don't know who will get it for what occasion, I left off the sentiment. I also don't know what her name is, but she sure is cute with that mischievous expression.

She was stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink and colored with Copic markers which I'll list below. I had a bit of an oopsy with the yellow markers on her blouse. They got all shiny, so I used some colorless blender, which made a total mess. Thankfully, I think I rescued the project by taking a break from it and letting the blender dry. I was able to camouflage the worst of "the yellow bleed" by creating a cloudy sky. Gah. I hate when markers go all shiny and goopy.

I needed to add some sparkle, so I used my new clear Wink of Stella pen on her shoes, buttons, and on her hairband. I know when my daughter was little, her most favorite pair of shoes ever was the pair that was glittery. She also liked glittered accessories. These days she favors black and skulls. :D

Additional shimmer was added by using metallic black cardstock for the die cut frame and corners. The patterned papers are from the Collectable: Remarkable 6x6 pad by My Mind's Eye (which is on sale right now!)

The card was finished with metallic shimmery black cardstock and patterned paper red cardstock die cuts cut with SCACD's Garden Corners die. I love SCACD's dies. They're so detailed, yet cut so cleanly!

Thanks for visiting today!

Copic markers used:
Skin: E000, E00, E11, E50, E93, BV20, R20
Lips: R21
Hair: C4, C6, C7, C8
Shoes: C4, C7, C8 and Wink of Stella Glitter pen
Blouse: Y11, Y21, Y23, Y26
Skirt and Hairband: BG11, BG13, BG23, Y35 (dots)
Flowers: R24, R29, Y35
Hearts: R39, R59
Sky: B21 and custom less-than-B21
Clouds: C00, C)
Grass: YG11, YG13, YG17

I shall enter this card in the following contests:
Kraftin' Kimmie Challenges: "Anything Goes"
Kraftin' Kimmie: Guest Designer Contest
Paper Playtime #12: Anything Goes
Stamping for the Weekend: Anything Goes

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Feeling Faux!

Stampotique Designers Challenge this week is Faux Metal. I recently purchased Vintage Cabinet Card Alterations Movers and Shapers dies, so I figured that this was a good time to break them out.

This is what happened.

























I started by nesting the Mini Vintage Cabinet Card inside the larger one and die cutting black chipboard to create a frame. The next step was to make a thick paint from Pewter Perfect Pearls and water, which was painted over the frame die cut. While the paint was still wet, I brushed several colors of Perfect Pearls over the frame and blended them with a dry brush. Then I grabbed an embossing stylus and pounded it into the wet chipboard to create an aged metal look. I let it dry over night, then added additional texture by hammering with T!m's Hammer tool (which is great therapy).

I stamped Stampotique's Angel using Onyx Black VersaFine ink onto 140 lb. watercolor paper and onto Eclipse tape. The watercolor paper image was heat embossed with clear detail embossing powder and colored using Distress markers. The Eclipse tape image was fussy cut and used to mask the image on the watercolor paper so that I could create the background.  Broken China,  Stormy Sky, and Worn Lipstick Distress inks were sponged over the Steampunk Lace stencil by ArtistCellar.

When I was happy with the result, I adhered the stamped image behind the faux hammered Metal  frame.

Here's a close-up, taken in a sunny cicada-less patch on my front lawn.

Then it was time to make the rest of the card. I had a piece of leftover watercolor paper, so I painted it with a layer of Brushed Pewter Distress Stain and heat set it. The stained paper took a ride through my Big Kick inside the Super Powder Puff 5" x 7" embossing folder by Couture Creations. I sponged some Broken China,  Stormy Sky, and Worn Lipstick Distress inks over the folder to add a bit more interest. This layer was matted onto black metallic cardstock from Recollections, and then onto a silver metallic card. The stamped, framed image was mounted onto the card.

I had a scrap left of the Brushed Pewter Distress Stained watercolor paper, so I stamped the sentiment, which I *think* the Wings stamp set is by Lost Coast stamps, onto it using Onyx Black VersaFine ink. This was heat embossed with sparkly black embossing powder.  The sentiment was punched with a Paper Shapers punch.

Fabric flowers were painted with Brushed Pewter Distress Stain, heat set, and layered. The sentiment circle was added to the center of the flowers with dimensional adhesive squares.

And I called it done! Woot!

I shall enter this card into the following challenges:
Stampotique Designers Challenge #104: Faux Metal
Crafty Calendar Challenge: Things with Wings
Left of Center Challenge # 8: Embossing
Oozak Challenges: Anything Goes - with a sentiment 

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Fairy Fanciful!

I was feeling somewhat fanciful so I pulled out my Believe in the Unseen fairy stamp from the Fairy Dust Collection by Elizabeth Bell for SCACD.

Here's what I created:
























The Believe in the Unseen fairy was stamped onto white cardstock using Onyx Black VersaFine ink and embossed using clear Filigree Detail Embossing Powder. I love to use VersaFine ink when stamping a a highly detailed stamp, such as this one. I find it gives the best results, especially when combined with clear detail embossing powder. Besides, I still get a thrill when the embossing powder melts! True confession. :D

Anyways, when the image was heat set, I colored it using Copic markers, which I'll list below. My friend Penny (check out her blog, she's very talented and a wicked good enabler) made me curious about a new glitter pen, whimsically named Wink of Stella, so I found one and bought it. The clear Wink of Stella pen was used on her wings and added a nice glitter to them.

As you can see, the fairy is hovering in air, peeking through a keyhole, so I decided to riff on an idea from my very talented SCACD DT teammate, Melanie Holtz. Instead of a coloring a background in the keyhole, I used my trusty Fiskar's Fingertip Craft Knife to cut out the keyhole. This craft knife makes cutting small areas really easy, especially when you use a glass cutting plate and a fresh blade!

When the aperture was cut, I edged it with a black Big Brush pen, so no unsightly white edges would show. Then I positioned a scrap from a sheet of patterned paper from the Fairy Rhyme 6x6 pad by Prima so that a fairy would appear in the keyhole. Sadly, I can't seem to find that 6x6 pad, but there are lots of other great ones, including some that are on sale, HERE.

The colored stamped image was mounted onto another sheet from the Fairy Rhyme 6x6 pad. I thought that SCACD's Key Corner die would be perfect with the image, so I die cut gold cardstock with it. I finished the card with Memory Box's Fairytale Flower Border.

Thanks for visiting today!

Copic markers used:
Skin: E000, E00, E93, R20
Hair: E70, E71, E74, E77
Dress: V000, V01, V12
Flowers: Y32, YG63
Wings: YR000, YR00, BG000, BG11, RV000, RV00
Keyhole: Y21, Y23,Y26, Y28
Background: YR30

•  CMC Copic Challenge Group:  Brunettes
Southern Girls Challenges Give it and Upper Cut and Punch it out: 
Bearly Mine Challenges #90: Anything Goes
Emerald Faeries Challenges #44: Diecuts or Punches
Country View Crafts Challenges #4: Diecuts

Monday, June 10, 2013

For You!

My  husband is a chemist. Chemists are nerds. I love cats. Hence, I had to have the Nerd Cat stamp by Stampotique.

I am a Virgo. I am a control freak. I like things neat and tidy, though my house is always a mess because I detest housework. But  I really do like to have to have a place for everything and everything in its place. Therefore, I had to create something for for Stampotique's Designer Challenge to "Create from an envelope".

So here's what I made. It holds a gift card and will likely be for Father's Day for my husband.  BTW, it's not neon-looking irl. I hate NEON!
























Here's the gift card holder, which you pull out via the tape measure at the top.
























Years ago, Bazzill made coin envelopes which are the perfect size for gift cards.  I loved them, so I got bunches of them. I have no clue as to whether they still make them. I started this project by figuring out what size circle I needed and where the circle opening should fall. Once I figured that out, I placed the circle Nestabilities die blade-side up inside the envelope and ran it through my Big Kick.

The next step was to stamp Nerd Cat using Tuxedo Black Memento ink twice, once onto cardstock and once onto Eclipse tape. The tape image was fussy cut and set aside to be used as a mask. The cardstock image was colored with Copic markers, which I am sure is a huge surprise. Not. Several layers of Clear Gelly Glaze Pen were added to Nerd Cat's glasses and his buttons.

The mask was adhered over the image and the 7 Gypsies ruler was stamped three times, using a Stamp-a-ma-jig positioner. Removable Scotch tape was placed over the rulers (as a mask) and Pumice Stone Distress ink was sponged over Nerd Cat. I sprinkled the cardstock with water and used my heat gun to dry the paper. The next step was to sponge Broken China Distress ink over a stencil.  I removed all of the masks and colored the rulers with Copic markers. When that was done, the entire piece was sponged with more Pumice Stone and Broken China Distress inks. I used the Tonic corner punch to create the tag top. A piece of red cardstock was cut a little bit wider than the piece and twice as long. The top edges were corner punched and the card front was adhered. Ruler Washi Tape was colored with Copic markers and adhered vertically to the top on both the front and the back of the card. The gift card was slid into the card and a sentiment strip was added using my sadly diminishing supply of Doodlebug rub-ons.

Now to bore you about the outside. I grabbed the die cut envelope and sponged Pumice Stone Distress ink over it. Then Broken China Distress ink was sponged over the Layered Beads 6x6 stencil by The Crafter's Workshop,I had meant to use a hexagon stencil, but I couldn't find it. I reorganized recently and it wasn't in its place!!! @#$% Anyways, I also stamped a text stamp over the stencil with Black Soot Distress ink, but I got incomplete images. I didn't care 'cause I kinda like the look. :D

I did discover that the sticky gluey part of the envelope didn't like being sponged with ink. Spoilsport.

Patterned papers from the Collectable: Remarkable 6x6 pad by My Mind's Eye (on sale now!) were edged with Broken China and Gathered Twig Distress ink and layered. The envelope with the gift card were adhered to the layered card, which was mounted on red cardstock! Tah dah!

Copics used:
Cat: C2, C4, C5, C6, C7; YG3, YG5, YG21
Cat's Glasses: E07, E19, E27
Cat's Shirt: B000, B00
Cat's Bowtie: R35, R39

Thanks for visiting today!

I shall enter this card in the following challenges:
Stampotique's Designer Challenge #103: "Create from an envelope"
Craft Your Passion: Father's Day/Masculine (cats are masculine and so are nerds)
Crafty Cardmakers #23: Father's Day (This is going to my husband for Father's Day)

Bombshell's Muse Monday!

Every Monday is Muse Monday over at the Bombshell Stamps Blog! Each month Alison, our Challenge Captain, selects a Bombshell Stamp set to be showcased by the Bombshell Girls and Pin-Ups throughout that month.

During June, we'll be showcasing the Mermaid Anchor set, which you can see below!













Here's my long tag!






































This tag features Mermaid Anchor with a banner sentiment from Ahoy There and the fish and seaweed stamps from Mermaid Treasure. 

I stamped the Mermaid Anchor onto Neenah cardstock and onto a Post-It note using Tuxedo Black Memento ink and colored the image with Copic markers, which I'll list below. I wanted to make her look as though she was a woman turning into a mermaid.

I fussy cut the stamped Post-It note put it aside as I airbrushed the sand and several BG markers over the Mermaid Anchor.

The seaweed was stamped at the bottom of the tag using Tuxedo Black Memento ink. The Post-It note mask was adhered over the Mermaid anchor and then the fish trio was repeatedly stamped, also using Tuxedo Black Memento ink, to look as though the fish were swimming behind and around the anchor. The mask was lifted and Copic Opaque White was added to the existing air bubbles and to create new ones. When the Opaque White was dry, I added Clear Gelly Roll Glaze pen over the bubbles to make 'em shiny.

The sentiment banner was stamped, colored with Copic markers, then fussy cut.

The bottom corners of the tag were punched with a corner rounder and the top was punched using a Tonic corner punch. All edges were sponged with Peacock Feathers, Gathered Twigs, and Black Soot Distress ink. The tag was matted onto black cardstock, which had been corner punched as well.

A shell and two loopy nailheads were painted with Picket Fence Distress paint, heat set, then sponged with Distress Ink. The green meshy stuff is packaging from a crate of clementines. I kept it because it looked like a fish net to me. A hole was punched in the top of the tag and the meshy was threaded through it. The clam shell nailhead was attached just above the knot.

A captain's wheel DieNamics charm die was used to cut white Shrinky Dink plastic, colored with Copic markers, then shrunk with the heat gun. The thing kept skittering around my table, so I got smart and stuck it into a tin, so the heat gun could work its magic. Then I got unsmart and burned my hand on the tin. *sigh* 

A jump ring was added to the charm. The two loopy nailheads were poked through the top of the tag and jute cord was threaded through the loop, the charm, then the other loop. The last step was to add the sentiment banner using dimensional foam adhesive (my beloved 3L/Scrapbook Adhesive black foam squares).

Thanks for visiting today!

Copic markers used:
Skin: E000, E00, E11
Hair: Y11, Y21, Y26, T1, T3
Legs/Tail: YG41, YG45, T3, R00, R02, R14
Bathing Suit: B2, B4, B16
Anchor: B34, B37, B39, R24, R39, R59
Plants: YG21, YG25, R14, R24, R37, R59
Sand: E41, E43
Ocean: BG11, BG13, BG70, BG72

I shall enter this tag in the following challenges:


Friday, June 7, 2013

June's Bombshell Sketch Challenge

As you know, each month I create a sketch for Bombshell Stamps' Sketch Challenge. Feel free to take the sketch -- flip it, flop it, and make it your own, but give me credit for the sketch! If you do use Bombshell stamps on your project, share it with us on Bombshell's Blog, Bombshell's Facebook Page, Bombshell Babes (our new Bombshell Facebook Group), or Bombshell's forum. Each time you share it, you earn one chance to win a fabulous prize.

Here's the sketch!

Here's my card!
The guitarist, from Bombshell's Hawaiian Girl set, was stamped onto Neenah cardstock and onto a Post-It note with Tuxedo Black Memento ink. The image on the cardstock was colored with Copic markers, which I'll list below. The image on the Post-It note was fussy cut to be used to mask the colored image. 

When she was colored, the cardstock took a ride through my Big Kick in a Nestabilities Circle Die. The cardstock was kept in the die and the image was masked with the fussy-cut stamped image. Post-It notes were placed over most of the stamped image and the metal die. Antique Linen Distress ink was sponged over the mask to create the sand. The Post-It notes were moved to cover the new sand and what would become the sky. Evergreen Bough and Peacock Feathers Distress ink were sponged over the image to become the sea. Again, the Post-It notes were repositioned, but this time, I drew in the clouds and the sky with Copic markers. 

All the masks were removed, the stamped image circle was popped out of the die,  and the image was touched up with Copic markers. The body and head of the guitar were coated with Clear Gelly Roll Glaze pen to add dimension and shine. White Inkssentials pen was used to add sea foam, wavelets, and whitecaps to the sea. Copic markers were used to add texture to the sand.

Music staff paper from the Avignon 6x6 pad by 7 Gypsies was sponged, using a cosmetic sponge, with Antique Linen Distress paint, which is translucent. This was done so that the letters and flowers would pop but the music paper could still be seen. The paper was heat set. "Aloha" was stamped onto the painted music paper with Tuxedo Black Memento ink using Bombshell's Tattoo Font. The hibiscuses (hibisci?), from Bombshell's Rise & Shine set were also stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink. They were all diecut using a Nestabilities Circle Die, then colored with Spiced Marmalade, Wild Honey, and Mustard Seed Distress markers. The circles were edged with Frayed Burlap and Gathered Twigs Distress ink.

The brown dotted circle is from the Natural Necessities Double Dot 6x6 pad by Bo-Bunny. The turquoise/yellow dotted circle is from the Very Vintage Double Dot 6x6 pad by Bo-Bunny. Both circles were edged with matchingish Copic markers because I can't abide white edges. The card front is patterned paper from Graphic 45's Tropical Travelogue 8x8 pad.

Thanks for visiting today!

Copic markers used:
Skin: E11, E13, E15
Hair: B34, C3, C4, C6, C7, C8
Grass Skirt: YG03, YG05, YG17, YG63, YG67
Top: RV52, RV55
Lei: Y11, Y21, Y35, Y38, YR18
Guitar: E30, E31
Sky: C00, C0, custom "less than" B21
Sand: E40, E41, E42, E43, E44

I shall enter this card in the following challenges:
Crazy Amigos Distress Challenge: I used Distress ink, paint, and markers

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Skull Appreciation Day!

It's Skull Appreciation Day and I'm participating with a few of the Bombshell Girls in Smeared & Smudged's Blog Hop. Go check out what the others have done at Bombshell's Blog!

I don't know about you, but I sure appreciate my skull. I'm already so scatter-brained, can you imagine if I didn't have my skull to keep it all in one place?

Here's what I created, using my very favorite Bombshell skull, which hails from the Man's Ruin set.























I haven't been feeling much love for the few Distress markers that I own, but my Michael's just got in several marker sets that I can get with coupons, so I decided to give them a go again and lo! and behold, I liked 'em better this time. I don't know if it's because I stamped the image using StazOn or because I used 140 water color paper, but I'm moderately happy with the coloring, though I still remain Stickles impaired. Oh well.

So, I stamped with StazOn (I love how it smells!) and colored the skull with Frayed Burlap and Antique Linen Distress Markers. The rose was colored with Picket Fence, Spun Sugar, Fired Brick, Crushed Olive, Peeled Paint, and Forest Moss Distress Markers. All markers were blended with a water pen.

The stamped image took a ride through my Big Kick in an Oval Nestabilities die and stayed inside it while I sponged Spun Sugar and Antique Linen Distress Ink over the die and around the image. When it came out, I added Fired Brick Distress Stickles and set it aside to dry.

I sponged Spun Sugar Distress Ink over the remaining scraps of watercolor paper, then die cut it using the Lacey Ovals Nestabilities die, Memory Box's Madera Corner die, SCACD's Garden Corners die, and SCACD's Ornate Hinge die.

The patterned papers are from a very old 6x6 pad by Webster's Pages. I layered 'em up and edged 'em with Spun Sugar, Antique Linen, and my beloved Black Soot Distress inks. The stamped oval was adhered onto the Lacey oval, then onto the card front, smudging the freaking Stickles in the process. Grrr.  The two corner die cuts and the Ornate Hinge die cut were added and the card was finished with two colors of red gemstones.

Thanks for visiting today! The hop list is below if you feel like seeing lots of skully projects!

I shall be entering this card in the following challenges!
Simon Says Stamp & Show: Challenge Brought to you by the letter "S" -- Skulls baby!!!! :D
Make It Monday #148: Anything Goes
That Crafting Place: Dies & Punches


 Here's the Hop List if you're inclined to hop!
 


Terra


Tori


Laura


Kapree


Kristy


Sandy


Jacki


Rick St Dennis


Airless Chambers


Wendy


Julia


Susan


Lady Brayton


Black Dragon


Kay


Miko


Creepy Glowbug


Aletha


Ike


Miranda


Hazel


Monique


Shoni


Suzi


Leigh S-B Designs


DominoART


Alison


Donna M


Donna W


Jane


De Stempelwinkel


Evil Edna


Jenn


Steph


Anna


Bombshell Stamps


Helen


Shell


Movie Magic Monthly Blog


Fiona


Serena


Little Black Kitten


Maureen


Karen


Milo


Teri


Sunday, June 2, 2013

Bombshell's Ms. June's Challenge -- I See Clearly Now!

Sharon Rogers, who is Bombshell's Ms. June, i.e. the Guest Designer for June, has issued a challenge named "I Can See Clearly Now!". The challenge is to use vellum or acetate to create a card or project using Bombshell's stamps!

Here's mine! Sorry about the shadows. It's difficult to photograph a clear card, even on a sunny day!

Here's the inside!

I stamped the anchor from the Ahoy Sailor set onto creme Neenah cardstock and colored it with Copic markers, then coated the anchor with Clear Gelly Glaze pen to add some dimension and shine. 

The piece was die cut using a Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 28 die, where it stayed while Old Paper Distress ink was sponged over it. I removed the stamped sponged piece from the die and set it aside while I created the rest of the card.

A piece of acetate cardstock was scored to form a card. That was harder than I thought it would be. Go know. I die cut two pieces of patterned paper from Teresa Collins World Traveler 6x6 pad using Nestabilities Labels  22, edged them with Black Soot Distress ink, then adhered them  so they'd match up on opposite sides of the card front. Two more pieces from the same pad were die cut using Nestabilities Labels 3, sponged with Black Soot Distress ink, and adhered them in position on opposite sides of the back of the card, so that they would appear as a border to the front piece. Clear as mud? I thought so. 

Boss Kut corner dies were used to cut the same patterned paper and adhered to the corners on both sides of the front of the card. I added Ideology Film Strip ribbon using the Tiny Attacher, then added 7 Gypsies rub-on stars to the film frames.

Thanks for visiting today! You should pop by Bombshell's Blog to see how the rest of the team handled the challenge. Then if you accept the challenge yourself, use your Bombshell stamps to create a project, and share it with us on the blog or on our new Facebook Group, Bombshell Babes for chances to win a fab prize!

Thanks for visiting today!