Bombshell's Hump Day Hop!

It's the last Wednesday of the month, which means it's time for Bombshell's Hump Day Hop!

Alison, our Challenge Captain, has set this month's theme, which is "Stencil Me In!", where we were to use Bombshell Stamps in combination with a stencil.

You should have arrived here from Glittery Katie's Blog. I'm sure she totally wowed you since she rocks!

Here's my card:


I used Bombshell's Indian Princess set as my focal image. She was colored using Copic markers which I listed below. Clear Spica Glitter Pen was added to her earrings and the crystals then I added Clear Gelly Roll Glaze pen to the beads on her headdress, her earrings, and the crystals. After outlining her, I fussy cut the image and put it aside.

One of the things I love to do with stencils is to update old patterned paper. In this card, I used the Mini Diamonds stencil by the Crafter's Workshop together with blush and green from the Essential Metallics Gelatos set from Faber Castell. I took each color, applied some to my craft mat, added a bit of water, then brushed the thinned Gelato over the stencil onto a piece of patterned paper from a Kraft Basics 6x6 pad by Basic Grey using a cheapo foam brush.

The fussy cut image was added to the stencilled patterned paper. Some hemp cord and some staples were added to finish the piece.

Thanks for visiting today.

Here's the complete hop list in case you got lost or just want to revisit some of the fabulousness.

Bombshell Blog
Alison
Torrey
Kim
Jodi
Alaine
Susie
Kapree
GlitteryKatie

Copic Markers used:
Skin: E30, E31, E33, R20, BV20
Eyes: Y32, Y35, E23
Hair: C1, C4, C6, C8, C10, 100
Headdress: R22, R24; BG23, BG34
Feathers: T0, T1, T3; R22, R24
Beads on Headdress: BG45, BG49; R22, R24, r37
Earrings: C00, C0, C1; BG45, BG49, R00, R11, R20
Necklace: BG23, 34; R22, R224
Outline: E81, E84

Same Color Scheme, Different Project!

The card features another fabulous silhouette from SCACD Blank Canvas Collection #2, the Solid Blank Canvas image Solid Blank Canvas and Flights of Botanica set.

This card is the second project created with my spritzed, sprayed, and stenciled papers that I created over the weekend. I created the background by spraying multiple layers of London Blue, Bubblegum Pink, After Midnight, and White Linen Dylusions Sprays and many Mini-Misterfuls of water onto white tags and a sheet 140 lb. watercolor paper.

When I was happy, I sprayed White Linen, then more water over the Flutterby stencil by The Crafter's Workshop, lifted the stencil, and rolled my kitchen roll, aka paper towel, over the paper. Voila. A ghosted image. I dried the paper with my heat gun, then repeated the process to add more layers of butterflies and the scroll elements. I dried the paper again, the sprayed some of White Linen onto the oversprayed inky parts of my craft sheet, then sponged the lightened ink over the stencil to add more layers and interest. I let this air dry whilst I attended to dinner and/or other chores.

When I returned to my craft room, I gave the paper a shot with my heat gun to make sure it was really and truly dry. I stamped the Solid Blank Canvas image Solid Blank Canvas and Flights of Botanica set using Starlite Silver Brilliance ink by Tsukineko. Since it's a pigment ink, I blasted the image with the heat gun to set it.

I used SCACD's gorgeous new Breezy Branches Statement Corner and SCACD's Classic Corners to die cut one of the Dylusioned tags, which I had retrieved from my paper recycling bin in my craft room. I had messed it up while stamping. I sponged Starlite Silver Brilliance ink over all three die cuts, blasted 'em with my heat gun and set them aside.

The Dylusioned and stamped panel was layered onto some lovely shimmery pewter-colored cardstock, then mounted to the card's front. The die cuts were adhered to the corners, and I declared the card complete! Woot.

Thanks for visiting today!

I shall be entering this card in the following challenges:
• Artistic Inspirations: #34 Fantasy
• Make It Monday #133: Anything Goes
• Smudgy Antics: Make It Colourful without using Markers or Pens!
• The Crazy Challenge #141 Fairies and Flowers
• Challenges 4 Everybody #16: Anything Goes

Silhouette Dancer Tag

I spent some time this weekend playing around with my Dylusions sprays again to create some backgrounds for the fabulous new silhouette stamps from SCACD Blank Canvas Collection #2.

Here's one of the projects!


This tag features the solid stamp from the Solid Blank Canvas and Leap of Faith set, the lightning stamp from the Nature's Direction set, and the Words stamp, which you can get only if you buy the entire set of stamps.

I created the background by spraying multiple layers of London Blue, Bubblegum Pink, After Midnight, and White Linen Dylusions Sprays and many Mini-Misterfuls of water onto white tags and a sheet 140 lb. watercolor paper.

When I achieved the look I wanted on the tag, I sprayed more water over the Sunburst stencil by The Crafter's Workshop, lifted the stencil, and rolled my kitchen roll, aka paper towel, over the image. Voila. A ghosted image. I wanted a bit more oomph, so I repeated the process using the White Linen spray. Then I left the whole thing to dry a bit.

When I came back I stamped the solid stamp from the Solid Blank Canvas and Leap of Faith set and the bonus words using Ultramarine StazOn ink. The lightning from the Nature's Direction set was stamped using white ink from Paper Trey, then heat set. The tag was edged with Ultramarine StazOn Ink and a ribbon from my stash finished the piece!

Thanks for visiting today!

I shall enter this tag in the following challenges:
• The Cheerful Stamp Pad: Challenge #56 -- Let's Dance
• Make It Monday #133: Anything Goes
• Smudgy Antics: Make It Colourful without using Markers or Pens!
• Challenges 4 Everybody #16: Anything Goes
• Corrosive Challenges #170 Just Dance

Kenny K's Krafty Krew Challenge #136: Anything Goes

This is my last project as a member of Kenny K's Krafty Krew. The challenge this week is "Anything Goes".

The first sponsor is Kenny K's Digital Downloads with a prize of your choice of 5 digital stamps.


The second sponsor is Hobby House who is giving away a collection of Kenny K Toppers.


Here's my project, using Unstoppable Mom, which will be sent to someone who will be celebrating her first Mother's Day, though first she needs to have her baby!


The image was printed onto Neenah cardstock and colored with a plethora of Copic markers, which I'll list below. Clear Gelly Roll Glaze pen was added to her lips, pendant, sunglasses, the lid of her coffee cup, the buckles of her diaper bag, the baby bottle, the wipes packet, and the bear's eyes and nose. Clear Spica Glitter Pen was used to outline the image, her pendant, and the photo corner holding the sentiment.

I chose my Copic colors for the bag based on the diaper bag I had 23 years ago. I also chose them to match the patterned papers, which are from Game On 6x6 packet by Webster's Pages. I used Spellbinders Nestabilities to die cut the image and patterned papers. Memory Box/Poppy Stamps Clouds die was used for the smoke from the train engine. SCACD's Garden Corner die was used to hold the sentiment in place. The sentiment stamp is from Purple Onion's Sentiments set.

Thanks for visiting today!

Copic markers used:
Skin: E21, E23, R22
Hair: C1, C4, C6, C8
Eyes: YG11, 13
Shirt: Y32
Jacket: BG11, BG13, BG15, BG23
Jeans: B93, B95, B97
Lens: G40, G43
Shoes: C4, C6, C8
Phone: B2, B4, B16
Coffee Cup: BG0000, BG000, E40, E41, E43
Diaper Bag: B2, B4, B16; R24, R46; Y21, 23, 26
Teddy Bear: 370, E71, E74, E77
Bottle: R00, R11, E40, E41,
Wipes Packet: BG0000, BG000, E40, E41
Shopping Bags: BG0000, BG000; R22, R24, R46; Y32, T1

I shall be entering this card in the following challenges:
• A Gem of a Challenge: #72: On the Move
• Bearly Mine Challenges: #78: Anything Goes
• Through The Craftroom Door: Anything Goes
• Tuesday Alchemy: #52 Anything Goes
• Lexi's Creations: Challenge #86 -- Mother's Day

SCACD New Release Blog Hop!

Did you love Susana Loves Stamps' Blank Canvas Collection? We are excited to present the SCACD Blank Canvas Collection #2. Building on the original release (recently featured in Craft Stamper Magazine), this new collection will take you on further creative adventures as you mix and match the stamps and use a variety of techniques. Perfect for beginners and seasoned mixed media enthusiasts alike, these stamps will grace cards and papercrafting projects as beautifully as they will altered canvases and other mixed media projects.

The Mixed Media Blank Canvas Collection #2 is available as the entire set or as pairs. When purchasing the stamps as a complete set, you will also receive a bonus stamp. Also being released today are two sets of accessory stamps: Nature's Direction set and Follow Your True Heart set.

These new stamps AND fabulous new SCACD dies are available now at SCACD! Our International friends can purchase both the stamps and the dies at Quixotic Paperie!

You should have come here from the lovely and talented Elaine's blog, where you doubtless saw a wonderful piece of artwork. When you're done seeing my projects and reading my thesis, your next hop stop is the fantastically creative Alex's Blog, where you will be inspired by fabulousness!

I've got two projects for you, so let's get down to it, shall we?

Here's a mixed media flat canvas:


This canvas features the Woman of Essence stamp, which is one of two stamps in the Solid Canvas and Woman of Essence set, the True North Statement, which is one of the stamps in the Follow Your True Heart Set, and the Lightning stamp, which is part of the Nature's Direction set. I have also used the brand new Breezy Branches Corner die.

Go grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and settle in because here starts my boringly verbose description detailing the creation of this project.

I bought some flat canvases that come in multi-packs at Michael's. They serve my purpose, which is to hold up to lots of abuse. I brushed Claudine Hellmuth Studio Multi Medium over the canvas and adhered old sheet music* (You Tube link to Vivaldi's Concerto in A Minor). I let that dry then brushed on a layer of clear gesso. I then proceeded to paint the canvas with Silks Glazes in Periwinkle, Black Ice, Sunburst, and Mallard Green straight up or mixed together.

When I was happy with the color and coverage, I grabbed my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig and stamped the Woman of Essence with Black Onyx VersaFine ink, sprinkled Filigree Black Detail embossing powder on it, and heat set.

The True North sentiment was stamped using Frost Dazzle VersaMark ink, sprinkled Ranger's Holographic embossing powder, and heat set it.

The Lightning was stamped with Frost Dazzle VersaMark ink and a combo of Filigree Detail White, Filigree Detail Silver, and Holographic embossing powders, and (you guessed it!) heat set!

Heavy black cardstock was die cut with SCACD's brand new Breezy Branches Corner die then painted with a thick layer of Black Leather Jacket Sorbet by Art Anthology. When it was almost dry, I added a touch more of this wonderful dimensional paint to the leaves to make them more dimensional. Then I set the two corners aside and let them dry. Quite some time later, I painted the corners and branches with Cinnamon Brown Silks Glaze. The leaves were painted with a mixture of Mallard Green and Sunburst Silks Glazes. I used ScraPerfect Best Glue Ever to adhere the corners. I hadn't used this glue yet and was thrilled with the precision tip and the immediate hold.

***
Need another cup of coffee? More wine? An exercise break? Go for it!
***
Here I go with my second project from this release! This time it's a card, which I created for my father-in-law who is now in the rehab phase of his recovery. He's darned happy to be out of the hospital after a month!



This card features the Anatomical Heart, which is included in the Follow Your True Heart set. Isn't this Steampunk-inspired heart way too cool? I colored the heart with my Prismacolor pencils! Are you shocked that I didn't use my Copics? I know I am! When I was done coloring it, I added Clear Gelly Roll Glaze pen over top of the metal bits and the drop to add dimension and shine.

Silver metallic paper was diecut using SCACD's gorgeous new Steampunk Wings Pair die. This pair of dies, while similar to the new Steampunk Wings Pair STAMPS that are part of Nature's Direction stamp set, is NOT the same size as the stamp version. Anyways, I die cut them and set them aside whilst I constructed the card front, which surprisingly for me, was quick and easy. I die cut some clouds using Memory Box/Poppy Stamps Clouds die, chalked them lightly with Pebbles Metallic Chalk to add a bit of contour. I used a very old punch (remember Emaginations?) to punch a yellow sun and added a touch of orange chalk to it. The sun and clouds were adhered to a piece of blue cardstock and given a ride through my Big Kick using the Clockworks embossing folder. This was matted onto silver metallic paper and onto red cardstock. Silver Metallic paper was punched using a Martha Stewart border punch.

When I was done, I adhered the colored and fussy cut Anatomical Heart and adhered the wings. The last step was to add a touch of Garnet Spica Glitter pen as a glittery accent on the Steampunk Wing Pair.

Ta-Da!!!

Reminder: Your next hop stop is the fantastically creative Alex's Blog, where you will be inspired by fabulousness!

•Lest you think I destroyed innocent sheet music in the creation of this project, rest assured! This sheet music, played by me in competition when I was in high school, was found in my mother's basement, where it got caught in a flood. Pages were missing, it had many water stains, and was kind of stinky. A day or two in the sun, followed by a stretch in a bag with some fabric softener de-stinkified (yes, another new word) so that it was usable.

Thanks for visiting today!

I shall enter the following challenges with these projects:
• CCEE Stampers: Pencils Please
• Craft Us Crazy: Anything But a Card
• Paper Crafting Journey: Anything but a Card
• Anything Goes Challenge Blog: #88 Seeing Double
• Through the Craftroom Door: Anything Goes

Kenny K's Krafty Krew Challenge # 134 -- Happy Birthday!

This week it's Kenny K's Krafty Krew's Team B's turn to take the challenge, which is "Happy Birthday!".

Our first sponsor is Kenny K's Digital Downloads Kenny K who is giving 5 Digis of the winner's choice!



The second sponsor is Marianne Designs, who is giving a stamp and die to the winner.


I used a sketch from Die Cut Divas -- Challenge #105, Try a Sketch.


Here's my card!


I used Happy Hour by Kenny K's Digital Downloads. She was printed onto Neenah cardstock and colored with Copic markers, which I'll list below. Her martini glass, pearls, and lipstick with enhanced with my trusty Clear Gelly Roll Glaze pen which added dimension and shine.

The patterned papers are fairly old. The card front layer and the layer under the image are from a scrap from the Kewl collection by Fancy Pants. I still have a full sheet of it in my stash. The dotted and leaf-print papers are from the Jack & Jill 6x6 pad from the Quite Contrary 6x6 pad by My Mind's Eye. All papers were edged with China Blue Distress ink.

By the way some people have asked me what I use to sponge and my answer is a lot of things, but I do love my Finger Daubers and Ink Sweeper Daubers by Tsukineko.

The tiny star die cuts and the little sentiment tag die cuts are from old QuicKutz dies. I think the stars are actually from an alphabet set. That die has a star, an x, a tiny heart, and a swirl. The little tags are from an old file tab set. Most useful and good to check through my QuicKutz shape binder to remind myself what's in there!

I did add a coat of Clear Gelly Roll Glaze pen to the stars to make 'em shiny. I love shiny things.

Thanks for visiting today!

Copic markers used:
Skin: E000, E00, E11, E21, E50, BV00, R20, R11
Lips: R24, R27, R49
Eyes: YG11, YG13 YG21, YG97
Hair: YR12, E8, E18 E19
Dress: YG11, YG13, YG17, YG25, YG93
Martini: YG21, BG0000, BG000
Olive: YG93, YG97, R27
Pearls: B60
Background: B0000, B000, C0, C1, C2

I shall be entering this card in the following challenges:
• Die Cut Divas -- Challenge #105, Try a Sketch.
• Simon Says Challenges -- A Bit O' Green (mine has a lot more than a bit!!!)
• Crafty Creations Challenges: #212: Use Green
• Inky Impressions #100: St. Patrick's Day or Green
• Through The Craftroom Door: Anything Goes

Mahalo!

Smeared & Smudged is hosting a Design Team Throwdown. I'm part of a team that consists of my very creative friends Alison and Katie. We're calling ourselves The AliKats.

The first challenge in the throwdown is called Paint & Spatter. I'm cool with the paint part of it, but not quite as cool with the splatter, but I persevered, stepped outside of my comfort zone, and added a few here, there, and of course, on me.

Here's our banner, designed by Katie, who obviously is seriously talented in so many ways. Heck. She can even crochet!


Since the three of us are Bombshell Girls, we decided to go with a Bombshell Pin-Up for the first challenge AND to zombify, vampirefy, or goth up our Pin-Up.

Last week I received my new Skullduggery stencil by Andy Skinner, which came to me from England! I was itching to use it and knew I had to create something for this challenge, but I was stymied. Just as I was falling asleep, I had a "Eureeka!" moment, jumped out of bed, and sketched the card. I know it sounds insane, but I knew that if I slept on it, the idea would be gone by morning.

Here's my card that features Bombshell's Hawaiian Girl from the eponymous set.

I wanted her to be a sort of undead creature, sort of a cross between a vampire and a siren, so I colored her accordingly with Copic markers which I'll list below. When I was done coloring her, I fussy cut her, then added some Clear Gelly Roll Glaze pen to her guitar, and set her aside.

I grabbed a piece of 140 lb. Strathmore watercolor paper and sponged black StazOn ink over the Skullduggery stencil. Antique Linen Distress Paint was used to color the skull. It was kind of blah, so I smushed some Frayed Burlap Distress ink onto my craft mat, spritzed it with water, and mixed it with the Antique Linen Distress Paint to create a new color, which I used to shade the skull a bit more. I still wasn't thrilled, so I repeated the process, this time using the slightly darker Gathered Twigs Distress Ink. Then I was happy, so I painted on a thick layer of Clear Rock Candy Distress Crackle paint over the most of the skull, except for the eye sockets and nose hole. This was put aside to dry and I went and started to make dinner, Chicken Sausage and Peppers, which would need to cook for awhile. When it was simmering merrily away and the dishes were done, I went back upstairs to the craft room and hastened the drying process with a heat gun.

A bit of Pumice Stone Distress ink was sponged over the crackles to add more depth. Sand was created by sponging Pumice Stone, Antique Linen, Old Paper, Frayed Burlap, and Gathered Twigs Distress inks over a a torn piece of cardstock.

The next step was to use removable Scotch Tape to create a mask to serve as the horizon between the sea and the sky.

The sea was created by using a turquoisey Gelato from the Metallic Gelato Set I smooshed the turquoise Gelato onto my craft mat, spritzed it with water, and painted it very carefully around the skull. Multiple layers were used to build color, which was further enhanced by the addition of some sponged Peacock Feathers Distress Ink. Whitecaps and waves were added using the Inksenntials White Gel Pen.

I took the blue Gelato from the same Metallic Gelato Set and drew horizontal lines across the cardstock. A baby wipe was used to blend and spread the Gelato paint. When I was pleased with the coverage, I sponged on some Spun Sugar and Chipped Sapphire Distress inks over it to add more color. I heat set the sea and the sky, then adhered the Hawaiian Girl atop the skull. Looking at this in the warm light of a new day, I think I need to add a small sailboat on the horizon on the right. Sadly, I will be gone most of the day, so I'll get to it later.


Black Soot Distress Ink was sponged over the Chicken Wire Stencil by The Crafter's Workshop onto the Kraft card front. Splatters of Antique Linen Distress Paint were added to fulfill the "splatter" requirement of the challenge, then heat set.

The sentiment was stamped and die cut using Spellbinders Fancy Framed Tags. Gold Metallic RubOn cream by Craf-T Products was rubbed onto the black cardstock to add a bit of glitz. Musical Washi Tape by Queen & Company was added to the card front and the stamped panel was adhered.

I forgot to add that this is a competition! The DT with the most votes, collectively, wins. If you are interested in checking out the competition, or in getting more info, click HERE! You must be a member of the Smeared Ink ning group to participate in the challenges and/or the voting. Join up and vote for your favorite project!!

Thanks for visiting today!

Copic markers used:
Skin:YG91, T0, T1, T3, W00
Hair: YG91, YG93, C4, C6, C7, C8
Skirt: YG93, YG95, YG97, YG99
Top: RV91, RV93, RV95
Lei/Hibiscus: YG93, V91, V93, V95, V99
Guitar: E21, E23

This card shall be entered in the following challenges:
• Design Team Throwdown

Encouragement tag meets song challenge

Stampotique Designers Challenge is holding a challenge where your project is inspired by a song. I was driving along trying to figure out a good tag/card to give my fil, who is in the hospital recovering from surgery. As is sometimes the case with surgery, recuperation is a few steps forward, a couple back. He's in need of encouragement, so I decided that I should make a goofy kitty card. After all, who can resist a goofy kitty?

Just then, Hang On Sloopy by theMcCoys came on the Oldies station. And just like that, the idea for this tag came to mind even though the song has nothing to do with people in the hospital. At all. Go check it out on You Tube, if this doesn't work. It's very catchy.

Anyways, here's the tag.



The cats are from the Stampotique stamp called Line Up, which is brand new to me. This is my first time playing with it and I'm in love! The stamp is row of four goofy kitties and is very versatile because you can use one cat, two cats, three cats, or all four. Gotta love that. The stamp came from SCACD, but it's sold out right now. BUT, there are lots of other Stampotique stamps available and some of 'em are even on sale.

I stamped the kitties using Black Tuxedo Memento Ink, colored 'em with Copic markers, and fussy cut them. I added Glossy Accents to the two cats whose eyes were open. The little cat on the left is a lovebug cat, purring with contentment. I know these things because I am a Cat Whisperer. Thought you'd want to know. So, back to it. I set the little kitties aside so that their Glossy Accented eyes would dry out of harm's way.

While they were drying, I took an idea from another project of mine (coincidentally using a Stampotique stamp called Angel), grabbed some old rather plain patterned paper from an old Lost & Found 6x6 pad by My Mind's Eye, and attacked it with After Midnight, Cut Grass, London Blue, Pure Sunshine, Funky Fuschia Dylusions Sprays, and several Mini-Mister-fills of water. I learned a little bit from my last foray and popped up a hand flat post office box to catch the overspray and also had a mess of plain white paper and tags handy to mop up the excess ink. When I got the look I wanted, I sprayed on some of the newest must-have White Linen and spread it around with my fingers. All of the sprayed papers were heat set, then squished under a bunch of heavy boxes to flatten 'em.

The next step was to die cut a piece of white cardstock using the Orchard Tree Frame by Memory Box. I cut the branches that I wanted and colored them with Copic markers.

By then, everything was dry and flat, so I cut the Dylusioned MME patterned paper to tag size, roughed up the edges, and sponged on Gathered Twigs and Black Soot Distress inks. The three cats were adhered and a computer-generated sentiment was added. I sponged Gathered Twigs Distress ink over a new Wood-Grain Prima stencil onto Kraft cardstock, which I used to mat the tag. I punched a hole in the top, threaded some ancient paper raffia that I colored with Copic markers to be all matchy matchy through said hole, then stapled them on when I discover that paper raffia rips. I added some hemp twine and a silver heart charm and called it done.

Sorry that I didn't record the Copic markers I used. Bad, bad me.

I shall be entering this tag in the following challenges AND giving it to my fil on Sunday with a contraband dark chocolate bar. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants which are good for your heart.

• Stampotique Designers Challenge #90: Song Inspiration
• Simon Says Challenge Blog: A Bit Of Green
• Crafty Creations Challenges: #212: Use Green
• Through The Craftroom Door: Anything Goes
• • Use It Tuesday #50: Use an Uninked Stamp
• Southern Girl Challenges #64: Tag! You're it!