Steampunk Moth Tag

Bwa ha ha. Got this done "under the wire" for a challenge that I've been wanting to do all month long, especially once I found the Short Circuit stencil (DecoArt) at my local Michael's, which I knew would be be perfect with SCACD's Radiant Moth, which is part of the Mechanimals Collection.

Radiant Moth was stamped with Onyx Black VersaFine ink (Tsukineko/Imagine Crafts) and heat embossed with Clear Filigree Detail embossing powder (Stewart Superior). The image was colored with Copic markers, fussy-cut, and outlined with a Black Pitt Artist marker (Faber Castell). Lemon Spica Glitter (Copic)pen was added to the area around the wire of Radiant Moth's light bulb, then  Liquid Glass DecoArt) was applied over the light bulb and set aside to dry. 

While it was drying, a piece of black chipboard was die-cut with the Alterations Tag die (Sizzix), then dry embossed with the Clockworks Cuttlebug embossing folder (ProvoCraft). Pewter, Rose Quartz, Onyxite, and Florentine Gold Treasure Gold Wax Paste (PaperArtsy) was brushed over the embossed tag to add some color, shimmer, and shine to the matte black.

Primary Yellow MFA and Primary Cyan Media Fluid Acrylic (MFA) paint (DecoArt) were mixed, then painted onto 140 lb. Mixed Media cardstock (Strathmore).  Pthalo Green Blue and Viridian MFA paint were dry brushed over top until I was happy with the coverage. 

A few drops of Metallic Silver MFA paint was mixed into a splodge of Black Modeling Paste (DecoArt), then scraped over the Americana Short Circuit stencil (DecoArt) onto the painted panel and allowed to dry. Once dry, the silver didn't really show, so I used a really fine brush with Metallic Silver MFA paint to go over the circuitry.

Steampunk (defunct company) was stamped with Onyx Black VersaFine ink (Tsukineko/Imagine Crafts) and heat embossed with Clear Filigree Detail embossing powder (Stewart Superior) and cut to size. Pthalo Green Blue and Viridian MFA paint were sponged over this piece, then the paint was wiped away from the embossed area with a baby wipe. When the paint was dry, the piece was coated with a thick layer of Media Crackle Glaze and set aside to dry.

The circuit board piece was adhered to the tag then screw-top brads were added to the four corners. The crackled Steampunk sentiment was adhered, then a Ceiling Light Bulb and Switches and Outlets Junkyard Findings (Prima Marketing) were adhered using 3D Transparent Matte Gel (Prima Marketing). 

T-pins were cut to size, then used to replace Radiant Moth's antennae and connect them to her antennae tops. 3D Transparent Matte Gel was used to adhere Radiant Moth over the circuit board panel.

A Hitch Fastener, a Swivel Clasp, and a Jump Ring (all Idea-ology) were used to attach the Dream Typed Token (Idea-ology) to the tag. It was hanging where I didn't want it hanging, so I stole a few beady-looking transistor wire gizmos from my husband, who builds audio equipment for fun and relaxation. The transistor wire gizmos were added here and there to add some color and visual interest to the piece and to hold the hanging tag where I wanted it to hang.

Some seam binding was smooshed in some inks, squished, heat set, and tied to the tag's opening to finish the tag.

Tah dah. If you made it through all the above, pat yourself on the back!

Thanks for visiting today!
I shall enter this tag into the following challenges:
• SanDee and amelie's Steampunk Challenges: Tag It!
• Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers Challenges: P is for Steampunk!
• Fantasy Stampers Challenges: Steampunk
• Crafty Gal's Corner Challenges: Things with Wings 
• Simon Says Wednesday Challenges: Anything Goes

Card for a Child

Janet Klein is the hostess at Stampotique Designers Challenge Blog and her theme is Create a Card for a Child. Here is what Janet Klein says about this challenge.

" So often we create to amuse ourselves or other adults. Children love stamping and enjoy to see what is created especially for them. For this week’s Stampotique Designers Challenge I am challenging you to create a card that will have appeal for a child, be it a young one or teen."

If you'd like the chance to win your choice of $30 worth of Stampotique stamps, you should play along with this challenge. Visit Stampotique Designers Challenge blog and be sure to read the rules so that you'll have the chance to win that great prize!!!  Remember to check to see the deadline for all of this month's Stampotique Designers Challenges!

Here's my card with Julep (Amy Wilson-Wellenstein), Agatha's Parrot (Magda Polakow), Wishing you love and laughter (Carol's Collection), and Happy Birthday (Janet Klein). I do hope it works with the challenge!

Julep was stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink onto Neenah cardstock and Eclipse Tape (Judikins). The Eclipse Tape version was fussy-cut to be used as a mask. Using a Stampa-Ma-Jig stamp positioner (EK Success), Agatha's Parrot was stamped atop Julep's foot on the image panel and also onto Eclipse Tape to be used as a mask. The pair of Julep and Agatha's Parrot were then colored with Copic markers. Agatha's Parrot's beak and eyes were coated with several layers of Clear Gelly Glaze pen (Sakura) to add dimension and shine to them.

Both images were masked and some reserved cloud masks (created with the  Puffy Clouds (Memory Box) were added around the stamped images. Some hearts were punched from Eclipse Tape and those were added around Julep. The sky was airbrushed with a B21 Copic marker and my Copic airbrush system. When I was done, the masks were lifted, the clouds were detailed, and Julep's antennae were outlined with the Clear Stardust Glitter Gel pen (Sakura).

Wishing you love and laughter  and Happy Birthday were stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink, then die-cut with one of the dies from the Conversation Bubbles One die set (Spellbinders) and one of the dies from the Dimensional Banners die set (Die-namics). Both sentiments were adhered to the image panel. 

Pink Glitter cardstock (DCWV) was used to mat the image panel, then adhered to a 5" x 7" card.

Thanks for visiting today! 

I shall enter this card into the following challenges:
• Always Crafting with Paper Challenges: Birthdays 
• Chocolate, Coffee, and Cards Challenges: Celebrations

Thank you!

One of the things about celebrating birthdays is getting birthday gifts, so it's always a good idea to have Thank You cards at the ready.

This is Marcie, one of the Rubber Romance Divas that are available at I Brake for Stamps. I think the Divas are very stylish, like I'd be in an alternate life if I were thin, younger, and ladylike. Alas, I'm none of those things.

Marcie appealed to me because she is holding a sign which makes her perfect for a myriad of occasions and sentiments. You gotta love a versatile stamp. Marcie was stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink (Ranger) and colored with Copic markers. I did add a touch of blush with a chalk pencil.

The image panel was die-cut with a die from the Long Rectangles Nestabilities die set (Spellbinders). Black cardstock was die-cut with the matching Scalloped Long Rectangles Nestabilities die, the Fancy Floral Lace Border die (Cottage Cutz), and a Fancy Corner die (QuicKutz). Yellow patterned paper from the French Country 6x6 pad (Graphic 45) was die-cut with one of the dies from the Decorative Borders die set (All Occasion). 

The image panel die-cut was matted with the scalloped rectangle die-cut, the was adhered to a card front cut from a sheet from the Typography 8x8 pad (Graphic 45). The Fancy Floral Lace Border die-cut was adhered at the base of the card front and the yellow chain Decorative Border die-cut was adhered over it. The two Fancy Corner die-cuts were added to the top corners of the image panel.

An ancient rub-on Thank You sentiment was added to the scalloped boxes.

You really ought to go check out Marcie, the other Rubber Romance Divas, and all the great stamps at I Brake For Stamps. Click on my badge below to be whisked over there to check out their fabulous images! Best of all, if you buy something, use this code: SAVE10KATHI  and you'll get 10% off your purchase.

Thanks for visiting today!

I shall enter this card in the following challenges:
• Use Your Stuff Challenge: Markers
• 613 Avenue Create Challenges: Anything Goes with September's Birthstone, Sapphire
• Card and Scrap Challenges: Use Dies
• Let's Craft and Create Challenges: Use Dies
• Scrapbooking and Cardmaking: Thanks

#STAMPtember and Anything Goes/Christmas Twist!

This week's the challenge at The Outlawz Coloring Challenges is Anything Goes with an optional Christmas twist! Carla, Penny, Karen, Vannessa, and I challenge you to create a project for this challenge. You should check out their blogs to see their gorgeous artwork.

I was lucky enough to receive a stamp set to sneak peek for Simon Says Stamp's STAMPtember Stamp party. 

Here's my card with Simon Says Stamp's Warm Christmas Wishes!

Santa from the Warm Christmas Wishes stamp set (Simon Says Stamp)was stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink (Tsukineko/Imagine Crafts) onto Neenah cardstock and Eclipse Tape (Judikins). The Eclipse Tape version was fussy-cut and placed over Santa. The surfboard, included in the set, was positioned and stamped onto the scene. It was also stamped onto Eclipse Tape and fussy-cut. The table and tropical drink were stamped to complete the scene. Santa's mask was removed and Santa, the surfboard, and the drink table were colored with Copic markers. 

Santa and his surfboard were masked, some reserved die-cut cloud masks were positioned in the sky area, and the sky was airbrushed with a B21 Copic marker and the airbrush system. The masks were removed, the clouds were detailed, and the sea and the sandy beach were colored with Copic markers. A White Inkssentials Gel pen (Ranger) was used to add some white caps and motion to the sea. A White Gelly pen (Sakura) was used to add a white highlight to the surfboard.

White Glossy cardstock (Ranger) was die-cut with the Polaroid Cover-up die (Die-namics). A strip of washi tape (source unknown) was added. The Polaroid Cover-up was positioned over the beach scene and layered onto a red A2 card.

White patterned cardstock was die-cut with the cloud bubble die, one of the dies included in the Talk Bubbles 2 die set (Simon Says Stamp).  After a bit of masking, "Warm Christmas Wishes", the sentiment included in the stamp set was stamped onto the cloud bubble. 

I decided that an additional sentiment was needed and found the perfect one "all is calm" on a Christmastime Remnant Rub (Ranger). An old QuicKutz die was used to die-cut white cardstock, stamped with "Ho, Ho, Ho" stamp (Hero Arts) with Lady Bug Memento ink (Tsukineko/Imagine Crafts). "All is calm" was rubbed onto the stamped die-cut, adhered over the washi tape, and two red rhinestones were added to finish the card.

Thank you for visiting today! 

I shall enter this card into the following challenges:
• Simon Says Wednesday Challenges: No Designer Paper  
• One Crazy Stamper Challenge: Halloween or Christmas 
• Papertake Weekly Challenges: Christmas 

Making a scene for early Halloween!

This week Carol is the hostess at Stampotique Designers Challenge Blog and her theme is Early Halloween. Here is what Carol says about this challenge.

"I really love Halloween so any excuse to sneak a make in, a month early is OK in my book."

If you'd like the chance to win your choice of $30 worth of Stampotique stamps, you should play along with this challenge. Visit Stampotique Designers Challenge blog and be sure to read the rules so that you'll have the chance to win that great prize!!!  Remember to check to see the deadline for all of this month's Stampotique Designers Challenges!

Here's my card with Stampotique's Lucius, Lucilla, and Skull Moon Small. All the stamps are by my Stampotique teammie, Arwen McCullen. 

Lucius, Lucilla, and Skull Moon Small were stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink (Tsukineko/Imagine Crafts), colored with Copic markers, and fussy-cut. I should mention that I altered both Lucius and Lucilla's  hairstyles to make it easier to fussy-cut them. I also should mention that I colored them to look kind of undead, hence the greyish/greenish cast to the skin.

The bat buttons on Lucius' duster and the little skulls on  his boots received several coats of Clear Gelly Glaze pen (Sakura) to add dimension and shine to them. Skull Moon Small was first coated with a layer of Media Matte Medium (DecoArt) and then Media Crackle Glaze (DecoArt). All three stamped, colored, fussy-cut images were set aside while I worked on an appropriate background.

A piece of 140 lb. Mixed Media cardstock (Strathmore) was first painted with a layer of Carbon Black Media Fluid Acrylic (MFA) paint (DecoArt). Layers of Pthalo  Blue, Ultramarine Blue, and Paynes Grey MFA paint were added to create a sky, then Titanium White MFA paint was spritzed over them using a toothbrush that is used solely for paint.

Grey cardstock was die-cut with the Graveyard Border die (Cottage Cutz) and then detailed with Grey Pitt Artist Brush pens (Faber Castell) and a White Picket Fence Distress marker (Ranger). 
Some bits of white cardstock were colored with Copic markers and then adhered under the buildings' windows.

The enhanced Graveyard Border was adhered across the painted cardstock and Media Gesso (DecoArt) was scraped and splodged (technical term) over the bottom edge of the border and the cardstock to make the layers even. Primary Yellow MFA and Primary Cyan MFA paints were mixed, then painted over the gessoed bottom of the background. Pthalo Green Blue and Viridian MFA paints were dry-brushed over top to add layers of color to the grass.

Grey-speckled cardstock was die-cut with two of the dies included in Graveyard Scene die set (Spellbinders), detailed with Grey Pitt Artist Brush pens, then adhered over the bottom portion of the grass.

Burnt Umber MFA paint was mixed into Media Texture Sand Paste (DecoArt), then the mixture was spread over the base of the tombstones and allowed to dry overnight.

The crackled Skull Moon Small was adhered to the sky and Lucius and Lucilla were adhered. The bat dies from the Halloween die set (Impression Obsession) and A Bunch of Bats die (Memory Box) were used to cut glittery black cardstock. The bats were added to the scene, which was matted, then adhered to a 5" x 7" card.

Thanks for visiting today!

I shall enter this card into the following challenges:
• Scrapy Land Challenges: Add an image/Use a Die
• Forever Dark 2 Challenge 4
• Retarte Challenges: Anything Goes with a Halloween Twist
• The Corrosive Challenges: Mixed Media
• The Mirror Crack'd Challenges: Tic-Tac-Toe (1st row vertical)
• Simon Says Wednesday Challenges: No Designer Paper

Sk8R Grrl

I call her Sk8R Grrl, but her real name is Be Fearless and she's part of SCACD's Brave Hearts stamp collection. Not only that, but she and her other friends are available as digital stamps. Lastly, if you're an international pal, you can get her and all the other SCACD digital stamps HERE.

Be Fearless, aka Sk8R Grrl, was stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink (Tsukineko/Imagine Crafts) and colored with Copic markers. A bit of pink blush was added to her cheeks with a chalk pencil.The image panel was die-cut with one of the dies from the Card Creator 5x7 Nestabilities die set (Spellbinders). Her earring received a glittery touch thanks to the Clear Stardust Glitter pen (Sakura). Both the earring and the skull in her hair were coated with several coats of Clear Gelly Glaze pen (Sakura) to add dimension and shine.

In a departure from my usual way of doing things, I colored her first then chose patterned papers. I had a wee bit of difficulty finding a good lavender in my plethora of 6x6 patterned paper pads, so I had to go digging in the 12x12 files. I finally found the perfect match in two older patterned papers by Doodlebug. The reverse of the paper had a 2001 copyright sign! The stripey patterned paper is by KI Memories and is probably almost as old. Way back then, during my scrapbooking days, I'd buy multiples of any paper that I liked because I had some strange fear of running out of my favorites. That rarely happened and left me with a sizable collection of really old paper.

I also had collected some matching Doodelbug cardstock and was delighted to find one last piece of the light lavender color which sacrificed itself for the card. The lighter lavender was die-cut with a larger die from the Card Creator 5x7 Nestabilities die set. The striped paper was die-cut with a scalloped border die from the Blueprints 4 die set (Die-namics). Both the plaid and striped paper were die-cut with the pierced strip die from the Blueprints 3 die set (Die-namics).

Since is a bit edgy, I wanted to add some edgy accents. Silver metallic cardstock was die-cut with the Barbed Wire die (Cherry Lynn Designs) and with the small circles from the Blueprints 3 die set (Die-namics). Off white cardstock was punched with a tiny skull punch (Studio G).

As usual, I didn't know who would get this card for what occasion, so a sentiment was intentionally omitted.

Thanks for visiting today!

I shall enter this card into the following challenges:
• Card Mania Challenges: Pastel Colors
• Craft Your Passion Challenges: Anything Goes
• Cuttlebug Mania Challenges: Wheels

Birthday Gift for a Cat Lady!

It's no surprise to anyone who visits here that I'm a cat person. Or maybe it is. In either case, I am a proud cat lady. I love kittens, cats, and wild cats. If I could, I'd have a house filled with them. But alas, I can't for a variety of reasons, the biggest being that I'm actually allergic to the critters. Yep. It's true. I prove my love for my kitties by taking a plethora of allergy meds every.single.day.

As a paper-craftin' cat lady, I collect cat stamps, cat cutting dies, and cat punches. So, when I saw the cat image on the Cats and Buildings stamp sheet (Stampingback) at  I knew that one day it would be mine. It didn't hurt that I also really love architecture, have visited The Netherlands, and fell in love with Dutch architecture.

Since I'm still celebrating my birthday, I've been making lots of birthday cards. This is one of them.

When I first saw the Cats from the Cats and Buildings sheet, I immediately thought of the Cat Lady Starter Kit meme that's been circulating on the 'net for ages. I thought that I should try to make a birthday version, especially since one of my cats, Duchess, is crazy for boxes.

Cats from the Cats and Buildings sheet was stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink (Tsukineko/Imagine Crafts) and colored with Copic markers. I felt like using unrealistic cat colors, so I did. When I was done coloring it, I fussy-cut the top bit of the cats, then used a Black Pitt Pen (Faber Castell) to edge them.

Thin cardboard was trimmed, scored, and folded to look box-like. All cut and scored edges were sponged with Black Soot Distress ink (Ranger) to look battered like the packages that arrive here. Colored tissue paper was torn and adhered to the back of the box and to the separate flap/front of the box piece.

An address label and a postage stamp from the Aeropostale Sticker Book (7 Gypsies) was roughed up and sponged with Black Soot Distress ink. In a very rare event, I wrote the address on the airmail label with a Sharpie pen. I rarely write on my cards and such because I'm hypercritical of my handwriting. "Fragile" and "This End Up" are from a very old Fortunes rub-on sheet (7 Gypsies). "Par Avion" is ancient rub-on by QuicKutz, and the arrow is from a Remnant Rub (Idea-ology).

A leftover scrap of textured Kraft cardstock was sponged with Fired Brick and Black Soot Distress ink. Washi tape was adhered to the center of the card front.

Another scrap of Kraft cardstock was die-cut with a Happy Birthday (Elizabeth Craft Designs), Celebrate (Elizabeth Craft Designs), and a tag die (QuicKutz). All the die-cuts were sponged with Fired Brick Distress ink. A heart die (QuicKutz) was used die-cut another scrap of Kraft cardstock and sponged with Fired Brick Distress ink. The sentiments were adhered vertically along the sides of the card front.

Equally ancient "For You" rub-on was applied to the tag and the heart was added. A pewter eyelet was hammered into the tag's hole. Postal-looking baker's twine was tired around the flap of the image panel/box and threaded through the hole in the tag. The image panel was adhered to the card front, which was then adhered to a 5" x 7" kraft card.

So, if you like the Cats stamp, you should check it and all the other stamps at I Brake For Stamps. Click on my badge below to be whisked over there to check out their fabulous images! Best of all, if you buy something, use this code: SAVE10KATHI  and you'll get 10% off your purchase.

Thanks for visiting today!

I shall enter this card into the following challenges:

• Crafts for Eternity Challenges: Handwriting
• Southern Girls Challenges: Layer It Up 
• Scrapy Land Challenges: Anything Goes
• Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenges: Die Crazy

Color Challenge

This week's the challenge at The Outlawz Coloring Challenges is a color palette challenge. My Outlawz Coloring Challenge teammates, Carla, Penny, Karen, Vannessa, and I challenge you to create a project for this challenge. You should check out their blogs to see their gorgeous artwork. 
Our September sponsor at The Outlawz Coloring Challenges is Norma J. Burnell and Fairy Tangles, who is offering our lucky winner three digital stamps of his/her choice from the Fairy Tangles Store.  Play along with us for your chance to win!

 

Here's the color palette, courtesy of Design Seeds.

 

 

Here's my card with Fairy Tangles' The Gift Christmas Witch Holiday Fairy.

The Gift Christmas Witch Holiday Fairy was resized in PhotoElements, printed onto Neenah cardstock with my laser printer, and colored with Copic markers. A touch of palette chalk was used to add some color to her cheeks. The image panel was die-cut with one of the dies from the Card Creator Nestabilities set (Spellbinders). The beads, buttons, and holiday ornament were coated with several layers of Clear Gelly Glaze pen (Sakura) to add shiny dimension. There are also touches of Clear Stardust Glitter pen (Sakura) here and there.

The patterned papers are from the very old Lime Rickey and Marrakesh 6x6 pads by Basic Grey. Bundled Sage and Chipped Sapphire Distress inks (Ranger) were used to sponge the white edges.

I haven't added a greeting yet since I haven't decided who will get it. It will be some take on a holiday greeting suited to the recipient's holiday style!

Thanks for visiting today!

 

I shall enter this card into the following challenges:

• Crafting with Dragonflies Challenges: Something Magical

• Jingle Belles Challenges: Stashing through the Snow  

• Winter Wonderland Challenges: A Christmas Fairy

Milestone Birthdays, Anniversaries, and/or Celebrations

I am the hostess this week at Stampotique Designers Challenge Blog and my challenge is Milestone birthdays, anniversaries, or other celebrations.

This is what I've got to say about my challenge:

"Whether it's a 21st, 25, 50, 60th birthday or 10th, 25, 50th anniversary, it's time to celebrate. Let's see a project that celebrates those sometimes scary milestones of life!"

If you'd like the chance to win your choice of $30 worth of Stampotique stamps, you should play along with this challenge. Visit Stampotique Designers Challenge blog and be sure to read the rules so that you'll have the chance to win that great prize!!!  Remember to check to see the deadline for all of this month's Stampotique Designers Challenges!

Here's my project for the challenge with three of the birds from Birdy Up, two of the birds from Birdy Bonnets, one bird from Stack of Birds, one of the hats from Happy Head Appliances, Owl with Wings, Skull Balloons, and Happy, Happy. 

Two of the birds from Birdy Up, two of the birds from Birdy Bonnets, one bird from Stack of Birds, one of the hats from Happy Head Appliances, and Owl with Wings were stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink (Tsukineko/Imagine Crafts), colored with Copic markers, fussy-cut, and edged with a Black Pitt Artist pen (Faber Castell). Diamond Glaze (Judikins) was added to all of the birds' eyes and the birds were banished to a drawer in a closet overnight so I would not be tempted to touch them to see if the Glossy Accents had set. 

The closed-eye happy looking bird from Birdy Up became the birthday bird-of-honor courtesy of the hat from the Happy Head Appliances and placed away from the maelstrom of my craft table. Skull Balloons was stamped with London Fog Memento ink because I wanted a more subtle look. The balloons were colored with Copic markers and fussy-cut. Happy, Happy was stamped over two of the balloons using Tuxedo Black Memento ink and my Stamp-a-ma-jig stamp positioner (EK Success). Happy, Happy joined Skull Balloons out of harms' way. 

The Blossom Grand font set (QuicKutz) was used to die-cut black glitter paper for the 60. WHOOO was die-cut from the same glitter paper with the Blossom font set (QuicKutz). A Hint of Lime die (Die-Versions) was used to die-cut is. Pale green vellum was die-cut with the Big Word Pop Curve die (Memory Box). A scrap of white cardstock was die-cut with the Cocktail Party die (Taylored Expressions), which was then colored with Copic markers.  

The patterned paper is from the Baby Boy collection (Basic Grey) and was edged with both Peeled Paint and Black Soot Distress inks (Ranger). Danger-striped Washi tape was added to the base of the card front and the Big Word Pop Curve die-cut was added to the upper left corner, then outlined with Black Spica Glitter pen (Copic).

The glittery 60 number dies were positioned on the patterned paper and Owl with Wings was perched on the 6. All the birds from Birdy Up (pinky-orange and blue/green),  Birdy Bonnets (red-winged blackbird crown and fedora), and Stack of Birds (red-winged blackbird on the right) were adhered atop the striped Washi tape. The birthday-bird was placed over the 0 atop a second layer of Washi tape. The Skull Balloons were placed over the red-winged blackbird on the right.

Black Glaze pen (Sakura) was used to draw legs onto the black birds and strings attaching the
Skull Balloons to the blackbird on the right. Whooo is was adhered to the vellum Big Word Pop Curve die-cut. The colored Cocktail Party die was adhered over the Washi tape to the base of the image panel, which was then adhered to a 5x7 white card.

By the way, if you're wondering what prompted this theme, I recently celebrated two milestones. In August, my husband and I celebrated our 35 Wedding Anniversary and I just turned 60, which mildly freaked me out. However, I figure that whereas I might be a bit of an old bird, I'm still on this astral plain, moderately healthy (too fat, too caffeinated, too winy), enjoying family and friends, and my hobbies. All in all it beats the heck out of the alternative, don'tchaknow?

Thanks for visiting today!

I shall enter this card into the following challenges:
• Left of Center Challenges: Dies or Punches
• My Time To Craft Challenges: Owls
• Aurora Wings Challenges: Anything Goes with Wings
• Papertake Weekly Challenges: Animals
• Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenges: Die Crazy 

"Ciao!"

There's something about mopeds and scooters that make me laugh. Then I saw Eddie Izzard in his Dress to Kill HBO special. His Italy/Vespa skit, had me literally rolling on the floor laughing. And crying. And not being able to breathe. You know. All that good stuff. So, whenever I see any form of scooter, my brain says "Ciao" and I start laughing like a lunatic. And if I see a Vespa stamp, I must have it.

You know where this is going, don't you? I Brake For Stamps has a hilariously funny stamp collection called Humorous Seniors. While perusing that collection, I found Moped Millie, ordered it, and here's my first card with her!

Moped Millie was stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink (Tsukineko/Imagine Crafts) and colored with Copic markers to match a large piece of two-sided patterned paper that I found in my scrap stash, which makes me glad that I hoard large scraps that I deem might some day be useful.

Road-patterned Washi tape (two different kinds) were adhered under Moped Millie's scooter. The image panel was die-cut with one of the dies from The Card Creator die set (Spellbinders), then edged with Black Soot Distress ink (Ranger).

Several layers of Clear Gelly Glaze pen (Sakura) were added to Moped Millie's helmet, glasses, and the scooter's headlight to give them dimension and shine. Turquoise Spica Glitter pen was used to add glitter to Moped Millie's ankle bracelet. I also gave her a turquoise glitter earring, because I thought she'd like it. I'm generous like that.

The red/yellow reverse side of the patterned paper was die-cut with the next largest dies from the same Card Creator die set and sponged with Black Soot Distress ink. The paper was also die-cut with my Mermaid font die (Die-Versions), then the sentiment was adhered to the Washi tape.

I started to put the card together, opting for a relatively clean layout. However, I thought that the card was missing something, so I started to think, which can be a scary thing. Then I remembered that I had a stoplight charm that might work. After a relatively short search, I found it! Sadly, it was just plain pewter, so I added some red, yellow, and green acrylic paint in the appropriate places (after checking Google to make sure that the red and green were in the right spots. I "hung" the light with some beading wire from an ancient pewter photo corner, then added a second corner to the bottom of the card for balance. You wouldn't want me to be unbalanced, would you?

The card front was mounted on a kraft card and I called it done!

If you like Moped Millie and want to see the other Humorous Seniors stamps, click on my badge below to be whisked over there to check out their fabulous images! Best of all, if you buy something, use this code: SAVE10KATHI  and you'll get 10% off your purchase.

Thanks for visiting today!

Thanks for visiting today!

I shall enter this card into the following challenges:
• Sweet Stampin' Challenges: Make a Scene
• Natalie and Amy's Challenges: Use a Charm
• Cuttlebug Mania Challenges: Wheels 

It's a Two-Fer: Stampotique's and Friday Coloring/The Outlawz Challenges!

Nellie is our hostess this week at Stampotique Designers Challenge Blog and she is asking us to "Use only two stamps" Here is what Nellie says about this challenge:

"I tend to use a lot of stamps when I create something. Thought I might challenge myself and all of you by limiting the number of stamps. So no more than two stamps please!"

If you'd like the chance to win your choice of $30 worth of Stampotique stamps, you should play along with this challenge. Visit Stampotique Designers Challenge blog and be sure to read the rules so that you'll have the chance to win that great prize!!!  Remember to check to see the deadline for all of this month's Stampotique Designers Challenges!

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This week's the challenge at The Outlawz Coloring Challenges is Hats because September 15th is Make a Hat Day . My Outlawz Coloring Challenge teammates, Carla, Penny, Karen, Vannessa, and I challenge you to use create a project for this challenge. You should check out their blogs to see their gorgeous artwork. 

Our September sponsor at The Outlawz Coloring Challenges is Norma J. Burnell and Fairy Tangles, who is offering our lucky winner three digital stamps of his/her choice from the Fairy Tangles Store.  Play along with us for your chance to win!

Here's my card with Stampotique's Priscilla (Amy Wilson Wellenstein) and Skully (Arwen McCullen).

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I know that I've created a scene (on a card) before that used Priscilla as a juggler. If you can't steal an idea from yourself, who can you steal from?

Priscilla was stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink (Tsukineko/Imagine Crafts) twice. Once onto Neenah cardstock and once onto Eclipse Tape (Judikins). The Judikins version was fussy-cut. Using my Stamp-a-ma-jig stamp positioner (EK Success), Skully was stamped five times in a rough semi-circle pattern over Priscilla's hands and head. 

Both Priscilla and Skully were colored with Copic markers. Lavender Spica Glitter pen (Copic) was used to add some glittery bits to her headdress and vest. I like my skull images to be slightly cracked like me, so the Skullys  received some cracks courtesy of a Black Multiliner pen (Copic). My Prismacolor pen (Tsukineko/Imagine Crafts) was used to color in the skulls and Filigree Clear Detail Embossing Powder (Stewart Superior) was used to add dimension and shine to all the Skullys.

Here's a close-up so you can see the shiny dimension.

 
The Eclipse Tape mask was placed over Priscilla and repositionable Scotch Tape (3M) was placed horizontally over Priscilla's foot. Walnut Stain Distress ink (Ranger) was sponged over the bottom part of the card panel. The tape was lifted and repositioned to cover the "floor". Milled Lavender Distress ink (Ranger) was sponged over Priscilla and the Skullys. My Harlequin Layering Stencil (Stampers Anonymous) was positioned over the the scene and Milled Lavender Distress ink was sponged over the stencil. Then the same ink was sponged again over the Dot Fade Layering Stencil (Stampers Anonymous). The embossed Skullys resisted the ink, but were lightly wiped with a baby wipe to remove excess ink from them. The Eclipse Tape mask was pulled up and set aside for another use. The tape was pulled up and some horizontal lines were added to the floor with a Sepia Pitt Marker pen (Faber Castell). The image panel's edges were sponged with my beloved Black Soot Distress ink, then double matted with black and lavender cardstock.

Lavender cardstock was die-cut with my Fancy Floral Lace Border die (Cottage Cutz). Grey cardstock was die-cut with Bats and Crossbones Border Garland die (Alterations/Sizzix). The skulls got a bit of detailing with Copics, then were backed with scraps of Copic colored cardstock to make 'em all matchy with the Skullys. The Fancy Floral Lace Border die-cuts were added to the base of a lavender 5x7 card. The Crossbones die-cut was adhered over that, then the image panel was added to the card. As is my wont, I didn't add a sentiment because I haven't decided who should receive and/or appreciate this card and for what occasion if any.

Thanks for visiting today! 

I shall enter this card into the following challenges:
• Bloggers Challenges: Stencils  
• Left of Center Challenges: Diecuts and Punches
• Scrapy Land Challenges: Anything Goes/Use a Die