Get Well Soon

It's Tuesday so it's time to share a project created for Topflight Stamps. This week's theme is Mixed Media. I used chalk acrylic paints, watercolor markers, glitter markers, colored pencils, and gel pens on my project.

Here's my Get Well card was made with Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paints by PaperArtsy, the JM36 Mini Cling Rubber Stamp, JM45 Mini Cling Rubber Stamp by JOFY for PaperArtsy, the Polaroid Pop Die Set DI-89 by AALL and Create, Sparkling Brights Colorist Glitter Markers by Spectrum Noir, and the More Classic Sentiments Clear Stamp Set by Heffy Doodle.

Topflight Stamps Products Used:

Shutters, Pool, Lawn, and Spring Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paints by PaperArtsy

JM36 Mini Cling Rubber Stamp by JOFY for PaperArtsy

JM45 Mini Cling Rubber Stamp by JOFY for PaperArtsy

Polaroid Pop Die Set DI-89 by AALL and Create

Nocturne VersaFine Clair Inks by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Sparkling Brights Colorista Glitter Markers by Spectrum Noir

More Classic Sentiments Clear Stamp Set by Heffy Doodle

Other Products Used:

Bristol Paper by Strathmore

Gold Metallic Cardstock by Neenah Papers

Green Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Cut 'n' Dry Foam by Ranger Ink

Red, Crimson Lake, Grey, and Light Grey Le Plume II Markers by Marvy Uchida

Scarlet Red, Deep Red, Burnt Carmine, White, and Black Polychromos Colored Pencils by Faber Castell

Champagne VersaMark Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Detail Gold and Black Embossing Powders by Stampendous

Anti-Static Pouch

Upper and Lower Case Alphabet Dies by All Occasions

Low-tack Tape

2" Sookwang Double-sided Tape

Stamping Platform

Instructions:

1. Make an A2 card from green cardstock. Set aside.
2. Add drops of Shutters and Pool Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paints to a piece of Cut 'n' Dry Foam (or a firm foam makeup wedge). 
3. Pounce the paint onto a craft mat to blend, then pounce the paint over a piece of Bristol or other heavy weight paper, varying the direction of the foam. Re-apply the paint to the foam as needed. Heat set the panel if desired. 
4. Use the two largest dies from the Polaroid Pop Die Set DI-89  to cut the painted paper.
5. Use Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink to stamp the ladybug from the JM45 Mini Cling Rubber Stamp onto the center of the smaller die-cut and heat set. 
6. Use watercolor markers and/or colored pencil to color the ladybug. 
7. Use a white colored pencil or a white paint marker to add highlights to the ladybug. *
8. Pounce an anti-static pouch of the image die-cut panel. 
9. Use VersaMark ink to stamp the cage from the JM36 Mini Cling Rubber Stamp over the colored ladybug. 
10. Add detail gold embossing powder to the wet ink, dump off the excess embossing powder into its container, and heat set. 
11. Use Sparkling Brights Colorista Glitter Markers to add sparkly color to the embossed bird cage. Heat set the glitter ink.
12. Add 2" Sookwang Double-sided tape to the reverse of a piece of gold metalllic cardstock.
13. Use alphabet dies to cut the gold metallic cardstock then adhere the "Caught a bug?" sentiment to the image die-cut panel. Set aside.
14. Add drops of Lawn and Spring Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paintsto another piece of Cut 'n' Dry Foam. 
15. Pounce the paint onto the bottom of the larger painted die-cut panel, which will become the background layer. 
16. Use a paint brush to add blades of grass.
17. Adhere the image die-cut panel to the background die-cut panel as shown.
18. Cut gold metallic cardstock so that it's slightly larger than the image background die-cut panel and use to mat the background die-cut panel. 
19. Use the flag die from the Polaroid Pop Die Set DI-89 to cut gold metallic cardstock. 
20. Flip the gold metallic cardstock panel.
21. Use low-tack tape to cover the flag-shaped aperture on the reverse of the panel.
22. Adhere the gold metallic flag into the aperture.
23. Place the gold metallic panel onto the base of a stamping platform secured with low-tack tape and/or magnets.
24. Pounce the anti-static patch onto the die-cut.
25. Position the "Get Well Soon" sentiment from the More Classic Sentiments Clear Stamp Set facedown on the die-cut.
26. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
27. Ink the sentiment stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp the "Get Well Soon" sentiment onto the die-cut. 
28. Add black detail embossing powder to the wet ink, dump the excess embossing powder back into its container, and heat set. 
29. Adhere the sentiment flag die-cut to the background die-cut as shown. 
30. Adhere the background die-cut to the reserved green A2 card.

Notes:

• I wasn't happy with the white colored pencil highlights on the ladybug's shell, so I added white gel pen overtop. It immediately turned pink. I tried using White Posca Paint, and that didn't work well either, so I used Doc PH Marten's Anti-bleed White, which while it stayed white, applied really goopily. I should have left well enough alone. Alas.
• I am happy that the Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink stamped cleanly on the metallic cardstock. So one win, one loss. 

Thanks for visiting today!

Smile! It's Good to be Queen

Greetings! Here's a card created for Lost Coast Portal to Creativity's Challenge 195 - I Am Woman with the Crown Mona Rubber Stamp by Lost Coast Designs. 

Products Used:

Crown Mona Rubber Stamp by Lost Coast Designs

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers

Heavyweight Gold Metallic Cardstock: Source Unknown 

Grey Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Copic Markers: 

 Skin: BV000, BV0000, RV93, RV91, E50, E21, E11, E000, R000

 Cheeks: R20

 Lips: R01, R00

 Hair: E39, E35

 Eyes: N5, E71, E70

 Hood and Dress: BG78, BG75, BG72

 Crown: E95, E93, E77, E71, E70, E47, E44, E43, E42, E41, C2

White Gelly Roll Gel Pen by Sakura

Blue Raspberry, Sage, Glacier, and Cashmere Dye Inks by Catherine Pooler Designs

Brick Textures 6x6 Patterned Paper Pad by Craft Consortium *

Acetate Hills Masks Set by Lavinia Stamps *

Black and Gold Uni-Posca Acrylic Paint Pens by Mitsubishi Pencil

Looking Glass Fine Art Frame Die by Hero Arts

Upper and Lower Case Alphabet Dies by All Occasions

Queen Die (part of a Drama Queen Set): Source Unknown

Metallic idea-ology Stickers by Tim Holtz for Advantus

Repositionable Sticker Paper by Avery

Low-tack Tape

Baby Wipes

STAY-tion by Wendy Vecchi

Glassboard by Glassboard Studios

Stamping Platform

Pls. Note: Products marked with asterisks ( * ) can be purchased at Topflight Stamps!

Instructions:

1. Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink to stamp Crown Mona twice — once onto white cardstock and once onto repositionable sticker paper. 
2. Use Copic markers to color Crown Mona on the image panel. 
3. Use N5 Copic marker to deepen the black of her pupils.
4. Use a white gel pen to add highlights to her eyes.
5. Fussy-cut the sticker paper version of Crown Mona and place hert over her counterpart on the image panel.
6. Move the image panel to a magnetic surface and secure it with magnets. 
7. Place a hill landscape stencil over the masked image and the panel. Secure with magnets.
8. Brush Blue Raspberry ink horizontally across the stencil. 
9. Remove the stencil and use a small brush to apply Sage ink below the sky to form hills. 
10. Brush Glacier ink below the hills area to create a body of water. 
11. Use Sage and Cashmere inks to to fill in the rest of the area behind Crown Mona. 
12. Remove Crown Mona's mask.
13. Cut metallic gold cardstock with the Looking Glass Fine Art Frame Die. 
14. Drip some black Posca Acrylic paint onto a baby wipe. 
15. Use the baby wipe to apply the black paint, let it set for a second or two, then use a clean area of the baby wipe to remove the black paint from the surface of the die-cut. The black paint will have settled into the etched design.
16. Place the frame over Crown Mona to frame her. 
17. Adhere framed Crown Mona to a 4" x 5.25" piece of brick patterned paper. 
18. Use a Gold Posca Paint Pen to edge and add a gold border to the patterned paper. 
19. Let the paint dry, then adhere the patterned paper to a grey A2 card.
20. Use alphabet dies and a word die to cut gold metallic cardstock. 
21. Adhere the sentiment to the card front as shown. 
22. Add the "Smile" metalllic sentiment sticker to finish the card.

You still have time to play along with our I Am Woman Challenge 195 and get the chance to win Lost Coast Ca$h. 

 

Birthday Shaker Card

I'm sorry to say that my reign as A Colorful Life Designs' April Guest Designer is coming to an end. However, I had a blast and I'm going out with a super-fun and easy birthday shaker card created with their Banded Split Stencil Set and their wonderful Card Bling!

Do you have oodles of patterned paper that you rarely use because it is outdated? I know I do! The Banded Split Stencil Set makes it super easy to update that paper with a graphic punch!

Here's my shaker card!

Products Used:

Banded Split Stencil Set by A Colorful Life Designs

Opaque Iridescent Light Turquoise Card Bling by A Colorful Life Designs

Opalescent Hydrangea Card Bling by A Colorful Life Designs

Black Iridescent Card Bling by A Colorful Life Designs

Kioshi 6x6 Patterned Paper Pad by Basic Grey

Purple and Black Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko *

Oval Nestabilities Die Set by Spellbinders

Nameplate by Spellbinders

Happy Birthday Sentiment Die by All Occasion Dies

Acetate from packaging

Black Foam Tape

Non-static Gizmo

Low-Tack Tape

STAY-tion by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink

Instructions:

1. Create a 5.5" square card from purple cardstock. Set aside.
2. Place the patterned paper onto the STAY-tion.
3. Use magnets and/or low-tack tape to secure the Banded Split Stencil (without the band mask) on top of the patterned paper and onto the STAY-tion.
4. Sponge Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink over the stencil onto the patterned paper. Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink is a pigment ink, so it will most likely cover the pattern in one pass. 
5. Remove the stencil and heat set the patterned paper.
6. Position and secure an oval die from the Nestabilities Oval Die Set cutting side down on the center band stenciled onto the patterned paper.
7. Run the patterned paper/die combo through your Die Cutting machine.
8. Trim the patterned paper to 5.25" square.
9. Edge the patterned paper and edges of the oval aperture with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink.
10. Place the patterned paper over the reserved card and lightly trace the oval aperture onto the card.
11. Remove the patterned paper panel and flip it over.
12. Adhere the acetate over the the aperture on the back of the patterned paper panel.
13. Add foam tape around the tracing of the oval on the front of the purple card to form a well, taking care to seal the oval. 
14. Erase the tracing.
15. Add foam tape to the front of the purple card, leaving 1/8" border on the card's edges.
16. Pounce the Non-static Gizmo around the acetate and the edges of the foam tape. Blow out the excess.
17. Fill the well on the front of the card with the Card Bling.
18. Peel the foam tape and adhere the patterned paper to the card.
19. Use the sentiment dies to cut purple cardstock.
20. Use the nameplate die to cut black cardstock.
21. Adhere the sentiment die-cuts onto the nameplate die.
22. Adhere the sentiment die-cut onto the card as shown.
23. Use Card Bling to embellish the nameplate and finish the card.

Thanks for visting today!

Year of the Dragon Calendar

It's Tuesday, my day to create a project for Topflight Stamps. This week is "Anything Goes" for the TFS team, so I opted to make a wall calendar to hang in my craft room. I've used Lavinia Stamps' Medeela Dragon Large, Far World Castle, and the Dragon Verse Clear Polymer Stamps.

Here it is:

Topflight Stamps Products Used:

Medeela Dragon Large Clear Polymer Stamps by Lavinia Stamps

Far World Castle Clear Polymer Stamps by Lavinia Stamps

Dragon Verse Clear Polymer Stamps by Lavinia Stamps

Hills Acetate Masks/Stencils by Lavinia Stamps

Midnight Blue, Dark Denim, Blue Lagoon, Sundance, Confetti, Olive, and Pine Elements Inks by Lavinia Stamps

Morning Mist, Nocturne, and Medieval Blue VersaFine Clair Inks by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Other Products Used:
Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers

Black Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Circle Punch by EK Success

Frost VersaMark Ink

Crystal and Detail Clear Embossing Powders by Stampendous

Flourish Corner Die by Memory Box

Small Numbers, Upper Case, and Lower Case Alphabet Dies by All Occasions

Red and Yellow Posca Paint Pens by Mitsubishi Pencil Company

Mini Calendar

91% Isopropyl Alcohol

Repositionable Sticker Paper by Avery 
STAY-tion by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink

Stamping Platforms

Instructions:

1. Use magnets to secure one of the mountain masks from the Hills Acetate Masks/Stencil Set across the base of a piece of 5" x 8.5" piece of white cardstock onto the STAY-tion.
2. Punch a circle from sticker paper and adhere it towards the top of the panel. 
3. Starting at the top of the image panel, brush Midnight Blue Elements Ink horizontally across the panel.
4. Brush Dark Denim, then Blue Lagoon Elements Inks across the panel, blending as you go.
5. Brush Sundance Elements Ink upwards from the top of the mountain mask.
6. Brush Confetti Elements Ink between the yellow and blue inks taking care to blend the inks.
7. Remove the mountain mask from the panel and trace it onto a piece of white cardstock to create a paper mask.
8. Fussy-cut along the trace lines and secure the paper mask with magnets to cover the sky.
9. Brush Olive Elements Ink downwards from the paper mask onto the image panel. 
10. Remove the paper mask and retain. 
11. Use magnets to secure the hilly mask from the Hills Acetate Masks/Stencil Set across the image panel. 
12. Brush Olive Elements Ink over the top of the stencil to add some hills to the base of the image panel. 
13. Fill in the grassy area with Pine Elements Ink. 
14. Use magnets to secure the image panel onto a stamping platform. 
15. Position the Far World Castle Clear Polymer Stamp facedown onto the image panel as shown.
16. Press the lid of the platform onto the back of the stamp and lift.
17. Ink the stamp with  Morning Mist VersaFine Clair Ink. Stamp. 
18. Remove the panel from the platform and heat emboss with Crystal (sparkly) embossing powder. 
19. Place the image panel back into same position on the stamping platform secured with magnets.
20. Ink the castle stamp with Frost VersaMark Ink, stamp, and remove the panel from the platform. 
21. Add clear detail embossing powder, dump the excess, and heat emboss.
22. Place the image panel back onto the platform secured with magnets. 
23. Position the Medeela Dragon Large Clear Polymer Stamp facedown on the image panel so he appears to be hovering over the castle. 
24. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
25. Ink the stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko and stamp. 
26. Re-ink and stamp again if necessary to attain a good stamped image. 
27. Remove the stamping platform and heat set the image panel. 
28. Trim the image panel to 3.5" x 7.125". 
29. Edge the panel with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink. 
30. Mat with black cardstock cut to 3.75" x 7.375". Set aside.
31. Trim a second piece of white cardstock to 8.25" x 9.75". 
32. Repeat Steps #1 to 6.
33. Use the paper mask created in Step #7.
34. Repeat Steps #9 to 13.
35. Place the inked panel onto a larger stamping platform secured with magnets.
36. Place the Dragon Verse Clear Polymer Stamp facedown on the left side of the image panel.
37. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
38. Ink the verse with Medieval Blue VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp. Heat set. 
39. Clean the stamp, dry it, and reposition it facedown at the top.
40. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
41. Ink the verse with Medieval Blue VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp. Heat set. 
42. Clean the stamp, dry it, and reposition it facedown on the right side.
43. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
44. Ink the verse with Medieval Blue VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp. Heat set. 
45. Edge the panel with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink, then adhere to a black cardstock cut to 8.5" x 10".
46. Adhere the image panel to the matted background panel positioned so that the scene continues to the left and right of the panel. 
47. Cut black cardstock with the corner flourish, numbers, and words dies. 
48. Adhere the die-cuts as shown. 
49. Mat the calendar with black cardstock and adhere to finish the piece.

Thanks for visiting today!

Kat's Tales Mini Album

Last Tuesday was International Cat Day and I didn't get to celebrate in the style that I had wanted. Instead we got to spend quality time with our kitties at the Vet. Domino had a runny eye, a cut on his nose that wasn't healing, and an upset tummy. We were worried that the cut (inflicted by his sister, the aptly named Harley Quinn) had gotten infected. so we made an appointment, the kitties voluntarily hopped into their carriers, got loaded into the car, then meowed pitifully the whole ride. Turns out that Domino has allergies, which caused his runny eye, which ran into the cut on his nose. So I didn't get to post my mini album.

Here it is!

Front Cover

Inside Front Cover 

Side View 

Products used:

Worn Cover Tim Holtz® Idea-ology®

Small Alphabet Die Set by All Occasions

Media@ Gesso by DecoArt@

Media® Matte Medium by DecoArt®

Curious Cats Polymer Stamp Set by Visible Image

Les Chats (Cats) Unmounted Rubber Stamp Set by Katzelkraft

The Fat Cats 9 - Ignace Unmounted Rubber Stamp by Katzelkraft

Snowflake, Sherbert,  Zesty Zing, Hey Pesto Squid Ink, Candy Floss, and Rose Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paints by Paper Artsy

Cat Sentiments Clear Stamp Set by Frantic Stamper.

Jet Black StazOn™ Ink by Tsukineko®

Tuxedo Black Memento™ Ink by Tsukineko

Pink Peony, Shadow Grey, and Watering Can Archival™ Ink by Ranger Industries

Tissue Paper

Solar White Classic Crest® Cardstock by Neenah Papers

Copic® Markers:

   Mouse: C2, C4, RV91, R81, YG21, YG25

   Cats' Fur: BV0000, BV000, BV20, B32, B34, B60, C00, C0, C1, C2, C3, C4, C6, C6, C8, 

   Cats' Noses and Mouths: RV42, RV91, RV95, E04, YG21,YG23, YG25

Checkerboard Stencil by Carabelle Studios

Cat  Paw Stencil by KaiserCraft

Discover Word Series Stencil by That's Crafty

Tim Holtz@ Distress@ Crazing Medium by Ranger Industries

Cat Print Patterned paper by Doodlebug Designs Inc.™

Ring Binders by Tim Holtz® Idea-ology®

Pink Glittery Brads: Source Unknown

Instructions:

1. Using alphabet dies, cut black cardstock for the title. Brush the die-cut letters with Matte Medium to seal them.*
2. Using Tuxedo Black Memento Ink, stamp the cats and the mouse, fussy-cut, color with Copic markers, and edge with a dark marker. 
3. Brush the cats and the mouse with Matte Medium to seal them.* Set aside to let them play while the notebook is altered.
4. Stamp the Curious Cat onto tissue paper with StazOn ink.
5. Flip the tissue paper and paint the cat's eyes, nose, and mouth with Fresco Finish paints. Let dry.
6. When dry, use Snowflake paint to cover the painted eyes, nose, and mouth. Set aside to dry.
7. Place the Worn Cover flat and apply gesso. Let dry.
8. Paint the cover with pink(ish) paints. Let dry.
9. Sponge grey Archival inks over the checkerboard and paw print stencils onto the painted cover. Heat set. Repeat as desired.
10. Sponge grey Archival ink over the border of the Word Series stencil onto the base of the painted cover. Heat set.
11. Using the darker grey Archival ink, randomly stamp "Meow" onto the cover. Heat set.
12. Apply Matte Medium to the cover.
13. Tear around the painted cat face on the stamped tissue paper.
14. Liberally apply Matte Medium to the top portion of the cover. 
15. Apply Matte Medium to the reverse of the the cat face tissue paper.
16. Place as desired onto the wet Matte Medium on the cover and smooth. Let dry.
17. Apply Matte Medium over the cat face and let dry.
18. Apply Matte Medium over the entire front cover and place the alphabet, the cats, and the mouse. Let dry.
19. Apply another coat of Matte Medium over the entire cover to seal the entire shebang.
20. Discover bumps and see the seam because you didn't do steps 14 and 15 properly.
21. Get clever and try to camouflage the seams and bumps by apply Crazing Medium onto the cover. Let dry. 
22. Discover Step #21 was an epic fail and try to fix by painting over the cracks Sherbert Fresco Finish paint. Wipe back with a baby wipe. It's better, but is NOT going to win prizes.
23. Seal the entire cover again with Matte Medium.
24. Cut patterned paper to size for inside covers and the spine. 
25. Guess what you're going to apply to seal the paper so you can paint it. Good guess.
26. Paint the sealed patterned papers with Sherbert Fresco Finish paints. Let dry.
27. Apply Matte Medium to the inside covers and adhere the painted patterned papers. 
28. Seal the inside covers with Matte Medium.
29. Sponge grey ink over the Cat Stencil onto the inside front cover. 
30. Apply Matte Medium to seal.
31. Use the pink glittery brads to adhere the Ring Binders.
32. Apply Matte Medium to the spine of the notebook.
33. Adhere the painted, sealed patterned paper. Seal with Matte Medium.

If you've made it through this, go reward yourself with a leisure beverage.

*I seal cardstock die-cuts and Copic colored images with Matte Medium before adhering them to the project and then sealing them with Matte Medium because I discovered that the ink from the cardstock and/or Copic markers can run onto the project, which is highly annoying. 

Thanks for visiting today!

I shall enter this album into the following challenges:

• Country View Challenges: November 2019 Hand Stamped

• Creative Artist Mixed Media Challenge #55: Anything Goes

• Simon Says Wednesday Challenges: Anything Goes

Merry Christmas

I submitted a trio of cards using the Truck Tidings Cling Stamp and Die set (Stampendous). Unfortunately, they were not picked up for publication, though the cards themselves were then donated to charity by the publication. So, it's a win of sorts. That means that I can share the cards now, which is a good thing since I've been kept away from my craftroom because of  the renovation of my house and my mouth. Neither project has been much fun.

The truck and the tree from the Truck Tidings set were stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink (Imagine Crafts), colored with Copic markers, die-cut with their corresponding dies, then edged with a black marker. The ornaments on the tree were touched with a Clear Stardust marker (Sakura) to add a touch of bling to them. The ornaments, headlight, and the side mirror were all coated with several layers of Clear Gelly Glaze pen to add glassy dimension and shine.

Bundled Sage Distress ink (Ranger) was sponged over the fir tree on the Woodland Mini Layering Stencil (Stamper's Anonymous) onto patterned paper from a 6x6 pad in a repeating manner, varying the darkness of the ink. The patterned paper was edged with Bundled Sage and Hickory Smoke Distress inks. Road-patterned washi tape was adhered along the bottom of the patterned paper. The stenciled patterned paper was adhered to a card.

A small scrap of vellum was adhered behind the truck's open window and the tree was adhered slightly behind the truck's bed. The truck was adhered to the card front as shown.

Grey cardstock was die-cut with the Merry Christmas dies (All Occasions) and the sentiment was added to finish the card.

Thanks for visiting today!

What's Mew?

Here's a card featuring Cat Face, one of the great animal stamps by  I Brake for Stamps. I had to have Cat Face because she looks like my late beloved Duchess, who was a Tabby/Ragdoll blend. You can see Duchess in a photo on the right sidebar.

Cat Face was stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink (Imagine Crafts) and colored with Copic markers. I was trying to get Cat Face to have her coloration resemble Duchess', but the kitty morphed into a dilute Tortie. I'll be trying again for sure.

Black cardstock was die-cut with a Rectangle Frame die (Die-namics) and a fancy tag die (Spellbinders). Letters for the sentiment were die-cut from rust colored cardstock using the Upper and Lower Case Alphabet die sets (All Occasion).

Since domestic cats are related to wild cats, I decided to use a leopard print patterned paper from the Safari Adventure 8x8 pad (Graphic 45), which I die-cut with the Polaroid die (KaiserCraft). Black Soot Distress ink (Ranger) was used to edge the die-cut.

I Brake for Stamps has a wide variety of awesome rubber stamps, plus some fabulous digital stamps too. Click on my badge below to be whisked over there to check out all of the goodies! Best of all, if you buy something, you can get a 10% discount off of your purchase if you use this code: SAVE10KATHI!

Thanks for visiting today!

Another Bad Pun. Happy Christmoose!

I apologize for my bad pun but I really couldn't help myself. Really. The aptly named Moose is one of the fabulous digital stamps available at I Brake for Stamps.

Moose was resized in PhotoElements, printed out onto Copic-friendly cardstock with my laser printer, then colored with my Copic markers. I added holly vines and berries to Moose's antlers using very old Christmas-themed rub-ons (QuicKutz).

The image panel was die-cut with one of the dies from the  5x7 Card Creator die set (Spellbinders). The image panel was left in the die and Stormy Sky Distress  and Bundled Sage Distress ink (Ranger) were sponged over the die to create a bordered background around Moose. The die was lifted and the image panel was set aside.

Ancient Christmas-themed patterned paper was edged with Gathered Twigs Distress ink, then layered. Red cardstock was die-cut with the Merry die from the Happy, Birthday, Merry, Christmas Small Words die set (All Occasion). The rest of the letters for the sentiment were die-cut with the Small Alphabet Upper and Lower Case set (All Occasion). The Christmas rub-on set had some little white snowflakes and xxxes, so those were used to add to the sentiment panel and the upper part of the image panel.

The card front was assembled and adhered to a kraft card.

I  Brake for Stamps has a great collection of digital stamps plus a huge and varied collection of rubber stamps that you ought to check out right now. Click on my badge below to be whisked over to I Brake for Stamps to check out all of the goodies! Best of all, if you buy something, you can get a 10% discount off of your purchase if you use this code: SAVE10KATHI!

Thanks for visiting today!

Steampunk Thanks Card

Here's a thank you card that I created with Steampunk Peg, a Rick St. Dennis digital stamp exclusively available at I Brake for Stamps.

Steampunk Peg was resized in PhotoElements, then printed out onto Copic-friendly cardstock with my laser printer. Steampunk Peg was colored with Copic markers, then several layers of Clear Gelly Glaze pen (Sakura) were added to the skull and dagger, her earrings, and her brooch to add glossy dimension to those elements.

The image panel was matted with one of the patterned paper from the Steampunk Debutante 8x8 pad (Graphic 45), which was edged with Black Soot Distress ink (Ranger). The same pad supplied the other patterned papers which were also edged with Black Soot Distress ink then layered.

 Gold metallic cardstock was die-cut with my Steampunk Corner die (La-La Land), Thanks (Elizabeth Craft Designs), Mini Gears (Memory Box), and the Gears corner from the Set of Three Corners (All Occasion). The Gears Corner die-cut was adhered over the horizontal strip, then the image panel was adhered. The card front then was adhered to a grey card, and the Steampunk Corner, Mini Gears, and the sentiment were adhered to finish the card.

I Brake for Stamps has a great selection of Rick St. Dennis digital stamps, plus a ginormous collection of fabulous rubber stamps that you ought to check out right now. Click on my badge below to be whisked over to I Brake for Stamps to check out all of the goodies! Best of all, if you buy something, you can get a 10% discount off of your purchase if you use this code: SAVE10KATHI!

Thanks for visiting today!

It's the Witching Hour! Happy Halloween!

This Halloween card features Chilling, a gorgeous and spooky stamp by Stampendous. I first created the background with by sponging Distress inks (Ranger) onto a piece of 140 lb. Mixed Media cardstock (Strathmore), then heat setting the ink. Chilling was stamped with Jet Black Archival ink (Ranger) over top of the sponged background, then touched up with Black Pitt Artist pens (Faber Castell).

Matte black cardstock was die-cut with a Wrought Iron Fence die (Spellbinders) and Onyxyite Treasure Gold (Paper Artsy) was gently smooshed onto the fence die-cut with my finger. Black shimmery cardstock was die-cut with the Graveyard Border die (Cottage Cutz) and some tiny cats were die-cut using one of my myriad cat dies (All Occasions, Impression Obsession, Poppy Stamps).

The image panel was matted with black cardstock and the Graveyard Border die-cut was adhered. The Wrought Iron Fence die-cut was adhered over both the image panel and the Graveyard Border die-cut, then the three black shimmery kitties were adhered. The image panel was edged with Onyxite Treasure Gold, then mounted onto a black card front. A sticker from the Occasions Small Talk pad (Idea-ology) was edged with Onyxite Treasure Gold to finish the card.

Happy Halloween!

Flowers and a Dancing Ostrich

Carol Fox is hosting this week's challenge over at Stampotique Designer's Challenges. Her challenge theme Flowers.  Here's what she has to say about her challenge:

"Spring is just around the corner in the UK. So share with me a project with flowers in it".

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 Olive the Ostrich (Karen Hayselden).

Since I knew that fussy-cutting Olive would be almost impossible, so I decided to create a background first, then stamp her.

140 lb. Mixed Media cardstock (Strathmore) was cut to be ~2.5" wide, then sponged with Spun Sugar Distress ink (Ranger) and heat set. Spun Sugar and Wild Honey Distress inks were sponged over Flower Frenzy stencil (The Crafters Workshop).

Olive was stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink (Imagine Crafts) and colored with Copic markers. I was trying to channel my inner Karen Hayselden with Olive's face. I'm not sure if I succeeded. The edges of the panel were tattered with the Paper Distressing tool (Tonic).

At this point, I wasn't sure how I felt about the color combinations and about how looked, so I repeated the above process, but substituted Angel Pink Memento ink (Imagine Crafts) for the Wild Honey Distress ink. 

While the ink was drying, I decided to search through my stash of Basic Grey patterned papers and discovered that the color palette of the Gypsy/Romani collection worked well with the original Olive, so I set aside the alternate stamped panel for another time.

The image panel was matted with the solid blue from the Gypsy/Romani pack, then layered atop a card front cut from one of the more busy floral papers from the collection. This layer was then distressed. Floral-patterned washi tape was placed across the bottom of the card front to ground Olive. Rub-on words from the Life Quotes Remnant Rubs sheet (Idea-ology) were added to the washi tape.

Blue patterned paper was die-cut with one of the dies from the Decorative Borders die set (All Occasions) and one of the dies from the Classic Circles Nestabilities die set (Spellbinders). Orange patterned paper was die-cut with a Circle Tag die (QuicKutz). Pink patterned paper was punched with my favorite heart punch (Hyglo). The tag was assembled and a rub-on (QuicKutz) was added. The tag sentiment was added to the card front.

Olive's beak was coated with several layers of Clear Gelly Glaze pen (Sakura) to add dimension and shine. When I was satisfied with the gloss factor, Media Liquid Glass (DecoArt) was added to Olive's eyes, which did not hurt her a bit! The card front was put aside so that the Media Liquid Glass would dry, then adhered to a card formed from the leftover piece of blue patterned paper.

Thanks for visiting today!

I shall enter this card into the following challenges:
• Ooh La La Creations Challenges: Anything Goes with a Sentiment
• Not Just Cards Challenges: Anything Goes
• Crafting When We Can Challenges: Washi Tape

Dots and Stripes Birthday Card

Samantha Read is hosting this week's challenge over at Stampotique Designer's Challenges. Her challenge theme is Dots and Stripes.  Here's what she has to say about her challenge:

"I love anything spotty or with polka dots and I also love stripes but they can be difficult to combine. So my challenge for you this week is to use Spots and Stripes in your creations. Have fun! "

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 Newton (Daniel Torrente), Banner (France Papillon), and Tenticurl (Jo Capper-Sandon).

Newton (Daniel Torrente) and Banner were stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink, fussy-cut, colored with Copic markers, and edged with a black pen. They were set aside while I created a background for them.

140 lb. Mixed Media cardstock (Strathmore) was painted with Titan Buff and Medium Grey Value 6  Media Fluid Acrylic (MFA) paints (DecoArt). When it was dry, 3mm Washi tape and Removable Scotch Tape (3M) were placed horizontally across the painted cardstock to create masked stripes. Pthalo Turquoise and Pthalo Blue MFA paints were painted over the tape. The paint was lifted and the piece was heat set.

Blazing Red StazOn ink (Imagine Crafts) was sponged over the Punchinella Quintet stencil (Joggles). Midnight Blue StazOn ink was sponged over Polka Dotty stencil (Wendy Vecchi/Studio 490). Titanium White MFA paint was sponged over the Layered Bead stencil (The Crafters Workshop) to add yet another size of dots. Then I realized that the dots were overtaking the stripes so I sponged Titanium White MFA paint over the Dots and Stripes Borders Wendy Vecchi/Studio 490).

Tenticurl was stamped with Jet Black StazOn ink, then the entire panel was sponged with a few layers of Multi-Matte Medium (Ranger) to seal it. Newton (Daniel Torrente) and Banner were adhered to the image panel.

White cardstock was die-cut with the Happy, Birthday, Merry, Christmas Small Words die set (All Occasions), which was then adhered to the image panel. The panel was coated with a few more layers of Multi-Matte Medium. 

Blue Stardust Glitter pen (Sakura) was used to add a glittery touch to Newton's nails, then his nails, eyes,teeth, and Tenticurl  were coated with several layers of Clear Gelly Glaze pen (Sakura) to add shine and dimension. A red and white polka dot brad was added to Newton's ear as a finishing touch.

Here's a close-up photo (taken at an odd angle) so you can see Newton's nails and Tenticurl shiny dimension.

I know it's a bit busy and I'm not sure whether I like it, but it's done. Done is good!

Thanks for visiting today!

I shall enter this card into the following challenges:
• Challenge Up Your Life Challenges: No Designer Paper
• Creative Artiste Challenges: Anything Goes with Mixed Media
• Country View Challenges: Make Your Own Background
• Happy Little Stampers Mixed Media Challenges: Paint