Saturday, August 31, 2013

My Last Day as a Kraftin' Kimmie Guest Designer!

I had a blast being a Guest Designer with the talented gals on Kraftin' Kimmie's Design Team. They're so very talented, but best of all, they're a fun and zany bunch!

I decided to play along with their last challenge for August!

Here's what Kimmie said about this week's challenge:

Welcome back for another totally fun challenge here at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!!! We've got a great challenge for you again this week!! Come along and play with us!

This week our hostess is SHERI!! Her challenge for you this week is EMBELLISH IT!! So create a card, scrapbook page or altered item (with a Kraftin' Kimmie stamp) and share it with us here! Get creative! Add lots of fun embellies!! Have some krafty fun and join us this week because we'd LOVE to see your KKS designs. We hope you can play along for your chance to WIN some Kraftin' Kimmie rubbah!!!

All our new AUGUST STAMPS are available now!!! We've got so many amazing new Halloween and Fall stamps from each of our artists!! And this week is your last chance to scoop them up at a discount in our GIMME KIMMIES KITS!! ALSO our new Krafty Kardmaking Kits are available filled with patterned paper, cardstock, card bases, envelopes, twine and lot of fun embellishments!! Be sure to check them out!! AND this week's FRUGAL FRIDAY SPECIALS are up with and extra big helping of our favourite stamps on 25-50% OFF!! OH YEAH!! We've also got lots of NEW PAPER PADS! Wheeeee!

Now go ahead and check out the wonderful creations by our Krafty Girls featuring this week's challenge!! If you join us and play along, you could WIN a Kraftin' Kimmie Stamp!!! 
Here's my take on the challenge!



Bella was stamped using Tuxedo Black Memento ink onto Neenah cardstock and colored with Copic markers which I'll list below. She took a ride through my Big Kick to be die-cut, stayed in the die, while Squeezed Lemonade Distress ink was sponged lightly around the edges. She was then released and put aside.

The patterned papers are from the old, but beloved, Oh Baby Boy collection by Basic Grey. They were layered and Black Soot Distress ink was sponged on the edges.

Maybe it's her skull barrette or maybe it's her familiars, but I always thought that Bella was the tiniest bit "off" in a slightly wicked way, so I embellished accordingly. Glittery skull tape was added over the yellow checkerboard paper. A Tattered Florals Alterations die was used to die cut the flower from the patterned solidish paper. They were molded a bit and a skull cameo was added to the center. The flower was layered atop some webby, but sparkly Prima trim. Memory Box' Scary Spiders (on sale now!) were die-cut from black cardstock as was a Poppy Stamps' Walking Cat.

Thanks for visiting today!

Copic Markers Used: 
Skin: YR0000, RY000, R00
Hair: To, T1, T2, T3, T4, Y21, YR20, YR30
Dress: B00, B2, B14, B16
Kitties: C00, C0, C1, C3

I shall enter this card in the following challenges:
Left of Center #13: Girly
Paper Crafting Journey: Anything Goes
7 Kids College Fund Challenge Blog: Anything Goes--Markers
Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Anything Goes

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Bombshell Stamps Hump Day Hop!

Alison, our Challenge Captain, has decreed that August's theme is Cowboys and Indians! Bombshell Stamps has lots of fantastic images to go along with this theme in rubber and digi, so you should see some really great projects today!

I decided to double up on the challenges and used August's sketch, designed by moi! There's still time to take the sketch, use your Bombshell stamps, make it your own, and share it with us on Bombshell's blog or on Bombshell's forum for a chance to win a fabulous prize.

I'm the penultimate stop on the hop! You should have arrived here from my pal Kelli's blog, where I'm sure you saw something amazing!

Here's the sketch:




Here's my card:



I decided to make another hybrid card. The Cowgirl is from the Retro Cowgirls Rubber Stamp Set. The split-rail fences are from the Desert Background Digital Stamp Set.

My first step was to resize the split-rail fence using Photo Elements and place it on a blank canvas. I then flipped the fence horizontally and placed it on the canvas opposite the first fence to create an entry way. The fences were printed out onto Neenah cardstock using a laser printer. The Cowgirl, from the Retro Cowgirls Rubber Stamp Set, was stamped using Tuxedo Black Memento ink. The scene was colored with Copic markers which I'll list below.

The colors were chosen to match the patterned papers from the French Country 6x6 and 8x8 pads by Graphic 45. I see that these are out of stock at the moment, but you can find tons of gorgeous 6x6 pads HERE! The sentiment is from the Western Gal set, which is available in both rubber and as a digital set. I used the rubber set to stamp the sentiment onto the patterned paper using Olympia Green VersaFine ink. I like to use VersaFine ink when stamping onto patterned paper or when stamping a design with fine lines!

Thanks for visiting today! Now hop along to visit Jenn's blog! I'm sure she has something fabulous to share with you!

In case you get lost, here's the full roster!
Bombshell Blog
Alison
Kim
Glittery Katie
Alaine
Marnie
Kelli
Kathi
Jenn

Copic markers used:
Skin:
E000, E00, E11, R20, BV00
Hair: Y23, Y26, YR31
Outfit: E4, E7, E19, E27
Fence: E21, E23, E25, E27
Grass: YG11, YG13, YG17
Dirt Path: E40, Ed41, E43
Clouds: C00, C0
Sky: Custom less than B21

I shall enter this card in the following challenges:
Color Me Creative Challenge #75: Anything Goes
Left of Center Challenge #13: Girly

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Two-Fer Tuesday Blog Hop!


Today the Bombshell Girls and Pin-ups join forces with Altered Pages Artsociates to hold a huge blog hop that showcases Bombshell Stamps together with digital backgrounds from Altered Pages!

Here's a little blurb about Altered Pages.
At Altered Pages we Hope to Alter YOUR Creativity ~ so join us in the adventure!  We pride ourselves on providing the BEST customer service possible!   Find Collages, inks, papers, art tools, doo-dads, paints, Gelatos, embellishments. and so much more at ALTEREDPAGES.COM. Our Design Team will take you to new levels of inspiration with projects and Kits available for purchase.   Join our newsletter for specials and deals!  Follow our Blog to win prizes and join challenges!
HOP RULES:  
Our rules are simple, simply hop and stop by each participant's blog, become a follower, and leave them some love by way of a comment.

HOP PRIZES:
There will be two randomly drawn winners from those who follow the above rules and join the fun.

Prize One
A sponge brush, silly sticks, a tube of acrylic paint, and a stencil from Altered Pages PLUS  Bombshell's Hula Girl stamp set.

Prize Two
A Niji Pearlescent Watercolor Set and Gold Leafing and Tape from Altered Pages PLUS Bombshell's Wild Horses stamp set.

Winners will be announced Tuesday September 3.

You should have come here from Stephanie Siatta's blog.

My card features Bombshell's Speed Shop set (rubber), which is one of the sets in the Hot Rod Collection. I paired it with Altered Pages' Collaged Backgrounds III set, which has four different maps! I love old maps, so this was the perfect choice!



Go grab a cuppa or a cocktail and set for a spell whilst I bore you spitless with my so-called creative process.

My first step was to select and resize the map of Russia from Altered Pages' Collaged Backgrounds III set, using PhotoElements. I printed it out once in color and twice in greyscale using an inkjet printer. I cut one of the black and white versions into strips, then adhered them in position atop the color version. I grabbed the second black and white copy and die cut a circle using a Nestabilities die. Keeping the map in the die, I airbrushed E40, E41, and E43 over the metal die. With the airbrushed map circle still in the die, I temporarily adhered it to the spliced-together map, and airbrushed used Y11, Y13, and Y18 Copic markers over the Tornado stencil by Andy Skinner for Tando Creative. I pulled up the circle, and set everything aside for a bit.

I hadn't stamped the Roadster from the Speed Shop set because I hadn't used it in awhile and it was feeling lonely. Um no. I used it because I felt like using something a bit edgier with the antique map. Anyway, I stamped the Roadster using Tuxedo Black Memento ink, colored it with a variety of Copic markers, then "fussy-cut" it, and set it aside.

I grabbed the spliced together map and edged it with Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Fired Brick, and Black Soot Distress inks.  A Pinked Circle Nestabilities die was used to die-cut black sparkly vellum, which was used to mat the airbrushed map circle. The circle was layered in position atop the spliced map piece and Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, and Fired Brick Distress inks were sponged over the Arrows and Hearts stencil by The Crafter's Workshop. The Roadster was adhered over the circle, so it would appear to be driving along the chevron-ish arrows.

A Cloud Speech Bubble punch was used to punch cloudy clear glassine envelope (saved from buying stamps at the Post Office). It wasn't opaque enough, so I punched a second one and adhered them to each other, then adhered it under the Roadster's exhaust pipe. Three phrases from Ideology Remnants Rub-ons were added to the speech bubble.

Jet Black StazOn ink was used to stamp the compass from Bombshell's Homeward Bound set onto glassine. It was die-cut with a Nestabilities die, crumpled, and then heat set. Copic markers were used to add some dots along the perimeter of the circle (Is that the right term? I got a D in Geometry!) and to add a yellow center.  This piece was adhered to the top left of the card. Tire Mark Washi Tape was used to add a bit more visual interest and to balance the card.

Now that you've gotten through all the above, your next stop on the hop is Gia Lau's Blog!

Thanks for visiting today!

Here's the blog hop order in case you got lost!

Kathi Rerek
Gia Lau
Altered Pages Blog

I shall enter this card in the following challenge:

Monday, August 26, 2013

Bombshell Stamps Muse Monday!

It's the last Muse Monday for August. This month, we are showcasing Growing Hearts on the Bombshell Blog. This set is on sale for the month of August, so snag it at a special price while you can!


Here's my card featuring this versatile set!


The Mother Muerta image was stamped with Black Tuxedo Memento ink onto Neenah cardstock and Eclipse Tape. The Eclipse Tape image was fussy cut to be used as a mask. Mother Muerta was colored with Copic markers, masked, then took a ride through my Big Kick inside a Nestabilities die. The piece was kept in the die and Milled Lavender, Victorian Violet, Tattered Rose, and Shaded Lilac Distress inks were sponged over and around the image. When I was pleased with the coloration, I lifted the masks and put the image aside.

A sheet of patterned paper from BoBunny's Isabella 6x6 pad (currently sold out, but lots of wonderful new pads are available HERE) was slit with Fiskar's Fingertip Craft Knife and the left edge of the stamped, sponged die cut was slid into the slit. The seam was covered with satin ribbon, which adds a touch of texture to the piece. 

Thanks for visiting today!

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Happy Bird Day!

You may have noticed that I just love birds (probably because I'm bird-brained), so when I saw Teeny Tiny Blue Jay digi at SCACD, I had to have him! He's one of two pages filled with fabulous Digital Stamps by Carmen Medlin for SCACD.

Here he is:



I resized him using PhotoElements and printed him out onto Neenah cardstock using my laser printer. After consulting with my birding guide, I colored him with Copic markers, which I'll list below. I die cut the image panel using a Circles Nestabilities die, kept the paper in the die, loosely traced the circle, then popped him out. I die cut a piece of scrap cardstock using SCACD's Breezy Branches Statement Corner die, then traced around some of the branches, so he'd have a perch. That was colored with Copics as well. It looks a bit funky, but I didn't feel like fussy cutting him to perch him on a die cut, so I went with the lazy approach. :D His eyes and beak were coated with a layer of Clear Gelly Roll Glaze pen for dimension and shine.

The patterned papers are from the (hoarded) Marrakesh collection by Basic Grey. The zig zag dealies are even older Doodle Bug Frills, which I'm also hoarding. The sentiment is from justjohanna/Odd Bird Planet.  I'm trying to mix old with new in the attempt to clear out some stash.

By the way, the blue is much more a royal blue irl. The photo was taken outside in full sunlight, so I don't know why the color is off, but it is. Sorry. :D

I used the following sketch from Unscripted Sketches, called Flashback #7.



Interesting fact for you! Unlike many other species in the bird kingdom, where the female is usually drabber, both male and female blue jays sport the same coloration!

Another interesting fact! I've been remiss in my blog surfing and commenting lately. I've been busy with family get togethers, house as money pit, and crafting stuff. Plus our 33rd anniversary was Friday. I was a five year old child bride. Things should calm down soon.

Thanks for visiting today!

Copic Markers used:
Bird: B02, B04, B06, B32, B34, N0, N2, N4, N6

I shall enter this card in the following challenges:
Unscripted Sketches: Flashback #7
Avenue 613 #34: Anything Goes
Crazy 4 Challenges #200: Animals 
Card Makin' Mamas #73: Black, white, and one color
Creative Corner Challenges: Cute Critters

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Fairy Queen!

Here's a card using Fairy Queen, who is one of the new Digital Stamps by Carmen Medlin for SCACD. Isn't she pretty?



I reduced her slightly using Photoshop Elements and printed her onto Neenah cardstock using my laser printer. She was colored usings Copic markers, which I'll list below. I added some shading using chalk pencils and then used my Wink of Stella Clear Glitter pen to add some sparkle to the jewels on her headdress, her dress, her wings, and the path she's walking.

The patterned papers are from the Fairy Rhymes 6x6 pad by Prima.  I think it's sold out now, but there are plenty of awesome pads for you to check out HERE! Since I opted to make the Fairy Queen's outfit yellow, the paper needed some more yellow too, so I colored a few of the butterflies to match. I tattered up the edges using my Tim Holtz Distress tool, edged 'em with a Copic marker, then added a touch of Wink of Stella Clear Glitter pen for even more sparkly bits!

Here's a close up so that you can see the glittery parts. I propped up the card on some shrubbery to take the photo. Ha!



I didn't add a sentiment yet. I'll add one when I decide who should get the card and for what occasion. The card was finished with a few pearls to contribute to the regal touch.

Thanks for visiting today!

Copic markers used:
Skin: E000, E00, R000, BV000 and chalk
Hair: C4, C6, C6, C7, C8
Outfit: Y11, Y13, Y21, Y23, Y26, BG70, BG72, and a custom blend of BG 70 and 72
Background: too many to list :D

I shall enter this card in the following challenges:
Card Crafter's Circle #89: Bright Colors
Digitally Sweet #50: Summer Colors

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Polka Dotted Birthday Card!

It had been a while since I had gotten out my Paper Artsy Fresco Finish Paints and played, so I decided to do so for the Stampotique Designer's Challenge #112 -- Polka Dots.

I love these paints and have been watching all the fabulous videos posted by Leandra, who is Mrs. Paper Artsy. I watched her create a background using the reverse side of Cut 'N Dry foam with the paints, so I decided to give that a go.

Here's what happened!



I sponged the paints onto 140 lb. Mixed Media paper by Strathmore, which holds up to a lot of abuses. When I was happy with the background, I got out a mess of stencils from The Crafter's Workshop and sponged a variety of greens over them.  I used Tiny Circles, Swiss Dots, Layered Beads, and one of my first TCW stencils, 12x12 Circles all Around.

When I was happy with it all, I edged it with Peeled Paint and Broken China Distress inks and put it aside.

In keeping with the Polka Dot theme, I stamped  Stampotique Originals' Owl with Wings (It's out of stock at SCACD but there are other stamps that are on sale. Just sayin'.) onto polka dot patterned paper from a Lost and Found 6x6 pad by My Mind's eye, then colored it using Copic markers. When I was done coloring the owl,  the piece was die cut using a Nestabiities Circle die, and kept in the die while I lightly traced around the interior with a C0 marker. The piece was removed from the circle die and I added a cloudy sky background behind the owl and the branch. I added Glossy Accents to the owl's eyes, then ran out to get my CSA share, which gave it time to dry without me being tempted to touch it!

Sentiments from justjohanna/Odd Bird Planet were stamped onto another polka dotted piece of patterned paper 'cause I was getting totally dotty! *grin*

Thanks for visiting today!

I shall enter this card in the following challenges:
Stampotique Designer's Challenge #112 -- Polka Dots.
Come and Get It Challenges: Things with Wings 
Hobby Cutz #13: Create Your Own Background