GOLD & SPARKLY BIRTHDAY

Using the third background I created with Alcohol Inks and Yupo Paper, I made this birthday card. I started out using pink and red inks and blending them together. I wanted to create a diagonal shape across the card but the inks got away from me. So, I just kept adding more of each ink color as well as Gilded (gold color) alcohol ink. I really love how this card came out even though I imagined it coming out a completely different way.

JUST A NOTE

Here's the second blue and green background that I created using Alcohol Inks and silver deco foil.

I used the Just a Note Stamp Set from CTMH and cut it out using my scan and cut machine.  I popped it up with some 3-D foam tape and backed the card front on some silver foil paper.  Added some bitty sparkles and voila, a pretty thank you card.

   

BIRTHDAY HUGS

Here's another background created with alcohol inks.

A little 'background' on this background lol...I wanted to create a new header for my blog.  When I think of my favorite color combinations, I always look to blues and greens.  To me, those colors are calming and very pleasing to look at.  After applying blue and green alcohol inks to Yupo paper and adding a little bit of silver deco foil, I took a picture of it.  Thus the birth of part of my header above.  😉

Now onto this card...I knew I wanted to use this birthday stamp set from CTMH (Birthday Hugs & Kisses A1247) but I didn't know how I was going to stamp it directly on the card.  I didn't want to cover any of the background, and then I thought of using vellum.  So, I stamped the image with some VersaMark and black embossing powder.

Then I had to figure out how to adhere the vellum to the background.  So I used a variety of dots and glitter gems and then used mini and small glue dots underneath them on the backside.  It worked out perfectly, the dots and gems hide everywhere I put the glue dots.

ALCOHOL INKS...MY NEW OBSESSION

The other day, I watched a replay on Jenn Shurkus' YouTube channel here. I have seen Alcohol Inks before at the store and just passed them over not knowing what I'd use them for. Well, after watching her video and playing around with them one afternoon, I was hooked!

Supplies used:

• Alcohol Ink Colors:  Gumball, Fiesta, Rosewood, Citrus, Mojito, Pistachio, Mermaid, Glacier, Cobalt, Monsoon and Gilded
• Alcohol Ink Yupo Cardstock (quick drying, non-porous and water resistant)
• Alcohol blending solution
• Ink blower

This stuff is so easy to use.  Add a few drops of color and a couple of drops of the blending solution and use the ink blower to move it around the paper.  I love that the ink sits on top of the paper and easily moves around wherever you "push" it.  The colors blend together easily and I can see that every card I create using this technique will never be the same.  I can't wait to use these backgrounds on some new cards...stay tuned...

ALTENEW: ALL ABOUT LAYERING 1, LESSON 3

I'm back with another card for All About Layering 1, Lesson 3.  The assignment was to use a stamp layering technique.  I used the Build-A-Flower: Cora Louise Peony Layering Stamp.  This stamp set is really beautiful.  The large peony is intricate with such delicate details.  There is a learning curve to using this stamp set as the flower itself contains 5 different stamps where you can layer one color on top of another to create this beautiful flower.  (I have to admit that the stamped flowers you see below are probably the 6th & 7th version I created...lol!)  But, I do LOVE how they turned out!  

To add a little interest to the pink flower, I used a dome foam blending tool and applied Spun Sugar Distressed Ink behind the flower to soften up the look of the focal point.  I also embossed the center detail of the flower with white embossing powder.  Then I used Diamond Stickles to add a little sparkle.  For the purple flower card, I splattered purple ink directly onto the white card base and randomly added itty bitty sparkles.

Even though this layering technique was a little difficult, I love the final outcome!

  

ALTENEW: ALL ABOUT LAYERING 1, LESSON 1 & 2

I'm very excited to start my creative journey with Altenew Academy.  Today, I took the All About Layering 1 class.  Below are cards due for Lesson 1 & 2.

Both of the stamp sets that I used included images that were both solid and outlined.  Using acrylic blocks, it was easy to use the stamps and layer them on top of each other using different ink colors.

Supplies used:

- Altenew Stamp Sets: Peony Bouquet & Build-A-Flower: Cora Louise Peony

- Altenew Crisp Dye Inks: Lime, Fuchsia, Baby Pink

On the card above, I stamped the stems in black ink and then used Fuchsia ink to layer the flower petals directly on top of them.  Using the same technique, I randomly stamped some leafs with Lime ink.  Then, I stamped the "just for you" phrase in embossing ink onto a piece of black cardstock with white embossing powder.  I love how it pops against the pretty flower background.

For this second card, I used the large peony and stamped the outline and petal accents in Baby Pink ink.  I used the same technique to stamp the smaller flower and leaf.  When putting the card together, I added some interest by stamping two different leaf images directly onto the card front itself and then used 3-D foam tape to pop up the flowers.  

MY NEXT ADVENTURE...

Congratulations! We are happy to inform you that you have been ACCEPTED into the Altenew Educator Certification Program.

This was in my email this morning and I'm super excited to start this new crafting adventure.  Altenew offers different instructor-led skill-building classes.  If you'd like more info, check out their website.

Wish me luck and I'll be posting more about my journey here.

I can't wait to start!!

A TROPICAL VALENTINE

I wanted to make a tropical themed Valentine's Day card here.  I used some new Sea Foam Glitz Glitter Gel that I got from Simon Says Stamp!  This glitter gel is a little thicker than regular stencil paste so it makes it somewhat easier to apply.  I let it dry overnight and then adhered it to some lavender cardstock.

Other supplies used: Lawn Fawn Toucan Do It and Scent with Love Stamp Sets; Lawn Fawn Tropical Leaves and Lots of Hearts background stencils; Shaded lilac distress oxide ink; and Tri-blend Spectrum Noir markers (ice grey blend, ice grey shades, muted brown, blue turquoise, hydrangea, citrus and alpine green blends).

GETTING SKUNKY!

Attending a mini class with Jenn Shurkus and Kelly Marie (from Lawn Fawn).  Created two of each card using these super cute 🦨🦨🦨.  

It's still winter right?!

This cold weather got me thinking about this clean and simple card design.  These penguins from CTMH Winter Penguin stamp set coordinated perfectly with our Blue Belle glitter paper and glitter gems.  I also used the Blue Belle stamp pad and watercolor brush to color in parts of each card.  Love how these turned out!   Shh.. I'm going to bundle them into a card kit for my sister who loves penguins!

Smitten - A CTMH Valentine Special

Get an early start on your Valentine’s Day celebrations with Close To My Heart's Smitten collection!

Smitten’s cheery paper packet, sticker selection, stamps, and Thin Cuts are all showcased in the Smitten Product Bundle and the Smitten Workshop Kit, both of which are available at a 20% discount! 

The Smitten Workshop Kit includes all the materials you’ll need to create twelve slimline cards, two scrapbook layouts, and a variety of cute treat holders.

CTMH will be hosting free Facebook Live events on January 27 (Scrapbook Layouts and Cards) and January 31 (fun treat holders).  

The Smitten collection will be available from December 1 through February 28, while supplies last.

The following cards were super fun to create.  I'm in love with the slimline design and the bright colors really make these cards pop!

Holiday Cards

Here are some cards that I created over the holidays.

I used the Lawn Fawn set Beary Happy Holidays.  I used white stencil paste and the starry sky stencil to create a cool chilly background.  Distressed oxides used: broken china, salvaged patina.

Here is a card I made for my sister who LOVES penguins!  I used Lawn Fawn's Magic Iris interactive die and the Penguin Part stamp and die set.

Supplies used: Lawn Fawn Winter Village stamp and die set, snowflake border, Let It Shine snowflake paper pack.

This and the following three cards were created from a class that I took from Jenn Shurkus.  I love the blue and purple color theme that she chose and it was fun "glittering all the things"!

I recently taught myself how to create a full background shaker card using a clear plastic pocket sleeve.  I used a variety of sequins, silver stars, tiny blue and white beads and even some silver glitter (that looks a bit rainbow-y).  Supplies used: Lawn Fawn Let It Snow large die and Tiny Winter Friends (used the snowman from this kit and he's so cute!)

This was my Thank You card for this year.  I used the large Thank You die from Lawn Fawn as well as the snowflake stencil and Seedless Preserves Oxide ink to create a wintery background.  I wanted to brighten the card up a bit so I added white splatters of paint to the background as well.

I'm back!

It's been a while since I posted...8 years to be exact.  With the abundance of social media (Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest) for example, I got away from posting here.  For now, here are a bunch of cards I have created over the past few months.