Birds of a Feather

Tuesday, July 31, 2012


I'm here for a second time today with a card I created using the sketch found over at Sunday Sketch & Stamp. I've had the patterned paper from American Crafts for some time now, completely smitten by the illustrated lanterns. Sometimes I feel like my only hobby is paper collector. Can I get an amen?! I think the whimsical design coordinates perfectly with these fun stamps from Market Street Stamps.


I colored in the birds with Copic markers and added doodle designs with a white opaque pen. I can't wait to send this off to someone. The birds are just far too cute!


Thanks for stopping by. And head over to Sunday Sketch & Stamp to enter your own take on the sketch! 


CARD SUPPLIES
Cardstock: American Crafts, Bazzill Dots
Patterned Paper: American Crafts
Stamps: Market Street Stamps (Birds of a Feather)
Inks: Copic Markers, Memento (Tuxedo Black), Sakura Gelly Roll Pen (White)

COPIC LIST
Yellows: Y15, Y08, Y06
Pinks: RV14, RV17

Layout Idea!

Tuesday, July 31, 2012


Hello friends. I created this LO and did a little post over on the Creations Galore Blog today. Head on over. I highlight a few of my favorite parts of this page. This is quite a fun sketch and must use it again! Enjoy your Tuesday!

Live Simple - A CAS Card

Monday, July 30, 2012


A collaboration of Market Street Stamps and Persimmons Studio has produced seven gorgeous stamp sets. Rush over to the MSS website and see them now! The company I work for, Creations Galore, just recently received the sets in store, and I couldn't wait to start playing! Here's a clean and simple card I created from the Woodland set. 


The tree and deer are separate stamps; therefore, I needed to do just a wee bit of masking. I intended to color the stamped images. However, with a little encouragement from the sentiment, I kept with a simple design.


Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week, and live simple. :)

CARD SUPPLIES
Cardstock: American Crafts, Paper Cut
Stamps: Market Street Stamps (Woodland)
Ink: Memento (Rich Cocoa)
Brad: Gary Berlin

Sketch With Us

Sunday, July 29, 2012


It's another week and a new sketch at Unscripted Sketches. Head over to play along and see more inspiration from our great Design Team. Here's my take on the sketch:



Let's have a drink...

Friday, July 13, 2012


Stopping by to share a collage style card I made with stamps, punches, and Copic markers. The card is 3.5 x 5 inches... a cute little size. 



I hope you're having a great week. Pull out your scraps... what kind of card can you make?

Today's 5 Minute Sketch

Thursday, July 12, 2012



If only I could draw a whole wardrobe that came to life... 

What a view...

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Spent an evening in Chicago with these two lovely ladies, and as a last minute decision, we went to the John Hancock Observatory. We made it just 6 minutes before the last elevator went to the top. I couldn't be happier with our decision making. Absolutely gorgeous views of Chicago. 





Create

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Here's a peek at the page I created for Layout Tuesdays over at the Creations Galore blog. Head over to see which collection I used, view close ups of the page, and find out my secrets to a few of the embellishments. 


As my blog clearly states, I am a craft floozy. I have so many hobbies, because I just love to create. I plan to add photos of each of those hobbies, from sewing to painting to card making, to the layout. Creation is more than the pride of making something with my hands... it's freedom to express myself, to inspire others, and to get lost in the work. To leave all life's difficulties, stress, and clock behind. Why do you create?

A Note Of Thanks

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Happy Tuesday! You can never have enough thank you cards, which is exactly why I created this one using this week's sketch from Clean & Simple Stamping


I created the illusion of brads with a small hole punch and brown paper. It's my go-to technique when I don't have brads in just the right color. 


Head over to the Clean & Simple Stamping Blog to check out more inspiration and maybe even use the sketch! If you do, post a link in the comments below... I'd love to see what you create!


CARD SUPPLIES
Cardstock: Paper Cut (Milkweed), Bazzill (Hot Fudge)
Patterned Paper: We R Memory Keepers (Bonita, Rubia)
Stamps: Just Rite (Kindness)
Inks: Memento (Rich Cocoa), VersaColor (Lapislazuli)

Christmas In July :: Alcohol Ink Coasters & Other Decor Items

Monday, July 9, 2012

Hello! If you've found your way over from Unscripted Sketches, I want to welcome you to my little blog where I share my illustrations, paper crafting projects, and life stories. I'm glad you stopped by. 

Unscripted Sketches is celebrating Christmas in July with a virtual Christmas Party, Song Bingo, and Card Challenges. There's even prizes! Head over to the US Blog to see what you've missed this past week. It's not too late to join in all of the Christmas fun! 


Today is my spotlight day, and if you visit the US blog, you'll get the opportunity to get to know me just a little bit better. I had a great time answering their questions. Now let's move on to the goods... For this virtual Christmas party, we're headed to my living room where I have a few crafty projects that will add some holiday spirit to your home. 

First up, a few Christmas tags made with some paper and ribbon scraps. 

Season's Greetings Tag

Season's Greetings Tag

Homemade Christmas Tag

And a Christmas Banner I made from 6x6 squares of patterned paper. The Letters are cut from white cardstock using the Cricut and painted with Distress Stain. To see more of this banner, visit the Creations Galore blog where I originally showed it off! 

Christmas Banner Bo Bunny Press

And a big drumroll for today's tutorial. I've created a little how-to for holiday coasters! 

Alcohol Ink Coasters

 You'll need basic tiles and some Alcohol Inks. The Adirondack line Tim Holtz has created with Ranger is my favorite group of inks. I've also used the applicator tool, felt, and craft mat with this project. 

Alcohol Ink Coaster Tutorial

Alcohol inks are designed to stick to glossy surfaces such as glossy paper, acrylic, glass, and tile! There are many different techniques for applying the ink to your surface, but today I used the pounce technique. You add a large drop of ink onto the felt applicator tool and pounce it onto the tile. 

Adirondack Alcohol Inks

For the first tile, I used Rust, Red Pepper, Cranberry, and Pink Sherbert. By simply adding Oregano and Lettuce to the collection of colors, you end up with the tile on the right hand side below. What a difference in color! 

Adirondack Alcohol Ink Tutorial

You can continue adding color onto the tile until you're happy with the result. To stamp on glossy surfaces, I go to my trusty StazOn ink. As you can see, stamping on tiles can be somewhat of a challenge. The first tile, I didn't stamp too hard and missed a bit of the image. On the second, I pushed so hard that I moved the stamp and got a faded, double image. But no worries! This is one craft boo-boo we can fix!

Adirondack Alcohol Ink Coaster Tutorial

Grab some of the Alcohol Ink Blending Solution from Ranger and squeeze a few drops onto the tile. You can remove all of the ink or just a portion! 

Alcohol Ink Blending Solution

And then try the technique again! With alcohol ink, a small amount goes a long way; therefore, I never worry when I need to start over! 

Adirondack Alcohol Ink Coaster Tutorial

Now you can stamp any image you'd like. Blank tiles can be found at your local hardware store for under $1, and therefore, and inexpensive gift. You could easily and affordable make a set for every season! 

Alcohol Ink Tutorial

Alcohol Ink Coaster


Have you tried alcohol inks and want to take it a step further? How about a resist technique?!

For this technique you'll need to gather some embossing supplies. Start out by rubbing a static pouch onto the tile to eliminate any static or moisture. I always use this before embossing! Next, use an embossing ink pad to stamp your images onto the tile. I use VersaMark Watermark as it leaves a clear image at the end of this technique. Sprinkle on some clear embossing powder, tap off the excess, and use a heat tool to cure the powder. 

Heat Embossing

Add your alcohol ink over the top of the clear embossed images. For this coaster, I used Pool, Cool Peri, Eggplant, and Denim.

Alcohol Ink Resist

Once you've added the alcohol ink you'll need a scrap piece of paper and an iron. I have found that thin computer paper and a craft iron work best, but use what you have on hand. Lay the paper on top of the tile, and then iron the surface. You'll start to notice the embossed images melting and attaching to the paper. You'll need to quickly pull up the paper as you melt the image. If you pick up your paper and it sticks to the tile, be patient. You've just allowed the powder to cool again. Add more heat with the iron and try removing the paper. It should easily come right off, along with the melted embossing powder and ink. The result? White snowflakes!

Alcohol Ink Resist Tutorial

I hope this has inspired you to create some Christmas projects or gifts. Don't forget to head over to the Unscripted Sketches blog to see what the other design team members are creating and join in the fun! Thanks for stopping by the blog today!
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