Field Notes

I'm excited to share that I've been invited to join the ScrapaliciousUSA Design Team!  Our first challenge is "Anything Goes".  This is our chance as a new design team to show off our individual styles and your chance to play along with any theme you like and your chance to win a $10 gift certificate!

I'm a big "list maker".  To keep myself on track at work and at home, I make "to do" and "idea" lists.  If you're like me, you never know when an idea will strike...at work, in the grocery store, wherever...so it's important to have a notebook handy.  I keep one in my purse at all times.  I recently purchased some mini composition books at the dollar store (3 for $1...what a deal!) with the intention of altering them for this exact purpose.  They were super easy to alter into these adorable and pretty "Field Notes" books.

The Details:

• To make it easy on myself, I covered the binding edge with a couple layers of Tim Holtz tissue tape.  This also keeps the binding flexible.
• Next, I adhered some My Mind's Eye (MME) Lost & Found papers to the front and back using spray adhesive. 
• On the Tapestry book, I stamped the large crown from MME Lost & Found 'Adore' in VersaMark, then embossed in white.  I added some Frosted Lace Stickles and Platinum Pearl Liquid Pearls to the crown.  "Field Notes" is stamped in StazOn Timber Brown.  The MME Stella and Rose 'Remember' lacy label frame is stamped in Stampin' Up! (SU!) Sage Shadow craft ink.  I also added some Platinum Pearl Liquid Pearls to accent the label.

• On the Shabby Stripe book, I stamped the chandeliers from MME Lost & Found 'Perfect' in SU! Pretty in Pink craft ink, then embossed in clear. I added some Frosted Lace Stickles and Platinum Pearl Liquid Pearls to the chandeliers. "Field Notes" is stamped in StazOn Jet Black.  The MME Stella and Rose 'Remember' label frame is stamped in SU! Regal Rose craft ink.  I also added a line of Platinum Pearl Liquid Pearls underneath the label.

Supplies:

InLinkz.com

Stamps: 7 Gypsies ‘Disclaimer’
Inks: Stampin’ Up! craft ‘Sage Shadow’, ‘Regal Rose’, ‘Pretty in Pink’; StazOn ‘Timber Brown’, ‘Jet Black’; Distress Ink ‘Old Paper’; Versamark
Embellishments: Zing embossing powder ‘Opaque White’, ‘Clear’; Tim Holtz tissue tape ‘Nostalgic’, ‘Symphony’
Tools: 3M spray adhesive; foam ink blender; tweezers; Claudine Hellmuth Studio Matte Multimedium

Misc: mini composition book (approx.. 3-1/4” x 4-1/2”)

Tulle & Lace

We're focusing on Weddings this week over at Card A Day Blog.  This is always such a fun theme because, while the card is meant for the newlywed couple, you can still be girly.  I found two beautiful digital images that I wanted to feature on this card...an ATC background from Victorian Vignettes and the lovely lady from The Sum of All Crafts.

The Details:

• Starting with Sahara Sand card stock from Stampin' Up!, I stamped a French script background in white pigment ink.  
• I then printed the ATC background to be approx. 3.75" x 5", distressed  and inked the edges, then stamped the same French script in Versamark and embossed with opaque white embossing powder.
• On top of the ATC background, I layered the fussy cut lady image and a strip of Sahara Sand that was stamped with the French script in Versamark and scalloped along the bottom edge.
• Congratulations is stamped in Jet Black StazOn and is accentuated by a strip of crocheted lace and a line of pearls

• Our lovely lady did not start out as a bride...I made her one by adding a double layer of tulle along the top of her bun, then adding a strip of pearl stickers and some dollops of Liquid Pearls as the headdress.  I even gave her a pearl earring.

• The finishing touch is a puffy satin heart (from a heart chain ribbon) that was antiqued with Old Paper Distress Ink and layered with a heart rhinestone.

Challenges:

Make My Monday: Week #37 - Victorian Romance

The Pink Elephant: TPE 136 - Print It

Annabelle Stamps: AC064 - Say It With Background Stamps

Supplies:
Cardstock: Stampin’ Up! ‘Sahara Sand’
Images: The Sum of All Crafts; Victorian Vignettes
Stamps: SU! ‘French Script’, ‘Warmest Regards’
Inks: Versamark; StazOn ‘Jet Black’; SU! craft ‘White’; Distress Ink ‘Old Paper’; SU! watercolor pencils
Embellishments: Zing embossing powder ‘Opaque White’; crocheted lace; tulle; pearls; puffy heart ribbon; heat rhinestone; Martha Stewart glitter ‘Crystal Fine’; Liquid Pearls ‘Platinum Pearl’, ‘White Opal’
Tools: scallop scissors; Wondertape; foam ink blender; Tim Holtz paper distresser

Sunshine & Blue Skies

I've been on a yellow kick lately for birthdays.  And I like mixing the yellow with pale blue / aqua. Winter birthdays can be so blah, I guess I want to send some sunshine and blue skies in the color palette!

Some Details:

• The beautiful folk art flower is stamped on pale yellow cardstock and embossed in opaque white. To help the white image stand out a bit, I added shadows with yellow marker around areas of the design.  The edges of the cardstock were scalloped and shaded with Wild Honey Distress Ink. I also used Wild Honey DI to lightly shade around the embossed image.  

• White Glaze pen was used to add dots and faux stitching. I originally had a white button at the center of the bow, but then found this aqua brad from The Girl's Paperie and loved how it added another touch of the aqua, so I made the switch.

Challenges:

Cheerful Stamp Pad: #36 - Happy Birthday

Supplies:
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink ‘Aqua Mist’; Stampin’ Up! ‘So Saffron’, ‘Ultrasmooth White’
Pattern Paper: Cosmo Cricket ‘Circa 1934’
Stamps: My Mind’s Eye Stella and Rose Hattie ‘Remember’, Hazel ‘Memories’; SU! ‘Warmest Regards’
Inks: VersaMark; StazOn ‘Timber Brown’; SU! craft ‘More Mustard’; Distress Ink ‘Wild Honey’; Martha Stewart craft marker ‘Daffodil’; Glaze pen ‘White’
Embellishments: Zing embossing powder ‘White’; paper doily; Hug Snug seam binding ‘Ivory’; PTI rustic button twine; pearls; Hobby Lobby trim ‘Mint’; The Girl’s Paperie brad
Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig; Wondertape; Glue Dots; foam tape; foam ink blending tool; scallop scissors

Free Digi Friday: Yarn Addict

Today's free digital stamp is inspired by the boys.  Both are hard core yarn addicts.  Now, while Ollie just likes to play with and roll around in it, Dodger likes to eat it, so I have to keep my yarn locked away.  The little kitty here is definitely a Dodger...his eyes get great big and black when he's "hunting".  J Enjoy!

**EDITED**

Friday Free Digis are free for one week. This digital stamp is now available for purchase. To order, go to the side bar, enter the stamp name shown below and click 'buy now' to pay via Pay Pal.

Cost: $2.00

Stamp Name: Yarn Addict

I will email you the file within 24 hours of receiving payment.

All My Love

Remember these?  I purchased them from a flea market in November, but never did get around to transforming them into Christmas ornaments.

Well, I took the heart in the lower right corner and transformed it into a Valentine ornament instead!

Some Details:

• My Mind's Eye background paper covers the back of the cookie cutter.  Before adhering it to the inside, I stamped a bird cage image in sage pigment ink.  The edge of the background paper is neatly disguised with Old Paper Distress Stickles.

• I used this beautiful lovey doves image from The Graphics Fairy for the focal point; printing it twice on cardstock and popping up the doves and front red rose with foam tape.  I used Distress Stickles to highlight the birds and flowers.  The little chipboard heart is also popped up with two layers of foam tape...looks like it's floating, doesn't it?

• Never fear if your metal accent isn't the right color!  These wings started as bright brass, but with the help of Silver Mixative Alcohol Ink, they now match perfectly.  The heart is paper-covered chipboard stamped with the sentiment, accented with Distress Stickles and given a generous coating of Glossy Accents for shine and durability.

• Both hearts hang / dangle through the creative use of wire and the handle on the back of the cookie cutter.  The whole thing is topped off with a luscious seam binding and fiber bow.

By the way...

Happy St. Valentine's Day!

My Valentine did really well on Sunday despite his protests...card, one dozen red roses, and vintage typewriter magnet (because he remembered I liked the old typewriter at the flea market some weeks ago).  Say it with me, now..."Aww!"  J

Challenges:

The Graphics Fairy: Brag Monday #123

Crafty Bloggers Network: Challenge #13 - Love is in the Air

Simon Says Stamp & Show: Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Simon Says - Love is in the Air

The Sisterhood of Crafters: Valentines

Inspiration Emporium: Monthly Challenge - Put a Heart On It

Supplies:
Cardstock: Stampin’ Up! ‘Naturals Ivory’
Pattern Paper: My Mind’s Eye Lost & Found ‘Market Street’
Image: The Graphics Fairy
Stamps: MME Blush ‘Princess’, Breeze ‘Dream’
Inks: StazOn ‘Timber Brown’; SU! craft ‘Sage Shadow’; Distress Ink ‘Old Paper’; Distress Stain ‘Victorian Velvet’; Alcohol Ink ‘Silver Mixative’, ‘Blending Solution’
Embellishments: Distress Stickles ‘Rock Candy’, ‘Black Soot’, ‘Tattered Rose’, ‘Fired Brick’, ‘Old Paper’, ‘Peeled Paint’; chipboard hearts; wire; A Charming Place wings charm; glass beads
Tools: Wondertape; Claudine Hellmuth Studio Matte Multi Medium; foam tape; Glossy Accents; jump rings; wire cutters; jewelry pliers; hold punch

You + Me

Hope everyone is having a lovely Sunday morning.  Since St. Valentine's Day falls on a Tuesday this year, my Valentine and I are celebrating today...okay, we're not really "celebrating".  I'm giving him this card and he'll be giving me a store-bought card and wearing black.  (He's not much of a Valentine's Day guy, but he's agreed to humor me.)

A Couple Details:

• The flash card is mounted on a chipboard ticket colored with Distress Stain.  I sketch-outlined the heart with black pen and highlighted it with some Glossy Accents.

• The card needed some black to keep it from turning too sweet, so I added a strip of Tim Holtz Symphony tissue tape and drew in some black dots with a LePen.  I continued the horizontal lines of the music with some Papertrey Ink baker's twine.  

All in all, a simple card.  But of course, you don't want to get too frilly for a guy card, even if it's for St. Valentine's Day!

Challenges:

Crafting When We Can Challenges: #11 - Valentine / Love

Dream Valley Challenges: #25 - Valentine

That Craft Place: Challenge #6 - Love is All Around

My Sheri Crafts: Challenge #78 - Love is in the Air (at least 2 hearts)

Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Simon Says - Love is in the Air

Inspiration Emporium: Monthly Challenge - Put a Heart on It

Supplies:
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink ‘Aqua Mist’
Pattern Paper: My Mind’s Eye Love Me Do ‘Head in the Clouds’
Inks: Distress Stains ‘Aged Mahogany’, ‘Victorian Velvet’, ‘Barn Door’; Le Pen ‘Black’
Embellishments: My Mind’s Eye accessory sheet ‘Love Me’; Tim Holtz tissue tape ‘Symphony’; PTI baker’s twine; Oriental Trading Company clip; chipboard heart; Glossy Accents; Distress Stickles ‘Rock Candy’
Tools: foam tape; glue dots; stylus; emery board

Love & Romance

Ah, love...

Isn't it romantic?

Merely to be young on such a night as this?

Isn't it romantic?

Every note that's sung is like a lover's kiss

Sweet symbols in the moonlight,

Do you mean that I will fall in love, per chance?

Isn't it romance?

Love creates such a cluster of emotions in us, and what better way to express that than with an artistic collage!  And yay, my daylight light bulbs were delivered just in time, so the color rending of the photos is right on. J

A Few Quick Details:

• The base on this collage is a 12"x12" pressed tin tile that I painted red and distressed with black antiquing gel and steel wool.
• "LOVE" was cut from recycled cardboard using my Cricut, then painted and glittered. The L is positioned atop a 7 Gypsies journaling card that has been distressed with Vintage Photo Distress Ink and a water pen. The O is accented with a felt heart sticker.

• The romantic couple image is "framed" by a K&Co paper picture frame and accented with a rhinestone heart. A Tim Holtz adage ticket and flower image adorn the frame.

• In addition to the adage ticket, I used several other Tim Holtz embellishments in the collage along with wide satin ribbon and silk flowers

Challenges:

The Cheerful Stamp Pad:  Challenge #35 - Romance is in the Air

4 Crafty Chicks: Love is in the Air

Rainbow Lady's Challenge Blog: #191 - Have a Heart

Sarah Hurley Challenge Blog: #59 - Love is All Around

The Sisterhood of Crafters: Valentines

Simon Says Stamp: Simon Says Love is in the Air

Queen of Hearts

My, how time flies!  This tag was supposed to be for the Simon Says Stamp and Show Kings & Queens challenge, but alas, it's past the deadline.  I think if I had 4-6 more hours in each day I might actually get some things accomplished...maybe even caught up!  LOL!

Anyway, I'm thinking of using this Queen of Hearts tag as a Valentine.  I know plenty of people who appreciate  an artistic tag!

Some Details:

• I had a heck of a time figuring out how to color our royal highness to match the papers without looking garish.  Finally, I realized the key is to keep it simple.  Instead of starting with neutral card stock, I used Stampin' Up! Ruby Red and highlighted the embossed areas with Barn Door and Black Soot Distress Inks.  For some crown "jewels", I added some Fired Brick Distress Stickles and a stamped crown colored with Distress Stain and accented with Rock Candy Distress Stickles.

• "Love" is part of the patterned paper, but to make it stand out against the background, I added Glossy Accents to the letters and Walnut Stain Distress Stickles to the border.

• Glossy Accents and some foam tape really make these hearts "pop"!

• Who says that doilies always have to be white?  I really wanted to incorporate a doily into this tag, but obviously, a bright white one was not working with my distressed color palette.  So, I experimented.  I used Pumice Stone Distress Stain as the base color, then applied layers of various neutral Distress Inks, then finally, some Black Soot Distress Ink with a foam ink blending tool.  I didn't think I needed another black ink pad, but my sister convinced me that she uses Black Soot all the time and so I finally purchased this color a few months ago.  She was right (don't tell her!), I use it much more than I thought I would.

Challenges:

Catered Crop: Hearts

Come and Get it Challenges: Love

Crafting When We Can Challenges: #11 - Valentine / Love

Supplies:
Cardstock: Stampin’ Up! ‘Ruby Red’; manila tag
Pattern Paper: My Mind’s Eye Lost & Found ‘Union Square’, ‘Market Street’
Stamps: My Mind’s Eye Lost & Found Rosy ‘Everything’, Breeze ‘Dream’
Inks: Distress Ink ‘Old Paper’, ‘Black Soot’, ‘Tea Dye’, ‘Barn Door’; StazOn ‘Jet Black’; Distress Stain ‘Brushed Corduroy’, ‘Pumice Stone’; SU! craft ‘Ruby Red’, ‘Creamy Caramel’
Embellishments: paper baking doily; Distress Stickles ‘Rock Candy’, ‘Walnut Stain’, ‘Fired Brick’; Papertrey Ink baker’s twine; Tim Holtz texture fade ‘Queen of Hearts’; Glossy Accents
Tools: scallop scissors; TH paper distresser; Wondertape; Sizzix Texture Boutique; foam tape

CADB Super Bowl Blog Hop: Masculine Card, a Tutorial, & a Free Digi!

Whew, what a mouthful!

This weekend is SUPER regardless of whether you'll be watching the big game. In honor of this very Man-Oriented weekend, we designers at Card A Day Blog decided to do a Blog Hop with a Masculine Theme. Come on, we all need as much inspiration as possible for creating non-girly cards, right? Oh, and of course there are giveaways, so be sure to visit all the blogs (list at the end of this post)!  

Now, put your lace, ribbon, and flowery papers away! I'm going to give you a tutorial on how to make this very masculine (and very cool) metal gear panel I used on my brother's birthday card, but first let's talk about the card...

A Couple Details:

• My brother is a painter by trade, so I loved this 7 Gypsies "News Flash" card (I know, the guy's hanging a poster, but he's got a brush in his hand, so it made me think painter). The vintage feeling, male image, and neutral colors keep us well within the manly realm.

• When in doubt for masculine images to use, reference Tim Holtz!  While he can branch out into feminine, the king of distress keeps things pretty manly-to-gender-neutral.  This large TH clock image was stamped onto vellum with StazOn Jet Black.  The vellum started out white, but I colored the BACK side with distress stain to make it work with the other elements.
• The clock button was also distressed to make its original bright finish more brassy and antique.  On this element, I used Alcohol Inks to adjust the color.

Okay, on to the star of this card...the embossed and distressed metal panel...

Metal Panel Tutorial:

Note:  The process to create this metal panel contains many techniques by Tim Holtz.  I give credit where credit is due, however I have not seen a project where he combines them in this way.

• Start with a strip of aluminum duct tape from the heating and cooling department of your local home improvement store.  Adhere this to Ranger glossy cardstock and emboss with Tim Holt'z Retro Circles texture fade.  Tim himself recommends using glossy cardstock as a base when embossing metal tape and he's right...it really makes the embossing crisp.

• Pounce on Alcohol Inks and Blending Solution to "tarnish" the metal.  I used Ginger, Mushroom, Caramel, and Copper Mixative colors.

• Pounce entire strip with VersaMark ink pad, then apply clear embossing powder.  Hold the strip by the edges over a trash bin and flick the back hard with your finger.  This removes the excess embossing powder. I gave mine several good flicks because I wanted a random, bumpy texture.  Tim Holtz calls this the "Orange Peel" technique and it's a good description for the texture you'll get. 

• Melt embossing powder with heat tool.  Make sure embossing is completely cool before continuing to the next step.

• Pounce on brown acrylic paint, followed by black acrylic paint until desired coverage and color is achieved.  I used Americana Burnt Umber and Lamp Black.  Allow to dry completely before continuing to the next step.

 

• Using a damp paper towel or baby wipe, rub the high areas lightly to remove some of the paint.  Continue until the desired effect is achieved.

• Spray metal strip with Krylon Crystal Clear to lock paint in place and give it a beautiful shine.  Truly, don't skip this step, it makes overall effect and color so rich!

That's the tute!  Hope you get a chance to play with this combination of techniques, it sure was fun!!

Now, don't miss out on the other blogs in the hop.  Many are giving away prizes on their individual blogs PLUS there's a big prize on the Card A Day Blog.  Check out all the details below.

Oh, that reminds me, this weekend only, I've got another free Valentine digi for you.  I'm calling this one "Love Nest".  Get it while the gettin's good, because on Monday, it's GONE!  Happy Hopping!

**EDITED**

This digital stamp is now available for purchase. To order, go to the side bar, enter the stamp name shown below and click 'buy now' to pay via Pay Pal.

Cost: $2.00

Stamp Name: Love Nest

I will email you the file within 24 hours of receiving payment.

It's BLOG HOP TIME!
The designers at Card a Day Blog are joining together to do a blog hop this weekend! The theme is Masculine cards! Let's not let the guys have all the fun on Super Bowl Sunday....let's get a little of our own fun in!
To join in....visit all the participating designers by visiting their sites, some are having prize give aways...so make sure you pop in! Make sure you comment on all the blogs too, because at the end of the weekend, they are going to send a list of all who commented on their blog, and we are going to do a grand prize drawing of all comments on each blog!
So JOIN IN TODAY....comment on the main blog page, and visit the other hop pages and comment there too!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Ranger Glossy cardstock
Pattern Paper: Cosmo Cricket ‘Circa 1934’; vellum
Stamps: Stampin’ Up! ‘It’s Your Birthday’; Tim Holtz ‘Life’s Possibilities’
Inks: VersaMark; Alcohol Ink ‘Ginger’, ‘Mushroom’, ‘Caramel’, ‘Copper Mixative’, ‘Blending Solution’; Americana acrylic paint ‘Lamp Black’, ‘Burnt Umber’; StazOn ‘Jet Black’; Distress Ink ‘Old Paper’; Distress Stain ‘Brushed Corduroy’
Embellishments: Aluminum tape; Tim Holtz texture fade ‘Retro Circles’; Zing embossing powder ‘Clear’; 7 Gypsies journaling card; JHB clock button
Tools: Sizzix Texture Boutique; Krylon ‘Crystal Clear’; heat tool; foam ink blending tool; deckle scissors; vellum tape; Wondertape; tweezers; TH paper distresser; Zot glue dots