Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Goofy Bird!

Had to make another batch of Thank You cards . . .and I just love this goofy looking bird.
What I used:
Happy Day Animals Clear Set by Hero Arts
Thank You Messages Clear Set by Hero Arts
Colored Pencils
Gingham Ribbon
Brilliant White Cardstock by Prism
Card from one of my Self-Addressed Kits

How to:
Cut Brilliant White stock to 3.25" x 5"
Place inside card and lightly trace square onto white stock
Stamp bird inside the traced square using Onyx Black Ink; set aside to dry
Randomly stamp butterflies & flowers on purple card using VersaMark ink
Color bird with Colored Pencils; erase the traced square
Adhere white stock to inside of card; stamp "Thanks" using Onyx Black ink
Add ribbon

Ta-da! All done!

Monday, January 28, 2008

More Hero Arts

Yep! More NEW images from Hero Arts have arrived!
Click here to get 'em!

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Just Added!

Oh MY! Tim Holtz has three new videos on his Blog featuring his new tools. Sooooooo cool!


Yep, I've added them to the website . . . and this calls for a Super Saturday Blog Special!


Save 15% on his Retractable Tools and Design Ruler! Just enter Coupon Code "CoolTools" during checkout! Click here to get 'em!

Valid through midnight tonight (Pacific Time) . . .so . . .HURRY!

other fine print: valid on-line only. may not be combined with Rewards card, or any other offer or special.

I Love Mew, Sprinkle!

Sprinkle from The Cat's Pajamas is so cute all dressed up for Valentine's Day! I mean, really . . . just look look look at how well she wears those Angel wings! And that doodle heart . . .it's from the new Be Still My Heart set . . .and fits the Giga Scalloped Heart Punch perfectly!

And the Cowboys! How cute are they??

And Sheriff Poochie . . .here he is in full color!

Gotta have 'em? Click here!

Friday, January 25, 2008

Stamper's Sampler

I love a new magazine! The latest issue of The Stamper's Sampler has arrived!

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

There's a New Sheriff in Town. . .

. . . his name is Poochie!


Click here to get him!

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Changito Balloon

Here's a quick Valentine's Day Card featuring Changito the Monkey!
What I used:
Changito Clear Set by Stampendous
Sentiment Stamp by American Art Stamp
Silver Heart Sparklers & Stitched Heart Class A'Peels
Perfect Baby Pink & Classic Red Cardstock by Prism
White Cardstock
Graphite Black Brilliance Ink
Love Story Heart Brad
Prismacolor Pencils
Fine tip Black Pen

How to:
Stamp Changito onto Perfect Baby Pink Cardstock
Color with pencils (this is why I love my Prismacolors! they can be used on colored cardstock)
Add Stitched Heart sticker; hand draw a balloon string
Add Heart Sparklers
Stamp sentiment onto white scrap; cut to resemble a tag
Mount tag onto red scrap and trim
Add Heart Brad
Mount to card using foam tape

Super duper easy!

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Be Still, Puppy Love, & Pow Wow

Oh my! Alma at The Cat's Pajamas has just released new stamps . . .and they are ever so cute! They are on the way . . . and, if ya wanna see a few samples using the new stamps, head over to Toni's Blog . . . she used the new Cowboys!

eeeeee . . . I just can't stand it! I might have to camp out here at the store until they arrive!

Stay tuned . . .I'll let you know the minute I've got them in my hands!

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Special Delivery

In a previous post, I had mentioned the non-stick craft sheet. . . and this card is why I think everyone should have one.

I tried using the ink blending tool with just a piece of scrap paper under my cardstock, and it didn't work very well . . . so I went over to Tim Holtz' Blog and read the tutorial on the tag he made using the Damask Mask, and he explained how to use the blending tool with the craft sheet to avoid getting harsh ink lines. Lo and Behold! It worked!


What I used:
Love Letter Stamp by American Art Stamp (yep, still stuck on these!)
Shell Pink, Watermelon, and Cranberry Adirondack Inks
Heart Mini Mask by Heidi Swapp
Graphite Black Brilliance Ink
Prismacolor Colored Pencils
Stardust Pen
White Cardstock
Perfect Baby Pink Cardstock by Prism
Ink Blending Tool
Non-Stick Craft Sheet


How to:
Arrange Heart Mini Masks as desired on white cardstock
Starting with Shell Pink, use the blending tool to add color to the whole piece
Blend some Watermelon and Cranberry ink until desired look is acheived
Remove masks
Stamp "Love Letter" with Graphite Black ink directly over the inked background and color with pencils
Stamp the letter portion of stamp on a piece of scrap paper, color with pencils, cut out and adhere over the original stamped image
Use Stardust pen to add a little bit of glitz to her skirt
Mount at an angle onto Perfect Baby Pink cardstock


All done!


Thanks for stopping by today!

Monday, January 14, 2008

Blop Quiz #1 - We Have a Winner!

Thank you all for playing along!

The Random Number Generator chose . . . drum roll please . . . .

"Jennifer-G said... A non-stick craft sheet - from the heart board book post last week. I must say I completely agree!!!"

Congratulations Jennifer! Please email me your snail mail addy so I can send your LARGE Non-Stick Craft Sheet to you!

WAIT . . .don't stop reading . . . because I really do think everyone should have a Non-Stick Craft Sheet . . . and since so many played along . . . well . . .it's not free, but it is on sale*!

Click here to get one.

Thanks again for playing!

*Sale price valid through January 19, 2008

Friday, January 11, 2008

A Hint of Red

I told you I was addicted to these stamps . . .and try as I might to create another Valentine's Day card without using red or pink, I just couldn't do it with this one . . .it just begged for a hint of red.

What I used:

Rose Bouquet stamp from American Art
James Stewart Cardstock from Tinkering Ink
White Cardstock
Blush Red Dark Cardstock from Prism
Black Prismatics Cardstock from Prism
Felt Flower from Audrey Embellishment Jar
Button from my stash
Onyx Black Versafine Ink
Crimson Lake Prismacolor colored pencil
Stardust Stickles
Glue Dots


How to:
Stamp image uning Onyx Black ink onto white cardstock
Color hat, detail on dress, and roses with Crimson Lake Pencil
Adhere to Black Cardstock
Adhere to Blush Red Dark Cardstock
Mount onto 5"x5" piece of Patterned Cardstock
Mount onto a white card
Add a smidge of Stickles to the roses
Adhere button to Felt Flower with a Glue Dot
Adhere Felt Flower to card (I used a Craft Glue Dot for this.)


Another Heart Day Card! Or it could be a birthday card . . . or anniversary card . . .or any occasion, really . . .

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Heart Shaped Tins

OH my! How cute are these?? Click here to get 'em!

Blop Quiz #1!

In a previous post, I had mentioned that everyone should have one. What was I referring to?

Guidelines to play along:
1. Answers must be posted as a comment here on the blog.
2. Answers must be posted by Sun., Jan. 13, 2008 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time.
3. From the correct answers, one winner will be chosen at random.
4. The winner of it will be announced Mon., Jan. 14, 2008.

Good Luck!

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Happy Heart Day

I think I might be addicted to these stamps from American Art Stamp . . .funny because, I have to admit that I didn't much care for them when I first saw them . . . but there are so many little things that can be cut out, embellished, popped up . . . and the design is just funky enough . . .so here ya go, another Valentine's Day Card:

What I used:

Paper Hearts from American Art Stamp
Happy Heart Day from Stampendous' Bold Heart Clear Set
Crimson Red Versafine Ink
Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink
Patterned Paper by Daisy Bucket
Blush Red Dark Cardstock by Prism
White Cardstock
Super Jumbo Scalloped Heart Punch
PrismaColor Pencils - Crimson Lake, Poppy Red, Cream, Sand, Peach Beige
Clear Glaze Pen
Ink Blending Tool
Double-Sided tape
Foam Tape


How to:
Stamp image onto white cardstock using Crimson Red ink
Color with pencils
Use Clear Glaze Pen to add dimension to the heart chain
Edge with Brushed Corduroy ink using Ink Blending Tool
Mount onto Blush Red Dark cardstock


Stamp sentiment onto white scrap
Punch out using Scalloped Heart Punch
Edge with Brushed Corduroy using Blending Tool


Mount image onto patterned paper
Mount scalloped heart using foam tape
Mount onto Blush Red Dark Card


Ta-da! A card!


btw . . .you wanna see some super fabulous colored pencil work? Step in to the Shoe Closet. She does aMaZinG work!

Monday, January 07, 2008

Black & Tan Valentine

I saw a challenge somewhere to create a Valentine card without using red or pink . . .so, here it is:

What I used:
Valentine Calligraphy stamp from Paper Inspirations
Onyx Black Versafine ink
Grungeboard Elements
Metallic Gold Adirondack Paint Dabber
Gold Cord
Double-Sided Tape
Foam Tape
Patterned Paper from 7 Gypsies Maison Pack
Suede Brown Light & Medium cardstock from Prism
Black Prismatics cardstock from Prism


How to:
Paint Grungeboard Heart with Metallic Gold Paint; set aside to dry
Stamp Valentine Calligraphy using Onyx Black ink on Suede Brown Light cardstock (I stamped on the non-textured side); trim down
Mount on Black cardstock with double-sided tape; tear bottom edge
Adhere to patterned paper
Wrap gold cord around patterned paper (I taped one end of the cord and then wrapped)
Attach Grungeboard Heart using Foam Tape
Adhere to Suede Brown Medium Card using Foam Tape


Ta-da! A Valentine Card without using pink or red.

Sunday, January 06, 2008

Heart Tree

Here's a quick and easy card for Valentine's Day:

What I used:
Lief from Rosie's Roadshow
Red Heart Sparklers from Stampendous
Jumbo Java VersaMagic Ink
Heart Shaped Notecard
Love Grows Sentiment by American Art Stamp

How to:
Stamp Leif using Jumbo Java
Add Heart stickers
Stamp sentiment on the inside

Done!

Saturday, January 05, 2008

Heart Tiles

Let me begin by saying that watercoloring is quite a step out of my comfort zone. . . .I feel the need to color in all "white" space and stay within the lines . . .this goes back to my childhood.

I've been trying to step out of the box I seem to be stuck in and try new things (see Heart Board Book post), play more, experiment more . . .so, here's my shot at watercoloring:

What I used:
Heart Tiles stamp from Stampotique
Jasper Red Radiant Rain Mister
Pink Azalea Radiant Rain Dabber
Watercolor Cardstock
Frost White Colorbox ink
White Embossing Powder
Azalea Shimmer Cardstock by Prism
Scallop Scissors
Paint brush

How to:
Stamp and emboss image with white ink and powder onto watercolor cardstock
Dip wet paint brush directly into the Jasper Red Radiant Rain (I don't really need to say, "remove lid from bottle," do I?)
Paint hearts (I just kind of randomly chose which hearts would be Jasper Red)
Rinse brush well and paint remaining hearts with Pink Azalea Radiant Rain
For the "tiles" around each heart, I dipped the brush in water after dipping it in the Pink Azalea so the color wouldn't be so saturated.
Finally, (yes, I was holding my breath through the whole painting process . . .remember, I'm way out of my comfort zone here) rinse brush really well with clean water and then do a "wash" over the whole thing. Some of the Jasper Red blended outside the tiles to make it appear that I actually know how to watercolor. :D
Trim stamped image so there's about 1/8" border
Mount on white cardstock
Mount on Azalea Shimmer stock; trim with Scallop scissors
Another layer of white, final layer on Azalea Shimmer . . .
Viola! It's a card (that measures 4.25"x 4.25")!

Now . . photography (kinda like watercoloring) isn't really my forte, so what doesn't show in the picture very well is the shimmer from the Radiant Rain or the Shimmer stock . . . but it does shimmer.

And if you want to see some gorgeous watercoloring, head over to Stamping Mathilda's.

Whew! I'm going to go back in my box for a little while . . . thanks for checking the Blog today!

Thursday, January 03, 2008

They're Here! They're Here!

Oh my! Mr. Brown stopped by today . . .and he brought me all those lovely Penguins and Polar Bears and Giraffes and Monkeys! Oh what fun it was to dig through all those boxes and see the samples . . . they just brought a smile to my face! Here's one of them:

Wanna see the rest? They're in the "Newer Gallery" . . .the link is over there . . .to the right. Enjoy!

whoops! meant to mention that I didn't make this card (or the others in the gallery) . . .the folks at Memory Box did. . . btw . . . they are wonderful people to work with!

Note to self: Do NOT wear high heels on a day when Mr. Brown brings four boxes of goodies. . .

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Heart Board Book

Warning: Long Post Ahead

Yes . . . this is going to be one llllloooonnnggg post! The supply list is a mile long, the how-to -- not so bad . . .and rather than torture you with all 14 pages, I'm only going to show three. :D And there are a few tips at the end. Ready? Here we go!

This is the front cover of my Heart Board Book:
What I used:

Heart Blank Board Book
Basic Grey Infuse 6x6 pad
Grungeboard: Alphas and Elements
Distress Ink: Brushed Corduroy, Walnut Stain, Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters
Distress Crackle Paint: Peeled Paint
Adirondack Paint Dabbers: Salmon, Mountain Rose, Willow, Lettuce
VersaMagic Ink: Jumbo Java
Prism Cardstock: Intense Kiwi, Blush Red Light
Flowers & Buttons: Noteworthy Embellishment Jars & from my stash
Variety of Ribbon from my stash
Variety of Brads from my stash
Small tags from Office Depot
Sentiment Stamp on the tag on the front cover from American Art Stamp
Zip Dry Glue*
Glue Dots: Mini and Craft
Revolution: Library Card/Pocket Die
Sizzix: Scalloped Tag Pocket, Scalloped Tag Combo, File Folder and a few others
Ink Blending Tool
Non-Stick Craft Sheet**
Craft Knife
Cutting Mat

How to:

Adhere patterned paper to the front and back covers using Zip-Dry Glue. I found it easier to adhere the whole 6x6 sheet and then use the craft knife to trim off the excess paper. Ink edges with Peeled Paint Distress Ink using the ink blending tool.

Paint the "right-side" pages using the Adirondack Dabbers. I alternated the pages . . pink, green, pink, green. See pics below:
Allow paint to dry thoroughly. (~sigh~ I've not mastered the use of acrylic paints yet . . .to see some fabu work, jump over to the Land of Lost Luggage.)

While the paint is drying, place the Grungeboard letters*** on the non-stick craft sheet and ink them up with Brushed Corduroy Distress ink. I applied the ink direct and then used the blending tool to work the color into the texture. I then used the blending tool to add a smidge of Walnut Stain Distress ink to the edges.

Paint is still drying on the pages . . .so, paint up the Grungeboard Flourish**** using the Crackle Paint (again, do this on the non-stick craft sheet) and set aside to dry.

While waiting for even more paint to dry, use your die cut machine(s) to cut out pockets and folders and tags . . . whatever else you might want to add to your book.

Okay . . .the pages are dry. Now on the "left-side" pages adhere patterned paper using Zip-Dry glue. By the time you finish the last page, the glue on the first page will be dry (hence the name "Zip-Dry") and you can begin cutting off excess paper with your craft knife.

Time to start embellishing your pages! I used Glue Dots for the Grungeboard, flowers, and buttons. I used Zip-Dry for the pockets on the inside pages. Be sure to do all your "inking" before adhereing the "stuff" to the pages. (yep . . .speaking from experience here!)

Leave space to do some journaling . . .add pictures . . .add more buttons or flowers or hinges or brads . . .whatever you want! Soooooooo fun to add the "stuff" and tidbits to really personalize the book.

Ta-Da! A nice Heart Shaped Board Book for your loved one!

On to the tips:

*Zip Dry Glue: It has become one of my favorite adhesives for a few reasons . . it dries very fast (and I'm not too patient when it comes to waiting for things to dry) . . .it is a super bond! There's no taking something off once the glue is dry without damaging your project. Keep that in mind (yep . . . talking from experience again). BUT, please note: this glue is kindy smelly . . .so use it in a well ventilated area. If you have respiratory problems or asthma, use this glue with caution.

**Non-Stick Craft Sheet: Yes, Mr. Holtz is correct! . . . you do need one . . .everybody needs one. I'll go into even more detail about that in a future post.

***Grungeboard Letters: I didn't have a pack of the Digits and Punctuation, so for the "+" sign on the front, I improvised and cut one of the "T's" to look like a plus sign.

****Grungeboard Flourish: Well . . .I wasn't planning on using this particular flourish for this project, so it had been previously sprayed with Radiant Rain, which by the way looks lovely on Grungeboard! When I decided to use this particular flourish on this book (which was purple . . .or some shade thereof), I thought, "Oh great . . . now what??" As you can see . . . I just painted right over the Radiant Rain. Can't even tell, can ya? Gotta love this Grungeboard stuff. . .

Okay . . off to the craft room . . .got lots of new stuff in, which means I've got lots of samples to make!

Thanks for visiting!

Bonjour!

Here's a sample using one of the NEW Penguin stamps from Memory Box. Isn't he ever so cute??
Stay tuned for more penguin (and polar bear!) samples. . .

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

May you have a healthy and prosperous new year!