Technique Hop – Distressed Much?

March 15, 2020 by 8 Comments

Welcome to the Technique Blog Hop!

This month we are exploring Distressing techniques. Distress is giving (furniture, leather, or clothing) simulated marks of age and wear or in our case paper. This blog hop is a great big circle so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork. If you are coming from Darlys Recker’s Blog, you are on the right track! If you get lost you can find a full list of participants HERE.

I started with a piece of almond cardstock and distressed it. I used toffee re-inker and water. Here are some pictures of what I did.

Step 1 ~ I used my All-Purpose mat and added a few drops of Toffee Re-Inker. I then spritz with water. Step 2 ~ I then smooshed the Almond Cardstock into the re-inker and water. Step 3 ~ Is what It looked like. I did another one and spritz the paper before smooshing it. So you can see the two in the last photo.

Once the paper dried I tore part a portion, then crumpled it. I then used a sponge and Toffee ink to go over the creases to give it more of a weathered look.

The rest of the cardstock I used the Under the Sea Embossing Folder and then cut as the base for the shaker with the Shaker Window and Thin Cuts. The pattern paper if from the Seasonal Mix-in and I paired with Glacier cardstock as I like the way it looked with the mint pattern paper. I used the new Seas the Day Cardmaking Stamp Set and thin cuts. I added a few of the Loose Crafty Sequins which are still available.

Thanks for stopping by!  Please continue onto Valerie Kapsha’s BLOG where you will find some additional artwork!  Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you thought and happy hopping!

Happy Crafting!

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Technique Hop – “It’s in the Script!”

September 15, 2019 by

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop!

This month we are focusing on It’s in the Script.   With the release of our the idea book came a brand new product line ~ Melissa Eplsin penmanship guide and her own stamp sets!!  I have always wanted to learn how to do cool penmanship as like most people, I am super critical of my own. While I have great intentions to practice with this guide, I have now made the time that I have wanted. Now that my son is back in school I should be able to find the time. This blog hop is a great big circle so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork. If you are coming from DARLYS RECKER’S Blog, you are on the right track! If you get lost you can find a full list of participants HERE.

I made a card about a month ago using the cool chevron technique that Close to My Heart shared. You can find my original card HERE along with the link to what Close to My Heart shared. I had a lot of the zig-zags left over so I cut a few new colors with Goldrush, Green Apple and Lemonade to make it more Halloween inspired. I then used the Months by Melissa Esplin stamp set to stamp October. I used Black Pigment Ink and then used Clear Embossing powder. The hat is from Fa-Boo-lous Halloween stamp set and thin cuts. I added a bit of bling with Silver Stickles on the buckle of the hat and a few loose Silver Sequins.

Thanks for stopping by!  Please continue onto LAUREN MOORE’S BLOG where you will find some additional artwork!  Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you thought and happy hopping!

Happy Crafting!

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September SOTM Blog Hop ~ Random Acts of Cardness

September 1, 2019 by

Welcome to the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!! This month we are featuring September’s stamp of the month ~ RANDOM ACTS OF CARDNESS (S1909) a set of 17.

If you are coming here from MELISSA ROBINSON’S Blog, then you are in the right spot ~ Welcome!  The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way around.  If you get lost along the way, you can find the complete list of participating  consultants on Melinda’s blog HERE.  This month we have around 20 consultants participating this month so you are sure to be inspired.

This stamp set is wonderful as there are so many great sentiments. I decided to pair it with Sunflower Sympathy Stamp Set.

I made two different cards using this wonderful sunflower!

I created my own plaid paper using the Build a Plaid Stamp Set. I used Sapphire ink on Daisy White. I paired it with Saffron, Paprika and New England Ivy. I wanted to add a bit of shimmer to the card, so I added Gold Shimmer brush to the tips of the butterfly. I also added few Gold Glitter Gems.

For this card I used Gold Embossing powder on Kraft paper. I then use my watercolor paints to paint in the yellow. I used Sapphire Pigment ink to stamp the sentiment and then added a bit of Clear Embossing Powder. I stamped Paprika on Paprika for the centers. I then went over the centers with Clear Shimmer Brush.

If you love this stamp set you will want to be sure you purchase it this month as it is only available the month of SEPTEMBER and if you spend $50 on qualifying product it could be yours for $5!!

Your next stop is along this hop is WENDY KESSLER’S Blog, so hop on over and see what wonderful creation she has for you today.

Happy Crafting!

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May SOTM Blog Hop – To My Bestie

May 1, 2019 by

Welcome to the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!! This month we are featuring MAY’s stamp of the month ~ TO MY BESTIE (S1905) a set of 19.

If you are coming here from WENDY KESSLER’S Blog, then you are in the right spot ~ Welcome!  The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way around.  If you get lost along the way, you can find the complete list of participating  consultants on Melinda’s blog HERE.  This month we have around 20 consultants participating this month so you are sure to be inspired.

This is such a fun stamp set! Here is what I have for you ….

I stamp the sweet women using Intense Black Ink.  I then used my Watercolor Pencils and Waterbrush to add color to the ladies.

I decided to use the Sweet Girl Paper for this card. I wanted to break up all the pinks so I decided to use Sapphire to mat the white stitched image of the girls, which I used the Square Stitched Thin Cuts.  I then used White Embossing Powder for the sentiment.  I used some of the pink sequins from the Crafty Loose Sequins.  I used pattern 29 form the Make it from Your Heart Volume 2 as my design for this card.

If you love this stamp set you will want to be sure you purchase it this month as it is only available the month of MAY and if you spend $50 on qualifying product it could be yours for $5!!

Your next stop is along this hop is MELISSA ROBINSON’S Blog, so hop on over and see what wonderful creation she has for you today.

Happy Crafting!

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Color Dare #340 ~ Love of Color

April 26, 2019 by

Happy Friday!  This week we have another Fun Color Dare Challenge for you.  This week for Color Dare #340 it is our Love of Color.  This week our colors are LAGOON, SAPPHIRE, BALLERINA, SMOOTHIE, CANDY APPLE, and SILVER.  Simply choose at least 3 of the Colors – Black, White and Grays are Free.

My son and I have been listening to a book series called Wings of Fire which is all about dragons. So to say we have become a bit obsessed would be accurate.  Then add the season finally of GOT which we are finally watching real-time. Plus I have always been a Toothless lover!  So when I found this cute stamp set from Mama Elephant called Me and My Dragon I knew I had to have it.

For the sentiment I pulled and Fairytale Birthday which is retired.  I used the Stitched  Square Thin Cuts.

I used silver embossing powder on the sentiment.  I also sponged the sky with Ballerina, Smoothie and Candy Apple. The dragon was colored my Copic markers which match Sapphire and Lagoon.  I added a little silver stickles to the dragon. The clouds were cut with my Cricut.

Now it is your turn to create! Just create a project (card, layout or other craft project) using this weeks colors.  Then link them to the Color My Heart Blog ~ Color Dare #340 or you can post them to the COLOR MY HEART FaceBook page.  For this Color Dare Challenge, you have until Thursday, May 9, 2019 at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time to submit your project.   We love to see your inspirations.

 

Happy Crafting!

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Heart 2 Heart ~ Favorite Sketch

April 8, 2019 by

Welcome to another weekly challenge with Heart 2 Heart!

This challenge is to use your favorite sketch.  This sketch could be for a card, a layout or anything.  Close to My Heart has wonderful idea books with fantastic sketches for both cards and layouts.  I chose to do a scrapbook layout and used the Make It From Your Heart Volume 3. I selected pattern 34 for my layout and used the So Much Happy paper pack.

There is a cool farm in  Longmont, CO that we discovered soon after moving to Colorado, called the Sunflower Farm.  This layout are photos from our second trip to the farm.

I used my Cricut and the Flower Market Cartridge to cut the sunflowers. I used both sides of the lemon cardstock for the sunflowers.  I also used Lagoon cardstock to mat the photos.  I also used Linen cardstock to create the tittle block.  I know it is really hard to see but I used white watercolor paint to splatter the Linen cardstock and I added a stitched look by using a white gel pen.

I used the So Much Happy complements and the So Much Happy Puffies for details along with elements from the cut-apart paper. I also could not resist using the Dandelion Wishes stamp with the photo so my son with the dandelion. I used white embossing powder on vellum for the flower then fussy cut.

Now it is your time to give it a try and link it to the HEART 2 HEART Challenge. You have until April 30th to participate in this challenge. We love to see your inspirations!!

Happy Crafting!

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Color Dare #335 ~ Monochromatic Pinks

March 22, 2019 by

This week we have another Fun Color Dare Challenge for you.  This week for Color Dare #335 it is monochromatic pinks.  For this challenge you can use any Pink and White are free.  You may add one Neutral for Small Accent Color.

I choose to use heat embossing to create my background and then used inks to sponge the background.

I used the Love Blossoms stamp set to heat emboss the background.  I used Versamark and White Embossing Powder. I then used Ballerina and Pixie inks to sponge the background. I then used Charcoal ink to stamp the sentiment which also came from the  Love Blossoms stamp set.

Now it is your turn to create! Just create a project (card, layout or other craft project) using this weeks colors.  Then link them to the Color My Heart Blog ~ Color Dare #335 or you can post them to the COLOR MY HEART FaceBook page.  For this Color Dare Challenge, you have until Thursday, April 4, 2019 at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time to submit your project.   We love to see your inspirations.

 

Happy Crafting!

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Emboss It! – CTMH Technique Blog Hop

March 15, 2019 by

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop!

This month there are around 8 of us highlighting Embossing!  Embossing can be done in a couple of ways, one is considered dry embossing and another is heat embossing.  This blog hop is a great big circle so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork. If you are coming from VALERIE KAPSHA’S Blog, you are on the right track!

I decided to use both heat and dry embossing.  I saw this card by Becca Whitham which was my inspiration. I used heat embossing for the sentiment.  I stamped with Versamark then used White embossing powder.  The then used the scalloped embossing folder to dry embossing the sugarplum cardstock. I framed the scalloped cardstock with a white stitched rectangle cut using the Stitched Rectangle Thin Cuts. The sentiment and butterflies are from Butterfly Friendship stamp set. I stamped the butterfly with Intense Black Ink and then colored them with the Watercolor Pencils.

Thanks for stopping by!  Please continue onto DARLYS RECKER’S BLOG where you will find some additional artwork Embossing!  Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you thought and happy hopping!

Happy Crafting!

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Heart 2 Heart ~ The Wearin’ o’ the Green

March 4, 2019 by

Welcome to another weekly challenge with Heart 2 Heart!

For this Challenge we are partnering with Double Trouble. Here is how it works….
THING 1: Trouble Maker says, “Let’s celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the wearin’ o’ the green!” Dress up your project with green as the primary color. It does not have to be a St. Patty’s Day Card…celebrate any occasion.
Don’t stop here… consider Twisted Sister’s optional twist.
THING 3: Twisted Sister says “Good ole St. Paddy’s day is all about finding the Pot o’ Gold… be it in a pint o’ beer or at the end of a rainbow include a “golden touch” on your project for an added chance at our random draw.
This is an OPTIONAL TWIST but you will be awarded an additional chance in Double Trouble’s random prize draw if you include something gold.
THING 2: Double Dare dares you then you are eligible to link your project at Heart2Heart.” and you will receive an additional chance at the Double Trouble Random Draw.

I decided to play around with a couple of techniques to create a fun pattern for the clovers.  I will start by showing you my favorite of the cards and then break down the techniques and show you all the versions of the card.

For all of these cards I used the Swiss Dot Embossing Folder (now retired) for the base and sanded the dots to create contrast.  I used both the Thin Cuts ~ Stitched Hearts as well as the Thin Cuts ~ Basic Hearts.  I used Gold Glitter paper and the Thin Cuts ~ Stitched Square Frames. The sentiment comes from a retired stamp, Holiday Tags, since it is the only one I have that says “Happy St. Patrick’s Day.” I used the Thin Cuts~ Stitched Ovals .  The Ribbon is the New England Ivy Burlap which is on clearance right now.

The first technique I tried was to splatter yellow, blue and green watercolors onto a piece of watercolor paper. I then added water and rolled it around.  I do apologize as I forgot to take a photo of the paper when it dried.

The second technique I tried was to splatter yellow, blue, and green on the All Purpose Mat, then I spritz the mat with water.  Next I smooched the watercolor paper onto the mat.  The photo on the right is how it turned out.

These are how the above technique cards turned out.  The one of the left is the second technique and the one on the right is the first technique.  For these cards I used the Gold Fold paper and White and Gold Ribbon.

The last technique I tried was the shaving cream technique.  I used reinker in the shaving cream, I first started with a simple mixing of the ink in the upper right corner. It did not give me the coverage I hoped so I mixed the reinker more in the shaving cream.

These are the two versions with the shaving cream technique.

Now it is your time to give it a try and link it to the HEART 2 HEART Challenge. You have until March 31 to participate in this challenge. We love to see your inspirations!!

Happy Crafting!

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Heart 2 Heart ~For the Love of Color

January 28, 2019 by

Welcome to another Heart 2 Heart Challenge!

For this challenge if you have Close to My Hearts new how to book Love of Color you can use it for your inspiration. Please know it is not mandatory to participate in this challenge.

I decided to really push myself. I just commented on a friend of mine’s blog that I am not a yellow person and rarely use it.  So when I was working on my project I decided I would go for Lemon!  I then looked up Lemon in my Love of Color how-to-book.  In the book I saw Lemon, Glacier, Pewter and Pebble – perfect!! I then decided to use one of the cards in the New Seasonal Expression One Idea Book as my inspiration.  I pretty much lifted the card and made a couple changes.

I love the Dandelion Wishes Stamp Set!! I used Pewter and Pebble to stamp the dandelion and the fly away pieces. The Glacier pattern paper from the Seasonal Mix In papers. I used White, Lemon and Pewter cardstock.  I used White Embossing Powder for the sentiment. Final touches are the Bitty Sparkles and White Ribbon.

Now it is your time to give it a try and link it to the HEART 2 HEART Challenge. You have until February 3rd to participate in this challenge.

Happy Crafting!

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