Forest Fox

Hello!

My hubby's birthday was last week and as per usual I was in a time crunch.  Now, it's not like I don't know his birthday is on the same day every year I just happen to be a procrastinator when it comes to making cards for him.  And as I'm sure I've said before, masculine cards are probably the hardest to execute as far as ideas go.

I simply love the trees from the new Holiday set Wonderland.  Stamped repeatedly they create the best forest scenes and with the addition of a little critter and you have the perfect masculine card! Here's a few simple instructions to guide you through how I created this card:

Begin by stamping the fox from The Wilderness Awaits set in Tuxedo Black Momento ink onto a piece of Whisper White card stock and a sticky note for masking.  Cut out the fox on the sticky note and place over the stamped image. Stamp the tree images repeatedly across the Whisper White card stock using Wild Wasbi ink. Change the height of the trees as they move across the card stock for a little interest.  Offset the tree images and stamp again across the page, this time using Mossy Meadow ink.  A Stamp-a-ma-jig is a great guide for this process.  Add highlights to the tree trunks with a white gel pen.

Sponge the areas around the fox and beneath the trees with Mossy Meadow and Soft Suede ink.  To color the sky first sponge Soft Sky ink then Marina Mist ink along the outer edges of the card stock for depth.

Remove the mask from the fox image and color with an Aqua Painter using Tip Top Taupe and Cajun Craze ink.  Small amounts of ink added a little at a time work best to not warp the paper and get better results.  Green grass was added with an Old Olive marker beneath the fox.

Finish off the card front panel with a sentiment, a little linen thread wrapped around the far edge, and a metal button for a masculine flair.  The card front is layered on a Soft Suede mat embossed with the Woodgrain folder, and the card base is standard size in Soft Sky.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

I hope this has inspired you to give a masculine card a try!  I'll be back later on in the week with another share but until then please make sure you sign up for the 12 weeks of Holiday's newsletter (a pop up should have greeted you when you stopped by today).  It's going to be full of projects and great tips to get us both through the busiest time of the year!

Until next time...

Pin It

Tweet

Build a Birthday Clear Shaker Card

Hi There!

I love the look of a Shaker card; its an extra element to a card that adds visual texture (and let's be honest, it's just plain fun to shake the confetti around!)  Instead of creating a small shape on a card front to act as a the shaker piece I decided to make the entire card a shaker and I'm so pleased with the way it turned out!

You can use many clear materials to create a shaker card like this; window sheets or even a heavier page protector will work.  I was short on both of the previous mentioned so I went on a supply hunt in my craft room to see what else I could come up with.  And low and behold I realized that Stampin' Up!'s 4" x 6" Cellophane Bags were a perfect option!  I trimmed the open end down to measure       

5-1/4" and I was all set.

The first step in creating a card like this is to design the card front.  Keep in mind that whatever is added to the front will be visible through the back.  I'll share a quick tip on how to camouflage this a bit further down.  Stamp images onto card stock and cut out.  In the case of this card I used the Build a Birthday set.  I stamped the cake stand using Crumb Cake ink onto Whisper White card stock, cut it out, and added small rhinestones to each scallop along the front edge. Each of the cake layers were stamped twice, cut out and a dimensional was sandwiched between the layers to add height to the card front.  Small strips of Washi Tape were cut to create the candles and the flames were stamped in Crushed Curry ink onto Whisper White card stock and cut out.  I stamped the 'happy birthday' stamp in Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto a piece of Washi Tape before adding it to the bottom of the card front.

When assembling the card try to use the clearest glue that you have on hand because as mentioned before the downside to a clear card like this is that literally everything shows through to the backside.  I used a few minimal glue dots but a dot or two of the new Fine Glue pen would do the trick too.  To mask the back of card, add a small rectangle of card stock that includes your sentiment.  It gets a few jobs done all at once while looking intentional and adding interest. I let this piece "float" within the shaker card without adhesive.  

At this point the card is ready for some bling!  I added sequins and glitter but feel free to add what you have on hand.  You could also add a gift card within the card.  The recipient would then just have to cut the top from the card to get it out.  Once this is done I used my sewing machine to quickly sew along all four sides of the card; my stitching was beyond perfect but I like that it adds a bit of whimsy!

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

As I mentioned in my last post I'm working on a 12 week Christmas newsletter to share tips, tricks, techniques, and projects to help you along with the Holiday's this year.  I've created a separate pop up sign up form that most likely greeted you when you entered my website.  If you'd like to subscribe to these weekly newsletters please be sure to sign up!  These projects will not posted on my blog or any other social media.  This means that even though you might subscribe to blog posts you'll have to subscribe to this newsletter series separately.  This is the best way for me to send relevant info to email accounts that want this content without flooding inbox's that maybe do not.  I plan to begin the series on Friday October 2, 2015 and have them go out each Friday thereafter for 12 weeks.  I hope you'll join me in the fun!  If you missed the sign up form and would still like to be included on the list, feel free to email me and I'll make sure your added.

And don't forget that I have a discount code set up for 10% off any tutorials purchased until Sunday September 20, 2015.  Enter SAVE10 at checkout for your savings.

Until next time...

Pin It

Tweet

Garden in Bloom Marker Layering

Hello, hello!

Yes, I'm still kicking AND card making!  Maybe you have or haven't even noticed my lack of presence around these parts but I went on a little hiatus for a couple months.  I'd love to say that I was on an exotic vacation and just arrived home relaxed and tanned but the truth of matter is I committed myself fully to my boys this summer.  We attended swimming lessons, camps, camp outs, birthdays, and went on our first real family holiday.  It was definitely relaxing but I can't say I came out at the end of the summer tanned (I'm truly thankful for Fall so I can go back to hiding my pasty pale legs again!)

Griffin started Grade ONE (how does this happen?!) at the beginning of September and I just dropped Sawyer off for his second year of Pre-K (we have the great opportunity for both 3 and 4 year old's to attend the program).  And even though he attended last year and was excited to go again, this time around meant a new teacher and a few new friends.  He clung to my neck for dear life and it just about broke my heart to pry him off and walk away!  This Momma thing is hard work let me tell ya!!

So now that both boys are back into a regular schedule I'm pulling up my socks and doing the same. I still did plenty of creating over the summer and now have a huge back logged file on my computer titled "To Be Blogged".  My to do list and want to do list are HUGE but I'm determined to slowly pick away at it and bring you fresh content.  I have video tutorials lined up along with a weekly Christmas project newsletter coming your way.  Stay tuned!

Okay, after all that catch up I think its time to finally talk about the card I'm sharing today!  I've revisited my water color paper, Stampin' Write markers and Blender Pen for my last couple of projects.  Boy oh boy did I feel rusty on my first couple of attempts.  Let's just say the term use it or lose it came to mind when that marker tip touched that first flower petal...thank goodness this Garden in Bloom set is so forgiving to work with!

I began by stamping my images in Tuxedo Black Memento ink onto water color paper.  To color the larger flowers I chose four shades of purple markers and began putting down color using the lightest shade first at the bottom of the petal, then blending the color upwards and inwards on each petal using a Blender Pen.  Using smaller amounts of the next shade I repeated the process.  I repeated this step twice more until all four colors were added and blended.  Two shades of yellow were added into the center of each flower in the same manner.

When I was completely done coloring the flowers and bee I added a shadow around the images with a Sahara Sand marker, stamped the small sentiment from the same set into the middle of the card, and with Smoky Slate ink added a few "splatters" from the Gorgeous Grunge set randomly on the card front.  The main image was layered over Rich Razzleberry cardstock.  For my Elegant Eggplant card base I wanted to add a little something without embossing so I chose the burlap patterned stamp from Awesomely Artistic set and stamped around the edge of the card base to create a pattern for a interest. It makes for a perfect birthday, friend, or just thinking of you card, don't you think?

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I so appreciate you taking time out of your day to check out my content.  As I mentioned earlier I'll be setting up a 12 week of Christmas/Holiday newsletter soon. I'll make more info available as I have it but I'm looking to set up a separate newsletter that you will have to subscribe to so I don't flood inbox's that don't want additional content outside of my blog posts.  

Until I get back into my regular posting schedule I'd like to offer you a 10% discount on all tutorials within my Tutorial Store.  Simply enter the code SAVE10 at checkout to receive your discount.  This offer begins today (September 15, 2015) and ends on Sunday September 20, 2015.  To access my tutorial store just click on the Tutorial Store tab at the top of my homepage and you'll be taken right there.  I hope you'll take advantage of this offering; you'll find techniques, punch art, and 3-D projects to keep you crafting through the night and chilly fall air!

Until next time...

Pin It

Tweet

Watercolored Thank You

Hi!

Summer is in full swing in my house!  Days of heat and swimming in the pool and nights of wiener roasts by the fire have occupied our whole weekend and I'm thankful its just the beginning!

Today I'm sharing a card I made for one of my boys teachers.  I've been reunited in love with my Aqua Painter as I mentioned in my last couple posts so it was only natural to reach for it when I decided on using the flower's in the You've Got This set on my card.  I'm always in awe of the depth and shadow you can get by only using one color to paint a flower...I think the love affair with my Aqua Painter will continue on for quite some time!

Supplies:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

The flowers definitely involved a little "fussy cutting" but I think its so worth it when you can pop them up off the background to add extra dimension!  Have you played with this beautiful set yet?  I'd love to see your creations!

And don't forget - there is still a couple days before the Canada Day card challenge is over!  I'd so appreciate your vote for my Patriotic Collage card if you haven't voted already!  Click HERE to learn more about the challenge and the link to vote.

Until next time...  

Pin It

Tweet

Patriotic Collage

Hello!

Today I'm sharing a little nod to my wonderful Homeland, what do you think?  

I was kindly asked by Paper-Garden.ca a few weeks back if I'd like to participate in a Canada Day card challenge and try out a few of their Red and White papers while creating it.  I eagerly said yes and began rolling ideas through my head before finally deciding that it had to be a collage because we are more than just a Maple Leaf!

I wanted to incorporate as many symbols of what Canada means to me as I could; the Lighthouse representing the East, the wheat stalks representing the West, the easily recognizable Moose, the feathers for our Native heritage, and of course our glorious Maple Leaf.  I'll admit I had to pull out a few retired items to complete this card but I just could not resist...I mean what's a Canada Day collage without a Moose I ask you?!  (I'm still boo-hooing that one was retired)

I also had to use a few techniques to bring this card to life.  The Lighthouse and Moose were stamped with Staz-On ink on watercolor paper before I masked them to create the sponged sunset.  After I removed the masks the remainder of the elements were watercolored using my Aqua Painter and ink pads.

I'm thinking about doing another masking/sponging tutorial series...anyone interested?

Supplies:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

The papers I used from Paper-Garden.ca were: Stardream Jupiter Metallic, Curious Metallics Ice Silver, and Aura Scarlet Linen.

I have submitted my card into the challenge and I would LOVE if you would cast a vote in my direction!  Click HERE to vote and to check out all the other wonderful submissions!  The voting closing date is on July 1st :)

That's all for today!  I'm baking a few goodies today before hopefully crafting with the boys!  Only One. More. Day of school for my eldest then we're all on SUMMER VACAY!

An InLinkz Link-up

Pin It

Tweet

For You Dad

Hello!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and had a little sunshine to brighten it!  I have one of the Father's Day cards I made to share with you today using a new favorite set, The Wilderness Awaits. I love this set for couple reasons: number one its masculine (which is so hard to come by), and two its an open image which allows me to color!  

I won't pretend that I wasn't itching to use my discontinued Blendabilities for this image but I held back and only gave myself the option to color with the Stampin' Write Markers or Water Color with an Aquapainter. I haven't used either option in forever but settled on trying my hand at the Aquapainter again.  And boy or boy I'm officially hooked again!  There is something so relaxing about it that I find myself losing track of time and can't stop (as you'll see in upcoming posts LOL). 

Supplies:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Thanks so much for stopping by today, I so appreciate it!  Until next time...

Pin It

Tweet

Bumblebee Transform! Pop Up Card

Hello!

I'm finding as my boys get a little older they are quickly leaving behind the "cutesy" little boy stage. I suddenly find myself in a toy aisle where everything looks foreign, has two heads, lights up, and growls at me with glowing eyes. But, that being said, I'd still like to be looked upon as the "cool mom" so I'm trying to roll with the punches (pardon the pun) and up my game in the kid card department. 

When I asked for input before making this card Griffin told me "It HAS to be a Transformer and it HAS to be Bumblebee".  I inwardly groaned before heading over to Pinterest for inspiration.  I managed by pure luck to stumble upon a template for a card that actually transformed!  The only downfall?  It was essentially a coloring page and I wanted it to look more realistic.  Now let's be honest here - there was absolutely nothing wrong with it; I just felt the need (as always) to put my own twist and on things.  

I pulled out my punches and framelits and got to work.  Oh and work I did.  This was definitely trial and error and a few not so pretty words may or may not have been spoken.  Getting this little guy to change from a car to a robot was no easy task and even though I'm still not exactly satisfied with the shape of the car I think it turned out pretty darn cool...and it just might keep me on the "cool mom" list awhile longer :)

Side view partially closed.

Supplies:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Taking photos of this card proved to be extremely hard so I thought I would do a super quick video showing how the mechanics of it work.  Sometimes it just easier to see a visual!

As I mention within the video, I haven't made a template for this card as of yet.  If its something enough people are interested in I will definitely endure the pain again to create one LOL.  Please leave a comment down below, on my Facebook page or on the You Tube video - I love hearing from you!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Until next time...

Pin It

Tweet