Inks....Distress and Shadow

Ahhh.....love playing with inks....do you?  I pulled out my lovely Distress Inks (Ripe Persimmon, Dried Marigold, and Salty Ocean) and JustRite stamps, to create a dramatic background for this card:

Using the Woodgrain Background stamp from JustRite....it's stamped Versamark Ink on white cardstock,  then embossed with Ranger's Weathered White embossing powder.  Salty Ocean Distress Ink was applied using a foam applicator.   I roughed up the edges a bit with a distress tool.

To give the center panel an ombre look, I started with the lighter Dried Marigold, then blended into the darker Ripe Persimmon.  I went over the entire piece with Dried Marigold to blend.  The flowers and sentiment are from the JustRite Create a Flower Garden, Multi-Step Flower Garden,                     Small Oval Wishes stamp set, and stamped in Memento Black Tuxedo Ink.

Thanks for stopping by today!  It's summertime....and there's a heat wave....stay inside, stay cool, and get inky! 

Flowers and Watercolor

One thing I love the look of is watercolors.  I don't often take the time to do this, but with a waterbrush, some Distress Ink and a heat gun at your side....it actually can be a pretty speedy process that gives a big impact.

This was started by stamping the Brick Wall Background stamp from JustRite in Fired Brick Distress Ink, then using the waterbrush to "spread" the ink I stamped.  I went back and added in here and there with some extra ink, and also brushed the edges of the piece with Pumice Stone ink and then brushed it with a little water to spread it out as well. 

The edge of this piece was distressed, then all just layered up on a white cardstock base with some coral/red cardstock.  The flowers were die cut and layered using the gorgeous Floral Trio One dies.  I added basic pearls as the centers and stamped the sentiment and frame from the JustRite Large Oval Celebration stamp set.  The leaves were stamped from the stamp set and fussy cut out.

Thanks for stopping by today!  More coming soon!  Make sure to stop by the JustRite Stampers store to check out the new stamps! 

A Simple Thank You

Do you love background stamps?  I will admit, they were not my favorite once upon a time.  But now I've so enjoyed using the for mixed media projects as well as finding how wonderful they are for a quick card!

One of the new releases from JustRite Stampers is this gorgeous Dalia Background stamp:

You can emboss it, color it with markers, or do as I have here.....stamp the background once (first stamping off to make the image lighter), then stamp again with the full ink color.  To soften it even more....I added a layer of vellum. 

The Thank You sentiment is die cut from black cardstock using the JustRite Best Wishes Sentiments dies.

Thanks for stopping by today....want to find the newest stamps from the JustRite release?  Check it out HERE.  More inspiration to come soon!

Mixed Media Monday

I dabble in mixed media....but rarely post....don't know why!  Thought I'd share this LO today using mixed media goodies from UmWow Studio, and there's also some Pretty Pink Posh sequins in there!

If you aren't familiar with it.....UmWow Studio has some of THE best chipboard around for mixed media!  I used acrylic paints, distress inks and archival ink (to stamp) these pieces.  They don't warp, and they dry super fast.  Love them!  

Gotta love those Documented Hashtag Banners too:

All of the UmWow confetti chip pieces are fun too--give you a lot of options....I used the circle confetti on this LO...painted it with Weathered Wood Distress Paint, then added some Picket Fence, then stamped with black Archival Ink, and finally brushed the edges with Distress Black Soot Ink.  

Thanks for stopping by today!  Enjoy some crafty time today!

In His Glory

Well, as you know if you frequent my blog....I do love my holiday crafting.  This year the JustRite stamps they released for Christmas/holiday are just stunning!  I paired them with some background stamps and a JustRite die set to create this card:

The background on the panel was created with the JustRite Confetti Trio stamp set.  I used full ink on the top portion and stamped off (or the stamp stamp if you're quick) for the bottom to give it the fade.  I used Distress Ink.  You can use Weathered Wood, or Stormy Sky....both look great!

The center oval is die cut from the JustRite Hello Decorative Oval Frame die set.  The scroll border die was cut in black cardstock, and then I cut out the oval in black cardstock....but went back and cut out the scallop border oval to create the reverse scallop border you see around the scene.

To create the scene in the oval, stamp the Retro Sparkle stamp in Versamark and emboss with clear embossing powder--die cut using oval from Hello die set.  Use a soft blue Distress Ink over to get the background to pop.  Stamp and emboss the town scene and sentiment from the Nativity Sentiments set using black embossing powder.   Place town scene on oval background and trim to fit:

 
Next fussy cut the town scene and then glue to the oval:

Then use the reverse scallop oval die cut earlier and glue to the oval as a border/frame:

Glue scroll frame die cut earlier to front of card, then foam tape town scene oval piece to the center. Add banner with sentiment, bow and pearls.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Make sure to check out the JustRite site for these stamps and dies and so many more!

*****REMEMBER TO HOP.....the Just Imagine Kreaxions blog hop is still open for another couple of days....prizes to be had when you leave comments along the way!*****

Supplies:
Paper: AC cardstock--black, gray; GP white
Stamps and Dies:  JustRite
Embellishments/other: Recollection pearls, WOW embossing powder, AC ribbon

Frosty Beauty

Well, it's true, snowflakes are probably one of my favorite images to work with in stamping/die cutting.  As evidenced by some of my latest cards.  Here's a bright and cheerful card for the holidays, once again, using the new Small Oval Christmas Tidings stamp set from JustRite.....it's loaded with so many great images....love it!

Even with the layers this card comes together pretty quickly.

Base:  5&1/2" by 4&1/4" white cardstock A2 sized base.

First layer:  5&1/4" by 4" red cardstock.

Second layer:  5" by 3&3/4" silver POW glitter paper.

Third layer: 4&3/4" by 3&1/2" snowflake patterned paper (Doodlebug Here Comes Santa Claus)

Center panel:  First create the strip for the left side of the card by stamping the small snowflake in Festive Berries Distress Ink on a 1" by 4&3/4" piece of white cardstock.  TIP:  Start by stamping the center snowflake first and work out from there.  Mat this piece on a 1&1/4" by 4&3/4" piece of red cardstock.

Next create the base by matting the tree patterned paper (2&1/2" by 3&1/2") on a piece of red cardstock (2&3/4" by 3&3/4").  Cut POW silver glitter paper using the Vintage Labels Eleven die (3" wide die) and glue to the tree patterned paper base.

Stamp the large snowflake using Festive Berries ink and fussy cut out.  Cut red cardstock using the  1&3/4" Vintage Labels Eleven die.  Foam tape center panel to card front, and foam tape snowflake and red Vintage Labels pieces.  Stamp sentiment on white cardstock and trim to a banner (3/4" wide and about 2&1/4" long), then brush edges with ink.  Foam tape to center of red Vintage Labels piece.

To finish add a little bling and a bow.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Stop back soon for more crafty ideas!

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  JustRite--Small Oval Christmas Tidings
Dies:  JustRite--Vintage Labels Eleven
Ink:  Distress Ink-Festive Berries
Paper:  AC cardstock and glitter paper; Doodlebug-Here Comes Santa Claus
Embellishments: AC ribbon, Recollections rhinestones

JustRite Quiet Sympathy

One of the things I'm most impressed by with JustRite Stamps is the way they cover every holiday and occasion you could ever want.  And yes, sometimes that means a sympathy card.

I used a nature inspired color palette and the JustRite With Sentiments dies--I diecut the sentiment twice using cream and brown cardstock, then stacking the sentiments slightly off to five the shadowed effect.  This is where the Xyron sticker maker comes in handy!

To create the pine tree "windows" I used the JustRite Three in a Row dies, cut out with brown cardstock. I layered under the green strip, then I used the square dies to cut out the three cream colored squares, then stamped the pine tree using the Multi-Step Pine Trees. 

I added a couple of banners, a button and some twine as finishing touches.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Stop by the JustRite site to check out these fabulous stamps and dies! 

Supplies Used:
Paper:  AC cardstock cream, brown; Simple Stories Pumpkin Spice 6x6 paper pad
Stamps:  JustRite-CR-05044 Multi-Step Pine Trees
Dies:  JustRite-DIE-05070 With Sentiments, DIE-05033 Three in a Row
Ink:  Distress Ink: Forest Moss, Peeled Paint, Gathered Twigs
Embellishments:  Jute twine, button

Stamp a Landscape and More!

Well, I will be the first to tell you....I love my layers, but not necessarily layering stamps.  Especially landscape type stamps.  Until now!  I have been playing with one of the June release sets from JustRite called Multi-Step Landscape Elements.  It's been a blast!  Here are a couple of examples of cards I've created using this set:

The background on this card was created using another June release stamp Text Background Stamp I stamped it lightly (by stamping off the first time) using Hickory Smoke Distress Ink.  The sentiment is stamped in the same ink, and is from the Large Oval Sympathy set.

To create the blue frame, I used a piece of blank cardstock to mask off the center area, and then used Weathered Wood to ink up a border:

A border of black cardstock was cut out using the A2 Card Front Basics Dies.  The tree and rocks were stamped from the landscape set to create this soft and pretty card.

The next card is more landscape layers:

Using different colors of distress ink, I created this little landscaped scene.  I started with the rocks as a base in Pumice Stone with Hickory Smoke for the accent layer (these come with multi layered stamps to make shading easy!)  I added in the sweet little grass using Peeled Paint Ink....some times stamping off to create a softer color.  Then layered in grasses, bushes and flowers using Worn Lipstick, Gathered Twigs and Fossilized Amber inks.  The tree is done as it was in the card above, using Gathered Twigs (stamped off) and Peeled Paint (stamped off, but I went back and lightly dabbed with more ink to create the variation in color).  The sentiment is from the Small Oval Wishes set, and the sky is a chalked background.

There are more samples on the JustRite blog, you can check out THIS POST and watch for others too!  Love this versatile set!

Thanks for stoppin' by today!

Supplies Used:
Card One:
JustRite:
CL-05088 Text Background stamp
CR-05085 Multi-Step Landscape Elements stamps
CR-05055 Large Oval Sympathy
DIE-05047 A2 Card Front Basics
DIE-05069  Damask Flourish One
Ink: Distress Ink-Hickory Smoke, Gathered Twigs, Peeled Paint, Stormy Sky, Pumice Stone
Paper:  Basic White and Black cardstock

Card Two:
JustRite: CR-05085 Multi-Step Landscape Elements,CR-05053 Small Oval Wishes
Ink: Hickory Smoke, Gathered Twigs, Peeled Paint, Worn Lipstick, Fossilized Amber, Pumice Stone
Paper:  Basic White and Black cardstock
Other:  Pebbles chalk

Just Rite Time!!

I was so very excited to be chosen as a part of the Just Rite Papercraft team!  It was definitely a "pinch me I'm dreaming" moment.  They are one of my absolute favorite stamp and die companies!

The beginning of this journey was the reason for my hiatus here, but now the fun begins!  I'll be sharing projects all week long from the May release, and then the June release is right behind it!  So excited to share these with you!

This card was created with the new Just Rite clear stamps set At the Beach.  I stamped the coral pieces using the Abandoned Coral Distress Ink and fussy cut them out.  The shells and sentiment were stamped using Pumice Stone Distress Ink and I added a dash of color with copic markers.  The seahorse was stamped in Peacock Feathers Distress Ink and fussy cut out.

Here is the gorgeous set, and you can find it in the store HERE.
 

The beautiful delicate frame--the Garden Circles Die--is also from the new release:

It was cut out of a white pearl cardstock.  The center is backed with a circle of white cardstock I traced and cut out using this die, then I stamped the script background stamp from the beach set using Versamark ink, embossed it with clear embossing powder, then covered it with Pumice Stone Ink.

As a fan of everything beach....this set is already one of my favorites!

Thanks for stopping by today....make sure to check out the new goodies over at Just Rite!


Supplies:
Dies: DIE-05035 Garden Circles Die
Stamps: CR-05057 At the Beach
Paper:  Cut Cardstock white pearl; Paper House Atlantis 6x6; AC coral; basic white
Ink:  Distress Ink--Abandoned Coral, Pumice Stone; Versamark; Copic Marker C3, BG 15
Embellishments/Other: Recollections rhinestones; Ranger Clear Embossing Powder

It's About Time! Sharing NEW Creative Cafe' KOTM!

Well I am so so far behind!!  Work life, church life, and general life have conspired to keep me out of my crafting and posting time!  All good things, but I think it's about time to play some catch up here!

I'm kicking off with the brand new Creative Cafe' KOTM from The Rubber Cafe'!! 

The Petticoat Fashion kit has stamps ready to layer up to create beautiful flowers and cards for any occasion!  I'm sharing an ombre thank you card today:

Base:  5&1/2" by 4&1/4" standard card base using aqua cardstock.

First Layer:  Cut a 5&1/4" by 4" piece of white cardstock, and emboss using the embossing folder included in your kit!

TIP:  There are so many fun options for embossing folders, but don't be afraid to go clean and simple too!  The folder used on the white cardstock looks crisp and clean.

Center Panel:  Start with a 3" by 4" piece of aqua cardstock.  Layer on a 2&3/4" by 3&3/4" piece of pink lattice patterned paper, glue to the card front.

Next cut a 2&1/4" by 3&1/4" piece of white cardstock.  Use Versamark ink to stamp the Thank You sentiment, then emboss with clear embossing powder.  Using Evergreen Bough Distress Ink and a sponge/distress tool, add a light layer of ink to the entire front of the embossed panel.  The embossed Thank You acts as a resist and adding the color makes the white cardstock under the embossed area pop.  To give it more of an ombre look, darken the ink around the Thank You sentiment area only. To finish the center panel stamp the rest of the sentiment in Black Tuxedo Memento ink.  Glue to a 2&1/2" by 3&1/2" piece of white cardstock using Scrap Happy Glue:

Use foam tape to adhere the panel to the center of the patterned pink paper already on the card front.

To create the flower, use the solid flower stamp first and stamp using Worn Lipstick Distress Ink.  Then stamp using the detail petal stamp, and then stamp the center using Black Tuxedo Ink.

To show exactly how I did this, and give a little tip:  For the solid base, if you brush/swirl the ink on using the ink pad, you'll get a cool pattern to your solid flower and it will be a softer color without stamping off first.   To stamp the detail petal stamp, tap the ink directly on the stamp as you normally would to get the darker color.  Here is what I did:

Then fussy cut the flower out, and brush it around the edges with Black Soot Distress Ink.

Stamp a second flower center and fussy cut out, then foam tape flower center over the one stamped directly on the flower.  Glue flower to the bottom right corner of the center panel using Scrap Happy Glue, and add a jute twine bow to the center.

I love the elegant simplicity of this card:

This new kit is full of so many awesome stamps....stop by the blog HERE to find out more about this amazing kit, and to see more inspiration all month long!

Supplies:

Stamps: The Rubber Cafe'- Petticoat Fashion
Hello, World

Paper: The Rubber Cafe' KOTM--Echo Park Petticoats & Pinstripes, aqua and white cardstock

Ink:  Black Tuxedo Memento ink, Evergreen Bough, Worn Lipstick, and Black Soot Distress Ink.

Adhesives: Foam tape; The Rubber Cafe'-Scrap Happy Glue

Embellishments:  Jute twine, Embossing Powder--Crystal Ice from The Rubber Cafe'

Fun at The Rubber Cafe'

We have a brand new Kit of the Month over at The Rubber Cafe'.....I'm having such a great time creating with it!  It's on trend with feathers, and doodles, washi tape and rub-ons, and there is an add on set for St. Patty's Day!  (more on that one later!)

Here is the Birds of a Feather stamp set included in the kit:

I've got a  couple of the cards I've shared over at The Rubber Cafe' so far, created with this kit:

This one used the Birds of a Feather stamp set included in the kit, and also fun BoBunny rub-ons!  Learn the details on how I created this card HERE.

This card I used the same stamp set, but has an entirely different look:

I'm a fan of pink/navy....and I love the way the rub-ons add to the vintage/distressed look.  Find out the details and a few stamping tips on THIS POST.

Thanks for stoppin' by today!

For full list of supplies, visit the post links.  

Fun With The Rubber Cafe' KOTM!

I've got a couple of fun cards to share.....make sure to pop over to The Rubber Cafe' to see all the details, including tutorials!  Check out the links below.

Aren't these little owls so cute?  You can find the tutorial on the ribbon weaving and all the card measurements HERE.

Next up is this pretty card:

The background under the sentiment was created using mini distress inks and sweeping them over the cardstock.  For more info on how this one was created visit HERE.

Thanks for stoppin' by today!

Summer Sentiments

Hey everyone!  I've got a couple of cards to share with you today!  These are posted over on The Rubber Cafe' blog with all the details on how to create them!

There is something so cheerful about pinwheels and bright colorful papers like these from Doodlebug!  Find all the details on this card HERE.

This was my first try at a direct to paper ink pad swiping technique I've seen around, simple, a lot of impact, and a great CAS look!  The Distress Ink minis from Tim Holtz are perfect for this!  More details HERE.

Thanks for stoppin' by today....oh, and did you know you can actually sign up for the kit of the month club with the awesome stamps?  You get so many goodies in each and every kit too!  You can find out more about the Creative Cafe' kits HERE.

Wrap It Up Challenge

Hello everyone!  Ready to start some holiday scrapping?  How about holiday decorating?  Or maybe creative ways to gift wrap?  Over at Scrap It Girl....we have a perfect challenge for the month of December--it's our Wrap It Up challenge....it's all about gift wrapping.....whether it's a present on a LO or home decor/altered project, or homemade gift wrap or bags, it's time to wrap up those holiday crafts, and link them up on the Scrap It Girl site HERE. 

To get you started with a little inspiration, here is a gift bag/tag set I've created using the Doodlebug Frosty Friends collection:
 

This is something I love to do....take an inexpensive dollar store plain white bag, and use those extra scraps and embellishments from a scrapbook page to create a one of a kind gift bag that is a gift itself!  It's a great way to use up those odds and ends from different projects......six different manufacturers on this one!!

Here's a closer look at the gift tag:

I used a Tim Holtz stencil pounced on white cardstock using Salty Ocean Distress Ink and a Distress Ink sponge. Silver American Crafts glitter paper give it some sparkle, and a Doodlebug mini clothes pin, twine, and Sprinkles add a sweet touch.

For the sentiment, I used a Prima stamp:

The snowflakes are punched out of the glitter paper, and Queen & Co bling adds some pizazz. The feather is a wispy winter touch....from Bella Blvd.

And did I mention a prize?  Yes there is a prize over on the Scrap It Girl blog....you have a chance to win if you link up!!  Check out all the rules and links on THIS POST.

Thanks for stoppin' by today and join in on the challenge!  Instead of a plain (or expensive!) gift bag....make your own with your scraps and a few extra embellishments!

Wow....time flies! Time for Halloween!

I must say, I've never had a huge lull like this one on my blog!  If you've been a faithful blog watcher....I apologize....and keep watching.....I'm going to have some fun giveaways coming up soon!  So make sure you come back often! 

For today....I'm starting to share some of the goodies I've been crafting away at....just haven't had the time to post anything!  Here's my first share.....a sweet little Halloween block decor project that I made using Teresa Collins and Unique Laser Designs (ULD) pieces:

The pumpkin is painted with acrylic paint, I used a sponge brush and pounced the paint on to get a textured look and then stamped over it with Memento Luxe ink and a stamp from The Rubber Cafe':

And side two:

I used the negative space of the pumpkin faces from ULD on this side.

Side 3:

The little pumpkins are painted with orange, and brushed with Black Soot Distress Ink and accented with some Trendy Twine.

Side 4:

And the top accented with gears from ULD:

The gears were painted with chalkboard paint, then brushed (and wiped mostly off) Brushed Pewter Distress Stain.

Thanks for stoppin' today....remember to check back soon....giveaways coming soon!

Swept Away....Craving Warmth, Sunshine and Waves!

Right about now....with another dusting of snow on the ground, I thought it would be the perfect time for a little summer vacation.  By The Sea from Graphic 45 inspired thoughts of days by the sea.....

So this LO comes with thoughts of warm sunshine, sea breezes, and sandy toes:

"Seaswept" LO by Laura Cox

A few close ups of the details:

The shells are fussy cut....the keyhole metal piece is also G45.  Goosebumps bling add a little sparkle.

The Pier 45 journal box is a perfect fit for our fishing off the pier....the ribbon reminds me of a fishing net....it's held in place with Tiny Attacher staples.

Page Two:

Close Ups:

More fussy cutting here....a little distressing with the Tonic Distresser Tool and some Vintage Photo Ink (all edges were inked with this).....thought this beach rules sign fit the pic pretty good too....lol.

A bit more of the netting ribbon....the seashell border is a Martha Stewart punch on cream cardstock. The postage stamp strip is from the border paper....always love a collection that includes those!

And a wee bit more fussy cutting....that to the beach sign looks so textured, so many details on these papers!

A final pic of the two page LO together....

Thanks for stoppin' by today.....hope you enjoyed a little "beach vacation"....now for the REAL thing!

White Out....

Yes, if you frequent my blog....you know I am a fussy crafter

....love layers, love embellishments....but for this card, I broke

tradition and REALLY stepped out of that comfort zone....
for this card using the Reverse Confetti Happy Harbor set....
there is an awful lot of white space on this card!

Ok, I think I'm kinda liking this style....it's sure quick and
easy to pop out a card!....lol!  I usually fuss for a while!

Here is a close up...so you can see the embossing...reminds
me of patent leather....very nautical!!

Got some other things in the works, but we'll see when
I can get them posted (like my giveaway...no I haven't
forgotten!).  So what are you working on lately?  Leave
a comment, and I'd love to stop by your blog too, and
take a peek and say hi!

Supplies Used:

Stamps:  Reverse Confetti - Happy Harbor

Paper:  The Rubber Cafe' - Pugnacious Paper - white; Recollections cardstock

Ink: Distress Ink - Festive Berries; Versamark

Embellishment: Twinery Twine - Maraschino; WOW embossing powder-white