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The ATC swap group I'm in has another swap going and I have a BUNCH to make. If you want to learn more about ATC's and/or want to see the first one's I've done - see this post.
For this one I used the Parisbella stamp from StampingBella - isn't she cute?? I stamped her using StazOn onto Naturals White (SU!) CS and watercolored her w/ my AquaPainter and Watercolor Wonder Crayons.
The patterned paper was the base for the ATC and is where I got the colors from for the bella. I got the paper from AllThatScraps - it's by Chloe's Closet.
The ribbon is SU!'s Light Pink Grosgrain.
Does this look familiar?? I was inspired by my own card *grin* that I did here.
I used the same patterned paper by Pixel Decor, put it through the CuttleBug (using the Bloom Dots A2 embossing folder) and sanding the raised images. I then trimmed the edges using my Fiskars Scalloped Scissors.
Flowahbella from StampingBella was stamped onto watercolor paper with Black StazOn and watercolored w/ Watercolor Wonder Crayons and my AquaPainter.
The flower was made using the SU! Spring Bouquet Punch and Almost Amethyst CS, then attached to the ATC w/ a pewter Making Memories flower mini brad.
STAMPS: Bunny Friends and sentiment by GinaK Designs. CS: White, Certainly Celery and Pixie Pink (Stampin' Up!). INK: Palette hybrid Noir, Pixie Pink, Colorbox Fluid Chalk Cat's Eye ink in Lime Pastel and Chestnut Roan. ACCESSORIES: SU! Small Corner Rounder and Slit Punches, Marvy Giga Scalloped Oval Punch, Prismacolor Pencils and Gamsol, Liquid Applique, CuttleBug Bloom Dots A2 Embossing Folder, CuttleBug Tiny Tags Die, Button, Linen Thread, Ribbon (Michaels).
I've been in a major funk the past few days - and haven't felt much like stamping. However this afternoon as Josie was napping I HAD to sit down and try to stamp *something* - and I was quite pleased w/ how this turned out!!
I used the new "Bunny Friends" stamp by GinaK (isn't it the cutest?? I love it!!!) and colored it in w/ Prismacolors and Gamsol. I also added some Liquid Applique to their tails and puffed it up to make them "fuzzy" *wink*
I punched that out using my Marvy Giga Scalloped Oval Punch (look for these coming back in stock at most retailers sometime later in March), and edged that w/ a ColorBox Cat's Eye Fluid Chalk inkpad in Chestnut Roan (I just got the rest of the colors from AllThatScraps - I really like these little ink pads - the chalk ink dries really fast and gives a nice, solid, soft coverage - you can see the colors here).
I used just the first part of the "Hoppy Easter" sentiment and stamped it over and over on the Pixie Pink CS. I added a slit and a button for added embellishment - the card itself opens there:
I used my CuttleBug Bloom Dots embossing folder on the Celery CS, and then rubbed my Cat's Eye Lime Peel inkpad over the embossed parts - the ink color matched the green I used for the "grass" better so that's why I used it.
I then made a slider using the CuttleBug Tiny Tags Die and stamped the sentiment twice (one word at a time) onto the slider. I then attached it to the card using this fun ribbon I got (on sale *grin*) at Michaels and that was it!
STAMPS: Birthday Beauty, Dotted BG, On The Spot BG. CS: Whisper White, Basic Black, Bashful Blue, Really Rust. INK: Basic Black, Bashful Blue, Blush Blossom, Really Rust, Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, Barely Banana, Whisper White Craft. ACCESSORIES: White Gel Pen, Marvy Giga Scalloped Oval Punch, Light Blue Ribbon (Michaels), Sheer Ribbon (May Arts), SU! Circle punches.
I called this post "Bittersweet" b/c today was Veronica's 4th birthday. And as if that wasn't enough - Josie started walking on her own last night. Those are both wonderful things - but yet........they grow up so fast!!!! *sob*
So this was the card I made for Veronica. I used the Birthday Beauty Stampin' Up! set (of course - she always calls herself a princess so this set was a no-brainer ROFL!!).
I stamped the "beauty" onto Whisper White CS then punched her out w/ my Marvy Giga Scalloped Oval punch. I used markers to color her in and used a gel pen to make the spots on her dress.
I used White Craft ink on the black CS (w/ the Dotted BG), and punched the larger circle through the Bashful Blue, then the smaller through the Rust, then stamped the sentiment inside those on the card base itself.
I added the ribbon and adhered the oval to the card w/ dimensionals and that was it!!
Things are going pretty well today!! I was able to get another card made and *had* to post it!!
STAMPS: Flower Trio and sentiment by GinaK Designs. CS: Shimmer White, Basic Black and Bashful Blue (all from SU!), patterned paper is Daisy D's No. 24 Patterned Paper. INK: Black StazOn, Pretty in Pink, Mellow Moss, Bashful Blue and Bordering Blue Re-inkers (all SU!). ACCESSORIES: AquaPainter, Black Diamond Stickles, Ticket Corner Punch, Black Photo Anchors and Brads, May Arts Light Blue Sheer Ribbon.
Both the Flower Trio and sentiment are from GinaK's new Spring Release of stamps. I really like this flower stamp - and it's quite large in real life!
I stamped it onto Shimmery White CS using Black StazOn then watercolored it in w/ SU! re-inkers and an AquaPainter. I then added Black Diamond Stickles (if you don't know - Stickles is a kind of glitter glue and comes in a HUGE range of colors - I get mine from StarLitStudio's e-bay store) to the flower centers and notched the corners w/ the SU! Ticket Corner Punch.
The rest of the card was pretty simple after that. I used this *gorgeous* paper by Daisy D's that I got from AllThatScraps (you can see all their Daisy D's paper here - I used the No. 24 Patterned Paper for this card) and stamped the sentiment from GinaK on the bottom of the paper.
To finish off the card I added black photo anchors (is that what they're called?? I'm having a mental block at the moment!!) and threaded the ribbon through them and tied it in a bow (the ribbon and the anchors I also got from StarLitStudio).
This is a 5.25x5.25" square card - there's just something about square cards that I *really* like - they just have a different look to them!
I got the new GinaK Spring stamp designs in the mail the other day and I'm *finally* getting a chance to start inking them up (there is nothing sadder than un-inked rubbah - ROFL!!!)
STAMPS: Daffodils and sentiment by GinaK Designs. CS: Naturals Ivory, Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip (all SU!), Pic-nicky patterned paper by Pixel Decor. INK: Palette Hybrid Noir (Stewart Superior). ACCESSORIES: Earth Elements Watercolor Wonder Crayons, AquaPainter, Marvy Punches (Mega Circle and Giga Scalloped Circle), Paper Piercer, Ribbon (Michaels), SU! Cutter Kit, Dimensionals.
I've had this funky patterned paper from AllThatScraps for some time now (it's called Pic-nicky and it's made by Pixel Decor - you can see it here) and wasn't sure what to do w/ it. As soon as this daffodil stamp arrived from Gina I got an idea!
I stamped the image on Naturals Ivory CS, punched it out w/ my Marvy Mega Scalloped Circle Punch, and watercolored it. I then re-stamped the image onto the patterned paper and cut out only the jug and glued it on top!
The rest of the card came together pretty quickly after that. I used some more of the patterned paper which I matted w/ Chocolate Chip CS (I only distressed one side using a tool that comes w/ the SU! Cutter Kit).
The sentiment is actually all on one line but I inked up the last part - stamped it, then cleaned it off *really* well then inked up the first part and stamped it above and slightly to the left.
I used my Marvy Giga Scalloped Circle punch to frame the main image - just an FYI to everyone - these Giga punches are sold out practically EVERYWHERE. Marvy is saying it will be sometime in March that retailers will start getting their back-ordered punches so stay tuned (I get mine from stampingfreak.com and I will let y'all know ASAP when they're back in stock!!)
To finish off the card I added a little more faux stitching and some ribbon that I got at Michaels.
STAMPS: Cosmobella by Stamping Bella, a*muse small oval, celebrate from Michaels. CS: Whisper White, Gable Green, Pixie Pink (all SU!), Bazzil Fourz CS (from the Aqua Collection). INK: Palette Hybrid Noir (Stewart Superior), Colorbox Fluid Chalk in Rouge, Basic Black Marker (SU!). ACCESSORIES: Tangerine Grosgrain, May Arts polka dot sheer ribbon, Ellison Design Circles Template, Magic Scraps Party Flair, Pebbles Shimmer Chalks.
I had a lot of fun w/ this card. I have had a TON of new goodies from AllThatScraps sitting here that I've barely had the chance to play w/ these past few weeks (yes some of it has been sitting for weeks *WAH*!!) so I tried to use as much stuff as possible ROFL!!
I actually don't own this cosmobella stamp from Stamping Bella (but I want it LOL!!) - a sweet person on SCS (thanks Wendy!!) sent me a few stamped images of it so that I could make a couple cards.
I masked off cosmobella's feet then stamped the a*muse small oval using ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ink in rouge. I then colored her in using Pebbles Shimmer chalk (this stuff ROCKS!!! It's really smooth and really IS shimmery in real life - I'm going to have fun w/ this stuff! You can see the two sets here and here). I then doodled the frame using my SU! Black marker.
I used some Bazzil CS on this card too. I got some a while ago from ATS and have been wanting to try it out as I've never used Bazzil CS before - it has a neat texture to it and MAN there are a lot of colors to choose from!! The turquoise-colored CS on this card is the Bazzil - and it's from the Aqua Fourz collection.
I misted the Bazzil CS w/ water and ran it through my CuttleBug using this Ellison Design Circles Template. I got the Big Impressions Starter Kit (BISK) and 2 sets of the templates from ATS some time ago as they DO work in the CuttleBug (they were made for the Big Shot) and they have a Paisley template!!!! So of course I HAD to get it (and haven't yet had a chance to use it either - humph!!!).
Anywho - the little martini button in the bottom corner of the card was actually the inspiration for the whole card - it's made by Magic Scraps and comes in a set of four - you can see them here. I think they're so cute!
The sentiment was from this little martini stamp I got at Michaels in the $1 bin a looonnnggg time ago. I just inked up the word to use on the card.
Here it is!! These are REALLY easy to make - I took a lot of pics for this but I almost think I made it look more involved than it really is!!
SUPPLIES:
1 FULL sheet of CS (8 12x 11") (here I used Pale Plum SU! CS)
Paper Cutter w/ Scoring Blade
Scissors
Sticky Strip (aka Red Liner Tape) OR alternate strong adhesive
(optional) 2 Pieces of Patterned Paper cut to 4 x 4.5" (patterned paper used here is from the Enchante Designer Series® from the Winter Mini)
SNAIL (or alternate adhesive to attach the patterned paper)
Ribbon (for this tote I used ONE piece cut to 38") (I used Moss Grosgrain Ribbon)
Take your FULL sheet of CS and score it on the long (11") side at 1.25" on each side of the CS.
Turn the CS and score it on the short (8.5") side at 4.5" - do this on both ends.
You will now have 4 scored lines on your sheet. CUT the shortest score lines (marked in black on this picture)
Apply SNAIL (or other) adhesive to the back of your patterned paper square.
Center the patterned paper on one side of your full sheet of CS - making sure that the patterned paper is even w/ the top edge.
Do the same thing w/ your second piece of patterned paper so that it looks like this.
Apply sticky strip along the edges of the patterned paper and along the middle area as shown.
Peel off the red liner and begin to adhere the ribbon starting in the MIDDLE of one side.
Continue adhering the ribbon onto the sticky strip.
Apply sticky strip to the shortest flaps and to only ONE side of the longer flaps as shown.
Peel off the red liner on the SHORT flap and adhere the flap that has the sticky stip on it FIRST.
Peel the sticky strip off the longer flap and adhere the "bare" flap to it.
Repeat this on the other side of the tote.
Finished tote!!
These are REALLY easy to make and will hold roughly a dozen standard (4.25 x 5.5") cards and envelopes.
You can attach the "handles" using brads or eyelets instead of wrapping it all the way around like I did here. You can also use strips of CS and patterned paper as handles.
Have fun w/ it!! These make GREAT gifts w/ sets of matching cards or other goodies inside!!
You can see a tote I did not too long ago at the top of this post.
I'm still waiting for the guy to show up to replace the water heater (not-too-patiantly anymore) so I thought I'd take a stab at one of these:
It was so quick and easy!! I ran a small strip of designer paper (from the new Petals & Paisleys paper in the Spring Mini) through my little Zyron X, adhered it to the pen, added the sticky strip, heated it*, then rolled it in the micro beads. I also sprinkled on a little Dazzling Diamonds glitter, brushing off the excess - so it has a *teeny* bit of sparkle.
*ETA - I heated the sticky strip b/c that was what the directions in the SCS tutorial said to do - and I think it's a good step as it *does* soften the adhesive a bit and (in my opinion) makes the beads stick better.
These things are FUN! and FAST!!
You can see a tutorial on how-to here:
Oh and the paper the pen is sitting on is the reverse side of the striped I used for the pen (this paper is SO cute!).
I had to take some pics and post about all the goodies I got yesterday!! The past couple of weeks have been not so great (had to get a new car b/c the transmission went on our old one, we had an issue w/ our water softener (which you can read about in this post), and today we have to get our water heater replaced as it's bit the dust (and we've had NO hot water since yesterday afternoon - ICK!!) and I'm actually waiting for the person to arrive this afternoon to come in and replace it!!)
However even w/ things being pretty rotten (literally!!!!) around here my day sure was brightened by some AWESOME RAK's (random-acts-of-kindness) that I got in the mail yesterday!!
Some of you may remember me saying that we don't have a Target up here in Canada when I made this altered mailbox from one that was sent to me as a gift.
I can't believe how many ppl offered to get me some after that post!! Bobbie sent me these four (along w/ some chocolate goodies that just up and mysteriously disappeared *wink*) for me to play with!! THANK YOU so much Bobbie!!!
I also got 4 more of these little mailboxes from Ashley - along w/ a TON of other goodies!!! There's a couple jumbo paper clips and metal magnetic frames and all kinds of fun things to alter - and some cool ribbon too *grin* - I have so many ideas of what all to do w/ this stuff!! THANK YOU Ashley!!! This stuff is awesome!! (and FYI it looks like most of it is from Target?? MAN!!! I reallyreallyREALLY wish we had a Target up here!!!)
And last but certainly not least Dawn brought me these when she came to my Open House yesterday:
I was saying how I wanted to make beaded pens (another one of those things I *know* how to do I've just never actually done it) and when she was in Staples the other day she got me a pack of RSVP pens - so now I have no excuses *wink* THANK YOU Dawn!
Also you can see a tutorial on SCS on how to make beaded pens.
You guys all ROCK!! I am totally blown away by your generosity - it really couldn't have come at a better time! {{{{HUGS}}}}
Here's hoping I can squeeze in some time to alter at least *some* of these goodies in the near future!!
I'm working on a tutorial that's been requested several times so I should *hopefully* have it up later today.
I've also been adding links to blogs that link to me (see this post) and so far I've added any that have a link back to this one (FYI the list is in alphabetical order and it goes capital THEN lowercase for some reason - so if you don't see yours scroll down closer to the bottom - it should be there!). It's great to see all everyone's sites!! :o)
Have a great day everyone (I know I will once I have hot water ROFL!!)
STAMPS: Watercolor Garden II (retired), Butterfly of Happiness, Happy Everything, Weave BG (Cornish Heritage Farms). CS: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Basic Black, Lavender Lace. INK: Cranberry Crisp, Pumpkin Pie, Regal Rose, So Saffron, Bashful blue, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Vintage Violet, Lavender Lace Classic and Craft. ACCESSORIES: Cloud Template (retired), Cutter Kit, Sponge Daubers, Black Brads, Paper Piercer and Piercing Template.
I HAD to do another card for this week's SCS Ways To Use It Challenge (which was to find a website then make a card inspired by it). It all of a sudden hit me that I could do one inspired by THIS site (specifically my banner) - whaddya think?? I also used this week's Sketch Challenge for the layout (it all fit so why not? *wink*)
I used the retired (and much loved) Watercolor Garden II stamp set for the flowers, and inked up the tips of the stems and leaves to make the grass.
The BG was done using the (also retired - tho you can make your own from scrap paper or transparencies) SU! Cloud Template and stamping sponges.
The 'happy' was stamped in craft ink so as to stand out more (since craft ink sits on top of the CS, whereas classic ink absorbs into the CS). I then stamped the small butterfly from the Butterfly of Happiness set (in the Winter Mini) to finish it off.
The card base was stamped using the Weave BG (by Cornish Heritage Farms - I got it from stampingfreak.com) using Lavender Lace then I sponged Vintage Violet ink on the edges.
{{{{Hugs}}}}
