Last Challenge of 2015!

It seems like every year, I like to end it with trying to sneak in just one more craft project...just one more challenge. And this year is no different.  I decided to play along with Prima's December PPP Challenge. The products this month reminded me of vintage graphics from the 60's, so I thought I would try a mixed media snowman canvas.

I shaped the snowman using Styrofoam eggs, but then covered them with the Finnabair Snowflake paste.  The canvas was painted with the Prima Heavy Gesso, and colored with the IOD oil pastels and Prima Watercolor pencils.  The stamps are all from a Finnabair set, and I decontructed some Prima flowers for the snowman's arms and the little snowballs.  I used a water distressing technique to for the paper scarf.

Ringing in the New Year with Crafter's Companion

Hi! I've been busy creating lots of samples using my Crafter's Companions goodies for the upcoming CHA show, and have been a little neglectful in sharing the inspiration with you! So, tonight, on the eve of NYE, I have a card to help ring in the New Year. This Scruffy Little Cat stamp is so sparkly in person, thanks to the Sparkle Spectrum Noir pens. I layered them over the Spectrum Noir alcohol markers and it's a great match up. 

Be sure to watch next month as I will be sharing all of the projects that are on their way to CHA!

Supplies

Scruffy Little Cat: Chel 

Stamp-It Australia Imagine - Friendship Sentiments

Signature Collection by Sara Davies - Festive Wonder 6" X 6"Embossing Folder - Festive Frame

Embossalicious 8 x8 folder

Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens: Holly Leaf; Cosmos; Harvest Moon; Crystal Clear

Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers: TN3. TN6, EB3, IB1, GB2, GG1, GG4, PL1,PL2, PL3, JG2, BP4, FS1, FS3, FS6

Shimmering Cardstock: Rose Pearl; Black Pearl

Heartfelt Creations Alumni DT Blog Hop December

Welcome, to the Decemberr Edition of the Heartfelt Creations Alumni Blog hop! The hop runs now through Friday night - at midnight.  And one lucky commenter, chosen from one of the stops on the blog hop, will win a $25 gift certificate to HC.  How great is that?  You get to hop around and see some wonderful projects, plus have the chance to win some goodies of your own!  The winner will be announced on Saturday, January 2nd, and will have 72 hours to claim their prize.

Well, after being without power...here is my card for the hop! Sorry for the delay :)

Heartfelt Creations Products

All Glammed Up Paper Collection

Ornate Borders and Pocket Dies

Fleur Borders and Pocket Dies

Classic Sunflower Die

Arianna Blooms Die

Classic Sunflower Cling Stamp

Arianna Blooms Cling Stamp



 

Hop

Emilia van den Heuvel

Caroline Duncan

Amy Doria

Glenda Brooks

Vicki Dutcher;

Regina M. Hamilton

Kathy Clement

Gloria Stengel

Kerry Urbatch:

Sarah Miller

Alissa Wells

Gini Williams Cagle

Lisa Allen

May Arts/ Ribbon Resource Gift Wrap Blog Hop

Are you busy wrapping presents? Then this is the hop for you, if you would like to see a little bit of inspiration to tie those presents up with gorgeous ribbons! Be sure to leave some love along the way, because the ribbon lady will be giving away 2  5-yard rolls of Christmas ribbon, to a lucky commenter.

I love elegantly wrapped packages, so I chose to accentuate this flocked velvet foil paper with a woven pattern of textured ribbons.  If you try this yourself, just pick coordinating ribbons with different textures and widths, to make the plaid weave look it's best.

May Arts Ribbons (found at The Ribbon Resource)

1/8" Velvet Ribbon 389-18-33

3/8" Metallic Velvet Ribbon  377-38-33

1" Gold  Satin Reversible Stitched  Ribbon 354-32

 

     Hop Order

• Emily Lanham
• Jenifer Cowles
• Gini Williams Cagle
• Mallika Kejriwal
• Karen Baker

--

Victorian Christmas Card

So Prima has had a wonderful 12 Days of Christmas Challenge going on - each challenge focuses on one of their lines.  I of course had grand plans of trying to play all 12 challenges....and it ends tonight and this is my second entry! Ha! But I've had fun seeing all of the entries and being inspired.  So, I guess that's what it's really all about.

Challenges

Prima 12 Days of Christmas - Day 1 Victorian Christmas

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Tag it

Mixed Media Portrait Video

I created this mixed media painting awhile back, and realized, I never shared it! So I thought it might be a good way to start of week.  I've got a short video as well, explaining the process. Enjoy!

Orchids for You

I love how these Spectrum Noir Blendable pencils color on the kraft cardstock.  I had not tried them on the kraft before, and think that it makes a great look.

Supplies:

Spectrum Noir Blendable Pencils: 029,035,034,010,078,044,002

Sheena A Little Bit Sketchy: Orchids

Don't Forget to Fly

 

Yes, you guessed it...my fingers are covered in paint! I've been playing in the studio this evening, and couldn't wait to share this mixed media panel with you. I just was having so much fun building up these layers, with stamps, stencils and mediums... the evening just flew by. (Maybe I was following my own advice - Don't forget to Fly!)

 

I love how the large butterflies turned out - I heat embossed them first, and then colored them with the Prima IOD oil pastel crayons, then painted a layer of clear crackle medium over them.  It gave a wonderful, aged effect.

Challenges:

Prima 12 Days of Christmas: Day 7 IOD Oil Pastel Crayons

Dusty Attic December Mood Board

Updated Ornament

One more finished - The Finnabair challenge.  I took a semi-vintage ornament and added a little Finn to it.  I added the Snowflake Paste and glass glitter to hide the damaged top.  I added a flower from the Victorian Christmas to finish it off.

Challenges

Prima 12 Days of Christmas - Day 3

Bonjour!

Bonjour! Well, the Christmas cards are all finished, so I thought I would start sharing more non-holiday cards with you.  This French 50's Cafe stamp set from Crafter's Companion was just begging to be colored with the Spectrum Aqua markers, so that was my starting point.  I created the background by using the debossed side of the embossing folder.  I finished the scene out with some adorable die-cuts.

Supplies:

Spectrum Aqua: Scarlett, Begonia, Peacock Blue, Sea Green, Sunflower, Sepia, Kingfisher, Terracotta

Sheena, A Little Bit Scenic: French 50's Cafe Stamp Set

Die'Sire Classiques - Garden Bench, Head in the Clouds

Embossalicious 6 x 6" Embossing Folder - Spring Morning

Acetate Stamping Tricks Video

It's been awhile since I've shared a video with you, but I think you will learn a few new ideas for stamping on acetate.  I've used Joy Clair Stamps and Imagine Crafts inks, so be sure to check out those sites.

Buttons and Bows with Joy Clair

I love this Tufted Background stamp from Joy Clair! It's so cute! You may not be able to tell from my photo, but I cut the buttons out and popped them up for fun dimension. Be sure to go over the the Joy Clair site and check out all of their other wonderful stamps!

Take Time to Smell the Flowers

 I've got a new canvas up today at the ColourArte Blog - I hope you will go over and check more details.

Sparkle Power

Have you seen the Spectrum Noir Sparkle Markers? They are divine! I colored my images with them. along with a few Spectrum Aqua markes- and the colors are so intense and sparkly! You really have to see these in person to appreciate the glitter-effects - but you will love them!

Supplies:
Spectrum Noir Sparkle Markers: Olive Jade; Cosmos; Harvest Moon; Starry Sky; Emerald Green; Aquarmarine; Moonlight
Spectrum Aqua Markers:  Purple; Red-Violet
Indulgence 11 x 17 Card Pack
Sheena A Little Bit Sketchy - Tropical Nectar EZMount Stamp Set
Kimono 5 x 7 Embossing Folder - Cherry Blossom
Shimmering Cardstock - Black Pearl
May Arts Ribbon - 377-38-46

CardMaker Magazine and Our Daily Bread Blog Hop

Welcome to the CardMaker Magazine and Our Daily Bread Blog Hop! We are sharing with you some lovely holiday ideas and hope that you will be inspired. 

I love pink and blue for Christmas, so I created my card based on the palette found with the ODB Christmas Paper Collection of 2014.  There is something so retro and charming about this combo, so I thought that the ornaments stamps/dies were a perfect fit. Since my husband is the Worship Leader at our church, I had to choose the Christmas Carols Sentiments - they will be just what I need for so many cards!

From here, please hop over to Dawn's blog, and see her wonderful creation!

Supplies: ODB: Christmas Carols Stamp Set; Delightful Decorations Stamp Set; Delightful Decorations Die Set; Christmas Paper Collection 2014; May Arts Ribbon; Core'dinations Cardstock

CardMaker

Chitra Nair

Julie Warner 

Mendi Yoshikawa

Cathy McCauley 

Stacy Morgan

Lori Ulrich 

Gini Williams Cagle

Dawn Lusk 

Jennie Harper

Our Daily Bread Designs

Love with Crafter's Companion

I've got a card to share with you that is another way to use the Crafter's Companion Create-a-Card dies.  I die cut the front of the card base, and sprayed the inside with Radiant Rain from ColourArte.  The sentiment was stamped on the inside of the card.

Crafter’s Companion:

 Die'sire Create-A-Card A2 Card Size Die - Moroccan Lattice; 

Textures Words of Wonder Stamp Set
May Arts Ribbon: ¾” Twill/Chevron Stripes (382-34-94)
ColourArte: Radiant Rain – Teal Zircon, Apple Blossom

Thank You so Much

 I've got an easy thank you card to share with you.  Using the Die'sire Edge'ables sentiments really make a great statement without hard work.  I will be using this die so much after the holidays!

Crafter's Companion Supplies:

Die'Sire Edge'ables - Only Words - Thank You So Much; Decorative Die- Chantilly Lace; Sheena Perfect Partners - An Apple a Day
Spectrum Noir Pens: Dr1, Dr2, DR5, DR6, DR7, TN2, TN4, TN5, TN6, CG4

Wonderful Thanksgiving

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, if you are here in the States! I did! And even though it was a nice long holiday, I didn't craft any. I took a little break and just had a great time with my family. So now, I'm rested, refreshed and ready to get back to it. My sweet nephew did take some time to color this Prima turkey (and he used my new watercolor pencils before I even had a chance to use them - that's love right there!)

So from my family to yours - many blessings!

Joy to the World

 Happy Thanksgiving! I think this means we are officially in the Holiday Season.  I've got a blog post up over on the CardMaker Magazine Blog, and would love to give you a little peak.

Supplies used: Cardstock from WorldWin Papers; Shimmery Cardstock, Festive Wonder Festive Frame die (#S-FW-EF6-FF) and Decorative Doily die from Crafter’s Companion: Merry Christmas Sentiments stamp set from Joy Clair; VersaMark watermark ink pad, Brilliance pearlescent olive ink pad and gold embossing powder from IMAGINE Crafts/Tsukineko; gold micro beads from Martha Stewart Crafts; 1-inch satin reversible stitched edge ribbon from May Arts Ribbon; Tattered Flower Large punch, Spiky Floral Medium punch and Holiday Greens die set (#658759) from Sizzix; Grand Calibur Circles dies and die-cutting machine from Spellbinders® Paper Arts.

Inspire

This simple card was made using the Crafter's Companion Create-a-Card dies.  For this card, I used just the center cut, and replaced the middle medallion after the paper had been spritzed.  I used three motifs for the card.

Crafter’s Companion:

 Die'sire Create-A-Card A2 Card Size Die - Moroccan Lattice; 

Textures Words of Wonder Stamp Set
May Arts Ribbon: ¾” Twill/Chevron Stripes (382-34-94)
ColourArte: Radiant Rain – Teal Zircon, Apple Blossom

Heartfelt Creations Alumni Blog Hop November

 
Welcome, to the November Edition of the Heartfelt Creations Alumni Blog hop! The hop runs now through Friday night - at midnight.  And one lucky commenter, chosen from one of the stops on the blog hop, will win a $25 gift certificate to HC.  How great is that?  You get to hop around and see some wonderful projects, plus have the chance to win some goodies of your own!  The winner will be announced on Saturday, November 28th, and will have 72 hours to claim their prize.

Heartfelt Creations Products

Delightful Daisies Cling Stamps HCPC-3656

Birds and Blooms Cling Stamps HCPC 3617

Delightful Daisies Die HCD1-760

Birds and Blooms Paper Collection HCDP1-250

Prills - Orange Juice

Dries Clear Adhesive

Other:

Spellbinders  Radiant Rectangles

Grand Calibur Machine

Crafters Companion Oriental Screen Embossing Folder

ColourArte Primary Elements

Art Institute Glitter: Deep Coral, Boysenberry, Golden Monarch, Olive Vine; Fern

May Arts KW36 3/8"


Gini Cagle
Emilia van den Heuvel
Glenda Brooks
Kathy Clement
Vicki Dutcher
Mary Faus
Regina M. Hamilton
Amy Doria 
Gloria Stengel
Alissa Wells
Sarah Miller

Thank You Fall Leaf Card

This was a fun stamp to play around with my watercolors.  I inked the stamp with my Spectrum Aqua pens, and then stamped onto dampened watercolor paper.  I re-inked the stamp with Versamark and heat embossed with black powder.  I painted the background with Twinkling H2O's.

Stamps from Technique Junkies 

Oak Relief

Grateful Flourish Sentiments 

Challenges:

Simon Says Monday Challenge: Thanks/Thanksgiving

Bring on the Butterflies

 

The sun is shining, but it's cold, cold, cold! So I thought I would share a card that reminds us of warmer days! I stamped three Butterfly 5 images from Technique Junkies and fussy cut the images. I embossed the background.

 

Thinking of You With Crafter's Companion

  I thought it was time to take a break from Christmas cards and make a bright and cheerful flower card! I still managed to use a holiday embossing folder and greenery from the poinsettia die, but this just goes to show that you can be creative with your season supplies and get more use out of them.

Supplies:

Sheena Perfect Partners Victorian Floral Dies: Anemone

Sheena Perfect Partners Cling Stamp: Anemone 

Signature Collection by Sara Davies - Festive Wonder Decorative Metal Die - Pretty Poinsettia 

Die'sire Classiques Only Words - Thinking of You

Sheena Festive Embossing Folder - Christmas Rose Bouquet

Precious Family Layout

I've got a layout published on the ColourArte Blog today, and thought that I would share a little preview with you. For all the details, please see the post on their blog. 

Challenges:

Simon Says Monday Challenge: "N" - Nature inspired layout

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Thinking of You

May Arts / Ribbon Resource Holiday Card Hop

 

Welcome to the Ribbon Resource Holiday Card Hop! You still have a little bit of time to get those cards made and in the mail, so we've got some inspiration for you.  As always, there is a wonderful ribbon prize for one lucky commenter - 2 5-yard rolls of Christmas ribbon. So hop along, enjoy the projects and leave comments.

For my card, I made a Fold-back Pop Out Card, which was new to me (and rather fun). It was easy to embellish  with lovely ribbons.

 

Ribbons Used:

433-38-10 Natural Crochet Trim

XB-04  1 1/2"Teal and White Sheer Striped Ribbon

483-1-14   1" Red Metallic Bow Ribbon

• Lori Williams
• Gini Williams Cagle
• Tracy McLennon
• Terri Burson
• Rhea Weigand

Dream

This month, I have played with the Crafter's Companion Create-A-Card dies to show you just how versatile these dies can be.  Check back throughout the month to see other creative ways I've used this one die.  For this card, I used the cut as a stencil to spray my mist, then glued down an additional cut over it.  I added a center strip of ribbons and black cardstock, and finally used the motif from the center of the die to add a sentiment.

Crafter’s Companion:

 Die'sire Create-A-Card A2 Card Size Die - Moroccan Lattice; 

Textures Words of Wonder Stamp Set
May Arts Ribbon: ¾” Twill/Chevron Stripes (382-34-94)
ColourArte: Radiant Rain – Teal Zircon, Apple Blossom

Merry and Bright with Joy Clair

Good morning! I've got a new card to share with you using the Merry Christmas Sentiments from Joy Clair Stamps. This is a delightful new stamp company, and if you would like to see more of their products in action, be sure to stop by the blog and become a follower. One of the cool things about these images is that they have SVG files available for all the stamp sets - no more fussy cutting!

CardMaker and Sunny Studio Blog Hop

It's time for another CardMaker Magazine Blog Hop! And today we are going to introduce you to a new stamp company from our very own Mendi Yoshikawa! Sunny Studio Stamps has adorable stamps, that I know you will love! Be sure to leave love along the hop, because two winners will be chosen to each receive the stamp set of their choice.  Also, Mendi is offering a 20% off now through Saturday, 11/14/15, noon PST with the coupon code "CARDMAKER".

I used the Santa's Helpers stamp set - and isn't it the cutest? This is the purrfect set for animal lovers! I paired the image up with Carta Bella papers that remind me of Christmas pajamas. Warm and cozy :)

Blog Hop List

CardMaker

Melissa Bowden

Chitra Nair

Audrey Tokach

Mendi Yoshikawa

Heidi Criswell

Stacy Morgan

Elise Constable

Gini Williams Cagle

Marion Vagg

Jennie Harper

Sunny Studio Blog

Please have your blog post go live at 8:00 a.m. Eastern time on 11/11.

Let me know if you have any questions. And congratulations to Mendi on the launch of her new stamp business!! J

Thanks!

Sara Davies Signature Collection - Festive Wonder Range Is Here!

Now you can order all of the gorgeous Sara Davies Signature Collection - Festive Wonder, on Crafter's Companion USA.  This set will inspire you with luxury papers, dies, stamps and embossing folders - and of course, there is a special price for the full collection.

12 x 12 Festive Wonder Paper Pad

 Festive Wonder Seasons Greetings Die

 Festive Wonder Poinsettia

Collall All Purpose Glue 
 **be sure to check the Birthday Specials for a deal on my favorite glue!
 

Let it Snow

 

I'm back for another wintery card to celebrate the 30 Days of Christmas Cards!  This was a clean a simple card to make. I stamped the Winter Wonderland with the sky inked blue, and the trees inked green. I inked over the entire image with Versamark and heat embossed with a pearly powder.  I die cut the Let it Snow Sentiment and had a quick, but lovely card.

We have a few more days of Christmas Cards left, so keep with us for inspiration for your holiday cards. 

Sara Davies Signature Collection, Festive Wonder Range - Sneak Peek

This coming week is going to be quite exciting at Crafter's Companion USA!  Starting Monday we will be celebrating Birthday Week - and there are going to be some awesome deals! And then on Tuesday, November 10th, the Festive Wonder Range,part of the Sara Davies Signature Collection will be released! This is a stunning collection, that you won't want to miss.

Supplies

 Festive Wonder 12' x 12" Paper Pad
Merry Christmas Die
Snowflake Border Die
Snowy Corner Embossing Folder
Shimmering Cardstock
Collall All Purpose Glue

You Warm My Heart with Joy Clair

 Are you ready for something so cute, it will warm your heart? How about this adorable set from Joy Clair - Cozy Snowman Wishes.  I used the matching SVG to cut the image then stamped and colored them with Spectrum Noir markers. Afterwards, I coated the snowmen with several layers of clear embossing powder to give them a shiny, icy finish.

Challenges

Simon Says Monday Challenge - So Glossy 

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes 

MFT - Sketch Challenge 
Outlawz - Christmas Reflections