Club Scrap Artist Challenge - Stamped Bouquet

This month the Club Scrap Artist Team has been challenged to use a lovely set of stamps - Stamped Bouquet and I had lots of fun using them as you can see....

I'm not sure why but for some reason when I was working on these cards the color palette of red, orange and yellow took root so I just went with it.

My first card was made by stamping the large corner bouquet with pistachio ink. The leaves and flowers were colored with colored pencils to give them color but keep them in the background.  I then stamped the poppy, rose and sunflower with black ink,coloring them with various Chameleon markers to really make them pop.  These flowers were then fussy cut and mounted on the page with double stick foam tape.

My next card was made by stamping and watercoloring the daisies and background. I love the layers of paint over the colored inks.

For my final card I stamped the poppies several times then colored them using Color Burst pigment powders.  I love the randomness of the color you get with these types of powders. It is just so bright and beautiful.

I hope you've been inspired by my cards...

The next stop on the hop is

Pam at A Peeling Paper Crafts

If you get lost along the way 

you can find the complete list here:

April Club Scrap Artist Challenge

Supplies:

Club Scrap - Cardstock

Stamped Bouquet

Other -
Chameleon Markers
Color Burst
Colored Pencils
Imagine - VersaFine Inks, Memento Inks
Glitter
Double Stick Foam Tape

Club Scrap Cherry Blossoms Blog Hop

Welcome to April's Club Scrap Blog Hop featuring the Cherry Blossoms kit!  A lovely kit filled with the beauty of spring's cherry blossoms with a touch of the orient.

I was so excited when I saw the colors for this kit. The dark pink ribbon was the exact color of the bridesmaid dresses and pink is Morgan's favorite color.  I knew it would be perfect for all of these lovely pics.

I made the cherry blossoms by using a set of dies from Sizzix that was originally intended to make pansies! A bit of rearranging, a dash of PanPastels for color and I think they are a pretty convincing cherry blossoms.

I found a pretty pearl brad from Queen and Co that was perfect for attaching the blank tags (intended for a bit of journaling).  I scattered a few loose petals around the page and then glued them down where they landed.

I'm so happy with how it turned out.

I have also been making a clipboard collage each month (because they are so darn fun!). Here is the one I made this month...

I decided pearls would be that extra little something on this month's collage. I think they finished it off nicely.

Oh, and I did add a bit of glitter here and there too...

I have been having so much fun with these, I don't know what I'll do when I run out of those fun collage sheets.

Your next stop on the hop is...

Julie - Cape Cod Scrapper

and if you get lost along the way

you can find the complete list here...

Club Scrap Cherry Blossoms Blog Hop

Club Scrap Supplies:

Cherry Blossoms - Paper, Ribbon, Tags, Cut-Aparts, Sequins

Other:

Sizzix Pansy Dies

Queen & Co Pearl Brad

PanPastels

A Month of Giveaways - Week 3

It's so much fun seeing what everyone's top 3 goodies were! The winner of that question (selected using random.org) is....

Denise Bryant!!!

Congrats Denise, please e-mail me your snail mail addy.

Denise BryantApril 19, 2017 at 1:05 PM

Die cutter and dies, Tonic paper cutter, and Scotch double stick tape are my go-to items!

Now for week #3's question.....

What techniques/products are on your 

"To Learn/Do" list???

Well, my list continues to grow and grow. I finally have some really nice watercolors and papers but now time is the issue. I'd also like to try "Flow" painting but spaces is more the issue with that - I don't really have anyplace set up to let something like that sit for an extended period of time. I have so many 3-D projects I want to upcycle and alter; crochet - I have lots of little critters I want to make as well as more Bigfoot creatures; I'd love to learn calligraphy; and well...you can see I'll never be board or wanting for something to do - LOL!!

How about you??? 

Prima Watercolors...I feel better now.

You have no clue how much this has been bothering me.  Yes, a little CDO going on here.  Have you ever seen Prima Watercolors (Confections)?   They are cute little sets of watercolors in nifty black carrying tins.

Well, I have several sets and let me tell you it's been driving me crazy because the colors were scattered here and there and everywhere soooo  I went ahead and rearranged them all!  Now all of the red, orange & yellows are in a tin, blue, green and purples are together, shimmery stuff in one and browns/black in in the last tin. 

I hope they bring out more...I really like these. 

I feel so much better now - LOL!!

Challenge Me...

Playing in a few challenges recently. Each month on the Club Scrap Forum there are a number of challenges posted.  Everything from the Card Sketch Challenge that I co host to a NBUS (never before used stuff), a Tool challenge, LO challenges, technique challenge, etc. Recently there has been something called the Ultimate Challenge where Julie challenged us to complete at least 6 of the challenges posted.  I participated in the first one but last month was a wash so I decided to jump right back in and play again.  Below are 3 of those challenges....

My first challenge was the Tool Challenge - it was to use a tool/supply in your stash that you hoard.  WELL - that was easy - I'm a washi tape hoarder. My theory is I have to buy it all now and hoard it in case it falls from popularity - that way I have it once it's gone (same thing with Adult Coloring books).

So they say the first step is to admit you have a problem.  I admit it, I love washi tape and have tons but rarely use it ;)  I pulled out one of my newest rolls and made 3 cards each using the tape in a different way.

The next challenge was Use It! Finish a project from 2016.  I made this cute little ATC holder from the Club Scrap Retreat. I'm so glad I finally finished it...I love how it turned out and I'm going to make more of them as gifts.

It has a nice wallet insert for holding lots of ATC's!

The third challenge was to use the 7 of Hearts card from one of the Club Scrap Idea Decks.  I used the card from the Card Idea Deck II which makes these cute matchbook cards with just (2) 12x12 sheets of paper!

You've already seen the NBUS Challenge (Kimono Card) and the Card Sketch cards which leaves the Monthly Double LO challenge which I combined with the Technique challenge that I'm going to share next week during Aprils Blog Hop.  I can't wait for you to see it. I am so proud of how it turned out.

Now what does all this mean? 

I finished the Ultimate Challenge for April!!!

Yeah Me :)

2017 Texture Calendar - October

Today's technique is so cool and it only takes a very few supplies...glue, black acrylic paint and metallic inks!

This is a fun way to add texture to any project...it does take a bit of time though because you have to let the glue dry naturally to keep the image/design intact.

Choose your favorite liquid glue(s).

Draw and fill in the design of your choice. 

I went with a spooky tree.

Let it dry completely.  Mine took about 30 hours.

Paint over the panel with a layer of black acrylic paint.

After the paint is dry, rub metallic ink over the entire panel.

Buff with a dry cloth.

Your design will really pop.  Of course I went with something very seasonal but think of the possibilities! This texture technique could be used for anything. 

Supplies

Chipboard

Imagine - On Point Glue, Delicata Inks

ClubScrap.com - Book Binding Glue

DecoArts - Americana Black Paint

Faux Agate Slices

I am so excited to share this project with you...it took lots of experimenting with different substrates, layers, etc. but I finally did it and made a piece that really looks like agate!  To see the full tutorial please go to:

Amazing Agate

I used a piece of mica, StazOn Studio Glaze 

and irRESISTible Pico Embellishers to  create them.

And a few additional pics...

I especially like the ones with glass glitter in the center. That sparkle and shine...really makes the blues pop!

I hope you give it a try!

A Month of Giveaways - Week 2

Before I get to the 2nd giveaway I need to draw a winner from the hat for all of the entries for week #1....  

And that winner is.....

Gerri Carter

Gerri Carter  April 8, 2017 at 3:47 PM

I love card making too! And collecting all the goodies to make them...maybe a little too much! I love color and rich looking textures and baubles and Golds and oh dear....I babbled. I love them all!

Congratulations Gerri! 

Please e-mail me your snail mail addy.

Now on to week #2's question...

What are your top 3 must have craft goodies?  

(beyond the basics of paper, glue and stamps, oh and photos if you scrap.)

My top 3 would consist of...

1. Fiskars Micro Tips - I've had them since I started crafting and I don't know what I'd do without them. They stay sharp forever I think - almost 20 years for this pair!

2. ATG gun - I've saved SOOOOOO much money since I bought it and it's a great adhesive.

3. Big Kick & Dies - so much goodness comes from that machine.

Now it's your turn!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone 

- hope you have a lovely day with family and friends!

Seize the Birthday - 2 Pattern Papers

Today I thought it would be fun to play in a challenge...I chose Seize the Birthday's new challenge - 2 Pattern Papers!  It can be any theme as long as it is a birthday card. Here's what I created....

The 2 pattern papers are from Club Scrap's April kit...Cherry Blossoms. I hand cut and colored the flowers and added some fun flower sequins to the mix.

"2 Pattern Papers"

Directions:

1. Trim cardstock to 5.5x8.5"; fold and crease in the center to make a 2A size card.

2. Die cut purple pattern paper using large stitched scallop die; repeat with plain white cardstock.

3. Mount the white scallop on the top of the card, layer the purple scallops over the white.

4. Tie purple ribbon at the top of the card.

5. Stamp "Happy Birthday" sentiment using Gothic Purple StazOn ink on the bottom right.

6. Stamp, cut and color the "cherry blossoms"

7. Mount the flowers on the card and embellish with sequins.

Supplies:

Club Scrap.com - Cherry Blossom papers, stamps, sequins, ribbon

Imagine - StazOn Ink - Gothic Purple, On Point Glue

Chameleon Markers

CS April NBUS Challenge

There are several challenges each month on the Club Scrap Forum. One of my favorites is the NBUS (Never Before Used Stuff)...because well, I have lots of stuff I've never used. I'm sure I'm not alone on that account.  This month's challenge was to used a clothing stamp on your project. I do have a few clothing related stamps but surprisingly enough I have used most of them already so sticking with the idea of "Never Before Used" I used the kimono from the newest Club Scrap Kit - Cherry Blossoms.

If you have time be sure and stop in to see all of the other NBUS Clothing entries this month.

Directions:

1. Trim pink panel 4" x 5.25".

2. Stamp large and small text with Lilac Posies; stamp falling cherry blossoms with Angel Pink Memento Ink.

3. Adhere flower border on purple cardstock and trim.

4. Affix the border to the left side of the card.

5. Stamp sentiment in the lower right with black ink.

6. Stamp the kimono on watercolor paper using Gothic Purple StazOn Ink.

7. Paint the kimono with Prima Confections Watercolors.

8. Trim the kimono and mount on the card using double stick foam tape.

9. Affix the card panel to a brown A2 card blank.

10. Use glitter glue to add a little sparkle to the flowers on the kimono and border strip.

Supplies:

Club Scrap Cherry Blossom cardstock, stamps

Imagine - Memento Ink - Angel Pink, Lilac Posies, StazOn Ink - Gothic Purple; VersaFine - Onyx Black

Prima Confections Watercolor Paint

Watercolor Paper

Glitter Glue

Double Stick Foam Tape

2017 Mixed Media Technique Calendar - September

Whew...it's been awhile huh?  It's nice to be playing again.  

So let's get on with it.

This is September's page and it uses some of my favorite items - 

cheese cloth, modeling paste, watercolors and Memento Dye Ink!

Let's go...

I started off by cutting a piece of cheesecloth the size I needed for my page.

Spread some gesso around on the page.

Place the cheesecloth over the page and add more gesso until it's covered.

Basically we're cementing the cloth to the page.

Once dry, use watercolors of your choice to color the cheesecloth layer.

Let dry.

Tape stencil in place and spread modeling paste over the stencil.

I used a mums stencil and DecoArt Media Modeling Paste.

Once the paste has dried color the mums...

I used a combo of 3 different Memento Inks -

Cantaloupe, Rhubarb Stalk and Morocco.

And here's how it looks....

almost hated to cover it up with the calendar part ;)

The cheesecloth and modeling past REALLY adds 

some fun texture as you can see in this photo.

Month of Crafty Giveaways!

As most of you know last month was National Craft Month...I had planned on having lots of fun giveaways each week BUT since I got the flu I didn't do much of anything.  So I thought we'll just do it this month!

Each week I'll be asking a question about a different craft - all you have to do is answer the question and you'll be entered to win!  Easy as that.  I'll randomly select a winner from all of the answers to win a surprise.

This weeks question...

What is your favorite crafty activity? 

Why?  

 It could be card making, scrapbooking, stamping, mixed media collage, collecting supplies, watercoloring, painting, coloring Adult Coloring Books, etc....what ever makes your heart happy.

My favorite crafty activity is stamping/card making.  I get so intimidated when I see all of the one picture over-the-top scrapbook lay-outs which is why I basically quit scrapbooking lo's several years ago. Card making doesn't have that type of pressure - anything goes.  It's a much more relaxing (for me) activity.  Now a close second is mixed media collage - I like to pile it on so it's lots of fun - you basically just wade in and play.

That being said I am trying to scrap wedding pics for the kids :)  It is one of my goals for 2017.  If I get that accomplished I might even jump in and scrap some of my old pictures that I have piled up around here...maybe - LOL!!  I really like the help that Club Scrap gives with it's kits...you get a full set of instructions on how to cut and assemble lo's that accommodate many photos on each one. That's what I need because I don't just take one spectacular focal image...I take lots and lots - and I took 'em, so I want to use them.

So how about you?  

A Card Sketch from Me

This month was my turn to make a card sketch over on the Club Scrap Forum so I came up with the following...

And here are a few cards I made using that sketch....

Using 04/17 kit - Cherry Blossoms Hybrid Digital Elements

Using 03/17 Kit - Delft

Using Kit 02/17 Succulents (turned the sketch on it's side.)

And finally this card using kit Transformations from 2015.

Would you like to give it a try?

I hope you share your results if you do :)

Supplies:

ClubScrap.com - Cardstock, Stamps, Embellishments.