Happy New Year 2021!!!

 Hello and welcome to the Winter Blues Challenge...still lots of time to play!

Time to say good bye 2020 and

Hello to 2021!!

Stamps Used: Large & Small Snowflakes, Pieces of Calligraphy, ATC Doodles, Party Words

Here's to a better year to come!

I created this card by applying assorted shades of blue Brusho Colour Crystals to a piece of cardstock. I then stamped and embossed both Large and Small Snowflakes over the card.  Next I stamped Pieces of Calligraphy over the snowflakes and wiping away the text from the embossed areas. The Heart from the ATC Doodles set of stamps was stamped on a piece of handmade paper and the excess paper torn away to create the feathered edges. This heart was then covered with glitter.  The sentiment from Party Words was stamped on a piece of scrap paper and affixed to the heart.

Today is my final post for Lost Coast Designs/Carmens Veranda. I wanted to thank you all for my wonderful stay here. Wishing you all the best in the remainder of 2020, in 2021 and for years to come!

Hope you join in this month long challenge!!

Cozy Little Winter Scene

 Hello Friends - the year is almost done...I hope you're safe, well and sound wherever you are. Today I wanted to share a cozy little winter scene with you that I recently made...

The main image is from Nellie Snellen - Nellie's Choice called Wintery House. It's just such a lovely image I couldn't resist it.  It has been stamped on watercolor paper with VersaFine Clair Nocturne then embossed with black MBossing powder. I colored it using Prima Confections watercolor and a bit of shimmery white watercolor from Yasutomo.  I then stamped the Large Fairy Fir Tree (Lavinia) and the Snow Falls (Lavinia) images on the panel. I added a few detail colors using Kuretake Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers and finished it off with a bit of Twilight VFC ink around the edges.

I wish you could see the shimmer of the mica watercolors. They are amazing.  Hope you have an amazing end to 2020. Blessings for you all...stay inky my friends!

Supplies:

All of the stamps can be found at Fairy Stamper

Nellie's Choice - Wintery House 

Lavinia - Fairy Fir Tree (lg), Snow Falls (sentiment)

Prima - Confections Watercolors

Yasutomo - Mica Watercolors

Imagine - VersaFine Clair - Nocturne, Twilight; MBossing Powder - Black

Kuretake Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers

Watercolor paper, Cardstock

Fairy Hugs Make A Wish Upcycled Stamping Block

 Today I wanted to share my latest Fairy Hugs creation...

My wish for you in 2021 is health, happiness and peace.

I un-mount all of my rubber stamps to save room and I have all of these wonderful wood blocks left over. I like to save the larger blocks for art and that's what I've got for you today. A former rubber stamp block upcycled into art!

To create this piece I started off by cutting out various definitions from multiple dictionaries (I collect them), for example - fairy, wish, faith, hope, etc. These were decoupaged onto the block and left to dry.  I sponged Warm Breeze VF Clair ink around the edges of the block.

Once the block was completely dry the Leafy Scrolls, Kissing Fairy and Stardust images were stamped directly onto the block using VersaFine Clair inks. I also stamped an extra set of wings onto a piece of vellum cardstock.

I stamped and fussy cut several Wild Leaves images onto scraps of white cardstock. These leaves were glued to the block as seen. I also affixed the die-cut sentiment to the block at this time.

I colored the vellum wings using alcohol markers and they were then glued in place. A white acrylic paint pen was used to add details and glitter was added to the Star Dust image and the visible edge of the block.

Leafy Scrolls, Wild Leaves, Stardust

Kissing Fairy

Fairy Hugs Powder - Lapis, Orchid

Be sure to stop by our Fairy Hugs Facebook Group 

12 Days of Christmas Shakers - #12 - Merry Christmas!!

 

Merry Christmas friends!!!

For my final shaker of the 12 days of Christmas Shakers I have a slimeline card filled with sparklie goodness! The papers and stickers are from Echo Park's Farmhouse Christmas. I just love this kit - it is so very me.   The string of lights is a die from Gina Marie Designs @ Scrapbook Outlet. It was cut using Rinea foiled papers hence the shimmer.  The shaker bits are left overs from several different Sparkle Blend mixes. 

The window is quite a story...it was made for a card that I intended to use for a project for another design team several (4-5 years ago). It was going to be a window in a card but at that time slimlines weren't popular and it was just too big so I just stuck it in my pile of "for future use".  And that my friends is why I never throw anything away - LOL!!!

Hope you all have a very safe, happy and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Lots of love my friends!!

Look to the Heavens

 Today I wanted to share my latest Fairy Hugs creation...

I love the versatility of the Full Moons and Moon Tree in the most recent release. There are just so many options for using these great images. Today I wanted to share a a card I made pairing these stamps with my favorite color blue!

To create this card I started off by cutting a 6x6 piece of cardstock. I stamped and embossed (with black ep) the larger moon in the center of this panel. 

Next I sponged the panel with Twilight, Medieval Blue and Blue Belle VersaFine Clair Inks working from dark to light.

The Moon Tree was stamped around the edge of the panel on all sides. These too were embossed with black embossing powder.

White Shimmer Delicata ink was pounced over the moon and surrounding area to create the glow, the excess ink was wiped off the embossed moon. 

Diluted white acrylic paint was flicked over the panel to create a starry sky. 

This panel was matted on white cardstock and affixed to an 8x8 panel covered with Cobalt/Gold Glossy Foiled Paper from Rinea.

 

Fairy Hugs Store - Full Moons,  Moon Tree

Rinea - Cobalt/Gold Glossy Foiled Paper

Be sure to stop by our Fairy Hugs Facebook Group 

12 Days of Christmas Shakers #11 - Oh Christmas Tree...

 Day 11 of the 12 Days of Christmas Shakers....

Today I have a fun Christmas Tree shaker which I made using this lovely die from Gina Marie Designs. I love the design inside the tree. It's so pretty cut from the Emerald/Emerald Starstruck foiled paper from Rinea. It adds such a lovely shine.

It is filled with the shaker mix Boughs of Holly from Sparkle Blends.

12 Days of Christmas Shakers #9 & 10

 Unexpected DT work popped up - Fairy Hugs is going to be on Hochanda January 6th - made 21 cards :) Hope they reach their destination on time!  Anyway, I was so busy creating I didn't have a chance to post the last couple shakers I have for you...Both of these are ornaments but the 2nd one is a bit special. Check 'em out....

#9 - Wreath Ornament Shaker...

I love this shaker...it is a Wreath shaker kit from Creative Embellishments. It has such an intricate frame...so very pretty. I colored it using Cottage Ivy Fireworks! Spray which as you can see has such a beautiful shimmer to it. It was filled with a sequins mix from Sparkle Blends called Light In The Forest. Blues, Greens, Golds with a hint of black. Just lovely!

#10 - Shaker Ornament/Gift Box

Can you guess what this shaker/ornament/gift holder is made from?  

Yes? No? Anything?

Here's a hint... 

Ha Ha Ha - Moo!!

Did you guess? It's a Laughing Cow cheese container. I don't know about you but I can't throw these boxes away. They are just so much fun! I decided to turn a few into ornaments and what better than a shaker ornament?

So I started off by cutting a hole in the lid, adding a piece of acetate and inserting double stick foam tape inside the lid. I then cut 3 pieces of pattern paper - These papers are from Echo Park Lumberjack Christmas (LOVE these papers!!). One is for the back of the shaker element, one for the inside of the box and the third is for the back of the box to cover the label. 

Inside of the box where you can if you choose add a little gift. It's a large enough compartment for all sorts of things but I'll probably add money or a gift certificate.  I did reinforce the hinge since the original is only paper with a bit of gaffers tape. That way it can be opened lots without it coming apart.   There was a hole in the box already which is what I used to add a bit of ribbon for a hanger.  

Note: If you make one of these you'll have to trim the cardboard ring on the inside of the box a bit to account for the foam tape. 

To finish this off I filled the shaker with a few different sequins mixes from Sparkle Blends... Old St. Nick, Holly Berry and Minter is Coming.  All so very beautiful.

As luck would have it, the Christmas Wreaths chipboard set from Creative Embellishments are a perfect fit for these boxes!! I used the Joy wreath for this shaker. I used gold embossing powder for the sentiment and Fairy Hugs Powder glitter to embellish the holly and berries.

I hope you are enjoying these shakers as much as I am making them :)

Not long now....are you ready?

Steampunk Ornament

 The monthly challenge at Creative Embellishments is to take inspiration from this photo....

Well you all know how much I love Steampunk so this was great fun! 

Here is what I created....

This was so much fun to make! The base is their plywood Ornament home decor pieces and it measures 10" x almost 12". A great jumping off point for loads of projects.

I knew basically what I wanted to do but it's always handy to lay things out so you know if it will work before you begin.  That's what I did here. I did add a few extra bits to the finished project but it turned out exactly as I envisioned.... which is nice for a change - LOL!!

To create this project I decoupaged some faux newsprint onto the ornament leaving lots of bumps and ripples for texture for the next step. After the decoupage glue had dried I then spritzed the ornament with Cottage Ivy Fireworks! dye spray. Now this took quiet a while to dry because of the glue but when it does dry it has got such a beautiful shimmer. If you notice the ink has pooled in those bumps and ripples I created really highlighting the textures.

Now for the chipboard goodies!!! So many cool Steampunk goodies to choose but I wanted to narrow it down so it didn't get too busy. I love the new Distressed Clocks. These are just so much fun and I knew I had to use them for this piece. Time to paint...I painted the clock pieces brass, ornament gears copper and the chain a vintage silver. Then the fun began....Glitter...lots and lots of glitter - it is Christmas after all!  (well, I probably would have added glitter anyway but it's a good excuse!  I glittered the raven, Merry Christmas sentiment and the hanger on the large ornament as well.

At this point the ornament needed something to keep the eye moving to balance it out so I glittered up a piece of holly, a few smaller gears to add to the small ornaments and I also added the bows.  I am so happy with how it turned out. It was going to be a gift but I think it may have to continue to hang on my door - LOL!!

I hope you enjoy and find inspiration in this piece...

Merry Christmas friends!

Creative Embellishments Monthly Challenge 

December 2020

Supplies:

Creative Embellishments - Ornament, Distressed Clocks, Merry Christmas, Holly, Gears (in various sizes), Steampunk Timepieces, Raven, Chain

Fairy Hugs - Fairy Hugs Powder (glitter)

Imagine - Fireworks! - Cottage Ivy; StazOn - Jet Black

Adhesive, newsprint, metallic paints

12 Days of Christmas Shakers #8 - Santa is Coming to Town!

 Guess what day it is?  

Day 8 in my 12 Days of Christmas Shakers!!

Today's make is a darling little tag shaker which was created using VersaFine Clair inks and Mister Huey's Opaque white color mister.  It was then stamped with images from the Clearly Besotted set of stamps called One More Sleep. The moon above the town was perfect for a shaker.

The shaker is filled with a sequins mix called "Mixed with the Fans" as it was mixed live on the Sparkle Blends FB group! How fun is that?  I glued a few extra bits to the front of the tag for some extra sparkle. I finished off the tag with lots of pretty purple fibers.

Have a lovely day friends!!

My Secret Garden Embroidery Hoop Art

 Today I wanted to share my latest Fairy Hugs creation...

Fairy Hugs Store recently released a giant selection of lovely new stamps and this fun home decor piece incorporates many of them. I thought it would be fun to make the swing actually swing so with the help of a few jump rings and a piece of foam core board hidden behind the tree it really swings!

To create this piece:

I started off by stamping Tiana using a stamping platform - stamping each color separately. I then masked her off and stamped the Fairy Swing over top again stamping each color separately. They were then fussy cut leaving an extra 1/2" of paper at the top of each swing rope (more on this later).

Next I created the background papers for the Stonewall, Fairy Steps and Leafy Scrolls by applying the appropriate colors of alcohol inks to glossy cardstock. 

The Stonewall and Forest Steps were stamped onto the grey AI paper and fussy cut. To create the mossy effect I used a VersaMark pen and marked along the bottom edge and at various spots among the stones, sprinkled with Patina embossing powder and heat to set. I stamped a second set of  Forest Steps on a separate piece of white cardstock, colored and cut. The stones on both sides of the steps were covered with the Alcohol Inked stones which was then paired up with and attached to the AI Stone Wall to create one long piece.

Bulrushes were stamped on various pieces of green cardstock by coloring the stamp with water based markers and fussy cut. These were attached to the wall/step unit.

The Moon Tree was stamped on a piece of Kraft colored cardstock then colored a bit more with colored pencils. This was then fussy cut and set aside.

The Leafy Scrolls were stamped on green Alcohol Inked cardstock and the Wild Leaves were stamped on scraps of green cardstock, all were then fussy cut.

All of these items (except for the Fairy & Swing) were attached to the embroidery hoop with liquid glue.

To create the moving swing I mounted the swing to a rectangle piece of foam core board giving it stability. Two holes were punched in the top of the foam core board and eyelets were added. Eyelets were added to a second piece of foam core board was glued to the leaves and embroidery hoop. The swing piece was attached to the stationary piece of foam core board using a series of jump rings. The swing can now move freely!

And there you have it!

 

Wild Leaves, Tiana, Stone Wall

Bulrushes, Forest Steps, Fairy Swing

 

Moon Tree, Leafy Scrolls

Be sure to stop by our Fairy Hugs Facebook Group 

 

12 Days of Christmas Shakers #7 - Merry & Bright Bunnies

Another day of Christmas shakers!  

Today I have a bunny/snowman shaker for you :)

This card was made using some cute pattern paper that I received as a gift (not sure the brand). I just fell in love with those darling little bunnies and I knew I had to turn them into a card. The card is filled with the limited edition sequins mix called Hello Frosty.  This mix comes with those fun snowmen pieces in it as well as snowflakes, icicles, hearts and more! It was a perfect match for this pattern paper.

I fussy cut an extra bunny for the front and embellished with extra sequins, snowmen, etc.  It needed a little something so I used Fairy Hugs Powder glitter around the window. Really sets it off and gives it that extra something special don't you think?

Only 11 days till Christmas...are you ready?

Supplies:

Sparkled Blends - Hello Frosty

Fairy Hugs Store - Fairy Hugs Powder - Orchid

Pattern Paper - unknown

Happy Poinsettia

Today I wanted to share a couple cards made using one of the newest peg stamp sets - Happy Poinsettia! It's one of Rubber Stamp Tapestry's smaller sets but it still packs a punch. Check it out.... I thought it would be fun to share a few ideas using them on different size cards.  

RST stamps used: Happy Poinsettia, UM Christmas Greetings

My first card using just those 2 stamps for this fun frame on an A2 size card. I have used a wide variety of inks to add depth and dimension. A bit of pen work completes the frame with a sentiment from the Christmas Greetings UM set of stamps. This was matted on a card base covered with Violet/Violet Starstruck foiled paper.

RST Stamps used: Happy Poinsettia, Winter Wishes UM,  Large Pinecone

Sparkle Blends Sequins Mix: Rustic Rudolph

The next card I have for you is a 6x6 card again using Happy Poinsettia with the addition of the Large Pinecone and a sentiment from the set Winter Wishes UM.

RST Stamps Used: Happy Poinsettia,  Large Pinecone, Christmas Greetings UM

Sparkle Blends Sequins - Various 

My final card is the popular slimline card! I wanted a rustic look for this card so I smudged up the panel, stamped the poinsettias, pinecones and other foliage peg stamps then added the sentiment from Christmas Greetings.  I then added a few small groupings of sequins here and there for a bit of sparkle.

Supplies:

Rubber Stamp Tapestry Stamps: Happy Poinsettia, Christmas Greetings UM, Winter Wishes UM, Large Pinecone

Sparkle Blends - Rustic Rudolph,

Rinea - Violet/Violet Starstruck foiled paper.