Christmas Cupcake

I saw a Hallmark ornament and thought it would make a cute little card.  I made some adjustments to make her all mine :)  I used the Jolly Holidays and From My Kitchen Cricut cartridges.  I cut Santa's little helper at 3.5 and I cut the cupcake at 2.5.  I also cut the recipe die cut from From My Kitchen but I don't remember the dimensions.  I cut off the legs (!) and skates and positioned her on top of the cupcake.  I used gesso to give dimension on the cupcake frosting and the hat.  Honestly, I don't know much about using gesso.  I just slapped it on, swirled it a bit and waited for it to dry.  I added some sparkle with Stampin Up Smooch Moonlight Pearlized Accent Ink and sequins that I colored with a Copic marker to make them yellow.

I entered my card on:
Fantabulous Cricut Challenge - #190
Crafty Boots Challenge - Christmas
Cute Card Thursday - Challenge 299, Christmas Catch Up

Thanks for looking and have a wonderful day!!

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop - Tags

I made these Christmas tags for the Papertrey Ink Blog Hop  which calls for making at least 5 tags.  I used some very nontraditional colors - dark gray, black and pearly white.  To make my tags, I used Smokey Shadow cardstock and my new favorite stamp set, Meadow Greens. I think it is very versatile - not just for spring.  "Peace" and the leaf are both from that set.  I cut out the tags using the biggest die from the Angled Labels Die Collection.

I embossed the leaf with a glittery embossing powder called Starry Night.  It was so glittery, the darn thing was hard to photograph.  I must have taken 20 pics before I got something that wasn't a blob of sparkle. Lol.

I used Perfect Pearls for the sentiment.  I think that made it pop out despite the sparkle on the leaf.  The ribbon is from American Crafts.

Thank you for looking!

 

Look at the glitter!

Thanksgiving Tag

I did this tag for a Prima Doll Thanksgiving Tag swap.  I love Thanksgiving because of the fall colors.  Mostly, I love it it because it is a reminder of how blessed I am.

I only have 3 of the Prima Dolls by Julie Nutting but I chose the one with the peasant dress because I thought the colors would go well with dress.  I don't know why.

I colored her using distress markers and copics.  I did the skin with the Copics and the rest with Distress Markers.  I wanted to use the Distress Markers for all of it because I do like that watercolor look. But skin using Distress Markers come out looking washed out so I am still experimenting with them. I have to find the right color combo for skin.

I fussy cut the dress from pattern paper by My Mind's Eye and then added shadows with the markers.  I also added some Victorian Velvet Distress Glitter which a nice vintage look. I added Glossy Accents to the Headband and the shoes.

The background paper is from Prima Sunrise, Sunset line.  I spritzed a little Tattered Angels Mist and then added some leaves and a sentiment: Give thanks and in all things be grateful.  The leaves and the sentiment are from Stampin' Up.  The green ribbon is from Making Memories.  The twine and ribbon are from my stash.  The ribbon was a bright yellow color but it just did not go with the muted tones in the tag so I dyed it with Mustard Seed Distress Marker.  That toned down the ribbon and it goes much better now :)


I decided to enter my tag in:

• Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything Goes
• Inky Impressons - Challenge 130, Fall/Autumn
• Paper Playtime - Challenge 21, Ribbons & Buttons
• Really Reasonable Ribbon's Rambling - Challenge 82, Autumn Leaves and Ribbons
• The Sisterhood of Crafters - Anything Goes
• Stamping for the Weekend - Anything Goes

Creative Chemistry 102, Day 5

Last day! Day 5!  Today's focus was on embossing powder.  I tried the Shabby Chic technique ... that was a f.a.i.l.  But I kept on trucking and tried out sticky embosing powder.  You know what's funny? I had a jar of this for YEARS and never used it.  So it felt good to finally use it and I think came out well :)

I used the Baroque die again - I think it is so elegant.  I smushed on some Scattered Straw and Distress Stains and water.  The background came out so soft.  I used Tea Dyed around the edges.   I might try those colors again.  I stamped the background using a stamp from Stampers Anonymous Classics #9 with Antique Linen.

I used the sticky embossing powder and used some copper foil paper I had and burnished it on the embossed area.  I peeled it off and Voila!  Instant shine.  I stamped a sentiment from Unity.  I love this quote because I can get so bogged on something I don't see how wonderful everything else is.  I used a piece of butterfly tissue tape from Idea-ology along the bottom.  I added raffia and a metal tag that had some Antique Linen Distress rubbed on it.

I finished it off with some burlap and a metal hinge pained with Antique Bronze Distress Paint.

 

With flash so you can the shine :)

Creative Chemistry 102, Day 4

Day 4 was yesterday but better late than never :)

Yesterday's focus was alcohol inks and my hands are a mess but it was fun!  I made a Christmas ATC using the ATC die from Tim Holtz.  I tried out the Monoprint technique and used Stream, Stonewashed and Cool Perl alcohol inks with a splash of Alcohol Blender.  I let that dry which did not take long at all and stamped it with a mini snowflake.

Then I tried out the tinted Tinsel technique.  I tinted the one piece of tinsel in Oregano Alchol Ink from Adirondack and left another piece untinted.  I twisted them together and them stapled it with my Tiny Attacher.

I punched some small circles with my hole puncher and they became little berries.  Lastly,  I added a word band from Idea-ology.

Creative Chemistry 102, Day 3

Today I tried out three techniques.

In this first one, I tried out using a brayer with Distress Stains.  I used Chipped Sapphire and Tumbled Glass.  I thought it made a nice background for a night sky and turned it into a birthday card.  I added some star die cuts from Papertrey Ink and ticket from the Mini Filmstrip and Mini Ticket die.

In the next one, I tried out photo tinting with Distress Markers - Chipped Sapphire, Broken China, and Worn Lipstick.  I tried out really soft color like Milled Lavender and Weathered Wood but colors like that blended into the photograph.  I tried out stronger colors and the colors pop some more with being too out of place on a wedding photo.

I also tried out Cracked Glass by applying Distress Crackle on clear plastic cut with the Baroque die. It took soooooo long to dry but I think the effect is well worth the wait!  I blended in some Adirondack Ink Metallic Mixatives in Gold.  The swirl is from the Elegant Flourishes die.The seam binding is dyed with Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain.  I am very happy with how it turned out.

I thought I might put it on a card but I think I will just hang it :)

Creative Chemistry 102, Day 2

Today's lesson was different ways of using stencils.  I didn't think the stencil thing was that exciting - but, then... I saw the videos... and now... I want a bunch of stencils! lol

This tag has a birthday theme.  I had to make a stencil because I really only have one - the burlap one.  I used that one for the background using the Vintage Photo Distress Pad.

I cut out a die cut using the Mini Cabinet die.  I sanded the paper and inked the edges with Vintage Photo.  I made stencil of the letter "M" (my younger son's initial - birthday coming up!) with my Cricut using the Total Sports cartridge because it has a "fat" letters that would make it easy to stamp within the stencil area.

This is my poor stencil.  It took quite a beating
when I ran it through my Cuttlebug get a banner
die cut.  Waste not, want not!

I centered the "M" (which is hard with opaque paper!) and blended in Festive Berries. Then I stamped "just for you" inside the "M" with black Archival Ink.  I traced the "M" with Barn Door to give it a more define look.

I used a strip from the Tattered Banners die and stamped happy birthday on it.  I inked the banner with Vintage Photo and Festive Berries.

Last I took a couple of strips of seam binding and dyed one with Broken China and another with Festive Berries.

I liked working with stencils a lot.  Stamping inside them, I think, was my favorite technique :)

Creative Chemistry 102, Day 1

I am taking the Creative Chemistry 102 class and wow!  Just the first day is jammed pack with information.   Today I tried out two techniques with distress paints: marbling effect and patina.  This is my tag.  I kept it simple so I could remember what the marbling effect looks like.  I used  Antique Linen, Broken China, and Antiqued Bronze Distress Paints.  On the edges I used Tumbled Glass and Antique Linen Distress Pads. The lock is from Hardware Findings die cut and the woman is the ballerina from the Tiny Things stamp set.  I fell in love with the patina look but I think I would have been more successful if I had chosen smoother paper so it could look more metallic. But it was fun and I can't wait to learn more :)

12 Tags of 2013 - Ghostly Galleon

Wow, it's been a long time since I have posted anything.  Work has been busier than ever - that puts a big dent on crafting!  But I had some time in the morning to create a tag for Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of 2013.  The theme is Halloween and I couldn't wait to start because I had an idea in my mind.  Here it is:

I recently did an ATC in black and white and I wanted to work in black and white again.  Perfect for something Haloweeny!

I added an Idea-ology hole reinforcer with vintage people on the top of my tag to go with my "ghostly" theme.

I stamped my image from Artistic Outpost's Huck Finn set onto to black cardstock with Versamark and embossed it with Frosted Crystals - this stuff is cool!  I dabbed some Perfect Pearls in Pewter onto the embossed image and it "stuck". I  distressed the sides and added some Distress Stain in Weathered Wood on my tag.

I added Distress Stain in White Picket Fence onto the tag and just swished it with my finger (super techie, huh?) to try to make them look like clouds.  I stamped the weathered clock from the Life's Possibilities stamp set using Distress Satin in White Picket Pence, too.

I tried to make waves using my White Picket Fence Distress Marker but that wasn't going so well...

 I threw caution into the wind and the Burlap Stencil on my tag and stomped (instead of gently dabbing) on the the Distress Stain in White Picket Fence.  I spritzed it with water to soften the look. Then I placed my stamped image on top which I had fussy cut and trimmed the sides.

Next, I took my Distress Stickles Dry Glitter in Clear Rock Candy and dyed it with Black Soot Alcohol Ink. It took only like 4 drops and it was a whole lot easier than I thought it would be. I spread it over the bottom of the boat and on sections of the ribbon.  The ribbon was dyed with White Picker Fence and Black Soot Distress Markers.  And that's it!  That's all she wrote...

Ballerina Ornament

Welcome, crafty friends!  You have reached the end of the Christmas in July Blog Hop.  Thank you for taking the time to visit.

For the Christmas in July Blog Hop, I decided to make a ballerina ornament.  I live in a house full of males so I felt like making something girly and pretty.  And a ballerina definitely fits the bill!

I cut out the ballerina and the layers from Shall We Dance.  If you don't have Shall We Dance, there are all sorts of ballerinas from different cartridges.  They range from cute - Twinkle Toes, Create-a-Critter, Hello Kitty, Paper Doll Dress Up.  To more elegant - Joy of the Season.


I Googled ballerina images and the costumes are stunning.  This inspired me to add more details.

I used red paper but I wanted a deeper red and painted over it using Glimmer Glam paint.  I used the paint to paint my tulle also.

I dry embossed the the top.  I had to be careful to use a folder that had small details.  Otherwise, the pattern gets lost on a small piece of paper.

Next, I added some glitter on the embossed part.  Before I assembled all the pieces together, I took pieces of tulle and glued them to the skirt and trimmed the edges.  This piece has a tiny pieces like the eyes and mouth and the easiest way for me to handle them was by using the QuickStik.  I might have pulled out some hair otherwise!   :)

After assembling the pieces, I got my shadow pieces ready.  I cut chipboard with the blade at 6 and using the multi-cut.  I was so pleased it worked!  It was the first time I had used chipboard.  I cut the gold paper once and then another pieces using the flip feature so that back of the chipboard would be finished.

Lastly, I added a jewelry bail because I did not want to poke a hole in my lovely ballerina.

Use a glue that is made to be used with metal.

Close-up

It's a little early but I hope your Christmas will be merry and bright :)

Machine: 
Cricut Expression

Materials:
Shall We Dance Cricut Cartridge
Paper: Recollections and Bazille
Tattered Angels Smooches Glimmer Glam
Reflected Damask by Anna Griffin for Provocraft
Donna Salazar Fairy Dust Glitter  in Sugar Shimmer
Melissa Frances Tulle
Stampin' Up Watercolor Wonder Crayon in Pretty in Pink

Find-Its Small Jewelry Bail

If you missed any of the projects, here is the line up:

1~ Scrapalette at Around the Block with Scrapalette
2~ Angela at Angie's Paper Passion
3~ Colleen at Col's Creative Corner
4~ Theresa at Scraps by Gracie
5~ Beth at SeaSwan's Thoughts
6~ Laura at Cool Beans by L.B.
7~ Lori <----- You are here!

Thanks again for stopping by. 

Tiny Treasure Birthday Card

Today I have a child's birthday card.  When I looked through the Tiny Treasures booklet, this happy little bird grabbed my attention for some reason.  Maybe because it was so chubby and cuddly with big round eyes :-)

First, I wrapped some chevon pattern washi tape onto a white sheet of paper. Next, I dry embossed the paper  with Baby's Breath embossing folder to give background some texture without taking the focus away from the fun little bird.  I have wrapped the washi first because it would be hard for the washi tape to adhere to the paper otherwise.

I cut my bird  pieces at 2.5 on the Cricut and assembled them.  I added a little white highlight on the eye so it didn't look so flat. 

I inked the edges with a little Tea Dye Distress Ink because it has a peachy undertone for depth.  I also added Glossy Accents onto the round cut out pieces on the tail to help them pop out.  Without the Glossy Accents the little circles might not pop out enough because of the patterns and colors on the bird.



I used pop dots to adhere the bird to the card.

Lastly, I worked with the heart.  I cut out the heart from Fabulous Findings at .75 inches.  I stamped "wish" with Staz-On ink because I knew I wanted to spritz the heart with some Gilmmer Mist. I used two different types of mists.  When it dried, I threaded the baker's twine through the hole, tied it and added a rhinestone.

So there it is!  A birthday card for a baby or a girl!

I am entering this card in:
Crafts & Me Challenges: Challenge #138, Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday: Challenge 275, Fly Like a Bird

Cricut Cartridges Used: Tiny Treasures, Fabulous Finds

Cricut Machines Used: Cricut Expression
Project type: Birthday Card

Other Materials: Paper - Stampin' Up (pattern), Bazille (olive), Recollections (white & cream).  Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist: Iridescent Gold, Creme de Cocoa.  Sentiment - Papertrey Ink Mega Messages.  Ink Pads - Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Tea Dye, Staz-On Timber Brown.Embossing Folder - Provocraft Baby's Breath. Twine, washi tape from my stash.

Christmas in July 2013

Scrapalette from Around the Block with Scrapalette is hosting a Christmas in July Blog Hop!

 

Every Saturday, there will be a different theme and lots of creative ideas. Prizes will be offered.

 

July 6 for Gift Card Holders

July 13 for Christmas Cards

July 20 for Christmas Ornaments

July 27 for Anything Goes Projects!

 

I joined in for the Christmas Ornaments part of the blog hop on July 20th.

 

Scrapalette made the cutest little Elf Nuggest Rockers to kick it all off!

 

 

 

Anniversary Clock

I made a pocket watch anniversary card for my husband using a quote from I Corinthians that we used in our wedding ceremony program.

To make the clock, I used the pocket watch die from Tim Holtz using paper from Melissa Frances.  I cut out an extra die and cut off the top - the part that would be attached to the fastener.  I painted it in Antiqued Bronze Distress Paint and then I added just a tiny bit of Ranger Alcohol Ink in Latte.  Adding the alcohol ink made the piece less shiny and more antique looking with the two tones.  I attached the Idea-ology Swivel Clasp Fastener which I also dabbed with Antiqued Bronze Distress Paint.

I love butterflies so I added one using a stamp from Cavallini & Co.and dusted on some Perfect Pearls to give it that subtle sparkle.  Blue Raspberry Perfect Pearls - kind of loses the romance of the whole piece :)  I used the Frayed Burlap and Antique Linen Distress Ink Pad to antique the edges.  The seam binding is painted with Weathered Wood Distress Ink Reinker - my new favorite color.  Love the blue, gray hues.  Lastly, I added a pin from a swap I was in and small key from Recollections.

I am entering the clock card in:
Crafts & Me Challenge Blog -  Challenge #137 Vintage

Our Creative Corner - Recipe - From List A, I have a ribbon (seam binding).  From List B, I have metal (swivel clasp fastener and key).  From List C, I have paints (Distress Paint in Antiqued Bronze) and inks (Ranger Alcohol Ink in Latte, Weathered Wood Distress Ink Reinker)

Crafty Sentiments Designs - Card Project for a Male

Paper Playtime  - Ch #12 Anything Goes

Love to Create Challenge Blog - #69 Shabby or Vintage

Thank you for visiting! :)

 

 

Little drops of water, little grains of sand,

Make the mighty ocean, and the pleasant land.

So the little minutes, humble though they be,

Make the mighty ages of eternity.

 

~ JULIA CARNEY, Little Things 

  

Steampunk Inspired World of Oz

I participated in a tag swap on the Cricut message board.  My partner is into steampunk and grunge styles which I thought I could have a lot of fun with.  She didn't name a theme, though, so I racked my brain for a starting off point.  But I couldn't think of anything until... I read a review about a book named Cinder.  Cinder is a twist on the fairytale Cinderella.  Cinderella, in this case, was a cyborg - half machine, half human.  I thought - Cool!

Well, I don't know how it became Oz inspired but it did and I tried to make some of the tags have movement of some sort.  Here they are:

Supplies: Graphic 45 Paper (Magic of Oz), Tim Holtz Textured Faded Bricked, Ranger Perfect Pearls, Cricut Cartridge pop-Up Neighborhood for the hot air balloon image, Seam Binding with Weathered Wood and Peeled Paint Distress Stains, assorted gears.

The picture wheel can move and each one has a picture or word.

Supplies: Graphic 45 Paper (Magic of Oz), Tim Holtz Ideology Spinner, Tim Holtz Alterations Picture Wheel die, Seam Binding with Fired Brick Distress Stain.

Supplies: Graphic 45 Paper (Magic of Oz), Tim Holtz Ideology Spinners and Clock, Cricut Gypsy Wandering cartridge for the show, grungeboard, Seam Binding with Fired Brick Distress Stain assorted gears, Tim Holtz Distress Pad in Black Soot, Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint Metallic Brushed Pewter .

Sorry! Very Blurry - will try to get another pic.

Supplies: Graphic 45 Paper (Magic of Oz), Stampabilities Vintage Map Stamp, Zing! Embossing Powder in Brown Sugar, Tim Holtz Idea-ology Findings Memo Pins,  Tim Holtz Idea-ology Gears, Snug Hug Seam Binding with Weathered Wood Distress Stain, Tim Holtz Alterations
Sizzix Decorative Strip Dies - Mini Filmstrip & Mini Tickets, assorted gears, Stampendous Frantage Encrusted Jewels, Tim Holtz Distress Pad in Black Soot.

One arm and both legs are re-positional.

Supplies: Graphic 45 Paper (Magic of Oz), Tim Holtz Ideology Gears and Mini Brads, Seam Binding with Peeled Paint and Weathered Wood Stain,  Ranger Perfect Pearls, Tim Holtz Steampunk Texture Fade Embossing Folder, Tim Holtz Distress Pads in Antique Linen, Evergreen Bough, Tim Holtz Chitchat Sticker Book for "wishful".

I made a little pocket for the "no place like home" tag.

Supplies: My Mind's Eye cardstock, Tim Holtz Ideology Gears, Sizzix Movers & Shapers Large Base Die By Tim Holtz Pocket Envelope, Tim Holtz Distress Pads in Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy.

Supplies: Graphic 45 Paper (Magic of Oz), Tim Holtz Ideology Trinket Pin, Advantus Fragment Charms,
Tim Holtz Idea-ology PHILOSOPHY TAGS Hardware Metal Charm, Snug Hug Seam Binding with Weathered Wood Stain,  Tim Holtz Clocks Texture Fade Embossing Folder, Tim Holtz Distress Pads in Peeled Paint, Spiced Marmalade, Chipped Sapphire.

Thank you for looking

Pinch Me!

Hi, everyone!  I have decided to do another layout.  Yes, I am not giving up on my quest to become a better scrapbooker. :)

My sister got my five month old, Matthew, a cute little outfit that said: Pinch Me, I'm Cute!  There was a funny little crab on top of the words and I thought to myself:  Well, wouldn't that make a great title for a layout?  I never think about layouts by accident and usually force myself to make them.  So I further thought to myself: Well, I better scrap it, then!

This is the original picture which was cropped for the layout.

I used the Martha Stewart Crafts Birthday Cake Art cartridge for the letters: Chic Font.  They are cut at 1 in.  The fun crabs come from the Life's a Beach cartridge.  I cut those at 1.5 in.  I sprinkled on some Clear Rock Candy Dry Glitter.  This stuff is great because it is see through but you can get still the sparkle!  (Which I am milking until the boys get older because by then I don't think glitter will quite cut it.)  

Close up of crab

Lastly, I cut some yellow and turquoise rectangles at 2.25 x 5.5 and arranged them on the side.

I am finding - at least, for myself - that if I keep scrapbooking simple I enjoy it more.  Which is kind of funny because I can make some pretty complicated cards. :D

I hope you enjoy your weekend, get crafty and find some good deals for National Scrapbooking Day, May 5th!