Crafty Secrets September Challenge

Hello Everyone!

WOW!  Can you believe we are into the month of September?

These days/months/years are going by way-y-y too fast!!

Being the first Monday of a new month indicates a new
Challenge at Crafty Secrets.  

The Design Team's theme this month is Halloween or Back to School.  

I went with Halloween although we don't do much 

to celebrate other than hand out candy to about 200 kids!  LOL!

Here's my card and tutorial ... hope you like it!

Earlier this month I shared a couple of cards I created for another DT using the Bokeh technique.  Today I've used that same technique and will share with you how I did it.  I hope you'll give it a try.

The first thing I did was to print out the images/paper I wanted to use for my project using the Crafty Secrets 'Creating with Vintage Halloween' CD.  I brought my images into a Word10 document and sized them to my specifications.  The orange musical paper is 5x7 and I've superimposed the lacy tassel image across the top. 

 Next I created my own circle template by using the packaging from a die set and running it through my die cutting machine using a variety of circle dies.

 Now comes the fun!

I've secured my paper down using washi tape then position your 'stencil' over the top of your paper and sponge with your white CRAFT ink.  Let it dry a bit then move your stencil around and do some more.

While your background dries you can have fun cutting out your 'pieces and parts' that you want to use to create your card.  I used decorative scissors to cut around my focus image and a swivel craft knife to cut the pumpkin and cat.  I've also used a few die cuts to 'bring it all together'.

Challenges to share in:
Allsorts Challenge - Lots of Layers
Crafty Calendar Challenge - Anything Goes
Daring Cardmakers - Inspiration Board

I hope you'll come join in our challenge fun!  For some fabulous tutorials, tips & tricks, please take a minute and check out what my team mates have created for you today.  Here's the hop list ...

Kathy Clement, DT Leader :  http://www.kathybydesign.com

Diane Hover:  http://www.nelliesnest.blogspot.com

Ginny Nemchak:  https://pollyspaper. wordpress.com/

Melody Clement:  http://papermelodys.wordpress.com/

Michele Kovack:   http://chelemom.blogspot.com/

Sheila Rumney:   http://www.sheilarumney.com/

Teresa Horner:   http://victorianpaperqueen.blogspot.com/

As always ...

Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Black cs, Crafty Secrets digital paper from the 'Creating with Vintage Halloween' CD
Dies:  Creative Expressions Sue Wilson Finishing Touches 'MaidenHair Fern' #CED1433, XCut Dies - Leaves - XC503194, Spellbinder Shapeabilities 'Graveyard Scenes & Shapes' #S4-279

Stamp over Stencil . . .

HELLO EVERYONE!

I hope you're having a fabulous Labor Day Weekend!

We had such a great time at grandson, Jonathan's 18th birthday bash yesterday!  And today we are headed over to the neighbor's a little later in the day for a cookout!  I love visiting and spending time with family & friends!!!

But before it's time to head over, I thought I'd take a peek around blogland and found another awesome technique to try.  What I found to play with today is called STAMPING OVER STENCILS.  I spotted it on the MFPSpeedy TV Site.  It's easy, fun and I'm thrilled with the outcome ... what do you think?

Isn't this cool!

Using this technique places the butterflies in the background and keeps the stencil pattern in the foreground!  Awesome!  I decided to add the Sue Wilson 'Greek Island Collection' corners (found HERE) and popped them up for ANOTHER dimension.  

I've been having so much fun this week ... taking time to try some NEW (to me) techniques.  Did you catch my cards (HERE ... HERE ... and HERE) which utilized the White Wash technique?  And tomorrow I'll be sharing a card (with tutorial) using the Bokeh technique. 

Have you tried any new techniques lately?  If so, leave me a link in the comment section of this post.  I would LOVE to pop over to see what you've created and give it a try!! 

Ooops forgot to mention I created this card for the MFP Stamp Shop: Speedy Fox and Friends #278 Challenge which is to use this technique.  Let's see if I can find a few additional challenges to share my card in:
Fantasy Stampers Challenge - The color Purple
GraphIt Colour Challenge - Anything Goes/Backgrounds
Jo's Scrap Shack Challenge - Anything Goes

Well time is flying so I'd better get movin'!

Have a wonderful day and thanks so much for stopping by!

As always . . .

Recipe:

Papers: White cs, SU Old Olive cs, SU design paper

Stamps/Ink: Rubber Stampede, Serendipity Stamps / Versafine Onyx, Tim Holtz 'broken china' & 'dusty concord'

Accessories: Memory Box stencil, Sue Wilson 'Greek Island Collection' corner die, large sponge daubers, SU dimensionals

Time Goes By Too Fast . . .

Hello Again Dear Friends ...

 Just wanted to take a quick minute to share a card 

I made for my grandson Jonathan's 18th birthday today. 

WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?

 A quick explanation of the card front photos!

Let me set the stage ...

I come from a very large family (mother had 3 brothers and 8 sisters) and for as long as I can remember, we ALWAYS had a family reunion.  With there being 44 First Cousins, the day came (28 years ago) that we decided it was time for us to 'expand' the reunion to an ALL WEEKEND event with Friday evening and Saturday being just the 1st cousins ... then Sunday the entire family.  This all takes place on the eldest 1st cousins many acres farm.

A few years back, at the Sunday FAMILY reunion, one of my other cousins provides all types of fun to keep the kids occupied.  i.e. Dunk tank, Blow Up Water Slide, one of those Bounce Houses ... you get the idea.  But before he started doing that the little car slide you see Jon riding on in the first photo (2005) was always occupied.

Last weekend at the reunion I ask Jon to 'humor me' and go sit on the slide one last time before he becomes an official 'adult'.  He was sweet enough to do this for me but at 6'4" ... he had a hard time even pretending to sit on it let alone attempt riding it!  LOL  Such a good sport!

We should have known back then he would be a racer!

After all ... this little thing had WHEELS on it and could go fast for a little tike! LOL

Hence the inside of his card! 

It is computer generated to showcase his love of racing as you can see by these photos.  

And yes ... he's very good at it! 

He has a room FULL of trophies to be proud of.

Thanks so much if you've taken the time to view this post and comment!  

I have always LOVED being a MOM and have been blessed with two beautiful grandchildren that bring me so much love and joy!   Life is GOOD!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JON!

COFFEE or TEA???

YAY!  IT'S FRIDAY !!

Are you a TEA or COFFEE drinker?

Well, I happen to be both!  

Coffee in the A.M. and Tea in the P.M.

Today I have two cards to share with you that were created for the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog.

I've recently been commissioned to make some cards/projects for a local 'tea shoppe' and I LOVE that I can go to the Dies R Us Store and find a variety of 'Tea Related' dies to create with.

Here's a couple of cards I made recently ...

Isn't this Taylored Expressions Eventful Tea Party Die (TE605) set adorable??

WOW!  These dies go in and out of the store SO FAST!

Every time I think I'll share something really cool .... everyone else thought it was cool too and bought them out!!  LOL!   YEP ... this die is OUT OF STOCK but check out this Trimcraft First Edition Tea Party die set ... how cut is that!!!  Guess I'll be adding it to my next order before it disappears too!  LOL!

For the inside I stamped this fun Rubber Cottage sentiment onto a scrap piece of design paper used on my card front ... added this adorable little bird  (Memory Box 'Contempo Birds' #30017) and a Martha Stewart 'Vine Trim' punched panel.

Now, how about this card creation ... talk about QUICK & EASY!!

I've used a piece of design background paper from a 6x6 Graphic45 pack ... stamped 'Tea Time' all over it then added my Poppystamps 'Tea Cup Stack' (POPPY-1086) panel.

I've created my tea cup stack panel but first die cutting the teacups from white card stock.  Adhered them to a scrap piece of medium blue card stock THEN I die cut a frame using the Impression Obsession Rectangle 6-in-1 Frame (DIE242).  How awesome is this die ... SIX different frames that cut all at the same time!  LOVE IT!!

Since I already had my tea cup panel cut and laying on the table to be turned into a card, I actually got lucky that THIS particular frame panel fit ... well, ALMOST fit!

It wasn't quite perfect,  so I created a border with gold Stickles and VIOLA!

Well, there you have it!  Remember, if there is a particular 'themed' die you're needing to work with, simply go to the SEARCH box at the store and type it in.  You'll be AMAZED how many awesome dies will pop up in front of you ... I'm sure you'll find exactly what you'll need!!

Hope you have a fabulous weekend ahead!

REMINDER:  You still have plenty of time to join in the current challenge at our Dies R Us Challenge Blog.  Our theme this time around is BACK TO SCHOOL.  

We'd love to have you come join us!! 

As always . . .

White Wash #3

I'm BACK again!  Promise ...  last time today!

I just couldn't wait to do another card using the same 'White Wash' technique

 required for the challenge over at the Mod Squad Challenge blog 

and this time, as mentioned in my last post, I did it on black paper. 

 

I actually made TWO cards ...

 This one using the white ink first ... then blue & purple.

The green on the leaves is difficult to see ... maybe should have used a lighter shade!

On the second card I used the same white ink but then ONLY the blue with same green for the leaves.  

 

 

Both of these cards are beautiful IRL and will be wonderful additions to my birthday craft show box.  

Can you tell I really like this technique?  LOL!!

 

 I've really enjoyed my crafting day today!

Playing with a new, fun technique using various background papers.

I hope you've had a good crafting day too!

Now I'd better go spend a little time with my other half!

Don't want him to feel neglected!  LOL

Thanks for taking a peek and please let me know what you think.

Which posting was your favorite with this technique??

As always . . .

White Wash #2

I'm BACK ...

I just couldn't wait to do another card using the same 'White Wash' technique

 required for the challenge over at the Mod Squad Challenge blog 

and this time I did it on white paper.

 Although beautiful ... the white wash technique does 'loose a little something'

when done on white paper.

(lol ... think I'll try black paper next and see what that looks like)

 I'm still VERY happy with the outcome of this card and it will be

a fabulous addition to my birthday sale box for the craft show.

Inside Sentiment

Challenges:
Crafting with an Attitude - Anything Goes
Crafty Girls Creations Challenge #3 - Anything Goes 
Time Out Challenge - Make Your Mark - Monochromatic Colors

Back to work ... LOL!

Just had to share!

As always . . .

Recipe:

Papers:  White cs, SU Old Olive cs

Stamp/Ink:  SU 'Morning Soft', Stamp Simply 'Birthday Blessings' / Versafine Onyx, VersaMark, craft white ink, TH 'broken china', TH 'picked raspberries', Momento 'bamboo leaves'

Accessories:  JoAnn Craft Essentials 'White' embossing powder, water brush, large sponge dauber, Really Reasonable Ribbon satin ribbon from the June Ribbon Club Assortment

Birthday Blessings ...

Hello Dear Friends!

Today is a special day for my sweet daughter, Carolyn!

It's her birthday and words can not express what this lovely lady means to me!!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

 

The card I have prepared to share with you today is to satisfy the challenge over on the Mod Squad Challenge Blog.  The theme is to use the 'white wash' technique and thankfully, they offer a video by Melanie Muenchinger of GinaK Designs.  Check it out!

 

This was a fun and easy technique and I really like the soft looking outcome.

I will be using this technique on a few more cards since I have a lot to get done for upcoming Fall craft shows and this is something a little 'different'!

 

 

I chose an OLD SU stamp for my focus image from the 'Morning Soft' set.  And, my sentiments are from the 'Birthday Blessings' set I won recently over on the Stamping Simply with Sharon Johnson blog (thanks Sharon!).

 

Don't ask me why ... but I truly struggle using 'kraft' paper.  I'm just not in love with it  ...  but since that's what Melanie used in her video I thought I'd give it a whirl.  HOWEVER ... I'm going to use white card stock next time and see if I like the outcome as much (color wise).

 

Challenges to share in:

2 Creative Chicks September Challenge - Anything Goes

Card Mania Challenge - Pastel Colors

Let's Craft and Create Challenge - Pearls or Lace

 

Guess I'd better 'get back to work' ...

Thanks so much for stopping by today ...

Hope you are having a fabulous week!

As always ...

Recipe:

Papers:  White cs, Baby Blue cs, Kraft cs, Black cs

Stamp/Ink:  SU 'Morning Soft', Stamp Simply 'Birthday Blessings' / Versafine Onyx, VersaMark, craft white ink, TH 'broken china', Momento 'bamboo leaves'

Accessories:  JoAnn Craft Essentials 'White' embossing powder, Kaiser white pearls, water brush,

2 Crafty Girls Challenge

Hello Everyone and Happy September!

WHAT?  September already!!

Today I have a card to share that was created for the new, 'revamped' challenge blog called 2 Crafty Girls .  We kind of got off to a s-l-o-w start last month and would reallyappreciate your help in spreading the word and PLEASE ... come join in the fun!

Today our fabulous sponsor is:

And here's our September Mood Board ...

You can choose 1, 2 or all three as your inspiration!
The fun photo ... the technique ... and/or the sketch!

I loved the photo inspiration AND was quite intrigued by the BOKEH EFFECT technique.  
So, I went 'in search of' instructions and actually found two different versions.

WHAT does a crafter do in that situation?

WHY OF COURSE ... create a card using each of the technique versions!

This first version is my favorite and probably closest to the true technique form.

I have used reinkers, watercolor paper, and a waterbrush to create the background. THEN created my own stencil of circles by repurposing the packaging from a recent die purchase and sponging white craft ink over the background once it was dry. It's actually a bit difficult to see in my photos but the card IRL is BEAUTIFUL!

The image I chose is a VERY OLD Stampin' Up set called 'Summer By The Sea' (circa 204) and the sentiment I chose is from Impression Obsession.

I stamped the image once onto my bokeh background panel ... then again onto a piece of what card stock.  After coloring my image using Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, I did a bit of fussy cutting and paper pieced the main image onto the stamped image on the bokeh panel.

I had a scrap of my bokeh paper left so decided to make a matching tag ... 'waste not want not' they say!  LOL

 

 The second set of instructions had me using watercolor paper, Gelatos, water-based ink and a rubber stamp.  After outlining my stamp with a blue Gelato, I wet it with my water brush and stamped an image onto the watercolor paper (under the foreground butterfly).  Then using the water brush 'colored' in the edges of the stamped image ... going a bit outside the lines ... since it would be used as the 'shadow effect' of the main butterfly once completed.

The second butterfly was stamped in black then colored in with markers and gelatos. Fussy cut, curled the wings then added over top the first butterfly. The eraser of a pencil was used to create the bokeh dots but first stamping in ink ... then gelatos .. making sure to keep the first 'stamp' closest to my image and fade out to the sides.

I actually found this version over on Splitcoast Stampers ... if you're a member, just go to the Tutorials ... then techniques and look for bokeh.

Our challenge runs through SEPTEMBER 30th ... 8 PM EST.

Part of the team is sharing inspiration today and the other half of the team, as well as our Guest Designer, will share inspiration mid-way through our monthly challenge!  Please pop over HERE and check it out!

Challenges to share in:
Color My World Challenge - Anything Goes
Love to Create Challenge - Anything Goes/Mixed Media
Alphabet Challenge - N for NO designer paper

I can't wait to see what you create!

Thanks for stopping by today and have a FABULOUS day!

As always . . .

One Die ... Two Cards

Hello Friends!

SEPTEMBER!!  Can you believe it??

Today I have not one but TWO cards I've created using one die set as my main framing focus!  I have created these cards for the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog.  If you've not checked out this site, please take a minute and pop over now!  This team creates inspirational cards for you Monday thru Friday using dies from the Dies R Us Store.

Now, onto my cards!  UNFORTUNATELY, the die set I am referring to is sold out at our store at the present time, but I will share the information with you, in hopes of it coming back on the shelf and you can get this fabulous set for yourself.  Here are my cards and all the 'particulars' ...

Primary framing die set I mentioned is:  Spellbinder Nestabilities 'Romantic Rose' #S5-230

Other dies used on this first card are:

Cheery Lynn Designs:  Horizon Fishtail Banner  #DL278

Memory Box:  Amazing You #30015

Memory Box:  Stitched Square Layers #30038 (Inside)

Also used on the creation of this card:

Martha Stewart 'Monarch' & '3 in 1' Butterfly punches, Butterfly Border punch

Stamps:  Endless Creations and Hero Arts

 For my second card I have used the two 'inside/smaller' dies in this set for the front cover frame as well as the inside sentiment panel.

 The other die used on this quick & easy to make birthday card is the Spellbinder 'Fairy Cierra' #S2-103.   Once again I'm sorry to report that this particular fairy die is Out of Stock but the Spellbinder D-Lites -Fairy Ariana #S2-102 is in stock and would work beautifully as well!

The stamps used on this card are:

Just for Fun and The Stamp Pad Co.

Please don't forget about our Dies R Us Challenge Blog.  There's a new challenge theme offered on the 1st and 15th of each month with one lucky entry winning a gift voucher to the DRU store.

Why not come join in the fun ... just follow the theme and use at least one die cut on your creation.

Lots to get done today so I'd better get busy!

Have a fabulous week and thanks so much for stopping by!

As always ...