ATCs from Magenta Scraps

I am up on the Magenta blog today with two ATCs made from scraps. After creating my Magenta "Circle of Friends" layout, I had some interesting shaped patterned paper scraps from the smallest circles. I used them and some of the other leftover altered paper pieces to create these two ATCs.

To make them, I gessoed 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" kraft cardstock pieces. Next, I stamped a script Vintage Letter background on one and a Sheet of Music background on the other and then used more gesso to adhere the circle scraps in different designs. Then, I heat embossed the Make Time to Play and Art sentiments on each different background.

Next, I used the two distressed Small Asian Bubble Flowers that I had leftover and punched small and smaller flowers out of the stamped flowers' surrounding distress paper. To finish them off, I adhered the flowers in different arrangements and to one I added jewels... 

and to the other I added black glitter glue.

Using up layout scraps to make cards and/or ATCs is quick and easy. The leftover pieces are already colour coordinated and using them is a great way to avoid wastage. Just another way to make your crafting supplies go that little bit further.

TTFN,

Magenta products used:

Lilianne Patterned Paper ME232

Tangerine Odyssey Patterned Paper ME076

Small Asian Bubble Flower 0629.G

Sheet of Music 95.194.M

Vintage Letter 95.214.M

07.936.E

07.949.F

Winter Colours

I love how the male cardinal goes such a vibrant red in the winter, thus my homage to the winged creature's bright beauty.

To stencil the background, I used the 5"x7" Small Birch Forest stencil and Cerulean Blue Nuance powder with a wet makeup sponge to activate and pounce on the colour. On 140 lb cold press watercolour paper, I started darker at the bottom and gradually lightened up a bit as I coloured up wards. Then, once it was dry, I added colour with Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress ink and a White Stabilo All pencil and dimension by shading with a graphite Stabilo All pencil. Next, on a separate piece of watercolour paper, I stamped the cardinal and watercoloured the image using Red, Scarlet, and Grey Nuance. I added just a touch of Orange Nuance to brighten the beak. After the cardinal had dried, I fussy cut him out. Then, I stamped and heat embossed the Happy Birthday sentiment onto the card. Lastly, I adhered the cardinal in a spot that made sense for the cardinal's claws, rounding him slightly to give him some added dimension.

I hope you see some bright feathered friends where you are to bring colour into your winterscape.

TTFN,

Magenta products used:

84.017.P

TM56

07.743.G

MNU011

MNU015

MNU010

MNU014

MNU006

All Aboard for CHA's Creativation

CHA's Creativation starts this week, which means it is time for the Emerald Creek's new release reveals to begin. With so many creative goodies to play with, it was hard to pick which of my creations to share first on my blog. Since my make 'n take class is a mixed media piece, I elected to go with a clean and simple multi-occasion watercolour card. In creating this card, I went on a little adventure across the new lines... I frolicked in the "Reef", I dabbled in the "Mill", and I contemplated in the "Quarry". Those are in reference to the names, that owner Kim at Emerald Creek has given to the segments of the release.

Supplies: Conch Shell stamp, sentiment stamp, Clear and Oil Rubbed Bronze emboss powders,  Citrine stones (Emerald Creek Craft Supplies), Tim Holtz Distress inks [Antique Linen, Spun Sugar, Abandon Coral, Mermaid Lagoon], Versamark (Tsukineko), graphite aquarelle All (Stabillo), 140 lb hot press watercolour paper (Fluid)

I started in the "reef" by stamping the conch shell with a precision stamping tool (in my case a MISTI). I first wet the watercolour paper and then stamped with Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress ink. Then, I used a waterbrush to move the colour around. Next, I stamped with Spun Sugar and Antique Linen again. Once that was dry, I stamped with VersaMark and clear embossed the shell and then coloured it with Spun Sugar and Abandon Coral. Next, I used Mermaid Lagoon to colour the water and a Stabillo graphite All pencil for shading. Once that was done, I splattered on some Antique Linen and Mermaid Lagoon. Then, I masked of the "est" part of the Warmest Wishes sentiment stamp and just used the warm wishes part with Oil Rubbed Bronze emboss powder. While at first I had gotten a perfect clean stamped sentiment image, I decided at this point to add a few loose grains to give my "sand" area more character. In order to not have the grains blow into unwanted areas, I heated them from below the paper. Lastly, I visited the Quarry and used the Citrine stones to add embellishment details and a little sparkly pizzaz to the sea floor.

I will be at Creativation on Friday and teaching a free mixed media make 'n take class first thing Saturday morning in the Emerald Creek booth #1930. Be sure to stop by and say "Hi", if you are attending the show. I look forward to sharing the creations that I made for the show when I return. 

TTFN,

Emerald Creek Craft Supplies used:

Conch Shell Stamp (Available January 21st)

Warmest Wishes Stamp

Fine Clear Emboss Powder

Oil Rubbed Bronze Powder

Citrine Stones (Available January 21st)

Other items available in the EC shop: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Antique Linen, Spun Sugar, Abandon Coral, Mermaid Lagoon)

Shine Bright ATC

Okay, a rarity for sure... a second post for the day! As I was gathering scraps and cleaning up from my Happy 2017 card, inspiration struck again and I made this ATC out of some of them.

Supplies: Dina Wakley Acrylic Paints [Night, Ocean, Sterling, White, Lime], Star Bright stamp set, gesso, Stickles, white embossing powder (Ranger), white cardstock (CTMH), black cardstock (Bazzill), Signo white pen (Mitsubishi Pencil Co.), star jewels and purple metallic thread (Dollarama)

This came together so fluidly. I just love when that happens! The best part is that I am extremely pleased with the background that I created for this little mixed media gem. I just played with paint and love how it worked.

First, I gessoed the ATC cardstock base and once dry I added some dabs of my new Dina Wakley Acrylic paints in Ocean and Night. I spritzed the card with water and then using a paint brush. I dragged the colours out and let them blend. Next, once it was dry I stamped on Sterling for some shine with a scrap piece of bubble wrap. Lastly, I stamped the shine sentiment from Dina Wakley's Star Bright stamp set with her white paint. I love, love, love, how it turned out!

Assembling the ATC, I added purple metallic thread, silver Stickles, and two star jewels with the scraps and newly made background.

Naturally, as the same inspirations from Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, Work It Wednesday monthly challenge and  Mixed Media and Art were still at play as the original Happy 2017 card, I am adding them into the same challenges once again. Click on any of the image links below to learn more about each challenge.

       

TTFN,

Happy New Year!

With the New Year upon us, it's all about 'new' things . There are two 'new' challenges over at Simon Says Stamp. This week's Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is about using something new as is their Work It Wednesday monthly challenge over on the main blog. And there is a new challenge blog that has popped up on the mixed media scene... Mixed Media and Art. It looks really promising given its' spectacular mood board and amazing design team takes on it. With such wonderful inspiration, I just had to play along.

Supplies: Dina Wakley Acrylic Paints [Night, Ocean, Sterling, Lime Blackberry Violet], Star Bright stamp set, gel medium (Ranger), chipboard numbers (American Crafts), mini shimmer alphas (Making Memories), marker (Sharpie), glass beads (Craft Medley), cardstock (CTMH), glass glitter and aluminum foil (Misc.)

I cracked open some new tubes of Dina Wakley's heavy body acrylic paints in Sterling, Night, and Ocean to make the background. I added a light watered down touch of lime to bring in a green haze. Using the Star Bright stamp set, I then stamped the stars on both foil and cardstock using the Ocean paint and one of my favourite colours of Dina's paints Blackberry Violet. While those were drying up, I added some glass glitter to the American Crafts chipboard numbers. Once they everything was dry, a little fussy cutting, then black and white splatters for the stars and black Sharpie marker edging for the numbers. Next, I adhered the stars in a collage and added the Happy 2017. Lastly, I used soft matte gel to glue down my new shimmery turquoise-green glass beads.


There you have it. A New Year's card for my first new card of the 2017!

If you click on the each image, they are linked to each site's challenges so you can check out the inspirational pieces there.

       

Wishing you and yours a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

TTFN,

Emerald Creek 2016 Review

Today, I am up on the Emerald Creek blog sharing all my Design Team Dare Challenge projects for 2016 with a month-by-month linked pictorial review.

Since I was fortunate to have joined the Emerald Creek Design Team, the later half of 2016 has just flown by. It has been a fun and embossed filled seven months of Emerald Creek goodness. A big thanks goes out to Kim Evans (EC Owner) for giving me an opportunity to create with her products. It is my fervent hope that my Dare projects bring some measure of pleasure and some inspiration to all you Emerald Creek Dares fans out there.

I am super excited that my 2017 with Emerald Creek will begin with me meeting Kim and some fellow Dare mates at CHA in January. I am looking forward to the adventure and the chance to explore and create with the new releases!

TTFN,

Emerald Creek Winter Wishes

As the song goes..."It's the most wonderful time of the year!". It is magical merriment with the wonder and beauty of snow (well at least for us northern folks) and the spirit of holiday celebrations of multiple faiths. 

I paired a red and white colour scheme with elements of a distressed wood background, metal and bling for my card take on this month's Emerald Creek Winter Wishes Dare.

Supplies: Victorian Snowflake Charms, snowflake stamp, Noel sentiment stamp, Candy Red embossing powder (Emerald Creek Craft Supplies), patterned paper (Simple Stories), Tim Holtz Picket Fence Distress ink and paint (Ranger), vellum (The Paper Company), VersaMark  (Tsukineko), baker's twine and card base (Recollections), clear jewels (CTMH), red jewels (Dollarama)

I started my card out by randomly stamping the Flakee stamp on a piece of Cedar/White Ledger Simple Stories Snap Basics distressed wood background paper with Picket Fence Distress ink. Once the ink was dry, I splattered the piece with Picket Fence Distress paint to add some more "snow". While that piece was drying, I heat embossed the Noel stamped image on vellum with Candy Red embossing powder. I used a masked stamping technique to add more of the snowflakes and stars to the rest of the vellum stripe, heat embossing as I went along. Then, I attached two of the Mini Victorian Snowflake Charms and one the larger version using baker's twine and glue dots securing the twine at the back with tape. I assembled the card onto a 4" x 5 1/2" card base and then added the red and clear bling bits to finish it off.

You have until the end of the month to enter the Emerald Creek Winter Wishes Dare. Up for grabs is a $50 gift certificate for the Emerald Creek Shop as well as discount codes for purchases. Details, as well as some other awesomely inspirational takes by my fellow Dare-mates, can be found here on the Emerald Creek Blog.

Sending you warmest wishes for a fun and happy holiday season!

TTFN,

Emerald Creek Craft Supplies used:
Mini Victorian Snowflake Charms
Victorian Snowflake Charm
Flakee Stamp

Noel Stamp
Candy Red Embossing Powder

Lest We Forget

This month, in honour of our veterans, I created this card for Emerald Creek Dares.  As time passes, it is important for us to remember those that made the greatest sacrifice in service to our country... Lest We Forget. It is with great gratitude that we recognize and thank the many men and women that serve our country, protecting rights and freedom, both here at home and around the globe.

First, I Distress inked the card background and the I used the "Remember" stamp from the Fallen Blossom stamp set to create the multi stamped text using a second generation stamping technique to soften and fade it as a background. Then, I heat embossed one of the Remember stampings as a sentiment focal point. Next, the Vintage Timepiece was heat embossed with the Hammered Metal emboss powder and then coloured with a combination of Distress paints and Distress inks. One of the stand alone flowers from the Fallen Blossom set resembles a poppy so I double heat embossed it -first, its' outline in Midnight Black and then filled it with the Candy Red for colour. A little fussy cutting and shaping for both the time piece and poppy to give them dimension. Lastly, I upcycled a Lindt Easter bunny red neck ribbon by aging it with Distress Stain and then threading on two Distress Paint distressed Three Star Metal Bands for a bit of a military touch.

Emerald Creek Products:

Vintage Timepiece Stamp

Fallen Blossom Stamp

Hammered Metal Embossing Powder

Midnight Black Embossing Powder

Candy Red Embossing Powder

Three Star Metal Band Charm

EC store products:

Distress Mini Ink Pads: Antique Linen, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Walnut Stain

Distress Stain: Antique Linen, Vintage Photo

Distress Paint: Peeled Paint, Candy Apple, Antiqued Bronze, Black Soot

For Dare challenge details and to check out my fellow Design Team member's takes on this month's Emerald Creek Dare, please follow this link here.

TTFN,

Falling into Celebration

Part 2 of the Falling into Celebration Dare is up on the Emerald Creek blog today and I have a Diwali card to share with you. To celebrate the Festival of Lights, I went for a stellar display on a Distress ink watercolour galaxy background.

I first stamped the Sunny D sun on a 4 1/4" x 6 1/4" piece of Ranger watercolour paper and heat embossed it using a combination of Tangerine Orange and Vegas Gold emboss powder. Next, I stamped a variety of stars from the Sweet Dreams stamp and heat embossed them in Vegas Gold. To add a bit more light to my future galaxy, I splattered water using a waterbrush and then heat embossed some more Vegas Gold emboss powder on the background.Then came the watercolouring part. I watercoloured the stars using Tim Holtz Scattered Straw mini Distress ink and the sun with combination of Scattered Straw, Dried Marigold, and Ripe Persimmon. Once they were all dry, I wet areas around them using a water brush and then began dropping in other colours (Tumbled Glass, Peacock Feathers, and Wilted Violet). Next, I added Black Soot and Chipped Sapphire, working them with water to allow them to blend. I added in more of the other colours as need until I was pleased with the look. After mounting my dried piece onto black cardstock covered card base, I added the CAC Shishoni Brush script Silhouette cut sentiment to complete the card.


Come celebrate the season with us over at Emerald Creek Dares by entering our Falling into Celebration Dare challenge for a chance to win a $50 store credit. Other projects by my fellow DT mates, can be found here along with the challenge details.

TTFN,

Emerald Creek Products used:

Sunny D stamp

Sweet Dreams stamp

Tangerine Orange Embossing Powder

Vegas Gold Embossing Powder

Other Products available in the Emerald Creek Shop:

Mini Distress Inks - Scattered Straw, Dried Marigold, Ripe Persimmon, Tumbled Glass, Peacock Feathers, Wilted Violet, Chipped Sapphire, Black Soot

Celebrating Fall

As the season turns, we are once again thankful for the fruits of the harvest. For this month's Emerald Creek Dare challenge, I shared an idea for personalized place cards to bring a Fall festive feel to a table setting when celebrating Thanksgiving with family and friends. Loaded with upcycled bits, this project is super easy to put together and uses corrugated cardboard, scraps of burlap, birch bark, and the most readily available and plentiful element of the season... fallen leaves.

I collected a variety of fallen leaves in sizes that would work with the scale of the place card. Try picking those that are newly fallen with greater moisture content. The colour of the leaves is added with emboss powder so you needn't be concerned about the colour of the leaves.

To emboss the leaves, I rubbed a bit of petroleum jelly on the leaves. I used Vegas Gold emboss powder on the oak leaf, Candy Red emboss powder on the maple leaf and a 3/4 to 1/4 mix of Thanksgiving to Tangerine Orange emboss powders on the poplar leaf. I experimented with a variety of ways to adhere the emboss powder to the leaves and while they all worked, I found I really liked the coverage and look of petroleum jelly. It takes a bit longer to activate the emboss powder when heating it and it will bubble due to the moisture content of the leaf. You will get different looks depending how long you heat the emboss powder. I found that I was able to retain a fair amount of detail and truer emboss colour by letting it just get to the heated bubble point but you can heat it for longer causing the leaf to dehydrate and slightly shrink in size. **NB - On a cautionary note, the embossed leaf stays hot longer than normal embossing on paper so be careful with handling until emboss cools.**

The base was made with corrugated cardboard that was scored, folded, and stripped of its' outer layer after being spritzed with water for easier removal. A scrap piece of burlap was glued on with Glue n' Seal and a piece of birch bark was adhered on top of that.

After arranging and adhering the embossed leaves, I used a VersaMark brush pen and hand scripted my guest's name onto the birch bark. I embossed the name with my leftover custom mix of Candy Brown, Mirror Gold, and Vegas Gold emboss powders (see this post here for ratios used).

Come celebrate the season with us over at Emerald Creek Dares by entering our month long Falling into Celebration Dare challenge for a chance to win a $50 store credit. Other awesome projects by my fellow DT members, Deb and Pam, can be found here along with the challenge details.


TTFN,

Emerald Creek Products Used:

Thanksgiving Embossing Powder

Tangerine Orange Embossing Powder

Candy Red Embossing Powder

Vegas Gold Embossing Powder

Candy Brown Embossing Powder

Mirror Gold Embossing Powder