Saturday, November 30, 2013

Double Stamping Technique

Hello everyone!
Last week, Jennifer McGuire demonstrated her ‘Double Stamping Technique’ for Simon Says Stamp using some of the newest Hero Arts stamps and dies. Since they were available at SSS, and I was getting ready to place an order, I decided to add them to my basket.
My order arrived on Wednesday, so I got busy right away ~ 


For my first card, I used 2 shades of shadow inks to stamp the background, created a thin strip with Pale Tomato ink so it would match perfectly, then colored the butterfly, die cut that and popped it up on a circle die cut. 
I would like to enter this card into this week’s Wednesday Challenge at Simon Says Stamp for the theme ‘Anything Goes’






My 2nd card was created for this week’s challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More  This is actually my 2nd submission for this challenge, and the theme is ‘Holidays’. First, I die cut the tree on white cardstock, then I glued and stacked the positive pieces of patterned paper with 2 layers of white cardstock so that when I laid the pieces into the negative openings, they would be raised up off the front panel. I hope that makes sense - lol!


Here is a close up of the layers, which adds dimension to this card:







 If you're wondering where I found all the sparkle for the background on my 2nd card, I used the overlay feature at Pic Monkey called 'Sparkle Stars'...I think it adds a fun effect!

Well, that's it for me! I hope everyone is having a fun weekend, and maybe catching some of the amazing sales that are going on...I am!
Until next time...Take care,
Barb

Have a Fabulous Day
Stamps: Hero Arts - Butterfly and Flower, Tiny Flags
Ink: Memento - Hero Arts - Fresh Peach, Pale Tomato; Tuxedo Black; Versafine - Onyx Black
Cardstock: Neenah Solar White
Dies: Hero Arts - Butterfly and Flower
Markers: Copics - R39, R32, R35
Sequins: Kelly Purkey - Silver
Other: Artistic Wire

Merry & Bright
Stamps: My Favorite Things - Cheerful Christmas Greetings
Ink: Versafine - Onyx Black
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - Stamper’s Select White, Soft Stone; Recollections - Silver Glitter Paper
Patterned Paper: Doodlebug - Home for the Holidays
Die: Papertrey Ink - Polka Dot Parade #9
Sequins: Simon Says Stamp December Card Kit - Clear Sparkly Sequins


Wednesday, November 27, 2013

You're Special

Hello everyone! 
Before I get started, I just wanted to give everyone a 'Heads Up' ~ Paper Smooches is having their November DT Blog Hop! If you're interested, head on over there for a chance to win a $25.00 gift card to their online store!
 
I have a few challenge cards to share today...no surprise, right? For this week’s challenge at Less is More, we are being asked to create a card using a ‘Bird’, and for the challenge at  Addicted to Stamps and More ~ the theme is 'Holiday'. So, how could I resist playing with this adorable Lawn Fawn stamp and die set called Winter Sparrows! I also created a mask and used embossing paste to add the branches for the birds to sit on and added a few gems to represent berries!





I needed a cute card to put into a ‘Care Package’ for my step-granddaughter, who is a freshman in college, so I used my digi stamp called “Mac and Flowers” from the Digi Stamp Boutique. It’s a little tricky to color fur with Copics, so I ran a search on You Tube, and watched a few videos to get some ideas. I colored everything to look 'furry' except his belly...Hope she likes it! I am entering this card for this week’s challenge at Addicted to CAS. Our code word is ‘Pet’ ~


And, here is a close-up of the sparkle on the flowers...I’m completely addicted to my new Wink of Stella pen ~




I’ll be baking pies for the rest of the day, and may not have time to visit blogland as much as usual. So, I’m sending my best wishes to all of my  U.S. friends for a very Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone has safe travels and a great time with friends and family! 
As a new blogger, one of the things I am so grateful for, is the love and support I have received from everyone who takes the time to stop by my blog to leave a sweet comment...Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!

Until next time...Take care,
Barb





Season’s Tweetings
Stamps: Lawn Fawn - Winter Sparrows
Ink: Versamark; Memento - Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: MFT - Steel Gray
Embossing Paste: Wendy Vecchi - White
Dies: Lawn Fawn - Winter Sparrows; Memory Box - Branch
Gems: Kaisercraft - Red

You’re Special
Stamps: Digi Stamp Boutique - Mac and Flowers; Paper Smooches - Sentiment Sampler
Ink: Versafine - Onyx Black
Cardstock: X-Press It - Blending Card; Papertrey Ink - Sweet Blush
Die: Lil Inkers - Stitched Mat Rectangles
Markers: Copics
Misc: Enamel Accents - White; Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Pen

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Chalkboard Technique

Hello everyone! I love creating cards with the chalkboard technique! It takes me back to my Catholic school days when my friends and I would sign up to stay after school to clean the black boards...of course, not before we had a chance to draw all over them first :-) So, I’ve used the chalkboard technique again, and created this card for 2 challenges:
 

Muse Card Club Challenge #44









For the Muse challenge, I was inspired by Marion Vagg’s chalkboard technique and how she added a pop of color on her card. So I inked up my new fave Hero Arts Christmas tree and added some sparkly presents from the Mama Elephant Cozy Christmas stamp set. Plain and simple...but definitely not ‘Clean’!

And this is my 2nd entry for the Designed to Color Challenge  ~ ‘Christmas/Winter’




I hope everyone is has a wonderful week ahead...Thanks so much for stopping by!
Barb



Stamps: Hero Arts - Pen & Ink Christmas Tree, Merry Christmas Trees (sentiment); Mama Elephant - Cozy Christmas (gifts)
Ink: Versamark; Memories - Unicorn;
Cardstock: MFT - Steel Gray; Recollections - Silver Glitter Paper
Embossing Powder: Hero Arts - White
Dies: Simon Says Stamp - Large Holiday Shapes (star)

Gems: Neat & Tangled - Crystal Clear 


Saturday, November 23, 2013

Season's Greetings

Hello everyone!

This is my last card for the 2013 Caring Hearts Card Drive. I have several cards to send off, and I have to stop now, so I can get them in the mail on time. I would also like to enter this card into 2 challenges this week:
Addicted to Stamps and More ~ ‘Make Your Mark’ (use Markers, Pencils, Crayons etc)




Designed to Color Challenge  ~ ‘Christmas/Winter’




I love to ink up this fun little snowman every year, and this time I used my Copic Markers on his hat and scarf. I also added a lot of sparkle and texture to this card with my new Tim Holtz Distress Glitter (thanks, Barb), Flower Soft, Glitter Pen and Liquid Applique! I even added glitter to the flower soft on his hat! Here is a close-up:



Well, that’s it for me. I hope everyone is having a great weekend...Thanks so much for stopping by!
Barb


Stamps: Penny Black - Snowy; Hero Arts - Holiday Sayings
Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black; Versafine - Onyx Black
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - Stamper’s Select White; Stash - Blue
Markers: Copics - R20, C0, C1, B21, B23; Spica Glitter Pen (nose) - Clear
Dies: Lil' Inkers - Stitched Rectangle Mats
Gems: Kaiser Craft - Black
Misc: Tim Holtz Glitter - Clear Rock Candy (pom-pom); Flower Soft (hat) - White; Liquid Applique (snow)


Friday, November 22, 2013

Challenge Cards

Hello everyone!

I have a few CAS cards to share today for 2 challenges. The first one is for Week 71 at CASology  ~ Our cue card this week is ‘Bell’

I was so happy to use the bell die from Avery Elle, since I won this stamp and die set from JJ Bolton during a blog hop a few months ago. So, I die cut it with my silver glitter paper and added the mini bow with red patterned paper. I also used a sentiment from the same set, and embossed the front panel with my largest Lil' Inkers stitched mats die.


For my next card, I used Karolyn Loncon’s sketch for this week’s challenge at CAS(E) This Sketch.

For my 2nd card, I used a chocolate brown card base, and added a white panel with a dark brown sentiment (looks much darker IRL). Once again, I used Avery Elle’s 'Fill in the Blank’ dies for the word with wood veneer paper, then placed the alphas with cranberry cardstock. Lastly, I inked the leaf die to create a gradient of autumn colors and finished the card off with some of my gold sequins!




I hope everyone has a great weekend...Thanks so much for stopping by!
Barb



Peace, Love & Joy
Stamps: Avery Elle - Fill in the Blank
Ink: Memento Luxe - Love Letter
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - Stamper’s Select White; Recollections - Silver Glitter Paper
Patterned Paper: Papertrey Ink - Bitty Box Basics
Dies: Avery Elle - Fill in the Blank; Mama Elephant - Mini Bow; Lil' Inkers - Stitched Rectangle Mats

Let Us Give Thanks
Stamps: Avery Elle - Fill in the Blank
Ink: Hero Arts Shadow Inks - Cup O’ Joe, Butter Bar, Orange Soda; Tim Holtz - Festive Berries
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - Stamper’s Select White, Chocolate Brown; Simon Says Stamp - Cherry Wood Veneer Paper; Gina K. Designs - Cranberry Tart
Sequins: Kelly Purkey for SSS - Satin Gold
Pen: Wink of Stella - Clear

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Holiday Card Workshop Day 4


Hi there blog friends ~ I have 2 more cards to share today!

My first card was inspired by Shari Carroll’s videos in Monday’s class, and it’s a fairly literal interpretation of one her cards. I wanted to add some texture to the card, so I embossed the front panel with my Impression Plate, then  stamped my Lawn Fawn tree stamps from the ‘Let it Snow’ set with Hero Arts Shadow Inks. I added a strip of cardstock and patterned paper, then embossed the sentiment with silver embossing powder. Fianlly, I added my Lawn Fawn snowflake sequins and tied off the small stamped panel with twine. 



 

 

For my 2nd card, I inked up my brand new Hero Arts Patterned Snow stamp with Versamark, then inked it with Pool shadow ink and heat set with clear embossing powder it to give a little shine. I embossed the background with the large snowflake stamp from Lawn Fawn and embossed it in white, then added some sequins...and it was done!

I would like to enter this card in the Hero Arts Holiday Challenge








I hope everyone is doing well ~ We have another class at Holiday Card Workshop today, and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for us...every class has been excellent so far! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Barb



Let it Snow- Lawn Fawn
Stamps: Lawn Fawn - Let it Snow
Ink: Versamark; Hero Arts Shadow Inks - Soft Pool, Tide Pool, Pool, Mint Julep
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - Stamper’s Select White; Bazzill Card Shoppe - Icy Mint
Patterned Paper: American Crafts - Amy Tangerine Sketchbook
Impression Plate: Papertrey Ink - Linen & Canvas
Sequins: Lawn Fawn - Snowflakes
Twine: Hemptique


Let it Snow - Hero Arts
Stamps: Hero Arts - Patterned Snow; Lawn Fawn - Let it Snow
Ink: Versamark; Hero Arts Shadow Inks - Pool
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - Stamper’s Select White, Aqua Mist, Vellum
Embossing Powder: Hero Arts - Clear, White
Gems: Neat & Tangled - Pearl Satin

Monday, November 18, 2013

A few more cards

Hi there blog friends!
I’m sharing a few more cards today...The first one was inspired by Jennifer McGuire using Memory Box Pine Border dies in This Video . I die cut the outline in black and the background in white cardstock, then colored the trees in with Copics. I just got my Wink of Stella pen, so I couldn’t resist adding that to give the trees some shimmer. I can definitely see myself getting addicted to using that!




For my 2nd card, I finally bought a basic tag die, so I wanted to CASE a tag that Laura Bassen had created for Holiday Card Workshop. I used Ranger Antiquities Christmas Tree embossing powder for the tree, and Holographic embossing powder for the red heart. Then, I mounted the tag to a card and used embossing paste to mimic the effects of snow.
Since embossing is one of my favorite techniques, I would like to enter this card in the Hero Arts Holiday Card Challenge




Here is a close up of the 'snowy' card panel:


Well, that’s it for me. I hope everyone has a wonderful week ahead ~ Thanks so much for stopping by!
Barb

Season’s Greetings
Stamps: Lawn Fawn - Let it Snow
Ink: Versafine - Onyx Black
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - Stamper’s Select White, Pure Poppy
Dies: Memory Box - Pine Border Background, Pine Border Outline
Markers: Copics - R24, R27, BG13, BG15
Pen: Wink of Stella
Sequins: Kelly Purkey - for SSS (mixed colors)

Christmas Tree Tag Card - Peace
Stamps: Hero Arts - Pen & Ink Christmas Tree, Merry Christmas Trees (sentiment)
Ink: Versamark
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - Stamper’s Select White, Pure Poppy, Soft Stone
Embossing Powder: Ranger - Antiquities Christmas Tree, Holographic
Dies: Simon Says Stamp - Large Holiday Shapes; Papertrey Ink - Tag Sale #2; Lifestyle Crafts - Banners & Arrows
Stencil: Simon Says Stamp - Falling Snow
Embossing Paste: Wendy Vecchi - White

Saturday, November 16, 2013

2013 Holiday Card Workshop - Day 3

Hi there blog friends! I have 2 cards to share today ~
I’m really enjoying the Holiday Card Workshop and I was so inspired this week with all of the classes! In fact, my first card is a CASE of one of Laura Bassen’s cards...well, except that she created her amazing plaid pattern, and since I haven’t quite mastered that skill yet (not even close, kids) I used some of my Lawn Fawn Christmas papers from last year. Also, I don’t have any holiday word dies, so I used the partial die cutting technique (check out This Video, also by Laura) and added a stamped word.


I am submitting this card to the Less is More Challenge  ~ Use Designer Paper in a CAS way.

For my 2nd card, I CASE’d Cristina Kowalczyk’s card using the same stencil, but I used  embossing paste for the tree, and I didn’t ‘swipe’ it all the way, so I could add texture to the image. It looks pretty cool IRL!

 



I thought this card would be perfect for a few challenges: 
CASology ~ Cue Card is ‘Triangle’ 
Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge ~ Anything Goes.
Festive Friday ~ Use the Colors: Red, White & Aqua


Well, that’s it for me. I hope everyone is doing well and having a great weekend ~ Thanks so much for stopping by!
 

Barb

Hello Santa
Stamps: Lawn Fawn - Claire’s ABC’s
Ink: Versamark
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - Stamper’s Select White; Hero Arts - Pine Layering Papers
Patterned Paper: Lawn Fawn - Fa-la-la Petite Pack
Dies: Papertrey Ink - Hello
Embossing Powder: Hero Arts - White
 


Merry Christmas
Stamps: MFT - Cheerful Christmas Greetings
Ink: Versafine - Onyx Black
Cardstock: MFT - Blu Raspberry; Recollections - Silver Glitter Paper
Stencil: Simon Says Stamp - Diagonal Stripe
Embossing Paste: Wendy Vecchi - White
Gems: Kaisercraft - Red
Dies: Simon Says Stamp - Large Holiday Shapes

Friday, November 15, 2013

ATCAS First Anniversary

Hi everyone ~ 
If you’re also taking the Holiday Card Workshop, then you will understand why my head is spinning with ideas from this week’s lessons...especially this morning! So, I’ll probably/hopefully have another post later today, but in the meantime, Addicted to CAS Challenge Blog is celebrating their 1st Anniversary, and I created this card to submit for the current challenge:




I would also like to submit this card to this week’s challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More  - The theme is ‘Anything Goes’

  

I hope everyone is having a great day, and that you're able to spend some time creating! Take care, and thanks so much for stopping by ~
Barb

Stamps: Hero Arts - Everyday Sayings
Ink: Hero Arts - Cup O’ Joe, Butter Bar; Memories - Unicorn Pigment Ink
Cardstock: Simon Says Stamp - Woodgrain; Papertrey Ink - Stamper’s Select White, Dark Chocolate, Spring Rain, Vellum; MFT - Sno Cone
Dies: Papertrey Ink - Up, Up & Away (clouds), Mat Stack #3; Lawn Fawn - Home Sweet Home (branch and leaves); Wplus9 - Love Birds; Lifestyle Crafts - Banners & Arrows
Markers: Copic - G05, YG09
Pearl Gems: Prima Marketing
Punch: Martha Stewart - Hearts

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Online Card Class - Days 1 & 2


Hi there blog friends!
I’m really enjoying the Holiday Card Workshop...talk about inspiration!!! While waiting for my glittered snowflakes and embossing paste to dry, 2 of my cards were ready at about the same time, so I am sharing them both in this post. For Day 1 in the Holiday Card Workshop Class, my first card is inspired by Joy Taylor. I love her CAS style, and how she created an ombre effect for her positive and negative word die cut, so I used 3 shades of blue and the negative from my ‘Happy’ die for the front of this card:



Here is the inside, where I used the positive part of the die cut and part of a Hero Arts sentiment:


My 2nd card was inspired by Debby Hughes, who is known for creating with embossing paste and adding dimension to her cards and projects in a million different ways! I used 2 different shades of blue for the snowflakes, and popped up the one on the left with foam squares, following Savannah O’Gwynn’s technique, which she shared This Video
 
This is my card for Day 2:


Well, that’s it for me. I hope everyone is having a great day/evening ~ Thanks so much for stopping by!
Barb

Card #1 - Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts - Get Merry
Ink: Versafine - Onyx Black
Cardstock: MFT - Sno Cone, Berrylicious, Nightshift Blue; Neenah - Solar Whitel Inkssentials - Silver Foil Tape Sheets
Stencil: Simon Says Stamp - Falling Snow
Embossing Paste: Wendy Vecchi - White
Dies: Memory Box - Happy; Avery Elle - Icon Fill in the Blanks (jingle bell)



Card #2 - Supplies:
Stamps: MFT - Cheerful Christmas Greetings
Ink: Versamark
Cardstock: Neenah - Solar White
Die: Memory Box - Snowflake
Stencil: Simon Says Stamp - Falling Snow
Embossing Powder: Zing - Denim
Embossing Paste: Wendy Vecchi - White
Glitter: Tim Holtz - Clear Rock Candy Dry Glitter

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Online Card Class - Day 1




Hi there blog friends!
This is my 2nd post today. If you’re looking for my entry for the Less is More challenge, please go HERE

So, I finally finished my gift card holder for Day One of class! I used a lot of new products (well, at least for me), and had fun with it. I started working on this card last night, but only just finished it now...I guess I’m just a slow paper crafter at heart...what can I say?!
The Online Card Classes are filled with inspiration, and so much fun...
If you haven’t already signed up, there’s still time to join in to get the live class!
 

OK, enough chit chat ~ Here’s the front of my card, inspired by Kristina Werner:


And, here is the inside:


Well, that’s it for me. I hope everyone had a great day ~ Thanks so much for stopping by!
Barb

 

Supplies:
Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Polka Dot Parade #9, Think Big Favorites #9 (sentiment)
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - Stamper’s Select White, Vellum; MFT - Nightshift Blue
Ink: Versamark
Embossing Powder: Hero Arts - White, Silver (star)
Dies: Papertrey Ink - Polka Dot Parade #9
Embossing Folder: Sizzix - Medallion
Washi Tape: My Minds Eye - Winter Wonderland Collection

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Thank You Card

Hi there blog friends!
When I received my order directly from Clearly Besotted, a ‘Thank You’ stamp set was included, and I couldn’t wait to play with it! So, I created a card for the Less is More Challenge. This week we are asked to create a one layer thank you card, so I stamped my butterfly and sentiment, then added texture with my ‘Diamonds’ impression plate along the bottom of the card to have a little texture and dimension. I know it's really hard to see in this photo, so I took a close-up as well.



Here is a close up of the embossing:


I'm also working on a card for OCC, so I will probably post that later on tonight. I hope everyone is having a great week so far...Take care,

Barb



Supplies:
Stamps: Clearly Besotted - Thank You
Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - Stamper’s Select White
Impression Plate: Papertrey Ink - Diamonds
Markers: Copics - BG10, BG11, BG15


Sunday, November 10, 2013

Noel

Hi there blog friends!
I have another Christmas card to share for the 2013 Caring Hearts Card Drive  and I am also entering this card into the following challenges:
Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge - 'Photo Inspiration’

Clearly Besotted Challenge - ‘Christmas'
CAS-ual Friday’s Challenge  - CFC 119 ‘Embossing’
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge 
- ‘Keep it Clean and Simple’



I wanted some sparkle on the poinsettia leaves, so I used my Spica glitter pen. I think it’s still hard to see, but it looks pretty IRL.  Here is a close up:
Well, that’s it for me. The 2013 Holiday Card Workshop starts tomorrow, so I'm off to finish one more card and clean up my craft room so I'll be ready. I hope to see you all there, it's always such a fun class! Have a great day ~ Thanks so much for stopping by!
Barb


Supplies:
Stamps: Clearly Besotted - Pretty Poinsettia
Ink: Versamark; Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - Stamper’s Select White, Vellum
Dies: Clearly Besotted - Pretty Poinsettia; Spellbinders - Standard Squares; PTI - Turning a New Leaf
Embossing Powder: Hero Arts - White, Silver
Gems: The Robin’s Nest - Clear; Silver Sequins - Stash
Pen: Spica - Glitter Pen



Thursday, November 7, 2013

Be Merry

Hi everyone,
This card is for this week’s challenge at Muse. I’ve taken a literal view on Laurie Willison’s beautiful inspiration card, which has lots of white space.

Here is the photo of Laurie’s card:




Here is my card:





I used my Simon Says Stamp 'Be’ die, then, I stamped, embossed and fussy cut the tree from my Hero Arts ‘Get Merry’ stamp set and created a stencil with clear acetate and a small snowflake die to create texture with embossing paste. 


Here is a close-up of the snowflakes:
 



*** Heads up for anyone looking to buy a new PC/Laptop:
I really ‘Love’ the ampersand that Laurie used on her card, and set out to buy it in the Silhouette store. Unfortunately, my old Silhouette is not compatible with Windows 8 which is the operating system on my new computer :-(
I also wanted to mention that I can’t use my old scanner with Windows 8 as well, even though everything was manufactured by HP...Let the buyer beware! 


I am also submitting this card for the 2013 Caring Hearts Card Drive  ~ It's a really wonderful cause, and I hope you'll consider joining us!

Well, that’s it for me. I hope everyone is having a great day, and thanks so much for stopping by!
Barb


Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts - Get Merry
Ink: Versamark; Hero Arts - Mint Julep; Stampin’ Up - Real Red
Paper: Papertrey Ink - Stamper’s Select White, Pure Poppy; Michael’s - Silver Glitter Paper
Dies: Simon Says Stamp - 'Be'; My Favorite Things - Snowflakes
Embossing Powder: Ranger - Super Fine Clear
Embossing Paste: Wendy Vecchi Studio 490 - White

Washi Tape: My Mind’s Eye - Winter Wonderland

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

You Tickle My Fancy

Hi everyone,
I created this card for 2 challenges. The first one is Less is More, and our assignment is to create a card with a dark background and a splash of color. The 2nd challenge is the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge , where we are asked to create a Clean and Simple card...my fave! 



I swiped my Hero Arts Pale Tomato ink onto white cardstock, and die cut the feather, then stamped it in Versamark ink and used Holographic embossing powder to give it lots of sparkle. This is the first time I’m using my new Clearly Besotted stamps and dies, and I’m very happy with the quality and beautiful, intricate designs!



I wasn’t sure if it would be hard to see the shimmer from the embossing powder above, so I took a close up:



Well, that’s it for me. I hope everyone is having a great day ~ Thanks so much for stopping by!
Barb

Supplies:
Stamps: Clearly Besotted - Fancy Feathers
Ink: Versamark; Hero Arts - Pale Tomato
Paper: Papertrey Ink - Select White, Smokey Shadow
Dies: Clearly Besotted - Fancy Feathers
Embossing Powder: Hero Arts - White; Ranger - Holographic
Gems: Kaisercraft - Black
Twine: Hemptique - Black