Stacy's Paper Crafts

Watercolor Digital Stamp Images Two Ways!

Hey Everyone! I have a fun technique to share with you all today. If you've been following my blog for awhile you know that I enjoy using digital stamp images. There are pro's and con's to using digital stamps compared to using rubber or photopolymer stamps. The biggest con for me when it comes to digital stamps is not being able to utilize techniques like heat embossing or being limited to certain types of coloring mediums because I print my images using an Ink Jet printer.

I spent some time experimenting and I found two easy methods that allow me to use digital stamped images printed using a standard Ink Jet printer that can be colored using water based coloring mediums! For both methods I printed my images onto 80lb. Neenah Solar White Cardstock using an Epson Eco-Tank 2850 printer using the standard print setting. I also tested these methods using a very old printer, a Canon Pixma iP2760 and achieved the same great results, crisp bleed-free images! The image I used for my card today are part of the Iris Fantasy Digital Stamp Set from Pickled Potpourri Designs.

 

The first method is to apply a fixative to your digital stamped images after printing. I used Krylon Workable Fixative, but I believe there may be other sprays on the market that work similarly. This method is easy and allows you to use your image with very little wait time. The only downside to this method is that this particular fixative spray has a strong odor and it lingers for more than a few days. It always triggers a headache or migraine for me, but I suffer chronic headaches & migraines so I might just be more sensitive. I always wear a mask and spray it outside, and then I leave my sprayed pieces in my garage for a few days. It dries very quickly so if you aren't sensitive to the odor, you can work with the images within a few minutes after spraying.

 

 

The second method I used requires a little more drying time but it's also super easy! After printing your image wait a few minutes to ensure the printer ink is completely dry. Then apply a thin even coat of Fluid Matte Medium over the top of the image. Allow it to dry completely before coloring your image. You can apply a second coat of Matte Medium if you need to. I find that applying the first coat using upward and downward strokes, and then applying a second coat left to right gives me a nice even application. I allowed my images to dry overnight and then I ran them through my laminator because some of the edges of the paper curled. You could also use a hot iron without steam to flatten them out. Be sure to sandwich your paper between a few sheets of regular printer paper to protect the surface of your iron. If you have a mini Cricut heat press or something similar that would work well too!

 

 

I used Neocolor II Water-Soluble Pastels & Dylusions Spray Ink to color the image. I am not a skilled watercolorer but I'm so very excited about having the option to use water based coloring mediums with my digital stamps! During my experimenting I also played with rice paper, a new to me substrate. That text panel behind the iris was created by stamping on rice paper using Versafine ink. I ended up with some very cool results that left me beyond giddy and deserves an entire blog post of it's own so stay tuned!

 

*Some affiliate links were used in this blog post.

 

CFK Project: Snow Glad We're Friends

 

Hi Everyone, I'm back today with a friendship themed snowman card. I colored this snowman using shades of pinks & reds using Copic Markers and Prismacolor Colored Pencils. I also used Nuvo Drops to highlight the circles on the frame. The pretty patterned paper from my kit has a winter theme, but I think the pops of red almost gives it a "Valentiney" feel. The sentiment strip needed a little something so I adhered a tiny heart clay shape next to it.

 

I also used a light pink Copic to highlight the sentiment, the subtle color makes such a difference! Although the lighting kind of washed it out in the close up photo, it's captured more accurately in the full sized image of the card. You can click on the photos to enlarge them for a better view.

 

Thanks so much for looking! 

CFK Project: A Snowman Note Card

Hope you all had a great weekend! It was chilly but sunny here on Saturday which gave me a chance to photograph more of my "January Counterfeit Kit Challenge" makes. I'll be sharing those with you all this week. Today's card features an adorable snowman from a stamp set called Snowman Blocks from Red Rubber Designs. I colored his little scarf and buttons in shades of blue-ish greens using Copics & Polychromos colored pencils. I added some Nuvo drops to highlight the circles on the frame around the snowman, I love the dimension it adds!

I added some white splatters to the Kraft card base using white gouache, and then inked the edges using PTI Kraft Ink. I like to keep some cards on hand that don't have a sentiment for those occasions when I need a card last minute but don't have time to create one. I will usually just add a sentiment related to the occasion, or will leave it blank and will just write my message to the recipient on the inside of the card. Thanks for visiting today, stop by tomorrow to see this little guy's ensemble in pink :)

 

Christmas 365?

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! I know that many of us are often left exhausted after all the Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities and are anxious to pack it all away until next year. I can usually keep the party going through January! LOL However this will not be the case for me this year. I'll take down my tree and pack away the Christmas decorations, but I'm planning to keep my Christmas crafting supplies out so that I can continue on with all the projects that I wanted to create.

This past year I have really enjoyed following Jill aka Greenwood Girl Cards, and host of Saturday Morning makes #satmornmakes, along with her fellow collaborators. Apparently she works year round creating Christmas cards and tags for her loved ones. She recently shared a video showcasing her efforts for 2022 and I love it! You can check it out by clicking below.

I usually start thinking about Christmas in July, but my health makes it challenging to really stick to a schedule because I never know how I'm going to feel day to day. Each and everyday is different unfortunately, but I think if I make it a point to create something every month, that will give me an additional 5-6 months to create and I'll be able to tackle more on my Christmas holiday list!

Although I got distracted by all the crafty things and sidelined by illness most of this month, I did get a chance to create some really cute ornaments. I stared out strong with my gingerbread man cards, but then I got wrapped up in making faux cookie ornaments instead!

and chocolate covered pretzels...

And chocolate donuts...

and patterned paper ornaments...

especially the 3D kinds like this one...

I ended up making about 25 ornaments! I'm looking forward to adding some gingerbread men and little gingerbread houses to the mix for next year. Did you create any ornaments for your tree this year? I'd love to hear about them.

Thanks for stopping by today!

It's Gingerbread Season!

I know that many people associate gingerbread with Christmas. I don't think gingerbread should be restricted to a single season, but I have to admit that there just is something about Christmas and the Winter season that makes gingerbread a special treat! This year I'm going all in, on a budget of course, with all things gingerbread and candy land themed for my decor. I already know that I won't have time to do all of the things I'm envisioning before the season ends, but I'll be working like a busy Elf on Christmas Eve to get as much as I can done!  

 

This gingerbread man image was at the top of my list to create with! If you've been stamping for a long time you may have this image as a rubberstamp. Pickled Potpourri Designs currently has it available as a digital stamp, Ginger Joy. I started by folding an A2 sized card and adhered a layer of patterned paper to the center. I then got to work coloring the gingerbread man using Copic markers and Polychoromos Colored Pencils. I printed him out a second time so that I could color and fussy cut his bow, which I then adhered using foam tape. I then used a stitched oval die to frame him, and then cut 3 additional ovals, stacked and adhered them all together to give the gingerbread man a little dimension on the card front.

 

I used some white Nuvo drops with some superfine glitter sprinkled on top of it while it was still wet to highlight the icing. I used a fine point Posca paint pen to add a few white dots to the gingerbread man's cheeks. I used some white glittered twine to thread the tiny buttons which I attached using my new mini Surebonder dual temperature hot glue gun. My old one was literally a hot stringy, gluey mess! I love this new one so, so, so much! It's so much "tidier" and is easier to create with, without leaving my project, workspace, and hands covered in gluey spiderwebs! Apparently there is also a cordless version available which is pretty awesome! The corded version I have doesn't have a very long cord, nonetheless I'm really happy using with this one! Anyway, Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you'll join me this month celebrating the season with candy and gingerbread!

For He is Good

I'm back today to share another card I created using the Every Leaf stamp set. I started out by matting a brown A2 card with a strip of houndstooth patterned paper from the Robyn digital patterned paper collection by Pickled Potpourri Designs. I applied a smidge of Antique Linen Distress ink along the edges of the paper before adhering it.

I stamped the largest leaf image from the set on cream colored cardstock, colored it using Copic Markers and Polychromos colored pencils. I blended Vintage Photo and Antique Linen Distress inks over the panel and applied some Ground Espresso Archival ink along the edges of the panel. I then stamped and colored a few of the smaller leaves, fussy cut them out, and adhered them flat to the card mat. I stamped one of the sentiments from the Ever So Thankful stamp set using Archival Ground Espresso ink, and added some Perfect Pearl splatters on the panel. I then adhered it to the card front using foam tape.

This card turned out unexpectedly grungy due to an ink smudge I had to doctor LOL, but I think the grunge works well with this Fall themed leafy card.

Thanks for stopping by today! 

 

Supplies:

Stamps: Red Rubber Designs Every Leaf and Ever So Thankful

Paper: Bazzill Burnt Umber Cardstock & Recollections Cream Cardstock, & Pickled Potpourri Designs Digital Patterned paper: Robyn Collection

Inks: Ground Espresso Archival Ink, Antique Linen Distress Ink, Vintage Photo Distress Ink

Other: Copic Markers, Polychromos Colored Pencils, & Perfect Gold Perfect Pearls

 

Springy Bunny

Another bunny card? Yes! I think I have bunnies on my mind because I've been "bunny watching" daily for weeks! Bunnies have literally taken over my back yard. There's a teeny tiny wooden preserve behind my house where I'm assuming they live. Several times a day they venture out and they come to nibble on this specific area in my yard. It's a barer patch of grass that my husband has been seeding and babying so the grass will thicken and grow. About a month ago he put down some type of fertilizer or grass seed or something or another, and the the bunnies have been drawn to it. I feel bad for my husband because he's been working so hard for years to get the yard looking a certain way... but watching the bunnies has been so fun! They're just too cute. 

Anyway, about a week ago I shared a card, Bunny Boy featuring this same image but with a completely different color palette. I love how color and pattern has the ability to  alter the overall feel of a design or image. Pairing the grey bunny with the lighter colors in the patterned paper definitely makes this card feel much more "springy" to me.

 

Thanks for stopping by today!

 

Bunny Boys

Hi Everyone! I have a CAS card to share with you today featuring the bunny image from Pickled Potpourri Designs' Beautiful Day digital stamp set. The images are so, so, so cute, but I especially love the little bunny!

 

 

I'm also playing along with this week's Tic Tac Toe Challenge. I used the middle row across,"Any color, Free, & CAS."

I layered the "hugs" sentiment on the wooden plank before printing it for this card. I used a stitched oval die to cut it out and layered it on a tag after coloring it with Copic markers. I liked the simplicity of the image paired with the stitching detail and the patterned paper so I kept the embellishments minimal and added a single enamel dot to anchor the tag.

 

Thanks for stopping by today!

Spring Tulips

Do you have a "go-to" color scheme when you color floral images? I always seem to reach for yellows and purples when I color tulips. I couldn't decide between the two, so today I'm sharing cards featuring both colors!

The tulip image is from the Beautiful Day digital stamp set by Pickled Potpourri Designs. You might actually have this set in rubber form if you've been stamping for a long time and still have some TAC stamps in your stash. Unfortunately I missed out on purchasing the rubber version so I was thrilled to see it being offered as a digital stamp set!

The yellow tulips were colored using Copic markers, and that adorable bee patterned paper is from an Echo Park collection called New Day.

I also colored these purple tulips using Copic markers and then added a sentiment from the Love Lines stamp set from Red Rubber Designs.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

 

Starry Kitty and Two Boos

 

Hi Everyone! I have a couple of not so spooky Halloween cards to share with you today featuring Distress ink blended backgrounds and images from Pickled Potpourri Designs' Scaredy Cat digital image stamp set. This stamp set is HUGE and provides a lot of options for your Halloween crafts.

 

 

My first card features the cute smiling ghost image. I printed a mirrored image of the smaller ghost, fussy cut him out, and then adhered it to the card using foam tape. I adhered the larger ghost directly to the card front.

 

 

I stamped one of sentiments from the Trick Or Treat stamp set by Red Rubber Designs, using Versamark ink and then heat embossed it using white embossing powder. For the background inks I used Speckled Egg, Peacock Feathers, Chipped Sapphire, & Black Soot Distress Inks. I also used some white gouache to create some starry splatters on the background. 

 

 

I used the "starry kitty" image for my second card. I stamped the sentiment on white cardstock and inked along the edges using Versafine Onyx Black ink. The background was inked using Monarch Orange Archival Ink, Carved Pumpkin, Ground Espresso, and Black Soot Distress inks. I also used some white gouache to create some starry splatters on the background. 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by today! My cards were inspired by the following challenges, be sure to check them out for more crafty inspiration...

 

Always Fun Challenges: Halloween Fun

 

Fab Friday 200

 Splitcoast Stampers Clean & Simple: Orange You Glad It's October?

 

 

Supply List:

*Some affiliate links used at no extra cost to you

Pickled Potpourri Designs' Scaredy Cat Digital Stamp Set

Red Rubber Designs' Trick or Treat Rubberstamp Set

Neenah Solar White 80lb cardstock

Neenah Solar White 110lb Cardstock

Black cardstock

Versafine Onyx Black Ink

Monarch Orange Archival Ink  

Carved Pumpkin Distress Ink

Black Soot Distress Ink

Speckled Egg Distress Ink

Peacock Feathers Distress Ink

Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink 

Winsor & Newton Permanent White Gouache

Ranger Ink White Basics Embossing Powder

Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Hi Everyone! I hope you all are well, I know that this conronavirus outbreak has many of us feeling anxious and overwhelmed. I've been trying to keep my mind busy by crafting, spring cleaning, and baking. I've mostly been baking bread but I got a sweet tooth and decided to make some carrot cake, one of my absolute favorite desserts! I used this recipe... Carrot Cake Cupcake Recipe. 

 

 

I recently took a free online class called The Layered Page by Kelley Wynne Studios, which is still available by the way for a limited time. It was such a great mixed media class that resulted in a several mini books/art journals/mini albums that I can't wait to create in. I shared some of the inside pages on my Instagram page... here and here.

 

I decided to use one of the books to document what I've been doing to keep busy this Spring, including baking these delicious cupcakes! I used the background image from the For Everything stamp set by Red Rubber Designs to create some additional subtle texture to the background paper. I also stamped the Speckle Background stamp randomly over the background using Versamark ink, and the heat embossed it using super fine white embossing powder.

 

To embellish my layout I used the carrot image from the Pickled Potpourri Designs digital stamp set called Flopsy Bunny. I created a little cluster and then printed them on 80lb. cardstock. I colored the carrots using Faber-Castell Polychromos colored pencils and then fussy cut them out. I added a flip out panel for my journaling and used some chipboard to pop up the carrots before adhering them to the journaling panel. I tucked my photo next to the carrots, inked the edges of my page using Vintage Photo Archival Distress ink, and used some alphabet stickers & a Tim Holtz sentiment sticker to create the title.

 

 

I used Ranger Distress Collage medium to adhere most items to the page including my journaling block. Unfortunately I didn't realize my ink pen wasn't permanent so it smeared a little and I was too lazy to rewrite it so I left it as is.

 

Thanks so much for looking!

*Supplies:

Pickled Potpourri Designs Digital Stamps: Flopsy Bunny

Red Rubber Designs Stamps: For Everything, & Speckle Background,

Inks: PTI Kraft Ink pad, Ranger Ink Mini Archival Distress ink pads: Vintage Photo, & Versamark Ink pad

Other: Faber-Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils, Ranger Ink White Super Fine Embossing powder,, Mono Multi Liquid Glue, Ranger Ink Matte Distress Collage Medium,

DYI mini album created using acrylic paints, Neocolor II crayons, stencils, text & gelli printed papers

 

*Some affiliate links used at no extra cost to you

 

 

Mini Wreath Thank You Cards

Hi Everyone! I have a tradition of creating Christmas & winter themed thank you cards using the left over patterned papers and embellishments from my Christmas card making sessions. Unfortunately this year I didn't actually have a session, I created a couple of cards but forgot to photograph them before gifting them... I know! I may have to recreate them to share with you.

 

 

Since I didn't actually have any left overs I decided to just sit down and create a few thank you cards anyway. I used some stamps from Red Rubber Designs, one sheet of 12x12 patterned paper, several sheets of  kraft cardstock, some washi tape, twine, buttons, and Stickles to create them. They are super easy CAS cards that came together relatively quickly.

 

The wreath I used is from the Mini Wreaths stamp set from Red Rubber Designs. It's currently not listed in the store but keep an eye out for it. It might also become available at some point as a digital stamp so be sure to check out the Pickled Potpourri Designs store also. You could also "Supersize" this design and use the larger sized wreaths that are available! You find them here:

Holiday Wreath unmounted

Pine Wreath cling mount

Star Wreath cling mount

Holiday Wreath cling mount

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

 

Supplies:

Red Rubber Designs Stamps: Holiday Wreath unmounted, Pine Wreath cling mount, Star Wreath cling mount, Holiday Wreath cling mount, & Chicken Scratch

Paper: Recollections Say Freeze Patterned Paper, Kraft & Cream cardstock

Embellishments: Green Buttons, Gold Washi Tape, Twine, Scrappers Floss, Red Stickles,

Ink: Versafine Clair Fallen Leaves, Archival Ink Library Green, & Distress Archival Ink Vintage Photo

Other: Tag dies & Scallop Edge die

 

Coffin Shaker Treat Box

Hi Everyone, Happy Halloween! I have a fun project to share with you today! I decided to try my hand at making a shaker treat box after creating yesterday's fun card. You could also use this box as a home decor piece too! This post is somewhat lengthy because I've included some pretty detailed instructions as to how I created this treat box, hopefully you'll find this information to be helpful!

 

 

I used my Cameo to cut the Spider Coffin Box SVG cut file from the Silhouette Design Store, but instead of using the spider web layer, I traced it to create a solid panel. I cut it to use as a template for my acetate window sheet. I then copied it, and did an internal offset to create the window for the box lid. In order to get the placement aligned, I selected the internal offset panel and the box lid and centered and then grouped them together. I also created an offset piece so that the box would coordinate with the card I created yesterday. I stamped it using Versamark ink and the Background Stripes stamp by Red Rubber Designs, heat embossed it using black sparkly embossing powder, and added some inking along the box using Versafine Onxy Black ink.

 

 

After assembling the box, I adhered the acetate panel to the inside of the lid, and applied a double layer of foam tape to line the inside edges. I added my shaker elements: seed beads, tube confetti, and glitter, and then adhered the inside panel to seal it. I went a little overboard with the shaker filler here, perhaps as I create more I'll get a better feel for the right ratio of shaker filling for my projects. I also added a layered strip of red & white cardstock and a little spider that I fussy cut from Pickled Potpourri Designs' Scaredy Cat Jumbo Digital Stamp Set to embellish the box. You can find a supply list below, thanks so much for stopping by today!

 

Supplies:

Stamps: Pickled Potpourri Designs' Scaredy Cat Jumbo Digital Stamp Set & Red Rubber Designs' Background Stripes

Paper: Bazzill Blackberry Swirl, Bazzill Cherry Splash & Neenah Solar White 80lb. cardstocks

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black Ink, Versamark Ink

Other: Spider Coffin Box SVG cut file, Seed Beads, Tube confetti, Red glitter, Ranger Ink Black Sparkle Embossing Powder, Foam tape, Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Adhesive, Double Sided Adhesive

 

*Some Scrapbook.com and Amazon.com affiliate links used at no extra cost to you

 

Layered Heat Embossing

Happy First Day of Fall! It's my absolute most favorite season of the year! It's the time of year when my body feels fewer MS aches and pains, my muscles are less spastic, the humidity is more bearable, AND I can actually spend some time outdoors. It's also when I feel most creatively inspired! The changing colors and textures in nature around my community has a way of stirring my crafty mojo. 

 

My project today is a super textured card inspired by the sketch challenge over at Sunday Stamps.

I started out by cutting a leaf die cut using my Silhouette. I inked the surface of it using Versamark ink and then heat embossed it using copper embossing powder. I then stamped the background stamp from the Here I Am stamp set by Red Rubber Designs using Versamark ink. I then heat embossed it with gold embossing powder. I also sponged a little black ink along the edges of the leaf.

Although the crisp stamped pattern is lost, the second layer of embossing powder gives the leaf a fun subtle texture. Heat embossing the second application of embossing powder also caused the first layer to become "over embossed," which made the embossing powder bubble up creating additional texture! It's difficult to capture it in a still image, but I encourage you to try this this layered embossing technique. Your results will vary depending on your stamped image design and the type and coarse of embossing powder that you use. My embossing gun only has one setting, if yours has multiple settings, experiment with them! They may give you some varied textures.

I used patterned paper from the Robyn Digital Paper Collection by Pickled Potpourri Designs. I applied Distress Crazing Medium to a piece of the the brighter pink patterned pattern, and inked over it using Ground Espresso Archival Distress ink. I'm still experimenting with the best way to apply the Crazing Medium, but I really like it! It gives your project a slight crackled appearance without the texture of a traditional crackle medium. I then adhered the panel to a layer of chipboard to give it some depth. 

I cut a piece of the houndstooth patterned paper, distressed and inked the edges using more of the Ground Espresso ink. I adhered it to the card base, and layered the pink inked panel on top. I tore a piece of corrugated paper, applied a bit of Ground Espresso ink to it, and adhered it on top. To embellish the card I added some gold thread layered behind the leaf, applied some copper wax to a little chipboard heart and adhered it on top of the leaf. I stamped a partial sentiment from one of the sentiments in the Ever So Thankful stamp set on cream cardstock, adhered it on a strip of chipboard, and then inked the edges before adhering it to the card. I cut it a little wonky but figured it works with all the distressing on the rest of the card! LOL

As always you can click on the photos for a more detailed view. A supply list is provided below. Thanks so much for stopping by today!

 

^Supplies:

^{Stamps: Red Rubber Designs: Here I am & Ever So Thankful}

^{Paper: Pickled Potpourri Designs: Robyn Digital Paper Collection, Kraft & Cream Cardstock, chipboard}

^{Ink: Ranger Ink Archival Distress Ink Ground Espresso & Black Soot}

^{Other: Ranger Ink Copper & Gold Superfine embossing powders, Ranger Crazing Medium, Finnabair Metallique Wax Rich Copper, Mini Chipboard Heart, & Gold Thread}

 

Day 13 of #100daysoftenminart

My Card for day 13 features more Pickled Potpourri Designs Shades of Black & White Digital papers. Those floral images are fun to fussy cut, and they create a great focal point! 

 

I kept this card simple again and let the paper stay front and center. I added a mini button and some scrappers floss to give it a tiny little something. The sentiment was the perfect size for this card, it's from the Enjoy Nature set by Red Rubber Designs. I stamped it using black ink and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder. 

Supplies:

Pickled Potpourri Designs' Shades of Black & White Digital Paper

Black, Grey, & White cardstock

Red Rubber Designs' Enjoy Nature

Other: Black Ink, Clear embossing powder, mini button, & white scrappers floss

Day 12 of #100daysoftenminart

I'm really excited about the card I created for day 12, It's my first Z Fold card! Actually it might actually be one of the first fancy fold cards I've ever created. 

I love how it turned out! The floral patterned paper I used is from the Shades of Black & White Digital paper kit by Pickled Potpourri Designs. I printed it out using a cheap Canon inkjet Printer on a sheet of Epson Presentation Paper. It's a matte 27lb. weight paper that prints beautifully! 

This paper is so pretty you really don't need much else to create a beautiful card. After adhering the panels to my card base I adhered a portion of the patterned paper to a scrap of white cardstock to make it more sturdy, I then fussy cut a few of the floral images to create my center piece.

 

I chose a sentiment from the Love You stamp set by Red Rubber Designs, and heat embossed it using black ink & clear embossing powder. I adhered the floral pieces below the sentiment and added a tiny rhinestone to the center flower. Although this card has several layers it came together pretty quickly! I can't wait to create more! 

 

Supplies:

Pickled Potpourri Designs' Shades of Black & White Digital Paper

Black & White cardstock

Red Rubber Designs' Love You stamp set

Other: Black Ink, Clear embossing powder, mini rhinestone, & foam tape

Day 8 of #100daysoftenminart

Happy Easter Everyone!

I have a card to share with you today that I created for day 8 of my #100daysoftenminart challenge. This image is from the The cross digi stamp set by Pickled Potpourri Designs. It's a beautiful versatile image that could lend itself to several different themes: Encouragement, Baptisms, Spring, ect., I always think of Easter when I see it. 

I stamped the background using Red Rubber Designs' Gingham Background stamp. After coloring the image with colored pencils & Gamsol, I fussy cut it and adhered it to the stitched scalloped panel using foam tape. I wanted to keep this card somewhat clean & simple so I kept the embellishments to a minimum and just added some sheer ribbon. 

Thanks for stopping today!

Day 5 of #100daysoftenminart

Today's card features an adorable duck image from Pickled Potpourri Design's Adorable Animals  stamp set. I love how this cheery clean & simple card turned out. I used a lot of foam tape to pop up the polka dot  panel & the frame around the duck.

I colored the image using colored pencils & Gamsol, and used a white gel pen to color the center of the flowers. I then stamped a sentiment from a Red Rubber Designs stamp set called Enjoy Nature on the frame panel. I tucked a die cut border piece behind the frame and adhered it with foam tape to the card base. 

 

Thanks for stopping by today! 

Supplies:

Stamps: Pickled Potpourri Designs Adorable Animals & Red Rubber Designs Enjoy Nature

Silhouette Cut File Die Cuts: Polaroid Frame & 5 Seamless Borders

Paper: Blue & White Polka dot, & Yellow & White Chevron patterned papers, Yellow textured Cardstock, 80lb. Neenah Solar White Cardstock

Ink: Ranger Archival Manganese Blue

Other: Colored Pencils, Gamsol, White Gel Pen

New Paper From Pickled Potpourri Designs

It's so pretty! This collection includes six 8" x 10.5" patterned papers, a great size for card making, pocket scrapbooking, mini albums, mixed media art, & more! 

How do you use digital patterned papers? I'm not a digital scrapbooker so I just print them using my little ink jet printer and then use them in my art just as I would any other patterned paper. I usually print them on standard printer paper, but sometimes I use laser copy paper because it has a nicer smoother texture and is a tiny bit heavier in weight. I like the lighter weight of these papers especially for card making... I also love the fact that I never have to worry about running out of paper, I can always print more if I need to! 

Another thing that is AWESOME about this particular patterned paper collection is that it's FREE! You can download it from the Pickled Potpourri Designs store here... Robyn Patterned Paper Collection.

Wedding Bells

Anyone else waiting on Spring? I don't know about you but when I think of Spring, weddings, babies, and flowers all come to mind. Today I have a wedding themed card to share with you. This card features a bell image from Pickled Potpourri Designs' Brides stamp set. I colored the image with ProMarkers. I waited a few minutes and then applied some Goosebumps Texture Spray to the bells to give them a little shimmer. 

I keep a waterbrush filled with this spray, it applies very similarly to the clear Wink of Stella brush marker pen! It's far more economical compared the Wink of Stella pen, you can refill your waterbrush pen at least 4 to 5 times if not more using one bottle of this spray! I paid about $3 for the bottle using a 40% off coupon from Michaels.

The most noticeable difference between the Wink of Stella brush pen and the Goosebumps Texture Spray is that there is a much greater water content in the spray, so you have to be careful when applying it. I just give my waterbrush a good shake, squeeze a little of the spray on a non-stick craft mat, dab the tip of my brush on a paper towel, and then dip it into my spray puddle and then paint it on my image.

Sometimes the water brushes can be a little finicky and will release too much liquid when you squeeze it. Using this method will help you to control the amount of liquid released much more easily, and will prevent you from ruining your projects if too much liquid is expelled. You could also use a regular dry paint brush instead of a waterbrush. I hope that you find this little tip to be helpful! 

 

Challenges

Card Mania: Spring

PaperTake: Anything Goes challenge

Clear it Out Challenge Blog: Anything Goes Challenge

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today! 

 

Brides

White Cadoodle Cardstock

InLinkz.com

 

A Valentine for HIM

I love Valentine's Day cards, and each year I make it a point to create at least one card that isn't predominately red or pink. I really like color combinations of black, white, gray, with a touch of red or a shade of blue for masculine cards. This palette is perfect for the macho men in your lives. 

This card features some Pickled Potpourri Designs digital patterned paper and Red Rubber Designs stamps. It's a quick & easy card that I put together using some heart die cuts, cardstock, and a mini button. 

Thanks so much for looking! 

 

Distressed Black and White

Script Background

Trendy Greetings

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Create Your Own Patterned Paper Using Digital Stamps

 

I have a quick card to share today showcasing one of my favorite stamping techniques... stamped backgrounds! It's really easy to create a background using digital images using Microsoft Word, but it's even easier if you use Photoshop or a similar program. They have some great tools that allow you to manipulate and align your images quickly!

 

I normally use Microsoft Digital Image Pro to re-size and print my digis. For this technique you would just open your image file, copy and paste several images to fill your desired paper size. I sized mine at 4 1/2 x 5.75 inches. I then rotate and align the images as desired across the length and width of my paper.

 

The image I used for my background is from Pickled Potpourri Designs' Sketch Scrolls set. I used black ink to stamp a sentiment from Red Rubber Designs' Trendy Greetings stamp set. I added some black enamel dots and a resin flower my crafty friend Stephanie from Skyline Paperie  RAK'ed me quite some time ago. I love those little flowers so much :)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

 

Sketched Scrolls

Trendy Greetings

White Cadoodle Cardstock

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Trick or Treaters

Halloween is right around the corner so I thought I'd share a Halloweenie card with you. My card features a Pickled Potpourri Designs image from the Trick or Treaters stamp set.

 

 

I used Nestabilities dies to cut and mat the image and sentiment and colored the image using Copic & Spectrum Noir markers. I adhered the image directly to the card front and popped the sentiment up using foam tape.

 

 

Thanks so much for looking! 

Trick or Treaters

White Cadoodle Cardstock

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Mixed Media Play: Determination

Hi Everyone! It's been a little while since I've updated... life has just been busy. I haven't had a chance to spend much time in my craft room. Although I've been working on an art journal page for a few weeks, adding a bit here and there. I feel like I want to add more layers to this but I'm calling it done...

This layout is a part of an art journal I started earlier this year. I really love the bold colors against the black background so most of the layouts in this particular journal features the color black with some pop of color. 

I used a combination of gelatos, acrylic paint, white gel pen, dye inks, distress inks, and Copic Markers to apply color to this layout. I also used a butterfly image from a Pickled Potpourri Designs set called Nature's Greetings Butterfly as well as alphabet stamps from one of my favorite sets, Distressed Typewriterbet from Red Rubber Designs.

I die-cut a vellum circle and wrote my journaling on it. I adhered some enamel dots and scrappers floss to create the butterfly antennae to embellish.

I'm entering this layout into the current Path of Positivity Challenge, which focuses on the theme of determination. My journaling speaks to the challenges that life throws our way and how they can sometimes set us off balance. This theme is so timely for me because a couple of weeks ago I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. This diagnosis has literally set me teetering.

As I was journaling I thought about the challenges I've been having with walking and with my balance and recalled how some days it just feels like I have to work so hard to just make it from point A to point B... but how I always manage to do so!

Even if you have to crawl or waddle to accomplish something in your life, keep moving forward, stay focused, be determined, you will do it!

That's my motto these days :) Thanks so much for looking! 

Nature's Greetings Butterfly

Distressed Typewriter Bet

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Boy And His Frog

Hi all! I hope you had a great weekend! I have a cute card to share with you this Monday morning...

This little guy and his frog is just too cute! I colored this image using Copic markers, I'm still practicing but I think it turned out pretty good! I couldn't figure out what the boy was holding in his hand so I decided that it was an orange cloth... maybe a little towel to dry off the water splashes :)

I added some vellum and wood veneer stars to embellish this card. I applied some orange Stickles to the stars and popped the image up using foam tape. I heat embossed the sentiment on the vellum layer using black ink & clear embossing powder.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges...

 

Red Rubber Inspirationals: Use your favorite technique... mine is heat embossing. It was one of the techniques that convinced me to start purchasing rubber stamps :)

Sketch Saturday: Sketch #326

 

 

MarkerPop Challenge: Use Copic Markers to create a project with any theme.

 

Thanks so much for looking! 

Summer Boys

Sophisticated Sentiments

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Adorable Smiling Butterfly

Hi all! I have a cheery card to share with you all today. This smiling butterfly is just too cute, she's a digi image from Pickled Potpourri Designs' Cutie Pies stamp set. 

I colored this image using Spectrum Noir markers. I'm slowly adding them to my alcohol marker collection. I usually wait until they go on sale for $7.88 at ACMoore and will pick up a pack or two. I didn't think I'd like them, but I really like the newer designed markers! They color and blend pretty well without bleeding, which was a common complaint about these markers when they first became popular among card makers a few years ago.

I matted the image and adhered it to the card front using foam tape. I then stamped the sentiment on a strip of white cardstock using pink dye ink and tucked it behind the image. I used some white embroidery floss and a button to embellish the card.

 

I'm entering this card into the following challenges

4 Crafty Chicks: Something Old/Something New. The image, pink patterned paper, & markers are my new items. The green patterned paper mat is my old item. 

Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog: Any sentiment other than a birthday sentiment

Cute Card Thursday: Anything goes

 

Thanks so much for looking! 

  

Cutie Pies

It's Your Day

White Cadoodle Cardstock

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Floral Minis

 

It's been a little while since I created some mini cards so I whipped up a few this morning. This set of images is perfect for mini cards. I decided to use a primary color scheme to make these little cards cheery. 

Each of these mini cards measure 3x3 inches. I cut white cardstock squares measuring slightly smaller and stamped polka dots using ink to match the cardstock. I'm not the best fussy cutter so I left the scallopy edges off the images when I cut them out. 

I colored each of the images using Copic markers. I applied shimmer mist around the edges of both the rose and tulip, although It really doesn't show well in the photo. 

 

I applied glossy accents to the center of the flowers for the blue & orange florals. 

 

These cards were inspired by the following challenges...

2 Cute Ink Challenges: Anything Goes

Love To Scrap! Challenge Blog: Scheming Crafter

 

 Thanks so much for looking!

 

Spring Boxes	Background Soup	Scarlet Cardstock	White Cadoodle Cardstock
Momento Danube Blue	L'Amore Red	Palette ink Pad Sunflower

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Forever Friends

I just knew these two were meant to be friends when I saw this image in the Pickled Potpourri Designs store. These two cuties are from a set called Cat and Mouse. I attempted to color the kitty similar to the colors of my kitty's brown fur... I think I achieved a more abstract version! LOL 

I used a gold ink pen to color the two wood veneer hearts and then coated them with glossy accents. Once they were dry I adhered them to the card. I stamped the sentiment on a strip of white cardstock and layered it on a strip of brown cardstock. I attached a gold eyelet, and adhered the sentiment to the card front. The patterned paper is another scrap I was hoarding, I love the shades of brown in it. 

Thanks so much for looking! 

 

Cat and Mouse

Forever Friends

Patterned Paper Bundle

X-Press It Blending Cardstock

   

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Tea Pot Mouse

Hope you all had a great weekend! I have a quick card share today. I used the other image from Pickled Potpourri Designs' Pot of Tea to create a "just a note" card.

I colored the image using Copic & ProMarkers, added a bit of patterned paper, and embellished the card with twine & a button. I stamped the sentiment on a little tag, and adhered it directly to the card, tucked just under the button.

I'm entering this card into two challenges this week...

Red Rubber Inspirationals: Anything Goes

Totally Gorjuss: Tag It

Thanks for looking!

  

Pot of Tea

Trendy Greetings

White Cadoodle Cardstock

Momento Tuxedo Black

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A Mousey Greeting

 

Happy Saturday! 

 

 

I have a card to share that I created for a few challenges...

 

I ♥ ProMarkers: Embossing

Delicious Doodles: Buttons and Bows

Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: Anything Goes

Pile It On: Kawaii/Cute

 

I love this adorable mouse in a mug image from Pickled Potpourri Designs' Pot of Tea digital stamp set.  I  found some sticky back plastic mesh in my stash that I wanted to use, so I decided to color the little mouse using brown ProMarkers. I embossed the ivory panel using a Cuttlebug embossing folder, and adhered it to the card base. I added a strip of patterned paper, and adhered the mesh on top of it. 

 

 

I stamped the sentiment on a die cut circle using black ink, I popped it up using foam tape, added a mini button with scrappers floss, and tied a bow around the mug handle using a bit of twine. I cut out the image and adhered it to the card using foam tape.

Thanks so much for looking, have a great weekend! 

  

Pot of Tea	Chicken Scratch	Catelynne Patterned paper
White Cadoodle Cardstock	Momento Tuxedo Black