Saturday, February 22, 2014

Romantic Cameos in shades of Apricot

Hi Dreamers!
How are you doing this fine Saturday??!!  We haven't had any snow for a whole day so that is good!!  And, the sun is actually visible!  Nice change!  Now, on to some crafty fun.  I was inspired by the Simon Monday challenge of Cameos to make today's projects.  I said to myself, "Self, you have a whole set of Cameo stamps!"  Get busy!!  I used one of the six Cameos from the Lost Coast Design set called "Cameos".

Materials List for both cards:
Stamps: Cameo Set and Asmat Bones Border from Lost Coast Design
Inks: 
Stazon Jet Black and Saddle Brown
Black Pigment
Tea Dye and Antique Linen Distress 

Distress Markers
Acrylic Paints
mono printing Plate
Lumiere Paint
CS: Bazzill
Watercolor paper
Blue Pearls


I was making backgrounds with my mono printing Plate the other day (I will show you more pics of those in a later post).  I thought this Apricot colored background would be really cool with the Cameo.

Let's take a look at card #1




  • I used acrylic paints on a mono printing Plate to make this background.  The paint colors used: brown, yellow, white, and red.







  • The Cameo was stamped twice. With Saddle Brown Stazon first and then with Jet Black Stazon directly onto the Acrylic paint background.  
  • Asmat Bones Border Stamp  (only $1.00 on the LCD web site!!) from Lost Coast Designs was stamped with Saddle Brown
  • I added a piece of velvet fabric---I was thinking that often Cameos are worn on velvet ribbon around the neck.


Card two uses the same Cameo Stamp:




  • Stamp the Cameo with Black Pigment ink and heat emboss with black powder on cream CS
  • Color the Camaro with Tea Dye, Shabby Shutters, Tumbled Glass, Worn Lipstick, and Dried Marigold Distress Markers
  • Tear out and distress with Antique Linen and Tea Dye Distress Inks
  • Brush a little bit of Lumiere Acrylic paint on the edges






  • To make the watercolored piece: on a craft sheet scribble the blue maker and spritz with water; press a piece of watercolor paper into ink.  Repeat with Tea Dye Ink refill and other markers
  • Cut a rectangle from the  watercolored paper
  • Layer onto CS and brown wrapping paper
  • Add blue pearls









***************Challenges for my romantic Cameos:
Simon Monday: Cameos
Artistic Stamper: use distress
Country View: use paint
Allsorts: ladies day


Now, go and enjoy your weekend!  Make sure you set aside some time to stamp--it is therapeutic.  See you next time!!  Love ya
Karen

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Peachy Celebrate Spring

Hi Dreamers!
Although it feels absolutely nothing like Spring here in Michigan, I wanted to make something to remind me of Spring.  I used a floral bouquet stamped on news print decorative paper to try to elicit memories of long ago Spring.  I am tired of snow.





Materials:
Stamps: Serendipity Stamps
Ink: Coffee Archival; Rusty Hinge Distress Ink
CS: Calypso Coral, Crisp Cantaloupe, Chocolate Chip -Stampin' Up
DP: Tell your Story stack - Teresa Collins
Distress Markers: Rusty Hinge, Dried Marigold, Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick
Sheer Ribbon
Coral Satin Ribbon
Coral Fabric
3-D Zots
Candy dot embellishments
Stickles Glitter Glue



Instructions:

  • Make a card from  Calypso Coral CS and layer with Crisp Cantaloupe
  • Stamp the image on the DP with Coffee ink
  • Color the flowers with Rusty Hinge, Dried Marigold, and Spun Sugar markers
  • Color the Vase with Rusty Hinge and Worn Lipstick markers
  • Layer onto Chocolate Chip CS
  • Stamp Celebrate with Rusty Hinge ink






  • Add the embellishments: glue the color ribbon pieces folded in half and some doodad poofs made from fabric--cut a circle and run gathering stitches and pull up gathers; knot thread--makes a poof.
  • Glue a piece of the sheer ribbon behind letting it peek out from the edge
  • Glue the stamped piece to the card front with 3-D zots
  • Add Glitter Glue to the heads of the candy dot embellishments and to the centers of the flowers






*******************Challenge for my Peachy Celebrate Spring Card:
Serendipity Stamps: use newsprint or sheetmusic + Serendipity stamp
Paper Take Weekly: lovely layers
Crafting Desert Divas: glitter
Shopping Our Stash: make an embellishment
4 Krafty Girlz: anything goes
Divas by Design: use a rubber stamp
Penny's Challenge: lots of layers



Up next in Dreamland: A fun project made with Lost Coast Design Stamps!!  Fun!  See you then!  Love ya.
Karen

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Baby Carriage on the Roll to Welcome Baby

Hi Dreamers,
Hope you are having a great day!  Today, I have a sweet baby card to share.  I saw this carriage on Pinterest and wanted  to make something like it.  By looking at the photo, I was able to figure out which punches and die cuts to use to make the carriage.  I also made a coordinating envelope with an Envelope Punch Board (Stampin' Up).  I used the Eyelet Edge punch to decorate the edges of the envelope.




Materials List:
CS: White and Pretty in Pink - Stampin' Up
DP: Cloisonne stack - GCD
Stamps Stampin' Up (retired)
Ink: Old Olive -SU
Dies: Scallop Circle - Sizzix; Circle -Spellbinders; Rosette - A Muse Studios; 
Punches: 3 sizes of circle punches; Scallop Circle punch; Eyelet Border - Stampin' Up
Decorative Tile Embossing Folder - Cuttlebug





Instructions:
  • Make a card from white CS and layer with Pretty In Pink CS
  • Dry emboss a piece of white CS and add to card front







  • Make the carriage: 
  1. Die cut a scallop circle from Pretty In Pink CS and cut out a fourth of the circle
  2. Die cut a circle (slightly smaller than the scallop circle) from the DP and cut it in half
  3. Glue half circle to pink scallop circle
  4. Cut the DP with the rosette die--fold up a length that fits onto a fourth of the scallop circle and glue in place
  5. Cut the border from white CS and glue to the edges of the carriage -- on the area where the fourth was cut away
  6. Punch the wheels with circle punches





  • Glue the carriage to the card front
  • Add brads to the wheels and glue in place
  • Add a pink ribbon
  • Add the handle
  • Stamp a baby sentiment and punch out and layer onto a scallop circle









Inside:

  • Stamp a sentiment on the inside-Victorine Originals
  • Stamp a carriage (Stampin' Up retired) and color with markers
  • Add a strip of DP cut with the edge punch

Inside




******************Challenges for my Baby Carriage Welcome Baby Card:
Craft-dee bow: anything goes with a bow
Love to Scrap: anything goes
Shabby Tea Room: baby + photo
Emergency Crafts: red or pink
Feeling Crafty: dies and/or punches
Quirky Crafts: pile it high and make it 3D
Sentimental Sundays: pack a punch + sentiment

This card was made for my friend's son and daughter-in-law who are expecting!  Baby is due in April.  How exciting!!  See you next time for a peachy keen card - with a touch of Spring.  See you then.  Love ya.
Karen

Friday, February 14, 2014

Love Note----Post Card

Hi Dreamers,
Just could not resist wishing everyone a Happy Valentine's Day!!  Hope everyone has a great day filled with lots of love!  I sent out all my Valentine's and handed out a bit of chocolate too.  Fun!

Now, today's card could be a Valentines, a love card, or even a anniversary card.  I think I will set it aside  to give to my husband for our anniversary.   Already have his Valentine made and ready for tonight.  



Materials:
Stamp: Bird Post from Stampendous
CS: Kraft, Rusty Burgundy textured
Velum
Inks: Real Red dye - Stampin' Up; Cardinal Pigment - Versa Color
Distress Inks: Vintage Photo, Barn Door
Fired Brick Distress Embossing Powder
Heart Die Cut- Amuse Studios
Rosa Embossing folder - Cuttlebug
Burlap Ribbon
Sheer Ribbon
Charms
Wire



Instructions:

  • Make a card from Kraft CS and distress with Vintage Photo ink
  • Dry Emboss Rusty Burgundy Textured CS 
  • Distress with Vintage Photo and Barn Door ink--use an applicator and direct to paper method
  • Glue to card base





  • Stamp the Bird Post stamp on Kraft CS with Real Red dye ink
  • Die Cut a heart from Velum
  • On the Velum heart, stamp the Bird Post with Cardinal pigment ink and heat emboss with Fired Brick powder
  • Glue the velum heart  to the Kraft CS with the stamped image lining up the image precisely
  • Carefully tear the Kraft CS around the Velum heart leaving about a quarter of an inch all the way around the heart
  • Distress the edges with Vintage Photo ink




  • Glue the heart to the card base
  • Add the ribbons and charms



And, how about a few Fun challenges for my Love note card:
Stampendous: Feb challenge--Love notes
Simon Wednesday: Kraft CS
Simon Monday: we love stamps
Brown Sugar: die cut or punch
Craftitude: Valentines/love
Fussy and Fancy: be my Valentine
Sister Act: Anything goes
Totally Papercrafts: Valentines/love

Up next in Dreamland---I am going to post that Baby card---Yes, I really am going to post it!  I know I have been talking about it for weeks, but I really am going to post it next.  It is pretty cute and I think you will like it.  And, after that, a few Lost Coast Design projects.  So, lots of fun over the week or so.  See you soon!!  Happy Valentine's Day!!
Love ya
Karen

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Decorative Paper Doing All the Work-Valentine's

Hello Dreamers!
This is my last Valentine's Day Card post.  I have shared all the Valentine's with you.  I have to run out tomorrow to my favorite candy store.  This store has been in business since the 1950's and still makes all their candies and chocolates.   I will pick up some chocolate hearts for a few special someones.  LOL.  Maybe even one for myself.
Today's cards are made with a pretty decorative paper that had four quadrants printed on it with a heart in each.  How easy is that!  Cut and paste them on.  You could check your stash for something similar.  Or  a pretty print cut in the shape of a heart would work too.





Materials:
Decorative Papers: one with a small print and one with large heart motif (this paper is one I had in my stash for a few years)
CS: reds, wine, pinks
Ink: Real Red - Stampin' Up
Valentine Sentiment stamp-Stampin' Up (retired)
Scallop Circle Punch
Ribbons





  • Make a card base from red CS
  • Layer with decorative paper--I used a paper that coordinates with  the heart motif paper
  • Cut a sheet of 8 x 8 decorative paper into four 4 inch pieces
  • Layer onto a square of red CS
  • Tie ribbon around the smaller square
  • Add to card front







  • Stamp the sentiment with red ink and punch out
  • Add to the card with dimensional adhesive
  • All done!  Very quick ---and that is why I made four!!
***************
A few fun Challenges for my Decorative Paper heart cards:
Crafting from the Heart: Anything goes with red
Crafting for all Seasons: show some Romance
Pennys Challenge: monochrome
Rhedd and Rosies: love is in the air
Fan-Tastic Tuesday: romance
4 Krafty Girlz: anything goes
Paper-crafting journey: love is in the air


!!!!!!    Have a happy Valentine's day--on Friday !!!!!! 
What's coming up in Dreamland:
I have some Lost Coast Design Projects that I will be sharing with you.  I went a little crazy with the Liquid Pearls.  Have you used them?  Pretty fun way to make your own embellishments.  And, other things......  xxxxxxxxx  Check back for that!!!    Have a super day!  Love ya
Karen

Monday, February 10, 2014

Sharing a Little Love with Pretty in Pink Valentine's Day Cards

Hi Dreamers!!
Very wintery here in good old Michigan, USA.  About another inch of snow this weekend.  We are all tired of shoveling.  I have had a nasty cold and am finally feeling better.  So, I had a few days off to be miserable and felt  able to work on a project yesterday.  I will share that project later on .....maybe next weekend.


For today, I have some pretty in pink Valentine's Day Cards I made to send out to family and friends.  The cards are more on the CAS side made with pretty papers and no stamping (I did stamp sentiments on the inside).   I really enjoy using all the beautiful papers I have in my stash.  Sometimes I think my  papers get neglected.  So, get those papers out and let them shine!!     I gave my heart punch a little work out too.






Materials:
CS: white and cream
Decorative Papers: various pink and heart themed papers
Heart Punched
Pink Ribbon
Pearls






Instructions:

  • Make a card base from cream and white CS
  • Punch a heart shape from pink papers
  • Cut a square from another Decorative paper and position under the heart cut out
  • Layer this unit onto the card base
  • Add a bow






  • Add pearls 





I saw a sample like this on Pinterest and wanted to try it.  TIP: Try it on a scrap piece first to get the placement of the punched hearts right.  I found that the depth of my punch's reach kind of dictated where my hearts were on the paper piece.  I threw one out before getting the placement how I liked it.  LOL


  • Punch three hearts from pink paper 
  • Layer over a second decorative paper
  • Add two bows






  • This paper was pretty enough to stand on its own.  I cut a 4.25 x 5.50 inch piece from an 8x8 sheet and layered onto a cream card.


***************And, how about a few challenges for my Pretty in Pink Valentine's!!!
Cut it Up: Valentine's + die cut
Craftin Desert Divas: use the colors red, pink, and white
Brown Sugar: Valentine's
Craftitude: Valentine's or love
Crafts 4 Eternity: With Love
Challenges 4 Everybody: anything goes
Come and Get It: make it girly
Eclectic Ellapu: heart on card  *************


I will be back later in the week with my last Valentine's post.  Then I have a cute baby card to share and a  Lost Coast Designs project.  So stayed tuned for that!!  I hope you are having a great day!  Love ya.
Karen

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Bird in Heart Valentine

Hello Dreamers!
Trying to get my Valentine's in the mail.  I have to address the envelopes and try to get to the post office.  We had more snow yesterday!  Another 4 inches!  The temps are very low, so none of the snow and ice is melting.  The streets and roads are really a mess.  So, let's warm our hearts today with a Sweet Friend Valentine.  I used stamps from Stampin' Up for my pretty Bird in Heart card.





Materials List:
Stamps: Stampin' Up
Ink: Black dye
DP: Carta Bella Devoted 6x6 Pad
CS: White; Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink, Strawberry Slush-Stampin' Up
Top Notch Die Cut - SU
Copic Markers
Pink satin ribbon
Pearls
Sewing Machine (optional)





Instructions:
  • Make a top fold card from pink CS
  • Layer with DP
  • Stamp the Bird in Heart on white CS and color with Copics
  • Cut out around the heart shape
  • Cut a pink layer in a heart shape and layer with stamped heart-- I cut the hearts by hand as I did not have a heart that worked.






  • Layer DP on the dark pink CS
  • Stitch around edges with a sewing machine and white thread
  • Layer hearts on this piece
  • Die cut Top Notch from Blue CS and cut a strip: glue to lower edge of stitched piece
  • Add to card front






  • Stamp sentiment on white CS
  • Color with a blue and pink Copic marker
  • Cut out and add to card front
  • Tie ribbon in a bow leaving long tails
  • Run hand gathering stitches down the lang tails and pull threads to gather -Glue to card front
  • add pearls






****************Challenges for my Bird in Heart Valentine
Simon's Wednesday: add a heart
4 Crafty Chicks: add flags or a banner
4 Krafty Girlz: anything goes
Crafty Ribbons: anything goes with ribbon
Creative Knockouts: Be Mine


I have a few more Valentine's Day cards to share.  And, the cute baby card.  I will be posting those over the next two weeks.  Not sure of the order I will post them.  Stayed tuned for that!  Have a great day!!  Love ya.
Karen

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Valentine's Day Card with Lost Coast Design

Hi Dreamers!
I have still been making Valentine's Day cards!  This batch is for my family and friends and will go out in the mail tomorrow.  Today's card is made with a super sweet stamp  from Lost Coast Designs called Flower Sisters.  This image also comes with a pretty sentiment, but I did not use it on my card as I wanted a Valentine's.   TIP:  The stamp is a photo stamp.  This type of stamp always turns out best stamped on glossy white CS with dye ink.  I used black dye ink here.  Take a look.




Materials List:
CS: Glossy White, 2 shades of pink; red; pink polka dot
Ink: Black dye
Copic Markers
Heart Punch
Love word die cut--A muse studios
Spellbinders-Labels 22
Lace, ribbon, rhinestones. Pink tulle






Instructions:

  • Make a card from medium pink CS
  • Glue a piece of lace fabric over the card front
  • Stamp the image on glossy white CS with black dye ink
  • color with Copic Markers
  • Cut the image out with the Spellbinders die---trim the side edges off after die cutting
  • Layer onto light pink and red CSs






  • Punch a heart from polka dot paper and glue to card front
  • Wrap pink tulle around the stamped piece and secure on the back
  • Tie White satin ribbon around stamped piece and knot a pink ribbon around bow
  • die cut the word love from pink CS
  • Add rhinestones






Isn't this a lovely stamp??!!  This would be great for  Mother's day for a friend or sister too!  Oh, and it would be so cute for a friend's birthday!

*********How about a few fun challenges for my Flower Sisters Valentine's.
Stampendous February Challenge: love
Love to Scrap: use the word Love
Craft-room: ribbon and lace
Cuttlebug Mania: touch of red
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday: love and red
Shopping Our Stash: Love / valentines
Top tip tuesday: girly + tip
Stamps + Fun = Creativity: vintage
Simon's Monday Challenge: love notes
Pile it on: ribbon

This week I will be sharing more Valentine's day cards and a super cute Baby card!!  Stayed tuned for that!  The weather continues to be crazy snowy and icy.  There is about 3 inches of ice on my driveway!  How the heck do you get rid of that??!!  I will need a barrel of salt!!  Well, see you soon!!  Love ya.
Karen

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Valentine's day Hearts--More cards for Hospitalized Children


Hi Dreamers,
This is the last of cards for the Cards from the Heart Card drive.  I stamped and die cut hearts for this group of cards.  As you can see, I made multiples of the cards.  I changed the papers and cardstock a bit for variety.





Stamps from Stampin' Up and Gingham CS from A Muse Studios.











I punched the heart and layered with Real Red CS from Stampin' Up.  Various valentines papers were layered onto pink and red CS.













Papers from My Mind's Eye (xxoo) and all others from Crate Paper.  Sentiment from Stampin' Up.







 Challenges for my Cards from the heart:
Crafty Catz Weekly:anything goes
Crafty Hands: shades of the same color
Simply create Too: Mother's day or card for a female
Sister Act Card Challenge: anything goes
Aloha Friday: Valentine's/ love
Open-Minded Crafting: Show some love
Sweet Stampin: Valentine's/ love
Crafty Calender: Love is all around



 I have some Valentine's Day Cards that I made for my friends and family too.  I have taken the pics and will share those with you in the coming days.  Lots of time to make a few cards for someone you love.
Hope your day is going well and you have some time for a bit of crafty fun.  See you soon.  Love ya.
Karen