A blustery autumn day . . .

 

A VERY happy weekend to you!    Believe it or not, this is just a card for the fun of it!!    It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to that.    This cutie is one of the new images by Sarah Kay from Stampavie called Chloe Watching the Trees in the Autumn Wind. 

What a tough card to photograph!   I used some copper metallic cardstock for the swirls and on every picture the copper looked almost black, or there was lots of back flash.  So, all I can say is that this card definitely looks much better in real life!  

 

 

I liked the idea to combine the smooth copper cardstock and the rough Jute ribbon  that I was so happy to find at the Gina K. Designs store!   This ribbon seems perfect for Autumn or vintage cardz, IMO! 

It’s a rainy – “blustery” day here today in Wisconsin, so this card seemed quite appropriate.   It’s always a little sad to see the bare trees after all the leaves have fallen – and, of course, the fact that SOMEONE needs to RAKE!   hehe

 SUPPLIES USED:  

• Stampavie ~ Chloe Watching the Trees in the Autumn Wind
• K&Co ~ Tim Coffey Fall Specialty Paper
• Copper foil metallic cardstock
• Blending Card by X-Press Graph-X Supplies
• Spellbinders Nestabilities Large Petite Ovals 
• Tim Holtz  ~ elegant  flourishes
• Gina K. Designs ~ Jute ribbon
• K&Co metal art sentiment
• Memento ~ tuxedo black
• Distress Ink ~ tea dye
• Distress Ink ~ aged mahogany
• Distress Ink ~ walnut stain
• Pop Dots
• Copics:   E000, 00, 07, 08, 11, 13, 25, 29, 30, 31, 34, 51, 53, 55, 57;   R01, 20, 30, 35, 46;  YR02, 68;  Y23;  YG91;  W1, 3, 5;  T0, 1, 3, 5

All That Scraps Challenge ~ Crinkled Ribbon

 

Happy Wednesday!   Sorry for the lack of posts the past few days, we’re working on the next Magnolia Ink magazine . . . the Christmas edition ~ it’s sooo hard to be working on Christmas projects when it’s 90 degrees outside!   🙂     

Our challenge today at the All That Scraps Wednesday Challenge blog is to add some Crinkled Ribbon to your card or project.   This type of ribbon seems to be all the rage right now, especially on vintage and shabby chic projects.   

I googled Crinkled Ribbon and found lots of tutorials on how to dye and “crinkle” ribbon yourself.   Apparently, it works best with a rayon material ribbon generally used for seam binding.    Here’s one link if you’d like to take a peek  Crinkled Ribbon Tutorial.    But NO, I did NOT make my own … I cheated and used some rose ribbon from American Crafts that I HAD to have awhile ago, but hadn’t used yet!!      (Yes, I think the term “hoarder” is appropriate here!)  

 

 

For my card, I’ve used the adorable Rose Emma from the Take a Seat collection from C.C. Designs.   She’s actually sitting on a flourish(ey) stamped image from the Tim Holtz  Stampers Anonymous Nature’s Discovery set .

So, I hope you can join us for this challenge ~  all the details can be found on the All That Scraps Wednesday Challenge blog . . . while you’re there, I know you’ll be SUPER inspired by the always amazing projects from the Design Team!

Thanks for stopping by today.   I hope you’re having a good week!

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Supplies Used:  

• C.C. Designs ~ Take a Seat Kit
• Tim Holtz ~ Nature’s Discovery
• Gina K. Designs ~ Arranged with Love (sentiment)
• PTI white cardstock
• Spellbinders Nestabilities Large Classic Rectangles
• Melissa Frances ~ Teresa DP 
• Pearlized dew drops
• American Crafts ~ rose ribbon
• Miscellaneous  (sorta crinkled) white ribbon
• Miscellaneous green felt leaves
• Distress ink ~ milled lavender
• Distress ink ~ dusty concord
• Smooch ~ moonlight
• Pop Dots
• Copics:   E000, 00, 11, 13, 25, 47, 50, 51, 53;  R20, 30;   V000, 01;  BV000, 00, 23; YG91, 93, 95, 97;  W0, 1, 3;   T1, 3, 5

All That Scraps Challenge ~ Cracked Glass

 

It’s that time again!   Time for a new challenge at All That Scraps.  Our challenge this week is the cracked glass technique … something I had never tried before and wasn’t too sure about it.    But, I must admit after giving it a try, I love it!!     Gina K Designs has an awesome video tutorial that includes putting your finished piece into the freezer, which I think, allows more control over where your “glass” cracks.

This image is from the C.C. Designs Sweet November collection ~ Darby & Penelope.   I’ve added some heavy jute twine and large eyelets to make it look like they are sitting on a swing together . . . not too sure it comes across that way!   

 

 

I added LOTS of layers of clear Ultra Thick Embossing Powder after coloring these cuties with Copics.  I was unsure how the EP might affect the Copic ink, but I was relieved to find that it didn’t do a thing!   Phew.   After bending the image for the cracked effect, I didn’t care too much for the cracks going over their faces, so I quickly took my heat gun and went over just that area to re-melt it, trying NOT to hit the other areas.   I then went over the cracks with some Distress Ink in Vintage Photo, as shown in Gina’s video.  

The dp is from the Basic Grey Max & Whiskers 6×6 paper pad, which actually has some cool papers that aren’t necessarily for dogs or cats!  The sentiment is from my favorite “go to” company for their awesome sayings – PTI; which has also been given the “cracked glass” treatment!   I used Spellbinders Nestabilites Labels 2, Large Petite Ovals and the new Large Mega Scalloped Ovals on this card.  And added a ribbon bow from my stash.

 

 

You really should give this challenge a try, you’ll find that it’s actually fun!   For some great inspiration to join us, be sure to pop over to the All That Scraps Wednesday Challenge blog to see all the awesome projects from the DT.

Hope you’re having a good week!

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Copics Used:   Y21, 23, 26;  R20, 30;  BG10, 11, 13, 18, 72;  E000, 00, 02, 08, 11, 50, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59;  W1, 3;  T1, 3, 5

Copic Creations Challenge ~ Coloring “Other” Surfaces

 

Happy May Day!   I can’t believe how quickly this year is flying by!    It’s time for a new Copic Creations Challenge.   This week was a tough one – Coloring other surfaces, like fabric, chipboard, vellum, plastic, wood, etc.   As you can see above, I’ve stamped and colored this cloth baby bib.      My daughter is pregnant and due in July with her THIRD daughter!  So I thought it would be fun to give her this.    Hopefully, the baby won’t be late!   

I also stamped and colored some kitchen towels using one of my favorite stamps by one of my favorite artists – Asela Hopkins, an amazing artist from Gina K Designs AND a member of the Copic Creations Design Team!   The stamp set is called  Fruitful Harvest.

 

 

Here’s a quick closeup of the purple grape towel . . .

 

 

I must say they definitely look much better IRL!    Photographing white towels just was not working too well! 

We have LOTS of helpful tutorials to guide you in whatever medium you choose to color on.    Our sponsor for this challenge is Copic Markers!!   AND, the prize is a 12-piece set of Copics!!    Pretty cool.    So, I hope you can give this technique a try and join us.   Be sure to stop over at the Copic Creations Challenge blog to see all the amazing samples from the VERY talented DT!    You won’t be disappointed.

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Copics Used:   (Grape vines)  V05, 06, 09, 91, 93;  YG01, 25, 93, 95, 97;  G20, 21, 24, 40;    (Bib)  RV000, 00, 02; R30;  Y11, 21;  E00, 01;  W0

Skipping Stones Sketch Challenge

 

Today was another Sketch Challenge Tuesday over at Skipping Stones Design.   Unfortunately, I’ve been battling a cold and was not able to complete my card in time to be included on the SSD blog.   So, better late than never, right?  

The Guest Sketch Designer for this month is Belinda Chang Langer of Bleu Bella Designs.   Here’s her Sketch for this week:

 

And my card …

 

This card was just a little out of my comfort zone, which means NO COPICS were used on it!   lol     The stamps are from one of the new releases at Skipping Stones Design, Dandelion Dreams.  

I used the “thumping” method with water based markers.   If you’re looking for a GREAT tutorial on this technique, hop over to Stamp TV and the awesome Gina K will show you how! 

I hope you can check out all the challenge cards over at the Skipping Stones Blog, there are some gorgeous creations for today’s Sketch Challenge.

Thanks for visiting – Back tomorrow with a new All That Scraps Wednesday Challenge.

For my friend

 

Happy Friday!!   Here’s one of the newest released images from C.C. Designs ~ Swiss Pixies Birgitta.   So happy I was able to make another Fall card, especially using one of my favorite Fall color combinations of dark reds and dark oranges.  

 

 

 The dp is from the Basic Grey Perhaps collection.   The flower die cuts are from Spellbinders Nestabilities Blossom Two set.   The sentiment is from the Gina K Designs friendship blooms stamp set.

 

 

Hope the weather is a little bit nicer where you are  …   It’s dark, rainy and dreary here in Wisconsin and I’m really missing the sun!!

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Copics Used:   RV17, 19: R000, 00, 01, 11, 20; YR12 15, 23, 24, 31; Y08, 17, 21, 38; E000, 00, 11, 21, 51, 97, 99; YG93, 97, 99; W0, 1, 3, 4, 5

Love is a fruit …

 

I love this sentiment by Mother Teresa ~ It’s part of the awesome new stamp set from Gina K. Designs  designed by my idol  🙂  Asela Hopkins, called Fruitful Harvest.

 

 

I love EVERY stamp included with this set!   Asela always designs such beautiful images.     The grapes and leaves were colored with Copics, cut out and mounted with pop-it dots onto the very cool new Spellbinders Nestabilites Label Six  shape.   The dp is from my fav Graphics 45 and I added some 5 mm Self Adhesive Nail Heads also from Gina K’s.  Here’s a closeup of the grapes:

 

 

 

Thanks for visiting today!   Hope you’re having a wonderful Sunday.

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Copics used:   YG00, 91, 93, 95, 97, 99; E31, 33; W0, 3, 4

On your special day …

Hello!   Seems like ages since I’ve posted a card ~  We got back from the Copic Certification class in Minneapolis this weekend and I haven’t done a thing since!   I did, however, finally make it to GinaK’s for the first time in a very long time for a little retail therapy.  This is always dangerous for me since I could buy EVERYTHING she has in the store!  🙂    Fortunately, I was on my lunch hour and time was limited!!

 

 

This gorgeous stamp is from GinaK, called Arranged with love by Melanie Muenchinger.  I have been needing this stamp set for a couple months now and was not disappointed when I finally was able to use it!  

 

 

This card is for my MIL’s 90th Birthday!!   Can you even image the importance of turning 90??  I’d say that’s a big one.    🙂    

The background dp is from the new BG indian summer paper pad  and all I can say is WOW, every single sheet is GORGEOUS!!!   

I also picked up several colors of GinaK’s pure luxury card stock – I used chocolate kiss for this card.   Again, WOW!  It truly is the sturdiest and deepest colored cardstock I’ve ever used!   

Thanks for dropping in today.   Hope you are able to stop back tomorrow for InStyle Stamps monthly blog hop.

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Copics used:   RV21, 23, 25, 29; R02, 05, 08; YR14, 20, 21, 23, 24; YG91, 93, 95, 97, 99; E27, 29; W3, 5

Teacher Thank You

Hello!   Hope you are having a great weekend ~ and the sun is shining in your neck of the woods.  🙂

My DD, Jessica, asked me to make some thank-you cardz for my twin grandaughters’ Kindgergarten teachers.   We thought this bushel of apples from the Whimsical Autumn stamp set by Carolyn King at Gina K. Designs was a perfect image to thank Hailee & Jordynn’s awesome teachers.

Thank you teacher!

Jessica actually found this sentiment and felt it was perfect for these cardz, and they were such great teachers, they deserved a BUSHEL of apples!    

Thanks for stopping today ~ Hope you can come back tomorrow for TWO challenges ~ House Mouse Monday AND Copics Creations challenges!   Needless to say, it’s been a busy stamping weekend for me!

Copics Creations Challenge ~ Clear/Transparent things

[Please note:  I have TWO challenge posts today – the House Mouse Challenge can be found below this post!]

 

 Happy first day of June!   And, what a busy one it is!!

It’s our 5th Copic Creations Challenge, featuring Clear/Transparent things.  This was a definite CHALLENGE for me!  I really had to study Marianne Walker’s tutorials and did LOTS of samples before this one!   All the details can be found on the CCC blog, along with the AMAZING creations by the very talented DT!   

Friendship Blooms

The best part about this challenge, is that Gina K. Designs  is our awesome sponsor!!   She provided the above stamp set, called Friendship Blooms, and an assortment pack of her pure luxury cardstock!    AND, this same stamp set, (a new one… not a used one!!!)  along with the paper pack is the prize for one randomly selected participant!     You better get over there quick to check it out!!   🙂

Hope you’re having a great day.   My other challenge today is the HM Monday Challenge – the post can be found after this.   Thank you for stopping in today.

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Gina K. Designs, Friendship Blooms; Gina K. Designs, heavy weight pure white cs; Basic Grey Porcelain dp; Bazzill, green & pink cs; Memento, black ink; Distress, Old Paper, Peeled Paint, Fired Brick inks; Colorbox, warm red ink; Kaiser, white half pearls; Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots folder; Spellbinders Nestabilities, Labels Three; Misc. rbbon.

Copic colors used:  Water – B000, 00; Vase – YG63, 0; Flowers – R000, 00, 30, 37, 39, 85, RV000, 00;  Leaves – YG63, 67, 91, 95; Outlining – YG91, E43;  Base – YG91, 95, R30.

The Beacon in my Life

Happy Saturday!   More  stamps from my shopping excursion at Gina K’s.  This is from the Guiding Light set by Rupa Shevde ~ very cool nautical stamps!

 

 

 

I found this embossed DP from SEI –  called En Route and thought it would make a great abstract water scene for this light house. 

 

Hope you’re having a great weekend….it’s cool and rainy in Wisconsin – a VERY good day for a nap!    🙂

 

 

 

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 Stamps:  Gina K. Designs, Guiding Light by Rupa Shevde                

Paper:  Neenah, Solar white cs;

             SEI, En Route;

            Bazzill, blues & tan cs             

Ink:     Memento, black;

            Distress, Antique Linen;

           Brilliance, Mediterranean Blue, Pearlescent Lavender

 Accessories:  Spellbinders Nestabilities, Labels Four;

                     Self-adhesive rhinestone; Scenic Route Paper

                     Co. hand dyed twill ribbon; clips; Nautical Netting                                         

Copics:   B12, B23, B63, E35, E43, E50, E51, E53, E57, E71

Many Blessings from Gina K’s

I finally had a chance to ink up some of the new stamps from my recent shopping trip to Gina K. Designs.   One of my favorite stamp designers is Asela Hopkins…she really is so talented, I always love her stamp sets.  This one is called Friendship’s Garden. 

Calla Lily

 I also found this VERY cool product called Nautical Netting at Gina K’s.  Thought it would give my card a somewhat of an oriental theme ~  It’s very easy to work with and doesn’t necessarily have to be used on nautical projects….I think I might need more!!   🙂       

 I hope you’re having a great day!   And, tomorrow is a brand new Challenge at InStyle Stamps…be sure to stop back for a chance to win a free ISS image!  

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 Stamps:  Gina K. Designs, Friendship’s Garden by Asela Hopkins

Paper:  Neenah, Solar white cs;

                The Paper Studio, dp;

               Bazzill, various tans & black, cs

Ink:     Memento, black;

            Distress, old paper & faded burlap

 Accessories:  Spellbinders Nestabilities ,Labels Four &

                               Curved Rectangles; Nautical Netting;

                               Black stick-on rhinestones; Black ribbon

                              from stash                                         

Copics:      Calla Lily – Y17, Y21, YR20, YR23, YR31, E50, E51, E53, W3

                      Leaves/Stem – YG00, YG03, YG11, YG63, YG67

                     Pot – Y28, YG91

                    Soil – E18, W3

House Mouse Challenge No. 25 ~ A Sketch

HAPPY HOUSE MOUSE MONDAY!!     🙂

Hugging Bird

This weeks challenge is being sponsored by 2 red bananas ~  The owner, Jeanette, has designed a sketch to follow AND the DT at 2 red bananas willl also be joining us for this one – how exciting!

Here’s the sketch………..

and my card …………..

 

2 Red Bananas

 I really enjoyed this challenge and hope you are able to join us.   Please be sure to upload your card at the House Mouse Challenge blog and also take a peek at the other cards submitted by BOTH design teams!   🙂 

Never be the first to let go of a hug

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Stamps:  Stampa Rosa, Hugging Bird, 1997;

    Gina K Designs, Cuddles & Hugs by Melanie Muenchinger

     

Paper:  Neenah, Solar White cardstock;

             Basic Grey, Periphery – Vineyard, Syrah, Port, Zinfandel;

             Bazzill, dark brown

 

Ink:     Memento, Tuxedo Black;

Adirondack, Espresso;

            Distress – Faded Jeans, Broken China, Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap

 

Accessories:  Fiskars, Circle templates;

                       Miscellaneous, brown & blue cord;

                       Miscellaneous, brown brads;

                       Pop dots

 

Copics:  Mouse – E47, E71, W2 & W4

               Mouse skin – E00, E02 & R20

               Pine needles – G21, G28, G85, G94 & G99

               Branches – E43 & E77

               Bird – B000, B00, B93, B95 & B97

               Bird beak & feet – Y11 & Y21

               Bird eye – 0.5 Copic black Multiliner & Signo white gel pen

 

Tenugui

The Inspiration Challenge at SCS yesterday was Tenugui ~ Japanese beautifully printed cotton towels.  The one I chose was actually made into a calendar …

Tenugui

Since I didn’t have any stamps that resembled the Lotus or Lotus buds, I ended up doing this freehand with Copics…hmmm.   I wanted to add two buds to coordinate more with the sentiment.

Lotus Blossom

When I saw this particular Tenugui, I immediately thought of  this sentiment by Melanie Muenchinger’s  Say it with flowers  from Gina K. Design.   Just had to go with it!   🙂

Anais Nin

Hope you’re enjoying your weekend…as always, be sure to come back on Monday for the House Mouse Challenge AND on Wednesday, I will be hosting another PTI Challenge!   🙂

Will you be mine? :)

                                                                                                                                                            

**PRODUCT TIP ~ For anyone who uses the clear acrylic blocks for your unmounted stamps and find that they become quite grimey, stickey and stained from embossing inks, Stazon, etc., try cleaning them with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser!  Wow, I read this tip somewhere, don’t recall where, but really needed to try it since my blocks were pretty nasty!   It REALLY works – Thank you to whoever thought of this idea ~ You’re a genius!**   

                                                                                                                                                         

There’s just something about a coupon that makes me bring out my wallet!! 🙂  Gina K. Designs had a special coupon for today only ~ $10.00 off a purchase of $25.00 or more!  Woo hoo!   Sooo, during lunch today, I saved $10.00…(I won’t say how much MORE I spent to save that $10.00 ~ but, it was very worth it!)   🙂

I finally was able to get Asela Hopkins’ new stamp set called Framed Friends at Gina K’s ~ what a fun set of stamps!   Here’s a link to Asela’s blog ~ she ALWAYS does some amazing works of art!  http://www.hopartstudios.typepad.com/

Be Mine???

 

I thought tonight might be a good night to take a break (again) from my beloved Copics!   I used my Koh-i-Noor pencils and gamsol on this little Valentine and the Spellbinders Nestabilities Label dies for the front and back of the card base and DP.   Here’s a quick closeup view: