Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Just Believe

Hello! Thanks for stopping by today . I'd love to showcase from the Whispers collection .. Dragonfly at Die-Versions
 
 
I started out by die cutting the Dragonfly in gold foil paper.  It is a very thick paper and the die has some intricate cuts so I placed a piece of cardstock folded under my plate for some extra thickness.  It cut perfectly the first time.  I just received my Vagabond 2, so I wasn't sure how thick I would need.
 
My card is 4 x 5.5 in size and I played with my gelatos for this card... Ok, well my purple gelato!  I used watercolor paper and gesso to place a layer over the paper (let this dry).  I then scribbled some gelato and with my spray bottle spritzed and moved the gelato until I was happy with it.  I wanted this card to be simple .. but let me tell you.. it looks stunning in person.
 
I wanted the dragonfly to really be raised, so I placed two layers of adhesive foam .. it was so high that you could see the foam.  I took out  a gold marker and colored it so it would blend in. You can leave the wings as is or I bent them slightly giving them some curve.
 
   
 
I then stamped my sentiment (from My Creative Time)  and embossed in Brutus Monroe gold.  Placed the dragon fly on the card and added a few rhinestone embellishments for the final touch.
 
 
 
Thanks so much for stopping by!  When shopping at Die-Versions be sure to use the code kara15 to save 15% from your order.   This can not be combine with any other sales or promotions.
 
Happy Crafting!
Kara
 
 
 
 
 

Monday, June 27, 2016

A Note to Brighten your DAY!

Hello!  Thanks so much for stopping by
 
Today I want to share a card made for the SugarPea Designs Mix it up challenge #3.  This is the color pallet to work with and design sketch.  You could use one or the other or both.. I tried my hand at both!
 
 
I used Whatever the Weather & Die from SugarPea Designs.  Also the pattern paper from Whatever the Weather series. 

 
Thanks so much for stopping by!  SugarPea Designs has many challenges to choose from.  Challenge your craftiness and link up a project. 
 
 


Saturday, June 25, 2016

Be the Reason someone smiles

Hello!  Thanks for stopping by
 
New week calls for a new challenge at The Color Throwdown blog!  This week the colors were so amazing that I can't stop looking at them.   Here is the swatch to work with.
 
 
I am loving the layered look lately.  It seems all of my cards end up with numerous beautiful layers. I first started off with my card base.  It is 5 x 6.5 and I purchase these at Michaels when on sale. I ended up trimming it slightly which I normally do not do.
 
I started out with a 4 x 5.5 white piece of card stock and took the brand new ink from So Suzy Stamps called Wild Watermelon.. and oh is this gorgeous.  I know this will be my go to pink from here on out..   I took my ink blending tool from Tim Holtz and placed the Wild Watermelon down.  I die cut in yellow the brand new stacked stars from Simon Says Stamp.  I left some of the stars intact ..  I ended up cutting down this piece of cardstock as my stars didn't take up as much space as I thought.
 
I then started my layers.. I used the Scalloped square from SugarPea Designs.  Orignally this was from a Stamp of Approval box, but can now be purchased outside of the box.  The next layer is from Craftin Desert Divas Fancy Frames.   The next layer is the Picture Frame die from Craftin Desert Divas.  The pink layer is a regular old cut and I embossed this layer.  Finally one last white square.. I took my Wild Watermelon and drug it around the edges of this piece to make it kinda pop away from the white card base.
 
I then took the Flag Banners from Craftin Desert Divas and used the brand new set from Simon Says Stamp (inspired by Jennifer McGuire) Uplifting Thoughts.  I embossed this with Alabaster from Brutus Monroe.
 
It needed something else.. so I rummaged through my ribbon and found pink.. and had some twine in the mess, so I added that as well. 
 
This card turned out so incredibly gorgeous.  The colors together are stunning.. Be sure to  join in the Color Throwdown Challenge weekly!
 


Thursday, June 23, 2016

Pray for Orlando

Hello!  Thanks so much for stopping by
 
I almost feel helpless in times of tragic happenings in the world.  I saw a card drive opportunity and I hopped to it.. These are the cards I created #prayforpulse

The stamped cards come from a brand new release from The Joy Collection found at Brutus Monroe.  I used Altenew inks in several different ink collections.  The banner if from Banner Flags at Craftin Desert Divas.
 
 


Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Sketch and Color Challenge #41 - Your Next Stamp

Hello!  Thanks so much for stopping by
 
Today I would love to show off my shaker card created for the Your Next Stamp Sketch and Color Challenge #41
 
  
 
 
I got some awesome inspiration from the DT posts, but as I thought more.. I turned my idea into a shaker card.  After all I say SHAKER EVERYTHING! LOL  They are fun to create and just love the outcome of shakers.
 
So first I created the main part of the sketch.. the 3 windows.  I used an inside out square die to create my windows.  I then placed transparency film over the windows.. popped up my sketch base with foam ... filled with sequins and nail art tubes (I purchased these at the Dollar Tree and just knew they would come in handy).  
 
I then created a backing for the shaker.  I used the Confetti stamp and masked off each section so that I could use blue, pink and purple.  I wanted to not only challenge myself for the sketch, but also the color portion.  I adhered that to my shaker portion and moved onto the layers to match the sketch.
 
I then wanted a birthday theme of some sort so I took out the Balloon Buddies stamp set and stamped what I needed.  I did not purchase the dies when I bought the stamps. So using the stamped images.. I traced and cut on my Brother Scan N Cut.  I cut three different times for the 3 different colors.  I also cut the balloon strings using the Brother Scan N Cut.  I only had room for 3 balloons, so I cut off 2 strings in the batch.   These turned out super tiny so I used my Xyron X to put adhesive on the back..
 
 
 
Once all of this was laid down, the top portion of the white shaker windows needed something.. So I took the single confetti from the Balloon set and stamped the coordinating colors I used for the background of the shaker.  That added just what I needed.  The sequins came into play because I needed to cover up a boo-boo LOL.
 
The final step was to stamp and use the HB2U from Silly Monster Incognito 2.  I popped that up with some foam for some dimension.
 
This is my card for the #41 Sketch and Color Challenge.  I hope you like it!  It took a few hours to complete.. After all, the thoughts in my mind don't happen in a few minutes.. It's always a little process, but I love the outcome!




 
 


Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Love you

Hello!  Thanks so much for stopping by
 
Today I am using So Suzy Stamps and ink bites for my project.  The color combo in the ink bites are gorgeous! 
 
Items I will be using for this project
 
I had watched a video from Jennifer McGuire on stamping a background and then adding white to the center of the card to give it a 'faded' look.  So I tried it on this card.  I used both sizes of spray stamps and randomly placed using the ink bites.  I then placed a layer of white on the center.  In the photo you may not be able to fully tell what is going on, but in person the center has a faded look and then brighter on the outsides..
 
I then took the Swirly Hearts stamp and stamped in the center using the same ink bite collection.  I LOVE that the love you stamp is the only left over color from the ink bite collection.. it stands out and looks fab. 
 
I then placed a few nuvo crystal drops on the card to finish it off.  These crystal drops are some of my first made.. I dropped some out on a piece of acetate in the beginning.. I've also dropped some directly to a card.. I love both ways.. if you drop them on a card .. be very careful that you don't smudge them or place something on top of it.. been there done that. LOL
 
If you have ink bites from So Suzy.. be sure to link up a card here
 
Happy Crafting!
 
 
 
 


Monday, June 20, 2016

Red, White and Blue

Hello!  Thanks so much for stopping by.  Welcome to week 1 of the Red, White and Blue linky challenge at Craftin Desert Divas.
 
Red, White and Blue!!  Home of the Brave is what those colors represent to me.  I started off by printing the July Bear digital image from the Craftin Desert Divas store.  I then colored with Spectrum Noir markers and cut with my Brother Scan N Cut. 
 
With the party die set, I cut two balloons in patriotic paper I purchased at Walmart.    I used the Flag Banner die set to stop and emboss Home of the Brave (from Celebrate Freedom).  These banner dies have become a staple in my crafting.  To create some layers in the card I used the brand new Crazy Stitched Frames, Picture Frame and Stitched Circles.
 
Be sure to link up your Red, White and blue card here at Craftin Desert Divas .


Craftin Desert Divas products used:

July digi Bear: http://craftindesertdivas.com/july-bear-digital-stamp/
Picture Frame:
http://craftindesertdivas.com/picture-frame-die/...
Flag Banner: http://craftindesertdivas.com/flag-banner-dies/
Stitched Circles: http://craftindesertdivas.com/stitched-in-circle-dies/
Celebrate Freedom: http://craftindesertdivas.com/celebrate-freedom/
Party Dies: http://craftindesertdivas.com/party-dies/
Crazy Stitched Frames: http://craftindesertdivas.com/crazy-stitched-frame-dies/


 

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Happy Birthday!

Hello!  Thanks so much for stopping by.  I am participating in the weekly Color Throwdown  Challenge.  I love this challenge because it always a fun challenge to see what you come up with.  This is CDT397.
 
Challenge information can be found here:  http://colorthrowdown.blogspot.com/
 
 
Here is the color pallet to work with this week.
 
 
I am always in need of Birthday cards, so I decided to take out my Happy Birthday sentiment from So Suzy Stamps.   I first embossed my stamp with Alabaster from Brutus Monroe.  I then took out my Gansai Tambi watercolors and painted green over my sentiment.  I then took brown and yellow and flicked random places. 
 
I topped it off with some green, brown and yellow sequins.
 
 


Thinking of you

Hello!  Thanks so much for stopping by
 
Today I'd love to show off a card using the brand new Flower Power from The Joy Collections, found at Brutus Monroe.  This set has endless possibilites..
 
I used Altenew ink and layered my flowers.  These cute little heart flowers are adorable!!
 
I then took from the Flag Banner set at Craftin Desert Divas and stamped Thinking if you from the Flower Power set. 
 
It was a super simple and quick card.  Highly recommend this Flower Power stamp set.
 


Friday, June 17, 2016

Last drop...

Hello!  Thanks so much for stopping by
 
Be sure to stop by Craftin Desert Divas for coffee digi stamps! 
 
Today I would like to share a coffee card I made using a digital image from Craftin Desert Divas.  I wanted to stretch my thoughts and use what I had already.. I'm a good one for always needing the new stuff, but I was looking through my stash of digital stamps and low and behold had a bear from winter.  Cocoa Bear.. so I printed him out and colored away.    I knew I'd have to cover up the snowflake so I took out the Got Coffee set (physical stamps) and a heart punch.  I stamped the heart onto the heart punch in white and then I distressed the heart with Grape distress ink.. I then added some foam dots and over the snowflake it went.
 
 
 
The Fancy Frames die set is a staple in my collection.. I use these dies in many projects.   I also used the Picture Frame die for another layer in the card.  To add my bear I used Stitched Circles and then foam tape to raise the bear a bit. 
 
To finish it off the sentiment (from Got Coffee) I heat embossed in white on the Flag Banner Die set.  I'm in love with this banner set.. A must have in your collection.  I never ever throw packaging.. bows.. etc away.  The purple bow is from the packaging of stamps at Craftin Desert Divas!
 
It is super simple to use digital stamps in your projects.  I have a Brother Laser MFC-9340 printer and print on either Brutus Monroe alabaster paper or Spectrum Noir paper.  I use Sprectrum Noir makers to color.  If you have any issues.. Heat set the ink before coloring.   I use the Brother Scan N Cut to 'fussy cut' all of my images.   You can do a close cut.. or I chose to offset my image a smidge..
 
 
 
 
Craftin Desert Divas products used:
Coffee digi products:  http://craftindesertdivas.com/products.php?product=Coffee-Friends-Digital-Stamp  *** be sure to grab the coffee freebie digi for a limited time only **
 
 
Thanks so much for stopping by
Happy Crafting
 

 
 
 


Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Heartfelt Creations Botanic Orchid

 
Hello!  Thanks so much for stopping by
 
I am so very behind on sharing creations I have made, but this Happy Birthday card made with the Botanic Orchid collection from Heartfelt Creations is stunning.. if I don't say so myself.  This is a brand new release from Heartfelt and I love to purchase mine from Create and Craft.. They always release about a week early and I love to have my hands on it ASAP.. 
 
For this card, the size is 5.5 x 5.5.  I used green cardstock for my orchids.  In the stores you see so many different color orchids, I figured why not.. Since the card was for someone who loves green.  I used Green Momento ink to stamp and then once shaped (make sure to watch Heartfelt Creations newest video on shaping the orchids) I used it on the edges a bit for some added definition.  I also added in a bit of pink .. just because the rest of my card was pink.  I also added some shimmer mist, but the photo does not pick that up.
 
The corner die is from Heartfelt Creations as well.  I used some brilliance pink to add some random highlighting.  The background paper is from the Orchid paper pack.. I then took some Lindy's Stamp Gang mist and flicked.  I then curled up the edges and tore some places to make it look not perfect. 
 
Happy Birthday is from Cas-ual Fridays.  This die was a part of a Stamp of Approval collection from Catherine Pooler.   To finish off the card, I placed a few pink dew drops for that finished look.
 
I am in love with the card.. In person it is stunning.   Thank you Heartfelt Creations for another stunning flower.  I will be trying the daffodil as well.. that will come from this very same collection.
 
Happy Crafting! 
 

Thursday, June 9, 2016

So Suzy Stamp discount code

Hello! Thanks so much for stopping by
 
Today I wanted to share a 10% discount code for So Suzy Stamps (on your first order).
 
I absolutely love the stamps and all the goodies you can purchase from her store.  To receive the 10% off use this link http://r.sloyalty.com/r/uXSg7faZi1ix .. 
 
Here are a few examples of cards that I have made using So Suzy Stamps.  The background and sentiment is So Suzy.

 
The sentiment is from So Suzy on this card.
 
 
Be sure to use the link http://r.sloyalty.com/r/uXSg7faZi1ix for your 10% off
 
Disclaimer:  I also receive 10% off when you purchase

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Blogs 4 Boobies



Welcome to day 7 of the hop!

We are so glad that you joined us today. This is a one-of-a-kind-blog (hop)bounce! Every card/project that is show here in the "Blogs 4 Boobies" blog bounce is up for auction! All of the money raised through the silent auction, on our blogs, will be donated to the Susan G. Komen foundation. Skipping Stones Design is also donating $2 to the cause for EVER stamp set sold during June 1st-14th. SSD is celebrating "Blogs 4 Boobies" with the release of 6 ALL NEW Stamp sets.

I am truly honored to participate in this blog hop.  Cancer has touched so many lives.. some are survivors.. and some we lost.  Each person holds a special place in my heart.

You will be bidding on 3 cards that I have made.  These will be a set with envelops to fit. Cards are 5 x 6.5 in size.

Purple 'Happy Birthday'
 
Blue 'Just a Note to say I care'

 
Gray and Pink 'For a Wonderful Friend' 


Your next stop on the hop is Majo Wybranietz

If you get lost along the way or would like to see previous days to bid/look please visit Skipping Stones Design: Blog



The how to's...
 
There are 3 ways that you can help, and join in on the fundraising!

1. You can help by Shopping!
For every stamp set that you purchase during June 1st through the 14th SSD will donate $2 to the Komen Foundation. Stamping and shopping that you can feel good about ! 
Skipping Stones Design is celebrating "Blogs 4 Boobies" with the release of two new stamp sets!!! 
Here is your first look at the new "Let it Be" set, I think it's gorgeous!

 
 
2. You can help by Bidding!
Another way you can help us raise money for the Komen Foundation is to *bid on a project or card along the blog bounce(hop). YES! EVERY Single card/project along the blogs for boobies bounce is up for auction. We recommend a starting bid of $5 or more. Your *Bid not only includes the card or project but shipping to your home as well. Please Note IF you want to bid, and live outside the U.S. we would request that you pay the difference of shipping charges between where you live and what it would cost to ship within the US. *See how to place a bid for more detailed instructions.
 
3. You can help by Telling Your Friends
Help us spread the word about "blogs 4 boobies" the more people that know, the more money we can raise!!!

 

How to place a bid on my card/project

Step #1
Find the comment section of the blog that shows the "Blogs 4 Boobies" card or project that you want to buy. *Please note you may only bid on the card/project shown in the specific "Blogs 4 Boobies" post. *Any bids not placed on the correct post will be considered invalid.
Step #2
Once you are in the "Blogs 4 Boobies" comment section fill in the dollar and cents amount of what you are willing to pay for the card/project. We recommend a starting bid of $5 or more. Remember your bid includes shipping as well as the card/or project. 100% of the money your bid will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation
Step #3
Along with the $ amount you are bidding, be sure to include your email address so that we can contact you when you win!!
Step #4
Watch and wait.
Once you have entered your bid/comment sit back and wait. If someone out bids you then you may bid again. Bidding will continue until 8:00 p.m. Mountain time 7 days after the first post. 
* Please note that the participating stampers/bloggers will probably re-post their Blogs 4 Boobies card/project on the during the week of bidding in June. When the blogger re-post their project then the bidding will continue on the NEWEST post and that comment section.
 
"What do I do once I place a bid"
Watch and Wait
The "Winner of the Auction" Will be the highest bid (that includes an email address)in the comment section of the MOST RECENT blogs 4 boobies post at the end of the silent auction. Please note that ALL cards/projects WILL BE REPOSTED seven days after their initial post. The auction will end at 8:00 p.m. Mountain Time seven days after the first post, so again the bidding on my post will end on 06/09/16!!
Things to keep in mind:
Near the end of the bidding you may not see bids as they come in. Most blog have a comment feature where the blogger must approve comments before they are published. So bid high. You might have the highest bid that is published, but someone might have outbid you in an unpublished comment/bid.
The blogger/designer will declare who has won the silent auction. Skipping Stones Design will send you an invoice for your donation/bid ammount. Please pay that invoice as soon as possible, so the designer can get your card/project in the mail to you.

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Prayers

Hello!  Thanks so much for stopping by
 
Today I've love to show you a snippet of a card box I am creating for a gift. 
 
I used Concord & 9th 'You are Enough' and Simon Says Stamp 'Prayers' stamp sets.  To make the process so easy I highly recommend MISTI.. This tool will make your life so easy to create cards.. especially in quantities..  I then added some tiny rhinestones.  I had matching colors for all except the blue.  I took my spectrum noir pens and made my own color using a clear rhinestone.
 
I used Altenew ink for my layering stamps.  I love the ink as the guess work for what colors go well together when layering is out..
 
   
 
I wanted to use my gorgeous pots of flowers for props and while it is pretty, it is tough to have them perfect for a photo opp. 
 

 
I hope this has inspired you to be crafty! 
Happy crafting!