Giveaway - Tattered Angels!

Tattered Angels is offering a give-away of products! Check out the following link for details: Tattered Angels Giveaway

This has been a super busy summer! I have been creating cards, and even messed a bit with creating "soft cards" sewn out of fabric scraps. Finding time to take pictures and post them on the blog is another matter. Hopefully next week I will have some free time to post.

Happy Summer & keep on stamping!
Hugs,
Lisa :)

Distressed Flower

This card is one of my personal favorites.

The flower is stamped on designer paper, cut out, sprayed with a copper shimmer mist, then crumbled up to give dimension and a shabby chic look. For the center I dabbed a silver brad directly into Brilliance Ink in copper, and once dry, sprayed with copper shimmer mist.

The sentiment is stamped over vanilla card-stock misted with a dark brown pen installed in a trigger mister from Stampin' Up! Once cut to size, sponge brown ink on the edges to frame and give a worn, finished look.

The main card is cut from Stardream cardstock in gold. Stardream is my favorite cardstock and paper for a shimmery, interesting effect.




Thanks for stopping by & happy stamping!
Hugs,
Lisa :)

Silhouette - Pink Butterfly

I enjoyed this technique so much, that I ended up creating 3 cards for the challenge on Splitcoast. For this card I used a butterfly punch from Stampin' Up, and a leaf sprig die cut. I hand stitched around the card, which was tedious and seemed to take FOREVER! I need a craft sewing machine!

Thank you for stopping by, and have a crafty week!
Hugs,
Lisa :)

Silhouette Technique - Fall Leaves

For this card I did a reverse silhouette in the sense that the leaves are a light color against a dark background. I wanted to represent a fall breeze and the idea of falling leaves. I found the swirl embossing folder perfect for creating that effect without adding color thus allowing the leaves to take center stage.

To create the swirl layer, cut brown card-stock to size and run through Sizzix with a swirl patterned folder. Spray with a copper shimmer spray then edge in brown ink.

Leaves: sponge Distress Inks (tea dye, rusty hinge, wild honey, and old paper) randomly on a piece of white card-stock. Cover completely then mist with a copper shimmer. Allow to dry before die-cutting with a leaf pattern.

The sentiment is stamped in brown on a piece of kraft card-stock that was die-cut and sponged with Distress Ink in wild honey and rusty hinge.

Hugs!
Lisa :)

Silhouette Technique - Wedding Card

Yesterday, Splitcoast Stampers challenged us to create cards using the silhouette technique. The idea is to stamp on the backside of a dark-patterned designer paper and cut out the image using the non-stamped side as a silhouette. One can also use die cuts or punches and achieve the same affect.

In my first card, To Have and to Hold, I used a heart punch on dark patterned paper, then edged them in brown ink. To create the central image, I used a sticker from the BasicGrey sticker sheet (cappella), attached it to the patterned paper I used for the hearts then matted that with dark brown card-stock. Finally, I applied UTEE several times to achieve a glossy rippled effect. The background paper is simply the flip-side of the dark patterned paper (that is one of the things I love about 2-sided patterned papers, they usually go well together). I edged the sides in brown ink to give it an aged-antique look then applied ribbon and a pearl string to the top and bottom. To allow the hearts to stand out, I applied Stickles around the edges. Easy-peasy! 

I LOVE this technique, and later today I will share a couple of other cards I created using this same idea.

Punch: Stampin' Up!; Paper: BasicGrey, cappella figaro, Stampin' Up!: Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette; Ink: Stampin! Up, Chocolate Chip; Stickles, Frosted Lace


Thanks for visiting & happy stamping!
Lisa :)

Brilliance Ink to Enhance Dry Embossing

I love creating texture in my work, and embossing is an easy way to achieve it. With just a simple piece of card-stock, ink, and the Cuttlebug or Sizzix, one can create a unique background paper that is perfectly suited to the card design at hand (or scrapbook page for that matter).

I find that Brilliance Ink is a great tool for this purpose. It goes on smoothly and really pops with color. Plus it is archival, which is important if you are creating scrapbooks or items that require color longevity.

To create the background image on this card, run the card-stock and embossing folder of your choice through your embossing machine. Swipe Brilliance ink directly from the pad onto the surface of the design. I went back and added swipes to the flat areas as well to create a little more interest to the paper and give it a worn look.

For the sentiment. I simply swiped Brilliance ink directly over the card-stock, then stamped my image. I tore the sides and adhered to black card-stock. Very simple :)

Supplies used:

• Stamp from Close to my Heart (My One & Only)
• Brilliance Ink in Platinum Planet
• Card-stock & Ribbon from Stampin' Up!

Thanks for stopping by and have a creative weekend!
Lisa :)

Coloring with Copics & Dry Embossing

Today is a bad day for allergies, and mine are killing me. I am a bit out of it, so if my words don't make much sense, that is why.
This is one of my favorite images from Inky Impressions Rubber Stamps, called Angelica's Bunny Hugs. I have a gift I want to send to my niece, so I thought Angelica would be perfect to base a card off of for her. The layout from a card sketch challenge from Splitcoast Stampers was my inspiration.
I love dry embossing with my Cuttlebug, it adds a nice texture and design to a card without making the design too busy. For the element on the right of my main image, I cut out a light blue piece of card-stock, matting it with pink then ran it through my Cuttlebug. Then I punched out tiny flowers in a medium blue, dotted the centers with Stickles.
This was a fun sketch to play around with, and I hope my niece enjoys her card!
Thanks for stopping by & happy stamping!
Lisa :)

To Wonderful You - MFTWSC77

I saw the sketch challenge from My Favorite Things and had to play along.

The embossed panel is created by sponging several shades of ink onto white card-stock then running it through the Sizzix with an embossing folder.

Create the flowered panel by stamping the flower image in green, masking it then stamping the leaf image in blue over the green flowers.  Then randomly sponge blue, green, and some pink around the image. Remove mask. Create the frame by cutting out strips of white card-stock, scallop punch the edge and edge in pink. Stamp green dashes then scallop edge punch a strip of masking paper, apply and sponge blue ink over it. Assemble frame and adhere to flower image. Finally, stamp flowers again this time in pink on a white card-stock scrap. Cut out the flower part only, apply yellow Stickles (I actually did this part at the start so the Stickles would be dry in time to assemble), then apply to the green stems with dimensional dots.

Thank you for visiting my blog!
Happy Stamping, Lisa :)

UTEE - Crackle Effect

Did I mention that I love UTEE? Here is another way I utilized it in a card.

For the central element I stamped the flower image then the sentiment "find joy", cut it out, then sponged VersaMark over the entire surface. Finally, I dipped it in UTEE and applied heat with a heat gun. Repeat this 3 more times: VersaMark, UTEE, heat gun. Allow to cool, then bend, or push up on the back, until it cracks and you achieve the effect you find appealing.

In the design of this card, I was inspired by a quilt pattern. After choosing two complimentary papers, I decided on one for the background and cut that to size. Then, I cut paper shapes out of the other piece, sponged ink on the edges and applied to the background paper.

I am currently a huge fan of the crochet lace ribbon. I love the texture and it has the vintage/antique feel that I find comforting and enjoy incorporating into my work. I felt it was the perfect accent for the central image on this card.

The yellow background matting is embossed with a Sizzix folder.

Thank you for visiting and here is to inky fingers!
Lisa :)

Utee Embossing - Valentine Card

One of my favorite things about making cards is getting in there and altering paper to create what I want. Utee, ultra thick embossing enamel, is just TOO much fun! With this product you can create unique embellishments that fit the project you are designing. I use it whenever I can find an excuse to.

For this card I covered a chipboard heart with red ink, stamped the sentiment in white, then embossed it with Utee 3 times. If you have never used it, all you do is cover the heart with VersaMark, dip into Utee, and heat with a heat gun. As I am embossing, I usually hold the piece with some sort of clip, because the gun produces high heat and you can burn yourself. I repeated the steps 2 more times and allowed it to cool with a ripple effect.

To create the "Valentine" sentiment, I sprayed card-stock with Tsukinek's Walnut Ink, stamped the sentiment, cut it out and distressed the edges. Walnut Ink is another of my favorite tools that I use to alter paper by distressing it. So much fun!

Thank you for visiting & happy stamping!
Lisa :)

Over-stamping with Clear Embossing Powder

I was asked by a church group to create over 40 cards for their ladies inspiration group, so I will be posting them here and there. The details for this card are as follows:

First I stamped the flower image in yellow ink, then over-stamped with VersaMark and embossed with clear powder. Next I sponged blue ink over that image, cut to desired size and then sponged blue ink on the edges. I cut the cardstock with the sentiment "you're on my mind" to the desired size, sponged yellow ink onto the bottom and sides. The rest of the card is pretty self-explanatory.

The inspiration for the layout is from Splitcoast Stampers Sketch Challenge SC373.

Thank you for visiting my blog!
Sincerely,
Lisa :)

Easy Easter Bags

 

I volunteer my time making cards at the center my grandmother attended, Daybreak West. The center provides activities for people suffering from memory loss and respite for their caregivers. Daybreak became an integral part of our lives and part of our family during the last 8 years that my gram was with us.

Here is a bag I came up with to make with the participants for Easter. I have to keep the projects simple, because the they are child-like in ability and attention span. The stamping wheels are great for them. I have them run it over the ink pad and then over the bag to create a fun patterned backdrop.To create the mulit-colored panel, simply sponge random colored ink onto white card-stock panel. They really enjoy this! Getting inky fingers is the fun part =D

After we created the bag, we filled it with Easter grass and goodies.

When I work with Daybreak (and anyone for that matter), I emphasize that your art is your own and does not have to duplicate mine. I encourage them to be creative and express themselves by doing their own thing when the spirit strikes them. One of my favorite things about art is that it is an expression of self, and there is no "that's wrong!" in art.
Thank you for stopping by and happy stamping!
Lisa :)

Creative Background

For this card I decided to create my own papers. Everything started out as white card-stock.

Background: Mask off stripes horizontally then sponge blue ink; repeat vertically. Using a texture patterned folder, run through embossing machine. Cut white card-stock 1/8" larger than sides of textured piece, then edge punch bottom. Adhere textured piece to the edged piece, then cut top leaving 1/8" boder.

Flowers: Sponge red ink on white card-stock, punch out with flower punch, and edge by sponging red ink on edges.  Assemble white paper flower over the top and attach with silver brad. Apply Stickles to brad to bring in background color.

Sentiment: Sponge blue ink on cardstock, stamp sentiment in black, then cut out and sponge edges. Sponge red ink on a piece of card-stock. Mat sentiment with white cardstock, then the red-inked sponged card-stock.

Main card: Sponge front of card with red ink and assemble!

Thank you for stopping by my blog & happy stamping!
Lisa :)

Make Your Own Background Paper

I created this card for the SCS, Splitcoast Stampers, Challenge on Friday.  I created the background by stamping blue stars and red swirls randomly on white card-stock. Then, I took a neutral color stamp pad and brushed it over my design and sponged the edges with the same ink. Finally, using adhesive, I applied a super-fine glitter to the stars as an accent.

Happy Stampin!
Lisa :)

Splitcoast Challenge - Man Card

I love entering the Splitcoast challenges. They inspire me. Today was the challenge to create a man-card. I decided to make a card to send to my husband who is over in Afghanistan.

The main image is from Outlines Rubber Stamp Co., and the sentiment is from a Stampin' Up hostess set called Best Yet.

I punched out the hearts using a Stampin' Up punch, sponged them, then adhered them with foam to create depth. I framed the sentiment with a chipboard piece papered in SU! paper and edged in light brown ink.

Thank you for stopping by and happy stamping!
Lisa :)

Layered, Dry-embossing

To create this card: Cut 4 squares of designer paper, ink the edges and adhere to a larger piece of square card-stock. Then ink the edges of that square, and adhere to a piece that will frame it. Wrap a piece of lace ribbon around and tie in front. Select an embossing mat, and run the layers through your embossing machine. Finally adhere the embossed square to a mat you create using a Martha Stewart Punch. Adhere the lace-edged square to a square card. (Note: As far as dimensions go for this card, I based it off the ivory lace edging I created from the Martha Steward punches. You need to create that piece first and work from there, because the dimensions are specific in order to line up corners and sides correctly.)

Butterfly: Stamp butterfly image, then cut or punch out. Punch or cut out 2 more of the same shape in card-stock of your choice. Sponge ink on edges as desired. knot two pieces of twine and adhere to back of butterfly head of the piece to be used on the top. Apply adhesive to center body area. While that dries, apply Stickles to image to add sparkle as desired. Allow to dry. Adhere to card, and roll up top 2 layers of wings to give dimension.

Well thank you for stopping by and happy summer!
Lisa :)

Cross Stitch Card

My cousin, Bonnie, was having twins. So for her shower I decided to do something special and cross-stitch a hanging card for her. I backed the Aida cloth with card-stock and lace. For the back of the hanging, I applied card-stock and wrote my message to her.

Faux Patina Background Technique

This is one of my favorite background techniques that I learned from participating in the challenges on Splitcoast Stampers. It is called Faux Patina. Here is the link to a detailed tutorial on Splitcoast: Faux Patina. I am a big fan of texture and distressing. Plus it is just so much fun to get into the altering of paper, making it what you want it to be. 

I haven't posted in a while because life has been crazy. My grandmother that lived with me past away on September 11, 2011 at the age of 94. She suffered from Alzheimer's, and I can't even begin to describe how difficult it was watching her slip away over the last 8 years. She was an amazing person, and I can only hope to be half the lady she was. She had a wonderful sense of humor that lasted up until the day she left this earth, and could laugh at herself. That was one of the many lessons I learned from her. Take yourself lightly, and have a sense of humor about yourself and life. Her laugh was contagious, and she had a smile for everyone. She love to paint with oils, and I have many of her works of art adorning my walls. I will have to take a picture of one and post it... adding that to my to-do list! Well, I love you Gram, and miss you so very much. You will always be in my heart, and your memory lives on through my family who adored you.