Friday, May 27, 2011

Faux Batik With Blockheads Stamps

Hi Everyone,
I am Guest Designing over at the Blockheads Paper Arts Design Blog today. I have posted a step by step tutorial on creating projects using the Faux Batik technique. Run over there and check out the instructions. Here is a sneaky peek of the card over there.

Now, as I promised over on the Blockheads blog, I have lots of other samples for you to look at. This is the stamp set I used. It is called Painted Butterflies from Blockhead Stamps.

Now, on with the show.

The samples above were created using White CS and White Embossing Powder. Reinkers used: on left- Memento Rhubarb Stalk and Ranger Tattered Rose; on right- Brilliance pigment inks Coffee Bean and Cosmic Copper.
On samples above, I used White CS on both and White Embossing Powder. Reinkers used: on left- Ranger Tattered Rose and Scattered Straw; on right- Ranger Forest Moss and Black Soot. The small butterfly stamp is from the Grunge Collage Set. All of these products are available at the Blockheads' Store. Here a couple finished cards that I made using my Batik Paper.
On the above card, I used White CS, White embossing powder, and the Brilliance inks listed above. I used the Spots from the Painted Butterflies set. I stamped the Butterfly on White CS with Rhubarb Stalk ink and cut it out. I die cut the little frame and glued it on and added the butterfly with pop dots.
The second card was made using Black CS, Clear Embossing Powder and the Brilliance inks listed above.

I added a layer of Black CS and some Metallic Bronze CS. I crumpled a piece of metallic ribbon and glued it down in a few spots.



This is a really fun technique. You can see how many looks you can get by changing the CS color, embossing powder, and inks. Hope you are having a great day. Another rainy day here in Michigan. Thanks for stopping by and hope to you again soon. Love ya.

Karen

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Publishing Update

Hi Everyone,
Just a quick post to give you a publishing update. You can find my work in the following Stampington Publications.




Have a great day! Love ya.


Karen

Monday, May 23, 2011

Hedgie Birdhouse

Hi Everyone!
Hope you are having a great day. I have finally been able to get out and work in the yard. I put in some vegetable seeds today, trimmed a big bush, and weeded all over. Started raining so I came in. Today, I have a cute little project just for fun. I made a stand up birdhouse from a template by Stampington and Co. But, there are not any birds living in this bird house.

The hedgehogs are from Penny Black stamps. The hedgies have moved in and taken over. The barn wood paper is from DCWV. The bird is from Stampin' Up. The Chirp sentiment is from Sweet N Sassy.


A Few challenges for Hedgies on the Move:


Penny B Friends Saturdays: Fussy and fancy


Penny Black at Allsorts: Shape Up


Paper Sundaes: Pop it up


I did it: Anything goes


Sweet Stampin Challenge: In the garden or a sketch.


See you soon,


Karen

Friday, May 20, 2011

Blockheads' First Challenge on Facebook


Hi Everyone!

Short post here to let everyone know that the first Blockhead Challenge has begun. Play along on the Facebook page here. Leigh is hosting the first challenge. Leigh has also posted all the details on her blog here. The Challenge theme is to create one of Leigh's Kinetic projects. You will see them on her blog to help inspire you. Submit your creations on the Blockheads Facebook Page. There is a prize on offer too - a $25 gift certificate to the Blockheads Store. You have until June 12 to complete your entry. See you soon over at the Blockheads Facebook page!! Have fun!!

Karen

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Stampsmith Birthday Cards

Hi Everyone!
Another rainy day here in Michigan. I will try to brighten things up with a few brightly colored birthday cards made with Stampsmith Stamps. The first two cards use the Paris Eiffel Dress Individual stamp. For the first card, I stamped the image on green velum with black ink.


The velum was placed over a piece of DP from Cosmo Cricket. The card base is Not Quite Navy from Stampin' Up.


The second card uses the same stamp, but this time the image was stamped on a piece of light yellow paper. I trimmed the image leaving a border of the light yellow paper and then layered with a floral DP from DCWV and bright pink CS. The last card uses one of the images from the Paris Full Sheet stamp set. The image was stamped on glossy white CS and layered with navy CS. I added a sentiment from My Sentiments Exactly and two different DP's. I tied a piece of tulle around the sentiment and the main image.And here is a close up photo. A few fun Challenges for my Birthday RAK's:


Paper and Such: a NEW challenge site!!-birthday


Sweet Stamps: Birthday


Stamping Scrapping Central: birthday


Hope this post has brightened your day!


Karen

Monday, May 16, 2011

DeNami Anniversay Card #2

Hi Everyone,
I am back again today because I just saw the new DeNami challenge posted. The new theme is to use Decorative Paper. Well, I just happen to have made another Anniversary card for my Card Ministry box using the Contempo Couple stamp. (The box is contains occasion cards that are sent out to members of the church.) Contempo Couple is a perfect image for weddings and anniversaries. And, I used LOTS of DP on this card!!

The image is stamped over a scroll stamp in black ink and cut with Spellbinders. I added lots of DP from K & Company. There is a lenght of ribbbon running accross the middle of the card and also tied into a bow at the top.On the inside, there is a sentiment from My Sentiments Exactly.



Just a short post. Have a great day!


Karen

Blockheads Project with Black/White

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT !!!
BLOCKHEAD PAPER ARTS WILL BE HOSTING CHALLENGES ON THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE.
Stayed tuned for more info!!

Hi and Happy Monday,
Today, I have two cards to share with you. They are both made with stamps from Blockheads Paper Arts. I used the set called Flowers Full Sheet 1. This is what the set looks like.

I received a pack of White and Black Kromekote Glossy CS from Blockheads and thought I would use both to make my cards. On the first card, I stamped the smaller rectangular flowers images with black ink on the White glossy CS.



To color, I colored in the images with watercolor crayons and just smudged a little with my finger. No water involved. I cut the images to size and layered on a piece of the Black glossy CS. I added two more layers of pink and dark rose CS. The card base is made from a light mossy green CS. To make the sentiment piece, stamp on the green CS and cut with Spellbinders die Labels Two. Trim to about 2 inches high. Cut a slit in the top fold of the card and slide the sentiment piece inside. Add a little glue in the inside to hold it in place. The sentiment is also in the stamp set. The second card is sort of an opposite of the first. This time I stamped on the Black Glossy CS with white pigment ink and heat embossed with clear powder.
I ran a piece of the Black glossy CS through the Cuttlebug with a Polka Dots embossing folder. Love the results on the glossy paper. I mounted the black pieces on two shades of turquoise CS.


I added the sentiment piece in the same way as the first card except that I used Spellbinders die Labels 8.
I stamped Happy Birthday with Memories Black Ink.


The sentiment is from the Verses-Special Delivery Set.

 Don't forget to check back for more details on the new challenges we will be hosting on Facebook. Have a super day stamping away. (It rhymes. LOL) Love ya.
Karen

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Another Batch of Macsuline Cards

Hi!
I am back again with some more of the masculine cards that I made for my brother. Just to recap: he asked me to make him a year's worth of cards. He likes my cards better than the store bought variety. His is so sweet. Anyways, I made cards for him all last week. Today, I will show you two more of the cards. They are both Birthday cards. Here is the first card.
This card uses a Stampin' Up image that was watercolored. I also used a marker on some areas. I stippled the turquoise(Bermuda Bay) CS with a stamp and several different ink colors. Here is a close up. I also added some metallic ink the edges.
The second card is another of the "metal" backgrounds that I made recently. The foil was wrapped and glued to a piece of CS and run through the Cuttlebug with an Owl embossing folder. Color was added with alcohol inks. The sentiments on this card are from Gina K Designs.

And here is a peek at the inside. Perfect card for a guy.
A few fun challenges for my masculine Birthday Cards;

Corrosive Challenges: Birthdays


Paper Sundaes: Birthdays


Cute Card Thursday: Distressing


Paper Take Weekly: punches or dies


Okay, that's enough for today. Love ya.


Karen

Stampsmith Challenge Time

Hi Everyone!
Happy Sunday. Not very SUNny here today. Rain again. It is however the 15th and time for another Stampsmith Challenge. And since it is the 15th of the month, you must use at least one Stampsmith stamp to be eligible to win the random draw. Winner will be announced on the 1st! Your prize is a $10 gift certificate to the Stampsmith Shop. Now that I have the business stuff out of the way; the theme for this challenge is :

Starring Role

Let's see what you can come up with! Make your project by May 31 and link it up on the Stampsmith Challenge site. Here is what I came up with.
I used an image from the Audrey Hepburn Full Sheet. This is an image of Audrey receiving an Oscar for the movie "Roman Holiday". I also added the signature stamp. The frame is cut using a Sizzix die. The frame and the light paper under it were distressed by stamping a speckled stamp repeatedly in three different colors of pigment ink. The rose and pale yellow CS are from Bazzill, Blush Blossom - SU. DP (behind Image) - Crate Paper.

I added lots of pearls and a sheer pink ribbon for accents. Here is one more close-up of the Star. The image was stamped on glossy white CS and corners rounded.
For more Stampsmith Inspiration, head over to the Stampsmith Challenge blog and check out the other Design Team Cards. Val and Lynne has some fabulous projects too!! Have a great day stamping.
Karen

Saturday, May 14, 2011

More Masculine Cards

Hi and Happy Saturday,
I have more of the cards I made for my brother. He already came and picked them up and was very pleased with them. He is all set for the rest of the year. He wanted mostly birthday cards. Here are two of the cards which both use stamps from Artistic Outpost. The first card is a birthday card.



I glued three DP's ( DCWV, Provo) to a base of card stock and them cut it with a Spellbinders die. This piece was layered onto more DP (DCWV). I stamped the truck and cut it out. I added some eyelets and twine.

Here is the inside. Yes, I actually have a sentiment stamp that says Happy Birthday Son. The stamp is from My Sentiments Exactly.

The second card is for Father's Day. It also uses an image from Artistic Outpost. The background is made by covering a piece of CS with foil and running it through the Cuttlebug in an embossing folder. The color was added with alcohol inks. My buddy, Chris, and I made a bunch of these foil pieces one night.

The image is stamped with VersaFine ink and I added a little color with cotton balls with a little bit of distress ink on them.
I added a sentiment to the inside.






A few challenges for My Brother's batch of cards:



Artistic Outpost Referral Program: May



Creative Craft Challenges: Distress/vintage



Crafty Creations: Anything goes



Our Creative Corner: Monochromatic Neutrals



Have a great weekend!



Karen

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Sweet N' Sassy Challenges

Hi Everyone,
Thought I would challenge my self and try to enter all the Sweet N' Sassy challenges. They have a new challenge site for Digi's only. They are offering a freebie to help you get started. I used sketch # 107 from the Sweet Shop.


I also used a SNS digi to qualify for the new Sweet N' Sassy Digi Challenge Site - theme is All About MOM. This is a digital image that I colored with Cpoics. Here is my card.



CS: Barely Banana, Blushing Bride from Stampin' Up; Pink Coral from TPC
DP: Sandy Lion. Cocoa Digi Stamp: Sweet N' Sassy
Sentiment: My Sentiments Exactly

I love these Cocoa images. They are just too too cute.
A few Other Challenges for Cocoa:
ABC challenge: U is for underneath- Cocoa is underneath the Sentiment
Belli Challenge: Letter S - I used stripes and Sparkley paper clips
Hope you are having a great day!!
Karen

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Humming Bird Birthday Card

Hi Everyone,
I have a birthday card today to show you. My brother asked me to make him a year's worth of birthday cards. He is tired of going to "the card store" and not finding really beautiful cards. He likes my cards better. I have such a sweet brother. Anyways, he asked me if I would make him some cards. This is the first one. I have about 12 more to do. It will be a challenge for me because he needs lots of "guy" cards. So, I have to put away the pink CS and glitter. LOL. (This card is very girlie though isn't it?)
All the stamps are from Stampin' Up. CS: Blush Blossom - SU. Inks: Basic Grey, Blushing Bride, Regal Rose, and Pretty ink Pink. The DP is from Daisy D's. I stamped each element in a different color ink. I cut out one bird and one flower to add some dimension. Here is a detail photo of the stamping.

Challenges for Hummingbird Card:


Mark's Finest Papers: Recipe -use only paper, ink, and stamps - no embellishments. Tough one for me - the ribbon queen!!


Sentimental Sundays: anything goes + sentiment


Whoopsy Daisy: things with wings


Allsorts Challenge: use a least 3 different stamps - I used 6 different stamps


See you soon with more more cards!! Love ya.


Karen

Stampsmith RAK's

Hi Everyone,
Today, I have some RAK cards made for the Birthday girls on the Stampsmith Yahoo group. My stock of glossy white CS has dwindle down and I thought I would experiment with different types of papers. On the first card, I stamped the image on a glossy finish marbled paper. I stamped in a dark purple dye ink. This image is from the "Paris" Full Sheet available in the Stampsmith Shop here. I layered on black CS and some purple. The card base is a pattern CS from Anna Griffin.

Here is a detail photo. I am really pleased with the effects of using the photos stamps on the marbled paper. This technique will go on the "use again" list.



On the second card, the image was stamped on white CS with a slightly tough surface. I used black dye ink. This sweet image is from the "Those Were The Days" Full Sheet available in the Stampsmith Shop here. The card base is burgundy textured CS and I layered with DP in brown and pink. I added a sheer pink ribbon tied in a knot.


Let your imagination soar. Try out some papers you think would not work and have fun. I have more of these RAK's which I will continue to post through out the month.
I would also like to enter my RAK card in the following Challenges:
Simon Says Stamp and Show: Anything goes
I did It Creations: Monochromatic- the Eiffel tower card- purples.
Have a great day!
Karen

Monday, May 9, 2011

Another Card for the Girlie Girl Denami Blog Hop

Well,

Here I am again. I have another card for the DeNami Girlie Girl Blog hop challenge. I finally got the photos done. Coral went crazy and my photos were all grainy. Had to do everything all over. What a pain
DeNami has a Girlie Girl blog hop running until tonight. And there is also a challenge which runs until May 13. This is another card I made for the Blog Hop challenge. And, with no further ado here is my Mimi and Scooter Birthday card.


Mimi was stamped with black ink and colored with Copics. All the girlie girl papers are from Stampin' Up ( Apricot Appeal, Pixie Pink and DP). I used Spellbinders dies to cut the image and sentiment (from SU) out.



I added a bright pink girlie girl ribbon and some orange rhinestones for accents.




I made this card for my stamping buddy, Chris' birthday. ( Hope she doesn't see this post. LOL) I added some more sentiments (from My Favorite Things) on the inside too. I was in a very girlie girl pink mood today. I made 3 pink cards. I will be posting the others later. Hope you are having a stress-free Monday. And, I hope you get some time to stamp! Love ya.



Karen