Embossing Backgrounds

Hello All!
Just dropping in to share some fun cards I made with embossed backgrounds.  I used two different folders on the same piece of cardstock.  Stamped before embossing!

Stamps from Character Construction.  Sentiments from Stampin' Up.  Super cute cards to send for a happy hello.  See you next time.
Karen

Christmas Morning Wall Hanging with Character Construction

Hi Dreamers!
A bit of Christmas spirit in Dreamland today.  I made a small wall hanging project with The Vintage Christmas sets from Character Construction.  I wanted to make a scene with trees and then I started thinking about a snowy morning....and then, that children would want to get out and play with the new sled.  And, that is how this project evolved.

Materials List:

Stamps: Sets #2, #3, and #4 from Vintage Christmas-Character Construction

Inks: 

Distress Inks-Forest Moss, Black Soot, Frayed Burlap

Versa Magic Chalk - Jumbo Jan, Pink Petunia, Aspen Mist

Cardstock: White and Brown

DP: holiday from My Mind's Eye

Stickles

Corragated Cardboard

Wide Wired Ribbon

Gems

a Twig

• I used white CS and made a watercolored background for the base.  The trees are stamped in Forest Moss ink, the sledders and sentiment in Black Soot.
• Distress the stamped piece with Frayed Burlap
• Layer with Brown CS

• Tear the top layer off the cardboard.
• Distress the cardboard with the chalk inks
• Glue the DP to the cardboard.
• Add the stamped piece with dimensional adhesive

• Add the gems
• Add two ribbon loops to the back of cardboard for hanging
• Add a big bow.
• Add Stickles to trees
• Hang on wall

Challenges for my Christmas Morning Wall Hanging

Simon Says Stamp: favorite--Watercolored backgrounds

Allsorts: Oh Christmas Tree

Mark's Finest: snow

Christmas blog: Christmas tree

365 Cards: rough and smooth
One Stop Craft: distressed Christmas
Reasonable Ribbon: Christmas + ribbon
Craft a Scene: Winter scene

Isn't this a fun project.  I have it on the wall near my fireplace.  Love the vintage feel to the stamps and they work so well with the cardboard and rustic DP.   Hope your weekend is going well.  Love ya.

Karen

Christmas Postcard with Character Construction

Hi Dreamers!
Hope you are having a great weekend.  I have some more Christmas inspiration for you today.    I stamped this Christmas scene with the Vintage Christmas collection by Character Construction.   I wanted this to look like a Holiday Postcard, hence the postage image in the upper right corner. Looks like they are having a fine old time...bringing home the tree and singing carols on a snowy night.

• Start with Cream CS and make a background with Metallic Stains and Shabby Shutters Distress Re-inker.  (tutorial on making background)
• Stamp the images with Black Soot Distress Ink:

Christmas Postage and Snowflakes from Set #3

Car and Vertical Border from Set #4

Sentiment from Set #2

• Distress with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink

• Layer with black CS onto a green card base.  
• Add small pearls

Isn't this a fun card!!  It is going out to someone on my Christmas Card list. (I really have to work on addressing those and get them out!! Today for sure!)

Challenges for my Christmas Postcard
Blogger's Challenge: create a scene
One Stop Craft Challenge: Christmas Friends
Paper Play: Christmas is coming
Stampin for the Weekend: let it snow
Totally paper crafts: one for the boys

The Blogger's Challenge Blog Hop

Vintage Santa Celebrates with Character Construction

Hi Dreamers!
I hope you are having a great weekend!  To help Celebrate the Season, I have made a Vintage Santa card.  To make this card with old world charm,  I used stamps from Character Construction's  Vintage Christmas Set #2 

To really get a vintage look, I stamped with Rich Cocoa Memento ink.  Memento inks work great with Copic markers.  I did color the Santa with Copics.  Here is how I got the vintagey look with Copics.

• I used only one color--a dark red and colored the suit.
• I came back with the colorless blender and removed most of the red marker. 

I am very pleased with the results.  Sometimes I thought that I really did not want to use my Copics on vintage projects.  But, now I have figured out a way to make them work when I want to go all vintagey.   Here is a closer look.

I layered Santa on a red card base, a red crinkle cs, and a brown CS.  The edges were distressed (not with ink, but with the edge of a broken pair of scissors).  And, I tore one edge of the CS layers.  The Sentiment from the same stamp set was stamped with Rich Cocoa.  And, of course, I added a big bow.

Another Christmas card for my basket.  I have not counted them in a while but, I think I am getting pretty close to being done.  I can make a few quicker cards if I run short.    Now, don't talk to me about Christmas shopping.  I am seriously challenged in that area.  As in not done one little bit.  Well, anyway, I could order everything from Amazon.  LOL  Just bouncing around a few ideas.  My husband hasn't even told me what I am getting him this year.  LOL  Oh, it is just so much easier that way.  He always wants some music thing.    Like for his birthday, a few weeks ago, I got him mouthpieces for his trumpet.  Oh, it is all good!


My Vintage Santa Celebrating is entered in the following challenges:
Dream Valley: non traditional Christmas
Corrosive Challenges: Anything goes
Simon Says Stamp: Anything goes
Stamping Sensations: a tree
Christmas Card challenges:Christmas and optional sketch
Winter Wonderland: Santa


See you on Monday with a sassy Christmas card with Marilyn Monroe !  Have a great day.  Love ya.
Karen

Angel Ornaments with Character Construction

Hi Dreamers!
How is your week going?  I am having a great week with lots of creative time!  I  made some pretty Angel Ornaments this weekend with  stamps from the Vintage Christmas set by Character Construction.  Won't they look great on the tree?!

The bases of the ornaments were cut with Spellbinders- Labels four and Labels Eighteen from a dark cherry CS.  The Angels from Set # 4  were stamped on some backgrounds that I made with Distress reinkers and Metallic stains.  See the instructions for the backgrounds here.  Stamp the Angels with Black Soot Distress Ink and distress with Forest Moss DI.

On this tag, I tied a bow in satin ribbon and layered it with a piece of white tulle.  Paper roses were added.

On the second ornament, I added a sheer red ribbon, the tulle and a scrap of lace.  Buttons and stars were added for embellishments.  Isn't this angel just too sweet!??

So that the back looked nice too, I added a die cut piece of gold glittery DP.

Challenges for my Angel Ornaments:

Hooked on Craft challenges: Christmas
Tuesday Alchemy: Anything goes
Craft room door: anything goes
Simon Says stamp: anything goes
Creative Moments: anything goes + buttons and bows
Decorate to Celebrate: Holiday Party decoration--Christmas Party tree ornaments

I will keep all the Christmas craft ideas coming until the big day!  Oh, I have lots and lots of good things to share with you!  See you tomorrow for more Christmas Cheer!  Love ya.
Karen

WOYWW 181---Making a few Christmas Cards

Hi Dreamers!
Happy Wednesday!  And, Wednesday in Blog land means it is time for What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday hosted by Julia on her blog, Stamping Ground.  Here is your chance to take a sneak peek at workdesks all over the world.  Ain't the world wide web great!?  On my desk, I am working on some more Christmas cards.  The samples here are made with Character Construction stamps.

I will post the finished projects on the weekend.  In the USA, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving on Thursday and most people also have Friday off.  So, a nice holiday weekend here.   Have to run to the grocery store this morning to pick up a few things for dinner tomorrow.  My brother is hosting and doing most of the cooking.  I will be bringing a green veg, rolls, and homemade pecan pie.  So, I better get going.  Hope you enjoy taking a peek at all the workdesks.  Happy WOYWW!!  Love ya.
Karen

PS: Julia, there are three pairs of scissors here too.  We need that many.  LOL

Shimmery Christmas Cards with Character Constructions

Hello Dreamers,
I am continuing the Christmas theme here on in Dreamland.  I hope you are getting lots of ideas for your own Christmas cards.  My little basket of cards is getting fuller, but I still have a ways to go.  I have two cards today that feature stamps from Character Construction's Vintage Christmas Set #1.   One in blue and one in Green/Gold.

• The cards are made with some of my handmade background papers.  See how I make the backgrounds here.
• To make this card follow the tutorial and add the inks: Broken China reinker and Brushed Pewter Stain (Ranger) onto the craft sheet. 

• When the background is dry, stamp the image with Black Soot Distress Ink. 
• Color dress with a red watercolor crayon.  
•  Add some glitter glue for even more shimmer.   
• Tie a bow in a piece of snowflake ribbon to finish off the card.  

• The second card color uses Shabby Shutters Distress ink reinker and Tarnished Brass Metallic Stain (both Ranger).   
• When dry, stamp with Black Soot ink.

• Add some color with a  red watercolor crayon to the peace on earth label.  
• Embellish with Red rhinestones, red sheer ribbon, and gold ribbon.  

I am hoping that you can see the shimmer of the Metallic Stain in this photo. (Click on the photo for a larger image.)

See my Christmas Tea Party Place Card using this same stamp here.

I am entering my Shimmery Christmas cards in the following challenges:
Fussy and Fancy: blue
365 Cards: day 260 Gold
Robyn's Fetish: Vintage
Sir stampalot: Christmas
Victorine Stamps: Christmas


Check back tomorrow for a set of CAS All Occasion cards and a pretty pink Christmas Card.  Hope you are having a great day.  Love ya.
Karen

Christmas Tea Place Card with Character Construction

Hi Dreamers,
Today, I have a Christmas Tea Party Place Card to share with you.  I have used stamps from Character Construction --Vintage Christmas Set #1.  I made a pretty background and then stamped the sweet Christmas girl onto the background with Black Soot Distress Ink.

This place card could be used for your Christmas dinner table too.  Or you could pop it in an envelope and sent it as an invitation to the Tea or Dinner.  I made it a top fold narrow card so it stands nicely and could go right in an envelope.

After stamping onto the background, I ran it through a Cuttlebug to dry emboss.  Then I cut it with a die.   I cut the same shape smaller for the name.  Layer on a pink top fold card and a piece of Christmas red CS.  Remember to make it a top fold so it stands nicely on the table.

I have written a tutorial showing how to create this luscious background here.

•  Follow the tutorial and use the following inks on the craft sheet: Mambo Melon Reinker (Stampin' Up), Cosmic Copper Brilliance Pigment ink.  
• Add the water.  
• You will have to stir the water into the Cosmic Copper ink to mix it.  You will get lovely dense coppery spots on your background.  With lots more shimmer than you can see in the photos.
• Tie a piece of white Tulle around card.

A few Fun Challenges for my Christmas Tea Place Card
Craft-room Challenge: punches/die cuts
Clear It Out: red--used red CS that I bought two years ago.  My last piece!  Eek, such a great color.
Creative Craft challenge: bingo--distress, emboss, pastels
Little Red Wagon: texturize
Love to Create: fancy edges

I also made two Christmas cards with this stamp and will be posting them during the week.  So, stayed tuned for all the Holiday goodness to come.  Also will have a few Thanksgiving cards!!  How are your Christmas cards coming?  I am getting a few more done each day.  I have about 36 cards ready.  Although, some of them were made last year for Design Team projects.  I can send them this year.  Quite a few more to make!  I hope you are having a great day!  Love ya.
Karen

Christmas Tags with Character Construction

Hi Dreamers!
Here I am back today, with the tags that you saw on my desk earlier.  I have them all finished and photographed.  I made this group of small tags ( 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches)  with Character Construction stamp sets-Vintage Christmas.  I stamped them all with Black Soot Distress Ink.  Have you tried stamping with Black Soot?  I love how it looks so really black and glossy.  Here are tags.

The small tags are great for small packages or bags.  On the box below, I tied the tag right on to the gift box.  Great for jewelry gift boxes.   This lovely lady is from Set # 1.

Here are some close ups of the other tags.  The Angel ( Set # 4) was stamped on a yellow/green and gold background.  I added a sheer wide ribbon tied into a bow.

I used the tree from Set #4 (it is on top of the car).  I just turned it so that it is right side up.  Added the bird from Set # 2.  The Postage Stamp tree is from Set # 3.

 The Santa is from Set # 2.

The Sledders are from Set # 3.

The tags were really fun to make!   I made the backgrounds and when they were dry; stamped away.  I will use the tags on my gift packaging.

A few Challenges for My Character Construction Christmas Tags:
Clear it Out: red and anything goes
Loves Rubber stamps: anything goes
Paper Take Weekly: anything goes
Tuesday Alchemy: anything but a card
365 Cards: variation on a theme
Crafty Bloggers Network: Christmas

That's it for me today.  I have lots of good stuff planned for this month and next month.  I just need about four more hours in each day.  LOL  Hope you are having a great day! Love ya.
Karen

WOYWW - 179 Christmas tags and more

Hi Dreamers!!
It's Wednesday and time for the Stamping Ground's What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday brought to you by the lovely Julia.  Take a trip around the world and get the insider look at creative artists' work areas!  Here is my desk/work area for this week.

I am working on a group of small tags.  I used the Vintage Christmas sets from Character Construction.  In this photo, I am putting the ribbons on the tags.  Here is a closer look.

I finished the tags and will post the finished projects later today.  I cleared the tags away and began stamping some backgrounds with the same stamps sets.  I will be showing this set of Christmas cards all this month and next month.  This is as far as I have gotten on the cards.  I will also be posting a tutorial on making the backgrounds sometime this month.  Lots going on here in Dreamland!

Hope you are having a great WOYW Wednesday !    We are enjoying a bright and sunny Fall day today here in Michigan.  Gotta run and I will be back later with the post for the finished tags.  Love ya!
Karen

Dress Form in Fall Colors

Hi Dreamers!
How is your weekend going?  Having a nice weekend here.  I went to a local farm market and picked up lots of fresh veggies.  Starting to really feel like Fall now.  Since I am feeling really Fall-ish, I have a card today made with Fall colors.  My card is made with stamps from Character Construction--Mannequin Cafe #6 stamp set.

To make my Dress Form in Fall Colors:

• On cream CS use spray ink with a Template
• Distress edges with Dried Marigold Distress ink.
• Stamp the Dress Form and No with Sienna Archival ink

• Add to a Rust card base
• Add the Rhinestone flourish

I love how this stamp looks with the Fall swirls in the background.  I am going to send this to someone for a "hello" card.  

A few Challenges for my Dress Form Card:
2 sisters Challenge: fall
Brown sugar: Anything goes
Frosted Designs: paints, mists, ink
Stampin for the weekend: Anything goes
Artful Times: orange, brown, white

I sent out eight Halloween cards today!  Eight people will be getting some frightfully happy mail.  LOL  Enjoy your weekend!  Love ya.
Karen

Happy Halloween Card with Character Construction

Hi Dreamers!
Having a great weekend here.  Spent all day yesterday at a card making event with my stamping buddy, Sharon.  The event was hosted by Suzanne Everett and was great fun.  We made 14 super fun all occasion cards.
We are getting closer to Halloween, but there is still plenty of time to make a few cards.  I have made quite a few Halloween cards that I will be sending out to friends and family.   I wanted to share one of those cards with you today.  This super cute card is made with stamps from Character Construction's Bird & Bee Paperie #16 set.

• The cat costume was stamped with Black Soot Distress ink on white CS and several Halloween decorative papers. 
•  I cut out the images from the DP and paper pieced onto the White CS.  I love the effect of the paper piecing   Reminds me of vintage 1940's clothing.  
• I die cut (Spellbinders) two labels, one in velum and one in orange CS.  I stamped on the velum label with Stazon ink and layered the labels slightly off setting them.  

• I added orange and purple ribbons, rhinestones and a cat wand (also in the Bird & Bee Paperie set) for accents. 

Isn't this an adorable image??!!  I am just loving it for Halloween.  Check out my other projects made with this stamp set here and here.  

Some fun challenges for my Cat Costume Happy Halloween Card:
Simon Says Stamp: punches or die cuts
Cute Card Thursday: paper piecing
Stampin for the Weekend: spooky
Allsorts: too cute to spook
Fat pages with attitude: yellow, red, orange
Third Coast: Halloween
Art With No Boundaries: Halloween

Great weather here today.  I have to get outside and put away all my little garden ornaments.  Well, some of them are not so little and are made of cement--quite heavy. I also have to cut back all the peonies.   But, it is a nice day and I could use some fresh air.  I hope you are having a enjoyable  weekend!  Love ya.
Karen

Happy Halloween Treat Bag with Character Construction

Hi Dreamers,
I hope you are having a great weekend.  How about a sweet treat bag today?!!  I turned a plain Jane brown lunch sack into a fun and whimsical Halloween Treat Bag.  I used stamps from Character Construction's Bird & Bee Paperie #16.  

In this pic, you can see the lunch bag.  I glued the Halloween DP to the front of the bad and then  edge punched the top edge.  

The Cute Cat Costume is paper pieced ---stamp the image on white CS (cut out) and again on the Halloween DP's.  Cut out the shirt, skirt, legs, and bow tie.  Glue all the pieces to the image stamped on white CS.

Layer on more Halloween DP and add the Cat Costume to the bag.  Punch a hole in the side of the bag.  Thread the ribbons through the hole and tie ribbon in a big bow.  The sentiments were all cut from the Halloween DP.

I also made two cards that coordinate with my Treat bag.  I have posted one of the cards here.  I will post the other card next Sunday.  So, check back for that.  

A Few fun challenges for my Happy Halloween Treat Bag:

Art with No Boundaries: Halloween and October

ATC's and Cards with Attitude: Anything goes with yellow, orange, red colors

Card Crafters Circle: Autumn colors

Craft Us Crazy: Halloween

Ribbon Carousel: Halloween

Crafting for All Seasons: costumes/dressing up

Tuesday Alchemy: anything but a card or tag

Crafty Calendar challenge: Spooky plus recycling

Have a great day!!  Love ya.

Karen