Ferns and Florals

 Hello Everyone,

Hope you are having a great day. I have been making lots of cards lately. Most will go to friends that need cards to send out.  I always make extras for myself too. I find it so fun to just get the creativity going and make a stack of cards.  I have a few new stamp sets that I want to try out too.  Everybody is happy. LOL 

I made hand stamped backgrounds for all of the cards. The first card has a script stamped background which was distressed with inks.

Stamps: All from Stampin' Up except large script which is from AMuse stamps

The second card has the script stamping with more distressing with distress inks.

On the next card I used smaller stamps to create the background and then large leaf designs were stamped.  And then I did the distressing.

This card uses different stamps with the same technique.  I continued the red and pink color scheme and added some purple.

The cards were fun to make and will make great all occasion cards.  You may have noticed that there are no sentiments on the cards.  My BFF did not want any sentiments.  She said that then she could use any card for any occasion.  She will write a message on the inside.  

So glad you topped by today.  See you next time!!

Karen 

Women Rule The World Post #2 with Lost Coast Designs

Hello Dreamers,
So happy you stopped in today.  I am sharing three more of the projects I made for the Women Rule the World Event with Lost Coast Designs.  The event runs through May 15 and there is still time to link up your project.  There is a very nice prize of a $10 Gift Certificate.  You may use any stamps, not just Lost Coast. So head over and link up any Mother's Day card or female themed project!!  It just has to include stamping.

On my first post here, I showed you two of my projects.  I ended up stamping lots of the Flower Girl because I wanted to keep trying different color combinations with the ink. Check out the other three.

Project #1

Materials List:

Stamp: Flower Girl from Lost Coast Designs
Distress Inks:Project #1- Seedless Preserves and Milled Lavender

Project #2- Peacock Feathers and Bundled Sage
Project #3 - Abandon Coral and Antique Linen

Mixed Media paper pad

CS: white,cream, purple, coral, and pale green
Tulle

Seam Binding

 ribbon

Tiny Pearls

Spray inks
Acrylic Paints

Stencil (project #3)
Perfect Pearls liquid on stencil (project #3)
Gel type printing surface

Make It:

• Make a card base from purple CS
• Make the background paper by applying acrylic paints to a printing plate
• Ink the Flower Girl stamp with Seedless Preserves and then Milled Lavender--stamp on the mixed media paper

• Trim stamped piece and add to the card base with a layer of dark purple CS
• Add the fibers: Tie Lavender tulle around card in a bow

Project #2: Peacock Feathers and Bundled Sage

Project #3: Abandon Coral and Antique Linen

Well, just a lot of fun making all these projects!!  Love that Flower girl.  If you win the gift certificate, you should get this stamp. LOL  It is so lovely,and really versatile. 

See you later in the week for more creative fun!  I think I will post a few more birthday cards.  Have a great day!!  Love ya

Karen

Women Rule The World -with Lost Coast Designs

Hello Everyone!!

Welcome to my post for the Lost Coast Designs Women Rule the World Event.  In honor of Mother's Day, this month we are showcasing all the "woman" stamps.  There are so many lovely stamps to choose from.  See the catalog here. Each designer will be adding projects on the Portal to Creativity blog so be sure to stop by and check out the projects.  You may link up your own "woman" theme project using any stamp company you like--must have some stamping.  There is a prize too! $10 gift certificate to Lost Coast Designs.

Now , for my Women themed projects.  Well, if you know me, you know that sometimes I can't stop stamping once I get going...LOL  I started stamping this stamp and kept changing the ink colors each time.  I inked the stamp with two colors of distress ink and then stamped.  There were so many great color combinations to try I had to keep going.  I will share two with you today and three more on Sunday.  The backgrounds are all hand made as well.

Materials List:

Stamp: Flower Girl from Lost Coast Designs

Ink: Forest Moss and Tea Dye Distress inks

(Rusty Hinge and Wild Honey on Project #2)

Mixed Media paper pad

CS: cream and green 

Twill tape trim

 ribbon

Tiny Pearls

Spray inks

Stencil (project #2)

 Make It:

• Make a card base from green CS
• Make the background paper by spraying CS with Spray inks

• Ink the Flower Girl stamp with Forest Moss and then Tea Dye--stamp on the mixed media paper
• Distress the edges with the same ink colors
• Add to the card base
• Add a row of tiny pearls along the arch shape of the image
• Add the fibers

2nd Project:

• Make a card base from Cream CS
• Make a  background by spraying ink over a stencil on cream CS
• Ink the stamp with Rusty Hinge and Wild Honey Distress ink- stamp on mixed media paper
• Trim the stamped image and add to the card base
• Add a big bow of sheer ribbon and small rhinestones

I just love this stamp!  It really  makes a dramatic card or project. Here is a little peek at the different color combos that I tried

********* Make your own Female themed project and link up here.  Love to see your project!!
So glad you stopped by today!  Hope you are having a great weekend!  Love ya
Karen

*************************Entering these Challenges:
Simon Wednesday: use a stencil
Country View:May challenge use a stencil

Vintage Medallions

Hi Dreamers!

We have snow already!  Well, I am not ready for snow!  And, we are supposed to get a bit more tonight.  I will just have to stay cozy and warm making a few cards.  I made this card using a Stampin' Up set and set it on  a handmade background.

NOTE:  I was going through my ink pads recently and found that I had several of the small pads I had not used very much.  They had pigment inks on them and had gotten pretty dry---no reinkers unfortunately.  I thought I needed to use them anyways.  I stamped with them and just hit them with the heat gun.  Because they were kind of dried out, the ink dried quickly.  And, I liked the soft effect.  Then I use the pad to distress the edges too.

Materials List:

Stamps: Daydream Medallions - Stampin' Up

Ink: plum pigment (see note above)

CS: white, plum, metallic bronze

Spray inks

stencil - Crafters Workshop

Sheer plum ribbon

 Instructions:

• Make a card from plum CS
• Add a background piece made with a stencil and spray inks
• Stamp the medallions of white CS with the plum pigment ink
• Distress the edges with the same ink
• Heat set the ink
• Layer onto a piece of bronze metallic CS

• Wrap ribbon around stamped piece and tie in bow
• Add to the card
• Decorate the inside

Inside of the card:

Challenges for my Vintage Medallions:
Pile it on: vintage
Craft-Dee Bow: anything goes + a bow
Dream Valley: anything goes
My Craft Creations: anything goes


I have another Turkey card to share, and that is coming up later in the week.  I have been working on Christmas cards and crocheting scarves....so keeping busy.  See you soon.  Love ya
Karen

Owl in Tree with Lost Coast Design

Hello Everyone,
Enjoying the nice Fall weather today.  Very sunny and very cool temps.  My card today reminds me of windy Fall day.   I added stamps from Lost Coast Designs over a handmade background.

Materials List:
Stamps: Owl Set and Tall Trees Background from Lost Coast Designs
Ink: Mushroom Adirondack, black
CS: Gray, Yellow, and White
Distress Markers
Stencil: Mini Splat from The Crafters Workshop
Spray Inks in blues, yellows, greens
Sheer White Ribbon
Hardware label - Stampin' Up

Instructions:

• Make a card from yellow CS
• Add a layer of dark gray CS
• Make a background with the Stencil and spray inks ( see my tutorial here)
• Stamp the trees with Mushroom ink over the background
• Wrap ribbon around stamped piece and add to card

• Add the metal hardware over the bow
• Stamp owl with black ink and color with Markers
• Cut out owl and add to card

Challenges for My Owl in Trees:

Paper Girls Challenge: mixed media

Fashionable Stamping: animals

Inkspirational: photo inspiration 

I love this Tall Trees background stamp.  I also did a card with the trees over sheet music.  OOHHH!   Will have that one for you later!  See you soon.  Love ya.

Karen

Vintage Bird Note Card Set

Hello Dreamers!


Special Announcement!!!
Lost Coast Designs is now hosting Challenges!!!!   The theme of the first Challenge is LOVE.  Check out all the details here



A super busy week this week!  The bridal shower is this Sunday.  I still have lots to do, but I thought I would post a pretty vintage card set.  I used stamps from Lost Coast Designs and some backgrounds made with a stencil.

Materials List:

Stamps: 3 Mini Birds from Lost Coast Designs

Ink: black Archival

CS: Cream; Yellow textured and various browns from Bazzill

Spray inks in browns and yellows

Stencil: Mini Damask from Crafters Workshop

Laces and pearls

Card #1

Card #2

Detail Card #2

Instructions:

• Make four cards from the yellow textured CS
• My backgrounds were made by laying a stencil over CS and spraying with inks...and then flipping the stencil over onto another sheet of CS and adding more spray ink.  

Note: more instructions on this background technique here

• Cute the background sheet into smaller pieces
• Stamp the birds with black Archival ink onto the backgrounds

Card #3

Detail #3

• Layer the background pieces with brown CS and add to the card base
• Add various pieces of lace
• Add the pearls

Card #4

Detail #4

• Add a stamped bird to the inside of each card

 The cards can be used for any occasion.  I can always stamp an additional sentiment on the inside too.  Or, I can put the cards in a pretty wrapper and give as a little gift.


***************Challenges for my Vintage Bird Note Card Set:
Craft-Room: things with wings
Crafting form the Heart: anything goes
Through the Purple Haze: make your background
The Cupboard Trilogy: use yellow


Well, I better run.  I have lots to do for the bridal shower---wrap the gifts, wash all the serving bowls, bake two cakes (making 80 cake pops tomorrow).  Yikes!!  I better get moving!!  Hope you have a great day!!  Love ya.
Karen

Paper Artsy Stamps on Stenciled Background

Hi Dreamers!
Cold here today in Michigan.  We has a little dusting of snow this morning.  It is all melted now, but still cold.  So, let's warm things up a bit with a vintage style card.  I used Paper Artsy stamps on a background that I made with a Stencil/template and spray inks.

Materials List:

Stamps: Lynne Perrella set "Nina" from Paper Artsy

Inks: Ginger Adirondack, Perfect Plum - Stampin' Up

Distress Ink: Antique Linen

Spray inks in brown and purple ( Walnut ink and Tattered Angels)

CS: Kraft, cream, scrap of dark brown and purple

Template: Mini Harlequin - Crafters Workshop Templates

Fibers: Brown Twill - Jo Ann Fabrics; Purple Scalloped edged ribbon - Stampin' Up

Instructions:

• Start by making the background --lay the template over the CS and spray with one color of ink
• The way to get the depth and almost reverse image look to the background is to flip the template over onto a clean piece of CS without cleaning the template and spraying more ink.  
• Let backgrounds dry

•  Make a card base from Kraft CS
• Stamp keys and  circle with Ginger and Perfect Plum inks
• Add background to card base

• Stamp the lady  on cream CS with Ginger ink
• Tear out image and layer onto torn pieces of purple and brown CS

• Add a piece of scallop edged ribbon and a tied piece of brown twill ribbon
• Use some of the scraps to decorate the inside

Inside

********Challenges for my Paper Artsy Vintage Card:
Simon's Monday: mystery Technique
Paper Artsy: inspired by Liz's collage stamping
4 Krafty Girlz: anything goes


I have something special planned for the month of December.  Not going to tell you yet what it is!!  I want to surprise you.  LOL.  I have been working on "this" all month and am still working.  So, stayed tuned for that.  To finish out the month of November, I have one more vintage card with Paper Artsy stamps.  That project will be posted soon.  I hope you are having a great weekend.  Love ya.
Karen

Making Backgrounds and Collage Style Stamping

Hi Dreamers!

As you know, I love to make my own backgrounds.  I have been at it again..... My project fits in perfectly with the Simon's Monday Challenge---A Mystery Technique.  Can you guess how I made the backgrounds???   I was also inspired by the guest designer over on the Paper Artsy blog to use stamps to create a collage effect.  

Have you guessed how I made the background?  Oh, I will tell you now.  Check out the list of materials and that will give you a clue.

Materials:

Stamps: Lynne Perrella's Pacific Queen and Hot Pick 1102--both from Paper Artsy Stamps

Ink: Jet Black Archival; Bordering Blue - Stampin' Up

Distress Ink: Pumice Stone

Spray inks and Glimmer Mists

CS: Cream, black, Sage Shadow _Stampin' Up (retired)

Crafters Workshop Template- Mini Capricious

Instructions:

• Start by making the background --lay the template over the CS and spray with one color of ink
• The way to get the depth and almost reverse image look to the background is to flip the template over onto a clean piece of CS without cleaning the template and spraying more ink.  
• Let backgrounds dry

• Stamp with black and Bordering Blue inks
• Distress edges with Pumice Stone DI
• Layer onto Black CS and a card base of Sage Shadow
• Add ribbon and black lace

Inside

• Add one of the pieces left over from trimming to the inside.  Still lots of room to write a note.

A few fun Challenges for my Paper Artsy Quote Card:
Simon's Monday: Mystery technique
Paper Artsy: be inspired by guest designer + PA stamp--I was inspired to create a project with a collage style stamping like the sample that Liz made on Tuesday.

I have two more Paper Artsy cards to share!  So, check back in a bit!!  See you soon.  Love ya.
Karen