Cute Cocoa Mouse on Valentine's Day Cards for Kids

Hi Dreamers,
I have a few more Valentine's Day cards to share with you.  The cards are part of the group of cards I made for the Cards For The Heart Card Drive hosted by Winter. Today is the last day of the drive.  I sent another group of cards in on Monday.  So that makes a total of 80 cards I made for the drive.  I will share more of the cards up till Valentine's day.   Today, we have  cute Cocoa Mouse from Sweet N Sassy.

I stamped with black dye ink and colored with Copics.  Oh, I think a few fun challenges are in order:

Simon Says Stamp: anything goes
Sweet N Sassy Digi: white

That's it for me today!  See you tomorrow!  Love ya.
Karen

A Muse Studio Breast Cancer Awareness Grand Prize Winner!!!

Hi Dreamers!!
I could not believe that I was the Grand Prize winner over at A Muse Studios!!!!    I had to pinch myself and get a couple emails before it sunk in.  LOL  They were having a contest for Breast Cancer Awareness.  I signed up on Chris Franco's Blog.  You can also purchase products from Chris and she  hosts a weekly challenge.  Check it out!!   Okay, so you want to know what I won??!!
You will not believe it!!

So, two gigantic boxes showed up on my porch.  The nice UPS guy helped my drag them into the house.

 Talk about feeling like a kid on Christmas!  Image the fun of opening all these little boxes inside the big box!!  
I spread it all out on my dining room table so I could take some photos.  Here it is in all its glory!  (Click on the photos for a larger image.)

If you want a count: 25 stamp sets (I got to choose the sets I wanted!!), 48 pigment ink pads, 11 spray inks, 28 die cutting sets, 26 spools of ribbon, 3 large balls of bakers twine, a large canvas tote bag, bling, buttons, glitter, embossing powders, mini clothes pins, and 10 packs of paper.  Can you believe it!!!

Here is a close up of the stamp sets.

I want  to send a super big THANK YOU to A Muse Studios for this super prize package!!!

And, also have to say that I have been sharing a few things already.  I sent my stamping friend, Jan, home with some ink pads and several yards of bakers twine.  I will also be donating a few of the ink pads to my Card Ministry Group.  I had black pigment ink on the list of supplies we needed.  No longer!!  We will have lots of new stamps to work with too.  Share the joy, share the joy.

Seriously, I am very grateful for such a nice prize and I will use it all.  This will be great for all my charity cards too.  The paper will really come in handy for those.  And, all the great new stamps!!  Just think of all the things I can make!!  Wow, wow, wow.  I am still kind of in shock.......LOL

So, that is my big news for today.  I will post some more of the Valentine's Day cards I made for the From the Heart Card Drive over the next few days.  I hope you are having a great day!!  Love ya extra.
Karen --the happy camper.  LOL

Faux Batik Technique with Blockheads Butterflies

Hi Dreamers!
Today, I have a pair of butterfly beauties to share with you.  I used a Faux Batik technique  to create the backgrounds.  The stamps are from Blockheads Stamps.

Materials List:

Stamps: Painted Butterflies from Blockheads Stamps

Inks: Coffee Archival, Versa Mark Embossing Ink

Antique Linen Distress Stain

Re-inkers: Scattered Straw, Tattered Roses, Vintage Photo Distress;

Rhubarb Stalk Memento, Cosmic Copper Brilliance

White Embossing Powder

Cardstock: White, Mustard, Tan, Brown

Metallic Rub Ons

Instructions:

• I used the technique outlined on the Blockheads blog.
• Scattered Straw and Tattered Rose are the re-inkers used in this sample.
• To add more depth to the butterflies, I stamped over the butterfly with Coffee Archival ink. 
• With a soft cloth wipe the ink off the embossed area.  A really cool shadow is left around the butterfly.

• I added a piece of lace, tulle, a sheer ribbon, and pearls for embellishments
• I rubbed the Metallic Rub Ons around the edges.

• The second card is made in the same way following the Faux Batik instructions.
• Vintage Photo re-inker and Antique Linen Distress Stain are used in this sample

• I added black lace, black tulle, sheer ribbon, and pearls for embellishments.

I hope you enjoyed all the Butterfly projects made by the Blockheads Design Team during the month of January!!   I know I enjoyed making mine and checking out the other great projects by the other Blockheads!!  For the month of February  we will be showing you all kinds of ways to use Perfect Pearls!  Blockheads has a new selection of single pots of Perfect Pearls to tempt you!!

I will start off the month with two Valentine's Day cards made with Sunflower Sparkle!!  Stay tuned for that on Saturday!

Wow, the weather here in Michigan is totally whacky!  50 degrees and rain.    Well, I hope you are having a great day in your little corner of the world.  Love ya.
Karen

Valentine's For the Kids

Hi Dreamers,

I thought I would post a few more pics of the cards I made for the "Cards From the Heart" card drive.  The cards are made with Dearie Dolls digis.  I colored the images with Copic Markers.

Here is the whole bunch in one photo (Group 1).

Winter was saying she had only received 150 cards for the "Cards From the Heart" drive so far.  I spent the whole weekend making more Valentine's Day cards.  I made an additional 50 cards!!  I put them in the mail this morning and I will share the photos of the this  group 2 later.


And, now how about a few fun Challenges!!
Artistic Inspirations: love/anything goes
The Cheerful Stamp Pad: pink
Marker Pop: use pink Copics
Victorine Stamps: pink, white, and red valentines

I will be back tomorrow with a Blockheads Design Team project!!  Not telling what--it is a surprise!  LOL.  (It is not because I haven't made it yet--no, not at all) Smile.
Have a super day!  And why not make a few cards for The Cards from The Heart card drive!??  Love ya.
Karen

Steampunk Owl and Distress Embossing with Blockhead Stamps

Hi Dreamers!
Happy Saturday!  Long live the weekend!  I am continuing my new found love for Distress Embossing Powder today.   Today's project has a "not in the real world" kind of theme.  Let's enter the realm of fantasy with this Steampunk Owl.

Materials List:

Stamps: All From Blockheads Stamps

Steampunk Owl - Fringe Folktales

Pen Nib - Victorian Invention

Sexton - Stargazer

Inks:

Embossing Ink

Dusty Concord and Frayed Burlap Distress Inks

Cobalt Archival Ranger

Distress Markers

Distress Embossing Powder

Pre-cut white tag (3 1/8 x 6 1/4")

Black Satin Fabric scraps

Jewelry Findings

Mini Safety Pin

Instructions:

• On a pre- cut white tag or a tag cut from CS (3 1/8 x 6 1/4") stamp the sexton with embossing ink.
• Heat emboss with Distress Embossing Powder.
• Let cool completely and then rub off the granules that don't melt.  Gives a nice distressed looking image.  
• Distress the entire surface of the tag with Distress inks.

• Stamp the Steampunk Owl with Cobalt ink
• Color the owl with Distress Markers
• Stamp the Pen nibs with Frayed Burlap Distress ink

• Add a strip of black satin fabric tied in  knot to the bottom of tag
• Tie another strip in a knot at the top threading the fabric through the hole
• Pin a clock to the black satin with a mini safety pin

And, how about a few fun challenges for my Other worldly Steampunk Owl??!!

Creative Moments bloggers challenge: neutral colors and anything goes

Corrosive challenge: put a pin in it

Crafts and Me: vintage

Paper Play time: use some brown

Simon Says stamp and show: what are you known for!---always use fibers.

Isn't this owl just the greatest!  I love it.    So totally whimsical!!  Have a great weekend!!  Love ya.

Karen

Children's Valentine Cards

Hi Dreamers!

Today, I would like to share a couple more of the Children's Valentine's Day cards that I made for the Cards from the Heart card drive.   There is still time to make cards..the deadline is Jan 31, 2013.  Here are my cute little fox cards.  The fox is a digital image from Meljens Designs.  

The digi was printed out on white CS and then colored with markers.  

 Detail

Here is a second version using the same digi image.  This was also colored with markers.

Pretty cute!  And how about a few challenges for my cute little fox!

Meljens: use a square--I used a scallop square on card 1

Fat pages with attitude: love

CRAFTS: love and valentine

Charisma Cardz: flowers and hearts

Check back tomorrow for a little Steampunk action!  See you then.  I will be spending the day tomorrow making cards at a fun raiser.  Should be fun.  Have a great night.  Love ya.

Karen

Somewhere Over the Rainbow with The Stampsmith

Hi Dreamers!
How is your week going?  Having a good week here and getting lots of things accomplished.  Cleaned my house this morning.  Yea, so nice to have a clean space.  Bright and sunny here today, but very cold.  Perfect day to stay inside and make a few cards.  LOL.  (Like I need an excuse to make cards!!)  Today we are going over the rainbow with two of The Wizard of Oz stamps from The Stampsmith. 

Note:  Check out the Stampsmith Challenge this month--recycle an item on your project.  The team is also looking for Guest Designers!!!  See the blog for all the details.

I used some new Bazzill CS that I received from my stamping buddy, Chris for Christmas.  She also gave me  the rainbow ribbon.  Sooo, I made this card for her.

The Dorothy image was stamped on glossy white CS with Black dye ink.  I layered the image with Black CS and added it to a lavender card base.  

This sentiment is also in the Wizard of Oz full sheet.

I punch some bluebirds, of course, to add to the card.

And, left the inside simple so that I would have room to write a nice "thank you" note to my friend.  

How about a few fun challenges, too!!

Cute Card Thursday: out of this world
Divas by Design: fairytales
365 Cards: Word Wed--sweet
Dutch dare: winged things
Dream Valley: girls

Let's see, what do I have for you tomorrow?  Hmmm.  How about some cutesy Valentines's day cards??  Okay, see you then.  Love ya.
Karen

Blockheads Stamps with Distressed Embossing

Hi Dreamers!
We are experiencing very cold temperatures here in good old Michigan.  Sooo, I wanted to make something sun shiny and warm.  And, I am in a "tag" making mood lately.   I made these three using Blockhead stamps and Distress Embossing Powder.  Actual size of the tag is 2 1/2" x 5".

Materials List:

Stamps: Whimsical- Take Flight Set from Blockheads

Inks:Embossing ink

Distress Ink: Frayed Burlap and Crushed Olive

Distress Embossing Powder

#5 Size Manila Tags -Inksentials

Fabric Scraps

Jewelry Pieces

Brad

Instructions:

• Stamp the Moth and script stamps  on the tags with Embossing ink
• Heat Emboss with Distress Embossing powder.  It will turn a lighter color when it is heated.

• Let the powder cool
• When cool, brush off the pieces of the powder that don't melt.  The Distress powder is designed to do this.
• I used two colors of embossing powder on the tag below

•  Apply the Distress ink to the tag

• Add strips of fabric to  the tags.  Tie them in knots or bows through the holes in the tags.
• Add some jewelry pieces and a large brad

The Distress Embossing powder gives a really muted look.  The colors get lighter when heated so keep that in mind when selecting your colors. 

Here is a mega close up so you can see how the Distress embossing looks.   I love this look...it is just perfect for vintagey projects.

And, how about a few super fun Challenges!!
Simon Says Stamp and Show: what are you known for--I almost always add fibers/fabric/ribbon!
Anything but a Card: tie it up
365 Cards: skewed
Crafty Catz Weekly: anything but a card
Craft-room Challenge: monochromatic
Papertake Weekly:Tie up loose ends-a bow on card

Well, that's it for me today.  I will be back tomorrow with some cards that went to Operation Write Home.  See you then!!  Love ya.
Karen

Cards for Operation Write Home-Pretty Dress Form

Hi Dreamers!
Today, I thought you might like to see a couple more of the Children's cards I made that went to Operation Write Home.  The cards are made with a digi from Stamping Dragon.

I layered the card base with several different Decorative papers (7 Gypsies) and,  tied a sheer omber ribbon around the card.  

Detail

Here is the group photo of all the cards.

The second card was made with pretty papers, a paper doily, and a satin ribbon.

Detail

The cards are on their way to Service men and women stationed around the world.  They will use the cards to write home to loved ones.  See all the details on the OWH site.



A Few super fun challenges for my Operation Write Home Girly Dress Form Cards.
Stars and Stamps OWH blog: green.  My first card has a multi colored background that is primarily green.
Stampin for the Weekend: something girly
Aud Sentiments: bingo---Happy, die cut, flowers on card #1
Moving Along with the Times: birthday
Simply Create: linky party--link up a project and go meet new people.
Play Date Cafe: color --plum, mustard, and rose and photo inspiration (see below)



Two posts in one day!  Boy, I am really rockin it this weekend.  So, what would you like to see tomorrow??  More of the Operation Write Home cards, or a cutesy Valentine??  See you tomorrow.  Love ya.
Karen

Blockheads Butterflies with Emboss Resist

Hi Dreamers!
Happy Saturday.  Hope you are having a great weekend!  Today's project is a tag on a card.  I used an emboss resist technique.  I colored the image with Versa Color dew drop pads - Which gives a really interesting look.  Take a peek.

Materials List:

Stamp: Grunge Collage Blockheads Stamps

Ink: Versa Mark

Versa Magic: Night Sky, Eggplant, Red Magic, Red Brick

Clear Embossing Powder

CS: Cream, Pale Green, Light Teal

Paper torn off Cardboard

Hole Punch

Ribbon

Pearls

3-D Zots or other Dimensional Adhesive

Instructions:

• Make a card from the pale green CS
• Stamp Grunge Collage on Cream CS with Versa Mark
• Heat emboss with clear powder
• Apply the Versa Magic ink (direct to paper)-Use different color inks in each area
• Blot the ink with a soft cloth

• Make a tag from the teal and cardboard paper.  Punch hole in tag
• Add ribbon to the tag
• Glue tag to card base

• Add the stamped piece to the card base with 3-D Zots
• Run the Night Sky Versa Magic pad around the edges of card base
• Add Pearls

So, that was fun.  I use the Versa Magic pads for a quick coloring technique a lot.  Works great on large flowers too.


Challenges!!
Atc's with Attitude: anything goes with a tag
Card Crafters Circle: layers
Fat pages with Attitude: anything goes with a tag or sentiment
Totally Papercrafts: embossing
Sugar Creek Hollow: bingo--embossing, ribbon, distressing

So, I will be back tomorrow with some more of the cards I made for Operation Write Home.  Still have lots of those to show you.  I hope your weekend is filled with many hours of quality crafting time!  Love ya.
Karen