Lovely Ophelia in Kraft Cardstock with The Stampsmith

Hi Dreamers!
Oh, boy!  My air conditioner died on Wednesday.  Spent the whole day waiting for the repairman yesterday only to find out that a new system was required.  Installers are supposed to come later today.  Trying hard to stay cool.  Fortunately, it is not too hot, but very high humidity.  I should have air by tonight!!  Well, enough about the weather and these housekeeping things!

Let's look at a card.  Today, I have a project made with the Medium Ophelia stamp by The Stampsmith.  I used Kraft CS and Kraft decorative papers for my backdrop.

• The image was stamped with black dye ink on smooth white CS and cut with a die.  

• Three different DP's were used for the background--the Kraft are from Basic Grey, the blue from 7 Gypsies.  
• The Kraft CS is from The Paper Company.

• A brown ribbon was tied in a bow and tiny ecru pearls were added for embellishments
• Repeat the papers on the inside

I did not add a sentiment yet.  I will add one when the card is sent.  That way I have a nice selection of blank cards already when I need one in a hurry.  I store them in decorative boxes.  

And, how about a few fun Challenges for the lovely Ophelia!

Charisma Cardz: divas

Crafty Ribbons: anything goes with ribbon

Crafting by Design: anything goes

Simon Says Stamp: anything goes

On Saturday, a new Stampsmith Challenge will begin!  I have something already to show you--but, you have to wait until tomorrow......  I hope you are having a great day!  Love ya.

Karen

Welcome To My Garden

Hello Dreamers,
I just had to share these photos I snapped today of my little bit of heaven--aka my garden.  I took the photos around 11:00 in the morning and the sun was almost directly overhead.  Enjoy!

See you tomorrow when we will get crafty with some ribbon projects!  See you then.  Love ya.
Karen

Regally Shabby Chic with Blockhead Stamps

Hi Dreamers!
Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend.  Today, I am back with a project made with Blockhead Stamps.  I call this card "Regally Shabby Chic".

Materials:

Stamps: Feeling Regal and Grunge It Up from Blockheads Stamps

Inks: Victorian Velvet and Spun Sugar Distress Ink

Cardstock: cream, pink, brown

Mini Harlequin Crafters Workshop Template

Pink and Brown Ribbon

Instructions:

• Make a card from pink CS and layer with brown
• On cream CS, stamp the Crown Border with Victorian Velvet ink
• Stamp a second row of crowns on a small piece of cream CS and tear the crowns apart

• Stamp the lines (from Grunge It Up set) with Spun Sugar ink
• Lay the Harlequin Template over the CS.  Apply ink over the template with an Ink blending tool (Ranger) or a sponge will work too.
• Distress the edges with both Victorian Velvet and Spun Sugar inks.
• Glue the torn crowns to the card front
• Fold short pieces of ribbon in half and glue to underside  of cream CS 
• Add to card base

 Inside

• Repeat for the inside
• I still have room to stamp a sentiment or write a short note

A few Fun challenges for my Regally Shabby Chic Card

Avenue 613: anything goes

Challenges 4 Everybody:anything goes

Cards In Envy: make your background --card no thicker than 1/4"

Craftin Desert Divas:Ribbon or twine

Created with Love: at least 3 layers

Okay, hope you enjoyed this Regally Shabby Chic card.  Have a super day and see you later in the week with something crafty and dreamy!  Love ya.

Karen

Lovely Lady in Rust with The Stampsmith

Hi Dreamers!
I have about 45 minutes this morning and thought you would enjoy seeing this Lovely Lady in rust card I made using a stamp from the Belinda and Friends Full Sheet by The Stampsmith.  I love this set and have used it over and over to make dreamy romantic cards!

I used a surprising color to stamp with--Siena Archival Ink.  Love the effect on this vintage style stamp.  Then I repeated that dark rusty shade in the papers.

I had this yellow ribbon laying out on my work table and decided that I wanted to work that into this card.  I love the contrast between the strong colors in the ink and papers with this soft touch of yellow in the ribbon and one layer of CS.   I was thinking that these would be great colors for a romantic boudoir.

I would like to enter my Lovely Lady in the following fun challenges:
As you like it: 2 favorite color combos----rust and yellow
Simon Says Stamp and show: favorite ink--Siena


Well, I have to run.  I hope you day is filled with laughter, joy, and some time to stamp!  Love ya.
PS: posted pics of my studio room re-do yesterday here.

Karen

Studio Re-do--My Creative Space

Hi Dreamers!
Well, I have some photos of my Studio re-do!  I even remembered to take a few "befores" and "durings".  Keep in mind this is a small room that measures about 10' x 10' with two large windows and three doors.  I am still fine tuning things as I begin to work in the room again.  I am suffering from ink separation anxiety.  LOL  I have to figure out how to get my ink pads back over to my work area.  Right now the ink pads are  on the very tall bookcase.   I will start with the before pictures.

BEFORE

 BEFORE

I had lots of things on the floor.  Which I did not like and felt like I was tripping over things all the time.   I was not really utilizing that area between the window.  I moved the sewing machine cabinet to the left under the window.  

DURING

In this photo I have begun to take everything down and remove that big white table.  I had lots of things under that table too.  I also removed the old blinds and actually washed the windows!   

AFTER

This is what you see when you walk into the room.

AFTER

Here is the new bookcase and the clean windows with different valances and new shades.

AFTER

This is the new desk/hutch.  And, I moved the smaller bookcase to this side of the room.  

Close up of the hutch.  This is where I would like to fit in the ink pads.  Or at least some of my ink pads.  The top will be a display area for finished projects.  I haven't got to that yet.  I used the decorative boxes for spools of thread.  

This is the smaller bookcase with new matching baskets.  I have all my 12 x 12 papers and CS on the top.  In the baskets are my die cuts, embossing folders, small dp pads, items to alter, and a miscellaneous basket. There are wood mounted stamps in the plastic drawer storage piece.  These are great because the top can be pulled off and more drawer frames can be added.  I have another of these plastic drawer units that is not in the photo.  That one also contains wood mounted stamps.

So, now I can get in there and start making a few things again.  When I first finished the room, I did not want to go in there and make anything.  I just wanted to enjoy it all clean and neat.  LOL I just did not want to mess it up again.  LOL  What a dope!  Well, I have gotten over that and made a few things on Monday.     Let me know if you have any ideas for the ink pads.  I have had a few already from my friend, Di.  I may see if I can get out the saw and hammer and knock a few pieces of wood together for a shelf that would sit up high--the CS would still fit under it.  I could place ink pads on that.  We will see.  So, I hope you have enjoyed taking a look at my little corner of the world.  Thanks for stopping by.  I wish you a lovely day.  Love ya.

Karen

Shabby Chic Butterfly with Blockheads Stamps

Hi Dreamers!
Spent a lot of the weekend working on the yard and garden.  I had three flats of annuals and potted them in pots.  We are having unseasonably hot weather --90 degrees F!!!  So, it was too hot to work outside yesterday.  Instead, I made this Shabby Chic Butterfly card with stamps from Blockheads.
----My studio re-do is completed!  I will share photos of that later.  I still have to fine tune things after working in there yesterday.  I really need to move my inks. Have to come up with a way to have my inks on the desk.----
Here is the butterfly.

Materials List:
Stamps: Painted Butterflies and Feeling Regal both from Blockheads Stamps
Ink: Toffee Crunch Memento
Cardstock: cream, kraft, and med brown
Metal Stickers-Nail Heads/Silver
Cream Twill and lace

Instructions:

• On the cream CS, stamp the Large Damask (from Feeling Regal set) with Toffee Crunch ink--stamping off once first.
• Stamp the Butterfly with Toffee Crunch.  
• Rough up the edges of the CS and distress with Toffee Crunch

• Add lace, twill, and Nail Head stickers

Inside

• Stamp the Large Damask image again and repeat roughing up and ink distressing for the inside

I will add a sentiment later when I send the card.  I could add any sentiment to this multi purpose card: birthday, thinking of you, hello, etc.....  I love the monochromatic softness of this color scheme.  The Blockhead's Design Team is really working the Shabby Chic Theme this month on the Design Blog here.  Check out all the good stuff!   

I will be back later today or tomorrow with the photos of my room.  Stay creative!  LOL  See you then.  Love ya.

Karen

Hip Hip Horay---Hippy Birthday Card

Hi Dreamers,
I have been outside working on the yard/garden.  Have all my lettuces, beans, and herbs in.  Lots more weeding to do too!  I am taking a bit of time out to share this Hippy themed birthday card I made as a special order.  I used a cute stamp from My Favorite Things called Doodle Garden "Far Out".  

I repeated the design on the envelope.  

The little Hippy is stamped with black dye ink and colored  with Copic Markers.   The DP is from Cloud Nine Designs.  I stamped the small sentiments from the set on the left side of the card.

I repeated the design on the inside; stamped a B-day sentiment and left room to write a note.  (B-day Sentiment from Stampin' Up.)

Some super fun Challenges for my Hippy Dippy Birthday Card!!!
365 Cards: words of wisdom ---"Love is all you need"---very wise I think.
4 Crafty chicks: birthday
Crafty Cats Weekly: 3-2-1 --  3 DP's; 2 CS's, 1 ribbon
Crafting Musketeers***New challenge Blog***: anything goes
Mad for Markers: for a female

My studio room is done!!  I am just sorting thru a few magazines now to  see which I can live without.  I have already shared a stack with my stamping buddy, Jan.   Share the joy!  I will have some photos ready soon!!  I hope you are having a great day!!  Love ya.
Karen

Audrey Hepburn is a Star with The Stampsmith

Hi Dreamers,
Worked on my studio room re-do long into the wee hours last night.  I have most things put in a place, but I will need to fine tune everything as I begin working again in there.  I really wanted to have my ink pads on my desk, but haven't figure out a good way to store them there.  I will have photos when I get everything put away.  There are still a few things that don't have a home and I will probably remove them from the room.

I do have a new project to share with you today.  I made this project before I tore my room all apart.  My card uses one of the stamps  from the Audrey Hepburn Sheet by The Stampsmith. 

• Stamp the image on glossy white CS with black dye ink
• Color the background with blue dye ink

• Layer onto a yellow card base with two DP's from Authentique Papers.

• Add two yellow ribbons, one satin, one sheer
• Add some footlights at the bottom of the image--AKA yellow rhinestones

Well, today I am off to the nursery with my friend, Reem.  We are going to pick up lots of plants and flowers for our gardens.  This is a yearly event for us--LOL.  We always have a blast!  I have the pick-up truck today, so we can load it up!!  See you tomorrow with a Hippy Birthday card with My Favorite Things--Peace Man.  Love ya

Karen

Blockheads Re-Deux

Hi Dreamers!
My studio room is still in a complete mess.  I have been working on the room and have quite a few things done.  I had to assemble a desk/hutch and spent the day yesterday doing that.  I will have lots of photos when I am all done.  Since I can't get in there and make something new, I thought it would be fun to post some of my favorite past Blockheads Stamps projects.

Original Post 

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                                                                        Original Post 

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I hope you have enjoyed this blast from the past!  I will keep working on my room all this week and I am hoping to be up and running by next Monday.  Through out this week I will post a few things that I was able to make  before I dismantled my studio room.  I wish you a lovely day.
Karen