Simply Sketched Birthday

It’s been a very long time since I’ve water colored anything. The Simply Sketched set is perfect for that! I colored the flowers with an Aqua Painter and reinker inks by first applying a light wash of Crisp Cantaloupe with touches of Calypso Coral. I used just a little bit of Real Red to accent darker areas in the flowers. So Saffron was used to accent the background. The sentiment was stamped in Always Artichoke. I was completely inspired by the Venetian Romance paper — love it! 🙂

Stamps: Simply Sketched, Express Yourself

Paper: Pistachio Pudding, Venetian Romance DSP, Very Vanilla, Watercolor Paper

Ink: Pistachio Pudding, Crisp Cantaloupe, Calypso Coral, Real Red, So Saffron, Always Artichoke, Black StazOn

Accessories: Aqua Painter and Reinker Inks, Pearls, Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon (retired), Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals

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Makin’ it Masculine with the Control Freaks!

Hey there! Welcome to the Control Freaks October blog tour! This month’s theme centers around masculine projects. If you’re following the tour, you’ve just come from the wonderfully talented Wendy Weixler’s blog. I love everything that girl does! 🙂

I must admit I was a little stumped at what kind of masculine 3-D project I could create that wouldn’t still come across as slightly feminine (I have a tendency to do that sometimes). I ended up creating a card and a matching set of four coasters made out of electrical outlet box covers. See my posts below!

PROJECT #1 – Miss You Card

I’ve had the stamp set Lovely As a Tree for probably eight of the ten years I’ve been a demonstrator — it’s one of the most VERSATILE sets I’ve ever owned! Yet despite having had this set for eight plus years, I’m a little embarrassed to admit I did not realize you could stamp the tree in black ink and then go back and color it in! 🙂 I’ve always stamped this tree in one color (usually brown or green), but I really loved the effect of stamping it in black and then going back and coloring the boughs in Lucky Limeade and the trunk in Early Espresso.

Stamps: Lovely As a Tree, Lacy & Lovely, Woodgrain

Paper: Very Vanilla, Festival of Prints DSP, Early Espresso, First Edition Specialty DSP

Ink: Black StazOn, Lucky Limeade, Always Artichoke, Early Espresso, VersaMark

Accessories: Aqua Painter and Reinker Inks, Sponge, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Very Vanilla Embossing Powder, Brushed Bronze Designer Button, Always Artichoke Seam Binding Ribbon

PROJECT #2 – Lovely As a Tree Set of Four Coasters

These coasters are made out of outlet box covers! I found the covers at Lowe’s for $1.97 each so it ended up being a very economical craft to make. I stamped the images first in Black StazOn ink on Very Vanilla cardstock and then watercolored the images with an Aqua Painter and reinker ink. I used the 2-1/2″ Circle Punch to punch the images out and then sponged Early Espresso ink around the edges. The next step is VERY IMPORTANT! In order to prevent the water-based inks from running when applying the Mod Podge, I covered each image with VersaMark ink and embossed them with Clear Embossing Powder. The Early Espresso circle was cut out using the 3″ Circle Originals Bigz Die and then I pierced the edges with the Paper Piercing Tool and Mat (freehand). I attached the watercolored images to the Early Espresso circles with regular adhesive. I used the paper insert (found in the outlet box cover pack) as a template to cut the circles out of the Festival of Prints DSP. I applied Mod Podge to one side of the metal cover and attached the Festival of Prints circle to that, attached the stamped images with regular adhesive and then covered everything with Mod Podge. The outlet pack comes with a thin, foam ring that I attached to the base of each coaster. Here are a couple of photos of the outlet box cover and the contents:

Stamps: Lovely As a Tree

Paper: Festival of Prints DSP, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla

Ink: Black StazOn, VersaMark, Lucky Limeade, Always Artichoke, Early Espresso

Accessories: Big Shot, 3″ Circle Originals Bigz Die, 2-1/2″ Circle Punch, Aqua Painter and Reinker Inks, Clear Embossing Powder, Paper Piercing Tool and Mat, Sponge, Mod Podge, Outlet Box Covers

To see the next blog, please click the link below. Jason Casper is next and the projects he’s created will definitely inspire you! Thanks so much for taking the tour!

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Control Freaks Blog Tour – The Cutting Edge – Projects Created Using Diecuts in the Big Shot!

Welcome to the February Control Freaks Blog Tour! Our theme this month is “The Cutting Edge – Projects Created Using Diecuts in the Big Shot“. If you’re following the blog tour lineup, you’ve just come from Dawn Olchefske’s blog. Dawn never ceases to amaze me with her delightfully original and inspiring projects!

I have three projects to share with you:

PROJECT #1 – 3-D FLOWER FOLDS CARD

My upline, Jill Olsen, sent me a link to a fabulous video tutorial a few months ago where Melanie Hopes demonstrates how to make a 3-D flower like the one on my card. You can see the video here: 3-D Flowers Video Tutorial

I used the Flower Folds Bigz XL Die and the second smallest flower on that die, which measures 3-1/8″ across. It took some practice to get the flower petals to look just right, but I persisted and was finally able to put together a flower I thought looked nice enough to put on a card (not to mention post on this tour). 🙂 I die cut six flowers using smooth Pink Pirouette cardstock. I placed one flower in the palm of my hand and spritzed it with water (twice) and then placed the tip of my Bone Folder in the center of the flower and wrapped the petals around it. I used SU!’s small Clips Assortment to clamp the base of the flower while it dried (Melanie used mini clothespins). I punched a 1-1/4″ circle out of Pink Pirouette cardstock and hot glued the six pieces to the circle. I spritzed the petals with more water to do some additional shaping/molding. Once the piece was dry, I applied a 2-Way Glue Pen to the ends of each petal and sprinkled Dazzling Diamonds Glitter on them. The possibilities are endless with this technique — Melanie even made a flower using the Round Tab Punch!

Stamps: Build a Blossom, Delightful Dozen

Paper: Pink Pirouette (Smooth and Textured), Basic Gray, Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Twitterpated DSP

Ink: Basic Gray, Pear Pizzazz

Accessories: Big Shot, Flower Folds Bigz XL Die, Stripes Embossing Folder, Blossom Petals Builder Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, Clear Rhinestone Brads, Sewing Machine and Thread, Stampin’ Dimensionals, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Bone Folder, 1-1/4″ Circle Punch

PROJECT #2 – AMAZING, AWESOME, TALENTED…YOU CARD

So this project is one of those that began as one thing and ended up as something completely different. The three flower panels were going to be three individual bookmarks. I had the bases for all three bookmarks cut out, embossed and ready to be embellished when I looked over and spotted all three flower panels sitting side by side on a piece of scrap Crumb Cake cardstock. I had one of those “lightbulb” moments. 🙂 All three panels looked like they’d look great together on a card and so this card was born; the bookmarks put away for another day.

Stamps: Simply Soft, Perfect Words

Paper: Crumb Cake, Watercolor, Very Vanilla

Ink: Black StazOn, Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Early Espresso, Old Olive

Accessories: Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Labels Collection Framelits Die, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Aqua Painter and Reinker Inks, Very Vanilla 5/8″ Satin Ribbon, Sponge, Color Spritzer Tool

PROJECT #3 – FELT FLOWER PILLOW

Stampin’ Up! has a beautiful pillow in the March 2012 Stampin’ Success that served as inspiration for my project. I also went online and searched for handmade pillows and found several tutorials for this particular pillow. Each online tutorial I came across instructed you to create two different-sized circle templates and then trace and cut out 50 individual circles! Cut to the Big Shot to make this step unbelievably quick and easy!

Supplies you’ll need:

• 1/2 yard fabric (cut two 19″ squares of fabric)
• 1/4 yard felt (from at least a 60” bolt of fabric) (Note — do not use the small squares of craft felt found in the kids’ craft aisle — use acrylic felt found on bolts in the fabric section of your craft store)
• Big Shot Machine
• 3-1/2″ Circle Originals Die (cut 30). I experimented with my Big Shot machine and found I could cut six circles at one time.
• Circles #2 Originals Die (2-1/2″ circle). There are four circles on this die; use the largest circle that measures 2-1/2″ and cut 20. Once again, I experimented with my Big Shot machine and found I could cut four circles at one time – you might be able to cut more.
• Fabric marker/pen
• 18″ square pillow form or stuffing
• Sewing machine and thread

Directions:

• Die cut 30 3-1/2″ felt circles and 20 2-1/2” felt circles. Cut each circle in half to create “petals” (I used a quilter’s ruler and a rotary cutter to cut four at a time).
• Take one 19-inch square of fabric for your pillow front and with fabric right side up, draw a circle in the center of the square (I used a 10-1/2” plate from my kitchen as a template). Begin with the larger petals first, lining up the straight edge of the petal with the drawn circle on your fabric (the curved edge of the felt should face out toward the edge of the fabric square). Sew each petal onto the pillow front, following the drawn line. As you add a new petal, make sure to overlap each petal approximately ¼-inch at the ends. Once you’ve sewn around the entire circle, move ¼-inch down toward the center of the circle and begin sewing the next row of petals. You will go around and around until you reach the center of the pillow. Don’t worry if you have extra petals left over — I had extras, too.
• I created the center piece of the pillow by die cutting a piece of fabric with the 2-1/2” circle die, sewed a basting stitch around the edge of the circle, gathered up and secured the edges (it looked like the top of a mushroom cap after it was gathered), stuffed a few pieces of scrap felt inside the “cap” and hand sewed it onto the pillow.
• Now you can finish your pillow by sewing ½-inch seams and stuffing it with the pillow form or your choice of stuffing.

To see the next blog, click the link below. Connie Babbert’s blog is next and I know you’re going to be blown away by the projects she’s created! Thanks so much for taking the tour!

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Apothecary Retirement

My good friend asked me to create a retirement card based on two cards I made previously found HERE and HERE. She liked the colors of the first one and the layout of the second and so this is a compilation of the two. The “Happy Retirement” sentiment was printed on my computer; then using a Stamp-a-ma-jig, the “banner” was stamped over the sentiment, cut out with scissors and attached to the main piece with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Stamps: Apothecary Art, En Francais

Ink: VersaMark, Black StazOn, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Attic Boutique DSP

Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Clear and Iridescent Ice Embossing Powders, Silver Mini Brads, Adorning Accents Edgelits Die, Big Shot, Cherry Cobbler 3/8″ Quilted Satin Ribbon, Aqua Painter and Reinker Inks, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Circle Fire Rhinestone Brads, Paper Piercing Tool and Mat

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Control Freaks Blog Tour – Love is in the Air!

Welcome to the January Control Freaks Blog Tour! Our theme this month is “Love is in the Air – Cards/Projects for your Valentine”. If you’re following the blog tour lineup, you’ve just come from Wendy Weixler’s blog. Wendy has such a talent for adding just the right accessories to her projects!

I am so excited to finally be posting my three projects! I created all of them last week and could hardly stand the wait this week to share them with you! 🙂

PROJECT #1 – I LOVE YOU VALENTINE

I used everything but the kitchen sink to create this first card (or so it seemed once I began listing all the supplies I used)! 🙂 I love the new Blushing Bride Smooch Spritz — it lends a rich, pink color and gorgeous shimmer. And I never get tired of using SU!’s Vintage Brads — they’re one of my all-time favorite accessory!

Stamps: Three Little Words, Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel, En Francais

Paper: Soft Suede, Blushing Bride, Beau Chateau DSP, Very Vanilla, First Edition Specialty DSP

Ink: Soft Suede, Blushing Bride, Crumb Cake

Accessories: Victoria 5/8″ Crochet Trim, Vintage Brad, Boho Blossoms Punch, Pearls, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Hearts Collection Framelits Die, Adorning Accents Edgelits Die, Big Shot, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Blushing Bride 3/8″ Pleated Satin Ribbon, Blushing Bride Smooch Spritz, Color Spritzer Tool, Sponge, Fashionable Hearts Embosslits Die

PROJECT #2 – LOVE YOU, YOU, YOU VALENTINE

I love watercoloring this small bouquet of flowers from the Bordering on Romance stamp set! The flowers were watercolored with an Aqua Painter and reinker inks and then the entire image was overstamped in VersaMark ink and and then embossed with Iridescent Ice embossing powder. I created my own ruffled ribbon by sewing a basting stitch down the center of a piece of Very Vanilla satin ribbon. The small “love” piece was punched with the Jewelry Tag Punch and the rounded end was trimmed off to create the rectangle shape.

Stamps: Bordering on Romance, Tiny Tags, Three Little Words

Paper: Blashful Blue (Smooth and Textured), Watercolor, Very Vanilla

Ink: Black StazOn, Rose Red, Wild Wasabi, VersaMark Ink

Accessories: Elegant Lines Embossing Folder, Hearts Collection Framelits Die, Pearls, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Aqua Painter and Reinker Inks, Very Vanilla 5/8″ Satin Ribbon, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Sewing Machine and Thread, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Pop-Up Glue Dots, Jewelry Tag Punch

PROJECT #3 – TWITTERPATED HEART-SHAPED POT HOLDERS

My final project is a set of three heart-shaped pot holders created using the Twitterpated Designer Fabric. Aren’t they sweet? 🙂 I found the tutorial here: Heart-Shaped Pot Holders. There are two “pockets” on each side where your thumb goes in one side and the other four fingers go in the other so you can grip whatever you’re removing from the oven — very clever! The pot holders measure 8-1/2″ wide by 8″ tall. Here’s a shot of one of the pot holders up close:

Stamps: None

Paper: None

Ink: None

Accessories: Twitterpated Designer Fabric, 3/8″ Pleated Satin Ribbon (Pear Pizzazz, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze), White Cotton Fabric, Bias Tape, Quilt Batting, Sewing Machine and Thread

To see the next blog, click the link below. Lisa Martz’s blog is next and you’re in for a real treat when you see the wonderful projects she’s created! Thanks so much for taking the tour!

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Apothecary Art Birthday

This card took some extra time to make — why you might ask? Because I made the mistake of stamping the sentiment last and messing it up after all the watercoloring had been done! Yikes! I’ve always said in stamping and cardmaking that there’s usually a way to fix a “mistake” without starting completely over. In this case, I stamped the ribboned center again, stamped the sentiment, and then cut it out and attached it to the watercolored flower piece with Stampin’ Dimensionals. I actually like the banner popped up so it all worked out (fortunately). 🙂 One other technique I included on this card is to overstamp the image in VersaMark ink using a Stamp-a-ma-jig, apply Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, and emboss. It not only creates a glittery, sparkly image, but it makes the stamped image POP.

Stamps: Apothecary Art

Paper: Blushing Bride (Textured), Pear Pizzazz, Pear Pizzazz DSP, Whisper White, Twitterpated DSP

Ink: Black StazOn, Blushing Bride, Regal Rose, Pear Pizzazz, Garden Green, VersaMark

Accessories: Scallop Edge Border Punch, Whisper White 5/8″ Organza Ribbon, Sewing Machine and Thread, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Aqua Painter and Reinker Inks, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Twitterpated Designer Buttons, Rhinestones, Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits Die

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Watercolored Romance

I had a little time this afternoon to try out the new Bordering on Romance stamp set — it’s perfect for watercoloring! The central image is watercolored with an Aqua Painter and Reinker Inks (Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight and Old Olive).

Stamps: Bordering on Romance, Fabulous Phrases, En Francais

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Daffodil Delight, Watercolor Paper, Attic Boutique DSP

Ink: Black StazOn, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight

Accessories: Adorning Accents Edgelits Die, Paper Piercing Tool and Mat, Cherry Cobbler 3/8″ Quilted Satin Ribbon, Silver Mini Brads, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Small Oval Punch, Big Shot

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Angelic Inspiration

All images copyright Stampin’ Up!

This is one of the cards I created as a member of the Splitcoast Dirty Dozen. A Starbucks paper bag was used as my inspiration. It’s hard to see in the photo, but the Baroque Motifs background (stamped in white craft ink) and the angel were embossed with Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder. It’s all very sparkly in real life!

Stamps: Holy Triptych, Baroque Motifs, En Francais

Paper: Wild Wasabi, Kraft, Certainly Celery, Watercolor

Ink: White Craft, Wild Wasabi, Close to Cocoa, Certainly Celery, River Rock

Accessories: Aqua Painter & Reinkers, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Sewing Machine & Thread, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Pretties Kit, Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon, Theater Ribbon, Dimensionals, Sponge

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Punch Pals Tag Card

All images copyright Stampin’ Up!

One of my favorite cards to make – a tag card. This one measures 9” x 5-1/2” and is scored at 3” and 6” and I used only one stamp set!

Stamps: Punch Pals

Paper: Real Red, Very Vanilla, Watercolor, Old Olive, Dashing DSP, Old Olive DSP

Ink: Black StazOn, Basic Gray, Old Olive, Real Red, Yo Yo Yellow, River Rock

Accessories: Jersey Ribbon, Old Olive 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon, Red Gingham Ribbon, River Rock Double-Stitched Ribbon, Linen Thread, Dimensionals, Brads, Aqua Painter & Reinkers, Scallop Circle Punch, Large & Small Tag Punches, 3/4″ and 1-3/8″ Circle Punches, 3/4″ Square Punch, Paper Piercing Tool and Mat

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Praying for You…

The rose is created by stamping in VersaMark ink on watercolor paper and then embossing with Whisper White embossing powder. Using an Aqua Painter that is fairly wet, pick up Crushed Curry ink with the tip of the brush and apply to rose. Clean the Aqua Painter and then apply Dusty Durango ink. Darken and highlight areas as needed.

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Thoughts and Prayers, En Francais

Paper: Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Watercolor, Groom Specialty Paper

Ink: Black StazOn, Old Olive, Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, VersaMark

Accessories: Basic Black 1-1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon, Aqua Painter, Whisper White Embossing Powder, Paper Piercing Tool & Mat, Trio Flower Punch, Vintage Brads, Dimensionals, Big Shot and Lots of Tags Sizzlit

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