Under the sea mini canvas



Hi and welcome to my blog. While most of the country is enjoying hot summer days , it's been quite the opposite here in Newfoundland ( rain and more rain .... **sigh**)  but at least it gives me a good excuse to play along with Anything But Cute 's current challenge again!  I had so much fun creating a summery layout ( click here to see my layout) that I had to play along again.

Here is the mood board ...

 

 

 

I followed the beach theme a little more with my mini canvas.....

 

 

 

I started off with a 6x6 canvas and I created my own textured background by applying a thick coat of Prima Artbasics modeling paste....I was going for a wave effect. It looks better in RL, I promise !!

 

Then I used various shades of blue and green Deco paints and started painting and painting. I let it each layer dry before  lightly applying gesso to soften the blue tones. I then spritzed the entire surface with Ranger's Perfect Pearls mist in Biscotti. It adds a nice subtle glimmer effect which doesn't really show well in the photo, but trust me, it looks great!

 

Here's a close up....

 

The metal starfish and sanddollar were purchased on eBay and I just painted them and did a little distressing. I cut the seahorse out on my Cricut Explore using the Life is a Beach cartridge. I followed a tutorial on Tim Holtz's blog ( July 2014 tag) to create the crackled grunge look for my seahorse. The sand was a mixture of TH distress glitter in Pumice Stone with a bit of Stormy Sky for contrast. I used some Art basics 3D Gloss gel to adhere it to the canvas.  I hand cut my tag and stamped the base with a ledger stamp from Stampin' Up! Open Sea set ( the anchor on the tag is from this too) and the sentiment is from CTMH , oldie but still a goodie set called Treasure of the Heart. Finally, I added some flat back pearls , a bit of netting and sequins .

 

That's my mini canvas ... hope you enjoyed! Thanks for visiting my blog today!

 

 

12 Tags of 2015... July tag

Hi and welcome to my blog. The tag for July for the 12 Tags of 2015 ( click here for tutorial)  is a patriotic themed tag... I love the tag but unfortunately Stampers Anonymous doesn't have any Canadian themed stamps, so I had to make do with what I have.



Here's the tag for July ........

 

 

 

Here's my tag......

 

 

I used a Canadian themed paper for my background and for my strips I used from Stampin' Up! and CTMH , inked TH Distress Ink ( Fired Brick) and followed the tutorial. I happy with how my tag turned out, even though it's very different from Tim's tag.

 

 

That's my tag... thanks for stopping by my blog today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be happy layout

Hi and welcome to my blog. Summer is just around the corner ( for us , anyways!!) and I can't wait for lazy days spent camping and relaxing on the beach.  Often my paper crafting gets ignored while I'm busy enjoying the short summer that we get here in NFLD. So today , while I'm still dreaming of those long hot days, I have a layout to share with you. I used the fabulous sketch over at Stuck?! Sketches blog for my inspiration. Laura always designs such great sketches that are sure to get your creative mojo going. Take a look at the current sketch:

 

 

I'm combining this sketch with the current challenge at The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge blog who are celebrating their one year birthday!!  I only found this blog recently but I'm so glad I did!! Lots of fun challenges and tons of inspiration.... stop by and give the DT some blog love!!!

 

 

 

 

Here's my layout based on Stuck?!Sketches and MMMC#13 challenge .......

 

 

 

 

I used papers from an older paper collection I've had - I think it's a Recollection collection, but i'm not sure. The banner and elements are from Authentique Harmony collection. For MMC, I'm using a couple of past challenges... around The House( burlap and sewing) and May Flowers ( umm, flowers!!) and stamps- the splatters are actually from a Stampin' Up! set called Gorgeous Grunge. Love ,love that stamp set!! Of course, I had to add a few Prima flowers and this page is done!! Well, almost.... behind the photo ,I created a pocket for some hidden journaling which I've yet to add!

 

Well , that's my layout, hope you enjoyed. Thanks for stopping by my blog today!!

 

 

 

Twelve tags of 2015 ... April tag

Hi and welcome to my blog. Although I made my tag as soon as the new tag was posted on Tim Holtz's blog , I'm only just now getting around to posting it! Here's the link to the April tag  and here are Tim's tags....

 

 

I really loved these tags... they made me  feel hopeful that spring is finally here.... even if we are still buried under tons of snow!!!!

 

 

I used my Silhouette Cameo machine to make my base tag ,and then searched through my stamps to find one to go with the tag and here's what I made.....

 

 

 

 

I used a Stampin' Up! stamp set called Pleasant Poppies.. it was one of the last stamps I purchased as a Demo ( more than three years ago) and I'm only now just inking it .  I dusted off my Spritzer tool ( another leftover from my SU days) , got out my TH inks and markers and aqua pen and I followed the tutorial to create this tag.  I'm super happy with how it turned out!

 

Well, that's my April tag... thanks for stopping by!

 

 

 

 

Thinking of you Card ... an embossed embossing technique

Hi and welcome to my blog! I love trying new techniques for papercrafting and this week over at The Friday Mashup they have a challenge for us to try  heat embossing on a dry embossed card... there's a link for those who haven't tried this technique yet.
Here's the info:

 

 

This week's Mashup Challenge:

• Create a project with an "Antique Style, element or theme".
• Create a project using the "Embossed Embossing technique" (tutorial) .
• or Mash it Up! and create an "Antique project using the Embossed Embossing Technique". 

 

I'm combining my card with the current  Friday challenge over at Frosted Designs which is to use recycled materials and homemade flowers. 

 

This is my card for both challenges........

 

 

 

I had lots of fun with this technique!!! First , I embossed a piece of leftover ledger paper with a Tim Holtz embossing folder and then used my brayer to layer some Versaink before sprinking  TH embossing powder in Old Paper and then heat set it. To give it a more aged look, I stenciled some stains and then distressed and inked the edges. This certainly has an antique feel to it already. I made some flowers using a Stampin Up! punch for the larger flowers and my Cricut and the Art Philosophy cartridge for the smaller ones. The sentiment is an oldie from Close To My Heart called Thoughtful Seasons. My recycled items are some cheesecloth ,some dark brown hemp and buttons. To finish up the vintage look, I added a metal key and flower and a few gemstones.

 

 That's my card for today... thanks for stopping by!

 

 

 



Mixed media birthday card

Hi and welcome to my blog.  I'm still working on building up my birthday card stash and the current sketch over at Cardabilities inspired my mixed media style birthday card. I used a bit of everything for this card .... Prima chalkboard paints, Petaloo flowers, Heidi Swapp  and Stampin' Up! stamps and whatever else I could find!

Here's the sketch:



Here's my take on the sketch:

 

 

I have a bunch of plain ole chipboard tags tucked away in a drawer. They are the perfect base for chalkboard paint- the paint goes on smooth and evenly and dries quickly. I used Eggshell for this tag and then stamped a woodgrain stamp ( Impression Obsession) in CTMH Desert Sand ink.... it shows better in RL. I stamped a piece of orange scrap paper with  a Heidi Swapp background  script stamp and the splats are a Stampin' Up! stamp ( Gorgeous Grunge) . I then added layers of Petaloo flowers , sequins and a metal flourish which I painted with Golden chalkboard paint and a bit of Tim Holtz Tarnished Brass . The leaves on the right are a die from , the buttons are from my stash and the Happy Birthday was made using a fun little gadget I've had for ages , but for the life of me, I have no idea what it's called!!!

 That's my card... hope you enjoyed it!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

 

 

 

 

Mojo Monday birthday card ..... and some old Stampin' Up! stamps

Hi and welcome to my blog. As a paper crafter I tend to hoard all kinds of craft supplies , including stamps! I sold a bunch of stamps a couple of years ago but they are slowly starting to build up again!! lol While I was sorting them, maybe, just maybe thinking I might do another purge I found a couple of oldies from my Stampin' Up! days , and I decided to put them to use! What better way to get inspired than to play along with another great sketch from Mojo Monday.... here it is!

 

 

I dusted off my sets from SU! Edgy Eloquence and Wonderful Words ( I still love the script of these stamps!!) and made this card......

 

 

 

Actually , lots of older products were used to make this card, like bling from Prima, leftover paper from Teresa Collins Summer Stories collection and even the cardstock was from my odds n ends stash. I spritzed the Prima flower with Glimmer Mist ( yep, that's old stuff,too!!!) and then added a bit of Tim Holtz Distress  dry glitter... which really doesn't show up all that great in this photo, but trust me, it's beautiful  in RL!!!!

 

So that's my card .... thanks for stopping by today! Have a wonderful creative day!

 

 

 

 

 

Scrap The Boys January challenge layout

Hi all! Today is the perfect day to stay all warm and cozy inside while the wind howls and the snow is falling. I still have the kids back to school photos to scrap ... and the current challenge at Scrap The Boys is a good starting place to get at least one layout finished!  They have made some changes ( new DT members , new challenges and more so take a few moments to check them out!

 Here's the challenge for January:

 

I really like the colors and theme of this mood board. My son especially loves anything to do with cars and the GTO is his favorite but unfortunately we don't own one!!! But I did have a collection from Crate Paper called Boys Rule that fits this mood board.

 

Here's my layout.....

 

 

 

 

 

All elements are from Crate Paper Boys Rule collection. I used stencils ( The Crafters Workshop) , stamps( SU! Background Grunge and CTMH Geometric Backgrounds)  and inks to create the various elements on the base layer of cardstock and alpha stamps from CTMH ( and the quote as well) plus a few Thickers alphas were used for the title and date. A little bit of washi tape and some enamel dots ,from Prima, scattered about the page complete this layout.

The colours are more vibrant in RL but for some reason they look much more washed out in the photo---- I'm blaming all this stormy weather!! LOL

 

Thanks for checking out my blog today... have a wonderful & warm creative day!!

 

 

 

A Wryn Valentine's Day card

Good afternoon! I have a cute little card to share with you today. Lately , I've been spending time coloring up images ( digi and inked) with my Copics. One of my favorite images to color are the sweet little Wryn girls from Tiddy Inks.

I used this week's challenge from Friday Mashup for my inspiration :

Here's your Mashup Challenge:

1. Create a project using the Colors "Coastal Cabana, Real Red & Crumb Cake."
2. Create a project using "Hearts & Arrows. "
3. Or Mash it Up and create a project using "the above colors along with Hearts & Arrows.

Here's my card:

I created the card base using my Silhouette and a purchased cutfile . This heart and arrow comes in a set of 7 different varieties- perfect for scrappers and cardmakers alike. I followed the color combo as close as I could -not sure if this is the right shade blue, but it's the closest I have!! The sentiment is an old retired Stampin' Up! hostess set.

  The digi image came with a matching sentiment , which I also colored with my Copic markers.
I used the cutout of the arrow for the inside  and that's it... my card is finished!!!

This card is being sent to my sweet godchild .. I hope she likes it!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today.... have a great rest of your day!!

All At Sea giftbox

Good morning! Recently SVG Attic had a huge sale (I think it might still be on!!!) in which all of their cutfiles was just $1 -can you believe that!!! I bought a whole bunch of 'em and now I'm having so much fun playing with the various projects, like this giftbox from the All At Sea file.

 

I imported the file into my Silhouette Designer program.Unfortunately, the files do not automatically convert to Silhouette cutfiles so I had to convert each file ( this took up the better part of an afternoon as I had many files purchased!!!).I wasn't sure on the sizing , so I just played around and this box ended up a wee bit under 6 inches high and about 6.5 inches in diameter. It's big enough for a decent size gift but I'd had to make sure the item wasn't too heavy. I used CTMH cardstock which cuts like a dream but it's not all that sturdy and has a white core... which showed up more in this pic than in RL.

The starfish elements are from CTMH as well and because they are light , they don't weigh the lid down. I stamped an image( on a canvas tag) from Stampin' Up!'s Uncharted Territory set which I colored with my Copic markers. This box was fairly simple to make but I think I'd probably make it smaller the next time.

The svg set All at Sea has a couple of cards, a giftbox and bag - an awesome value for just a dollar!!

 

I hope you enjoyed my little project today.... thanks for dropping by today!!

Have a great rest of your day!!

 

Wedding card

Hi all! I was asked to make a card for a friend who's attending a wedding this weekend . I don't make a lot of these type cards so I tend to think and think and think about what I'm going to make and I usually end up changing my mind several times. This time was no different. I started out with a cutfile from Bird's Cards  ( I believe this one is called a Swirl Frame) , but that was the only thing I stuck with!! Here , take a look.....

 

 

 

I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.... should've used my Silhouette in the beginning! I used it to create a custom Mr& Mrs , which I sketched with a silver Silhouette gel pen and then cut out.... so simple , yet elegant. For  a little bling and color , I added a red rhinestone heart. The cardstock is  American Crafts and the damask dp is a MME paper stack.

 

 

 

Here's a better look a the sentiment.

 

The pin and ribbon are from my stash of goodies that I keep on adding to!!

 

 

 

 

Here's a look at the inside......

 

 

 

 

I liked the touch of red so much that I repeated

it with a red stamp beneath the greeting. Both sets are from Stampin' Up! :I { heart}Hearts and Occasional Quotes in CTMH archival black ink. I made the envelope since  I couldn't seem to find one the right size.

 

I got this card finished just in time.....the wedding is tomorrow!!

Thanks for stopping by today... have a great weekend!!

 

 

Mojo Monday 209 :Sketch Challenge

Hello! I haven't particiapted in a  Mojo Monday sketch in a long time, although I do love to visit the blog r frequently... so much inspiration from the Mojo DT and from  all the  fab entries,too! I used this sketch to make a Christmas card.................

 Here's what I used to make this card:

I used the Frostwood Lodge stamp set from Stampin' Up!'s Holiday mini and the papers are from Echo Park. The border was made with  a Martha Stewart  borderpunch and the ink, cardstock, embossing folder and crochet trim are SU!. The eyelet circle mat was cut from a Spellbinders die.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sketch and Stash Challenge #70 ..... Free Choice

Hey everybody!! I love sketch challenge blogs ... so much inspiration from one sketch! The blog  Sketch and Stash Challenge  has so many fantastic sketches to work with and this week's challenge is a free choice.... you pick any sketch from their catalogue of sketches and play with it!! I decided on this sketch (#57) for my card.

 

I used an old DSP from Stampin' Up! (2009) and some paper Prima flowers for this very simple card. I have an assortment of pearls from various sources that I used for the flower centres as well for the dp strip.  The stamp is from my cheap-o mini stamps I find at Michaels! I think that this may have been the very first time it has seen ink!!!

Anyhoo, there's my card for this challenge. If you haven't visited this site , you really should, there are so many great things to find there!!!!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my card!!

Mojo Monday 200

Happy Monday!! Today I thought I would play along with Mojo Monday which I haven't done in so long! It's the 200th sketch and they've got a brand new look.... go check it out!!
But first, here's my card (and the sketch!!!)

 I love the Travel Log stamp set from stampin' Up! ... I used the map image to create a custom background ( I did this for scrappage as well) . The arrow paper is the only non-SU.

Supplies used for this card ( all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted)

Travel Log stamp set

Bordering Blue, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black  Whisper White : ink / cardstock

Circle Sissors ( for circle mats)

Spiral border punch

 Thanks for looking!!!

Happy Crafting!!!

Jingle Belles: Jolly ( and Lucky) Old Saint Nicholas

Are you ready for Santa to arrive??? It may only be mid- May but the ladies at Jingle Belles are celebrating jolly Old St. Nick, himself!! Check out Stef and Lauren's fab inspirations to get you all geared up for this week's prompt. And since JB happens to fall on Friday the 13th( hope it was super lucky for y'all!!) , the DT are randomly selecting a Lucky Guest Star for a future prompt!! Good luck to all the entries!!!!  Would you believe that I only had the teeny tinest stamp with Santa on it???  Seriously, I looked through everything I owned and I could not find any papers, embellies, stamps..... nada.....nothing!!!! But thankfully there's the trusty ole' internet to my rescue!!! I found this cute little digi stamp at Squigglefly  and I love that I can make it any size I want without losing quality!  Yay!!!

So here is my JB card..........

I printed the image on Whisper White cs and colored him with Copic markers for the hat and SU markers for the face and beard. And just because I love glitter so much, I added SU's glass glitter around Santa! The DP is from My Mind's Eye and the cs used ( from SU) was Whisper White for image and inside greeting, Crumb Cake for base ,Baja Breeze and Always Artickoke for mats. The tag is from Ikea  and the ribbon is SU. 

I used Bashful Blue for the shading on the inside mat and then I stamped the sentiment in Not Quite Navy .I originally inked Noel in Chocolate Chip , but it barely stood out against the hoilly leaf background , which I only discovered after I had stamped it!!! UGH!!!! So I just took my red marker and traced over the image so now I can see it!!!! The next time I know to test the color first!!!!

You may not be able to tell from this pic, but I embossed the green and blue mats with a Tim Holtz's Sizzix folder ( a brick wall pattern) and then I inked the edges.

So now I have a Santa card  all ready to give this Christmas   *** woot-woot** ,   or maybe I'll keep him 'cause I really liked  how the whole thing came together!!! :-)  Now that I have this digi stamp, I may play around with in different sizes to see what I can create!!!

Go check out this weeks' entries at JB!!!

Thank you for stopping by my little spot in Blogland!!!See you next time!!!!

My Digital Studio digi layouts

A few easy layouts using the MDS program from Stampin Up!

 I usually send these off to my local Costco to print them off to a 12x12 size and then add photos, embellishments ,etc to finish them up.