Cracked Critters with Lost Coast Designs

Hello Dreamers,
Welcome to the Cracked Critters Event with Lost Coast Designs.  What are Cracked Critters you ask??  They are a collection of totally whimsical stamps  that were inspired by cracks in sidewalks!!!  Works for me!  Check out all the Cracked Critter Stamps here.
I used the several stamps from the collection to make a cover for my "Idea Journal".

Here is the Journal before:

 I started my "Idea Journal" because I got tired of having all these little slips of paper everywhere.  On each piece of paper, I had jotted down a color combo, sketch, technique idea, etc.....  One bright sunny day I said to myself, "Duh, put it all in a journal".  So it began.  Here is look at some of the things in my journal.  I left open space here and there to add samples later.

 Now, take a look at the finished cover!

Materials List:

Stamps: Large Cracked Bird On Wheels, Cracked Tree, Cracked Grass and Sky, License Plate Alphabet, Misc Words Set

Ink: Black Archival

CS: white, green, teal, and slate green

Coloring: Twinkling H 2 O's watercolor paints; Distress Markers; Distress Inks (Faded Jeans, Mustard Seed, and Bundled Sage; and Distress stains (Vintage Photo and Peeled Paint)

Twine

Paint Brush

Make It:

• Cut a piece of white CS the size of the journal cover
• With black ink, stamp Large Cracked Bird and Cracked Tree
• Stamp Cracked Grass and Sky twice

• Paint the background with the Twinkling H 2 O's
• Add in more detail with the Markers
• Squeeze out some of the stain and pick it up with a wet brush; add for details and shading
• Use the distress inks on the edges
• Using a strong glue, adhere the piece to the cover of the journal
• Add a strip of dark teal CS at top and a piece of twine

• Stamp out "IDEA" using the License Plate Alphabet; cut out each letter and distress with Mustard Seed ink
• Stamp Journey from Misc Words Set with gray ink
• Add the words to the cover

Aren't these Cracked Critters just so cute??!!  I had so much fun with these.  There are lots more critters in the collection, so be sure to check them out.  I know you will find your favorite animal in a cracked version.  LOL  And, for an added bonus, I have all my ideas in one place now and don't have to go looking through a stack of scrap paper and sheets of paper to find them.  It is all good in the day of a crafter.  Head over to the Portal to Creativity Blog and check out all the other projects!!  Lots of inspiration there.
See you soon for more craftiness.  Love ya
Karen

Elegant Floral Cards with Technique Junkies

Hello Everyone!
I have been having a busy week.  Working in the yard and crocheting more baby gifts.  Of course, I still made time to make a few cards for the ladies.  Today's cards were made with a stamp from the April New Release collection by Technique Junkies. This stamp is perfect for Mother's Day cards.  Take a look

Materials List:

Stamps: Elegant Mums and Classy and Fabulous Sentiment from Technique Junkies

Ink: Victorian Velvet, Spun Sugar, and Fired Brick Distress inks

CS: pink

Paper: Mixed Media pad from Strathmore

Sprial Punch

Label Punch

Ribbon

Lace

Pearl trim

Make It:

• Punch the top edge of the pink CS with the spiral punch
• Distress the pink CS with Spun Sugar and Fired Brick ink
• Tear a sheet of the mixed media paper torn from the pad-keeping the spiral edge in tacked
• Ink Elegant Mum with Victorian Velvet ink and stamp on a sheet of the mixed media paper torn for the pad--don't cut off the spiral edge

Note: don't clean your stamp!  The Distress ink is very wet!  So, I stamped a second image--you will see it on the second card later in this post.

•  Add Spun Sugar ink to the stamped image using the direct to paper method ( no tool needed-just gently sweep the pad across the paper)
• To the centers of the flowers, add Fired Brick ink with a stencil brush
• Heavily distress the edges and add to the pink CS base
• Stamp the Sentiment, punch, and distress 
• Punch a second label from pink CS
• Layer both labels over a piece of  lace, gathered ribbon and some pearl trim

Perfect for a Mother's Day Card!!  Just stamp a sentiment on the inside and you are good to go.  That is what I will be doing with both cards!!

Second Card:

This is the second stamp impression I made without reinking the stamp. I stamped on a soft cream CS and added a layer of white.  The card base is lavender CS

I layered some pretty fibers onto the card --a ruffled ribbon, burlap rick rack, and white tulle.  Another perfect card for Mother's Day!!

So glad you stopped by today!  Lots going on in Dreamland over the several days.  Technique Junkie New Release for May coming on Sunday!  What??!!  Where did April go, right?  Also a Lost Coast Design Event is going on too.  My post will be tomorrow (Friday).  And, I will have masculine birthday cards to share!!  So see you again tomorrow!!  Love ya
Karen

****************Challenges:
Craft Rocket: pink and pearls
Addicted to stamps and more: anything go
Simon Wednesday: anything goes
Retarte: anything goes
Pinspirational: photo inspired--I was inspired by the floral motif and the sentiments
Shopping our stash: ink but no coloring
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Administrative Professionals' Day Card

Hello There,
And Happy Administrative Professionals' Day.  I had an order for a card to celebrate Admin Prof Day.  I gave it a good think and came up with this card.

I stamped this cute Bella stamp and colored with Copic markers.  I had the You're Awesome sentiment (Stampin' Up).  I layered with lots of soft colors and add some pretty DP.

To embellish, I added three small pearls and a wide sheer white ribbon.

I typed this sentiment on the computer and printed it out o white CS.

So, I think this turned out pretty good and the recipient will like. Yes??  
Well, just a quick post for me.  Check back tomorrow for some pretty floral cards with Technique Junkie stamps.   And Friday my post for the Cracked Critter Event.  
Hope you are having a great day!  Love ya
Karen

********Challenges:
Crafty Gals Corner:anything goes
Fresh Brewed:anything goes
Inspiration Destination:anything goes
Simon Wednesday:anything goes
The Crafty Addicts:anything goes
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A Little Crabby with Technique Junkies

Hello Everyone,
Getting in  a post tonight after working in the yard today.  I mostly shoveled mulch around, took some measurements, and picked up things.  Beautiful weather!  I had to put on my sun hat.
So, now on to some card making things.  Here is a fun card made with a set included in the April Releases from Technique Junkies.  The sentiment, "a little crabby", reminds me of myself in the morning before coffee.  LOL

Materials List:

Stamps: Crabby (set of three) from Technique Junkies

Ink: Sienna Archival

CS: white, brown; Dusty Durango and Calypso Coral (Stampin Up)

DP: K & Company

Brown and Orange ribbon

Make It:

• Make a card from Dusty Durango CS and add layers of Calypso Coral, brown, and Decorative Paper
• Stamp the Crab and sentiment on white CS

• Add a layer of brown to Crab
• Add a layer of Coral cs to sentiment
• Hold two ribbons together and tie knots in the ends
• Wrap ends of ribbon around card

This stamp is just great with any nautical or ocean theme DP you might have in your stash.  That is what I used here.  Crabby set is just one of the fabulous April releases!  Check them out here!!  See you soon with more crafty fun!  Next week I will have some pretty floral cards and a few masculine birthday cards.  See you then!  Love ya
Karen

Jazzin' It up with Technique Junkies

Hello Everyone!
Getting all Jazzy here today in Dreamland.  Check out the awesome Sax player from Technique Junkies.  I love this background too.  I thought it looks so art deco. Just perfect for the 1930's style Jazz musician.  The images were stamped on velum for a stained glass kind of feel. Both images are from the April New Releases from Technique Junkies.

Materials List:

Stamps: Saxophonist, Mosaic Scallops, and You Are Amazing Sentiment all from Technique Junkies

Ink: Black Stazon

CS: Bright green

Velum: clear and green

Yarn

Silver Dots

 Make It:

• Make a card from green CS
• On green velum, stamp the Mosaics Scallop Background with black ink
• Glue to the card base
• On clear velum, stamp the Saxophonist with black ink
• Add to the card
• Add the silver dots

• Stamp the sentiment with black ink on green CS and add to card
• Tie yarn in a bow and glue to card

I particularly like the Sax player as my husband is a jazz musician.  Although he does play the trumpet.  Because I stamped on green velum, I did not have to do any coloring on the background to get the stained glass look. How easy is that!!??

Thanks for stopping by!!  See you again soon.

Karen

Retail Therapy? Yes, Please!

Hello Dreamers!
Hope you are enjoying your day.  I am having a relaxing day.  I am working on a baby afghan.   So, I decided to pop in and share a fun card I made for a card order.

Materials

Stamps: Denami Shopper Chickies; Sentiment

Ink: Black

Markers 

DP: My Mind's Eye 6x6 pad

Ribbon

Stamp the Chickies and color with markers.  I added some bright and cheerful papers.  I inked the sentiment with Markers to match the coloring. And, just add some bright yellow ribbon and you are done.  Who doesn't like a little retail therapy now and then??!!

*************a Few Fun Challenges:
Brown Sugar: anything goes
Southern Girls; anything goes
Fresh Brewed Designs: ribbon or twine--I used both
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Thanks for stopping by!!  See you next time!!  Oh, it's Friday--so have a great weekend!
Karen

Spring Theme with Vintage Stamping Challenge

Hello Dreamers!
Time for a new theme on the Vintage Stamping Challenge!   The theme for the month of April is:

All Things Spring

Please make the focal point stamping--does not have to be vintage.  You may use any stamps.  The challenge is sponsored by Flonz Craft Stamps--one lucky entrant will win a $20 gift certificate.

For my design team project, I stamped a large tree with green ink.  The green ink reminded me of the intense green of the new Spring foliage on the trees.

Material List:

Stamp: Old Tree Engraving from Flonz Craft Stamps

Ink: Northern Pine and Rich Cocoa Memento

Decorative Paper: Blushing Rose Collection from Our Daily Bread

CS: peach and green

Buttons

Pearls

 Make It:

• Make a card from green CS and add a layer of peach CS
• Add a layer of green decorative paper
• On  polka dot decorative paper, stamp the tree by inking the leaves with orthern Pine ink and trunk with Rich Cocoa ink
• Add to card

•  Cut four groups of Roses from decorative paper and glue to corners of card

• Add three buttons below tree
• Add several tiny pearls around top of tree

Be sure to visit the Vintage Stamping Challenge site and link up your Spring themed project! Thanks for dropping in.  I hope you are having a fabulous day!! Love ya

Karen

Clock Lady -- Lost Coast Designs April Challenge

Hello Everyone!
Time for a fun new challenge with Lost Coast Designs and Carmen's Veranda!!
The new theme for the month of April is:

Anything Goes

Head over to the Portal to Creativity Blog for other design team projects and all the details!
Now, it's about time.... I showed you my project.  LOL

Materials List:

Stamps: Clock Lady and Argyle Background from Carmen's Veranda

Ink: Butterscotch Adirondack; Rich Cocoa Memento

CS: White, yellow, brown

Yellow Ribbon

Red Twine

Red Brads

Circle and Hole Punch

Make It:

• Make a card from brown CS and add a layer of yellow CS
• On White CS Stamp the Argyle Background with Butterscotch ink
• Stamp Clock Lady onto Background with Cocoa ink
• Wrap the ribbon and twine around the background and add to card base

• Stamp the Clock from Clock lady four more times with Butterscotch ink
• Punch out the clocks with a circle punch
• Punch four circles from brown CS
• Layer the circles slightly offsetting
• Punch hole in center and add a brad

• Add the clock faces with dimensional adhesive
• Add three pieces of ribbon tied in knots

Now, let's see what you come up with.  You can use any stamp company to make your project!  Stop by and link up your creative project.  Hope you have a super day and thanks for stopping by.  Love ya

Karen

April New Release and Sale Technique Junkies Blog Hop

Hello Everyone,
Welcome to your next stop on the April New Release Blog Hop with Technique Junkies!  You should have arrived here from Judy's blog!  Hope you enjoyed her gorgeous project!!   If you are just popping in here, you may like to start at the beginning here.  To celebrate the April new releases, the Design Team has been working hard to create lots of projects to inspire you!  Extra Fun: All the April New Releases will be on sale --15% off ----until April 8 !! That is cool!!

For my project, I stamped using markers on mixed media paper

Materials List:

Stamps: Stylized Roses and Be Silly Sentiment both from Technique Junkies

Ink:Black

Markers: hot pink, red, and Olive green

Papers: Mixed Media pad from Strathmore 

CS: pink and green

Pink Ribbon

Make It:

• Tear a sheet of mixed media paper from pad and trim to size; tear the bottom edge
• Ink the stamp with markers and stamp on paper
• Stamp sentiment with black ink
• Distress edges of paper with green marker by drawing along edge of paper; spritz paper with water and blend with finger and let dry

• Add a layer of green and pink CS
• Tie ribbon around piece

Here are two additional ideas for stamping this flower with markers and an ink pad.   I sprayed water onto mixed media paper; ink the stamp with markers and stamped.  When dry, I stamped again with a dark ink--an archival or Stazon so it will not bleed.  Kind of a fun way to use this stamp.  The first sample had a lot more water on the paper than the second sample.

Your next stop on the hop is Marilyn's blog.  Hope you have enjoyed looking at all the new releases!!  Take advantage of the sale and get the ones you loved at 15% off!!  Have a super day!!
Karen

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Challenges for my Stylized Rose Card:
Country View: Spring
Simon Wednesday: anything goes
New Challenge Blog----A Beautiful Mess: anything goes
Vintage Journey: Spring
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