Pear Study

I love all the beautiful work that so many people are able to produce with colored pencils, but I have a hard time with them. So, when I was away for my girls' stamping weekend, I spent time practicing with my Prismacolor pencils. The pear image on this card is one of the images I worked on, and it was perfect for this week's Color Throwdown (CTD233) palette. 

The card design is from a sketch at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge blog. The challenge this week is to choose one of two sketches for your card. I'm a huge fan of tilted panels, so deciding which sketch to use was easy for me. And, since my favorite technique is distressing or any kind, I was more than happy to make this card work for the Simon Says Stamp & Challenge: Chic to be Shabby, too.

I followed the sketch, without any changes, distressing the layers with ink, water, and a Distrezz-It-All. The background layer has a straight stitch around the perimeter and I pulled out the stitches on one corner and along a small part of the left side. The gingham strip has zigzag stitching just on the top and bottom. I matted the vintage advertisement layer and the two pieces are stapled together with mini staples. After all the layers were attached, I added pink Pearl Pen pearls randomly on the background dp, and green ones on the image panel.

I'm leaving the inside blank for a personal message.

Thanks for stopping by!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #211: Go Green! (FTTC211)
Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Choose a Sketch
Simon Says Stamp & Show Challenge: Chic to be Shabby
Color Throwdown 233 (CTD233)

~Hugs,

 

Stamps: Classics #1 (Stampers Anonymous)
Paper: Follow Your Heart (My Mind's Eye); Vintage Marketplace (Bazzill Basics) 
Ink: Distress; Memento
Dies: Decorative Labels One, Labels One, Classic Squares Lg (Spellbinders)
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils; Gamsol; Mini Staples; Pearl Pen; sewing thread
Size: 4.25" sq.

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Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge #146: Sunny Days

Hello Friends! I'm back with another Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge! DRS Designs is our sponsor this week, and they generously sent me a couple of really cute, high-quality stamps to work with. I'm excited to show you what I did with them.

Melissa's sketch, this week, was a serious challenge for me. I'm more comfortable making cards with lots of layers, and all that blank space was a little bit scary. But, I persevered, and I really like the end result. It certainly helped that I had such a great stamp to use. ;)

The first thing you may notice is that my card is missing those two little squares in the corner. Well, I flipped the sketch upside down and used two circles instead of squares. I also used my Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol, rather than Copics. I've been wanting to color on kraft with pencils for awhile, and these stamps were perfect for it. And, what fun! I'll definitely be coloring on kraft again soon!

The light blue butterfly is part of the main image stamp, but the other butterflies were another single stamp. Rather than stamp them all together, I inked them one at a time so I could spread them across the scene, then I colored them and added Stickles to their wings. The sentiment is a Verve stamp.

I loved making the fence white because it's so striking against kraft cs. I used Sparkly Fluff for the centers of the flowers. It's always fun making a card that begs to be touched. :) After I finished coloring the main image, and before adding Stickles and Sparkly Fluff, I used my Stamp-a-m-a-jig to re-stamp the image over the coloring to give it a crisper look.

For the sun, I embossed a piece of pale yellow cs with a swirly design, inked up the raised areas with Scattered Straw Distress Ink, punched two circles from it, then sponged Walnut Stain lightly around the edges of the circles. I used a Bird Flourish Spellbinders die for the dark yellow flourish and added a few rhinestones and streaks of Stickles to it for sparkle.

See the butterflies in the upper right corner of the inside? That's the stamp that I used on the front of the card for the butterflies. It's nice that they are arranged so that you can stamp them as a group or split them up. Both the butterflies and the flowers in the lower corner were stamped in Versamark ink.

Alrighty, folks, it's your turn, now! Head on over to the Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge blog and check out the fab inspiration by the rest of the DT, then show us your interpretation of the sketch. I can't wait to see what you create!

I'll be entering this card in the following challenges:
Crafty Friends Challenges #3: Inspiration
Crazy 4 Challenges C4C136: Photo inspiration
Do You Stack Up DYSU#71: Use a Flower
Flourishes Bring Back Beautiful BBB22: Beauty of the Garden

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!

~Hugs!

 

Stamps: Flower Fence with Butterflies, Four Corner Butterfly (DR Designs); Sunny Days (Verve)
Ink: Staz-On; Memento; Distress Ink; Versamark
Dies: Bird Flourishes, Labels One (Spellbinders)
Accessories: Daisy Edge Punch (Martha Stewart); 1-1/4" circle punch (EK Success); Regal Flourishes embossing folder (Sizzix); colored pencils (Prismacolor); rhinestones; Sparkly Fluff; Stickles; Shimmer Spritz; sewing thread
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

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PPRS February 2012 Sketch Challenge: Heart Pocket

Hi there, Friends! It's the 15th, and you know what that means...Prickley Pear Sketch Challenge time! We've got a really cool sketch this month, that may have you thinking a little bit out of the box.

When I first saw all those circles, I immediately thought of buttons, or flowers, or some other grouping of round items--you know, the obvious choices. But, I don't always like to go with the obvious. So, for this month's challenge, I opted to think in hearts instead, with February being the month of love, and all. :)

I'll be interested in seeing all the different ways people interpret this sketch. The possibilities are endless. You can mosey over to the Prickley Pear blog to see what the rest of the design team came up with, then show us what you've come up with by linking your creation on the PPRS blog post by the end of the month. There is a $15 gift certificate up for grabs for one lucky participant!

Thanks so much for visiting me, and have a fantastic day!

~Hugs,

 

Stamps: Heart with Daisy's (Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps)
Paper: Summer Song (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Distress Ink; Staz-On
Dies: Classic Hearts (Spellbinders)
Accessories: Love is in the Air embossing folder (Cuttlebug); ribbon (Berwick); Mod Podge; glitter; Stickles; Prismacolor pencils
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

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A Prickley Pear New Release Party Blog Hop!

Welcome to Day Three of Prickley Pear's new release of Valentines and Steampunk themed Red Rubber Stamps!

To celebrate this new release we are having a three day long Blog Party with loads of inspirations by the Design Team and a give away! One happy participant will win a $15 gift certificate to the web shop. All you have to do is leave a comment on each of the participating blogs and tell us what you think about the new release. The last day to enter is Sunday, January 15th, at Midnight EST. The winner will be drawn randomly from one of the particpating blogs, and will be presented on the Prickley Pear Blog on Monday, January 16th.

For my blog hop card, I'm using the Mojo Monday 223 sketch and the January color palette from Kathy's Lily Pad Palette Challenge.

I chose the new Hearts ATC stamp and the True Love stamp for the front of my card.

  

I heat embossed the True Love sentiment with silver metallic embossing powder, however, it was difficult to see on the patterned paper. I really wanted it on that part of the card, so I took two different purple Copic markers and colored the embossed area. I like the result and it's nice to know I can match my embossing to just about anything this way, now. :)

I did a lot to the Hearts ATC stamp, but the photo doesn't do it justice. In person, it has an irridescent, almost translucent, dimensional look to it. To achieve that look, I first stamped it with a purple Colorbox pigment ink. Then, I colored the hearts randomly with Prismacolor pencils that matched the dp and used Gamsol and a blending stump to blend and soften the colors. Next, I spritzed it with silver Shimmer Spritz. After that dried, I saturated the entire thing with mineral spirits. (I'm not sure if that step actually did anything, but I gave it a try). Once the mineral spirits dried, I re-stamped the image with silver Colorbox ink, and again with Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink. I also sponged the Chipped Sapphire ink along the edges of the rectangle. I attached it to the main panel of the card with shiny silver eyelets. That's Crystal Stickles on the little white dots of the lavender circle die cut.

Here's a shot from another angle so you can see the layers and the dry embossed panel better. There is actually a fairly large heart embossed on the white layer, but the circles ended up covering it up.

For the inside of my card, I used a sentiment stamp called "Each Day." I used Spellbinders Edgeabilities to cut the brackets and hearts at the bottom of the sentiment panel.

Here's a close up of the decorative edge. I filled the open circles with peacock blue Stickles, and the open hearts with lavender Liquid Pearls.

And, that's it for my card. What do you think about the new stamps? Me? I love them! I'm going to take that Hearts ATC stamp and do some experimenting. It's so pretty just stamped and left uncolored, but I liked how much the image changed every time I did something else to it. Now, I want to try other things--maybe my Copics, some paint, chalk, nail polish...anything I can find. If I come up with something fun and funky, I'll be sure to share it with you. :D

In the meantime, don't forget to leave a comment on my blog about the new stamps, then be sure to visit the others on the Design Team to see what they've got to show you and leave comments on their blogs, too.

Kristii

Cheryl (that's Me!)

Ujjwal

Audrey

Remember, you have until Sunday at midnight to comment on everyone's blogs for maximum entries in the drawing. 

Thanks for stopping by today, and Happy Hopping! Good Luck!!!
 

Stamps: Hearts ATC, True Love, Each Day (Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps)
Paper: Violet Garden-Digital paper pack (Print Candee); Cafe Mediterranean (DCWV)
Ink: Colorbox; Distress Ink; Copic markers 
Dies: Std Circles Lg, Classic Scalloped Circles Lg, Classic Rectangle, Classic Bracket Edgeabilitiese (Spellbinders); Brackets (Tim Holtz & Sizzix)
Accessories: Love Is In the Air embossing folder (Cuttlebug); Zing silver metallic embossing powder; Prismacolor pencils; Gamsol; mineral spirits; ribbon; pearls; eyelets; sewing thread; Stickles; Liquid Pearls; Shimmer Spritz; foam dots
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

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Live Among the Flowers

Hello Friends! [If you are looking for my Flourishes Timeless Tuesday post, click here. If you are looking for my first Tuesday Morning Sketch post, click here.] I'm back with the final card for my notecard set. I used the Tuesday Morning Sketch #128 for this one and the CR84FN45 color challenge colors.

I colored the flowers with Prismacolor pencils and used gamsol to soften it up. The cameo is a button with the shank cut off. 

Thanks for stopping by today, and be sure to check out the Tuesday Morning Sketch blog for details on the judged sketch challenge this week.

 

Stamps: Clearly Beautiful Flowers (Prickly Pear Rubber Stamps)
Paper: Cafe Mediterranean (DCWV)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink
Dies: Lacy Squares (Spellbinders)
Accessories: Ribbon (Michaels); pearls; pearl brad (Art Minds); buttons; Stickles; Enamel Accents; Perfect Pearls Mist; colored pencils; Gamsol; waxed linen thread
Size: 4 Bar (3.5" x 4.875")

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Just For You, Cupcake

Hi there, Blog Friends! How's your week starting off? Aside from the weather turning wet and cold, it was a good day for us. I did, however, realize this morning that I've been neglecting my cardmaking lately, so I'm on a mission to get at least the four Viva la Verve November sketch challenge cards made and posted by tomorrow.

My DD will be going to a birthday party this coming weekend, so my card for the Week 1 sketch is a girly birthday card. I used plenty of sparkly Stickles and Liquid Pearls.

Here's a look at the inside. Still girly, but without the flash.

Thanks for stopping by. See you in a bit, with another Viva la Verve Sketch Challenge card!

~Hugs,

 

Stamps: Cupcake, Happy Birthday (Quietfire); Sweet Treats (Verve); Flower (Studio G)
Paper: Summer Song (My Mind's Eye); The Basics Stack (The Paper Studio); Bright Blossom (S.E.I.); Que Sera Sera (K&Co); Floriade1 (Two Peas in a Bucket-Anita M. Richards)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink
Dies: Blossom Nestabilities, Standard Circles Lg, Lacy Squares (Spellbinders)
Accessories: Stickles; Liquid Pearls; Colored Pencils (Prismacolor); Sewing Thread
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

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Winter Owl

Hi Friends! Sorry I've been absent for so long. I've been making cards that won't be posted for a week or so. But, I finally finished one that I can share now, and it is so cute! It's for a challenge that is new to me: the Outlines Monday Challenge 24. The theme this week is Friendly Fliers--something that flies, butterflies, dragonflies, ladybugs, etc., and I just happened to order this adorable Winter Owl stamp about a week ago, so it was perfect!

When I started coloring this little guy, I was just playing around, figuring I would toss this one, re-stamp it and color it up for real later, but the more I worked on it, the more I liked it, so I kept it. I used Copics to color it, a Snow Marker for the trim on his hat, Stickles for all the glitter, Enamel Accents, Liquid Pearls, and Glossy Accents for his eyes. The close up photo at the top shows the sparkle really well.

All the patterned paper is digital, but before I printed it out, I altered the color to make it more vivid and just a little yellow. The blue snowflake bg paper is also digital, and I altered it to make it lighter and more vivid, but I can't remember the designer. I'll add that information in here later, if I can find it out.

I absolutely love all these dp's, so I used them all again on the inside. I'll be using this paper again, I'm sure.

Well, my DD and I are off to see Puss in Boots, so I'll leave you here.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a fantastic weekend!

~Hugs,  

 
Stamps: Winter Owl, Happy Happy Holidays (Outlines Rubber Stamp Co.)
Paper: Happy Go Lucky Stripe-colors altered, Happy Go Lucky Paisley-colors altered (Shabby Princess-digital papers); Dark Blue Distressed with Snowflakes-colors altered (digital, designer unknown)
Ink: Memento; Tim Holtz Distress Ink; Copic markers
Dies: Lacy Squares, Classic Ric Rac, Labels One (Spellbinders)
Accessories: Ribbon (Michaels); flower (Recollections); Liquid Pearls; Enamel Accents (Inkssentials); Corner Chomper; colored pencils (Prismacolor); Stickles; Glossy Accents; ; Snow Marker (Marvy); sewing thread
Size: A6 (4.5" x 6.25")

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Prickley Pear Poinsettia

Hi Friends! Well, today is my first official post as the Guest Designer for the Prickley Pear Rubber Stamp Design Team! I've been so excited to get started! But, first let me tell you, PPRS stamps are so fab! They stamp crisp and clear, and there are so many images to choose from. There is everything from elegant to whimsical. And, many of the clear acrylic sets even have dies to match, also. You really should visit the store to see for yourself. It's amazing!

For my first PPRS project, I created a stamped candle. This was a fun one, and so much easier than I anticipated.

There are several video tutorials out there on how to do this, and I noticed that there were slight variations in each one that I watched. Here's how I made this one:

Stamp the Poinsettia image on tissue paper using black ink.
Color the image as desired. I used colored pencils and Gamsol. Whatever you use, be gentle--the tissue paper tears easily.
Cut the image out leaving a small border.
Place the image where desired on the candle, then cover with a layer of plastic wrap. It should be tight--I held mine on the back side of the candle. Be sure to get all the wrinkles out--they will show up later if you don't. :)
Using your heat gun, heat the image. Keep the heat gun moving so the candle will melt evenly. The goal is to melt the wax just enough so that it will absorb into the tissue paper, leaving a thin layer of wax on top of the tissue paper. Once the paper has absorbed the wax, remove the plastic wrap and decorate the candle as desired.

For this candle, I added yellow Stickles to the center of the flowers, put a Parisian Accent strip around the bottom and a red gingham ribbon on top of that, then hot-glued a bow to the ribbon. To finish it off, I placed red rhinestones on the ribbon, all the way around the candle.

See...isn't that easy? Every Christmas I think I'm going to make something for gifts, but it always ends up that I don't have time. This year, I think I can do it with this project. Fast, easy, and fun!

Thanks for stopping by today! Have yourself a fantastic week!

 

Stamps: Poinsettia (PPRS)
Paper: Tissue Paper
Ink: Memento
Dies: Parisian Accents (Spellbinders)
Accessories: Colored Pencils (Prismacolor); ribbon (Offray); Stickles; rhinestones; 6" white candle, plastic wrap
Size: 6" candle

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Birthday Wishes in Pink & Purple

 

Hi Friends! I've got a quick post for a simple card. I made this card in just a few minutes for my daughter to give to one of her friends. I added yellow Stickles to the centers of the flowers after I took the photos. It looked really good, but it was time to leave for school, so I wasn't able to photograph it again before my daughter gave it to her friend. I hurriedly colored the flowers with Prismacolor pencils and mineral spirits.  

I may make this one again, when I have more time. It's so easy, it would be great to have a few for girly birthdays.  

 Thanks for visiting today!  

 

Stamps: Making a Statement (Verve); Big Wish (Studio G)

Paper: Paper Studio

Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink; Colorbox

Dies: Rounded Scallop Frame (Verve); Lattice Rectangles (Spellbinders)

Accessories: Seeing Spots embossing folder (Cuttlebug); colored pencils (Prismacolor); rhinestones; foam dots

Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

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Big Wish

Hello Friends! For today's card, I used the Viva la Verve September Week 2 sketch, turned on it's side, and the CR84FN38 color challenge colors of bright pink, black, and gray. 

My favorite card making technique is distressing. I love ripping, crumpling, sponging and smearing ink, and generally just aging paper. When I first started making cards, I think I used that technique a lot to cover up my mistakes. Now that I *NEVER* make mistakes, ;oD I just do it because it's fun! Well, I had a ball with this card--I used paint--something I hadn't done before. Check this out! 

As with most of my cards, I didn't start out with this idea. In this case, I felt like the pink Fair Isle border needed a dark frame behind it. I didn't want just a rectangle, so I decided to paint a swipe of black on the background. Because the bg cardstock is slightly textured, the areas that are painted thinly look a little like netting to me. I like the effect.

For the flower, I used Verve stamps, but they didn't seem big enough here, so I tore apart a silk flower and used two of the layers behind the stamped flowers. The butterflies are actually a dark burgundy color, but for some reason, I couldn't get them to come out any color but red in the photo.

The entire time I was making this card, I kept thinking, "this isn't going to work," but once I was finished, I really liked it. Hope you do, too.

And that's it for tonight. Thanks for stopping by!
 

 

Stamps: Sunny Days, Tag Time, Blue Skies (Verve)

Paper: Elegance (Creative Imagination); Sweet Threads (Basic Grey)

Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink; Staz-On; Colorbox

Dies: Peony, Fair Isle Border Petites (Spellbinders); Tiny Sweets Scallop (Verve)

Accessories: Classic Butterfly punch (Martha Stewart); embossing powder (Zing); ribbon (Michael's); acrylic paint (Ceramcoat); colored pencils (Primacolor); Enamel Accents (Inkssentials); flower; twine (Twinery); glitter (Martha Stewart); button; Liquid Pearls; foam dots

Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

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