Enchanting Card Set: Card - Crafts and Me Shiitake and Oregano

As I finish putting together my coordinated Enchanting Card Set, I've added a Birthday card using this Crafts and Me Shiitake and Oregano digi image by artist Sara Burrier.

This is one of a few cards that will be enclosed in my card set's folder found here, so I've kept my embellishments very light.  Other coordinating all occasion cards can be found here and here.

When completing a card set, consistency with the pieces of the set is very important. I've used a similar layout as well as the same colors, papers and embellishments to match my card set's folder and other cards. Antique Gold Satin Ribbon knotted on the border, Bazzill Basics Walnut jewels at two corners and a negative mask formed from a Spellbinders scalloped oval for an airbrushed backround provide the simple consistency that makes this piece easily recognized as belonging to this card set.

This photo shows the completed card front for one of the cards that I've added to my Enchanting Card Set using Crafts and Me digital images.

Here's the completed card set that will make a lovely handmade gift . . .

The cards, with envelopes, fit into the folder so nicely . . .

I'm entering this card at the following listed challenges:
Craft Your Passion's Text It Challenge (here)
Dream Valley's Summer Theme Challenge (here)
Allsorts Free and Easy Challenge (here)


Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00
hair - E31, E35, E47
leaves - G82, G85, G99
mushroom stem - Y13, Y26, Y28
mushroom cap - E70, E71, E74, E79
wings - N1, FYR1, Opaque White
clothing - BG53, B45, V95, Y00
airbrushed background - Y00, BG000, B00, V000

Enchanting Card Set: Card - Crafts and Me Child of Healing

The Dynamite Digi team at Crafts and Me Challenges wants to see your Summertime projects. The lovely Teresa of Crafts and Me Stamps is offering SIX digi images to the winner of a randomly selected entry. Find out more about this challenge here.

I've added another all occasion card to my coordinated Enchanting Card Set.  This time I've used Crafts and Me Stamps' Child of Healing by artist Sara Burrier.

As this is one of a few cards that will be enclosed in my card set's folder found here, I've kept my embellishments very light.  Another all occasion card can be found here.

When completing a card set, consistency with the pieces of the set is very important. I've used a similar layout as well as the same colors, papers and embellishments to match my card set's folder and other card. Antique Gold Satin Ribbon knotted on the border, Bazzill Basics Walnut jewels at two corners and a negative mask formed from a Spellbinders scalloped oval for an airbrushed backround provide the simple consistency that makes this piece easily recognized as belonging to this card set.

This photo shows the completed card front for another card that is now part of my Enchanting Card Set using Crafts and Me digital images.

I'm entering this card at the following listed challenges:
Simon Says Stamp!'s Anything Goes Challenge here
Flutter By Wednesday's Photo Inspiration Challenge here



Featured "Top 5" July 24, 2011 Flutter By Wednesday

 



Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00
hair - E31, E35, E47
leaves - G82, G85, G99
gown - Y13, Y26, Y28
flowers in hair - N1, FYR1
wings - BG53, B45, V95, Y00
doves - E41, 0
airbrushed background - Y00, BG000, B00, V000

Enchanting Card Set: Card - Crafts and Me Morning Glories

As part of my coordinated Enchanting Card Set, I've added an all occasion card using this Crafts and Me Morning Glories digi image by artist Sara Burrier.

Since this is one of a few cards that will be enclosed in my card set's folder found here, I've kept my embellishments very light.

When completing a card set, consistency with the pieces of the set is very important.  I've used a similar layout as well as the same colors, papers and embellishments to match my card set's folder.  Antique Gold Satin Ribbon knotted on the border, Bazzill Basics Walnut jewels at two corners and a negative mask formed from a Spellbinders scalloped oval for an airbrushed backround provide the simple consistency that makes this piece easily recognized as belonging to this card set.

This photo shows the completed card front for this addition to my Enchanting Card Set using Crafts and Me digital images.

I'm entering this card at the following listed challenges:
One Stop Craft Summer Time Challenge here
Stampin' for the Weekend Wings and Things Challenge here
Totally Gorjuss Summertime Challenge here
One Stitch At A Time Anything Goes Challenge here
Flutter By Wednesday's Open Challenge here


Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00
hair - E31, E35, E47
flower stems - G82, G85, G99
dress, flute - Y13, Y26, Y28
wings - N1, FYR1, Opaque White
flowers - BG53, B45, V95, Y00
airbrushed background - Y00, BG000, B00, V000

Copic Creations Challenge: Warm Colors

The current Copic Creations Challenge involves using Copic's "warm" colors.  Bugaboo Stamps is sponsoring this challenge and offering 7 Bugaboo Stamps' images as the prize to the random winner of this challenge.  Find out more about this challenge and sponsor here.

Warm colors are usually yellows, oranges, browns, yellowish-greens and orangish-reds.  A warm pink is a peachy pink (as compared to a purplish-pink).  A warm green is a yellowish-green (as compared to a bluish-green).

I've filled my Beach Tilda from Magnolia Stamps 2009 Lazy Summer Days collection with warm orange and yellowish-green tones.

My Longing Tilda image from the Magnolia 2010 Fairy Tale collection is filled with warm tones of yellow:

The "warm" tones of Best Creation's Surf's Up double-sided glitter paper with light and dark orange Bazzill card stock make a nice background for another Side-Step card (see my Side-Step card in cool tones here).

I used white cardstock to punch a few flowers and leaves using punch bunch small blossom, blossom corner and small birch.  I filled the punched shapes using coordinating Copic "warm" colors then coated them with Diamond Stickles.  A QuicKutz Accent die cut adds some swirly flair to these flower clusters.

Here's a side view of this Side-Step card showing my use of Copic's "warm" colors . . .

Copics used:
skin: E000, E00, YR00, R20
hair: E31, E35, E47
Tilda bathing suit/flowers/leaves: YR21, YR23, YR24, YG21, YG23, YG25
water: BG0000, 0
Tilda dress/hair bow/flowers: Y02, Y04, Y08
flowers:  R21, R24, R27

Card Art with Copics: Magnolia Princess and the Frog

I love this image of the Princess and the Frog from the Magnolia 2010 Fairy Tale Collection.  This single image stirs up so much emotion and there's a gazillion thoughts that can be added to compliment this image.

I used Bazzill Seawater cardstock to create the card then added Best Creations Sweet Love double-sided patterned paper.  The "from the heart" printed ribbon is from Creative Impressions.  A few Spellbinders Scalloped Hearts and Prima Crystals/Pearls finish the inside base.  I used a computer-generated, handmade ticket sentiment and added a simple heart charm.

I think the bull's eye effect from the layers of paper really helps to draw a viewer's eyes to the image in the card's center.

This pic shows the completed easel-styled card . . .

Copics Used:
Skin - E000, E00, YR00, R20
Dress - RV91, RV93, RV95
Hair Bows - R29, R22
Hair - E21, E25, E29
Frog - G21, G24, G28
Crown - Y28, YR21
Wings - B21, 0, atyou Spica Clear
Head Band - RV09, RV04, G28, G21
Outline Shadow - N1
Airbrushed with B21, G21 (torn paper mask)

Layout Challenge: Basic Grey Pyrus

I enjoyed using Basic Grey Pyrus patterned papers to create many layers of a layout to share part of my Autumn 2010 trip to Vermont .  Here's a photo of the products from the latest Scrappers Cove layout kit.  It contains:  Bazzill cardstock in green and rust, Basic Grey Pyrus Bradford stripe, Regul geometric, Pear Pie, Small Details pop-up tiny tags, Olivia micro mono alphabet stickers, and a 2" wide netted ribbon.

I used the Sizzix Big Shot Pro Ribbon Circle to die cut the Bradford stripe and adhered it to a piece of chipboard for a little extra dimension on my layout.  The Martha Stewart Rings Combo punch makes a pretty border with a strip of the Regul geometric inside.

A few cut outs from the Pear Pie paper, outlined with Cinnamon Stickles, provide some glittery, popped-up coordinated embellishments.

Basic Grey's 1/2" alphabet stickers are just right for layering on cardstock or using directly on the background.  There are plenty of duplicate letters in upper and lower case.

I used the Sizzix Scallop Combo Tags #2 to die cut a tag for a touch of journaling about the Elk delicacies served at this cool steakhouse and lounge in Newport, Vermont.  Here's the complete layout that I'll submit to the Scrappers Cove for their February layout contest.

Layout Challenge: American Crafts I Do

Oh what fun it can be to take a line of paper that was made with a specific theme in mind and use it for something unexpected.  That's what I did with this American Crafts I Do Bouvardia and Hydrangeas double-sided patterned paper.

Here's how the products looked before I began.  This photo shows the monthly Scrappers Cove layout contest kit:  American Crafts I Do Bouvardia and Hydrangeas, Bazzill pink bling and gray, Memento Dew Drop in Cantaloupe and a variegated grey ribbon.

I used the tree die from the QuicKutz Cookie Cutter tree and birds set to create a disposable cardstock stencil.  I taped it over the background layers of my layout.  (The pink layer is cut from the Sizzix Bigz Pro Ornate Square die.)

Once that was in place, I used Ranger's Adirondack Paint Dabber in Mushroom to cover the inside of my tree stencil.  While the paint was still wet, I quickly sprinkled lots of Sparkle N Sprinkle Crystal Ice Glitter over the paint.

While that was drying, I used some Bazzill Basics embroidery thread to hand stitch a little border along a photo mat.  I used the QuicKutz 12" Flourish border die cut in an attempt to dress up the area under the ribbon.

I die cut my title from chipboard and patterned paper using Sizzix' Shadowbox alphabet then stamped over it.  Spreading some Ranger's Rock Candy Distress Stickles over the title letters, really made them sparkle.  A few cuts to the Sizzix pine tree, covered in glitter mixed with white Flower Soft continued the flow of the wintry-cold Christmas theme of my layout.

Here's how the completed layout looks:

I think that enough of the sparkly bare branched tree shows and adds another layer of that wintry-cold Christmas feeling.

Layout Challenge: Sassafras Mix and Mend

Here's a photo of the products from the latest Scrappers Cove layout challenge kit:  Sassafras Mix and Mend free composition and fancy free double-sided patterned papers, coordinating Bazzill cardstock, a Cats Eye butterscotch chalk ink pad, and a Sassafras Entwined Bloom.

It didn't take me long to figure out where to start with these products . . . I began cutting, distressing and inking all of the papers' edges . . . Yay!  I'm lovin' the look of an old lacy tablecloth on the Fancy Free sheet and thought of the perfect heritage photo to use on this layout.  Placing Tim Holtz' idea-ology flourish mask in a few places, I swept some Ranger's juniper paint dabber over it.

The lacy feel of the paper made me want to make it more interesting by adding the contrast of metal, yet keep the overall layout feeling somewhat delicate-looking.  I used the Tim Holtz Alterations elegant flourishes die to shape some chipboard then painted over it with Ranger's gold paint dabber.  Ahhh . . .

I feel the need for more metal.  How about a few of the Tim Holtz Alterations gadget gears? . . . Oh yeah!  Gave them a metal look using Rangers gold, silver and copper paint dabbers.  That Entwined Bloom softens those gears just a little, don't ya' think?

A few copper pieces of We R Memory Keepers metal, adhered around the layout, helped to pull it all together.

I needed to pull a little more softness back into this layout by using some thickers felt letter stickers.

Now to glam it up a bit.  Whew!  A few spritzes of Ranger Perfect Pearls Mists in perfect pearl really makes this layout sparkle.  It's always difficult to show the sparkle by photo on monitor but this side view gives a pretty good idea of how the perfect pearl covers everything so nicely with a sparkly sheen.  (If you click on the photo to enlarge it, you can see the sheen covering even the felt letters - cool, huh?)

Pop a photo in place, personalize it with a little handwriting and this layout is done.

While working on family history, sometimes there is just one picture to accompany important genealogical facts.  I found that the vintage look of this Sassafras Mix and Mend line allowed me to record this important photo yet play with techniques, products and design elements.  I just had too much fun mixing this layout up!

Layout Challenge: Suspended Frame in a Wreath of Bo-Bunny Olivia

I love the results of suspending a frame in a wreath of die cut chipboard pieces.  The latest Scrappers Cove layout challenge kit provided the perfect supplies for such dimension.

Here's the products included in the kit:  Bo-Bunny's Olivia Stripe and Ambrosia double-sided heavy weight paper, green and rust Bazzill cardstock, a weaved/braided shapable ribbon, a pack of BazzillBasicsPaper walnut self adhesive jewels, a large sugar coated brad and two die cut curling roses.

I used the Sizzix Flower Layers #5 to die cut nine small and nine large flowers out of medium weight chipboard.  I also used the Sizzix Rectangle Frame to die cut one chipboard frame.

Using the same Sizzix flower die, I cut a variety of flower shapes from both sides of the patterned paper and some of the cardstock.  I adhered the paper to the chipboard then sanded and inked the edges.

Temporarily placing the frame in the center of the background page allowed me to align these flowers into a wreath surrounding the frame.  A 3/4" striped border on each side of the layout helps to anchor the wreath.  I adhered all of the flowers using glossy accents then set the frame aside.

Using an xacto knife, I cut out the center of the background page, leaving a small border around the inside edges.  I saved the center piece to use for diecutting the frame's cover.  That was sanded and inked too.

It's easy to adhere a piece of transparency to the back of the layout, creating a clear inside layer.  Glossy Accents secured the chipboard frame to the front of the transparency.  Any 3" x 4" photo can be placed on the back of the transparency.  I used a portrait photo here but a turn of the layout easily allows for a landscape shot.

I applied a jewel to the center of each flower and aligned five jewels to the upper left corner of the frame.  I used the weaved/braided shapable ribbon to create a bow and adhered it to the frame bottom using glossy accents.  I used my slotted quilling tool to curl the roses, secured them to the base (included at the center of the die cut), and airbrushed each with Copic E19.

Here's the completed layout that shows a frame suspended in the wreath.

This layout will be placed in an album so I'm not paying attention to the back of the page.  When a similar layout with a suspended frame in a wreath will be displayed on an easel, I have traced the opening from the front onto another cardstock to use as a back page to hide the adhered transparency.  Another chipboard frame for the back will allow room for another photo or a place for extra journaling.

Layout Challenge: Echo Park Happy Halloween Plus

I generally use patterned paper in very small doses.  When I find a patterned paper that absolutely thrills me, a strip of it here and a piece of it there is enough for me.  Some designers make incredibly beautiful paper that I love to look at in full sheets and talk about how pretty it is.  There are rare occasions when I let the patterned paper bug bite and I show an obvious infectious reaction.

Here's one of those times . . .

The Scrappers Cove layout challenge kit for October included double-sided patterned paper from the Echo Park Happy Halloween collection: jack o'lantern and haunted house.  Whew!  They're really very busy patterns.  Sweet, but busy.  My kit also contained Bazzill orange and purple cardstock and a bottle of Ranger's lettuce acrylic paint dabber.

As if that weren't enough, I added some shimmering black sugar paper, a metal web/spider brad set and some ribbon.  Then I got busy . . .

I set my layered layout on top of a 12x12" magnet sheet and secured a couple of Tattered Angels Glimmer Screens Fanciful Stencils flourishes to the top of my layout background with small magnets.  I used my Copic airbrush system with a Black 100 marker to lightly outline my flourishes, allowing parts of the flourish to extend beyond the edge.  That was easy!

I guess I should add some photos - LOL!!!  This very busy layout holds eight photos. I left more “white space” in the area that surrounds the larger focal point photo to allow a place for weary eyes to rest.

Ranger’s Lettuce acrylic paint dabber outlines the b-o-o.  Now that's just plain ol' fun to use Heidi Swapp alphabet masks and just swoosh paint all around the letters.  The paint dries in a flash.  The letters clean up easily.  The impact is phenomenal.

I feel the need for MORE.  I cut two 12x1” strips of jack o'lantern paper to create the rosette by hand.  Folding this way and that way, accordion style, to the end of both strips then adhered the ends of both strips together.  Squished it toward the center and pressed it to a glue dot to secure.  Nice.  Don't forget to add some ribbons!

Done yet?  There's only room for a smithering of journaling and I must date the photos.  Ooh, wait, a chipboard ghost should flow out of the chimney.  Yes, now it's done.

It sure was fun to put this layout together . . . it's like a costume party, all wrapped up . . .

Layout Challenge: KI Memories Posh Plus

Using multiple photos on a single page layout takes some work.  Once you select your focal point photo and supporting photos, you need to find a way to make your focal point photo stand out from all the rest.

For this layout I've opted to draw attention to my focal point photo in three ways:

it's larger than the others,

has been popped up,

and an embellished photo corner has been added to it.

I've added six smaller supporting photos.  That's a total of SEVEN photos on a single page layout!

This double-sided patterned paper is from the KI Memories Posh collection:  etiquette and vineyard.  I've used a coordinating decorative brad and two foam stickers from the same collection.  The brown and light aqua cardstock is from Bazzill.  A single line of Star Dust Stickles adorns the photo corner.  All of this was part of my September Layout Challenge Kit from the Scrappers Cove.

I've shown all sides of the patterned papers by using some as a border strip, a grounding strip for the title, a large layout matting as well as matting for each of the photos.

The border strip of flowers begged for shimmering jewels:

The two tones of My Little Shoebox Sprinkle Glaze Alphabet Stickers in Ocean and Lagoon were perfect for the title of this layout! (Thanks again, Bethany!)

I've left a border around three edges of the layout's base for handwritten journaling with a fine tip Micron brown marker:
"Spending 17 hours, on a bus, without anyone I knew, back and
forth from Las Vegas, for just 2 hours of site seeing at the North
Rim and South Rim of the Grand Canyon, was worth every single
minute!  It is magnificent!!!"

Here's a pic of the full seven photo single page layout:

It's been quite some time since my bus trip to see the splendors of the Grand Canyon.  I've enjoyed revisiting that special place, through these pictures.