SC261 Silhouette Flowers

Well I was down at my craft table struggling on a project that just wasn't happening when I received the email notice of the sketch challenge being posted. Shew, I was so glad to put that other project away and put this beauty together!

I am featuring one of the first stamps sets from Artful INKables I fell in love with. This set is called Plant Prints and has many beautiful images.

Here I am also showing you that you do not have to be a queen of brayering to make a beautiful background sky. I used a blue DP and brayered a bit of a darker blue to the top and bottom for interest and depth. (you could also sponge this). I also sponged a bit of black around the bottom of the flowers to really ground them. Originally I had punched the butterfly out of black cardstock but it was just too harsh. So, I punched him out of the blue DP and sponged black onto him. Ah, that's better! Don't forget to add a bit of white to your silhouette images to really make them come to life!

Does my picture look any better? Remember that I stamp at night in a dark unfinished basement and have been struggling with lighting. I received an Ott light for Christmas and I used it to light this photo. I think it looks much better!

Stamps: Artful INKables Plant Prints
Paper: Basic Black, Basic Grey Urban Prairie DP
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Basic Black, Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch

Enjoy!
Michelle B.
"Queen of the Scene"

Playing Catchup

I have a few projects I didn't have time to post during Christmas so we'll be doing a little review, k? This was made for DH for Christmas. To "get" what I am trying to say here, you have to understand that we love to lay on the floor in front of the fireplace and watch movies. We used to have time to do that a lot when we were dating.....now, not so often. Ha!

This was a really simple scene. I used DP for the "wallpaper" and my digi wood floor. The other elements are colored with Copics, cut out, and placed into position.

Stamps: CC Designs Sugarplums Christmas Scenery, CC Designs Sugarplums Apple Emma, CC Designs Sugarplums Christmas Trevor, The Cat’s Pajamas Candyland Christmas (wreath), JustPaintingAround’s Digi Wood Floor Vertical
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Basic Grey Wassail DP, GP 110
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copics, glitter pen (on flames)

Enjoy!

Michelle B.

"Queen of the Scene"

Ducky Toy for Baby

I'm back! Hope you had a good Christmas! I sure did. 4 days and 6 houses later, I am glad to have the day to relax today, visit some blogs (I am WAY behind), and play with some of my new toys.

When Pamela at Firecracker challenged us to use our Christmas sets for non-Christmas cards, the birthday candle from the Christmas tree idea came to me right away. Then it took me a while to think of this one. When I finally thought of it I said "Well duh! It was so obvious!" Ha! My daughter actually had a little duck pull toy like this that sang a little quacking song. I am sure my husband and I will never forget that song after being drilled into our heads for hours!

Be sure to visit the sale page at FireCracker Designs by Pamela as those items are now 70% off while supplies last!

Stamps: FireCracker Designs by Pamela Duck the Halls
Paper: Papertrey White, So Safron, SU DP
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copics

Enjoy!
Michelle B.

360!

Woo, hoo, this is soo cool! I'll show you both pics before I keep jabberin' on....



This Flip Flop or Swing card style is near and dear to me as this is what drove me to Split Coast Stampers. I had seen one of these at a SU party and couldn't figure out how to make one. I started searching on the internet and it wasn't long before I discovered SCS. Wow, all the things I have learned and the fabulous people I have met there are amazing! The tutorial for this type of card is HERE.

My intent was that DS could open and close this quickly and make it appear that this little snowboarder was doing a 360! (I actually made 2 of these - one for DS and one for the AI DT. )

I colored the snowboarders with Copics and cut them out. On the first (closed) pic, I just punched a little snowy hill (to place him on the ground), sponged in some dark blue at the bottom of the main blue panel, stamped on some snow flakes, and pieced everything together. For the inside, I did the same using a tree punch to give the appearance that he was up in the air.

Stamps: Artful INKables License to Chill
Paper: Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Bazzill Dark Green, GP 110
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Whisper White, Blue Bayou, Always Artichoke, Soft Sky
Accessories: Copics, EK Success Dotted wave punch, Martha Stewart Pine Forest punch

Enjoy!
Michelle B.
“Queen of the Scene”

New Years Resolution Challenge

It's my turn to host the Artful INKables Think INK Tuesday challenge. Since this challenge would be spanning the new year, I decided to ask you to be inspired by your New Year's Resolution. Complete details on this challenge can be found here. I hope you'll play along!


One thing I'd like to do this year is work at keeping my stamp area neater! So, I made this card with items that were sitting out on my stamp table and then I actually put them away when I was done. So I grabbed a few scraps of paper that were laying out, figured out a nice way to layer them, and got to work. My image is colored with Prismacolor pencils for a nice change.


(This is really scary for me but...) Here is a picture of my stamp table before:


And after:



I'm proud to report that I've made several more cards since and I am still neat! Now I just need to get around to cleaning all that paint off my table and cleaning the surrounding areas!


Stamps: Artful INKables License to Chill
Paper: Papertrey Kraft, Not Quite Navy, Bazzill Dark Green, Basic Grey Wassail DP
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Whisper White, Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Nesties, Scallop Edge Punch


Enjoy!
Michelle B.
“Queen of the Scene”

Snow Globe for DD

When I saw this Snow Globe Card Tutorial over on SCS, I knew I had to make one for my DD. She collects Snow Globes and loves penguins so this is what I came up with.


I followed the instructions pretty much to a "T". I sponged a little dark blue ink on the edges of the base to give it a round feel and also behind the tree line for depth. Everything else is punched, colored and pieced into place.


Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps Just Chillin’
Paper: GP 110, Soft Sky, a Bazzill dark green, Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses DP
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Pacific Point, Soft Sky, White Stazon
Accessories: Copics, White Flower Soft, acetate, circle nesties, ribbon from Pink Hedgehog, Martha Stewart and Marvy Snowflake punches, Kaiser Kraft rhinestone, glitter pen, Martha Stewart Pine Forest Punch, EK Success Dotted Wave punch


Enjoy!
Michelle B.
“Queen of the Scene”

TESC95 Beautiful Mermaid

Oh, man, I am crazy about how this turned out! This is for my niece who will be turning 5. My niece has gorgeous hair like this mermaid and loves everything sparkly and princess like. She is also the fabulous girl that dubbed me "Aunt Shoe" when she was too little to say my name. As a shoe lover, I was thrilled at this choice!

I started with the sketch from TESC95. My ocean background is inspired by those in Spongebob episodes. (I love their artwork!) I clear embossed the fish and flowers onto Whisper White cardstock. Next I used the Brayered Sky Technique with Baja Breeze at the top and Not Quite Navy at the bottom. I used a rectangle Nestie to cut out the center and inserted a piece of pink cardstock before piecing the scene back together. I punched the sandy bottom out and cut to size. I sponged some additional color and a sentiment into that area. The rock and mermaid were colored with Copics, cut out, and pieced into place. I added some Liquid Pearl accents and also some green Stickles on the mermaid's tail.

Stamps: CC Designs Sugarplums Underwater Adventure, CC Designs Sugarplums Mermaid Emma,CC Designs Sugarplums Scenery, CC Designs AmyR Underwater Sentiments
Paper: Whisper White, GP 110, River Rock, Pink Passion
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, River Rock, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Copics, Green Stickles, Liquid Pearls, Rectangle Nesties, EK Success Dotted Wave Punch, Versamark Pad, Clear Detail Embossing Powder

Enjoy!
Michelle B.
“Queen of the Scene”

Birthday Candle

Pamela challenged the FireCracker Design Team team to use our new Christmas stamps to make non-Christmas cards. I thought that was really fun! Back when I didn't own many stamps, I had to be really creative in masking and piecing images together to get the images I really wanted. There was always a sense of triumph when I figured it out. I felt that again here!

This is really the bottom portion of the Christmas tree from the Duck the Halls set. I started with looking at the snow and thinking it looked like icing. Then I decided if I masked off the top of the tree base, it looked like a candle. Finally, I found a tiny accessory image that was perfect for my flame. All I had to do was draw in the tiny candle wick.

I colored the image with Copics and sponged some pink around the edges. I placed the main image on a pink panel with the bottom punched and tied a ribbon around it (which by the way is really more of a hot pink than red but the photo just wouldn't let me show you that!). And that's all it took for this CAS card!

Stamps: FireCracker Designs by Pamela Duck the Halls
Paper: Papertrey White, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose
Accessories: Copics, EK Success Morocco Lace punch, Ribbon from Pink Hedgehog

Enjoy!
Michelle B.

Pet Picture Holder

Awww, isn't this cute! Here we have a binder clip photo holder featuring the Creature Comforts set from Artful INKables. And it was every so simple to make!

I stamped the main image and colored it with Copics. I used a Nestie Label 4 to cut the image out positioning the image on only one half of the shape. I cut the Nestie shape in half so I'd have the flat bottom and curvy top that you see here. I colored in the sky and sketched in some grass. I attached it to the black portion of the binder clip. To finish, I attached some colorful ribbons.

And here's the clip with a picture my DD took of our Boston Terrier, Fiona, hiding under the couch pillows as usual!

Stamps: Artful INKables Creature Comforts
Paper: GP 110
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copics, Nesties Label 4, Giant Binder Clip, Ribbons from Pink Hedgehog

Enjoy!
Michelle B.

TTTT # 20 - Mass Production Cutting

Where have the days gone? I've been hunkered down and very focused on getting all my Christmas crafting done early (early = more than 12 hours before the event I need them for! Ha!). I am glad to say I finished all 36 of my Christmas ornaments! Yippee! Here they are (there are a few already hanging on their trees):

Here's the original post with all the deets on this ornament. OK, let's get on with the Tuesday Tip! I needed to cut out a solid piece of dark blue cardstock for the back of these ornaments. The size was a little odd....a little shy of 1.5"....and I needed to cut out 36 of them. So, I use a post it note to mark the exact location my cardstock should be in on my cutter when I make my cut. Then I simply turn up my iPod real loud, bump my cardstock up to the post it, and make an accurate cut without thinking. No mistakes and I can totally loose myself in whatever song I'm listening to. Here's a pic of my setup:
So next time you have to cut several pieces to the same size, use a post it note to help you through.

Enjoy!
Michelle B.

CAS Christmas Squares

When I was cutting the images apart from the Duck the Halls set from FireCracker Designs by Pamela, I noticed that the little accessory images were soooo cute! Again, here's a case where those litte accessory images don't receive the attention they should so I decided to make this CAS card to feature them. I have take about 100 pictures of this card and can't seem to get a good shot of that red square...sorry!

For each square, I choose a medium color of cardstock. I stamped the images in a shade or two darker of ink and sponged that same ink all around the edges. I attached the squares to a white card base and added a sentiment.

Don't miss the sale over at FireCracker (now at 50% off) and get your order in by December 15th as they will be closed for the rest of the year! They have gift cards too!

Stamps: FireCracker Designs by Pamela Duck the Halls
Paper: Papertrey White, Old Olive, Baja Breeze, Ruby Red
Ink: Always Artichoke, Blue Bayou, Riding Hood Red, Momento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: 1 1/2" square punch

Enjoy!
Michelle B.

Hearts

This is my SECOND post this morning so be sure to scroll down!

The current challenge at Artful INKables is to make a clean and simple card. Ya gotta enter to win! I loved the little swirl on this heart image from Artful INKables new set Creature Comforts so I decided to let that image be a feature on my CAS card.

I stamped the swirly heart and XO's on to red cardstock. I stamped the sentiment onto white cardstock. I used some coordinating embroidery floss to hang this cute little charm (also from Artful INKables!). I'm new to charms and have found that I love them!

Stamps: Artful INKables Creature Comforts

Paper: Papertrey Ink White, Real Red
Ink: Whisper White, Real Red
Accessories: Woven Heart Charm from Artful Inkables, embroidery floss

Enjoy!

Michelle B.

"Queen of the Scene"

SC258 Santa’s Pup

Several months ago my cousin was over and saw this stamp set and loved it. I knew I had to make a Christmas card for her using it. Ooh, I was so happy to see today’s sketch on SCS as it was just what I needed!

The images were colored with Copics and cut out. The wood floor is a digi I made and you can get it here (free!). I just print it on colored cardstock and add a bit of shading with my Copics. For the red layer, I stamped the sentiment dark once and then stamped off on a scrap before each of the other stampings.

Stamps: High Hopes Christmas Treat, CC Designs AmyR Christmas Sentiments, digi wood floor by me
Paper: Riding Hood Red, Always Artichoke, Creamy Caramel, Basic Grey Wassail, GP 110
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Momento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copics, Scallop Edge Punch

Enjoy!
Michelle B.
“Queen of the Scene”

3 Trees and a Winner

First, congratulations to EFY as the winner of the Kaiser rhinestones. I don't see your email so you have 48 hours to contact me or I'll draw another winner.

Have you ever seen tiny little landscape paintings on items like buttons? I was priviledged enough to get to watch artists paint them once at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. I was fascinated because I am a BIG painter (wall murals and large canvas). I am also a BIG stamper and I feel cramped in tiny spaces. As a stretch for myself, I wanted to make a tiny little scene using these gorgeous little trees from FireCracker Designs by Pamela.

I stamped the trees and colored them with Copics. I sponged Sage Shadow almost to the line of the trees. And finally I added some Blue Bayou sponging just on the outside edge of the sky. A frame, ribbon, DP, embossing and an icicle border finished this piece.

Stamps: FireCracker Designs by Pamela Duck the Halls
Paper: Blue Bayou, Sage Shadow, Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly DP, GP 110
Ink: Soft Sage, Blue Bayou, Momento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copics, Nesties Labels 3, ribbon from Pink Hedgehog, Martha Stewart Icicles Punch, D’Vine Swirls embossing Folder

NOTE: Don't miss the sale over at FireCracker and be sure to get your order in by December 15th as they will be closed until the first of the year.

Enjoy!
Michelle B.
"Queen of the Scene"

March of the Snowmen Blog Hop Time!!!

Hello and welcome to my entry for the first March of the Snowmen Blog Hop! If you love snowmen as much as I do, this is the place to be for some fabulous inspiration!

You might also want to know that many of the participants are giving away Blog Candy! I'm not telling you who or what, so you'll just have to visit everyone to find out! On Sunday I'll draw a random winner to receive a package of my favorite Kaiser rhinestones so be sure to leave a comment with your email addy. I love these rhinestones because they are self adhesive, come in a large pack of different sizes, and can be colored with Copics to change the look!

So on to the hop......Next up is MONA!!!!

Here is a list of all the participants in case you get lost:

Angella Crockett
Barb Foster
Deb Felts
Jen Carter
JenMarie Taylor
Jodi Heuser
Kelly Landers
Latisha Yoast
Laurie Unger
Laurie Willison
Linda Duke
Melisa Waldorf (our fabulous organizer!)
Michelle Bartnett <-------------You are here!!!
Mona Pendleton
Pam Imholz
Stacy Rogers

Card details: I masked the snow area and used the brayered sky technique to create the sky. Then I stamped the trees on the edge first and worked toward the middle without reinking (this creates depth). I let that dry a minute and then I stamped on the snow. I cut the circle out of the center with Nesties. The outside square was then cut apart. I attached the outside pieces to the card base. I layered a red circle behind the main panel circle and attached it to the card base. The main image was colored with Copics, cut out, embellished with glitter, and pieced into place. I drew in some squiggles for snow drifts. Although you cannot see it in the picture, there are Shimmerz highlights throughout.

Stamps: Unknown snowman I think he's a Whipper Snapper, Flourishes Forest of Trees, Itty Bitty Backgrounds
Paper: Real Red, Whisper White, GP 110
Ink: Bashful Blue, Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Copics, Nesties, Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Shimmerz Angel Wingz, Shimmerz Candlight, Fine Black Marker

Enjoy!
Michelle B.
"Queen of the Scene"

2 Announcements

FireCracker Designs by Pamela is having an end of year blow out sale to make room for next year's rubber! As of right now, everyting on the sale page is 40% off.

Every Thursday in December the discount will increase by 10% until the month is over or the stock is gone: 40%, 50%, 60% 70%.

Most of these items are being discontinued so once they are gone, they are gone FOREVER!

NOTE: IN STOCK ITEMS ONLY, Orders will be processed first come, first serve. (quantities are limited) & don't forget FireCracker will be closed from December 15th til the first of the year so get your order in soon!

**********************************************************

And my friend Melisa had a Brilliant idea!!! She has created a March of the Snowman Blog Hop. I'm a bit of a scrooge on this whole Christmas thing but I so love snowmen! I hope you will join us Saturday morning at 8:00 am for some Snowman inspiration!

Enjoy!
Michelle B.

Finally....I can post this!

This is my second post today so be sure to scroll down!

I made this a few weeks ago and I'm finally getting to show it to you. This card features the new stamp set from Artful Inkables called License to Chill. This cute little snowboarder is my favorite image from the set as it reminds me of my 7 yo DS and the fun we had snowboarding last winter!

I stamped this little boy into position in on a piece of white CS. Then I lightly sketched a snowy hill with a pencil. I cut the hill out up to the boy. Then I cut around only the top of the boy. So the boy and the hill are all one piece....not the boy glued on top of the hill.

Normally go way over the top in adding all sorts of details to my scene and had planned to add some paper trees in the background, etc. When I had gotten this far in the design, I loved it and stopped right where I was so I didn't mess it up! The snowy edge of the hill and words are highlighted with glitter. Don't you love his little pink cheeks!

My little bro gave me a couple of camera pointers at Thanksgiving so hopefully I'll get better! (can't get any worse!)

Stamps: Artful Inkables License to Chill
Paper: GP110, Real Red, Bashful Blue DP
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Bashful Blue
Accessories: Copics, Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds

Enjoy!
Michelle B.
"Queen of the Scene"

SC257 Kittens from Leslie

My friend Leslie sent me these cute little kitties (Hi Leslie!) and I thought today's sketch was a perfect opportunity to use them! I was thankful for this simple sketch cause I've only had about 3 hours of sleep!

They are colored with Copics. The grass is colored with Copics and then little sprigs of grass were added. The sky is from Mother Mark's sky tutorial here. For the background, I cut a scalloped rectangle in half and put it on each edge. I also cut a circle in half for the top and bottom in the center. Lots of sponging on those pieces! Hmmm....still needed something so I stamped some polkadots on the chocolate base. Ta da!

Stamps: Whipper Snapper Triple Threat Kittens, Papertrey Polka Dot Basics II
Paper: Chocolate Chip, So Safron, Rose Red, GP 110
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Summer Sun, More Mustard, Bashful Blue, Pacific Point, Always Artichoke
Accessories: Copics, 1 ½” circle punch, Nesties

Enjoy!
Michelle B.

Cyber Monday sale at FireCracker

Did you miss the Black Friday sales at FireCracker Designs by Pamela? That's ok cause you can have another chance on Cyber Monday!

This code will be good for 30% off
everything IN STOCK in the store
(sorry, digi's are not part of the store).

This code is good starting at midnight EST November 29th, 2009, and ends at midnight EST November 30, 2009. OK, here's the code:

code: CYBER30

(feel free to share the code!)

Enjoy!
Michelle B.

FS147 Masculine Bird

Congrats to MrsBoz for being today’s featured stamper! I choose this card to CASE. I've been wanting to do a natural bird card and I liked the blue and textured kraft on this one.

I changed 1) the sketch to the C4C12 sketch from last week 2) removed the embellishments for a more masculine look and 3) I changed the color scheme to remove the yellow and just stay with blues and browns.

I used punches for the sentiment to qualify for the C4C13 punch challenge (hey, that’s a lot of layers and punches on one card for me!)

One of my favorite things about this card (besides how the main image panel turned out!) was the embossing. When I put the kraft into the embossing folder, I also placed the striped DP layer in there. Then I embossed. I liked it so much I decided to show it off a bit by sponging all the leaves lightly with chocolate chip!

Stamps: Touch of Nature, Hanna Stamps Things Hanna Would Say
Paper: GP110, Papertrey Kraft, Bordering Blue, Chocolate Chip, Basic Grey Granola
Ink: River Rock, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Goo Gone (for blending), Leafy Branch Embossing Folder, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch

Enjoy!
Michelle B.
“Queen of the Scene”

16th Year of Ornaments - Manger

This is the 16th year I have made Christmas ornaments. I wanted to do these microscope slide ornies this year but was having trouble finding/deciding on an image appropriate for a 1.5" x 1.5" ornament. Digi's to the rescue! This is a digital image from FireCracker Designs by Pamela called Away in a Manager. Because it is digital, I was able to scale it perfectly to my needs.

I colored it with Copics, masked the "sky" off and sponged 2 shades of brown for the floor. Then I masked the "floor" and baby off and sponged in 3 shades of blue for the sky. All that was left to do was assemble the parts. Now just 34 more to make!

NOTE: Be sure to place your FireCracker Designs by Pamela orders early! They will be closed from December 15th to the first of the year.

Stamps: FireCracker Designs by Pamela Away in a Manager
Paper: GP110
Ink: Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Blue Bayou, Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Copics, Glitter pen, Ribbon from Pink Hedgehog, microscope slides, red line tape, microbeads

Enjoy!
Michelle B.

Sparkly Tree

Happy Thanksgiving! I gotta tell you about the big Black Friday Sale over at FireCracker Designs by Pamela:

Sale ONE: All rubber 50% off : Friday 6am-10am EST Use code: TG50
Sale TWO: All clear 30% off: Friday 10am-2pm EST Use code: TG30
Sale THREE: All Shimmerz & Flower Soft 30% off : Friday 2pm-6pm EST Use code: TGSHIFL

In stock items only.No combining coupons, no combining shipping.

PS: Did you know FCD has a Wish List option? Fill your wish list today with the items you want, and send hubby the link with the coupon codes & times so he can do his Christmas shopping for you!

OK, on to the card....I'm going all sparkly here! I love this new tree from FireCracker Designs by Pamela's Duck the Halls set. Once again, Pamela has provided this fab image in a variety of sizes in this set. Great versatility!

I stamped the image and colored it with Copics. I sponged a sky in the background. Now on to the bling.....The snow is accented with glitter, the ornaments are covered in Glossy Accents, the star is accented with a glitter pen, the dp is accented with a glitter pen, and the stripes are red line tape covered in glitter (oh what a mess I made!).

Stamps: FireCracker Designs by Pamela Duck the Halls
Paper: GP110, SU DP, Old Olive, Baja Breeze
Ink: Baja Breeze, Always Artichoke, Momento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copics, glitter pen, Glossy Accents, Red Line Tape, Glitter from Mike’s

Enjoy!
Michelle B.
“Queen of the Scene”

The Nutcracker

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I have a family member who collects nutcrackers so when I saw this image from Clear Dollar Stamps, I had to have it!

I used the sketch from Clear Dollar Stamps' challenge this week and I went for a CAS approach to let the image really shine! All the gold parts of the image are paper pieced in and shaded with a bit of Copic marker. When I use punches, I often think the parts you are supposed to throw away look kinda cool. Here I found a use for them by adding them to the top and bottom of the main image panel. (man I wish I could take a better picture !!!!)

Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps Holiday Nutcrackers
Paper: GP110, Papertrey White, Real Red, Gold from unknown source, DCWV DP
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Momento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copics, Nesties, EK Success Fleur de Lis punch

Enjoy!

Michelle B.

"Queen of the Scene"

Bunny Love with Chipboard

The new Think INK challenge from Artful INKables is to use chipboard. You can find all the details here. Hope you'll play along!

The bunnies are from a new set by Artful Inkables called Creature Comforts. I thought this image was rather versatile and could be a child/parent or a husband/wife.

I stamped these cute bunnies and colored them with Copics. I masked their feet & the horizon line and sponged in the grass. I used Mother Mark's cloud tutorial for the sky. I didn't like the bright white against the DP so I sponged some River Rock just roughly across the white areas to tone them down just a bit. The chipboard curves accenting the image are covered with coordinating DP.

Stamps: Artful INKables Creature Comforts
Paper: GP110, Basic Grey DP, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Baja Breeze, River Rock, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Momento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copics, SU ribbon, chipboard from my LSS

Enjoy!
Michelle B.
“Queen of the Scene”

And the winner is........

Jackie!!!!!!

Jackie has one the Let's Celebrate set from FireCracker Designs by Pamela!

Congrats Jackie and I'll be emailing you for your addy!

Michelle

FS146 Christmas Window & Window Ledge Tutorial

NOTE: There is still time to enter to win the FireCracker Designs by Pamela blog candy. Just visit this post.


Congrats to Birgit (Biggan) for being today’s Featured Stamper! My favorite things in Birgit’s gallery are the landscapes and windows so I chose this card to case. I changed 1) the color scheme adding more color 2) the details on how the window was made 3) the stamps although I kept the same theme.


I know its not Tuesday but would you like the Tips, Tricks, & Tutorial on how I made that window ledge? I bet you will so here we go!

First, I cut a rectangle of cardstock the approximate size of my window. Then I scored 1/4" up from the bottom and then again 1/8" above that. Next I cut 1/4" off each side down to the score line on each side. I cut at an angle from the first score line up to the second score line on each side.
Then I mask the main window area and below the 1/4" score line and sponged a little darker color into that area. Remove the masks and its ready for your window scene to be placed in.

I always make my scenes on a whole piece of paper and then cut the 1/8" strips out. NOTE: I do not just cut once and spread the pieces as I like the part of the image to be missing just as it would if it were obscured by a window structure.

Stamps: Magnolia Tilda in Winter Stockings, Rubbernecker Kitty Kits Cause a Scene The Moose is Loose, A Muse Santa’s Silhouette
Paper: Whisper White, GP110, Old Olive, Kraft, DCWV DP
Ink: Soft Sky, Baja Breeze, Blue Bayou, Not Quite Navy, Creamy Caramel, Momento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copics, Prismacolor Pencils

Enjoy!
Michelle B.

"Queen of the Scene”

FCD November Blog Hop & BLOG CANDY!!!

ETA: THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. THE WINNER IS POSTED HERE.

Welcome to the November Firecracker Designs By Pamela Blog Hop! This month's theme is "Thank You." And to thank YOU, Pamela has given each member of her design team a stamp set as blog candy!!! Whoo Hoo! I'm offering the wonderful sentiments set Let's Celebrate.

NOTE: The official start time of this Hop is Friday, at 8:00 AM (EST). If you arrived early, please be patient as all the links may not be live yet.

This is a “circular blog hop” where the only beginning is wherever you start!! You will know you are at the end of your blog hop when you’ve come back to the blog you’ve started from! (It’s not a huge circle…so it should be easy to remember where you started.) Each member of the design team will be offering a stamp set as blog candy so you’ll want to leave a comment on EVERY blog, so you don’t miss out! (hop ends at 8:00 pm (EST) on Monday)

**To find out if you’ve won… you will be contacted via e-mail (so be sure to leave it with your comment.) **

Now, to continue the circle, you will need to hop on over to

SHELLY'S BLOG!!!!

Deets on this card: I masked off the snow area with a torn post it note. I used the brayered sky technique to color this sky. The sentiment was cut out using my Cricut. This cute little snowman was stamped, colored with Copics, and adhered into place with his little hand holding up the words. I added a little scallop edge and strip of DP to the top and bottom and Voila!

Stamps: Firecracker Designs by Pamela Shepherd Snow Family
Paper: Not Quite Navy, DCVW DP, Whisper White, GP 110

Ink: Baja Breeze, Blue Bayou, Not Quite Navy, Momento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copics, Cricut & Storybook cartridge, scallop edge punch

Enjoy!
Michelle B. aka “Queen of the Scene”
Designer for FireCracker Designs by Pamela

Santa Duck

Now, I don't normally start my posts with a closeup but I love this little tag so much that I just had to make sure you saw this first! I used the Faux Metal technique to create this. I was worried it would stick to my stamp and ruin it but....Don't worry! If any sticks to the rubber, it peels right off. Hope you like this tree because I've got more coming with this cute image over the next few weeks! OK, now on to the rest of the card:
This new image from FireCracker Designs by Pamela reminded me of some Christmas Ornaments I have from "that place with the famouse mouse" so I wanted it to appear he was hanging off a tree branch. I used my branch punch to create the branch and just added a bit of copic color for interest. I got this idea from my frend Deb. The sketch is from Mojo113.

Be sure to come back tomorrow for an extra special FireCracker blog hop!

Stamps: FireCracker Designs by Pamela Duck the Halls
Paper: Real Red, So Safron (yep, its there….more on that later!), DCWV DP
Ink: So Safron, More Mustard, Old Olive, Momento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Nesties, gold embossing powder, Versamark pad, gold ribbon from Pink Hedgehog, Swiss dots embossing folder, Martha Stewart Branch Punch, Copics

Enjoy!
Michelle B.
“Queen of the Scene” (when I have time! Ha!)

Penguin Tag

There is still time to enter the Artful INKables tag challenge and maybe win some free stamps! Check out the details here. This is my sample to get your creative juices flowing!

I'm featuring a new set from AI called License to Chill. Just the name is fun, right?!?! All the patterns behind this tag were made from the set. I used the License to Chill sentiment on the top and the snowflakes for the bottom portion. My Cricut was used to cut out the tag and the tag mat. Then I stamped this litle fella and colored him with Copics. I sponged in a blue sky and added a few white snowflakes in the sky. A few ribbons, and I'm done!

Stamps: Artful INKables License to Chill
Paper: Baja Breeze, Pacific Point, GP 110
Ink: Baja Breeze, Pacific Point, Momento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Cricut & Tags Bags and More cartridge, blue ribbons from Pink Hedgehog, sparkle ribbon from an unknown source, scallop edge punch

Enjoy!
Michelle B.

“Queen of the Scene”

My first AI Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Artful INKables blog hop! If you haven’t come here from Holly's blog, then you will want to start at the AI Blog so you don’t miss anything along the way, and be sure to follow us all the way to the end because you never know what you’ll find at the end!!

Today, I’m showing you a card made with a new set called License to Chill. I used this cute little bear sledding as the focal point in this vintage style, cracked glass ornament (sorry, I just discovered I like vintage and I'm kinda stuck on it right now! Ha!). Aren't those snowflakes fabulous! Here's a closeup:

The next stop on the hop is Jackie! Hop on over and have fun!

Stamps: Artful INKables License to Chill
Paper: Soft Suede, Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla
Ink: Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: UTEE, Versamark, clear detail embossing powder (just the snowflakes), Copics, D’Vine Swirl embossing folder, embroidery floss (tassel), white prismacolor pencil (highlight on the tube)

Enjoy!
Michelle B.
"Queen of the Scene"

Wagon o' Presents

I love versatile images such as this! She’s supposed to have a pumpkin in her wagon but I “converted” her to a Christmas image by covering up the pumpkin with presents!

Stamps: CC Designs Sugarplums Pumpkin Emma, CC Designs AmyR Build A Holiday
Paper: Whisper White, Always Artichoke, Old Olive, Basic Grey Wassail DP
Ink: Creamy Caramel, Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Copics, Always Artichoke ribbon

Enjoy!
Michelle B.
“Queen of the Scene”

TESC90 Cracked Glass Snowman

I’ve been wanting to try the cracked glass technique. Well actually, I wanted to try it on the vintage snowman card I made the other day but I just couldn’t bare to risk it cause I was so happy with how I colored him. I purposely colored this snowman a little simpler so I would have the guts to give this a shot. Result: WAY FUN! I'm going to have to invest in the UTEE so I can really get some dramatic results with this. (Using clear detail embossing powder gave me more subtle results.)

I stamped the snowman from the new Shephard Snow Family set from FireCracker Designs for Pamela . (Thanks Shelly for pointing out that I could put images in his little twig hand!) He is colored with Copics and I added some glitter pen to his star. I sponged browns around him. Then I embossed clear over him at least 4 times (I lost count!). After he had cooled a bit. I folded him and cracked the embossing.

Stamps: FireCracker Designs by Pamela Shephard Snow Family
Paper: Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, Cosmo Cricket DP
Ink: Creamy Caramel, Soft Suede, Bravo Burgundy, Momento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Versamark pad, clear detail embossing powder, glitter pen, Copics, Snowflakes embossing folder, ribbon from Pink Hedgehog, Nesties

Enjoy!
Michelle B.

“Queen of the Scene”

SC254 In the Moonlight & BIG NEWS!

First off....did you see this? Yep, that's right. I'm joining the design team for Artful INKables. I'm so excited! Although my official debut isn't until the blog hop on the 15th, I had to use some of my AI stamps for today's sketch challenge on SCS.

When I saw that nice large element in the center of today’s sketch, it just cried out to me for some brayering! I’m experimenting with different color combos for the sky as I get tired of doing blue all the time. I love purple so I've been trying to use it more often.

The leaves and flowers were first inked with Versamark and then Going Grey ink before I stamped them on the paper. They were then embossed with clear detail embossing powder. I punched out a circle to use as a mask and placed it a little above center (putting it right in the center would have been boring!). I brayered on first Almost Amethyst. When I was getting ready to put on my last "coat" of Almost Amethyst, I removed the mask so that just a bit of that color would be in the moon. I replaced the mask and next I brayered Perfect Plum (not going all the way to the center) and Elegant Eggplant (staying pretty close to the center). Reducing how far in I brayered with each darker color gives me that wonderful graduated color.

Stamps: Artful INKables Plant Prints
Paper: Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant, Basic Grey
Ink: Going Grey, Almost Amethyst, Perfect Plum Elegant Eggplant
Accessories: Versamark pad, clear detail embossing powder, post it note for moon mask

Enjoy!
Michelle B.

“Queen of the Scene”

FS144 Christmas Birdhouse

Boy, I really wanted to case the pics of today's Featured Stampers's craft room by organizing mine but didn’t think I could get that done today! So, I choose this card to case. I kept all the blue and the birdhouse but changed out the sketch for the OCCC sketch this week, I changed this to a whole winter scene and I added some red. Since I used this older stamp set, I can also enter this in the All That Scraps Wednesday challenge.

This card has been finished for hours....but I really struggled to get a good pic. I finally just made myself go with this one!

Stamps: CC Designs Sugarplums Spooky Scenery, CC Designs Sugarplums Olivia’s Birdies, CC Designs AmyR Christmas Sentiments
Paper: Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Stampin’ Up DP, GP 110
Ink: Blue Bayou, Whisper White, Momento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copics, Round tab punch, liquid appliqué, Winter Wonderland embossing powder, fine black marker, SU ribbon

Enjoy!

Michelle B.

“Queen of the Scene”

Technique Trout

The current Artful Inkables challenge is to try a technique you hadn’t tried before. I don’t think I’ve ever used by Nesties to emboss a shape into a card like this before so I thought I’d give it a whirl. I love this fish half in and half out of the water. The embossed frame around him kinda gives him a fish tank feel! Ha!

I embossed the shape and kept the Nestie in place to mask the edge. Then I stamped my image into place using my stamp-a-majig for guidance. I colored the fish. I stamped the image again on some Eclipse tape and added and removed portions of the mask to sponge in the sky and water (hmmmm….I feel another Tuesday Tip coming on about how I did this water….). A little smear of ink dictated the ribbon placement (ha!). The finishing touch was the little “hi!” in the corner.

Stamps: Aftful Inkables Pond Friends
Paper: Papertrey White
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Pacific Point, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Copics, Nesties, Eclipse Tape, Stamp-a-majig, ribbon from Pink Hedgehog

Enjoy!
Michelle B.
"Queen of the Scene”

My First Vintage

The OCCC challenge for this week was to do a card in Vintage style. I’ve never tried vintage before. I even had to do a bit of research to figure out the common elements of Vintage style. In the end, I was surprised to find out that I LOVED this style!

I thought this vintage style would be a good match for my new Shepard Snow Family set from FireCracker Designs by Pamela. Don't you love those snowmen! I used the sketch from Mojo111 (upside down).

Stamps: Shepard Snow Family by FireCracker Designs by Pamela
Paper: Very Vanilla, Riding Hood Red, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Basic Grey Wassail DP
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel
Accessories: Copics, Martha Stewart snowflake punch, ¼” circle punch, Martha Stewart Scallop dot punch (for the small circles), Textile Texure embossing folder

Enjoy!
Michelle B.
“Queen of the Scene”

SC253 Do you like my grass?

Do you like my grass? I have been wanting a grass punch for a while but couldn’t find one. Then I got to looking at my icicle punch and…..yep, it looked like grass to me! Don’t throw away the small parts that are punched out either. I trimmed those and placed them in the foreground for more texture.

Ooh, I love the sketch for today’s sketch challenge! I’ll definitely be using this again! I was so glad it was a simple sketch because I was up way to late last night! Ha! No sponging, inking, airbrushing or anything for me here....this entire scene was made with dp & cardstock.

Stamps: CC Designs Swiss Pixies Birgitta
Paper: GP 110, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, So Safron, American Crafts DP (clouds), Cosmo Cricket DP (plaid)
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copics, Martha Stewart Icicle Punch (grass)

Enjoy!
Michelle B.
“Queen of the Scene”

TTTT # 18 - Faux Brads

Time for another Tips & Tricks (and Tutorials) Tuesday! I haven't done any of these in a while and I have a few ideas brewing in my brain again so here we go. Today I'll show you how I make faux brads. These ideas were gathered from combining a number of other resources I saw on the web. I really feel like I need to jot down every thing I see so I don't forget where I saw them.

I like faux brads because I always have the color/quantity I need and they do not add any bulk when mailing. I also seem to be able to get this into position a little better.

STEP 1 - Punch circles out of cardstock using your 1/4" circle punch. (Yes, I know there are 4 holes punched from the paper but only 3 on the table....one went flying and I couldn't find it! Ha!)

Step 2 - Color the left side of the circle in a coordinating Copic color. You may want it to be just a hair darker than your cardstock. The perfect shape that you are color is that of a crescent. In my pic below, the "brad" in the lower right is the best.

Next, I take a white Prismacolor pencil and color in a little curved line close to the right edge of the circle.

Here is a closeup of the "brad".

And here are some "brads" in use on a project.

(more details for this project can be found here)

Enjoy!

Michelle B.