VIDEO: Make Your Own Stamps

Oh, how I like this idea. Problem is ... I don't think I have the skill or the patience to pull this off. Though I do have ideas. Lots of ideas ... I think it may be time to collaborate w/my artsy brother.

Never the less, I enjoyed this video from Geninne. Here's a link to some of her hand carved stamp tutorials.

Stamp Carving from Geninne D. Zlatkis on Vimeo.

Happy Wedding Card

Here's a simple card that I made for my cousin's wedding. I should have used all white, but oh, well. Also, this was not the layout that I'd originally intended. Just did not have the card mojo working last night.

cardstock: craft supply

dry embossing: Spellbinders Impressabilities

stamp: Michael's ($1 bin)

ink: Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Ink - black

ribbon: Joanns

Oh, and I forgot to add a bit of bling at the top of the cake.

Hero Arts Artists Proofs Catalog

Has anyone seen one of the latest catalogs from Hero Arts? It's called Artist Proofs. I've taken a liking to it. I like the 'artsy' feel of the stamps. They remind me of some of Tim Holtz's stuff.

Hero Arts Artist Proofs

Just Sharing: Stamping on Candles

I am still getting myself situated in Cairo. Lovin every minute of it too. My guest bedroom will double as my craft room. It has a desk and I've request a bookshelf in there as well. Plenty of room for my printer and my sewing machine.

Until I get that up and running in the next few weeks, I'm going to share some info and tutorials that I've been coming across.

I saw the image of candle and thought "how'd they do that?" Beate Johns from Splitcoast Stampers produced this tutorial. I do like how it turns out and she says that you can still burn the candle even though it has a bit of tissue paper on it. It's a short vid. I hope that you like it as much as I did.

Masking - Butterfly Card

I made this card for DIY Die Cutting week 2 on Two Peas in a Bucket. At first, I thought I would not be interested in this class, but there are always some nice tips and I love seeing their samples. This week's class was hosted by Kristina Werner. Love her work.

So I had some time to do this card. I used my Cuttlebug butterfly die cut. I don't use it enough, but it will show up again in the next few days.

I like the masking technique ... basically you are inking around the die cut. My problem is that I don't have a sponge, so I just used the small Color Box ink pad. I was unsure of how it would come out w/the butterfly since there are some fine details, but it works. I had intended to use the butterfly die cut on the card as well, but I always go back to my mantra ... "simple is best".

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: Basic Grey
ribbon: Offray
die cut: Cuttlebug
stamp: Hero Arts
Ink: Color Box

Cuttlebug Challenge :: 30

First of all, a big thanks for those whose participated in this past weekend's Cuttlebug Spa Weekend and the Blog Hop. Wow, lots of folks stopped by and it was so much fun.

This week's Cuttlebug Challenge was to make a wedding/anniversary project. The die cuts were provided by Creative Cuts and More.

I used the purse die cut. Quite the cutie. Though it nearly left me baffled as to what to do with it. I'm just lacking my creative mojo these days. With wedding, I thought simplicity, so I kept the white (I was tempted to do some inking, but no ...). I did not think that the heart embossing would work out, but I did test it out on scrap paper first. So the heart is on both the front and back of the purse. Then I wanted to stamp inside of the heart, but ... simplicity, right? I thought that the ribbon was a nice touch to make it not so plain.

The card was super simple. I love the split embossing (NOTE: I did not have time to locate tutorials on split embossing, but try searching on Splitcoast Stampers or Mel Stampz) . I almost put a ribbon on this, but I did not like my white ribbon selection.

This was fun ... thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
die cut: Creative Cuts and More
stamp: unknown
ink: VersaMagic
embossing powder: Joann
dry embossing: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots and Decorative Hearts
ribbon: unknown

2 Sketches 4 You :: Take Good Care

I almost did not do this week's challenge because I don't have any large stars. I guess I could make one, huh?

But I was near Archiver's and that made it possible. I went to As, bought a piece of cardstock and used their Ellison dies. I was hopeful that I could match up the cardstock w/some patterned paper.

This ended up looking nice. At least I like it. I have been soooo critical of my cards lately, but this one has a bit of character.

Nothing new and nothing fancy; just the basics.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply and Bazzill
patterned paper: K&Co. Que Sera Sera
star die cuts: Ellison
ribbon: Offray
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: Color Box
dry embossing: Cuttlebug Texture Textile

Cuttlebug Challenge :: 28

This week's Be Inspired Cuttlebug Challenge theme is Home Sweet Home. As per usual, I made a card; at least one of them fits the theme since I ended up making two different cards. We're also using some very likable patterned paper from Marks Paper Company's Old Fashioned Courtship Collection. Oh, how I like the line. You'll see me using more of that in the coming weeks because I like it sooo much.

My craft stash is low and I did not even have a stamp to use for this project. But during a break at work, I went to Michaels and found this stamp in the $1 bin. Yay me.

Everything else is pretty basic. And the cards were easy to make.

Make sure you check out the other design team projects and why not enter this week's challenge?

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
first card
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: Marks Paper Company
butterfly punch: Martha Stewart/EK Success
stamp: Stampin Up!
ink: Tim Holtz
dry embossing: Cuttlebug

second card
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: K&Co. and Marks Paper Company
journaling spot: Jillibean Soup
stamp: Micheals $1 bin
ink: VersaColor
fabric brad: K & Company
ribbon: Michaels
dry embossing: Cuttlebug Texture Textile and word filled hearts

2 Peas Stamp Camp :: Week 3 and 2 Sketches 4 You

I'm double dipping for this card. I like it.

2 Peas' Stamp Camp continues this week. The technique is background stamping. Very nice video and examples from Nicol Magouirk. The background stamping on this card came out more subtle that I would have liked. I guess I could have used black ink to get it to pop. I had wanted to heat emboss it, but I could not find my VersaMagic ink.

I also decided to combine Stamp Camp w/this week's 2 Sketches 4 You sketch. This week is Laura's sketch. Like always, the sketch allows for lots of improv.

I love my Tim Holtz stamp ... I am trying real hard not to purchase more of them. Just not really my turn to stimulate the economy. But that ribbon was a good get. It was something like 15 cents a yard at Cord Camera. I might go back and see if they still have some because I really like it.

And how about that journaling spot ... Jillibean Soup. I plan to get more of these. I know that the come in circles too. And maybe different colors.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply and DCWV
dry embossing and die cut heart: Cuttlebug
ribbon: Amercan Crafts
stamp and ink: Tim Holtz
journaling spot: Jillibean Soup

2 Peas Stamp Camp :: Week 2

2Peas is hosting a Spring Stamp Camp this month. Last week it was stamping w/bleach. Cool technique, but not one that I could try.

This week Kristina Werner was the host and she worked w/alphabet stamps. She has a video where she made three different cards using alphabet stamps. Super simple and fun.

I thought easy enough, but then I realized that all of my letter stamps are in storage. Ugh. I almost bought a letter stamp set @ Pat Catan's when I was in Akron for Easter. So I really did set out to make a purchase for some inexpensive letter stamps. Jackpot @ Joann. I got this KI Memories acrylic alphabet stamp set for $2.99. It has all 26 letters plus some punctuation. I don't necessarily like the way the stamping looks w/the Tim Holtz distressed ink, but I do like my entry for the Stamp Camp.

Yes, there is and are prizes for participating in Stamp Camp. A 2Peas gift certificate.

Oh and the other cool thing about this card is the journaling block. Got that at Pizazz It!, a local scrapbooking store (lss) in Columbus. Bought it on the day I also went to the crazy expo. Here's the interesting thing: I was talking to the lss owner and she saw me looking at the nice selection of journaling blocks and she told me that the women who designed them had just done a class in the store. The company is Jillibean-Soup and the women lives in the Columbus area. Very cool. But too bad that I missed the class because they had some cute cards and projects.

Anyway, I like the journaling spots ... they were $3.49 and there was a variety of blocks in the package. I can't remember how many there were, but it was good for the price and I know a good deal when I see one.

I've gone on and on ... thanks for looking, here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: K&Co.
stamps: KI Memories
ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink/Ranger
journaling block: Jellibean Soup
ribbon: Hobby Lobby

2 Sketches 4 You :: So Thoughtful

I'm trying to get in early on this week's 2 Sketches 4 You. This sketch is from Kazan. I love the simplicity. It allowed me to do something quick and simple.

I decided to make a mini-card. This card is 4x4. I like that, though I don't currently have any 4x4 envelopes. Guess I could make one to match, right?

There's not much more to say. That's what happens when 'simple' speaks for itself.

Oh, and my mom has her card done already this week too.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
patterned paper: K&Co. and DCWV
rick rack: Creative Impression
stamp: Hero Arts (acrylic)
ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink/Ranger
flower: Bazzill or
twine and button: unknown

WINNER :: Winterfest 09 Cuttlebug Challenge

I hosted a Cuttlebug Challenge on 2Peas for Winterfest 2009. It's an annual event hosted by the stamping board on 2Peas.

Here were the details of the challenge: you needed to stamp as well as use the Cuttlebug.

The winner is Kellsterstamps. Love this card. She wins a $10 gift certificate to the online store of her choice.

There so much to like on this card:

• Love the pastel colors
• awesome use of the Cuttlebug: she used three different embossing folders
• I like the cupcakes in the tree
• the big beautiful bow
• the large label die is quite nice
• the stitching adds some texture
  
• the sentiment is so cute

Thanks to everyone on 2Peas for entering. So much fun and lots of creativity.

Winterfest 2009 :: Cuttlebug Challenge

Winterfest 20o9 is not quite over and you still have a chance to get in on the fun.

Winterfest is a little more than a week stamping activities and challenges on 2Peas Stamping Board.

I've decided to host a Cuttlebug Challenge. I've hosted this during previous Stamping Board events like StamptoberFest.

You'll have until this Sunday, March 15th, to enter the contest. See the blog post (the link is below) @ 2Peas for all of the specifics. And yes, you will have to register on 2Peas to get involved.

• Winterfest 2009 :: Cuttlebug Challenge

Cuttlebug Challenge :: 16

This week's Cuttlebug Challenge is to create a card using distressing. You can sand it, ink it, tear the edges and/or use a distressing tool.

Well, I've had some fun w/distressing in the past. Not that this card was not fun because it was, but it was not elaborate in the area of distressing. It does not really live up to my 'distressed past'. (lol).

Actually, the stamped panel I had laying around - torn edges and all. I guess I had planned on using it and just had not gotten around to it. I thought that the yellow would add more color. It has a white core, so I did sand it though it is not so visible.

That's about it for this simple one.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill and Die Cuts With a View/DCWV
patterned paper: Basic Grey
stamps: Whispers (to my friend) and Inkadinkado (flower)
ink: VersaMagic and Tim Holtz
other: sewing

Cuttlebug Challenge :: 15

Loving this month's Cuttlebug Challenges. Just creativity out the wahzoo.

This week's challenge is to use a sketch and Trudi chose a PageMaps sketch. Lots and lots of circles and boy do I like circles.

I really do like my finished card. I like the colors - how about that patterned paper? It's Basic Grey's Figgy Pudding line. More of a deep red and not traditional red. I like that I stamped on the ribbon. I was uncertain as to how that would come out, but there's nothing like crossing your fingers and hoping for the best, right?

I also like those little epoxy's. They're from Making Memories. And of course I like the embossing. I used several different ones: 2 different full-sized ones (heart blocks and Swiss Dots) as well as 3 small ones from the Playful Circles set.

Just an fyi: I made some cards last year that I really fell in love with. Only I made them for a friend, so I had to let them go, but boy am I glad that I took pics. Check out the Queen of Hearts set.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Archiver's
patterned paper: Basic Grey
dry embossing: Cuttlebug
epoxy's: Making Memories
ribbon: unknown
stamp: Savvy Stamps
ink: Tim Holtz and StazOn

Cuttlebug Challenge :: 13

It's another week and another Cuttlebug Challenge. This week's challenge is to create a simple white card. Something elegant and usually that's what the white brings - elegance.

I think that the Textile Texture embossing folder brings some elegance as well. That's the folder I chose to use. I think that the ribbon is a nice touch as well. Oh, and how about the partial embossing. I like that technique so that I can leave space for my sentiment.

Just keeping it short and simple this week.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill and Die Cuts With a View/DCWV
dry embossing: Cuttlebug
stamp: Stampin Up!
ink: Versamagic
embossing powder: Joann
ribbon: unknown

Oh, but I just had to add another card that I made last year. I'm including it because it has a white embossed focal point and it has a Valentine's Day theme and guess what is on the horizon? That's right and the ideas can't come soon enough ...

Here's what I used:
cardstock: Archiver's
dry embossing: Cuttlebug (heart blocks folder)
stamps: Stampin Up! and Michaels $1 stamps
circle punches: EK Success
ribbon: unknown

July Blog Hop

Okay ... so I am way too excited for this month's Blog Hop. If you get a chance, check out some of my post over the past week as I prepared for Blog Hop. Love the challenge of using vellum; it made me think outside of the box.

Can't wait to see what you all did.

Details are below all of the pix. Thanks for looking.












































































... here's what I used:
**first two cards
cardstock: Bazzill
patterned paper: AMuse
vellum: The Paper Studio
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger
stamps: Inkadinkadoo, Rubber Stampede and Stampin Up!
ribbon: Michaels
brads: Miss Elizabeth's

**last two cards
cardstock: Bazzill Bling
patterned paper: SEI
vellum: The Paper Studio
stamp: Inkadinkadoo
ribbon: Dollar Store
flower punch: EK Success
bling: unknown
rick rack: Creative Impressions
other: machine sewing, distresser