Unity September Guest Designer Layout and Susan Weckesser Stamps

Hello everyone, I hope that you are all enjoying the first true days of Autumn. The leaves are all changing and the colors outside are stunning. I'm here today sharing a layout I created with some amazing Susan Weckesser stamps from Unity.

For this layout, I used a combination of A Little Bit Washi, ABC 123 Washi, Insta-Cute and a co-branded Simple Stories Set called Splatters and Stars. I embossed all the images using Wow embossing powder and everything came together using Helmar Adhesives. Here are a few close ups of the layout.

 Yes, that is a cheese head you see. My husband is a huge Packers fan, and our son thought this "hat" was too fun!!! Don't judge!!!! *snort*

I'm loving how these stamps layer over top of each other and adore how well the Wow Embossing Powder allows me to do this.

And here is the final project, full of Susan Weckesser stampy goodness!!!

If you love creating mixed media projects of any sort, these stamps are AMAZING!!!! Check them out and grab a few of your favorites from the Untiy store. You will be so glad you did. Also, Take a look at Susan Weckessers Design Team call going on right now. Try out and you may have an opportunity to work with Susan and her wonderful designs.

Until next time
Toodles
Erika Taylor

Helmar Happy Fathers Day Hop

Welcome to the Helmar Happy Fathers Day Hop. Today we are so excited to share with you a variety of fantastic masculine projects. We've put our Helmar arsenal to good use and want to share with you some inspiration for those last minute Fathers Day gifts.

If you have been following along, you should have hopped here from Julie's blog. If not, hop on back to the Helmar Blog and enjoy. Make sure to leave comments along the way, because we will have prizes up for grabs. And if the Man in your life is super lucky, We may even send him a Helmar prize pack too.

Today I wanted to share with you an art project I created using Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive and Liquid Scrap Dots. These arrowheads were picked up by my husbands grandfather who recently passed. My husbands family wanted a way to display them, so I thought some shadow boxes would be perfect.

I created the papers by using a leather looking paper and distressing it with a combination of Vanilla Breeze Glimmer Mist and Tea Dye Distress Ink. I then applied it to the backing of the shadowbox using 450 Quick Dry Adhesive.

 For adhering the arrowheads, Liquid Scrap Dots is perfect!!! Love how this turned out and I couldn't have done it without my Helmar Arsenal!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by. Now hop on back to the Helmar blog and leave one last comment. If you get lost along the way, below you will find the links for the order of the hop.

Wow Embossing and Quick Quotes Papers- masculine scrapbook layouts

It is no secret that I love the earth tone collection of embossing powders from Wow Embossing Powders. I think it is the cook in me, with names like nutmeg, pepper and honey, how can you not like them right?

Hello everyone, I'm here today to share with you a scrapbook layout I created using Quick Quotes Tin Type papers and the earth tone collection from Wow (with a little Copper thrown into the mix). I'm so lucky to be a recurring Guest Designer with Quick Quotes and I will have my first project up on the Quick Quotes blog on the 16th of March. So stop by and check it out. (it is a Steampunk Mixed Media canvas)

I used these embossing powders for stamping, masking and to highlight the chipboard alpha letters. First a photo of the letters. I used Bloody Mary Powder Puff ink, then the copper.

For the envelope, I decided to emboss the entire thing. (the envelope was originally white with red polka dots) Then I used the postage stamp from Wow to add a little more interest.

This next photo really shows how well Wow Embossing Powders work with masks. I used the Tim Holtz Timeworks masks to create the background paper.

Now for the final project. Do ya wanna see? are ya sure? Well here it is, a layout all about our sons dreams. He wants to build his own hotel then be the chef in the restaurant. Gotta love dreams!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I have some exciting news to share with you tomorrow morning. It is FAB-U-LOUS!!!

Toodles

May Not so Macho Masculine Blog Hop by Sparkle N Sprinkle

Hi Everyone and welcome to this months Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog Hop. We are all about the Masculine cards today and there are some fantastic projects along the way. If you have been following along, you should have hopped here from Julie's blog. She always has something imaginative up her sparkly sleeve doesn't she!!! If you just started out, please hop back to the Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog so you can see all the inspiration and possibly win an amazing prize pack!!!


Important things first: The Grand Prize is a stamp set of the winner's choice AND as you visit each designer's blog, she will not only tell you about her cards, but donate a product toward the grand prize! Some of the products are brand new - not even on the website yet! So the Grand Prize will consist of the stamp set PLUS 13 products! A lucky second winner will win a stamp set of her choice! To become eligible to win the prizes, please leave a comment on each blog.

That is reason enough for sure to follow along hehe.

My card today is created using the Motorcycles Stamp Set and some of my favorite glitters. I used Fire Engine Red, Embers, Burnt Orange and Sunset to create my hand drawn flames for the background and I'm beyond stinkin excited about how they turned out. I love drawing but haven't done any for a while, so it was a wonderful treat to try a background technique with my drawing skills.

For the stamped image, I used Black Detail embossing powder so that I could really see and glitter the flames on the bike. If you would like to see a closer view of the card, just click on the image.

For my part of the give away, I'm donating a jar of the Fire Engine Red Glitter. You are going to absolutely love the richness of this red. Truly stunning!!!.

Now hop on over to Linda Loew's blog so you can see her wonderful creations. Don't forget to leave a comment on every Sparkle N Sprinkle team member, so your name can go into the draw!!!

Raise the Bar meets Basic Grey and a Fiery Dragon from About Art Accents

After a few days of wondering what i was going to do with our precious fur baby puck, My sister stepped up to the call and will be giving her a new home. I'm so relieved and the children will still be able to spend time with the little black furball. Isn't it amazing how attached we get to our family pets? I wouldn't change that though. They all have such strong personalities and really bring a joy to a home.

Today is another challenge day at Raise the Bar and this week the challenge is "What a Special Guy". With Father's day this weekend, it is the perfect time to share your masculine cards.

As my DT project I used one of my absolute favorite Dragon stamps from About Art Accents. If you haven't heard of this amazing company, go take a look at the stamps Annette has. She also carries some really cool embellishments and ephemera.

Now the sentiment on this card just cracks me up. I'm not the biggest fan of Ketchup, but if I were a dragon, I think that may change hehe.

Here is the card, filled with Basic Grey Archaic papers, and a little dragon scale action at the bottom. The ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

 I'm truly smitten with how the Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive works on metal and ribbon. Those metal sun charms are NOT going anywhere. I think they will last as long as the stories of Dragons have. Gotta love it


A great little card for the man in your life. If you've created a Masculine Card this week, hop on over to Raise the Bar and enter it into this weeks challenge.

Thanks so much for stopping by today and I hope that your weekend is amazing. Don't forget to do something special for that wonderful husband or father in your life

Toodles

Challenge card for Really Reasonable Ribbon

Hello Everyone, how are you all today? Just wanted to give you a quick reminder that the Really Reasonable Ribbon blog has a challenge up. Share your Masculine inspired pieces with ribbon on them and you could win a gift certificate to shop at the Really Reasonable Ribbon store.

if you haven't stopped by the blog to see the challenge inspiration from the team, here is mine for you. The Image is from Hearts in Touch Stamps and it is from a sheet that I adore.

Just love the colors and the keys on this one. Both keys were created, using Grungeboard and embossing powders. The hardware on the card is from Vintaj Brass.

Thanks for stopping by, now go on over and enter your masculine project at the Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge.

A little masculine appeal today

Hi Everyone, Today I tried my shot at something a little more masculine and I now completely understand why so many others struggle with Masculine cards. I did too. This card is based on the Mojo Monday sketch as well as the color create Orange, Green and Brown challenge. Here he is in all his lack of glory lol. Hope you like it. What ideas do you have for masculine cards?

Unity Trees and Caardvarks challenge

Hello Everyone and Happy Friday. Today i wanted to share with you a card that I'm submitting for Mojo Monday and Caardvarks this week. I think this one is very different than most of my work, and I really really like it. The colors are so "Mother Earth" and I did a little doodling on the card as well. Here it is and if you like it, leave some love in the comment box. I always enjoy reading what you all have to say.


I really like the feel of this card. Using buttons, hemp, and some very nature inspired papers did the trick. I really like the way the sentiment turned out. Using the tulip rub-ons behind the image then adding some beads to the corners just gave it that finishing touch.

Thank you all for stopping by. Today is your last day to enter for a chance to win my blog candy. You can find the link here
Supplies:
stamps: Unity KOTM-Trees
Spellbinders: Square and Scalloped Square
Paper: Card stock- Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze(SU) Kraft(PTI) Green Tea Design paper (SU), Garden Delight patterned paper (Fancy Pants)
Accessories: blue green mix beads, Ranger Coffee Embossing Powder, Teal button, Hemp String, Native American Embossing Powder, lace ribbon, Perfect pair rub-on
Coloring agents: Van Dyke Brown ink (Nick Bantock), Green Twinklette pen(marvy), Celery Shimmerz,
Tools: Big Shot, Scor-pal, Purple Cows 2-in-1 trimmer,

Mojo Monday Challenge #73

Have I told you lately how much I adore Mojo Mondays? If not well now you know. This is this weeks sketch challenge and I thought I would use some colors that were a little more "demure" haha. I love working with color, so I was hummin and hawin about this one, but the finished product tickles my fancy. So here as per usual is the sketch followed by my take on it. Let me know what you think!!!

For this card I used a great Zebra stamp that I received in a Time to Stamp grab bag and I love this lil guy. The cardstock I used is SU Basic Black and Whisper White as well as a matte from the Far East DCWV matte stack and the zebra print from the All Dress up Matte Stack.
I used 3 different kinds of ink for this card. Versafine Onyx Black and Smokey Gray as well as Nick Bantock Van Dyke Brown. I seem to have a need to distress the edges of a card. maybe I can break myself of that, but for now I like the effect it has.
Adding some color to the landscape under the striped ones feet with Le Plume markers to give some depth. Lastly, a pretty piece of brown grosgrain ribbon and a wooden button to finish it off.

Hope you enjoyed the card and
Happy Crafting