Thursday, April 27, 2017

DIY Home Decor

It's been a while since I've shared any home decor projects here on the blog. Today I wanted to show you how I made over a cheap sign I found at a local retailer for something like $2 or $3 dollars.
I wanted something a little more vintage looking in a bird theme to match the other decor in my living room so I printed off THIS FREE GRAPHIC from the Graphics Fairy on a 8.5 x 14 inch piece of typing paper. I used mod podge to adhere it to the sign and then mod podged over the top to seal in the print. The glue kind of smeared some of the color, but in the end it made it look old and worn which was the look I was going for! I furthered the vintage look by distressing the edges with sand paper!
I recently found that cool wire hanger at Michaels (on clearance - 70% off)! Once again, I used the  Graphics Fairy to decorate it with bird/botanical prints before adding some buttons to the little tin on the bottom. The framed print is a freebie from Creative Cain Cabin. I simply added the words to song, printed it off, and framed it! I also made the nest in this photo using twine, glue, and some Spanish moss.
Here's the latest banner for across my piano -- Free Printable Vintage Botanical Prints from....you guessed it: The Graphics Fairy! I distressed the edges and inked them with vintage photo ink. (Maybe I should have titled this post: Graphics Fairy Love!) At any rate, I enjoy finding freebies to use in my home and changing up my decor from time to time for the price of cardstock and ink!

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Easy DIY Backgrounds

Today I'm sharing a quick and easy way to create background for your cards using embossing folders and distress inks. Cropstop carries a large selection of both Distress Inks and Embossing Folders -- stop by the store and check them out!
 Step One: Gather your supplies – Cardstock, Embossing Folder(s), Distress Ink (one light and one dark)
Step Two: Lightly rub the lighter color across your piece of cardstock
Step Three: Emboss with your chosen embossing folder
Step Four: Lightly rub the darker ink across the embossing and wa-la you have a background piece for your card!
Variations: 1. You can use just one color if you like for a softer look 2. You can skip the first inking and ink only the embossed layer
I chose to keep my finished cards fairly simple to showcase the backgrounds better.
 Supplies: Kraft & Black Cardstock, Gears Embossing Folder (The Paper Studio), Vintage Photo & Walnut Stain Distress Ink, Sizzix Thinlits Word Dies (Tim Holtz Alterations), Twine, Sequins.
 Supplies: White & Black Cardstock, Circular Grid Embossing Folder (Anna Griffin), Peacock Feathers Distress Ink, Sizzix Thinlits Word Dies (Tim Holtz Alterations), Twine, Sequins.
 Supplies: White & Black Cardstock, Cherry Blossom Embossing Folder (Darcie), Picked Raspberry and Abandoned Coral Distress Ink, Sizzix Thinlits Word Dies (Tim Holtz Alterations), Twine, Sequins.
 Supplies: White & Black Cardstock, Typewriter Alphabet Embossing Folder  (The Paper Studio), Shaded Lilac and Seedless Preserves Distress Ink, Sizzix Thinlits Word Dies (Tim Holtz Alterations), Twine, Sequins.
 Supplies: White & Black Cardstock, Circular Grid Embossing Folder (Anna Griffin), Peacock Feathers  & Mermaid Lagoon Distress Ink, Sizzix Thinlits Word Dies (Tim Holtz Alterations), Twine, Sequins.

I’d love to see your DIY backgrounds for cards so stop by the CURRENT LINK PARTY and link up your projects using Cropstop products!!

This post linked to:
Tuesday Throwdown - Embossing
Little Red Wagon - Happy Birthday Boys!



Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Colorful Banners

Today’s  project is a little different than my usual cards.  I like to try different styles and designs, and branch out of my comfort zone from time to time.

To create my colorful banners, I cut strips of cardstock into 3/4 inch pieces. Next I stamped my Impressions Obsession plaid background stamp in Versamark Watermark ink and added Kaleidoscope Transparent Embossing Powder.  After heat setting the powder, I used my mini square paper punch to punch the ends of the banner.
 I wanted to keep the front fairly plain to showoff all those colorful banners, so I cut a simple sentiment using my Nouveau Alphabet dies from Sizzix and added a small crochet heart and three little sequins.
 I added a ticket and sentiment to the inside as using distress inks.
Supplies and Tools:
Colorful Cardstock Strips, Versamark Watermark,  Kaleidoscope Transparent Embossing Powder, Square Punch, Ticket Die (Spellbinders), Sentiment (Tim Holtz), Mermaid Lagoon/Abandoned Coral/Mowed Lawn/Black Soot Distress Ink (Tim Holtz), Sizzix Alphabet Dies, Sequins, Crochet Heart

This post linked to:
Tuesday Throwdown - Embossing
Allsorts - I Spy something that begins with "B"  (I made Banners)

Monday, April 24, 2017

Distress Oxides and Gelli Printing Plate

I’m sure by now most of you have heard about (if not not bought and experimented with) the NEW Tim Holtz Distress Oxides.  If you haven’t used them yet, you’re missing out! They are wonderful cross between pigment and dye ink that reacts with water to create fun effects!
I'm sharing a tutorial today (over on the Cropstop blog) for making the fun backgrounds you see on these cards - swing by for all the details. 
 

Supplies and Tools:  Broken China Distress Oxide, a Gelli Printing plate, and bubble wrap,  Cracked Pistachio reinker, Tonic Studios paper distresser, Dina Wakely Little Birdies Set (from Ranger), Black Soot Distress Ink. , prismacolor pencils,  paintbrush., Hello Doily (Sizzix Thinlits), Candi Dots (Nightingale Square), Petaloo lace  All Things Are Possible stamp set (Heartfelt Creations),scalloped circle nestabilities Spellbinders. 
 
Supplies and Tools: 
 Lace Stencil (Tim Holtz), Fired Brick Distress Oxide ink , Vintage Photo Distress oxide re-inker paintbrush, Tonic Studios paper distresser, Kraft cardstock,Victoria embossing folder (Cuttlebug).Tim Holtz Ink Applicator, Vintage Photo Distress Ink, Petaloo lace, Labels Four (Spellbinders), All Things Are Possible stamp set (Heartfelt Creations), Petaloo blooms, Sentiment from Wordsworth, (Hello Doily —Sizzix Thinlits)
I’d love to see how you use the NEW Distress Oxides or the Gelli printing plate so stop by the CURRENT CHALLENGE and link up you projects.

This post linked to:
Ooh-La-La - Get Well Wishes
Allsorts Challenge - I Spy something that begins with "B" ( I chose birdies)
Repeat Impressions - Inspiration Palette (I chose the colors)

Saturday, April 22, 2017

B is for Bicycle

The Allsorts Challenge this week is to use something that begins with the letter "B."  I immediately thought of bicycle and butterflies and this card grew out of that.
 I've also been playing around with the new Distress Oxide inks and wanted to make a background for my main image using them. After I stamped my image I used my Prismacolor pencils to add a little color and also added some glitter and Baker's Twine to the flower bouquet.
I added a bit of color to the embossed panel with stencil brushes and Oxide inks and distressed the edges.  I finished off the inside of the card with some washi tape and a simple "hello" sentiment using colors from the front as inspiration.

Supplies and Tools:
White/Gray/Black Cardstock, Watercolor paper, Bicycle (Inkadinkado), Black Soot Distress Ink (Tim Holtz), Broken China/Worn Lipstick Distress Oxide (Tim Holtz), Typewriter Alphabet Embossing Folder (The Paper Studio), Butterfly Punch (Marvey), Valentines Coral Glitter (Art Acentz), Baker's Twine, Washi Tape, Paint Brush, Stencil Brushes, Prismacolor Pencils, Paper Distresser, Home Tweet Home Sentiment (Hampton Art), pearls

This post linked to:
The Card Concept - Fresh Flutters (cross between clean and layered and mixed media)
4 Crafty Chicks - Butterflies
Allsorts - I spy (I have a Bicycle, Butterflies, Basket, and Bouquet on my card!)



Friday, April 21, 2017

Spread your wings and fly

Today I'm sharing two cards made with a retired Stampin' Up Set called: Nature's Sketchbook.
I colored my stamped image with my Prismacolor (Scholar) Pencils and used baby oil and Q-tips to blend the colors. After the oil had dried I added a bit of Tangerine Colorburst via a thin paintbrush and heat set it with my embossing gun. I also fussy cut and popped up the butterfly hanging from the branch, and splashed some Distress Oxide Vintage Photo ink over the matted image.
Inside the card I added some color using the Watercolor Stamp and Stencil set from Tim Holtz and Spiced Marmalade/Rusty Hinge Distress Ink.
Supplies and Tools:
Watercolor Paper, Black /White Cardstock, Tangerine Color Burst (Ken Oliver), Nature's Sketchbook (Stampin' Up), Prismacolor Pencils, Postage Stamp Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Vintage Photo Reinker, (Tiim Holtz), Butterfly Fancy stamp set, Black Soot/Spiced Marmalade/Rusty Hinge Distress Ink (Tim Holtz), Paper Distresser, Watercolor Stamp and Stencil Set (Tim Holtz), Stencil Brushes, Thin Paintbrush

This post linked to:
The Card Concept - Fresh Flutters
4 Crafty Chicks - Butterflies
Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes

This card won honorable mention here:



Thursday, April 20, 2017

Scripture Cards

Today I'm sharing a set of 8 cards I created to use for the card ministry I belong to.
I printed a sheet of previous verse freebies (from Word Art Wednesday) on graph paper to use as the focal point on all my cards.
I kept the cards fairly simple and used the same basic design for all of them.
Each card has a twin with the panel papers in reverse order.
I've found that using papers from all one paper pack makes it easy to assemble cards like these as you already know that your papers will match in color and design.
Supplies and Tools:
The Blue Barn - Kirby Teesdale Studio -- Mirabelle - Barnwood Pretty Paper Stacks (all from The Paper Studio), WAW free Scripture Printables, graph paper, flower punch, sequins, pearls, embroidered lace border punch (Martha Stewart), Paper Doily, Paper Distresser 

This post linked to:
Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
Shopping Our Stash  - Use Roses (I used rose dp on the third set)

Monday, April 17, 2017

Embossing Spacer

Today’s card showcases one of the new Heartfelt Creations stamp sets that Cropstop added to the store this year.  You’ll want to stop by and check them out – they make beautiful focal points for your cards!
To create this slightly larger card, I embossed a piece of cream cardstock using the Circular Grid embossing folder from Anna Griffin and the Oval Embossing Spacer. Cropstop carries two different wooden spacer plates – a rectangular one and an oval one. It lets you emboss your cardstock leaving a smooth opening for stamping in.  I chose a stamp from the All Things Are Possible (Heartfelt Creations) set and stamped it in Black Soot Distress ink. I colored parts of the image in using my Prismacolor Pencils and drew a light oval line around my image using the spacer as a guide.
 Those lovely flowers were die cut from the Creative Expressions die, Exquisite Poppy, and have just a bit of Broken China Distress Oxide ink on the outer edges.  I used the leaf, branch, and frond punches (Martha Stewart) to add a bit of greenery under my blooms. Tiny white pearls adorn the center. In the upper corner I added a Baker’s Twine bow with a little Candi dot (Saville Row) in the center. (Cropstop sells a wide variety of Candi dots for embellishing your projects – you can check them out here.)

I’d love to see the projects you’re working on these days. Stop by the CURRENT CHALLENGE and link up your creations that use products from companies Cropstop carries in the store! Happy Crafting!

This post linked to:
Shopping Our Stash - Punches or Dies (I used both)
Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
Craft-Dee Bowz - Handmade Bow
Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes

Friday, April 14, 2017

GIVEAWAY WINNER!


The winner of my SPRING GIVEAWAY
(Chosen by Random.org)
 is:
Comment #21
"How truly sweet of you! I love that lace mold and
 wish I knew where to find them.  Hugs, Autumn"
Congratulations Autumn!
Please send me an email with your 
mailing address and I'll get your prize out to you!

Thursday, April 13, 2017

Bunny Card

 I needed to make a last minute Easter card so I printed off this cute little bunny from  Lori of Chouxchoux Paper Art. I actually made two, and the second one I plan to send as a baby congratulations card!
Lori shares the sweetest printables on her blog so you'll want to hop over there and follow along. I used a second bunny to make this tiny spring tag to include with a gift!

Supplies and Tools:
Vintage Button Cards (from Etsy), Free Bunny Printable, Got Flowers, Pearl, Textile Embossing folder (Provo Craft), Vintage Photo Distress Ink (Tim Holtz), Blending Tool (Tim Holtz), Baker's Twine, Lace, Caulk Lace, Sequins, Hello Doily Sizzix Thinlits, Beaded Ovals Spellbinders Die


This post linked to:
Little Red Wagon - Happy Easter
4 Crafty Chicks - Babies of all kinds
Allsorts Challenge - Bring on the blink - glitter, sparkles, sequins
Paper Sweeties - Inspiration Board (bunnies, pink tulips, spring)

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Mixed Media Collage

Today is the day for a new challenge on the Cropstop blog! For inspiration, I’m sharing a mixed media card that includes several different embellishments and mediums.  There’s plenty of texture and dimension to this spring collage.
To create the base for this card I started with a 5.5 x 5.5 inch white cardstock base.  I cut a slightly smaller green square and distressed the edges with my scissors. A aqua square of designer paper is sewn on top. In each corner I used my Tim Holtz Gothic stencil and applied a layer of white gesso.
 Next I die cut a piece of white cardstock with my Beaded Ovals Spellbinders die and used my craft knife to trim out the center to create an open frame. Inside I stamped a sentiment (PSX) in mermaid lagoon distress ink. In the upper corner I tied a bow with light blue and parrot green twine and added a tiny rose from the Tiny Tattered Florals Die Set (Tim Holtz).
 Across the bottom I added a piece of blue lace (from Petaloo), and a large flower die cut with Tim Holtz‘s Tattered Florals die. The flower is stamped with my plaid background stamp from Impression Obsession in salty ocean distress ink. A large pearl adorns the center and three tiny pearls decorate the top of the card.

I'd love to see your mixed media projects - so hop on over to the Cropstop blog and link up your creations to the CURRENT CHALLENGE!

This post linked to:
Shopping Your Stash - Punches or Dies (My flowers & frame are die cuts)
City Crafter Challenge Blog - Case#2 (I cased the sketch)
Really Reasonable Ribbon - Ribbon, Lace, or Trim with Flowers
Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Elegant Lace

Today I'm showcasing another piece of the caulk lace I've been making of late (tutorial post here). Isn't it just gorgeous! With something that lovely you hardly need to add anything to it to make an elegant card!




Supplies and Tools:
Victoria Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug-Provo Craft), Caulk Lace, Paper Blossom Punch, Frond/Branch Punch (Martha Stewart), Lace, Pearls,  Framelits 3D Drop Ins (Sizzix), Black/White/Coral Cardstock, Abandoned Coral Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)

This post linked to:
Shopping Our Stash - Punches or Dies (I used punches to make my flower)
City Crafter Challenge - Case This Card (I used the sketch)
4 Crafty Chicks - Flowers
Really Reasonable Ribbon - Ribbon, Lace, Trim with Flowers


Monday, April 10, 2017

Mini Stencils

 Hello everyone, here's a springtime card I created for the Cropstop blog. Here in the USA, it’s one of my favorite seasons of the year – springtime! My card today reflects the greens that have been popping up all around me this past month! New green leaves on the trees and bushes, freshly mowed green grass, and green shoots in my flower beds —  green seems to be one of the main colors of spring!
Today I’m  showcasing another way to use your stencils, so let’s get started…
 To create the focal point for my card, I used a set of Heidi Swapp stencils (Frames). Instead of laying the stencil down and using spray ink to highlight the negative space, I inked the back of my stencil up with mowed lawn distress ink (Tim Holtz), and spritzed it with water (mini mister). I carefully moved my stencil to a clean section of my desk (so as not to leave finger prints in the ink), and laid a clean piece of white cardstock over the top and pressed it down.  (A brayer is helpful in the process of transferring the ink from the stencil to the paper.) I then trimmed and layered my print on black cardstock adding a strip of hounds-tooth washi tape across the bottom for added interest.
 I layered a piece of designer paper from the Kirby Teesdale Studio paper stack (The Paper Studio) on black cardstock and added that to my card front. Next I embossed a piece of white cardstock with the Tim Hotlz Collage embossing folder, inked the embossing with  mowed lawn distress ink , and distressed the edges with the Tonic Studios paper distresser before adhering it to the left side of my card.  In the right corner I added the word “smile” using my alphabet punches.  A little burlap string bow (in black) with clay button center and a lovely Petaloo bloom (Botanical Collection) complete my card for today.
I’d love to see the springtime cards you’ve created, so stop by the CURRENT CHALLENGE and link up your creativity using products from companies Cropstop carries! Hope to see you there….

Saturday, April 8, 2017

Clay Embellishments

 Today I'm sharing two more cards using the clay embellishments I showed you how to make Thursday. For this first card, I left the rose white and used it as the center of a stamped flower. (The buttons would be cute used this way as well!) I used a verse from a previous Word Art Wednesday post and made a pretty spring card.
Supplies and Tools:
Swirls Embossing Folder (Provo Craft-Cuttlebug), Labels 4 Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Word Art Wednesday printable verse, Posie Patch Stamps (Heartfelt Creations), Fossilized Amber Distress Ink (Tim Holtz), Tattered Florals Die (Tim Holtz), Sequins, Baker's Twine
 For this second card I used the current Scripture Art (from Word Art Wednesday) and decorated the top with three little painted clay pieces - a flower and two leaves.
Supplies and Tools:
Labels 10 Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Clay Embellishments, Acrylic Paint, Silicone Molds, Air Dry Clay, Sequins, Circular Grid Border Embossing Folder (Anna Griffin), Baker's Twine, Word Art Wednesday Scripture


This post linked to:
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
4 Crafty Chicks - Flowers
Really Reasonable Ribbon  - Flowers with ribbon/lace/or trim
Repeat Impressions DCC45  - Add a Die Cut

Friday, April 7, 2017

Spring GIVEAWAY

Today's card features both a caulking doily and a clay embellishment from the tutorials I've shared with you this week. (Caulk Lace Tutorial - CLICK HERE ---- Clay Embellishment Tutorial - CLICK HERE)
I'm also doing a SPRING GIVEAWAY here on my blog -- scroll down for all the details. 

After I'd made the inside of my clay cameo, I carefully painted around the image with some light blue paint before placing it in the clay frame.

 Supplies and Tools:
Kirby Teesdale Studio (The Paper Studio), Clay Cameo, Caulking, Silicone Molds, Pearls, Blue Acrylic Paint, Sentiment from Sunny Flowers (Stampendous), Mermaid Lagoon Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)

GIVEAWAY
One lucky winner will receive:
~ Variety of Calk Lace/Doilies/Butterflies
~Variety of Clay Embellishments
~ One Butterfly/Lace Silicone Mold
~ One Butterfly Silicone Mold
~ Selection of Baker's Twine 
~ Selection of Sequins
~ Two rolls of glitter washi tape
~ One package mini clothespins
~ One package kraft flowers

To enter:
1.  Leave a comment below telling me your favorite thing about spring
2. For a second entry share the giveaway picture on social media (your blog, Facebook, Instagram, Flickr etc.) and leave a second comment telling me where you shared it

 I'll draw the winner on Friday, April 14th. (Be sure your blog has contact info or leave it your comment). 

This post linked to: 
4 Crafty Chicks - Flowers (mine are in my paper)
Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes