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Snowflake Winter Wishes Tag

Posted by Cathy Parlitsis

· January 15, 2018

Happy Winter! (Is there such a thing?) I don’t usually mind the cold but it has been especially cold in the Northeast lately! For most people, the holidays are over. I tend to hang on for awhile afterwards. LOL! I am certainly just now going through my photos and noticing what I haven’t posted so here’s a Snowflake Winter Wishes Tag that I created for a challenge – but never posted cuz…yes…that’s the kind of holiday season I had!

I used to work on lots of tags but have been stuck on cards lately. It felt really good to work on a smaller surface. Another thing I love about tags is that I keep all of them for myself! haha! Yes…I don’t share them.

I like that – not only because I get to keep my creations but because it seems to alleviate some of the creative pressure I feel when I’m making something for someone else. I always angst over cards I’m sending – Will the person like it? Is it “perfect?” I know I tell all of you not to worry about all that “stuff,” but sometimes I do too.

So, I started with a Kraft Tag and just ran it through the Big Shot in the SU! Woodland Embossing Folder. Kraft Tags are great for a grungy base.

Next, I rubbed some Vintage Photo Distress Ink (My personal favorite!) on some of the raised embossed areas and around the edges of the tag using a Blending Tool.

I wanted some background images that wouldn’t be distracting so I used the Timeless Texture Stamp Set by Stampin’ Up! I love these stamps! They add that little “something” you want without pulling attention from the rest of the tag.

I stamped a couple of them in Night of Navy Ink. I didn’t mount any of the stamps onto blocks so I could stamp pieces of the images.

Next, I ran a White Picket Fence Distress Ink across the embossed birch trees and dried it with a Heat Tool. Black Soot Distress Ink was applied to the edges of the tag with a Blending Tool. I love the way this creates a frame that draws your eye to the tag.

One of my favorite things to do is dye ribbon to match my color scheme. For this tag, I used Weathered Wood, Tumbled Glass and Stormy Sky Distress Inks. I just smushed them onto my Craft Sheet, spritzed with water and then ran my Crinkle Ribbon through the inks and balled it up in my hand and dried it with a Heat Tool.

I felt like it still needed “a little something” so I ran a piece of Silver Tinsel Twine across the bottom off the card and adhered it behind with Mini Glue Dots.

An Idea-ology charm (Typed Tokens – Christmas) was distressed with White Picket Fence Distress Paint and attached to the double bow using a jump ring.

I used Tim Holtz’s Paper Snowflakes Die Cuts to cut Snowflakes from Silver Glimmer Paper and Pool Party Cardstock and layered them together using Mini Glue Dots and attached them to the tag with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

I also attached an Adhesive Sheet to a piece of Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper and die cut “Winter Wishes” using the Holiday Script Words Die Cuts and the Big Shot and then attached it on top of the snowflakes.

To finish it off, I attached another tag to the back of the tag to hide the ribbon backs and the mess I made with the inks!

Thanks for stopping by! 🙂

Categories : Die Cuts, Distress, Embossing, Mixed Media, Paper Crafting, Tags, Vintage

Sunflower Card and Mail Art

Posted by Cathy Parlitsis

· November 6, 2017

The simple, textured background allows the Sunflower to be the star of this card while the Burlap Bow gives it an organic feel.

As fall approaches, I find myself being drawn to Sunflowers for some reason. The Mason Jar from Stampin’ Up!’s Jar of Love Stamp Set is the perfect beginner for this card. The coordinating Everyday Jars Framelits Dies makes cutting out the jar easy and neat. The Sunflower is from Tim Holtz’s Flower Garden and it looked like it belonged in that jar.

Card base is Whisper White Heavy Cardstock 4 1/4″ x 11″ – scored at 5 1/2″. Can I tell you how much I adore this heavy cardstock! It is a perfect card base and helps your finished cards stand up. I use it for die cuts too.

Next layer is 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″ run through the Big Shot in the Softly Falling Embossing Folder.

I stamped the jar onto a piece of Watercolor Paper and then stamped the stem and flower. I watered down the Soft Sky Stampin’ Write Marker and used an Aqua Painter to apply it to the cardstock. The “shadow” is watered down Going Gray Stampin’ Write Marker applied in the same way.

Okay…Let’s talk coloring… There are so many options to color and, depending on how much you enjoy it, you can decide on which medium to use. For this card, I used regular Stampin’ Write Markers from the Many Marvelous Marker Set (38 colors). Stampin’ Up! has reintroduced Alcohol Markers called “Stampin’ Blends” for those of us who don’t have the time, money and experience to go full on Copic. You can see more about them HERE.

The flowers, leaves and stems were colored in using light and darker markers. The top of the flower is Chocolate Chip and Cajun Craze Stampin’ Write Markers.

The petals are Daffodil Delight and Crushed Curry and the leaves are Lemon Lime and Garden Green Stampin’ Write Markers. If you have the Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack, they’d be perfect for this flower and the Old Olive Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack would be great for the leaves.

A Clear Sakura Glaze Pen was used to “coat” or color-in the jar to give it a glass-like finish. You can also use a Fine Tip Glue Pen to glaze the jar. That will give you a thicker, shinier jar.

Mount the Watercolor Paper to a piece of Crushed Curry Cardstock and adhere that to the embossed piece of Whisper White Thick Cardstock using Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Next, wrap a piece of Burlap Ribbon around the card front and secure it behind. Organic Ribbons look best with mason jars. Each one will give you a slightly different “feel.” I tried one with a retired ribbon and liked that one too.

I adhered a bow to the ribbon using Mini Glue Dots. I stamped the greeting from the Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and punched it out with an Oval Punch (Retired) and then punched out a piece of Crushed Curry Cardstock and layered them on top of each other and then adhered it to the card front using Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals. (These little additions to the new catalog are surely one of my favorites. They’re a must have!) Lastly, a White Perfect Accents Enamel Dot was added in to finish off the card. (Yes! It does make a difference!)

I’ve always suggested that you decorate your envelopes but lately, I’ve seen some incredible Mail Art and I’m inspired! This envelope took as much work as the card! BUT…you cannot believe how excited people are when they get one of these in the mail. The postal workers were excited too! Just make sure that you have enough postage on the envelope, especially if there’s a chunky bow. Look for more posts of that new obsession! 😉

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to Contact Me. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the Comments below. Ciao for now!

Categories : Cards, Embossing, Mail Art, Paper Crafting, Watercolor

Distress Collage Mediums and Textures

Posted by Cathy Parlitsis

· August 12, 2016

I’ve been feverishly trying to finish all of the techniques in time to post them to the class. Tonight is the deadline so I had to remind myself that I’m doing this for fun. LOL! These are the Techniques from Distress Collage Mediums and Textures. I did 4 of the 5. I will post the techniques I missed at some point but, hopefully, you’ll like these in the mean time. 😉

Distress Collage Mediums and Textures

Paste Coloring – This one is exactly what it sounds like. The Texture Paste is colored with Iced Spruce Distress Paint, Evergreen Bough Distress Spray, Peeled Paint and Forest Moss Distress Inks and then, of course, Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

Paste Coloring Tag

Paste Embossing – This is really cool. I did a card size version but, after a week of creating, my Craft Room is such a disaster mess that I actually LOST it! Seriously! I know it’s there somewhere but I really cannot locate it! (see a snippet of my desk in the photo below.)

The Opaque Texture Paste is Gold Embossed and the Distress Inks used are: Iced Spruce and Stormy Sky Distress Sprays with Walnut Stain and Black Soot Distress Inks.

Paste Embossing Tag

Paste Resist – How cool is this! The tile effect is so different! I’ve never seen this done before. It uses Transparent Gloss Texture Paste and a Stencil. The Designer Paper is Tim Holtz and the Distress Inks are White Picket Fence, Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain Distress Inks.

Paste Resist Tag

Grit Grunge – This is another of my favorite techniques from this class. Grit Paste is used to create the texture. I colored it with Rusty Hinge and Vintage Photo Distress Crayons.

Grit Grunge Tag

I’m working on a couple of cards using these techniques. I will post them as soon as they’re finished. 🙂

Categories : Distress, Embossing, Mixed Media, Paper Crafting, Stencils, Tags

Tags : Distress collage mediums and textures, Grit Grunge, Texture Paste Coloring, Texture Paste Embossing, Texture Paste Resist

Testor Paints and Paint Pen Cards

Posted by Cathy Parlitsis

· May 11, 2016

I am always drawn to paint splatters. I’m not quite sure what it is about them but I love the way they look. Sadly, mine never turn out the way I imagine them when I start. LOL This Tim Holtz Embossing Folder solves that problem for me. The drips are embossed into the card stock and I just painted over them using some of Testors Paints and Paint Pen.

The card above was created with the Red Paint Pen. It was a dream to work with! All the good things with paint without any mess. The cards below show the difference between painting with the pen (left) and painting with actual red paint (right). They look very similar!

The same card was created using blue paint and a paint brush. It’s paired with the card created using the red paint pen.

Here’s the close up of the blue paint.

As you can see, I loved them so much that I got totally carried away and made a bunch of these!

Here are the paints I received from Testors. The color of the pen and paint were the same.

The details for the card are as follows:

Basic Black Card Stock (Stampin’ Up!) cut at 4-1/4″ x 11″ and scored at 5-1/2″.
4″ x 5-1/4″ Whisper White Card Stock (SU!) embossed using Tim Holtz’ “Dripping” Embossing Folder.
Testors Red Paint Pen applied over the “drips.”
“Thank You” (from “Another Thank You Stamp Set” was stamped in Black Archival Ink (Ranger) and embossed using Clear Embossing Powder and a Heat Tool.
Black and White Sequins were attached to the card with Mini Glue Dots.

Thanks for stopping by! 🙂

Categories : Cards, Embossing, Mixed Media, Paper Crafting

Tags : Testor Paint

Shabby Chic Album Contest and Tutorial

Posted by Cathy Parlitsis

· March 31, 2016

LET THE VOTING BEGIN!! I could not be more excited about the Best Blogger Craft 2016 Contest!!! I created this Shabby Chic Album as my entry and I would LOVE it if you would take a moment to VOTE for me at FaveCrafts. (Look for my name & VOTE! You can only vote one time each from your phone, computer and/or iPad.)

One of my favorite accents on this project is the New iCraft Deco Foil Sheets in Gold (ThermoWeb) on the cover and throughout the pages.

The harlequin pattern was created using a stencil (Sizzix) to cut out iCraft Easy Cut Adhesive Sheets (Thermoweb) and rubbing a New Deco Foil Sheet in Pewter (ThermoWeb too!) over it.

The base of the project is a chipboard album (Prima) with a magnetic closure.

All of the embellishments – flowers, feathers, butterfly, chain and oval clips are also Prima. The “dangles” on the chain were recycled from an old keychain I had. The original mini chains were silver so I dabbed them with copper paint and attached to the bigger chain with jump rings.

Before doing anything else, I painted the album inside and out using Camel Folk Art Acrylic Paint (Plaid).

The edges of each page and all covers were then sponged with Brown Ink to give them a more vintage feel.

Various Stamps were used with Brown and Black Inks to create a random background on the covers.

The Chipboard Pages of the book were approximately 6 x 6 so the Patterned Papers were cut to 5-3/4″ x 5-3/4″ and adhered using iCraft Easy Tear Tape (Thermoweb). The papers for the flaps were 4″ x 6″ Notecards so the card stock mats were cut to 4-1/4″ x 8″ with a 2″ score line to tuck behind to secure the flap.

This is my favorite layout in the book so, of course, I used it for the first page. The papers are from the Vintage Emporium Collection (Prima) and looked this grungy-gorgeous all by themselves!

The Gold Foil was applied to a Rub On for my absolute favorite accent in the album. It was so easy and I just love the way it turned out! Here’s a close-up.

Sadly, the photos don’t do it any justice. “In person,” it’s so shiny!

This is the same layout with the flap open. The flaps are easy to create.

Just layer your patterned paper onto a piece of card stock and score at 1-1/2 or 2″ to create a flap. Adhere the flap under the card stock before attaching it to your chip board page.

The second layout has a flap that lifts up. It also has a Gold Foil accent. You’ll notice there’s a couple of white spots where I accidentally tore the paper. These happy accidents often force you to create add-ons that will later become some of your most beautiful additions. Scroll down to see how I “fixed” this.

This is the view with the flap “open” or lifted up. These flaps are great mats for photos or hidden journaling.

When I create a scrapbook, I always add a few pockets for ephemera. This pocket was created by wrapping a piece of vintage lace around the patterned paper and securing it behind prior to attaching it to the chipboard page.

Since I haven’t added the authentic photos and memorabilia, I stuffed a card from the same collection of papers and a tag into the pocket.

The third layout has flaps on both sides. I added a delicious Gold Foil design down the page.

These are the open flaps.

The fourth layout has a card stock flap that was embossed with an Embossing Folder (Sizzix). I added 2-Way Glue and rubbed Pewter Foil over a couple of the accents.

This layout has a pocket on the left side created by adhering 3 sides of a piece of patterned paper with the opening on top. Gold Foil was applied over a rub on to create the shiny script.

These pages have three flaps. One on the left and two on the right. (I know! I really get so carried away with myself! LOL)

The two flaps are layered with an embellishment clipped to the second page. (See close-up below)

I love, love, love the Gold Foil over the Rose/Script Rub-on! A strip of Vintage Lace was applied to the right side flap.

A strip of Patterned Paper and Vintage Lace were used to create a side flap.

Open view.

The feathers, flowers and berries were hot glued to the cover. Little sequins were adhered with Zots Singles (Testors).

For added embellishments – and to fix any mistakes 😉 – I used a Sizzix postage stamp thinlit to cut another patterned paper card.

You can add them as sheets of “postage stamps” or cut them out and adhere them as individual stamps. I used one to cover up the torn paper on my page here:

They also look great peeking out of one of the pockets!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I would greatly appreciate your VOTE which you can place by clicking HERE and then finding my Name & Shabby Chic Album Link on the page. Thanks again!

If you’d like to join my mailing list, you can SIGN UP HERE.

Hugs,

Cathy

Categories : 3D Items, Die Cuts, Distress, DIY Gift Idea, Embossing, Mixed Media, Paper Crafting, Paper Flowers, Scrapbooking, Vintage

Tags : Best Craft Blogger Contest 2016

Shabby Chic Album for Prime Publishing

Posted by Cathy Parlitsis

· March 24, 2016

Each year, Prime Publishing does a contest for the Best Craft Blogger Project. I was very fortunate to receive that honor last year for my Distressed Watercolor Card with Swarovski Crystals Card (See that post HERE) so I’m excited to participate again this year!!!! I kept starting projects and deciding – Nope! Not good enough! After much trial and error, I decided on this Shabby Chic Album. I sincerely hope you like it! (If you do, I’d love it if you would VOTE for me!)

Shabby Chic Album

Voting starts March 31st in case you’d like to Vote! 😉 I’ll also be posting a full tutorial with pictures of the inside of the book so stop by and check it out. Here are a couple of other photos of the cover.

Shabby Chic Album Open

This is the book with the right cover opened. It has a cool magnetic closure. I made a pocket on the inside of the flap for storing tags or other treats.

Shabby Chic Album Spine copy

I love the metal bar for the spine. I got it at a Prima Class and, although I hated to “part” with it, it was perfect for this. I wrapped a chain around the inside of the book and attached various baubles to it.

Thanks for stopping by! Don’t forget to VOTE next Thursday! Thanks so much! 😀

Categories : 3D Items, Distress, DIY Gift Idea, Embossing, Mixed Media, Paper Crafting, Paper Flowers, Scrapbooking, Vintage

Tags : Best Craft Blogger Contest 2016

The Best of 2015 Compilation

Posted by Cathy Parlitsis

· February 22, 2016

Thanks for visiting for the Best Mixed Media Projects of 2015. I have another favorite to share with you today. I’m not sure this Distress Ink Watercolor Card with Swarovski Crystals qualifies as Mixed Media as we know it, but it was one I was especially proud of. I entered a Best Blogger Contest and WON!!!! It was posted on the Fave Crafts Blog and people voted on it. With the help of you, my loyal readers, it was chosen #1!!! I was truly honored!

Here’s a compilation of the 7 Day Mixed Media Projects. Thanks so much for visiting! As always, I thoroughly enjoyed your comments! The WINNERS OF THE BLOG CANDY are: Dana, Joi and Gloria! Thanks for participating! Please email me your address so I can send out your goodies! 🙂

If you missed any of the posts, you can find them here:

Days 1-3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7

Hope you’re having a fabulous day!

Categories : 3D Items, Cards, Craft Metal, Die Cuts, Distress, Embossing, Masculine, Mixed Media, Paper Crafting, Stencils, Tags, Vintage

Tags : Favorite Mixed Media Projects from 2015

Day 7 Mixed Media Challenge Project – Shabby Chic Valentine Card

Posted by Cathy Parlitsis

· February 20, 2016

For Day 7 of the Mixed Media Challenge, I chose a personal favorite. This Shabby Chic Valentine Card from February 2015 was chosen by Tim Holtz (aka: “my boyfriend”) as a Blogworthy Link – a huge honor for me! It hangs in my office as a reminder for those days when I feel my work isn’t “good enough.”

You can see the original blog post HERE for close ups and how to’s of this card. If you missed Day 1-3, find it HERE. Day 4, Day 5 and Day 6 are hyperlinked for your viewing pleasure! 😉

Comment below for a chance to win BLOG CANDY.

Categories : Cards, Die Cuts, Distress, Embossing, Mixed Media, Paper Crafting, Stencils, Vintage

Tags : Favorite Mixed Media Projects from 2015

Mixed Media Project Day 6 – Courage Jungle Card

Posted by Cathy Parlitsis

· February 19, 2016

I’m having fun looking through a year’s worth of Blog Posts to show you my favorites from 2015 for the Mixed Media Challenge! I hope you’ve found a few favorites too! Today is the Courage Jungle Card. This was created while trying to use some of the Craft Supplies that I hoard. But…you wouldn’t have any idea what I’m talking about, right? 😉

There are lots of supplies used – die cuts, stencils, texture paste, stamps, inks, embellishments. You can see the original blog post with more photos and a tutorial HERE.

If you missed the other highlighted projects, you can find Days 1-3 HERE, Day 4 HERE and Day 5 HERE. Tomorrow will be the final highlight – and one of my personal favorites! Hope to see you back here! btw…Leave me a comment for a chance to win BLOG CANDY!

Categories : Cards, Die Cuts, Distress, Embossing, Masculine, Mixed Media, Paper Crafting, Stencils

Tags : Favorite Mixed Media Projects from 2015

My Mixed Media Projects from 2015

Posted by Cathy Parlitsis

· February 17, 2016

Life has been time consuming of late so I haven’t been sharing as much. I was challenged to post a favorite Mixed Media Project from my 2015 Blog Posts on my Facebook Page every day for seven days. This is a fun way to look back at some favorites from the past year. Here are the first 3. Check back to see the others too! Comment below for a chance to win some BLOG CANDY! 😉

DAY 1 was The Cascade Vintage Mini Scrapbook

This Mini Scrapbook was created for a Guest Design Spot on a Vintage Journey. It has lots of grungy goodness!

Day 2 was Distress Ink Masculine Birthday Card

This is one of my favorites – partly because I created it for my son and partly because it uses some of my favorite Tim Holtz products.

Day 3 was the Time Traveler Masculine Card with Craft Metal

There is something I just love about the Time Traveler. I also love clocks – weird, right? – and craft metal and distress. This one has all of those things so it makes me happy!

You can view the original posts by clicking on the Project Names to see all the details and instructions.

These are my favorites. Comment below with your favorites from 2015 for a chance to win some BLOG CANDY! 😉 And..btw..the last Blog Candy Winners were: Linda Dampier, Jean Murdock and Gloria L. (Linda & Jean – Please email your US address to me at Cathy@StampsAndScrapbooks.com)

Thanks for stopping by!