So…my baby Graduated College today! I swear she was 5 years old last year and I'm not exactly sure how we got here so fast! I couldn't be more proud of who she has become! I am so blessed with both of my kids! Not sure if I like having two grown children out of college. Makes me feel VERY old! Here's the card I made her. The original design is from Sharon Cline.
STILL LOTS OF BLOG CANDY TO GIVE AWAY!!!!! – Click here to subscribe to my mailing list FOR A CHANCE TO WIN! Handmade Birthday Cards – As a Card Maker, I truly believe that a Handmade Card can brighten someone's day! I love making them and sending them! This week was crazy! Without boring you with the details – I walked in the door to my house exhausted after spending the day with my Mom in the Emergency Room. I was really worried about her because they didn't know what was wrong with her and she has always been such a ROCK! I grabbed the mail and opened up these beautiful cards! It changed my mood and reminded me of all the things I am grateful for! THANK YOU to Linda, Colleen and Daryl for your thoughtfulness! It meant so much! (Mom is okay – thanks!)
One of the funny things that I noticed was that all 3 of these handmade cards came from Stamping Friends! I would not have known any of them if it were not for Crafting! This beauty was sent to me by Linda Costa from ABitofMeLAC.com. We are in a Card Making Group and participated in a Die Cut Swap. These are a couple of the die cuts I sent Linda. They look far more beautiful coming back than they did going out! 😉 Thank you so much, Linda!
This card is from Colleen Kwan. I met Colleen many years ago "Virtually" when she began to take my Classes by Mail. We've become friends and finally got to meet for dinner when I was in Anaheim, CA for the Annual Craft & Hobby Convention! Thanks, Colleen!
This card is from Daryl Micciche. Daryl was a company referral almost 15 years ago. Our first phone call was over an hour! She has become a treasured friend and I truly appreciate this gesture of kindness.
So, Make a Card – Send a Card! You don't know the impact it will have! Most of the time, Cards tend to show up just when we need them! Hope you're having a great day! Leave Me a Comment or Sign Up For My Mailing List for a chance to WIN BLOG CANDY!
Happy Birthday To ME and Birthday Blog Candy for YOU! Leave me a Comment for a chance to win Blog Candy and Click here to subscribe to my mailing list for more chances to WIN BLOG CANDY! I have lots of goodies here that need a new home where they can be put to good use! Today's Dazzling Diva Design Challenge was to use Hexagons. I decided to do a couple more Art Journal Pages 'cause I am just an Art Journal-ista! (I wish I'd known how much fun this was going to be!) I started with my three favorite Craft Metal Colors – Dark Rich Chocolate Metal, Brushed Copper, and Brushed Bronze.
Tim Holtz Tissue Paper was attached to two pages of my Art Journal.
I rubbed Distress Stains Directly onto the Tissue Paper – Antique Bronze, Vintage Photo and Antique Linen. Then, I spritzed them with water, rubbed the pages with a Flour Sack Towel and dried it with a Heat Tool.
Using the Tim Holtz Die, I cut out Honeycombs in all three colors of Craft Metal.
The Dark Rich Chocolate Metal was used for the Honeycomb and then the other colors were placed in the centers and adhered with Glue Dots.
The Idea-ology lock was adhered to the top of the left page with Glue Dots. I used a Dyan Reavely Stencil and Dream Weaver's Black Embossing Paste to put the quote onto the pages.
The Tag was cut from cardstock and the decorative top was punched using a Stampin' Up! Scallop Edge Punch. It was Distressed using Distress Stains and then Idea-Ology Mini Corners were attached to the bottom and a Linen Ribbon was distressed and attached to the top. The whole tag was then layered onto a piece of Dark Chocolate Metal Sheet that was punched using the SU! Scallop Edge Punch and attached to the page using Sticky Strip.
Challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday – Five (5 Embellishments: Honeycombs, Tag, Quote & Lock)
Eclectic Paperie – Get Stenciled
If you'd like to play along with Add A Little Dazzle's Dazzling Diva Design Challenge, the Inspiration Photo is below.
I send a lot of cards. Mostly, they're "Thinking of You" Cards. I often send them to the same people over and over so I try to make them look different. Today, I wanted to make something non-traditional so I took out black roses and some leftover patterened paper. I think black roses are really elegant when used with traditional black and white/ivory. I added a touch of glitter with my new Stella Pen to make them a little less formal. I told myself over and over: "I will not distress this card, I will not distress this card!" LOL
Challenges:
Mojo Monday – #344
Our Creative Corner – Use those leftovers (patterened paper)
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday – Anything Goes
Pile It On – Rubber Stamping
Ladybug Crafts – Use Your Favorite Embellishment
Word Art Wednesday – Anything Goes
Crafting By Designs – Anything Goes
My Art Journal "Journey" continues with Pages 3 and 4. The Paint Marbling Technique was used on these pages as well so I'm entering them in CC3C. Thank you to all of the talented artists who inspire me and all of YOU, my loyal blog readers for your support and encouragement! It means so much!!
The Distress Paints used were: Rusty Hinge, Evergreen Bough and Antique Bronze.
Various Stencils from The Crafter's Workshop were used (Antiquities, Art Is and Mini Sketch Grid) along with Vintage Photo Distress Ink, Antique Bronze Distress Stain and a Blending Tool.
The Stamp Sets used were: Tim Holtz (love him!)- Good Thoughts, Just Thoughts, Fleur de Lis, Fabulous Flourises; Stampin' Up! The Open Sea. Other Supplies: Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip Ink, Versamark Ink, Clear Embossing Powder, Vintage Photo Distress Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Stampin' Up! Black Journaling Marker and Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker, Black Archival Ink.
The edges of the pages were inked with Vintage Photo Distress Ink and Walnut Stain Distress Ink
Challenges:
Compendium of Curiosities III – #1 Paint Marbling
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday – Anything Goes
Fashionable Stamping Challenge – Circle The Globe
Eclectic Paperie – Get Stenciled
My "Mojo" made a brief appearance today! I was quite happy! LOL I did a Paint Marbling Tag for CC3 Challenge #1 (see it HERE) and was not entirely thrilled with it so I thought I would redeem myself with another attempt. I love the look of aged copper so I thought I'd try that color scheme this time. We can't post the Tutorial – (you'll find that in Tim Holtz's Compendium of Curiousities III) – But, I took pictures of each step for those of you who'd like to see them. Btw…Thank you so much for visiting my blog and, to those of you who routinely leave me comments, you have no idea how much I appreciate it! You truly warm my heart! As I'm creating, I am thinking of you and hoping you will be inspired. 🙂
The edges of the Tag were inked with Vintage Photo Distress and Walnut Distress Inks.
Antique Bronze Paint was sponged through the Faded Dots Layering Stencil.
A Background Stamp was inked lightly with Stampin' Up!'s Chocolate Chip Ink and pressed to the Tag in several places.
I used the matching Distress Stains to dye the Crinkle Ribbon to match the Tag.
The Key was stamped in Versamark Ink and embossed with Vintage Photo Distress Embossing Powder and the background stamp was inked in just a few spots and stamped in Versamark and embossed in the Vintage Photo Distress Embossing Powder to add a little more texture. The Gears were die cut and inked with Rusty Hinge Distress Ink and embossed with Vintage Photo Embossing Powder as well,.
The Idea-ology embellishments were inked with Distress Paints to age them.
The Sentiment was stamped with Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip Ink and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder and a Heat Tool.
The top of the Tag is from the Pediment die cut and was colored using the Paint Marbling Technique to match the Tag.
The Gear was cut in half and attached to the Tag with Glue Dots. The tiny Idea-ology Gear was attached with a Brad and the Chain was looped through the Gear and then through the Key.
The Corner piece was "aged" with Distress Paint also.
And, once again…the finished project. Hope you like it! 😀
Challenges:
CC3 – Challenge #1
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday – Anything Goes
Pile It On Challenge – Rubber Stamping
Crafting By Designs – May Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday – Anything Goes #130
Ladybug Crafts - Use Your Favorite Embellishment
TTCRD – Anything Goes
4Crafty Girls – Anything Goes
The Paper Shelter – Use That Ribbon
Crafting At The Weekend – Anything Goes
Our Creative Corner – Leftovers (The chain on the key – never knew quite what to do with it!)
Eclectic Paperie - Get Stenciled (Antique Bronze Distress Stain through TH Faded Dots Stencil)
I've been wanting to do Art Journaling for a loooong time! I love looking at other people's work but I've always felt that, somehow, Art Journaling is for "Real Artists." That has stopped me from even attempting to try it! As another birthday approaches, I find myself taking stock and although my life hasn't always been easy, I am blessed in every way that matters. I love my family and I am so proud of who my children have become! I have been honored to be here to raise them and privileged to be their mom. My husband still makes me laugh after thirty years! I have very few regrets. I don't think I can ask for more than that! 
I realize I'm not goin to be around forever so, I thought about it and decided it would be nice to have a place to record all my favorite quotes and techniques. If you asked me, I'd tell you to definitely "Go For It!" So…Here's my first attempt.
This is a Ranger's Small Creative Art Journal that is 5" x 8". These pages are all Tim Holtz Distress Productsl in our favorite colors – brown, brown, brown and more brown!
I started with the Mini Distress Ink Pack #3 (Antique Linen, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain & Black Soot) I "smushed" them onto my Craft Mat and spritzed them with lots of water. Then I smushed the pages into the inks and heat set.
Next, I touched the book "up and down" into the remaining ink and heat set. I inked the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink and then Walnut Stain Distress Ink.
I used my favorite TH Stencil – Splatters – and Frayed Burlap Distress Ink to get the "stains" on the pages.
I used the "Rulers" Stencil with Frayed Burlap Ink and the "Dot Fade" Stencil with Antique Bronze Distress Stain.
I used Black Archival Ink to stamp the Fleur De Lis and then "swiped" it across the other stamps to get a "second generation" look.
I used a Black Journaling Marker to write and then a Chocolate Chip Marker to document the products that were used to create the pages.
This is my favorite quote! I stamped it in Stampin' Up! Early Espresso Ink and embossed it in Clear Embossing Powder. The stamp on the top and bottom of it were embossed with Vintage Photo Distress Embossing Powder.
I like the grunge here but I think I'll do more with texture on the next couple of pages. I'll post them when they're done. Thanks for stopping by! 😀
I love the beginning of a new month! My calendar looks clean and manageable! Then, as the days go on, the craziness creeps in. You know I love all things Tim Holtz. I just do. I run to my computer on the first day of every month to see his new Tag so I can accept the challenge of interpreting it in my own way. This particular tag uses Mini Collage Tiles which looks easier than it is. LOL! All Supplies are Tim Holtz.
First, I die cut the Tag from Manila Card Stock using the "Tags and Bookplates Die." I began with some Distres Stains on a Craft Mat. Then, lightly spritzed them and the tag with water and swiped it through a few times and heat set.
The tag on the right is the one I created and the tag on the left was made by mopping up the excess ink on my mat – 'cause, hey, no ink should ever go to waste, right?!
Next, I inked the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink and then Walnut Stain Distress Ink. The droplets were created by using the "Spritz & Flick" Technique with Water and then heat setting.
I measured my elements and cut mats for them from 8 x 8 Collage Paper Stash and adhered the papers to cardstock.
I inked the edges of the mats with Walnut Stain Distress Ink and a Blending Tool and adhered the elements to the mats using Stampin' Dimensionals and Glue Dots.
I really liked the background showing through a little so I left some space between this collection of tiles.
The Linen Ribbon was inked with Walnut Stain Distress Ink and pulled apart a little. A patterned reinforcer was used for the hole in the tag.
I'm sure I'll be trying this technique again. What do you think?
In this photo, you can see how the elements are attached using Stampin' Dimensionals and then the tiles themselves are also attached using Stampin' Dimensionals to create depth.
Challenges:
Tim's Tags of 2014 – May
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday – Anything Goes
Crafting By Designs – May Anything Goes
Natalie & Amy – Rubber Stamping
Pile it On Challenge – Rubber Stamping
Today's Challenge was to use pearls on your project. I needed a masculine card so that was an issue for me. I used Adirondack Copper Mixative Alcohol Ink and a Q-tip to color the pearl. Problem solved! I really like the way this turned out! What do you think? If you'd like to play along with the Dazzling Divas Design Challenge, the photo is below.
All Supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted – except the Craft Metal which is from Add A Little Dazzle.
![DAZZLING DIVA CHALLENGE #23[1]](/images/old/6a00d8354c0ca169e201a511acede3970c-pi.jpg "DAZZLING DIVA CHALLENGE #23[1]")
Challenges:
Dazzling Divas Design Challenge/ #23 Pearls or Anything Goes
Paper Crafting Challenges/No Patterned Paper
Simon Says Stamp/Wednesday – Anything Goes
Inspiration Emporium/A Few of My Favorite Things
The Crafting Cafe/One For The Boys
Some days you have good "Mojo" and creativity comes easily. Others, no matter what you do, you just can't muster any at all! Today was that day! I wanted to participate in CC3C and create something using Tim's Paint Marbling Technique from Compendium of Curiosities 3. I created two tags because I didn't like the first one so I tried again. I think I'll be trying again some time this week!
Tim Holtz Supplies Used:
Stamps – Mini Classics Stamp Set, Map; Archival Ink; Distress Paints – Picket Fence, Broken China, Seedless Preserves; Distress Inks – Black Soot, Peacock Feathers; Distress Stains – Seedless Preserves, Peacock Feathers, Black Soot; Blending Tool; Chic Chat Stickers; Tiny Attacher; Pediments Die with Chipboard; Crinkle Ribbon; Tinsel Twine; Splatters Stencil; White Jute; Facet; Word Band; Butterfly from Adornments
Challenges:
Compendium Of Curiosities 3/CC3C #1
 
