A Challenge Card and An Answer

Hello Everybody!

I have had these Stampscapes stamps for a couple of years now and never played with them until last week. This is the first card I have done on my own with them.

I started with a cream colored piece of packaging that had a little shine to it since I didn't have any glossy card stock. Yes I am notoriously cheap and will stamp on anything!~LOL

Here is how I made it..
.
I stamped the cabin and trees with Black Stazon (love this ink when I am water coloring or doing a lot of sponging- it is waterproof and doesn't smear).  I stamped some of the trees along the bottom of the card, just using the tips to create a more natural look.

I sponged Pixie Pink and Lovely Lilac in the sky area. Then sponged a little bit of Saffron ink behind the trees and on the water for a little bit of sun reflection.  Next I Sponged in some Marina Mist and some Not Quite Navy.  I still didn't like the way the sky looked so I used the Tonal Applicator Stamp and went over it again with Marina and Not Quite Navy.  I left a wee bit of an open area  to reflect the sun.

 Then I took a make up sponge (the wedge kind) and used the sharp edge to sponge in the lake first with Marina then Not Quite Navy over it.  BE Careful not to touch the yellow with the blues or you will of course create the color green.  The I added a few spots on the lake with Night of Navy.

Then I stamped the fishing boat and seagulls.

Colored the trees with a light stroke using an Artichoke marker, not coloring all the way up to the tree top.

Colored the rocks Light Gray.

Colored the cabin with a Caramel marker and shadowed it with a Suede marker. Then windows with a Yoyo Yellow.

Used White Craft ink and very sparingly, ever so lightly sponged across the water  and heavier around the boat.

Added some white gel pen along the water's edge, highlighted the rocks, and added ripples in the water as well as  dots around the boat to create water movement.

I found an old ribbon slide that I bought at the dollar store and some black ribbon.  I popped both panels up with pop dots.

I am quite happy with the way this turned out for my first try. These are stamps that I will have to practice with.

Ingredients~

Stamps~ All from Stampscapes-Lakeside Cabin, Tonal Applicator, Seagulls, Canoe and Flyline.

Ink~Black Stazon, SUP! inks- White Craft, Lovely Lilac, Pixie Pink, Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy, Night of Navy

Paper~ Packaging Light cardboard, Black, Marina Mist, Hunter Green

Accessories~Make Up Sponges, Ek 3d Dots, White Gel Pen, Water Based Markers, Ribbon and ribbon slide

That's my card for today. Hope you like it!

Yesterday libithan  asked whether Dolce Stamps and Cards was only an on line store or if they actually had a real store that you can visit.  Well, Your in luck!! I had the pleasure of shopping in Sandy and Betsy's Store. It is such a warm and inviting store, it felt just like visiting old friends! I found lots of fun toys to take home! When I got back to Canada I started on line shopping with them.  They have gone above and beyond to get me the things I am looking for. I plan on visiting them in person again!

Here is the address if you are ever lucky enough to be in Seattle Washington, USA.......
11750 15^th Ave NE
Seattle, WA
98125. 

 Don't forget they have some very generous BLOG CANDY that you can find out how to enter on their blog.

 Here is the link.......

 Dolce Stamps and Cards Blog

 I just wanted you to know that your comments are all read and really appreciated!  They are definitely the highlight of my day!

Have a fabulous weekend everybody!

Over and Out,
El

My Friend the Fireman

This is not a normal post for me as I wanted to keep my blog purely paper crafting. I guess sometimes I need to break my own rules.
I made this card for my dear friend Roy that has been battling cancer for the last year and a half.  Roy was the best father and husband I had ever known  and he could sling a wrench better than anybody! Yes, he has helped me out with his trusty tool box many times. He was an extremely dedicated fireman and loved anything fire department related. I don't know why this seems to happen to people that give more to the world than they take. I bought this template from Lynn Pratt since I knew Roy would get a kick out of it. I know it's silly to give a grown man a kids card but it did bring a smile to his face.  I went for a visit on Tuesday , which was summer solstice, on the way home the sunset was so bright I couldn't see while I was driving. It was so blinding that it was unsafe to drive, so I pulled over and took some pictures. These pictures don't show the true brightness but I thought I would share them with you.

Please send prayers out to my best friend and her girls as Roy has left this world tonight. He fought a tough fight, will be missed by so many people.
Thanks for listening to me babble tonight!
El

Poppies and Peel Offs

Hello Everybody


Today's card was designed for Dolce Stamps and Cards  .  Betsy and Sandra over at  the  Dolce Stamps and Cards Blog...where you will find some fabulous blog candy!!, sent me the coolest stickers! These are not just any stickers, these are Elizabeth Craft Peel Off Stickers. These are vinyl stickers that are very versatile. I used a butterfly stickerthat started out as gold, however it didn't match with my card so I colored it with a black copic marker before I peeled it off with my tweezers. Once it was peeled off I stuck it to some stained glass holographic paper. You could use any kind of paper you wanted behind it. You could even use christmas holographic wrap that you can find at most dollar stores and have the same effect. I added a single rhinestone for the head. It was so quick and easy to make this unique embellishment! The photo doesn't do it justice!

Here are some other ideas that you could do with these stickers......

~Attach it to card stock and color it with.......
 markers
 chalks
 Diamond Glaze and reinkers
 Alcohol Inks
 Glitter

~You could stick it to vellum and turn it over and Dry Emboss with your stylus to create a dimensional look as well as a parchment look.

~You could attach it to card stock and apply Versamark and embossing powder over it, heat set it and the remove the sticker for a very cool masked look.

I am sure there are tons more ways to use these, but that is all my brain will share with me off the top of my head.

The image I used is Poppy Background by Hero Arts. I stamped it in versamark and embossed it with black embossing powder. I colored this with regular water based markers using 3 shades of pink and two greens. I first started by directly coloring the lightest shade on the poppies. Then coloring with the middle shade, not covering everything I had just colored. Blend with the lightest shade. Next, pick up the darkest color using the lightest marker,by touching tip to tip and and color in the darkest areas. Coloring with markers this way can give you a graduated blended look, much like copics. . My tip for coloring is to not push to hard when coloring. This will keep your markers is fabulous coloring condition as well as a smoother colored image.

Once my image was colored I cut it out with Circle Nestablities then popped it up on Spellbinders Floral Doily Motifs. This is the part you can all laugh at me for..... I get my Paper Doilies from the restaurant I go to for lunch with my girlfriends. The Waitress is kind enough to give me a stack every now and then. A good tip goes a long way sometimes. I added dollar store ribbon to the corners and some rhinestones. Finished it off with a white satin bow and a wee bit of glitter in the flower centers.

This card is also for the MMTPT151 Challenge  at Splitcoaststampers. I don't really have time for to many challenges right now, however this is run by a lady named  Cindy aka Mothermark who has a wicked silly sense of humor. The world is far to serious these days and not enough silly, lord knows I could use some silly!! This challenge has a purpose, every week all the cards go to someone that is need of a little sunshine and silliness!  This week the destination is Florida to a lady that lost her husband and is battling breast cancer. Check it out in the above link. Yes, I finally figured out how to make a link, not with out help! THANKS SO MUCH SANDRA!!!!!

Stamps~ Hero Arts-Poppy Backround
Paper~ Pink, Black, White, and Halographic
Ink~ Markers
Accessories~ Elizabeth Crafts-Peel Off Stickers, SpellbindersCircles and Foral Doily Motifs, Ek 3D Dots, Black Copic Marker, Versamark, Black Embossing Powder, Glitter, Ribbon, Paper Doily

Card Base~ 5-1/4 x 5-1/4
White Layer~ 5-1/8 x5-1/8
Black Layer~ 5x5

Have a most fabulous day! Each and every comment is so very appreciated!  Thanks for stopping by!
Over & Out,
El

Dolce Stamps and Cards Design Team and Blog Candy and a Couple of Cards

Hello Blogland Friends!

Well today is the big day we have all been waiting for!!!! The very generous ladies, Betsy & Sandra of  Dolce Stamps and Cards are announcing their Design Team. There are six more inspiring and talented ladies on the team all ready to share some wonderful projects with you. Dolce Stamps and Cards is giving away some awesome BLOG CANDY!!!! All you have to do is pop on over to their blog and leave a comment. Who doesn't love free goodies!!! Check out all the fun toys that are up for grabs on the Dolce Stamps and Cards Blog found here.......



http://dolcestampsandcards.blogspot.com/



Since I am still new to blogging and cannot make the link work......just copy and paste the link into your browser and it will take you right to their blog. In my next life I will be a computer whiz....until then I will just struggle and have late nights~ LOL

Cosmo Cricket Mini Deck
Hero Arts Hero Hues pens, flowers and ribbon
Petaloo Flowers
4 My Heart Stamps For You
2 Art Impressions Stamps
1 Impression Obsession Stamp
JudiKins Diamond Glaze
Dragonfly Quicklets
Sailboat and Baseball brads



I was thrilled when I discovered their store! Their prices are stinkin' cheap and super fast shipping, specials every month as well as free goodies if you use the promo code off a Dolce Stamps and Cards Banner on Splitcoast Stampers!! I love Copic Markers, and here in Canada I was paying $8.99 for one marker, from Betsy and Sandra's store they are only $4.87. Since I am a complete tight wad they are now my go to place to shop! Check it out,
you won't be sorry!! Once again, just copy and paste this link into your browser if you would like to check out they store. Here is the link.......



http://www.dolcestampsandcards.com/




I have two cards to share with you today using the same stamp by Art Impressions called Hatta Girls.

Stamps~ Hatta Girls- Art Impressions, Teacups- Art Impressions

Paper~ Classic Crest 110lb White, Red, Purple

Embellishments~ Holly Jolly Jewels, EK 3D Dots, Spellbinders- Curved Rectangles-Grommet Tags-Floral Doily Motifs, Ranfer Distress Inks-Antique Linen-Tea Dye, Memento Tuxedo Black, Inksentials Blending Tool, Judikin's Diamond Glaze, andGreen Gingham Ribbon from my stash.

Copic Markers~ E00, E000, E0000, R20, BV000, BV01, BV13,YR000,Y31, Y21, R22, R24, R29, R59, Y0000, YG67, YG61, C00, C2, C3, C5, G12, G28

These images just crack me up!! They are quality stamps deeply etched in rubber and foam mounted ( I am so fussy about my rubber!.) I stamped the image twice and only colored one image to cut out. The center lady is just adhered to the white panel and the two on the outside were popped up to give it more dimension. I am still on the learning curve with copics. I added Diamond Glaze to the glasses and the teacups. I also colored a tiny pearl with Copic R29 to coordinate her jewelry.


Don't you just love the versatility of rubber stamps!!!

This was a very quick and simple card to make! I just love this Art Impressions Hatta Girls Stamp! So many possibilities! I stamped only one of the ladies from this stamp and colored her in with a black copic marker to create a silhouette image. I clear embossed her and cut her out. I popped her up on cream paper that had been aged with distress inks and layered her on Spellbinder's Ovals and Lacey Ovals. I added some Petaloo Flowers that and been inked with Ranger's Tea Dye ink and prettied up with some black circles and Crystal Stickers-Pearls. The two outside flowers are popped up to add some dimension. Then I did some faux stitching around the edges and added some ribbon to the corners to finish it off. I hope you like my sassy little card!


Stamps~ Art Impression-Hatta Girls & Everything I Say

Paper~ Black, Cream

Embellishments~Spellbinders~Ovals & Lacey Ovals, Crystal Stickers-Pearls, EK 3D Dots, Piercing Tool, Black Marker, Ranger's Inksentials Blending Tool, Petaloo Flowers, Black Satin Ribbon Scraps, Small circle punch, Black Copic Marker, Versamark Pad, Clear Embossing Powder
Ink~ Ranger's Distress inks-Antique Linen and Tea Dye, Memento Tuxedo Black


Don't forget to get your name in for some fabulous free goodies, you can't win if you don't enter!! Good luck everybody!!

Have a wonderful day! Thanks for stopping by and have a most marvelous day!

Over and out!
El

Stamp Cleaner Recipe

Hello Everybody!!

I have just the best share for you all today! If you only knew how much money I spent in the last few years on stamp cleaner alone. I share this recipe with everybody and it has only had rave reviews! The savings are substantial, which only leaves more money to spend on the fun stuff! I want to thank my good friend Katie for helping me with the pictures (her fingers are inky as she was making polished stone paper), as well as doing the math on the cost differentials!!! Read all the way to the bottom for the recipe.

We made a 4 Litre Jug or 16 cups.

Costs~

1 4 litre jug of distilled water $3.00
2 100 ml bottlesof Glycerin $10.00 (bonus... 40 ml left over)
16 teaspoons of rose water (optional) pennies
16 teaspoons of babywash under $1.00

To be generous, lets call it $15.00


Cost of the Stamp Cleaner I used to buy from a well known company .......

2 oz bottle

$5.50
Tax .27
S&H .57
------
Total $6.43

To get a 4 litre jug this way, you would have to buy 66.6 bottles and would cost you a whopping
..........................................................$428.23!




Their 8 0z bottle is a little easier on the pocket book

$11.95
Tax .59
S&H $1.25
Total $13.79

To get a 4 Litre jug this way you would have to buy 16 bottles and cost you still a whopping.......................$220.64

I was astounded at the savings!! This recipe smells very much like the same I used to buy through a catalog. It is gentle on your stamps and protects the rubber. That is what the glycerin is for. It is actually used for skin protection and can be bought at the drugstore. Rose water is completely optional, it's only purpose is to make it smell purdy!! Rose water is also found at the drugstore. If you buy the concentrate, be sure and dilute it as per the directions. You can make as little or as much Stamp Cleaner as you want. I make a big jug and store it away until I need a refill. Be Sure and use Distilled Water and not tap water or spring water, the reason for this is the water is demineralized and won't hurt your stamps.

The Recipe (All supplies found at the drugstore, just ask the pharmacist)

1 Cup of Distilled Water

1 Teaspoon of Baby wash

2 Tablespoons of Glycerin

1 Teaspoon of Rose Water ~optional (Smells wonderful, just like Grandma!)

Here are the ingredients...

Stir in glycerin.....

Stir in baby wash.....

Stir in Rose water.........

Pour into a spray bottle.....(good thing I hoard everything and saved all my empty bottles!)

Here I have covered up the label of the stamp company and filled it with my own fantabulous cleaner!! Once again if it doesn`t move it is endangered of being altered!hee heee!!

For the cover
I stamped Belle Toile in White craft ink on black paper.....heat set....colored with colored pencils and highlighted with a white gel pen. ( This technique is called Black Magic) The butterfly is from spellbinders die Fanciful Flight, which was sponged with Rangers-Tattered Rose and Spun Sugar Distress inks. To finish it off I tied some pink taffeta ribbon around the neck and added some rhinestones.


I really hope all this makes sense! I really should do my blogging in the daytime and not in the middle of the night!!

Good Night All!!
Have a Fabulous Day!!

Over & Out
El

Decorate the Envie

Hello Blogland friends!!

My dear friend and neighbor needed 25 birthday invitations for her husbands 70th birthday. I just had to pull out Stampin' up!s Noble Deer, since he is an avid hunter. This sweet man built me the most fabulous ribbon holders for my craft room wall, which I will share a picture of as soon as my life slows down a little.

Over at splitcoaststampers this weeks technique challenge~TLC328 is to decorate the envelope. I do love splitcoast challenges to get the mojo going! I always try to make the inside coordinate with the outside, however I always forget to make the envelope match. I did a lot of sponging on these invitations. Sponging adds so much to any project. Simple sponging can take plain and turn it into a wow with minimal effort! I sure hope he likes them!

Stamps~ Noble Deer
Paper~ Artichoke, Mellow Moss, Vanilla
Ink~ Chocolate Chip, Artichoke, Cocoa, caramel
Accessories~ Clear Embosssing powder, sponge, Grosgrain Ribbon, Brad, Spellbinders- oval and scallop oval nestabilities, Sizzix Die Cut letters and Pop Dots

Thanks for stopping by and have a most fabulous day!
Over and out,
El

Dying for Diecuts Challenge

Hello friends!
Just a quick card to share with you all today. Over at Splitcoaststampers the Ways to Use It Challenge today was Dying for Die Cuts (WT325) Make a card using die cuts of some kind. I knew I just had to use the Sizzex Fanciful Flight-Tim Holtz Die. This is actually a butterfly die but I rearranged the pieces to form a dragonfly. So I am sure with being able to create both I will get a lot of use out of this Sizzex die
Here is what I did.....
I cut the top layers in black and the back layers in a retired designer paper and glued each piece together. Even though this die comes with the atenae and a butterfly body, I hand cut a longer body and shaped it more dragonfly like. I lightly sprayed the dragon fly with some homemade gold shimmer mist ( I will share my recipes next week when I have more time). I glued all the pieces together.
Added some dollar store bling to the center. Here is the fun part....I pulled out the Diamond Glaze and covered all of the wings. This just makes them look like glass! Here is today's tip....... To prevent air bubbles and a lot of frustrations.....Never shake Diamond Glaze (this creates air bubbles). Before I use it, I always hold it upside down for a few minutes, just in case there are air bubbles in the bottle, allowing then to rise to the top of the bottle, instead of plopping onto your beautiful project. This sure beats fussing around with a pin trying to pop all the bubbles in your project! Yes,that was the voice of experience speaking! These are things I wish I would have been told when I first started playing with all these very cool toys!!
I popped my dragonfly up with dimensionals on a layer of Confetti Cream card stock that had been sponged with Tea Dye Distress Ink, and doodled around the edges with a black journaler. Added a sentiment, used some lace scraps in the corner and added bling.

Thanks for stopping by and have a most fabulous day!!!
Over & Out,
El

Graduation Time

Hello Everybody!
I made the above girly graduation card for one of the student teachers at the local elementary school that was graduating. I struggled with the tassel and in my opinion it doesn't look that great. Then a friend of mine asked me to make 20 graduation invitations for her son. I groaned at the thought of struggling to make 20 more tassels...then I found this video tutorial ~By Jackie Topa Her blog is called ~Addicted to Stamping ........

I cased her brilliant gown and switched to colors to the local high school colors. My friend was quite thrilled with her invitations. All I had was white or beige string and I wanted a gold or a yellow string. Here is today's tip...... If you don't have just that right color that you are looking for, pull out your COPIC markers and simply color it the color that you want. This has saved me a lot of money! I quite often color rhinestones and pearls as well to match my projects.
If you ever have any questions feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer your questions!

Thanks for stopping by today!
Over & Out,
El

Girly Grad Card
Stamps~ In a Word(SUP!)
Paper~ Retired Designer Paper, Black, White
Ink~ Pretty in Pink
Accessories~ Cuttle Bug Corner Die, White Thread, Black Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals, Black Embossing Powder, Versamark, Kaiser Bling, Sponge

School Colors Card
Stamps~ Introducing, Four Frames
Paper~ Daffodil Delight, White, Black, Garden Green
Ink~ Basic Black
Accessories~ Black & Green Marker, Piercing Tool,Daffodil Delighted 1/8" ribbon, Silver Brad (Colored with a |Black COPIC marker), White String (Colored with a Yellow COPIC marker, Piercing Tool, Black Hemp Twine, Dimensionals, Phot Corners Punch