A Bunch of Leafy Gratitude

If you're here to see my guest appearance at the City Crafter Challenge Blog this week, scroll down or click here.

I am the guest designer this week at the City Crafter Challenge blog for their challenge Fall Has Arrived.  For this challenge you can create a project or pick an element from the photo inspiration.

I made several cards in anticipation of hosting the challenge and have been posting them this week to encourage you to participate in this fun challenge.  This card was made using some of the leftover pieces of my challenge entry.  Here's the details:

• The card background was made using Rusty Hinge, Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain Distress Ink.  The technique is all over the internet - simply apply the inks on the front of the card base with a sponge tool.  I then dropped water droplets onto the card front to create the splotches which look like rain.
• The leaves are die cut from one of the test backgrounds created using my Brusho watercolor crystals.  They are die cut with my Momenta Cut 'N Emboss Leaf die.  They create beautiful focal points on the card.  I edged each with Vintage Photo Distress Ink and used some yellow twine to tie bows to each leaf.
• The sentiment came from a Raisin Boat Thankful stamp set.  I stamped in brown Archival Ink and hand cut the flag, edging  and coloring in Vintage Photo and Walnut Ink Distress Inks.  

Oh my goodness I am having a ton of fun this week.  I am so thankful that the ladies over at City Crafter Challenge Blog invited me to be the guest designer.  Won't you join us in the challenge?  Create a card or project using the photo as inspiration.  Then head on over to the blog to link up to the challenge.

I decided to link this card up to a few other challenges:

Little Red Wagon Happy Fall Y'all

Word Art Wednesday's Challenge # 202 Anything Goes

Come join the fun!

Beautiful Copic Marker Colored Digi Stamp

Brandy has been at it again, this time playing with her Copic markers.  This beautiful image is a digistamp which has been printed onto a piece of white specialty stamping paper.  The image on the right was the first, learning attempt and the image on the left is the final product.  Each image is finished with multiple Distress Ink layers applied in different colors using the Ink Blending Tool.  This image became the face of a beautiful notecard, but I didn't grab a snapshot before Brandy sent this off in the mail.  Don't you just love Brandy's work?

Brandy (by Andie)

Rusted Enamel Notecards

I snapped together these matching note cards using left over trial pieces from the wooden anniversary box.  The patterned paper is from the K & Co. paper pack that I've been working through over the past couple of months.  The glassine flowers were left over from my first trials with the glassine paper.  The larger shapes were cut from Cricut's Paper Lace cart.  The larger "flower" shape and the smaller teal embellishment was distressed using the Rusted Enamel technique.  I just love how this technique appropriately ages the embellishment and adds depth to the card.  I still have yet to decide what the sentiment should be on these cards, so I may wait until the need arises. 

This one last card was also made with some scraps.  I used the Wrinkle Free Distress technique to create the background and then stamped with the Fiskars stamp using coffee Archival Ink.  The frame is also a leftover from the wooden anniversary box trials and the bronze pearls from Queen and Co.  The flower comes from my ancient silk flower stash and seemed to add just the right splash of color for this card.

I've decided to link this card up to the Focal Point Challenge over at the Moxie Fab World.   I suggest you join me in the fun!




Andie

Basic Grey's Sweet Threads Cards

I had cause during June to need to make an anniversary card and a birthday card.  I just love my Basic Grey Sweet Threads collection.  I haven't (obviously) used it enough because I still have whole 12 x 12 sheets of this beautiful patterned paper.  I actually scraplifted a good portion of the design and like a git I didn't mark down the reference so I can't share with you the wonderful original inspiration.  Either way, I am soooo pleased with how these cards turned out.  All cuts except the swirl and flowers are cut from Cricut's Accent Essentials.  The swirly flower stamp set is a Inkadinkado set stamped using my coffee Archival Ink.  The anniversary sentiment comes from a wood stamp I've had for ages and the flower on this card comes from those made for my May Day baskets. 

I realized that the Birthday card was photographed before I stamped the sentiment from my Glitzy stamp set (a French phrase I'm not sure exactly what it means).  The flower in this card was embossed and die cut from Heartfelt Creations Posy stamp and dies.  In this second photo, you should be able to see the pearls added using my Viva Decor Pearl Pen.  You might be able to detect them at the end of the flower swirls.  Very nice finish to a card I am very pleased with the result.  I'd make this one again and again using different paper combinations from the Sweet Threads collection.  Great paper makes designing easy!

Andie

Tissue Tape Flowers

I picked up some Tim Holtz Tissue Tape during a couple of clearance sales recently. I've used tissue tape on only a few projects, so I went looking online for ideas. I first happened upon Tim's youtube video on making tissue tape flowers. I cut some circles out using the Cricut and followed Tim's instructions to create the flowers found on this card.

Tissue tape was adhered around the edge of the white cardstock card.  I simply tore off the tape along the edge.  The patterned paper was layered over this edging.  The frame was cut from Cricut's Plantin Schoolbook, distress with an Ink Blending Tool and some Distress Ink.  The stamping is done with Coffee Archival Ink.

I've decided to link this card up to the The Minty Fresh Challenge over at the Moxie Fab World.   I suggest you join me in the fun!

Andie

3-D Cards Using Heartfelt Creations and Copic Markers

Brandy made these lovely cards using her Heartfelt Creations products, Copic Markers, and Distress Inks. Since I can't seem to carve out time for her to post (if I get scrappin' time with her, I'm happy!), I thought I would share her product with you.

These beautiful cards were made using the Heartfelt Creations stamps that coordinate with the Spellbinders (and other Heartfelt Creations) flower dies.  The flowers were stamped and die cut, then colored using Copic Markers and the blending solution.  The card background was stamped using the cluster stamps from Heartfelt Creations and then colored with the Copic Markers as well.  You can see corner punches were used to create decorative corners.  These card bases were then enhanced with Distress Inks using the Blending Tool.  The flowers were shaped and strategically adhered to the card bases.  The effect was very beautiful and certainly worth the time and effort spent creating these lovely works of art!  I believe Brandy used these cards for Mother's Day cards and still has a couple left over for some future purposes.  What a wonderful result!

Brandy (through Andie)

Creative Chemistry 101- Brushless Watercolor Technique

Still trying to catch up on posting my homework practices for my Creative Chemistry 101 class with Tim Holtz.  This technique was a little harder for me.  I'm too much of a perfectionist.  I obsessively, precisely stamp images, often making them uneven in my zeal.  So, this technique challenged me.  I think you are seeing the product of my 8th attempt.  I think I finally made something and I really like the idea.  I guess that means I'll need to do more practicing.

 The technique involves applying different colors of Distress Ink to the stamp.  After that, you spritz the stamp (holding it flat so the ink doesn't run) with water.  The trick for me involved using more water and then

lightly placing the stamp onto the watercolor paper.  I mostly applied too little water (I don't want to ruin the stamp effect ?!?) and too much pressure (see comment above, anxiety driven need for the perfect stamped image!!!).  Patience was the key and after several (8) attempts, I found just the right combination.  The finishing touches included applying some Distress Ink around the edges and tearing the bottom paper.  I don't want to take any credit for the techniques in my practice samples.  Remember, I've just followed Tim's instructions.  Even using his suggestion to pick up water on the torn edge and let the water wick along the paper to create the cool water color effect for the "ground" in my image.  The watercolor paper was mounted to a Kraft paper tag cut using the Cricut and Picturesque cart.  This is a technique I will need to spend more time with to perfect my skill.  Still, the learning was fun and will definately be added to the repretoire.

Andie

Creative Chemistry- Blend and Spritz Technique

Well, here I am trying to squeeze into this Thursday a post of the work I've accomplished during my designated class time for Creative Chemistry 101 online card class.  I've been thoroughly enjoying myself and, though the results are currently very plain, I am pleased with the results of my practicing.  Today I thought to share Tuesday class homework- the blend and spritz technique using Distress Ink and the Ink Blending Tool. 

The technique involves multiple Distress Ink pads and using the blending foam on the Ink Blending Tool.  Multiple colors of ink are applied in a circular motion on the tag, layering the colors to blend and create the visual effect you see.  After the desired color combination is acheived, water is flicked onto the surface creating the water drop effect.  I do have a limited selection of Distress Inks, so my color combinations are somewhat limited.  Here's some close ups:





This tag was cut from Kraft paper using the Picturesque cart on my Cricut.  The effect creates a darker look since the start is a darker paper.

The next two cards were made on a basic office supply manila tag.  You can see where the effect creates a different backdrop for those water droplets.

Either way, I'm pleased.  It sure takes little to please me, just carving out the time to spend with my stash and some online card class videos.  If you haven't tried it, I would suggest you do.  Check them out at Online Card Classes. 

Andie

Tim Holtz- The Paper Crafting Rockstar!

I've signed up for Tim Holtz's Creative Chemistry 101 online paper crafting class.  This class is being hosted by Online Card Classes. You might remember last June, I participated in the Summer Card Class hosted by these same folks.  It was so much fun, but honestly doesn't hold a candle to premium online access to Tim Holtz's creative genius.  Stay tuned to view the productive results of my endeavor.  Maybe this will give me the creative shot-in-the-arm I need to get busy again.