Likin' the Tea Theme

Okay- one more and then I'll move on.  I had stamped a few of these teapots with my Papertrey Ink Tea for Two stamp set and they looked so lovely I had to throw them on a piece of patterned paper. The colors for the teapots are Worn Lipstick, Scattered Straw and Peacock Feathers Distress Ink.  This time I made an all occasion card with the sentiment from the stamp set.  The leaves on the sentiment frame are made using my IO Leaf Cluster die.  A piece of linen ribbon around the back as an accent.

I may end up making a card set with all the scraps, but I'll move on to another topic for a bit first!

 

Happy Birthday Cards Using Tombow Markers

I get to share with you some more cards created by Brandy using her recently acquired Tombow markers.  I was with her when she purchased this large stamp featuring a cluster of presents.  I, truthfully, didn't see this coming.  Can you just not get over the colors created with the watercolor markers?

A closer look shows the blending of colors creating an ombre effect.  Um hm- these are pretty little cards that can be placed in the stash for those happy occasions when you need a card real quick.

Thank you to Brandy for letting me share these with you today!

A Second Tea

Um, yeah.  I am absolutely in love with my new Papertrey Ink Tea for Two stamp and die set.  I used a similar layout to create this card as the previous card.  Here's the details:

• The teapot was die cut out onto white cardstock and the outline stamped with black Archival Ink.  The pattern was stamped with the coordinating stamp using Worn Lipstick Distress Ink.  I really loaded the stamp with ink to get this deep color from Worn Lipstick.  Worth it!
• The lace is a white cardstock die cut using my Heartfelt Creations Raindrops on Roses die.  
• The teeny flowers were cut from pink cardstock scraps using my IO Spiral Flowers die and complementary Leaf Cluster die.  The centers of the flower is Tu Tu Pink prills.  
• The sentiment was stamped with black Archival Ink (I used a sticky note to cover up the "mother's" part) and a second stamping with Worn Lipstick Distress Ink (this time using a sticky note to cover the "happy" and "day" parts).
• A piece of glittery, gold ribbon was added to the card which really sets off the patterned paper in the background.  

Isn't it fun when a tool or stamp catches your imagination.  Not sure if I'm done yet, but I might need to move on to other projects...

Coloring with Tombow Markers

Brandy recently invested in a new set of tools- Tombow markers.  She found a great deal and so would suggest you Google to find the best price.  These two creations are her first attempts at using the water based markers to blend and color stamped images.  Both were stamped with black Archival Ink and then colored with the Tombow markers.  The water based markers make blending possible so that you can get these vibrant and colorful images.

Each time you practice the coloring gets better and better.  On this second image, Brandy finished the gravel path and leafy bushes freehand in the background.  Isn't this fabulous?  Definitely a recommend on the Tombow markers and I've encouraged Brandy to send more images our way.  When she does, I'll share them with you.

Mother's Day Tea

Getting ready for the big day next month and using my new Papertrey Ink Tea for Two stamp and die set.  Truly, the patterned paper with the stamp and die resulted in this card flying together on it's own.  Here's the details:

• The teapot was die cut out onto white cardstock and the outline stamped with black Archival Ink.  The pattern was stamped with the coordinating stamp using Peacock Feathers Distress Ink.  Oh my but I love the finished look.
• The lace is a white cardstock die cut using my Heartfelt Creations Raindrops on Roses die.  
• The teeny flowers were cut from pink cardstock scraps using my IO Spiral Flowers die and complementary Leaf Cluster die.  
• The sentiment was stamped with black Archival Ink (I used a sticky note to cover up the "mother's" part) and a second stamping with Worn Lipstick Distress Ink (this time using a sticky note to cover the "happy" and "day" parts).  Shore do love this effect.  Gonna keep that in the back pocket...

This will go out next month when we'll be grateful to celebrate the mom's in our lives.  Until then, I think I'll use this as inspiration!

Party Supplies- A Handmade Set of Decorations

It is always a good day when I get to share with you a project made by Brandy.  Today, I'm sharing some party supplies handmade by Brandy for her aunt's milestone birthday.  I think she turned 30.... maybe...

Let's start with the cupcake toppers.  I believe these little butterflies were cut using the Cricut cart Paper Lace out of buttery yellow cardstock.  a toothpick was glued between the two butterflies creating the topper for the cupcakes.  Beautiful!

The cake topper was so delicate and adorable.  Little tiny flags out of grey and yellow paper and strung through on a piece of grey baker's twine.  Two wood skewers held the flags onto the cake.

Everything together for the party- fabulous and simple.  Decorating for a party doesn't have to be overwhelming, but it can be beautiful.

Each flag on the banner was cut from the coordinating grey and yellow cardstock with patterned paper thrown in for contrast.  A yellow satin ribbon holds it all together.  Say happy birthday to Brandy's aunt everyone!

Heartfelt Creations Card Classes - A Review

Brandy and I attended the CK Scrapbook Convention in Phoenix last month.  The convention happened to be the day before my FIL's funeral service.  A somber time, but my husband encouraged me to go and enjoy the day with Brandy and so we made the best of the situation.  I was so heartened by our friendship and the bond of love that we have that I think it was the right thing to do.

These cards were made in the two different Heartfelt Creations Classes- Angel Kissed Vellum and Arianna Blooms cards.  We would have to say that the value for the money (the cost of the class has gone up) is still very positive.  You receive all the materials for three different cards in the class plus a coupon for a free stamp set (a $19.99 value).  We were very pleased and finished these cards to this level by the end of each class.  'Course we are veterans of the Heartfelt classes.  Enjoy.

The inking was done with a chalk ink on the backside of the vellum.  Beautiful result.  These pictures do not do the card justice.

If you get a chance, we both would highly recommend the classes.  We've not been disappointed and I think we've now been in around 10 or so classes.

Baby Boy Card

I just couldn't resist on more Peter Rabbit card.  Peter Rabbit is a part of the Crafter's Companion stamp set I've been watercoloring over the past several weeks.  Peter was stamped in black Archival Ink onto watercolor paper. I colored Peter with Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo, Antique Linen, Faded Jeans and Worn Lipstick Distress Markers and then cut him out with my Timeless Rectangles die.  The patterned paper and cardstock are all from the stash.   I think this is my favorite of the set I made, though that might be until I go back and look at all the others.  I've enjoyed this little adventure into the Briar Patch.  The wee ones are always fun to create cards for.

More Distress Ink Watercolors- Beatrix Potter Baby Card

Peter Rabbit is a part of the Crafter's Companion stamp set I've been watercoloring over the past several weeks.  This card my mom used for her attendance with my grandma at the baby shower.  Peter was stamped in black Archival Ink onto watercolor paper. I colored Peter with Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo, Antique Linen, Faded Jeans and Worn Lipstick Distress Markers and then cut him out with my stitched rectangles die.  The patterned paper and cardstock are all from the stash.  That stripe worked perfectly so I joined it on the gift bag.

All those stripes were used on an invitation about 2 years back and so I had plenty to adhere to the bag.  The Cherish sentiment is easily a decade old- a word set of metal letters that I'd long since used the Baby and Love from.  They thread through ribbon, so I used it here.  I think the bag turned out perfect, don't you?

Rockin' Away- Another Baby Boy Card

I had stamped and colored a couple of the Crafter's Companion's Beatrix Potter images.  This time colored with Faded Jeans, Walnut Ink, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Peeled Paint and Worn Lipstick Distress Markers.  I used my Timeless Rectangles die to cut out the image.  It works well here, don't you think!  The sentiment was stamped using the Crafter's Companion sentiment from the set which I then die cut out, edging in Walnut Stain Distress ink and raised with a foam square or three.  All the patterned papers come from the scrap heap.  My grandma or mom ended up taking this card to be used on a future baby shower, which reminds me I forgot to share the photos of my Mom's present.  I wrapped her present for the show too.  I'll hunt down the photos and get them posted!

My Misti- A Grateful Card Set

March was a rough month in the Miller household.  As previously mentioned, we lost my FIL at the beginning of the month.  Grief is a weird process.  I felt guilty for feeling blue because my husband and his family lost so much more than I did.    Rather than staying guilty, I decided I needed to keep my hands busy.  I decided to share my new toy with you- the MISTI- that I used to make these cards.  

This is my MISTI.  You can get your own here.  I'm going to front load this post- this is hands down one of the best stamping tools I own and I've only had it a month.  Let me share the genuis of the MISTI with you.  First, there is a video describing it's use here.  I created 36 of the cards you see above with my tool over the course of one evening.  The intention was to give sets of cards to my in-laws (Dan has six siblings).  It was also a way to put my hands to work.

The hinge allows the stamp to lay flat when stamping.    The flap on the left is clear so that you can place the stamp in the location on the card with accuracy.  The magnet in the upper right corner usually holds the paper down during stamping.  In less than 5 minutes I had 36 card faces stamped with the branch in the exact same location on each card.

Next, you just place the layering stamp in the location that you desire it and close the left hinge.  The stamp adheres to the acrylic "door" in exactly the right location.  Ink up your stamp and voila, layered stamped image!  The stamp set is Papertrey Ink's Out on a Limb stamp set.

I kid you not- I had all of the card fronts stamped in about 15 minutes.  I ran them through my Grand Calibur with a border die and used a Wink of Stella pen to add glitter to the leaves over the next 45 minutes.  I die cut the sentiment from white cardstock using my Penny Black word dies.  All told I spent about 2 hours on the card sets- including die cutting the sentiment and gluing the pieces down.

I am so grateful for Dan's large family and I think they genuinely were touched by my gift.  One set of 5 cards was given to each of the siblings wrapped in a kraft paper band and decorated with a small vellum flower colored with Peacook Feathers Distress Ink.

If you aren't convinced the the MISTI is the Most Incredible Stamping Tool Invented, I say give me a call and stop by.  One time using this tool and I'm sure you'll be convinced.  Crisp edges, easy to use and a dream finished result.  Yes, I am truly Gratefully, Thankfully Blessed!

I'm going to link this card up with Word Art Wednesday's Challenge #178: Anything Goes.  Come join the fun!

Baby Boy Gift and Card Set

My grandma was in town a few weeks ago to attend the baby shower for one of my cousin's son who is having his first baby.  This is a great-great grandchild for my grandma.  I just couldn't resist making a card and offering to wrap the gift.  This is the story:

The centerpiece of this card was made using my Crafter's Companion Beatrix Potter stamp set.  This stamp set appears to be retired so I'll be glad I am the proud owner.  I stamped in black Archival Ink onto watercolor paper and colored with my Distress Markers.  I believe the colors used are Faded Jeans, Scattered Straw, Walnut Ink, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs and Worn Lipstick.


The image was die cut after coloring using my Spellbinders Scalloped Ovals die.  The brown cardstock and patterned paper were both from the scrap heap.  The sentiment is also a Crafter's Companion in the Beatrix Potter set stamped with brown Archival Ink.  The flag is edged in Walnut Stain Distress ink.  On the inside, a simple little sentiment in brown Archival Ink- Welcome Little One!






I couldn't resist offering to wrap the gift. I had some kraft wrapping paper and leftover blue and brown fibrous yarn.  The sentiments are stamped with my Heartfelt Creations Sweet Lullaby stamp set and die cut with the Once Upon a Time die.  So perfect for the little boy who is on his way to us.

I linked this card up with Word Art Wednesday's Challenge #178: Anything Goes.  Come join the fun!