Glitz Stamp Set

I picked up a couple of sets of Glitz stamps and tried out my Distress markers with a couple of the stamps.  First, I stamped the images using black Archival Ink onto Strathmore watercolor paper.  I used the blending with Distress Markers technique to color the images.  The watercolor paper was distressed further using my Ink Blending Tool and Distress Ink pads (mostly Scattered Straw, Pine Needles and Vintage Photo) and then the rose, bird and butterfly were lifted off the card using foam squares.  I even used the Distress Markers and a water pen on the ribbon to bleed the colors.  I really like the soft result of the sentiment.  Everything is mounted on a piece of patterned paper that was distressed using Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain Distress Inks and ultimately adhered to a cream cardstock card which was also distressed like the patterned paper.  I am looking forward to making more cards using these stamps.  The detail is amazing and very strongly transfers to the final stamped result.  The Eiffel tower stamp and my Cricut French Manor cart are destined for a collision.

Andie

Inspiration Smash Book

I decided that keeping magazines with all the other stuff I keep was not a good use of my space and added to the clutter in my mind.  Having recently finished my Creative Chemistry 101 Smash book, I thought that the Smash book would be a good medium for the pieces of magazines that were useful and inspiring.  Here's a couple of photos of the inside pages.  


I mainly have subscribed to Paper Crafts magazine.  One of the more useful sections is their sketches provided in most volumes.  Some of the examples were inspiring so I included those where appropriate.  Otherwise, I simply taped or used a glue stick to adhere the sketch in my Smash book page.








Using some Smash tape (Want it!) and decorative tissue tape, I smashed my card examples and some of the instructions too.










There is still room for more additions for future volumes.  I also have a separate stack of scrapbook layout inspirations that I will need to get a different Smash book for.








I've left room on most pages so that I might make notes as I use the inspiration.  I also intend to record blog posts it was a trip down memory lane as I smashed in examples that I had used for inspiration in the past.  I intend to keep adding to these pages as issues continue to arrive in my mailbox.  Hopefully, this will be useful and inspiring for a long time to come.


Andie

Birthday Party Fun!

My friend Keri has been at it again!  She's planning the most wonderful kid's birthday party with a sports theme.  The bonus is that she asked me to help- cut some stuff on the Cricut!  The party is today, so I will post more details after the party goers have a chance to see things first.  Here's a peak:

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

God Bless America

I have previously posted about my love for the Land of the Free stamp from Stamping Up.   I couldn't find where you might purchase this lovely, but it does look as though they offer a digital stamp.  A year later, I still love this stamp.  I saw this post over at my favorite blog, Paper Crafts Connection Life, Liberty, & the Pursuit of Kraft.  More specifically, I knew I had to scraplift the incredible design of the God Bless America Card by Kelley Eubanks and pair it up with my Land of the Free stamp. 

The God Bless America was printed using my inkjet printer.  I used my Faded Jeans Distress Marker to color the stars blue and my red cat's eye chalk ink pad for the words.  One hot breath "huff" and a stamp pairs the printing with the stamped image.  Round the corners, tie some twine, and this simply designed card looks fabulous.

Today as we celebrate Labor Day, I ask you to join me in praying that God will bless America!


Andie