Wednesday, May 31, 2017

May Card Chain Challenge featuring MFT Spring Friends

Hi there!  This month sure has flown by, hasn't it?!  Its time for another Card Chain Challenge reveal post!  If you're new to the Card Chain Challenge, let me tell you, its wonderful!  Ladies from all over the globe get to exchange their beautiful creations and its quite inspiring!  What a fun way to make new friends! 

So, as with any challenge, there are a few rules.  You must stick with any one (or more if you are so inclined) of four different options.  For May, our options were:

1. Color Palette option:


2. Sketch option:


3. Theme option:  Stars / Trees / Friendship

4. Product option: Washi Tape / Origami

I really wanted to incorporate as many of the options as possible, but my final creation ended up using only 3 of the challenge options ... and that's totally fine!


I wanted to use Distress Inks to water color a customized plaid background.  The color palette is not one that I'd normally choose, so I thought this would be a good way to highlight the color palette.  I once watched a video on Kristina Werner's YouTube channel where she shows this technique.  I love to watch her tutorials because she simplifies everything!! If you'd like to watch it also, just click here! :D  The colors ended up being slightly darker than I'd intended, but that's okay too!  We're going with it anyway...


Next, I stamped my images onto water color cardstock using Antique Linen Distress Ink.  I was going for the no-line water coloring technique here.  I really, really like this technique!  Its very forgiving...I make so many mistakes when water coloring, so this is great for me. :D 


While I waited for my little girl to dry, I inked a background panel with Distress Inks and cut it out using a Cross Stitched rectangle die.  I die cut my clouds using the leftover water color cardstock and stamped my sentiment directly on the inked panel.  By then my water colored image was dry and I was able to cut her out with the matching die.  I lined all of my images up and adhered them using a combination of foam adhesive and Tombow Mono Multi glue.  


The sentiment on the inside of the card is what ties the theme option in...friendship! Because you can always make a new crafty friend when you participate in the CCC. ;)  I ended up really loving how this one turned out...its so nice to be pushed outside of your box every now and then! 

 
The June Card Chain Challenge is currently open but closes on June 6th, so if you're interested in joining in, hurry and head on over there to get signed up!  You'll be glad you did! :D

A complete list of supplies used on this project can be found below.  Until next time, go get your craft on!

Hugs,  

 photo Katie Blog Signature_zpsbi1lqemh.png

Supplies Used:  Tim Holtz Water Color Cardstock; My Favorite Things (MFT) Spring Friends stamp set and matching dies; MFT Cross-Stitch Rectangle Stax; MFT Cloud Nine Dienamics; Distress Inks: Victorian Velvet, Stormy Sky, Forest Moss, Tumbled Glass, Tattered Rose; Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers: Brown, Oatmeal, Flesh, Blue Gray; VersaFine Onyx Black; Simon Says Stamp White Top Fold A2 card base

Monday, May 29, 2017

Love From Lizi May Kit


Hi there!  I hope you are having a fabulous Memorial Day weekend...I am always so humbled when I think of this holiday and what it stands for.  We all owe such a debt of gratitude for those who have given and served so selflessly so that we may live our lives as free men, women and children!  I can honestly not thank our service men and women enough in one lifetime!! 

I am dedicating these ten cards that I've created with the Love from Lizi May kit to these men and women who have dedicated their lives to protect our nation and our beliefs.  Let us remember them and honor them always!! 


For card number one, I knew I wanted to create a background using these spiffy little mustache stamps...they're so dapper!  Using distress inks to create backgrounds is one of my go-to techniques and it always turns out so fun!  I stamped the images in black ink onto Bristol Smooth cardstock and heat embossed with clear EP. 


For the timepiece embellishment, I used one of the Tim Holtz Movers and Shapers dies called Pocket Watch, one of the arrow dies included in the kit, one of the letter charms from the kit, and a gear piece from the TH Ideology line.  I painted all of my pieces using Distress Paints and coated the silver inside pieces in Glossy Accents.  I like that the sticker used for the sentiment had a pocket watch already there and wanted to take it a step further. :D


For card number two, I wanted to use the music themed items from the kit.  Music and art are never ordinary so I thought this was the perfect sentiment to go along with this theme!  


I popped the stickers up with foam tape and fussy cut the cassette tape.  I inked the edges of my little tag with Distress Ink and coated the tape and record stickers with Glossy Accents. I used white and black gel pens for the little hand drawn accents.  I really wanted to give this one a good bit of dimension since I used so many stickers!


Card number three uses one of the vellum panels from the kit...no need for a sentiment since it was already there!  I used patterned papers from the kit for the background and a line of foil to divide them. 

 
The arrow dies were just right for adding some small details and once again I used Glossy Accents on them for some dimension...and the little blue gems were perfect to add a bit more to some of the foil details on the vellum panel.


Card number four uses another of the vellum panels but the design is slightly different.  I think this one just might be my favorite because of the message it conveys!  Whales travel such great distances and they do it without question...they have complete faith in their migratory paths and they travel with purpose.  We could take a cue from these magnificent beasts any day!


I used another of my go-to techniques here...adhere glitter washi tape onto cardstock before you die cut and it comes out perfect every time! And I am loving the color of the Nuvo drops in this kit! :D

 
For card number five, I used a lot of scraps leftover from cards one through four.  I don't like to waste anything!


Add a few details, adhere everything to the card base and this one is pretty simple and straightforward!  I did use my Onyx Black Spectrum Noir sparkle pen on the "friend" die cut to add some sparkle, but it is so hard to see in photos!


Card number six...I fell in love with this sea turtle image as soon as I opened my kit and couldn't wait to use it!  I cut it out of the vellum panel using my detail scissors and placed it on top of one of the tags that I'd given a little paint makeover using more Distress Paints and some Distress Crackle paints.  I love this look! 


I used the film strip stamp from the kit and some glitter embossing powder to make a border detail on my blue patterned paper.  Once it was heat set, I added some more of the arrow die cuts to finish it off.  The sentiment die and word sticker are both from Tim Holtz...


With Father's Day right around the corner, I really needed get crackin' on some cards!  Cards number seven and eight are both for Father's Day. :D


I was really impressed with the word stickers in the kit...they laid down beautifully without any fuss!


Card number eight uses a stamp and die set from Simon Says Stamp's last release...it's a great set for both Mother's and Father's Day cards, and it went so well with the mustache in this kit!


The images are perfect for popping up also...so cute!


Card number nine is an interactive card.  The tag isn't actually adhered to the card base.  Instead, I created a pocket for it using these cloud border dies and foam tape.  It slides perfectly into place and lifts out of the pocket just like a real hot air balloon!  The sky's the limit with this one! ;)



Here you can see that the vellum balloon isn't attached to the clouds...it is actually just resting on top and the Nuvo drops (from a previous LFL kit) help to keep it in line. 


Last but not least, here is card number 10!  The large butterfly embellishment is die cut from another Tim Holtz die called Fanciful Flight.  This one was really fun to make.  I die cut the bottom layer for the wings only once using the green patterned paper in the kit, and cut the overlay layers three times in black cardstock and once also using the green patterned paper.  I stacked the black cardstock pieces together so that there would be plenty of dimension in the wings.  I spritzed the bottom/base layer of the wings with Perfect Pearls Mist in Perfect Copper, layered the overlay dies on top and then coated the top layer with Glossy Accents.  For the body, I used a Nuvo glue pen to coat black cardstock and then applied the foil from the kit along with some more of the little blue gems. 

 
I layered some patterned papers and velum pieces onto my card base before attaching the butterfly and the sentiment.  This sentiment is one of my new favorite dies from Poppy Stamps!


Well, that's it for the May kit...If you haven't seen the LFL June kit yet, I highly recommend checking it out!  It looks like another super fun kit from Lizi...I can't wait for mine to arrive!  I believe its already sold out, but you could always subscribe so that you won't miss out next time!  A complete list of supplies used for the May kit cards can be found below.

If you know someone that has served, or is serving, in the Armed Forces, please be sure to hug them and say an extra THANK YOU for me!!  Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Hugs,

 photo Katie Blog Signature_zpsbi1lqemh.png

Additional Supplies Used

Dies: MFT Stitched Hexagon Stax, SSS Stitched Squares, SSS Stitched Rectangles, Hero Arts Infinity Rectangles, Poppy Stamps Stitched Cloudline, SSS Mom and Dad Icons, MFT Sunny Skies, MFT Photo Corners, MFT Sending Hugs, MFT Stitched Interactive Window Trio, Lawn Fawn Stitched Rectangle Frames, SSS Painted Friend, Tim Holtz Fanciful Flight, Tim Holtz Pocket Watch

Stamps:  SSS Mom and Dad Icons, SSS You Matter

Various Others: Tim Holtz Big Chat stickers, MFT Black & White Basics 6x6 paper pad, fun foam, Perfect Pearls Mists in Perfect Copper, Glitter Washi by Scotch in black, silver and copper, twine, button, Distress Ink, Distress Paint, Glossy Accents, Tim Holtz Ideology Gear, Nuvo Jewel Drops in Grey Mist, black cardstock, blue cardstock, white cardstock, Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers, hole punch, corner rounder

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Color Throwdown #444: Guest Star Stamper

Hey y'all!  I hope you're having a fabulous week so far!  Here in Georgia, most of the schools are either in or close to their last week of school and things are crazy busy!  My kiddos' last day of school is actually tomorrow, so we're getting ready for the summer and everyone is going nuts...especially me!  I just cannot believe how fast this year has gone by...it blows my mind!  

Anyhow...I am soooo excited to share this card with you today!  Last week, I was randomly selected as the featured stamper on the Color Throwdown challenge blog with this entry, and its always a treat when you get a nice surprise like that right?!  So, this week I am honored to get to share in the excitement with the design team and hosts of The Color Throwdown with challenge #444.  Let's have a look at this week's challenge, shall we?


So pretty, right?!  I couldn't resist having a little bit of fun with this challenge... 


Several months ago, I purchased an Echo Park paper pack called Jungle Safari and have been dying to use it!  The papers are so fun and lively...and I knew that there would be some great greens!  Is it just me, or does the jungle make you think of summer too??


I started by cutting several rectangle panels using the Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangle dies from the patterned paper.  To break up the patterns a bit, I decided to add some sparkle with silver washi tape and die cut that into a rectangle panel also.  It also helps to satisfy the "grey" in my color palette.  I then die cut the word "Hugs" into my center panel and backed it with black cardstock before attaching my panels to the card base. 


I stamped my little tigers with VersaMark ink onto white cardstock and heat embossed with Silver embossing powder by ZING! before die cutting them and securing them onto the panels with permanent adhesive and foam squares.  I chose to leave my tigers white, rather than coloring them.  White tigers are my most favorite!! 


I heat embossed the sentiment in white onto a green paper scrap that was leftover from cutting my panels.  To die cut the banner, I used the new MFT Essential Fishtail Sentiment Strips.  To finish it off, I added a few Nuvo Crystal Drops in Gloss White.  A complete list of supplies can be found below. 


I can't wait to see what the design team and everyone else comes up with for this week's challenge... As usual, I'm sure they'll all be amazing!  This card also happens to fit in perfectly with the Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge: Little Critters, and the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge: Bit of Sparkle, so I'll be entering them there as well!  Yay for double whammies...lol!  Until next time, go get your craft on!

Hugs,  

 photo Katie Blog Signature_zpsbi1lqemh.png
Supplies Used: Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangles; Echo Park Jungle Safari 6x6 paper pad; My Favorite Things Lions & Tigers clear stamps and dies; My Favorite Things Big Hugs Die; My Favorite Things Essential Fishtail Sentiment Strips; Nuvo Crystal Drops in Gloss White; ZING! embossing powder in Metallic Silver; WOW! embossing powder in Opaque White; Black & White cardstock; Silver Glitter Scotch Expressions washi tape

Friday, May 19, 2017

MFT Sketch Challenge #333 and Color Challenge #69: Tutu Cute


Hey y'all! Happy Friday!  My card today features the oh-so-sweet "Tutu Cute" stamp set by My Favorite Things.  This set comes from their popular Pure Innocence line.  Each and every single one of these darling little girls is precious in her own right!  I've really fallen in love with these sets. :D 

I needed some cards for my girls, and this set is right up their alley!  They each have their first ballet recital this weekend.  I wanted to let them know how proud we are of them...and of course how sweet they look in their adorable recital costumes!!  I'm combining the MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge #333 along with the current MFT Color Challenge #69 because I knew I wanted to use the TUTU CUTE stamp set and the color challenge went perfectly.  Why not throw in a sketch as well?!  Here are the challenge graphics so you can see what we're working with:

And the color challenge:


I made one card for each of my girls, altering the papers and elements just a little...


I colored each of my ballerinas using Copics, and adjusted their hair and skin tones to reflect my girls' hair and skin. 


I love that MFT has so many little detailed die elements that you can incorporate into your cards!  


I used the Photo Corners dies for each of the cards, in different papers.  I think these really help to draw your attention to the center of the card.  I used the Fancy Flourish die on the first card, in a single layer, just to ground my ballerina. 


The largest heart in the Pierced Heart Stax dies is used on the second for the same reason; and for the Musical Notes dies, I cut them in white cardstock, stacked a few together to give them a little more substance since they are so delicate, and used Star Dust Stickles to coat them so they'd really sparkle and stand out against that glittery heart!



For the sentiments on the inside of each card, I used the new "More Essential Sentiments" clear stamp set.  There are so many great sentiments in this set!  The sentiments on the front of the cards are heat embossed in white and silver embossing powder, and the ballerinas are adhered with foam squares.  It makes them appear as if they will dance right off of the cards...don't you think?
 
      

I think I have a new favorite!  These little ballerinas are just too much for words!

I've included a complete supply list below for your convenience.  I hope each of you have a wonderful weekend!  Until next time, go get your craft on!

Hugs,

 photo Katie Blog Signature_zpsbi1lqemh.png

Supplies Used: My Favorite Things paper pads in Dots & Stripes Sorbet, Painted Prints Smitten, Free Spirit, and Roses All Over; DCWV paper pad The Twinkle Glints stack; Simon Says Stamp cardstock in Doll Pink; MFT Stamps: More Essential Sentiments and Pure Innocence Tutu Cute; MFT Dies: Musical Notes, Photo Corners, Pierced Heart Stax, Fancy Flourish, Blueprints 31 and Blueprints 27; Pretty Pink Posh sequins Friendship blend; Copic markers; WOW! Opaque White embossing powder; ZING! Silver embossing powder; VersaFine black ink