Tuesday, February 1, 2011

It is February and snowing once again...

     Since I am home yet again today due to snow, I thought I would post the layout and the cards I did for two challenges over at Scrapjazz.com. I am actually having a good day but am not looking forward to the weather they say is coming tonight. I do not want a "wintery mix." I like my power on, thank you very much!!
     The first challenge was to create a layout using the primary colors (red, yellow, and blue), a border and the page must contain some kind of shape. I used photos of Charlotte from this summer and dug into my stash to create this layout. It is a much needed burst of cheer on a gray day!!


    Supplies: Paper-Ruby Rocket (Topiary, Cameo and Splendor), October Afternoon (Party Line), Jillibean Soup (Toasted Cumin and Fresh Thyme), Basic Grey and Bazzill Red, Punches-2"Circle PunchDonut Chain by EK SuccessBracket Edge by EK SuccessDistrezz it All, Dymo Label Maker, Alphabet Stickers-Jenni Bowlin Studio Large Black Dot, Jenni Bowlin Studio Red Ledger and Cosmo Cricket Red Tiny Type, Buttons.


   The next challenge was to create a card using this sketch I created. I chose to make three Birthday cards using stamps, die cuts, punches and scraps.
    The first card I made is for my friend's son's third birthday. I used the paper scraps from the layout above on this card because I thought they were perfect for a little boy. I also used a new Hero Arts clear stamp to make the dictionary paper. I added the glittered number 3 as the last touch.


Supplies: Paper-Ruby Rocket, October Afternoon, Jillibean Soup, White Bazzill, Die cut-cup cake is a Sizzlet by Sizzix and the 3 is a Quickutz, Spellbinders Circles (small) and Scallop Circles (small), stickles, Doodlebug Design Paper Frill, Hero Arts Dictionary Greetings, Bliss Blue Ink by Stampin Up!, 

     The next two cards I used a House Mouse stamp. Out of all the stamps I own, I think this is my favorite! I colored the image in with Copic Markers and layered it on scrap paper.


Supplies: Paper-Ki Memories and October Afternoon, White Smooth Bazzill, Donut Chain by EK Success Edger Punch, Copic Markers, Spellbinders Nestabilities Small Circles and Scallop Circles, Vintage Photo Ink, Ranger Ink Stickles (Diamond), House Mouse Party Mouse


Supplies: Paper-Doodlebug Design, Basic Grey Bittersweet Collection (pink), Bazzill Pink and White Smooth Paper, Copic Markers, Ranger Ink Stickles (Diamond and Cotton Candy), StampsHouse Mouse Party Mouse Stamp and Hero Arts Dictionary Greeting, Die Cuts-Spellbinders Nestabilities Small Circles and Small Scalloped Circles, Quickutz Swirl, Punches: Daisy Chain Edger by EK Success, Ink-Tim Holtz for Ranger Ink Distress Ink (Vintage Photo) and Memento by Tsukinko (Tuxedo Black and Rosebud


     I hope these creations inspire you to come on over to Scrapjazz.com and join in on the fun!! Have a great Tuesday!!
Nora
    

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Tag, You're It!!

     I have been busy this week. My order from Paper Trey Ink came in the mail on Tuesday and I have been having fun making Christmas tags all week using the new stamps I received.
     "Christmas tags in January?" Yup. Over at Scrapjazz.com I issued a Christmas Challenge at the beginning of the month to make as many tags or labels for presents as you had time for. I plan to issue a new Christmas Challenge every month so that by the time the holiday rolls around everyone who wants to participate will have some home made goodies ready to give away. If you want to join in, come over to Scrapjazz for our February challenge.
     The first tag I created I used the Paper Trey 2010 Holiday Tag set and the Mat Stack 1 Stamp Collection, as well as the matching Mat Stack 1 die cut. I have to admit that I had trouble getting the Mat Stack Stamp to ink evenly. I tried using both chalk ink and dye ink and neither gave me the crisp image that I was looking for on a consistent basis. However, a few did come out and these are the tags that you see below. I LOVE the look of the stamped tag image and will try to perfect my technique in future creations. You might not be able to tell in the photos but each of the tags is layered with pop dots to give them some dimension. 


Supplies: Stamps: 2010 Holiday Tags and Mat Stack 1from Paper Trey Ink, Dies: Mat Stack 1 and Limitless Layers 1 3/4" Collection by Paper Trey Ink, Inks: Chalk ink by Tsukineko (Red Magic) and Garden Green Ink from Stampin Up!, Paper: White from Stampin Up!, green patterned paper is Graphic 45. Red Stickles, Pop Dots


Supplies: 2010 Holiday Tags, Mat Stack 1 and Limitless Layers 1 3/4" Dies by Paper Trey Ink. Paper: Cardstock-Bazzill, Green Patterned Paper-Graphci 45, Red Dot-Cosmo Cricket, Ink: Tsukineko Chalk Ink (Red Magic and Tea Leaves), Gold Stickles. Pop dots


Supplies: 2010 Holiday Tags, Mat Stack 1 and Limitless Layers 1 3/4" Dies by Paper Trey Ink. Paper: white-Paper Trey Ink, blue dot-My Minds Eye, Ink: Bliss Blue and Brilliant Blue from Stampin Up!, Pop Dots


Supplies: 2010 Holiday Tags, Mat Stack 1 Stamps and Die, Limitless Layers 1 3/4" Die by Paper Trey Ink. Paper: white-Paper Trey Ink, blue dot-My Minds Eye, Ink: Bliss Blue and Brilliant Blue from Stampin Up!, Sliver and Diamond Stickles, Pop Dots

     The next two tags I used the Paper Trey 2010 Holiday Tag stamps but chose to use a rounded Sizzix tag stamped with a dot background. Again, I used foam to make the tags pop.

Supplies: Stamps: 2010 Holiday Tags and Polka Dot Basics II stamps from Paper Trey Ink, Dies: Tag by Sizzix and Limitless Layers 1 3/4" die by Paper Trey Ink, InkTsukineko Chalk Ink (Red Magic) and Memento (Tuxedo Black), Real Red from Stampin Up!, Copic Markers, Stickles: (Gold, RedHolly, and Silver), Paper: White-Stampin Up! and Green Bazzill, Pop Dots


Supplies: Stamps-2010 Holiday Tags and Polk Dot Basics II-Paper Trey Ink, Dies: Tag-Sizzix and Limitless Layers 1 3/4" die-Paper Trey Ink, Paper: Red-American Crafts, White-Stampin Up!, Red Stickles, Pop Dots

     The last two tags I am posting I used supplies that I already had. I am in love with this label die from Paper Trey Ink and have used it on everything from cards, to layouts, to making Charlotte's teacher book labels as part of her Christmas present.


Supplies: Stamps-Vintage Labels-Paper Trey Ink, Chick-Denami Designs, Dies-Label #1-Spellbinders, Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black) Stampin Up! (Glorious Green), Copic Markers, Diamond Stickles, Paper: white-Stampin Up! and Green-Bazzill


Supplies: Stamps-Vintage Label-Paper Trey Ink, Light-Stamps In Motion, To/From-???, Stampin Up! Markers and Real Red Ink, Spellbinders Label Die and Diamond Stickles.

     That is all for now. Thank you for looking at my tags. I hope some of you will join us over at Scrapjazz in the future for the Christmas Challenges.
Nora

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Happy Sunday!

     I figured I would leave off everyone's Sunday night with some projects that I created over the weekend. I actually had was in my craft room pretty much all weekend organizing, making cards, or scrapbooking. My sister, Jen, came over today and she made a couple cards that I took photos of and will upload later this week. She had fun punching and layering pretty papers while I used my digital cutter to make some die cuts for her to take home. It was really nice to be able to talk and spend time with her!!

     Now for my projects. The first is a layout I created today. I apologize for the scan as my scanner is beginning to be temperamental and not scanning things correctly. This page is about Charlotte picking apples and peaches at the end of August at one of the local orchards. We had a fabulous growing season this year and were able to pick apples until October!!




Supplies: Alphabets: Doodlebug Design, Patterned Paper: October Afternoon (red dot), The Girls Paperie (Cabbage Rose), Jilliebean Soup (Gold Potatoes), Ink: Tim Holtz for Ranger Ink Faded Blue JeansTim Holtz for Ranger Ink-Vintage PhotoLarge Corner RounderJenni Bowlin Chipboard Buttons (Milk Cap), Martha Stewart TwineRanger Ink (Ink Dauberl, Making Memories Journaling Note, Zig Pen and My Minds Eye Brads.

     For my last project of the day, I created a birthday card. I used a few punches for the border and a new Hero Arts Stamp sentiment stamp. I topped everything off with two large Prima flowers. I cannot wait to send this out!!!


     
Supplies: Prima Flower, Hero Arts Sentiment Stamp and flower rhinestone, Patterned Paper: Prima Sunny Meadow, Punches: Ek Succes Bracket Edge and Ek Succes Swiss Cheese EdgeBazzill White CardstockVintage Photo InkDoodlebug Design Company Limeade Jewels and Graphic 45 Chipboard Buttons

     That is all I have for tonight. I hope you all have a great Monday!!
Nora

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Hero Arts Silhouette Stamp Projects

     For Christmas I received some new Hero Arts rubber stamps and I had a lot of fun with them on these cards. The Silhouette Stamps come in a set of three but I only used two out of the three images for these projects. 
  The pony tail silhouette stamp reminds me of Barbie and I couldn't resist using it to make a card. I also experimented in dying seam binding. I used a Luminarte Radiant Rain Spray Mist as the dye. I like how it came out but it was messier then other sprays I have used and probably would use a different brand for the future. 




Supplies:Silhouettes Trio, Happy Wishes and Bling Blossoms by Hero Arts, Lace Background and blue background ink by Stampin Up!, Paper: Red-Sassafras Lass, Blue Paper-October Afternoon, Kahuna Kiwi by American Crafts, Seam Binding-Wrights, Luminarte Radiant Rain Mist, Imaginisce Flower, Prima Flower CenterGiga Scalloped PunchMega Circle PunchWalnut Ink, White Cardstock-Paper Trey Ink and Versamark Chalk Ink.


     The second card I created is more sophisticated. I chose to use a black and white color scheme with pop of red. The flower background is another Hero Arts stamp. I also used a small piece of ribbon and a gem as a cameo for around the neck.




Supplies:Silhouette Trios and Daisy Outline by Hero Arts, Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, Color box charcoal chalk ink, White Cardstock by Paper Trey Ink, Wrights Seam Binding, Offray Ribbon, Imaginisce Flower, Prima Flower CenterGiga Scalloped Circle2 1/2" Circle PunchHero Arts Blossom Gems, Heidi Swapp Rhinestones.


     I have to admit that I wasn't sure about these stamps when I first opened them up but have fallen in love with each as I used them to stamp with. In order to get a crisp image, I would suggest using chalk ink. I tried using dye ink but it would not apply evenly on the stamps even after erasing and lightly sanding the stamps to "cure" them. I think that pigment ink would work as well but I didn't feel like waiting for it to dry to give it try. All in all, I had a lot of fun creating these cards. It takes a little trial and error to get it right but the end result is worth it. Have a great Thursday night!!
Nora

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

A Few Projects

     I finally got around to uploading photos of some of the projects I have been working on. Today I am posting two projects I made for a baby shower I attended on Sunday. 
     For the first project, I used scraps I had left over from scrapbooking, a Suzy's Zoo Stamp and Copic Markers to make a fun baby card. Even though the girl was having a boy, I chose to use yellow and green to give it a soft feel.




     For the bag, I didn't match the card exactly. I chose to use the same color families but decorated a bright yellow gift bag I bought on clearance with images I cut from my Silhouette die cut machine. I haven't used my Silhouette a lot so this was a lot of fun for me to play with.


     
     I was really happy with how both projects came out-something that is unusual for me. I hope these creations will inspire you to make some of your own. The supplies are used below. Happy Tuesday!
Nora
Supplies for baby card:Basic Grey Patterned Paper (Mokuren from the Kioshi Collection),Bazzill Cardstock (Sunflower Light)Doodlebug Border Stickers, American Crafts Alphabet, Queen and Company Chipboard Alphabet, KI Memories Paper (orange) and Alphabet Stickers (y), Large Corner RounderTim Holtz Vintage Photo Ink, Suzy's Zoo Stamp, Copic Markers, Prima Flower, Offray Ribbon, Paper Trey Ink Select White CardstockSpellbinders Large Scalloped Nestabilities Rectangle Die and Large Nestabilities Rectangle, Momeno Black Ink and Cotton Candy Stickles.



Supplies for Bag: Green, Orange and Yellow Cardstock, Paper Cutter, Tim Holtz Vintage Photo InkSilhouette Digital Craft Cutter and ribbon.