Practicing with Copic Markers

     I have to admit that I have quite a few Copic Markers. I don't use them that much, though, because I have not perfected my technique. I took a class a few months ago to make me feel more comfortable creating with these alcohol based markers but didn't pick them up again until a couple weeks ago in an attempt to practice. I cannot say that I love how both these cards came out but I did learn a few things.

     For the first card, I was happy with the way I colored in the nest and the bird but I definitely need practice with the background. You cannot tell by the picture but I die cut a circle in the patterned paper and pop dotted it over the bird image so that it "peeks" out at the viewer. I finished it off by die cutting a scalloped circle and placing it around the hole.

Supplies: Paper-Paper Trey Ink White Paper, Bazzill Kraft, My Little Shoebox Made with Love and Hand Made Die Cuts-Nestabilities Small Standard Circle and Scalloped Circles Die Cut Machine-Big Shot Stamps-My Little Shoebox Home Tweet Home Ink-Tsukineko Memento Rich Cocoa Stickles-Diamond Adhesive Foam-EK Success Markers-Copic G94, B91, B93, E25, E31, E34, E37, G40, G82, R22, R24, R27, YR07

     The second card I created came out better then the first. Instead of coloring in the background with the Copics, I chose to wipe the marker a few times on a sponge to pick up some color and then used blending solution on top of the marker. I then sponged the combination over the entire image. This technique looks better but I had to wipe the marker on the sponge a lot to get a deep color. I think if I had the refill of the blue I used to squirt on the sponge it would have been a little easier.

Supplies: Paper-Kraft Cardstock, My Little Shoebox Made with Love and Fields A Bloom, Die Cuts-Nestabilities Small Standard Circles and Scalloped Circle Die Cut Machine-Big Shot Stamps-My Little Shoebox Home Tweet Home Ink-Tsukineko Memento-Rich Cocoa Punches-Martha Stewart Markers-Copic BG10, BG11, BG13, BG18, E31, E34, E37, E44, RV10, RV13, RV14, Y11, Y15, Y17, YG17, YG21, YG23, YR68 Paper Frills-Bumblebee


     The last card I am posting today is another simple card. I needed simple after all the coloring I did on the last two cards!! I just embossed a piece of white cardstock for the background and attached three round stickers with pop dots to complete the card. Anyone can do something like this!!

Supplies: Paper-Bazzill White Smooth Cardstock Stickers-My Little Shoebox Garden Party Sticker Collection Embossing Folder-Cuttlebug Love Language Die Cut Machine-Big Shot Pop Dots


     Creating anything worth while takes a lot of hard work and practice. I know that I will keep plugging away at my Copic marker technique until I get it perfect. Have a great day everyone!!

Nora

Some new layouts!!

     I am taking a break from posting cards today to show you some of the layouts I have been creating. Lately I have been trying to stretch my creativity by buying supplies I wouldn't normally buy and using techniques that I haven't tried before. I have to admit that sometimes it can be a trial and error method of creating. I also do not love all the pages I have made by using some of the products I have chosen. However, it has put the fun back into scrapbooking again-something it has been sorely lacking.

     The first page I created by using mist sprays and layering paper. I started with the lightest color and sprayed in stages, letting it dry in between each mist. I really like how it came out and I think it enhanced this photo of Charlotte and her cousins.

Supplies: Paper-Bazzill-Red Devil, Aqua Fourz and Wedding Butterfly, Echo Park-Gingham Gabby, Sally Stitches, Cindy Circles Mist Sprays-Tattered Angels Marmalade, Jazz Blue and Lavender Fields Punches-Martha Stewart Himalayan Snowflake and Glacial Snowflake, Fiskars Apron Lace and EK Success Donut Chain Ink-Inkadinkadoo Red and Pink Chalk Ink Stickles-Lavender Stamps-Basic Grey Basic Notes, Letter Stickers-American Crafts


     My next layout I experimented with using a kit. I tend to buy papers and embellishments by the same company but I rarely buy kits because I don't tend to love all the papers that come with it. Echo Park's Little Girl Collection was an exception. I loved all the papers that came with it and so I decided to try using only products that came in the kit, with the exception of cardstock and some punches. I have to admit that this isn't my favorite page because of the bright colors but the colors went with the photos.

Supplies: Paper-Echo Park Cupcake Casey, Gingham Gabby, Cindy Circles. Journaling Cards, Bazzill Precious (Pink) and Wedding White Punches-Fiskars Scallop Sentiment and EK Success Small Corner Rounder, Scallop Circle Punch Stickers-Echo Park Little Girl Element Stickers and Little Girl Alphabet Markers-Zig Writers

     The last page in this post was also created with the Echo Park Little Girl Collection. The only thing I   added to the kit was cardstock, the use of a circle punch and ink, and journal strips. I cannot believe how young Charlotte looks in these photos!!

Supplies: Paper-Bazzill Iced Pink and White, Echo Park Betty Bird and Madison Plaid Stickers-Echo Park Element Stickers  Punches-Paper Shapers Photo Labels and Marvy Uchida 2" Circle Ink-Vintage Photo Ink by Ranger Ink

     I hope you enjoy my creations and they inspire you to challenge yourself to use techniques you never thought you would try.

Nora

A Long Hiatus!!

     I cannot believe I haven't posted here in so long. Life got a little busy and my ability to create was sacrificed. I am back on track and will be posting some new creations over the next few days. Some you might have seen over at Scrapjazz.com but I thought I would post it here too.

     The first couple cards I created with some stickers from Echo Park's Little Girl Line. I chose to do a "Birthday Theme" so that I would have a few cards on hand for some upcoming celebrations.

     I was in a "purple" mood when I created this card. The rich color makes the cupcakes POP!

Supplies: Paper-Echo Park Cindy Circles and Double Sided Journaling Cards, Bazzill White Dot, and Bazzill Purple Cardstock Stickers-from the Echo Park Little Girl Collection, Punches-Corner Rounder Stickles-Lime Green, Yellow, Orange Peel and Turquoise Ink-Vintage Photo by Ranger Ink Ribbon


     The next card was one of the easiest cards I have ever created. A sticker, two stamps, cardstock and simple embellishments was all it took.

Supplies: Paper-Bazzill Brown and Pink Cardstock,  Echo Park Gingham Gabby Stamps-Hero Arts Dictionary Greeting and Wish Stamp, Punches-Stampin Up! Slot Punch,  Marvy Uchida Scalloped Square and EK Success Large Corner Rounder Ink-Vintage Photo Ink by Ranger Ink and Tsukineko Memento Rich Cocoa Ink Floss-We R Memory Keepers, Brown Button

     This last card is my favorite of the three, though. Again, all I used was patterned paper, a stamp and a sticker.

Supplies: Paper-Echo Park Suzy Stripe, The Girls Paperie-Shabby Flower, My Little Shoebox-Made With Love Sticker-Echo Park Little Girl Element Stickers Ink-Vintage Photo by Ranger Ink and Tsukineko Memento-Tuxedo Black Punches-EK Success Large Corner Rounder, Stamps-Stampin Up! Stickles-Diamond Pink Ribbon

     I have to admit, I have never been a big fan of stickers. However, I will be taking a second look to use on my cards. Adding a little glitter glue kicks the stickers up a notch!!

     Have a great night!!

Nora

Happy Almost Valentines Day!!!

     I have been very busy the last two days making my Valentines Day treats. I used stamps, my die cut machine and a ton of scraps to make cards and create candy pillows that I intend to give to my co-workers today. They were a lot of fun and very easy to make.

     I was inspired by a Target Ad to create the Valentines card that I made for this year. The card in the ad had 5 felt hearts and a sentiment that said "from the bottom of my heart." I took that sentiment and made the card my own. Instead of making 5 hearts and using felt, I punched 3 hearts out of patterned paper scraps and used pop dots to give them some dimension. I like my version better then the Target cards!!

Supplies: Paper-Basic Grey (Green at Heart), Bazzill Cardstock, KI Memories, Crate Paper, Ribbon-Basic Narrows (Michael's) Ink-Tim Holtz for Ranger Industries (Vintage Photo), Buttons, Floss-DMC and Martha Stewart Twine, Font-Chatter Box (Oh Goody!), Marvy Heart Punch, Scrapbook Adhsive 3D foam squares 


     I played around with various package ideas for my Valentines treats. At first, I was going to use a pillow box tied with ribbon and a punched heart. However, the boxes took up too much paper and were not staying together all that well even using my ATG permanent adhesive. I only created about 5 of these and moved on to the next idea.

Supplies: Paper-Making Memories and Bazzill, Ink-Stampin Up! (Real Red), Ribbon-Michael's Basics.


     The second type of packaging I made were little packets filled with nugget treats. I cut out 3" by 6 1/2" strips of cardstock, scored them at the 3" mark and 6" mark,  and adhered 2 nuggets inside. I then folded them and stapled them to keep them closed. I decorated the outside with a die cut, stamped label and a punched heart.

Supplies: Paper-Stampin Up! (Real Red and Pink), Bazzill Pink, Fancy Pants, Crate Paper, Ink-Stampin Up! (Real Red), Vintage Photo Ink, Die Cut-Spellbinders Nestabilities, Font-Chatterbox (Oh Goody!) Hersey Nuggets, Marvy heart punch.


     The last treat packaging I made are for my two bosses and the secretary at work. I bought 3 colored, heart cookie cutters, filled them with Dove dark chocolate hearts and wrapped them in pink tulle. I finished them off with a ribbon and a tag I created using die cuts, a punched heart and a stamp.

Supplies: Paper-Stampin Up! (Real Red, Pink and White), Basic Grey (Green at Heart), Punch-Marvy Heart, Dies-Paper Trey Ink's Limitless Layers 1 3/4" circles, $1 stamp from Michael's.


     I am glad that Valentines Day is finally here so I can move on and create some other projects that do not have to do with hearts!! Have a great Valentines Day!!

Nora

Paper Trey Ink's Making a Tag that Incorporates a Frame Challenge

     As part of their 4th Anniversary, Paper Trey Ink has been having fun challenges all week. Today's challenge was to make a tag that incorporates a frame. I used PTI's Mat Stack 1 die and the Fillable Frames #1 to complete this challenge. This was quick and easy and I love how it turned out!!

     Supplies: Stamps-Paper Trey Ink's-Fillable Frames #1, Dies-Fillable Frames #1 Die, Mat Stack 1 Die, Limitless Layers 1 3/4" Circle Collection Dies, Paper-Paper Trey Ink Aqua Mist, Stampin Up! Real Red, Bazzill Kraft, Ink-Stampin Up! Real Red


     Thank you for looking. I hope you all have a great Friday night!!

Nora

Paper Trey Ink's Creative Button Challenge

     I am on a roll today with my second post of the day. It is a record for me!!

     I have been loving Nicole Heady's blog. She has been hosting fun challenges that coincide with Paper Trey Ink's anniversary. The challenge of the day was to use buttons in a creative way on a card. I don't have a ton of stamp sets from Paper Trey Ink so I was limited but I used a stamp from the 2010 Christmas Tags and paired it with a stamp from the Mat Stack 1 Collection to make this card. I like how it came out but not sure how "creative" it is.

Supplies: 
Stamps-Paper Trey Ink ( 2010 Christmas Tags, Mat Stack 1 Collection, Polka Dot Basics II), Dies-Mat Stack 1 Paper-Paper Trey Ink (Spring Moss, Ripe Avocado and Summer Sunrise), Ink-Versamark Chalk Ink (Tea Leaves and Mango Madness), Ribbon-Basic Grey, Punch-Fiskars, Glitter-Ranger Ink Stickles (Diamond), Buttons.

     Also, excuse the photograph. Due to the lack of natural light, (I took this photo at 5:30 p.m.) I had to use a flash and the color is off. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't fix it with Photoshop. I hope you like my creation. Have a great night!!

Nora

Time for some Movies!!

     Charlotte went to a birthday party last Saturday and I had fun wrapping up the gifts. The birthday girls are twins and tweens so I had to find something that wasn't too old or too young that would be acceptable. I decided to give each 2 movie passes with a little bucket filled with goodies to "sneak" in to the movie and eat while they watched!!!
     I bought the pop corn containers at Target in the $1 section and planned my whole color scheme around these. I used tulle to wrap around the whole bucket to contain all the goodies and then made tags with the girl's initials so they would know which one was for which. Charlotte made them each a birthday card and I put them inside the gift so they wouldn't get lost.

Supplies: Paper-Bazzill (yellow) Stampin Up! (white and Real Red), Ink-Stampin up! (Real Red), Stamps-Paper Trey Ink's 2010 Holiday Tags and Mat Stack 1 Collection, Die Cuts-Paper Trey Ink's Mat Stack 1 Die and Limitless layer 1 3/4" dies, Quickutz Letter Die. Michael's Ribbon, white tulle.

     Of course, the passes didn't go with my color scheme so I had to alter them to fit in. I covered them with textured white paper and a strip of stamped polka dots. Sometimes it pays to be a craft hoarder because I dug out my popcorn bucket and popcorn stamp that I bought about TEN years ago to use as accents for this project. I was so proud of myself that I even remembered that I had these two stamps!!

Supplies: Paper-Diecuts with a View (White) and Stampin Up! (white and Real Red), Stamps-Paper Trey Ink's Polka Dot Basics II, Museum of Modern Rubber (popcorn bucket), Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers (popcorn), and Inkadinkado (ticket form "It's a Party" set), Ink-Stampin Up! (Real Red), Versamark chalk ink (thatched straw), and Memento Tuxedo Black.


     I even stamped a label in the back to explain what this little package was so the girls wouldn't have to open it up!!

     I had a lot of fun creating this project and I hope it inspires you to creatively wrap some of your gifts. Have a great night!!

Nora

    

Paper Trey Ink's Make it Monday's Go to Sentiment Challenge-Day 3 of their Anniversary Contests!!

     I have wanted to do this challenge ever since I read about it on Monday but have been sick in bed with a stomach bug since then. The ideas were running around my head in my delirium and I dragged myself out of bed to create this card this afternoon so I could finally get some rest!!
     I am relatively new to Paper Trey Ink stamps. I only have 5 of their stamp sets so I wasn't sure how this challenge was going to go. I  mainly used the sentiments from Birthday Bash Sentiment Set but did find that I was able to supplement with sentiments from the Mat Stack 1 Collection and the Fillable Frame #1 Set to complete this card.

     I used PTI's Aqua Mist paper from the Perfect Match Cardstock Sampler as my base and stamped the sentiments in Versamark Turquoise Gem chalk ink. I used red as my splash of color and used pop dots on the frame to make the red Happy Birthday POP! I am really happy with how this card came out and will be using this technique when I am able to afford more PTI stamp sets!! Now off to bed to get some more rest!!

Nora

Supplies: Stamps-Paper Trey Ink's Birthday Bash Sentiments, Mat Stack 1 Collection, and Fillable Frames #1 Set,  Paper- Aqua Mist Cardstock, Red Bazzill, Ink-Versmark Chalk Ink (Turquoise Gem) and Stampin Up! (Real Red), Fiskar's Scallop Sentiment Border Punch, Michael's ribbon, button and Martha Stewart twine.

Happy Wednesday!!

     Valentine's Day is in 15 days!! My sister, Jen, came over last Sunday and she made a couple cards that I wanted to share. I think they came out really cute!! Enjoy!

Jen's Valentine 1

Supplies: Paper: White-Stampin Up!, Hearts-American Crafts, Red and Striped-unknown, Black-Bazzill, Flowers-Pram and Imaginisce, Brad-Queen and Company, Ribbon-unknown, Punch-Fiskars

Jen's Valentine #2

Supplies: Paper-white-Stampin Up!, hearts-American Crafts, black-Bazzill, Striped and Red-Unknown, Flowers-Prima, Brad-Queen and Company, Ribbon-Unknown, Punch-Fiskars

Nora

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 Punch, Donut Chain by EK Success, Bracket Edge by EK Success, Distrezz 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), Stamps- House 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

    

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, Ink: Tsukineko Chalk Ink (Red Magic) and Memento (Tuxedo Black), Real Red from Stampin Up!, Copic Markers, Stickles: (Gold, Red, Holly, 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

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 Jeans, Tim Holtz for Ranger Ink-Vintage Photo, Large Corner Rounder, Jenni Bowlin Chipboard Buttons (Milk Cap), Martha Stewart Twine, Ranger 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 Edge, Bazzill White Cardstock, Vintage Photo Ink, Doodlebug 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

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 Center, Giga Scalloped Punch, Mega Circle Punch, Walnut 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 Center, Giga Scalloped Circle, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Hero 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

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 Rounder, Tim Holtz Vintage Photo Ink, Suzy's Zoo Stamp, Copic Markers, Prima Flower, Offray Ribbon, Paper Trey Ink Select White Cardstock, Spellbinders 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 Ink, Silhouette Digital Craft Cutter and ribbon.

A New Year, A New Adventure!!

     I have been wanting to start a blog for years. However, creating a blog seemed very daunting. I decided that 2011 was the year I was going to dive in and learn things that I have wanted to do but have been too afraid to try. This blog is the first of many new learning experiences!!


The goal of this blog is to document my crafting journey. I will post challenges, creations and will hopefully get to know you all out there.


So sit back and lets begin this new adventure!!


Nora