CFC100 - Absolutely wishing you a happy day

Happy May, and happy Friday!  This week at CAS-ual Fridays is extra special.  Why, you ask? Well, lemme tell ya.  We're celebrating the 100th challenge and our second birthday!  YAY!  So we're having an extra fun challenge with a TON of prizes!  Check it:

CFC 100: We're celebrating with our top 10 challenges of all time! Since one of those challenges was tic tac toe, I've made it into a board of the remaining top 9 challenges! Choose a row to play. Play as often as you'd like, the challenge runs for 2 weeks!

And for this extra special challenge, there are going to be some extra special prizes.  Not only will the winner AND the 4 VIPs receive prizes (um...wow), but the 5 contenders will also win prizes.  That's 10 chances to win, ladies!  This week's sponsor is Ellen Hutson, who will award the winner a $25 gift certificate to spend here.

And the 4 VIPs will receive $15 gift certificates from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps, while each of the five contenders will receive the stamp set of her choice!

Okay, so for this challenge I made a card that fits two of the rows on the tic tac toe board.  Plus bling.  Had I included embossing, it would've fit three of the rows.  LOL.  And now for the paper yummies:

Sorry about the caca photo - I couldn't find the right lighting.  In real life, the "ABSOLUTELY" die cut looks a lot more crisp and shows up better against the gingham patterned paper.  Oh well, you get the idea. I've had this die for at least 6 months, but this was my first time using it.  I don't really know why, 'cause I LOVE it!  I used a corrugated kraft card base and October Afternoon patterned papers, including the flower grouping, which I fussy-cut from a paper.  The die and stamp are from this Simon Says Stamp set.  Add some bling, and voila!  Here are some close-ups:

Oh yeah, by the way, I used the top row of the tic tac toe board (polka dots, kraft, and dies), and the card also fits the left column (polka dots, square card, and birthday).  Plus the bling square.  Which row tickles your fancy?  Play along as many times as you like for this special 2-week challenge!  Thanks so much for looking!

Supplies: card base: Recollections; patterned papers: October Afternoon; die/stamp: Simon Says Stamp; ink: Tsukineko; bling: The Paper Studio

Stamping on canvas and coloring with sprays (tutorial)

Hello all!  Today I have a bit of a tutorial to share with you.  Recently I made a card where I stamped a solid image onto canvas, and it looked really cool.  Then just a few days ago I wanted to stamp on canvas again, this time with an outline stamp.  I thought it would be cool to try to color the image in with spray inks using a stamped "stencil".  I'm sure this is a no-brainer for some of you, but I had never tried it or seen it done, so I took step-by-step photos to share.  Here is the finished canvas piece:

This technique would also work with an image stamped on paper; for this tutorial, I will be working on canvas.  I started out with a piece of sticky-back canvas, specifically Ranger Sticky-Back Canvas ATC.  I stamped an image and a sentiment, both by Paper Smooches:

I stamped the same image onto a piece of scrap cardstock.  I used Memento Rich Cocoa ink for all stamping:

I then used a craft knife to cut the image out of the cardstock, creating my stencil.  Since I wanted to color the flower and the leaves two different colors, I also cut the leaves away from the flower:

I placed the stamped canvas onto my non-stick craft sheet, then laid my stencil over the canvas image.  I used some other scraps to cover the rest of the canvas, and taped all the cardstock pieces in place using Scotch tape: 

I decided I wanted to color the leaves first, so I used the cardstock flower to cover the canvas flower.  I taped the cardstock flower to the stencil so that only the canvas leaves would be exposed:

I sprayed Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist Chalkboard Spray in the color Sprout:

I wiped off the excess spray, then removed the cardstock flower from the stencil.  Here you can see the whole canvas flower with only the leaves colored in:

Next I placed the cardstock leaves into the stencil and taped them in place:

I sprayed the flower using Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Vintage Pink:

I wiped off all the excess spray and removed the cardstock stencil from the canvas.  Here again is the finished result:

I used my canvas to create this paper yummy:

I used some Studio Calico Mister Huey ink in Classic Calico to add spatter to my background papers.  I had never done that before either (even though it's all the rage right now), but was inspired by the Spatter Technique Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.  And since Cath extended the deadline, why not play along?    I finished off the card with some machine stitching, this cute gingham ribbon, and a button:

Here's another view:

This was a really fun technique, and I encourage you to try it if you haven't before.  Even if you don't have any canvas on hand, try it on paper!  It's a cool alternative to coloring in an image with markers or pencils.  If you do try it, I'd love to see your result!  Thanks for looking!

I'm playing along here:

Frosted Designs Fabulous Friday Challenge: Stitching

The Spatter Technique Challenge in the Moxie Fab World

Young Crafters Unite Challenge #10: Flowers

Supplies: cardstock: Recollections; patterned papers: Studio Calico (pink, flowers), October Afternoon (green); canvas: Ranger; stamps: Paper Smooches; ink: Memento; spray inks: Tattered Angels (pink, green), Studio Calico (brown); ribbon: Michael's; button: craft supply; sewing machine: Kenmore; thread: Singer

October Afternoon 9 to 5 contest - hello

Happy Wednesday, everybody!  I am super excited today, for a couple of reasons.  One is that I just put a deposit on a new (to me) SUV this morning, and I can't wait to get it!  I've been wanting one of these for a few years now.  The other reason I'm so excited is that October Afternoon is having a sketch contest using their 9 to 5 line, which I happened to pick up recently.  It's such a cute collection!  Here's the sketch:

I think this sketch lends itself more to a layout than it does to a card, but I haven't done a layout in years, so I went ahead and turned it into a card.  And now for the paper yummies:

I really loved working with this sketch, and I think the card turned out so cute!  I used Nestabilities dies to cut different sized circles out of several patterned papers, then arranged them according to the sketch.  I popped some of them up with dimensional adhesive:

Then I used some of the cutie buttons from the same collection and arranged them in place of the hearts in the sketch:

I used the alphabet stickers to create the "hello" sentiment.  Then I punched a heart from the black chevron paper, popped it up on dimensional adhesive, and applied Glossy Accents:

I finished the card off with some machine stitching around the edges and under the sentiment.
Thanks so much for looking!

I'm also playing along here:
Crafty Creations Challenge #172: Running in Circles
Little Red Wagon WOOD you? Challenge
Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes Challenge

Supplies: card base: The Paper Studio; patterned papers, alphabet stickers, buttons: October Afternoon; Glossy Accents: Ranger; sewing machine: Kenmore; thread: Singer

Simple Card Saturday - a happy day to you

Happy Saturday!  I hope everybody's long weekend is going great so far.  I'm on duty tomorrow, so I don't really have a long weekend, but I have 6 days off after that, so YAY!  Last week I picked up a bunch of goodies from BlueMoon Scrapbooking, including some of the Sidewalks line from October Afternoon.  I absolutely love the papers in the collection, and the stamp set is adorable.  The line was released last year, but I didn't have it yet and couldn't resist.  Okay, now for the paper yummies:

Okay, is that stamp not the cutest thing EVER?!?  I love it!  I stamped him on the natural colored cardstock, colored him in, then paper-pieced his clothes and flag:

I love that this stamp set has multiple sentiments that will fit in the flag.  The stamps and all patterned papers are from the Sidewalks collection.  I machine-stitched around the cardstock, then added a button from the October Afternoon 9 to 5 collection on top of a little ribbon tab:

Thanks so much for looking!  I hope you continue to have a wonderful and safe weekend!

I'm playing along here:
The Gingham Challenge in the Moxie Fab World
One Stop Craft Challenge #184: For the Boys
Paper Play Challenges '12 Week 21: Summer Lovin'
Paper Crafting Journey Challenge #10: Anything For Kids Goes

Supplies: cardstock: Recollections; patterned papers, stamps, button: October Afternoon; ink: Memento; markers: Prismacolor; ribbon: Michael's; stapler: Ranger; sewing machine: Kenmore; quilting thread: Singer

CFC52: Feathered Friends

Happy Friday!  I hope everybody's week was just ducky.  And speaking of ducky, let's talk about this week's challenge at CAS-ual Fridays!  YAY!  The challenge is to make a CAS card with a bird theme:

The fabulous sponsor this week is

AnnaBelle Stamps

Now for the paper yummies:

The timing of this challenge worked out perfectly, since 1.) one of the May releases of Paper Smooches stamps is a set called Circle of Honor (which has a military theme and this adorable eagle), and 2.) graduation season is quickly approaching.  I thought it would be fun to paper piece him, then I added the graduation cap from the Smarty Pants set:

The sentiment is also from Smarty Pants.  I stitched around the edges of the banner-cut patterned paper, then finished off the card with a big red button:

I'm so pleased with the way it all turned out.  Go check out the cards from the rest of the design team at CAS-ual Fridays, and please play along too!  The winner will receive a $20 gift certificate from AnnaBelle Stamps.  Also don't forget - the playing time has now been extended!  You have until 12:00 pm (noon EST) on Thursday to submit your entry.  Have fun, and thanks for looking!

I'm playing along here:
CropStop Challenge #71: Show us the animal in you
Lawnscaping Challenge: Clean and Simple

Supplies: card base: The Paper Studio; patterned papers: October Afternoon (green stripe), Echo Park (all other patterns); stamps: Paper Smooches; ink: Tsukineko; corner rounder: We R Memory Keepers; sewing machine: Kenmore; thread: Singer; button: craft supply

Paper Smooches SPARKS DT call - Welcome

Hello, and happy Wednesday! Today I'm back with another card for the Paper Smooches SPARKS design team call. I think this is my last one (I've done 5 total), but that may change. Who knows. This is the inspiration photo I used:

I just love the color scheme, the stitching, the gingham, and the overall home-spun goodness in this photo. Martha for president!!!

Now for the paper yummies:

I paper pieced the apron from the Pretty Momma set and paired it with a sentiment from Simply Said. I used a bunch of different patterned papers from October Afternoon and DCWV. I machine stitched around the edges, and finished it off with a ribbon. (Note: this ribbon was originally brown and white, which looked much to stark against the rest of the card. So I dyed it with Tim Holtz Distress Stain in Antique Linen. Now it matches perfectly! I love it when that happens!)

Thanks for looking!

I'm playing along here:

Crafty Emma's Store Challenge #81: Paper Piece It

Lily Pad Cards Flower Challenge

Paper Crafting Journey PCJ7: 3 or more patterned papers

Paper Sundaes Challenge #116: Anything Goes

The Ribbon Carousel RCC49: Color-a-licious

Sweet Stampin' Girly But No Pink Challenge

Supplies: cardstock: Recollections; patterned papers: October Afternoon (red dot, green stripe), DCWV (flowers, green dot, yellow dot); stamps: Paper Smooches; ink: Memento; circle die: Spellbinders; die cutting machine: Cuttlebug; edge punches: EK Succes (large scallop), Fiskars (small scallop); ribbon: The Ribbon Boutique; baker's twine: Divine Twine; sewing machine: Kenmore; thread: Singer

Paper Smooches March release: altered composition book

Happy March! So I think I've found my new love...Paper Smooches stamps. I bought my first set a few weeks back, and it only has sentiments. Well...while I do LOVE the set I had, it just wasn't cuttin' it. Their image stamps are just too cute to not have, so I joined the monthly stamp club. Every month for the next year, I'll be getting 3 brand new releases from Paper Smooches (and club members get them before they're released!). Squeal! March is the first installment I got, and I'm so happy with my decision to join the club. The 3 releases this month are Zoo Crew, Metropolis, and Smarty Pants (below). Today I am showing a project I made using Smarty Pants. This past Tuesday night, I taught a class at Real Deals where we made altered composition books. Some people made them for a teacher, and some made an everyday theme. ALL of them turned out super cute! Here is the one I made. This is the stamp set I used (Smarty Pants):

And now for the paper yummies:

I used a total of 5 stamps from the Smarty Pants set, along with the Ledger stamp from Hero Arts. I've had these patterned papers from Sassafras for.ever. I was so excited to finally use them, and I think they are PERFECT for this project!

I knew I wanted to use the little nerdy guy, and I thought his clothes would be super fun paper-pieced. So I gave him some awesome October Afternoon clothes, with a Sassafras tie. I wanted him to have the "thick disheveled white hair coming out the ears" look (ew), so after I colored his hair gray, I went back in with a white pen and drew some random strands. And he normally has a pointer in his hand, but I wanted him to hold the cute apple from the same set instead. So I stamped,colored, and fussy-cut the apple, then added some Glossy Accents. I also added Glossy Accents to his shoes to make them white patent leather, but you can't really tell in the photo. And I couldn't decide if he was wearing glasses or just had really big eyes, so I colored them in and either gave him glasses or glaucoma, I'm not sure which. I LOVE this guy!!! Here's a close-up:

Here are couple more stamps from the Smarty Pants set. I paper-pieced the pencil using the same paper as the nerd's tie, and colored in the rest with Prismacolor markers. I put the "lead" of the pencil right on the sentiment to make it look as if the pencil wrote it:

And I used the cute little star stamp from the set in a couple of corners on the ledger:

I added some random mini staples using my Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher, and completed my sentiment with some American Crafts alpha stickers. I think Smarty Pants is my favorite set from the March release...but I haven't used the other two sets yet. That could change!

My lil' nerd is playing along here:

PaperPlay Challenge: Something old, something new (old papers, new stamps)

Paper Pretties: Use your favorite stamp set

Ribbon Carousel: Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Anything Goes

Thanks for looking!

Supplies: composition book: Target; patterned papers: Sassafras (apples, stripes, scalloped strip), October Afternoon (flowers, polka dots); cardstock: Recollections (kraft), The Paper Company (ivory), stamps: Paper Smooches (nerd, apple, pencil, star, thanks teacher), Hero Arts (ledger); inks: Tsukineko (black), Hampton Art (red), Ranger (distress); markers: Prismacolor; notebook edge punch: EK Success; stapler, Glossy Accents: Ranger; alphabet stickers: American Crafts; ribbon: The Ribbon Boutique; white pen: Signo Uniball

CPS Day 14 - be happy

Hello, everybody! I've got another post for you today, and that is my card for day 14 of the Card Positioning Systems 5th anniversary. And since this sketch can be clean and simple, I decided to make another card for the CAS-ual Fridays challenge this week. Here is the sketch (#45):

And here is the CAS-ual Fridays challenge for the week: paper piecing. YAY!
I just bought this stamp a few days ago, thinking that it would be PERFECT for paper piecing. And. it. is. I just decided to stick to 2 colors/patterns, but I think this stamp would also look cool with a different color/pattern for each layer (5 total). Now for the paper yummies:

The stamp is by Hampton Art, and it's paired with the sentiment stamp, so that was a no-brainer. I tried a new technique (for me), and that is stamping on the ribbon. I've run my ribbon through my printer before, but never stamped on it. I really like the way it turned out. I also really love all the different patterns in the flower stamp, especially the text in the outermost layer. TOO CUTE! Here is a closer view of the flower:

Playing along with these challenges:

Card Positioning Systems day 14 sketch

CAS-ual Fridays CFC39: Love Ya To Pieces *EDITED: I missed the deadline to submit this card to CAS-ual Fridays by a couple hours. Didn't realize Wednesday is the cut off. Whoopsie! *

Lily Pad Cards patterned paper challenge

Fab 'n' Funky Challenge 108: Try Something New

Thanks for looking!

Supplies: card base: The Paper Studio; patterned papers: October Afternoon; stamps: Hampton Art; ink: Tsukineko, ribbon: Michael's; corner rounder: We R Memory Keepers; brad: craft supply

CPS Day 2 - aeio...missing u

Hi, everybody! I'm back with my card for day 2 of the Card Positioning Systems 5 year anniversary celebration. Here is the sketch (#166):

I thought it would be fun to use the large circular element in the sketch as a window in the front of my card, with the smaller circle affixed to a piece of patterned paper that would "bridge" the window. Not sure if that is the best way to describe it or of that even makes sense (LOL), but you'll see what I'm talking about. I used my Nestabilities circle dies to cut the window and the sentiment piece, and I think it turned out really cute! Now for the paper yummies:

I used patterned paper by October Afternoon, and machine stitched with red thread around the edges. Here is a close-up of the window, showing how you can see through to the inside of the card. The sentiment and the heart are Hero Arts stamps from the Year Round Sentiments set. I stamped the heart on patterned paper, trimmed around it, adhered it under my sentiment, and applied Glossy Accents on top of it. SO CUTE!
I am also playing along with the Die Cutting Challenge in the Moxie Fab World and the Lily Pad Cards Patterned Paper challenge presented by Simon Says Stamp.

Thanks for looking!

Supplies: cardstock: Recollections (kraft), Core'dinations (red scallop strip at top); patterned papers: October Afternoon; stamps: Hero Arts; ink: Tsukineko; cutting dies: Nestabilities by Spellbinders; die cutting machine: Cuttlebug by Provocraft; scallop edge punch: Fiskars; dimensional glaze: Glossy Accents by Ranger; trim: Michael's; sewing machine: Kenmore; thread: Singer; buttons: Joann; twine: Offray

Happy Valentine's Day card

Here is a Valentine's Day card I made for the Hero Arts 2012 Valentine card exchange on Flickr. There were 57 gals who participated in the exchange, and it was a lot of fun! I made this card for Sheila in Wisconsin, and received 2 (yes 2!) lovely cards from Gayatri in Australia. How cool is that?!?

Here's a close-up of the rosette, on top of which I stacked a pink button and a red felt heart that I Stickled:

And since the card was too bulky for me to want to send it in a regular envelope, I decided to send it in a bubble mailer. And that gave me an excuse to decorate the regular envelope:

I hope Sheila enjoyed the card. And I hope to be part of the next exchange. Thanks for looking!

Supplies: card base/envelope: The Paper Studio; cardstock (black, kraft): Recollections; patterned papers: October Afternoon; ticket strip die/stamps: Papertrey Ink; "happy" alphabet dies: Sizzix (Rat-a-tat font); alphabet stickers: Cosmo Cricket; "day": handwritten with black Recollections pen, then Versamark pen and embossed with American Crafts black glitter embossing powder; rosette: Dritz; twine: Offray; red felt heart: American Crafts; button: craft supply; glitter glue: Ranger; white pen: Signo Uniball; machine stitching