Die Cuts Challenge

The newest challenge at Melonheadz is to use Die Cuts.  Each challenge last for 2 weeks so you have plenty of time to create a card and enter it in for a chance to win digital stamps! Come join us!

Since I have very few die cuts in my collection, I used Sizzex 8pk Circle dies.  I created this cute card using 4 different circle sizes and the adorable kitty digi's from Melonheadz. The heart patterned pink paper was actually in a 6x6" paper pad I found at Walmart for only $3.00!  It was a great buy with 100 sheets of paper inside with 20 different patterns. The statement on top reads, "You've CAT to be Kitten me right Meow!" Stamp on the bottom circle says, "You're purrfect!" I hope you enjoy this card. Please feel free to leave me a comment and share your projects too! :) 

This card will be entered into these challenges:  -Crafting From the Heart -  #47  2/23
-Craft your passion - #249  2/23
-House of Cards -  February Challenge
-Love to Scrap Challenge Blog - #48   3/1 
-Not just cards Challenge - #13   3/2 
-Stamp and create - February Challenge (enter once weekly)  3/2
-The Paper Nest Dolls Challenge - February 
-Use Your Stuff Challenge - #173   2/22
-Whoopsi Daisy Challenge - February

Supplies used:

• Sizzex 8pk Circle Dies
• Melonheadz Crazy Cat Lady digi bundle
• Hampton Art - Art Impressions Stamps SC0652
• Core'dinations 65lb cardstock from Jo-Ann
• 6"x6" paper pack from Walmart
• Sargents Watercolor Pencils
• Staz On Jet Black ink
• Cuttlebug embossing folder
• Pigment ink squares from Tuesday Morning
• Wow clear embossing powder
• Tiny embellishments (given as a gift)

Hearts and Love Challenge at Melonheadz

"Hearts and Love Season" is in full swing!  I created this card for the challenge at Melonheadz and hope you will visit them to join in!

 

A closer look at the sentiment.  This beautiful "from the heart" stamp came from a thank you clear stamp set online at OrientalTrading.com 

A white lace bow was made for the side of the card and I hot glued a plastic flower embellishment with a Fairy Tale charm to the center.  The digital stamp of the little girl can be found at Melonheadz Designs.

This card will be entered into the following challenges:  -2 Cute Ink Digital Stamps - 2W, C10

-Aurora Wings Challenge #11- Valentines    2/14

-Craft-Dee BowZ - February Challenge

-Eureka Stamps - Pink/Red

House of Cards - Love #60 Monthly Challenge 3/15

-Love to Scrap! - Love is in the Air  2/18

-Crafty Creations - February Challenge 

-Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - H is for...  -Wednesday -  Bright & Beautiful

-Sweet Stamps - Challenge #207 - Love is in the Air

Supplies I used include:

• 65lb card stock by Pacon Creative Products 
• Core'dinations 65lb cardstock from Jo-Ann 
• Recollections Gold Embossing Powder 
• foam tape from Orientaltrading.com
• Thank you stamp set from Orientaltrading.com 
• Digital Stamp from Melonheadz
• Fairy Tale charms and Bead Designs embellishments from Hobby Lobby
• Staz On jet black ink for edges
• 6x6" paper pad from Walmart
• Jolee's Boutique rose embellishments
• Gold Stickles
• Sargents Watercolor Pencils from Hobby Lobby

Class Day 5 and Spellbinding Stamps

I created several projects today and was quite busy!  First on the list were new inking techniques in today's Onlinecardclasses.com.  I tried the DIY Inkpad technique by Laura Bassen with some beautiful inks in shades of lavender, light blue and turquoise.  Since it's heart and love season, I used a heart border from one of my stamp sets.

 

The sentiment is from a stamp set found at Orientaltrading.com.  The embellishments were gifts and unfortunately I'm not sure where they came from.

Another card I created using a gorgeous stamp by Nikki Burnette.  Her artwork is simply stunning and you must view her work!  I don't think her Facebook page gets as much love as it deserves, so I will be helping to color one of her images she posts each month this year.  So jealous of your talent Nikki!  (and keep up the wonderful work!)    :)

Supplies used: 

• 65lb card stock by Pacon Creative Products 
• Core'dinations 65lb cardstock from Jo-Ann 
• Recollections Gold Embossing Powder 
• I heart you stamp set from American Crafts
• Stackable ink squares from Tuesday Morning
• foam tape from Orientaltrading.com
• Thank you stamp set from Orientaltrading.com 
• Staz On jet black ink
• Embellishments

Faux Embossing

I have never heard of faux embossing...until today!  Watching Yana Smakula do this clean and simple technique really inspired me.  I dug through my die stash and found some beautiful ones to create my own faux embossed background using die cuts.

I used a little maroon card stock to add some color along with the gold embossing powder.  Sweet and simple!

Supplies I used:

• Spellbinders Shapeabilities Butterflies
• Stampabilities gold ink
• Spellbinders Shapeabilities "Damask Accents"
• 65lb card stock by Pacon Creative Products
• Core'dinations 65lb cardstock from Jo-Ann
• Embellishments are tiny nail art sequins  
• Hello Gorgeous stamp found in Michael's clearance section 
• Recollections Gold Embossing Powder 

Velveteen Stamping

Karolyn Loncon uses this technique by combining white pigment ink with beautiful colored dye inks to create a patterned resist effect on her stamped images.  I was so inspired watching her latest creation and had to try it myself!  I used white pigment ink on the background with brown Distress Ink on top for the images.

I love the way this turned out even though I only used one color of ink.  (My supply is very limited living in only 400 square feet...and was able to use supplies I had on hand.) This would look amazing with different colored dye inks on top!

I will be entering this card in the following challenges:  -Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge--In the Clouds,  -The Crafter's Cafe Challenge
-Crafting for All Seasons,  Crafty Gal's Corner,
-Double Click- and check out her store's cute embellishments called Double Click Skittles! (winner chosen Feb 7th)
-Fresh Brewed Designs
-Inspiration Destination 
-Miriam's Crafting
**Mod Squad Challenge **
-Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge 
-Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge  
Simon Says Stamp Official Blog Work it Wednesday
-Kraftin' Kimmy Stamps

Supplies used:

•  I heart you stamp set from American Crafts
• My Minds Eye Fine and dandy True Blue stamp set
• Heidi Swapp background stamp from Michael's
• 65lb card stock by Pacon Creative Products
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Vintage Photo
• Colored pigment ink squares from Tuesday Morning
• foam tape from Orientaltrading.com

Playing with a border die

Day 2 of my online card classes and I'm playing with border dies!  Well actually... I only own one at the moment, which I found in my Spellbinders Shapeabilities Damask Accents package.  I first painted a 4x6" piece of 140lb watercolor paper with red and yellow watercolors.  I love how it blends in the middle for a slight touch of orange!

 

I ran the top and bottom of the watercolor piece through my Cuttlebug and adhered the pieces to white cardstock, but spaced out a little bit. The two fine detail pieces are attached to the cardstock using a Zig 2 way glue pen and the two larger pieces have foam tape behind them to make them pop!

Items I used for this project:

• Spellbinders Shapeabilities "Damask Accents"
• Simply Art 36 Watercolor Set from Joanne's
• I heart you stamp set from American Crafts
• Red Glitter gel pen from American Crafts
• Zig 2 way glue pen
• foam tape from Orientaltrading.com
• Master's Touch Fine Art Studio 140lb watercolor paper
• Core'dinations 65lb cardstock from Jo-Ann

I'm entering this card into these challenges:  -Crafty Sentiments Design
-Just Inspirational 
-Papertake Weekly = Warm colors theme
-Through the Craft Room Door

Learning From Mistakes

Today I started a wonderful online class at OnlineCardClasses.com  The new technique I was trying to accomplish was a background in different colors using gold (one of my favorite colors!) and silver embossing powder.  I was supposed to use stamping masking tape (they recommend Inkadinkado's version) but I didn't have any.  I tried using decorative tape from the dollar store, and...

 needless to say, it didn't work very well!  You can see where the cardstock tore in the center and applying distress ink over the top did not help to cover it at all lol.   (next 2 photos below...I messed up big-time on this one)

So that is what NOT to do!  

To remedy, I used washi tape (bought directly from Japan) on black cardstock.  The actual washi tape did not tear the card stock; however, it did leave a little sticky residue. You can see it where I masked off the silver portion.  

To be honest, it didn't come out half bad though!  (The second attempt anyway!) I love these 2 colors on black card stock. I used a silver glitter pen with a ruler to make lines above and below the sentiment.  Inked the edges of the black card stock with gold ink and applied foam tape to give a little dimension against the maroon card base.  My goal was a gender neutral Valentine's Day card and I love the way this turned out! Perfect for a guy or girl!

I am entering this card into the following challenges: 
 -Blessings Ink
-Penny Black and More Challenge 
-That Craft Place 
My Sheri Crafts 
-Art Impressions Stamps
-Red Rubber Inspirationals 
-Scrap and Craft Inspiration
-Time Out Challenge
-Card Mania Challenges
-Crafts Galore Encore 
Country View Challenge
-Crafting Musketeers 
-Natalie and Amy
-Noor! Design 
-Seema Crafts
Sparkles Forum Challenges
-Sisters of Craft
**Scrapbook Place-SBP Challenge Blog**
-One Sweet Challenge 
-Pile It On Challenge 
-Cheerful Stamp Pad Challenge 
-Sentimental Sundays 
Laurelcraft Dragonfly Dreams Challenge 
-Crafty Gals Corner Challenge
-Inspiration Destination 
-Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge 
-Scrapper's Delights Challenge 
-Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge 
Simon Says Stamp Work it Wednesday January 2015
-Fresh Brewed Designs


Items I used today include:

• Foam tape from Orientaltrading.com
• Versamark embossing ink
• Core'dinations 65lb cardstock from Jo-Ann
• Fiskars Latte Love clear stamp set
• Heidi Swapp 5.5" x 5.5" background stamp bought at Michael's
• Silver glitter pen by American Crafts
• Stampabilities gold ink