Creatively LA

Moving my Blog

2017-10-08T07:33:00.001-06:00

Hello everyone.

Just a quick note to let you know I have a shiny new blog at Lee-Anne Cross Designs.

Hope to see you there!

50th Anniversary

2016-07-27T08:12:00.000-06:00

Good morning all!

I'm back with an anniversary card for my dear cousin.

It's a very simple design. I've stamped and heat embossed the lace IO background in gold...for some reason, it looks rather green on my monitor. But rest assured it does coordinate with the gold on the 50 :)

Then I added three strips of some Recollection bling. Next, I die cut some little scrolly leaves in both vellum and white card stock. The "50" was made with a couple of stickers and some Inka Gold.

Not sure when I'll be back...but it kind of felt good to actually make something today!

Blogs for Boobies Card Auction

2016-06-04T05:04:00.001-06:00

Well hello, my lovelies! Today I am one of the designers helping Skipping Stones Design with their 7-day Blogs for Boobies blog hop and card auction! More than 60 designers are posting various cards and projects with all money raised going to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Sadly it's hard to find someone who hasn't been affected by breast cancer. My mom lost her battle 20 years ago. She's one of many relatives and special friends I've lost. I'm proud to be a part of this blog hop and fund-raiser in memory of those who've lost their battle and countless others who are currently battling breast cancer, and the many, many amazing survivors.

There are several ways you can help:

You can help by shopping at Skipping Stones Design.

Skipping Stones Design will be donating $2 per stamp set purchased between June 1 and June 14. They are releasing six new sets as well! Check out all their stamp sets right here.

You can help by bidding on the auction items.

****Bidding instructions***

1. To bid on the card set I've posted today:

Leave a comment below with your bid amount and your e-mail address.

Starting bid is $5

Only comments on this post will be eligible for this card auction.

You MUST comment with an e-mail address to be able to bid.

Sorry, but comments without an e-mail address are invalid.

(FYI, during a silent auction bidders sign their name next to their bid. So by including your e-mail address it is the electronic equivalent of signing your bid.)

2. Comments will post in chronological order, so you will be able to see the current high bid.

3. Return frequently to see if you've been outbid and to place a new high bid.

(Below in the comment field, you'll see a "subscribe to post comments" option. Just subscribe if you would like notification of additional comments.)

4. My auction closes at 8 p.m. Mountain Time on June 11. The winning bid will be the highest valid bid at the close of the auction. I will notify the winner by e-mail. Skipping Stones Design will send the winner an invoice for the amount of the winning bid. Once the invoice is paid, I will mail the set of cards to the winning bidder. Please pay your invoice as soon as possible so I can get these out to you quickly!

You can help by spreading the word!

The more people who know about this event, the more money we can raise. Please feel free to share this event with friends and family and/or on social media.

Remember, this is a 7-day hop. Here's a complete list of the designers hopping today:

Skipping Stones Design

Amy Tsuruta

Stacy Croniger

Lee-Anne Cross (that's me!)

Check in with the Skipping Stones Design blog each day of the hop for links to that day's designers.

And here's my set of cards for you to bid on. You'll receive the five cards complete with envelope, each wrapped in a sealed cellophane cover all mailed in a padded envelope.

I'm totally into watercolor and these were simple and fun to make. I used three different colors of Distress Inks on my craft mat and sprayed them with water. Then I dragged the watercolor paper through several times until I was happy with the colors and coverage. A little stamping with these gorgeous sets from Skipping Stones Design: Heartsong and Uplifting, a smattering of sequins or a touch of Wink of Stella and done!

Remember to leave a comment with a bid and your e-mail address. As always, comments without bids are most welcome too :)

Back soon with more my sweet friends...

Taking a Break

2016-05-01T21:37:00.000-06:00

Well my lovelies, it appears it's time for me to scale things back for a while. You haven't seen much from me lately have you?

I have recently been diagnosed with my third auto-immune disease. So it's time to focus on my health. Lots of rest, physiotherapy, massages, meditation and just basically taking care of me. I'll be spending lots of time in the kitchen cooking everything from scratch. Did you know there are some amazing auto-immune cookbooks out there? My research has led me to a few wonderful ones. And luckily I have a very support hubby who will be with me every step of the way.

Since I'll be doing all that...my time in my studio will be limited. This isn't permanent...just wanted you to know that my posts will be very sporadic over the next while. You'll see the odd post and next month I have a fund-raiser I committed to a while ago.

Shery has very graciously offered to give me a leave from the STAMPlorations/ARTplorations team and I've gratefully accepted. Isn't she the best?

Back in a while with more my friends...

May Mixed Media Challenge and Stencil Sunday

2016-05-01T10:00:00.000-06:00

Hello! I'm so happy to be back with another Stencil Sunday project and mixed media challenge.

Would love to have you join us for the mixed media challenge this month. As always, it's an anything goes challenge that must be a mixed media piece...tags, art journal pages, home decor, etc....anything but a card. The winner will receive a $15 STAMPlorations gift certificate or 2 ARTplorations stencils. And the top picks receive an ARTplorations stencil of their choice.

Playing in my small art journal again. After covering the page in gesso, I stamped several images from Mixed Media Elements around the edges in Cobalt Archival Ink. Next came some light modelling paste through my Retro Circles stencil. When that was dry, I blended two shades of Distress Crayons on the page. Then I added some Distress Ink through my Square Links stencil.

The sentiment from Subway Art Builders Create was stamped on some Tim Holtz Tissue Wrap and adhered to the page with a matte medium. My final step was to smudge some Stabilo pencil randomly around the edges and blend with water.

Check out what the rest of the design team has made to inspire you right here.

Cannot wait to see what you make! Just a gentle reminder...this is not a card challenge...it's anything BUT a card. To ensure that you're eligible for the prizes each month, simply create a mixed media project, add a link to the challenge and show the challenge graphic...it's as easy as that!

Back soon with more my sweet friends...

ARTplorations Stencil Blog Hop - Day Three

2016-04-15T08:00:00.000-06:00

Hello again, stencil fans! It's day three of the ARTplorations Stencil Blog Hop with the STAMPlorations girls!

You can find all the details on the STAMPlorations blog right here. There might be some prizes...just saying. Commenting on the STAMPlorations blog, the rest of the design team member's blogs and my blog just might win you a prize :) Commenting closes April 17 with the winners announced on April 19.

So are you sick of this technique yet? Just had to try it again but put a different spin on it. This time, I dried it with my heat gun, dampened it just slightly and dropped more color in with the stencil back in place. And, I tried to be a bit more loosey goosey with my pen outlines. Once it was dry, I smudged some glass bead gel over the flowers for a bit of sparkle and dimension. See those little, blue dots? That means someone didn't clean their stencil properly before starting this project :(

Here's what I used:
Paper: SU!, vellum and watercolor
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Stamps: STAMPlorations Big Greetings
All the other stuff: ARTplorations Old Rose Prints stencil, Lil' Inker Stitched Rectangle die, Micron pen, glass bead gel.

Check out what the other STAMPlorations girls have created to inspire you right here.

This is also my reminder card for the CAS Mix Up Card Challenge. I'm the Featured Designer this month and wanted to share one more card for the challenge. You'll find all the details for the CAS Mix Up right here.

STAMPlorations products I used today:

ARTplorations Old Rose Prints STAMPlorations Big Greetings

Back soon with more my sweet friends...

ARTplorations Stencil Blog Hop - Day Two

2016-04-14T08:00:00.000-06:00

Hello again, stencil fans! It's day two of the ARTplorations Stencil Blog Hop with the STAMPlorations girls!

I used the same technique as yesterday but changed up the colors and used the Flutterby stencil and added some gold splatters.

Here's what I used:

Paper: Neenah Solar White and watercolor

Stamps: STAMPlorations BOLD SENTIMENTS: Imagine

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black

All the other stuff: ARTplorations Flutterby stencil, Zig Gansai Tambi watercolors, large flat brush, Micron pen, Gold Colorshine Mist, foam adhesive

Check out what the other STAMPlorations girls have created to inspire you right here.

STAMPlorations products I used today:
ARTplorations Flutterby STAMPlorations BOLD SENTIMENTS: Imagine

Back soon with more my sweet friends...

ARTplorations Stencil Blog Hop - April 13 - 15

2016-04-13T08:00:00.000-06:00

Hello, stencil fans! It's time for another ARTplorations Stencil Blog Hop with the STAMPlorations girls.

I'm always on the lookout for new ways to use stencils and this one incorporates another of my favorite things and that's watercolor. Here's a link to the video tutorial I found on Joggles which explains how it's done.

My Leaf Prints stencil was placed on some watercolor paper and using a large, flat brush I dropped in watercolor paint. Once it was completely dry, I did a bit of rough sketching around each of the components with a waterproof fine pen. And since I ended up with some tiny drops of watercolor, I outlined those two just for fun :) There's a distinct possibility you'll see more of this technique in the coming days as I try to perfect it.

Here's what I used:

Paper: Neenah Solar White and watercolor

Ink: Versafine in Black Onyx

Stamps: STAMPlorations Art Is

All the other stuff: ARTplorations Leaf Prints stencil, Zig Gansai Tambi Watercolor, large flat brush, Micron pen, MFT Wonky Stitched Rectangle die, sequins, adhesive, foam tape

Check out what the other STAMPlorations girls have made to inspire you right here.

STAMPlorations products I used today:
ARTplorations Leaf Prints: STAMPlorations Art Is:

Back soon with more my sweet friends...

Stencil Sunday - The Realist Adjusts the Sails

2016-04-10T10:00:00.000-06:00

Hello, my stamping lovelies! I'm back with another Stencil Sunday Project.

When I first saw the new Anchors Away stencil my heart went pitter patter as I knew I wanted to use it with the True North stamp set.

This is a small journal page...the pages in this book are 5.5 inches by 8 inches...a really nice size to work with! After covering my page with gesso and drying it, I added some Prima Color Mist and misted it with water. Next, I added the anchors with my stencil and some Archival Ink. The sailboat and sentiment were stamped in black MFT Hybrid ink. Then, using my Nestled Circles and some Distress Ink I added the feeling of waves/water. And the final touch...a bit of Stabilo pencil smudged beneath the boat.

Would love to have you join us for the mixed media challenge this month. As always, it's an anything goes challenge that must be a mixed media piece...tags, art journal pages, home decor, etc....anything but a card. The winner will receive a $15 STAMPlorations gift certificate or 2 ARTplorations stencils. And the top picks receive an ARTplorations stencil of their choice.

STAMPlorations ARTplorations

True North Anchors Away Nestled Circles

Back soon with more my sweet friends...

Hope Tag Tutorial

2016-04-08T10:00:00.000-06:00

Would love to have you join me for my tutorial over at the ARTplorations blog!

Back soon with more my sweet friends...

Mosaic Dragonfly

2016-04-07T13:09:00.000-06:00

Just playing today; this tag is for a couple of challenges...

I've drawn some inspiration from the April 2016 Tim's Tag and as usual, it doesn't look anything like his, but that's the point...it's about being inspired right? Also, I'm all about Earth Day 365 days of the year. So when I saw the current Anything But Cute Earth Day Challenge, I used that as my theme for my tag.

Tim has used his new Distress Paper Mosaic Kit, which I don't have, so I used his directions from his March 2012 tag to create my mosaic dragonfly. Instead of cutting up some designer paper, I dragged some watercolor paper through some Distress Inks and used that. Then it was topped with Glossy Accents for a faux tile look.

And, I used a totally different technique for my woodgrain background. It's made with a piece of woodgrain cardstock (like Tim's), but I used Distress Crayons and Distress Inks to create it. Did I tell you I LOVE my Distress Crayons? I rubbed several colors of the Distress Crayons into the cardstock, inked it with Distress Inks and splattered it with Black Soot Distress Paint. I also drew some lines with a Distress Marker to imitate a wood floor or perhaps wood paneling. Pretty happy with how it turned out :)

My "grout" was made with a matte embossing powder that I colored with some alcohol ink as I didn't have the "cement" embossing powder that Tim used.

Again, I've used a #10 manila tag simply because of the size of the dragonfly die and all the "stuff" I wanted to add. The tail of the dragonfly is made with clear rhinestones, that I've colored with Copic markers. Lots of shades of blue and green:

Here's what I used:
Paper: watercolor and woodgrain cardstock
Ink: Distress Inks
Stamps: not a one
All the other stuff: #10 manila tag, grunge board, Alterations Layered Dragonfly die, misc. rhinestones, Copic markers, Distress Crayons, Distress Paint, Distress Marker, Idea-ology Linen Ribbon, Idea-ology Souvenir Adornments, Remnant Rubs, Small Talk Stickers, Flashcards, Pocket Cards, WOW matte embossing powder, alcohol ink, Glossy Accents, splatter brush

Challenges entered:
Tim's Tags of 2016 - April
Anything But Cute #12 - Earth Day

Back soon with more my sweet friends...

You Are Loved That Is All

2016-04-04T13:58:00.002-06:00

While I'm waiting for one of my projects to dry, thought I'd play along in a couple of challenges. There's a lot of shimmer on this that my camera does not show in the larger picture...so here's a close up:

This is a stencil monoprint made with Distress Inks and Perfect Pearls. I wanted an aged copper feel, so that's how I chose the colors to work with. Easy-peasy, quick as a wink card. Added a bit of Copper Inka Gold around the edges and a few drips of Copper Perfect Pearls Mist. And, of course, my usual smattering of sequins.

Not familiar with the stencil monoprint technique? Here's a video tutorial that I did last year.

Here's what I used:
Paper: watercolor and Neenah Solar White
Ink: Distress and Versafine
Stamps: WPlus9 That Is All
All the other stuff: TCW 630S Mini Chickadee Post stencil, MFT Wonky Rectangles die, Perfect Copper Perfect Pearls Mist, Copper Inka Gold, misc. sequins

Challenges entered:
CAS Mix Up Card Challenge:

Happy Little Stampers CAS Challenge: stencil monoprint

Back soon with more my sweet friends...

April Stencil Sunday and Mixed Media Challenge Tag

2016-04-03T10:00:00.000-06:00

Hello! I'm so happy to be back with another Stencil Sunday project and mixed media challenge.

The background for my tag was made with acrylic paints. Next, I heat embossed the lovely Rose Duet stencil. I stamped one of the images from the Art Marks set with acrylic paint and cleaned off the stamp immediately. Then, using a Stabilo pencil, I added shading to the flower and around the edges of the tag. For some added sparkle I added two sizes of glass beads with some heavy matte gel. I finished the tag off with a bit of beading cord.

Check out what the rest of the design team has made to inspire you right here.

ARTplorations stencil used: STAMPlorations stamp set used:

Rose Duet Art Marks

Back soon with more my sweet friends...

Featured Designer CAS Mix Up - Song Bird

2016-04-01T11:00:00.000-06:00

It's a day full of posts for this girl :) Check out my April Mixed Media Card challenge post here. And don't forget to check out my Guest Designer post for the Graciellie Designs blog hop here.

So thrilled to be the Featured Designer for the CAS Mix Up this month. Thank you, Loll and Bonnie!

And here's their challenge for the month...one that's right up my alley - stenciling :)

I started out with some watercolor paper and a spray mist. Then I added some translucent embossing paste through the reverse side of my ARTplorations Perched Bird stencil. Why the reverse side you ask? It suited my layout better. Once I lifted off the stencil, I used a spatula to add texture to the paste. That gives some high and low areas for stamping which adds more texture. Then it was dried a bit with a heat gun and left to dry for a while longer. Again, you can get even more texture by heating with a heat gun...it will bubble up a bit.

Next, it was stamped with a Stampendous Music Score stamp with Archival Ink. Another option would be Staz-On if you don't have Archival Ink. I heat set the Archival Ink, just to be sure. Then I watercolored with three shades of Distress Inks, blending each into the next color. And then I wiped most of the excess Distress Ink from the bird with a baby wipe.

A simple stamped sentiment from STAMPlorations Art Marks and my usual smattering of sequins and done!

Check out what Loll and Bonnie have for you this month!

Back soon with more my sweet friends...

April Mixed Media Card Challenge

2016-04-01T07:00:00.000-06:00

It's a day full of posts for this girl :) Check out my Featured Designer post for the CAS Mix Up here. And don't forget to check out my Guest Designer post for the Graciellie Designs blog hop here.

I'm back with another Mixed Media Card Challenge.

The challenges run from the 1st to the 25th of each month, with the winners announced on the last day of the month. To play along, simply create a mixed media card and enter it at the Mixed Media Card Challenge. Be sure to check out the cards from the rest of the Design Team! So much inspiration!

New to mixed media? Just combine two or more mediums on your card. So many choices: watercolor, gesso, acrylics, distress inks, pencils, crayons, Copics, other inks and on and on...

And speaking of on and on...I threw everything but the kitchen sink at this and still kept it fairly CAS. After stamping the sunshine image and sentiment in Archival Ink it was masked. Then I stamped the brick pattern in chalk paint. Next came coloring...Polychromos pencils and Gamsol followed by some PITT Artist Big Brushes. There's Wink of Stella and Stickles for some added sparkle.

Here's what I used:

Paper: Neenah Solar White

Ink: Jet Black Archival

Stamps: STAMPlorations New Beginnings and Mixed Media Grunge

All the other stuff: Polychromos pencils, Gamsol, PITT Artist Big Brushes, Wink of Stella, Stickles, Prima Chalk Paint

Can't wait to see what you create for the challenge this month!

Back soon with more my sweet friends...

Guest Designer for Graciellie Designs

2016-04-01T05:00:00.000-06:00

It's a day full of posts for this girl :) Check out my April Mixed Media Card challenge post here. And don't forget to check out my Featured Designer post for the CAS Mix Up challenge here.

Hello, my stamping lovelies! I'm a Guest Designer for a new blog hop featuring Graciellie Design's Digital Stamps. Gracie's stamps are so versatile and today I have the chance to share a project with you using one of her sets called Guide the Helm.

I chose to make a home decor piece and used an 8" x 10" burlap canvas. I printed the image on some sticky back canvas and then colored it with acrylics, watercolors, color mists and PITT big brush pens. A sprinkle of sequins and beads were added to the flowers too. I've dyed some cheesecloth to coordinate and place it behind the image before adhering it to my burlap canvas. Some knotted burlap twine adds a little more texture.

This new, set as well as other new digital stamp sets,can be found at Graciellie Design's shop here. If you'd like to check out last months release and inspiration blog hop click here.

GIVEAWAY:

For a chance to win a new digital stamp set of your choice from Gracie's shop, just comment on the blogs listed below. I'm sure their projects will inspire you!

Graciellie Design
Karen
Autumn
Donna
Lisa
Riti
Lee-Anne (that's me!)

The giveaway will run for a week and Gracie will announce the winner on her blog, so don't forget to subscribe to her newsletter here.

Back soon with more my sweet friends...

Go Bold or Go Home

2016-03-31T11:27:00.002-06:00

No need to explain that title is there?

I'm playing along with a few challenges today.

My background is a piece of designer paper that's been pulled through some Distress Paints, dried, distressed, stenciled, and then I added more gold using some foil sheets. As I've said lately, I'm ~~a little~~ totally obsessed with gold.

The butterfly has been painted with gold paint and then I added mica flakes, glass glitter, and some beads. The same treatment was used on the flowers and the chipboard sentiment. Some die cut leaves in black and Tim Holtz Small Talk sticker complete the card.

Here's a close up of the detail I added to the butterfly:

Here's what I used:
Paper: unknown designer paper and Gina K. Black
Ink: Versamark
Stamps: none
All the other stuff: Distress Paints, Tim Holtz Schoolhouse stencil, Ranger Sticky Embossing Powder, Tim Holtz distressing tool, misc. chipboard circle, Penny Black Holly & Berries die, Ranger Transfer Foil Sheets, Finnabair Art Alchemy Acrylic Paint, Finnabair Glass Glitter, Finnabair Mica Flakes, Finnabair Glass Beads, heavy gel medium, foam tape, Tim Holtz Small Talk sticker, misc. flowers, Distress Spray Stains

Challenges entered:
Frilly and Funkie: Hip to be Square using brighter colors from the hippie era
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: anything goes - they are showcasing Ranger Products
Anything But Cute Challenge #11:

Back soon with more my sweet friends...

Tim's Tag March 2016

2016-03-30T14:45:00.001-06:00

Hello, crafty lovelies! I'm in just under the wire with my Tim's Tag this month. I was waiting for my Distress Crayons to arrive and luckily they did today :) So I'm a very happy camper! Let me tell you...they were worth the wait. Creamy, luscious colors...they blend so beautifully with my favorite tool...my finger.

Here's Tim's glorious tag:

As is the case with his tags this year, they are a re-mix of some of his wonderful techniques. Check out all the details right here.

I had a lot of fun with this one, as always doing my own thing. This tag is a larger format #10 size, which I needed to incorporate the bird die I wanted to use. And my tag ended up with sort of a wood look to it...purely accidental. It happened while blending some of the Distress Crayons. Yay for happy accidents! And something I'll be playing with again, next time intentionally :)

Here's what I used:

Paper: Crowded Attic paper stash from Tim

Ink: Walnut Stain Distress Ink

Stamps: not a one

All the other stuff: #10 tag, burlap twine, Tim's Laboratorie Tissue Tape, Tim's Bigz Bird Silhouette die, Distress Crayons, Tim Holtz Mixed Media Thinlets die, Tim Holtz Alpha Parts Framed, Collage Glue Stick and Ranger Shiny Transfer Foil Sheets, Distress Spray Stains, gesso

Back soon with more my sweet friends...

Create Your Destiny - Just Be You

2016-03-27T10:00:00.000-06:00

Hello! I'm so happy to be back with another Stencil Sunday project and a reminder for the mixed media challenge.

This starts with some designer paper...I worked with the colors in it when adding all my different mediums. Just ripped up my paper and starting adding it randomly with Matte Medium. Then I mixed up some Fiber Paste with some inks to create sort of a cement color and added it through my Flutterby stencil.

Next, I added a couple of colors of Lindy's Stamp Gang mists. There's lots of shimmer from them. Then some stamping (Mixed Media Grunge, Mixed Media Elements, Hope Blooms, and BOLD SENTIMENTS: Create) with Archival Ink, followed by more stenciling with Flutters and Splatters LARGE...this time I used my finger and a Pitt Artist Big Brush. More of the same color was added randomly, with, you guessed it...my finger. I took a little liberty with the "just be you" stamp and added a little arrow to the "y"...

Would love to see you add a project to the Mixed Media Challenge...hope to see you there!

Back soon with more my sweet friends...

Coffee with Winged Things

2016-03-23T14:26:00.001-06:00

Another card for the Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop, using the colors from the latest Color Throwdown Challenge.

Just got some new STAMPlorations and ARTplorations goodies, so of course, I had to make another card immediately :) I made the background paper by first creating a stencil monoprint with my shiny new stencil. Then I randomly added some watered down gesso to the paper. Next, I heat embossed all the winged things and watercolored them with Distress Inks. And since one can never have too much gold...added some dots of gold watercolor paint to their wings. The little butterfly on the coffee cup was stamped with Distress Ink, watercolored with gold watercolor paint and heat embossed in gold to give the appearance of being in flight.

Here's what I used:

Paper: SU! and watercolor paper

Ink: Versamark and Distress Inks

Stamps: STAMPlorations All You Need is Coffee and Winged Things

All the rest of the stuff: ARTplorations Square Links stencil, gold embossing powder, gesso, sequins, foam tape, gold watercolor paint

Challenges entered:

Color Throwdown Challenge #385

Back soon with more my sweet friends...

Pastel Peace

2016-03-22T15:01:00.000-06:00

Playing along in a couple of challenges today. Teamie Cornelia is the Muse for the current Muse: Christmas Visions Challenge; and here's her amazing card:

This is also for the current CASology challenge: weather. Normally, I'd be doing something spring-like at this time of year, but the current dump of snow had me thinking winter :)

I opted for a soft color palette and lots of sparkle, but kept the "peace" theme. Just did a quick watercolor wash background, splashed on some watered down gesso and then heat embossed the tree and the starry background with some glittery embossing powder. The sentiment has been die cut from some silver paper.

Here's a close-up of the sparkle:

Here's what I used:

Paper: Strathmore 140# watercolor paper and SU! silver paper

Ink: Versamark and Distress Inks for watercoloring

Stamp: Penny Black Pine & Star

All the other stuff: SSS Falling Stars stencil, WOW! Sparkling Snow Embossing Glitter, gesso, brushes, Penny Black "peace" die

Challenges entered:

Muse: Christmas Visions Challenge

CASology #190 Weather:

Back soon with more my sweet friends...

In the Pink

2016-03-21T10:08:00.001-06:00

Having a play day today! Wanted something bright and cheery as we are about to get upwards of 5 cm. of snow. Mother Nature's way of reminding us that while the calendar says spring...it's just not quite here yet :)

Another card for the Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop, as well as a couple of other challenges...

My background was made by adding Versamark through my stencil and then heat embossing in white. Then I added three colors of Distress Ink to my craft mat, spritzed them with water and dragged my watercolor paper through it. Once it was dry, I added some gold mica paste through a different stencil.

More heat embossing for the sweet little coffee cup and sentiment...this time in gold. Yes, I know, I'm still on that gold kick! A bit of gold cording and a smattering of sequins and done!

Here's what I used:

Paper: watercolor, vellum and Neenah Solar White

Ink: Distress and Versamark

Stamps: Verve Coffee Helps

All the other stuff: Verve Cup for All Seasons die set, TCW stencils, white embossing powder, gold embossing powder, gold cording, gold mica paste, sequins, adhesives

Challenges entered:

Mojo Monday #440

The Card Concept #51 - this could fall into the classy & elegant category or the mixed media category

Back soon with more my sweet friends...

Coffee Lovers Garden

2016-03-19T10:42:00.001-06:00

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night with a card idea? This one happened about 2:30 a.m. this morning :) So I did go back to sleep but...had to make it happen this morning for the Coffee Lovers Blog Hop!

And what coffee lover wouldn't love to wake up to this in his/her garden?

Watercolored the background with Distress Inks, the layered sun and the little coffee cups. Added some more color with some Distress Markers and some shimmer with some Wink of Stella. The clouds were die cut from some sparkly felt.

Here's what I used:
Paper: Neenah Solar White
Ink: Distress and MFT Hybrid
Stamps: Verve Coffee Helps, New Beginnings and Rise Above
All the other stuff: Party Cloudy, Springtime Stitches and Cup for All Seasons Verve dies; Distress Markers, felt, Wink of Stella, foam tape, Lifestyle Crafts embossing folder

Back soon with more my sweet friends...

STAMPlorations Mini Release and Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

2016-03-18T07:00:00.000-06:00

Well, it's double the fun today! We are celebrating a mini-release of two new STAMPlorations stamp sets and it's also time for the Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop! Thanks to the amazing Amy Tsuruta and the rest of the team for this fabulous quarterly hop!

Shery Russ and Becca Cruger have designed two new STAMPlorations coffee/tea related stamp sets just in time for the hop:

Always Tea Time

Bunnies 'n Beans

I'm a tea girl when I'm not just drinking water (my preferred beverage) so I couldn't wait to make a spring card with the Always Tea Time Set.

The background has been heavily sponged with some Distress Inks. Then I misted my Shower of Flutters stencil with water and placed it on the card. This technique, called ghosting, does a lovely job of lifting some of the ink. Next the sentiment and lovely tea cup were stamped in Archival Ink and heat set. Then, I placed my Flutters and Splatters LARGE stencil on my card and added some gold mica paste. And just because I seem to be on a "gold" kick these days I added some splatters of gold Color Shine. A smattering of sequins completes the card.

Check out all the lovely inspiration on the STAMPlorations blog and don't forget to comment on all our posts for a chance to win. Comments close on March 25 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific. As an added bonus Shery has a 15% off coupon code for everything in the store including these new stamps. The coupon code is good up until March 25...SPRINGCLBH

Back soon with more my sweet friends...

Dare to be Creative Tag Tutorial

2016-03-14T10:00:00.000-06:00

It's my turn for a tutorial over at ARTplorations today. Check it out!

Back soon with more my sweet friends...