scrappybetties

Custom Colored Gingham - Easy

2012-01-26T12:39:00.002-07:00

I am always trying to coordinate my ribbons "exactly".

But to be truthful, I don't have them all...

darn it.

Here's an easy solution for a quick fix.

Start with black and white gingham. Lighter colors will change when a marker is used on them.

Color selected area with brush tip of marker. Here I used Pool Party from Stampin' Up!.

Next I added my second color, Lucky Limeade, also from SU!.

That's it. You can run a heat gun over it for a second to be sure it's dry enough to attach to your card.

Because there wasn't any white in the card, the colored ribbon works better.

The inspiration for the butterflies came from the latest
MoxieFabWorld Tuesday Trigger Challenge:
Winter Blossoms

The butterflies are layered in a monochromatic fashion.
Three graduating colors of blue and green.

Snowflakes by Three

2012-01-25T12:09:00.002-07:00

Snow has been on my mind.

It has finally arrived here in Utah.

Kinda strange winter so far

but I am willing to bet that

there will be skiing in July again.

Three snowflakes in graduating blues....grounded on grey card stock,
anchored by black grosgrain.

I stamped a circle snowflake onto the same color using black pigment ink,
then punched with a 3/4" circle punch.

The same 3/4" circle punch was used to create "notches" for the ribbon on
either end of the card.

Up-cycled Atlas Treat Container

2012-01-23T14:10:00.002-07:00

So I found this great old atlas at a thrift store.

The pages seemed to hardly ever been opened.

As a side note, I'm adding this to the Moxie Fab World

Map to Your Heart Challenge.

It is a large book, @ ll" x 15".

I pulled the pages out of the binding and had them cut loose of the glued edge.

Now I have this cool book cover to make a jumbo album of sorts out of.
That's for another time.

Aren't the pages beautiful?

I folded one page in half and glued the sides together.

Folding the paper gave it more body to work with.

Now for creating the "sour cream" style container.

Cut to a 6" x 6" square and place a "better" adhesive along one of the edges.
Roll into a tube shape.

Pinch one end of the tube together,

placing the paper intersection off center.

I sewed it closed, you cold use adhesive, staples... anything.

It just needs to be secure, or whatever you place

inside WILL fall out.

One end sewn closed

This is IMPORTANT.

Put your goodies, candies, jewelry, etc.

inside BEFORE you complet the next step.

Ok? so you put the goodies inside?

Now you can pinch the other end of the tube

into the opposite direction and sew (or do what ever you'd like) closed.

The completed "sour cream" treat holder.

I added a quick card using leftover "map", an oval punch and a rub-on.

As a finishing touch,

I cut the ends of the container with decorative scissors

then crimped them.

I know we've all seen these container before,

easy... yes.

Perfect for Valentine's Day right?

Lil' Inker Blog Hop Bonus Day!

2012-01-19T22:01:00.001-07:00

If you are following hop order you've come from:

Emily Leipheart's blog

If not, head over to the Lil' Inker blog to catch-up on all the fun.

Today there are couple of new BONUS products from Lil' Inker:

This little Hamster is from 2 Cute Ink.
He's smaller than past releases... me likey.

Isn't he darling. Heck, I don't usually go for the cutie things, but this guy is a heart-breaker!

Love that word - "Gotcha" - and he has sparkles on his wings, awwwww so cute, right?

Next We have a incredibly useful die set.

These hearts are precious!
Those little stitched edges make them so unique.

Look how easily they are incorporated in to stamps that I already have:

And that arrow... sooo fun.

Dont' forget the greetings...

Very graphic design... while the gingham and playful font add some softness.

Rolled paper beads...

And the happy couple... embossed of cours. :)

The stamped tree is emphasized by that darling tiny die cut heart.

Glitter makes it pop. I used 2-Way Glue and SU! Dazzling Diamonds glitter for this one.

I've been into coupling black and brown lately, I find that it's a good grounding color duo.

So, can you live without any of this goodness?
If not, head on over to the Lil' Inker Store
and pick yourself up a little paper crafting happiness.

Next on the hop is:
Teresa Kline

Lil' Inker January Blog Hop Day 4

2012-01-18T22:01:00.000-07:00

Once again, if you are following blog hop order you are here from Jen del Muro's fantastical blog!

Lil' Inker is teaming up with 2 Cute Ink again for some sugar-filled cuteness.

Can't you just hear that sweet little purr?

I'm a cat person,

so this image just gets me right where it counts.

Love it.

Simply done. Black on pink, then highlighted flowers.

Easily replicated, this card would work for a sweet and sassy valentine.

Once again, be sure to leave a little love for a chance to win some

Lil' Inker goodness:

1 $10 store credit or either one of 2 Cute Ink sets.

Now head on over to

Debby Hughes'

inspiring blog

to continue on the hop.

Lil' Inker January Blog Hop Day 3

2012-01-17T22:01:00.000-07:00

If you are following hop order
you are here from Jen del Muro's blog.

Day three of the Lil' Inker hop brings us a darling little bee

just in time for Valentines Day.

Check it out at the Lil' Inker store.

I like that the image has a black board look with the white embossing on the black card stock.

For that sweet flag greeting I used the die from the new Flags & Tags set introduced earlier this week.

Here's a quick mini-valentine card using the sweet little flowers and grass from the set:

Simply emboss and color, easy-peasy.

Next move is to Debby Hughes' blog,

be sure to leave a comment on all the blogs for a chance to win

some Lil' Inker goodies:

1 $10 store credit or either one of 2 Cute Ink sets.

Lil' Inker January Blog Hop Day 2

2012-01-16T22:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome!

If you are following hop order you've come from

Emily Leiphart's fabulous blog.

Day two of the Lil' Inker January blog hop.

Check out this darling die set... so super versatile and all in one package!

There is more to come throughout the week, and guess what?

You can already get it ALL, check out the Lil' Inker store.

The to-die-for dies.

The uber darling stamps.

Isn't this jumbo banner the cutest! and this is just the first card I have made with it.

The ideas are just swirling...
I actually snuck this card into the Create blog challenge last week,
and here it is (fourth card down), yay!

because I could see through the die I was able to place the bird EXACTLY where I wanted.

Then that little double ended banner folded perfectly as a grounding accent.

Now to add a trio of cards using the dies & the stamps together:

So super-quick and easy to make!

a frame was added to the front of the envelope for the name and mailing addy.

Look at how nicely the polka dot image stamps... good stuff here.

All wrapped-up to give as a gift. Perfection.

Don't forget to leave a comment on each blog in the hop for a chance to win

some Lil' Inker goodness for yourself:

1 $10 store credit or either one of 2 Cute Ink sets

Be sure to head on over to

Teresa Kline's blog

for another installment of fabulousness.

Close your eyes...

2012-01-16T14:06:00.003-07:00

Grateful for a warm house today.

Winter has hit, and ooooh is it cold outside!

I'm dreaming of warmer days and green, green grass.

Let's all close our eyes,

lean back,

and

swing

in our

imagination.

The tree is embossed and spotlighted with green ink on white for emphasis.

I printed the quote, a favorite of mine.

Tuesday Trigger Challenge

2012-01-15T08:11:00.001-07:00

The funk is still hovering,

but on it's way out.

Whether it agrees to leave or not.

Whew.

Today's card is courtesy of the

Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger Challenge:

By the Numbers

And some pretty obvious inspirational plagiarism here -

but that's kindof the point of the challenge, right? :)

The heart full of numbers for one... then the greeting for another.

The greeting is emobossed and the flower centers are done with Liquid Pearls. Love those.

Another Challenge - CAS-ual Fridays CFC35

2012-01-13T12:01:00.001-07:00

A quick card before I have to do some real-life housework.

geesh. Housework sucks, right?

Wouldn't you rather be

making cards?

Today's Cas-ual Fridays Challenge is:

Scallops

Totally non-traditional colors. But hey, that's just how I roll. :)

This is a new stamp set from the SU! Occasions Mini, love it.

Today's Challenge - Play Date Cafe

2012-01-13T10:12:00.000-07:00

As a follow-up to yesterday, I'm still working on getting out of this "funk".

Todays challenge comes from the The Play Date Cafe,

a darling challenge site based on colors.

Here is the inspiration - a serious color challenge for me:

It was late, I had everything out, so why not make two cards?

Markers and a cute line-up of hearts made for a quick focal point.

Then the color on color yellow hearts turn-up the interest in the background.

Such bold colors look fabulous on stark white. And there's that little line-up of hearts again.

The key here is to working in threes. Even the stitches count in threes. Balance. :)

Trying to get back in the game.

2012-01-12T11:32:00.003-07:00

I've been running on low fuel for quite a while now. You know, a funk of sorts. I figured if I make myself participate in a few challenges I might find my bright spot again. Not that I'm feeling all that terrible about anything. Just missing the point of most things.

So today, I went with today's challenge over at

Moxie Fab World: Cool Tools Week

the Embossing/Debossing Challenge

There's dry embossing and heat embossing... this focuses on dry embossing.

I used an embossing folder from Quickutz (Rings) to

emboss white and red card stock, then die cut and layer them.

The pieces nest together quite nicely, kind of like

matching-up puzzle pieces.

The image and greeting are heat emobossed with black craft
ink and clear powder.

I used SU! dies for the frames - their new Label Collection.
I REALLY like them.

I stamped the image on textured card stock, this gave it a softer feel than
the actual image, which is clean and sharp. It's the latest hostess set available
from SU!'s new occasions mini catalog.

Here's to gettin' outta the funk...

Christmas is over. yay.

2012-01-05T08:28:00.002-07:00

Does anyone else feel the same?

I have a love/hate
relationship with

Christmas.

Yes, I said it.

So much fun,

but so much to do.

Tons to give and receive,

but so many unmet expectations.

Then there's my birthday,

on December 29th.

Then New Year's.

Not to mention

the overstimulation

of family parties

every night.

Whew.

Breathe.

I have a goal of sorts this year.....

be inspired

let it happen.

recognize it.

and

run with it.

Inspiration works both ways, it's a give & take kind of thing.

Who/what inspires you? Leave me a link.....

End of Year Lil' Inker Sale

2011-12-30T08:41:00.001-07:00

Yay for sales!

Laura at Lil' Inker has a sweet deal

going on for the end of the year.

Check-it...

Happy New Year. :)

NOEL

2011-12-20T20:41:00.001-07:00

Merry Christmas from me to you.
:)

Peaceful Wishes

2011-12-18T13:47:00.002-07:00

For all you creative over-achievers -

Keep the season in perspective.

December Lil' Inker Blog Hop Day 5 with 2 Cute Ink

2011-12-15T22:01:00.000-07:00

Day 5 of the Lil' Inker with 2 Cute Ink brings us

a cheery little guy named Cocoa Bear.

If you are following in blog order you've come from
Emily Leiphart's blog.

I used Stampin' Up! Watercolor Wonder Crayons to "paint" him.

He could easily be used for Christmas or just plain winter time.

Don't forget the 'punny' greeting... :)

Next you NEED to hop on over to Sarah Jay's blog

to check out what she's done with this darling little guy.

Don't forget

to comment for a chance to win either a $10 Lil' Inker Store

credit or comment on all the blogs every day for

a chance to win the entire release...

December Lil' Inker Blog Hop Day 4 with 2 Cute Ink

2011-12-14T15:03:00.000-07:00

Today is day four of the

Lil' Inker and 2 Cute Ink December blog hop.

If you are following in blog order you've come from Jen Carter's blog.

The latest set released is:

Snow Mouse from Lil' Inker with 2 Cute Ink

This darling "coloring-in" kinds of images are

a little out of the box for me,

but I did have fun piecing it together.

My daughter said "awww, so cute".

I call it coloring with paper....

He's pretty darn cute with all those little patterns all over, huh?

I even put a little Glassy Glaze on his nose.

The card base is cream, it offsets the white of the snow on the ground and the circle punched snowflake.

Next you NEED to hop on over to Amy Kolling's blog

to check out what she's done with this darling little guy.

Don't forget

to comment for a chance to win either a $10 Lil' Inker Store

credit or comment on all the blogs every day for

a chance to win the entire release...

December Blog Hop Day Two

2011-12-12T22:01:00.000-07:00

This week we are hopping around to

enjoy some brand-spanking new cuteness.

If you were around yesterday you saw this stamp set:

Arctic Friends clear stamp by 2 Cute Ink & Lil' Inker

Aren't they just over the top on the cuteness factor.

Seriously. Stop it. :)

These stamps have been created with a new

sweetie in our Lil' Inker world - 2 Cute Ink

If these sweet images are right up your alley

be sure to stick around all week for even more!

As usual... there are some prizes up for grabs, here are the deets:

Two $10.00 store credits

and wait for it....

One grand prize of the entire release!

To be eligible for the grand prize comments must

be left on each designer's blog each day of the hop Monday - Friday

If you are following hop order you just came from Jen's ode to stamping.

Next you'll go to Amy's Stampin' Paradise. Enjoy!

Elmer's Looks for Less Challenge

2011-12-05T15:18:00.001-07:00

Elmer's glue invited me to participate in another cool challenge.
On top of the cool stuff they sent me,
I have a chance to win $250 Visa Gift Card.
Totally need that.

YOU also get a chance to win!

I'll draw two random commenters names to win the following:

Black 20x30 Foam Board

White 20x30 Foam Board

CraftBond All-Purpose Glue Stick

CraftBond Repositionable Glue Stick

CraftBond Extra-Strength Glue Stick

X-ACTO Designer Series Gripster Knife

Painters Assorted Colors Set

When I received the email, I said "heck yah!".

I later received a package full of some pretty darn cool stuff like:

Their awesome jumbo glue sticks - I use these ALL the time.

These really cool paint pens - They paint on most anything! Even glass.

An X-acto Gripster - nice bright handle that I can find on my desk.

& Foam Board - in black and white.

The challenge was to recreate something from their impressively
inventive DIYs, or make something of my own.
Does it surprise you that I went my own little way?
Nah.

I've seen this really cool piece of art so many times.

I finally did it myself.

Happiness.

It started with foam board, cut with the x-acto knife to a 12" x 12" size

Then came the kids used crayons. I preferred these over new.
Now I have an art piece showcasing all those crayons
that used to be held in to tiny little hands. Precious memories.

I gingerly hot-glued the crayons to the top of the board.
Purposefully placing the written color name forward.

Out comes the handy-dandy heat tool.

Bam. After applying the heat this is the result.
Pretty-darn-stinking-cool.

Here is a video my son Alex took of the process
- he sped it up for an extra-coolness factor.
Thanks bud.

I love how the melting wax stained the tips of the crayons as it melted.

This was all the mess it made, easily scraped-off.

That's it. Try it, it's a great way to hold on to some of the old crayons that your kids used.

And it's pretty-darn fun.

I love crayons.

Thanks to Elmer's for the great challenge that made me actually do this!

2011-12-02T08:07:00.001-07:00

I want to share a beautiful collection from a beautiful friend

Jeanne Oliver,

check her brand spanking new line out....

Medallions Challenge

2011-12-01T10:18:00.001-07:00

A little look back into medallions for the Championing Award Medallions Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.

The fun discovery of this little gem is when I made the rosettes with chevron patterned paper these cute little flower appeared! Check out the original post.

It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas

2011-11-10T22:01:00.000-07:00

Yes, I said it. Christmas is coming at us like a bullet train.

If you want to make your Christmas cards and tags this year

you had better get on the ball!

You know you won't have time to do it next month.

If you are hopping you've come from Emily's beautiful blog.

Don't forget to leave some luv and have a chance to win

one of TWO $10 in-store credits to Lil' Inker Designs.

Speaking of Lil' Inkers, I used this darling new die to make those jingle bells.

Aren't they the sweetest with those tiny stars and band detail?!

I just had to use this paper... Christmas Sleigh Song by American Crafts & Dear Lizzy. Love.

So I had paper sitting around after I made this and

I made a couple of quick holiday tags.

I like playing around with the negatives of die

cut images, so many options!

These tags use this die and stamp set.

These were truly made with scraps on my desk and ribbon from my scrap box.

A fun trick with clear stamps, bend them on the block before it's inked.

Here's the negative of the tree from the first tag. I filled it with a red tree embossed with polka dots.

Next on the hop is.... the uber-creative Jen del Muro,
check her work out!

Might as well....

2011-11-10T08:08:00.000-07:00

Add my new little tags to this challenge over at Casual Fridays blog:

Jolly Hop Reveal - Day 4, Banner Time

2011-11-09T22:01:00.000-07:00

Another day, another Lil' Inker Designs hop project.

Again with the fabric, right?

Well, when it's all sitting in front of you already,

it's hard not to want to use it!

If you are following the hop in order you've come from Jen Carter's blog.

Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win

one of TWO $10 in-store credits to Lil' Inker Designs.

For this easy holiday wreath banner I used the:

Lil' Inker Jingle Joy Die

For my project, I chose to omit the dot on the "j"

Zig-zag stitch pennant layers and then onto twine.
Then adhere fabric die cut pieces as shown in Tuesdays Post.

There is that sweet little sentiment, tied on with a scrap strip of fabric.
Also using:

Holly Jolly Sentiment Stamp Set

and the darling Sentimental Flag Die.

And don't forget.... the coordinating stamps with the Jingly Joy Dies:

Next on the hop is the Lil' Inker Designs store....