Where the Love Is for Whimsical Wednesdays

We have another  great sketch from the Diedrich gang this week. Thanks to Jack, I think, for the sketch I worked from but as it was on my iPhone I can’t show it to you. Wonder why? I like to keep my iPhone handy at all times. That includes reading emails while I soak in the tub. I know, it sounds crazy to have my beloved mini computer next to water but it has worked for over 1.5 years. Today, the baby picked it up while standing in the tub. I panicked and tried to grab it from him and I/we/he dropped it. It seems fine but we have it sitting in a container with silica just in case any water seeped in, so hopefully it will be OK. So I’m sorry but I can’t share the sketch with you.

The stamps for this card are actually a set with separate door, windows, clouds etc so you can kind of design a ‘scene’. I airbrushed the background, masking my clouds as needed. The flower stems are a dotted line stamp that I think was designed to be used as smoke from the chimney. The leaves were made with a heart stamp. I coloured the scene with Copics, the colours were on my iPhone too, sorry. I’m listing the ones I can remember: W 1, 3, 5 V95 (it was V9_) R 06, 81, 83 G21, 63, BG 10 B 12, 23,32, 4_, 91, 93, best I can do!

Thanks to The Character Cafe for their sponsorship this month. Visit next Wednesday to find out who the new sponsor is! Please visit the Whimsical Wednesdays blog for the sketch this week; I’m so sorry I can’t show it. I hope you will visit all of the DareDevil’s blogs; I’m sure they have FABULOUS projects to show you! Once you are done your take on the sketch, leave a DIRECT link using Mr Linky on the WW blog so the team can all see your work. Want to upload to a gallery? Please use DDSC29.

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: CTMH
Ink: navy-SU!, black-Memento
Paper: blue (not sure which RR blue), navy CS-SU!, white CS-Taylored Expressions, DP-CTMH
Accessories: Copics, Copic Airbrush system, clear Dew Drops

Hollyhocks for Spring!

We got a glimpse of a gorgeous spring a couple weeks ago and it has been kinda poopy ever since! I keep making springy projects to cheer myself up! I’ve loved this stamp wheel for so long but I just recently bought it.

The Copic colours were all saved in my iPhone but if it is after 8 am EST and you read down from the top, you already know why I can’t list them! I have been trying to come up with a good use for this DP for ages but you really ruin it by using it as a mat or by placing too much stuff on top. I finally decided this layout would work for both the stamp and the DP.

If the sky looks kinda uneven, well, it actually is. I started to colour it in using B12, my ‘go-to’ sky marker for airbrushing but it was much too dark full strength. So I ended up trying it with a tip-to-tip technique but I suppose that is better for shading than for a large area. Live and learn right? Next time I will airbrush the sky very lightly, then use the blender pen to push the colour out of the flower areas, at least for yellow, orange, peach or pale pink flowers. The darker flowers or blue or purple ones won’t be harmed by the slight bit of blue in the background if the blender doesn’t push it all out. This stamp just isn't something you can mask. The leaves  could be done before or after the airbrushing.  I need to make myself a half- or third-strength B12 for direct colouring.

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: Hollyhock wheel, Everyday Flexible Phrases-SU!
Ink: memento black
Paper: DP-Perhaps Basic Grey, white CS-Taylored Expressions, saffron CS-SU!
Accessories: ribbon-stash, green button-stash, white button-SU!, pink button-PTI, silk ribbon (buttons)-May Arts

L Monogram – CAS JustRite Card

I hope this card shows up OK for you on your computers. This on in particular is hard to tell if my editing is OK because it changes drastically on the tilt of my laptop screen. And since I am literally working with it on my lap, it keeps changing!

I was making this card and since it wasn’t for anyone in particular, I naturally thought of using my own monogram but then thought again and made it for my mom. She is really supportive of our family; she is always buying the kids TONS of clothes, we pretty much don’t need to buy the kids anything except shoes and she buys those often too.

Can you believe I have paper and ribbon that match so well? They really do IRL. The background is embossed with the Victorian folder, I made it a wee bit smaller than a standard card because the folder isn’t quite that big. I find that quite annoying! Just another 1/4” each way and it would cover a full card front. They are making larger folders how so that is great.

TIP: In case you are wondering, yes, it did take a lot of twisting to manage to get all of the loops and tails with the print facing up! The trick is to get the twists inside the knot, twisting while pulling tight. If you try to twist them after the knot is tight, you will need adhesive to keep the ribbon from twisting back and it won’t look as good .

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamp: JustRite
Ink: chocolate-SU!
Paper: baja, white CS-SU!,
Accessories: ribbon-Wal-Mart, foam dots-Jody Morrow, Nestabilities Label 4, circles, Kaisercraft pearls, Victoria Embossing Folder

WAHOOO! DT for Clear Dollar Stamps!

I recently got a 3 month DT position with Clear Dollar Stamps as a Sneak Peak Artist. It was officially announced on their blog, Clearly iStamp, yesterday! If you remember, I was their June Guest Designer last year and I have been hoping and waiting to be asked back ever since and it FINALLY happened! I am so excited!

Thanks to Lori, owner of CDS and Laurie, DT coordinator of CDS for choosing me! I will be previewing 4 sets come the end of the month so stay tuned! I am so looking forward to it! Now I just impatiently await the arrival of my preview stamps. YEAH!!!!!

Whoa Nellie, that is Pink! Skipping Stones Sketch

Yep, I got my dose of pink with this card. I really didn’t start it out that way but it just sort of happened, KWIM? I really don’t start with an exact design in mind for most cards and even when I do, it can change so quickly. I started with the Skipping Stones Designs Sketch for this week and went from there.

I kind of wish (and I just thought of this right now) that I had switched the DPs {{SIGH}}. The rose is lightly coloured in with Copic RV10 or 11; just enough to make it stand out. The pearls are supper cheap as they seem the same as Kaisercraft pearls but some from the dollar store (YEAH) so I was generous; especially since I thought it needed more white. For the same reason, I added white corners under the patterned ones. This isn’t my favourite card but I think it is pretty.

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamp: SU!
Ink: regal rose, rose red-SU! worn lipstick Distress
Paper: perhaps DP-Basic Grey. pretty in pink, white CS-SU!
Accessories: Copic marker, Spellbinders eyelet die, eyelet corners, foam dots-Jody Morrow, pearls-Dollarama

Anatomy of a Pear

I have always LOVED this stamp. Funny, I am not stuck on eating pears IRL but I LOVE artistic pears and have several stamps. This one hovers between a botanical drawing and a science lesson-so cool!

I coloured this ages ago so I am sorry, I have no idea of the Copics I used but I was delighted to see that they match Earth Love DP perfectly!  And even better, the yellow matches SU! banana CS perfectly! I always have such a hard time matching CS to Cosmo Cricket papers since I mostly keep SU! CS on hand. Wasabi, an old In Colour matches well too. The brown strip above the ribbon is a strip of CS, I think it looks rather striking.

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamp: Stampington I think
Ink: memento black, antique linen, scattered straw Distress Ink
Paper: Cosmo Cricket, banana, chocolate CS-SU!, White-Taylored Expressions
Accessories: flower-Prima, brad-Oriental Trading Company, pearl-Dollarama, Copics-image and pearl, leaf-stash, ribbon-stash, foam dots-Jody Morrow, Glimmer Mist-colour flower

ATCs for Swap-Bot

ETA: Sorry, this post was supposed to be published on Thursday but I have now encountered the problems that have annoyed every other Blogger user I’ve ever met!

I recently joined a new swap site-Swap-Bot, I didn’t even know that there were online swapping sites until a week and a half ago! I’ve been part of several swapping groups before but this is different. The site helps organize and rate everyone to help prevent flakers! YEAH! Anyone with at least one successful swap can host their own swap! I am looking forward to that. There isn’t a current handmade card swap, can you believe that?

This swap was called Your Choice, My Choice. The swap partner lists three themes on which you can base an ATC for one of them and the sender gets to choose the theme for the other. I decided to try and rack up bonus points so I sent three!

This one was my choice, I used to make custom bras (I still teach and sell kits and patterns) so I have an affinity for pretty lingerie! I shaded the lingerie with a Copic marker but the paper has so much shading, you really can’t see it. I’d love to have tie dyed undies like these! This rhinestone is just like Kaisercraft but from the DOLLAR STORE! YEAH!

She asked for Asian for one of her themes so I made this. The background stamping is hard to see but it is an Asian character stamp in white ink, looks kind of like a newspaper or magazine page. It looked a bit too stark so I added Antique Linen Distress Stickles to the background. The curved stamped image is actually part of a full circle. I used the rest on a ‘sister’ ATC which is similar but not quite the same. Again hard to see, the Asian coin is attached with a very thin strip of acetate looped through the and held to the ATC with a tiny brad. The stamp is coloured with Copics. In retrospect, I wish I had used RV markers instead of peachy Rs so the flowers were brighter, oh well.

 
This one is kind of a blend. She requested flowers and while this isn’t exactly flowers, it is pretty close. I used SU! markers and huffing technique to make this one. I love purple and green together. The rectangles are 1x1.5” which fit perfectly evenly on the ATC.

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Lingerie ATC
Stamps: I don’t remember lingerie or background stamp
Ink: Memento black, chocolate-SU!
Paper: Basic Grey Porcelain, chocolate CS-SU!
Accessories: rhinestone-Dollarama, Copic marker, rickrack, flower-stash, perfume bottle-Jesse James buttons, Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher,  foam dots-Jody Morrow

Asian ATC
Stamps: Boy, I don’t remember these either!
Ink: Memento black, PTI fresh snow
Paper: black CS, vanilla CS-Taylored Expressions,
Accessories: Copics R00, 11, 21, E71, 77, G21, gold paint pen-Pilot, Distress Stickles, Asian coin-stash, clear CS-PTI, pink brad-stash, Spica clear glitter pen, foam dots-Jody Morrow
Herbs ATC
Stamps: SU! I think
Ink: antique linen, vintage photo Distress
Paper: vanilla CS-Taylored Expressions, olive CS-SU!. DP-Basic Grey,
Accessories: buttons-Basic Grey, twine-Hemptique, SU! markers

Calvin Card for Whimsical Wednesdays

This is another The Character Cafe image, graciously donated to the team, as they are this month’s sponsor!

I love those soft puppy dog eyes, don’t you? He also comes with Get Well written underneath and an ice bag on his head, so cute! It was lovely working with these digi images this month. It was also really fun to play with the sketch by Jack. I sure intend to keep this one around to use again.

I used Copics 100, 00, W 1, 5, 7 E 31, 33, 37, 53, 71, 77. The warm greys were used for the shadow, the E 70’s for the nose with a touch of 100-black; had I used all black, the detail would have disappeared. The blender was used for the nose highlight.

Please play along with the Dare Devils this week! This is your LAST CHANCE to enter to win a $10 GC from TCC!! You have got to love this sketch so come on, play already!! Visit all of the team members to see their FABULOUS creations! Don’t forget to leave them some equally FABULOUS comments! When you are done your card or project upload to a gallery using DDSC28 and leave a DIRECT LINK of the Whimsical Wednesdays blog using Mr Linky! Have fun!!

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamp: digi by TCC
Ink: printer, Distress vintage photo, antique linen
Paper: granola DP-Basic Grey, white CS-Taylored Expressions, vanilla, cocoa, buckaroo blue CS-SU!
Accessories: hardware-SU!, ribbon-stash, punch-EK Success, Copics

Spring Ribbon Sampler Basket for May Arts

I love playing May Arts challenges. Not only do you get up to 16! yards of ribbon (4 yards of 4 types) to make your project, you can win THREE spools for first place and there are 10 winners of 1 spool too!

I used a variety of ribbon techniques to make the flowers and leaf you see here.  The white flower is made from the new May Arts Linen ribbon, it is a joy to use, soft and semi sheer but stands up to handling. It is ruched; the bottom edge is sewn with a running stitch, every couple of inches (I think 3.5”), you sew up to the other edge with long stitches and back down. When gathered, the long stitches pull tight and create the petals. It does leave a gap in the middle though so in the center of the white flower is a simple gathered flower with the gathering thread run down the center. The ribbon is gathered then folded in half. I wanted it to stand up more than it was so I ran some more stitches around the flower just above the original thread which pulled it into more of a cone.

The flower to the left is a traditional rolled rose. There are tons of directions out there right now for these, often made from crepe paper. I’m pretty sure Melissa Frances had one on her blog a week or two ago. You can also fold wide ribbon in half to make a smaller rose. The center came undone a bit, as a result, wasn’t perfect so I added a crystal to the center. The tendril is wired string I curled around a small pencil.

The flower to the right of center is another gathered flower, but this time I ran my running stitch about 1/3 of the way across the ribbon. This gives you a double ruffle look without making two flowers! how to make the leaf (light green, hiding between the white and pink flowers) is kinda tricky to describe. Start with a piece of ribbon about 1 1/2 times the length of the finished leaf and slightly wider than the finished leaf. Fold it in half and then fold the bottom (folded) corners up to the finished edge on a diagonal. You will have what looks like a small boat. Sew a running stitch along what would be the bow of the boat from corner to corner. Pull the thread until you have the length of leaf you want and trim the excess ribbon away. I trim mine in a way that I can glue the raw ends to the back. This technique can also be used to create pointy petals. If you visit the Offray site, they have another way to make this with narrower ribbon and pictures. I can draw diagrams of my version for anyone who wants them; just email me!

The top green flower is also simply gathered but because the ribbon is already pleated, it doesn’t require much gathering. To hide the middle, I used a rhinestone brad which also attached it to the handle. The basket is an enlarged version of PTI’s Pack a Picnic template. I can’t post pictures of their template online so email me if you want details of how I enlarged it. The top edge is punched with the embossed scallop punch from EK Success. The handle is punched with a double edged MS punch.

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamp: watercolour joy wheel-SU!
Ink: pink pirouette-SU!
Paper: white-SU!, sweet blush-PTI
Accessories: May Arts Ribbon, rhinestone brad, crystal, circle punch (to hide sewing on backs of flowers)-SU!, PTI template, Copic marker (to colour leaf)

Farm Critter Stack Card

I have had this stamp for several years; isn’t it hilarious? I often use it with friendship sentiments, I mean, you have GOT to be a GOOD friend to be the guy on the bottom! This is also for Skipping Stones Designs Sketch Challenge. I haven’t found the money yet to buy any stamps YET but I hope to soon. They have a great sense of humour so I hope they appreciate this card!

I coloured this with Copics, no picture but I wrote down the colour numbers. E04, 31, 33, 35, 49 W1, 3, 5 YR4, 16, 21, 23, 38, R37, 59, 81, 83 Background BG10 B12 YG67 G21. I used the airbrush with a hand cut cloud template to do the sky. The grass tufts are hand drawn but I wasn’t stuck on the way the ones in the bottom right looked so I stuck the button over top. The twine is wavy because it is really a three strand jute cord pulled apart into its individual strands because it was too thick otherwise.

This was a really fun sketch. I’m not sure how much time there is to play because it was posted last Tuesday but I know I am going to keep it in my files to use again. OH and I forget to add, yes, I drew in the chicken footprints!

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamp: Long forgotten-sorry! It’s a great company too!
Ink: memento black, Distress inks: Vintage paper, Antique Linen, Scattered Straw, Fired Brick
Paper: DP Cosmo Cricket Honey Pie and Jack’s World, chocolate, caramel CS-SU!, white CS-Taylored Expressions
Accessories: button-PTI, button hemp twine-SU!, twine-CDS, lady bug bead and wire for antennae-stash, chocolate marker-SU!

Scrappy Floral Card

I saw a card using this layout online somewhere – I can’t remember as usual – and I loved it so much I just had to try  my own version.

I’d never made one of these spiral flowers before. They certainly aren’t hard. To make them you just start with a circle and draw a spiral on it. Cut on the spiral. Then roll up the paper from the outside in. I recommend adhering the first roll but unlike my flower, keep the adhesive close to what will be the bottom so you don’t get a flat section I ended up with. The DP I used is the same as the one in the background.

The labels 1 shape is made with DP that is already striped. Just so you don’t think I did all that work myself!! GRIN!

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamp: French script-SU!
Ink: Antique Linen
Paper: vanilla CS, riding hood red DP-SU!
Accessories: buttons-PTI, flower-Prima (I think), ribbon, scalloped punch-SU!, red-Cosmo Cricket, pink silk ribbon-May Arts, Zva Creative rhinestone, Nestabilities

Dragonfly Cards for Whimsical Wednesdays

These are the last two dragonfly cards I’ll get finished before the deadline to send them in. If you haven’t read my previous posts about the card drive, please read HERE.

I actually managed to get two done with this week’s sketch. TIP: The ribbon below is white twill coloured with a Copic marker. I didn’t like how much white showed through the twill texture so I sprayed it with alcohol in a Mini Mister. This dissolved the colour and allowed it to soak through the thickness of the ribbon.

Just two other quick notes. I added pearls to both cards. They are harder to see in the photos than IRL but I think they add a nice touch. The background for the butterfly is airbrushed with B12 and a handcut cloud template. I am really having fun with the airbrush system. I can’t believe I had it for well over a month without playing with it!

I hope you will all play this week’s sketch! Isn’t it a fun one, courtesy Nikki? The DareDevils would love for you to visit their blogs to see their work! Everyone is playing except Valerie and Kim. Please be sure link up your card so you can be eligible for this month’s prize from our Sponsor, The Character Cafe. Make sure you leave a DIRECT link to your post at Mr Linky on the Whimsical Wednesdays blog, not the link to your main blog page. I am very sad to say that Sandra is resigning after this week. We will really miss you, Sandra! I’ve really enjoyed your fabulous, creative cards! Best wishes with your new job, DTs and your family!

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: flourishes-Autumn Leaves
Ink: Baja, celery-SU!
Paper: Baja, white CS-SU!, LilyKate DP-Basic Grey
Accessories: foam dots-Jody Morrow, twill-stash, Copic markers, airbrush system, Jesse James buttons, Nestabilities, scalloped punch-SU!

Pink Dandelion Thoughts of You Card

This was a very fun card to make. I saw someone in blogland, I think it was Nichole Heady, make a card with the focal point embossed in white with ink swirled around the image. I just had to try it though I used a coloured ink instead of the white craft ink she used.

Isn’t it soft and pretty? This card is for a woman on a message board who has cancer. I haven’t been active on that board in over three years but I still get some notices sent to me directly and this request was one of them. I hope she likes it. Apparently, this lady is the first to send cards to others in need so I felt this was a great cause. It is also for CPS 158.

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: dandelion and swirl verse-CTMH, thoughts sentiment-Our Craft Lounge
Ink: fresh snow-PTI, regal rose, pretty in pink-SU!,
Paper: sweet blush CS-PTI, white CS-SU!
Accessories: white pearls EP, velvet ribbon-stash, cuttle bug die, flower brad-Making Memories, pink EP (to colour brad)-SU!

Coral Flower Sketch Challenge

This card is for Midnight Madness sketch challenge this week. I altered the sketch somewhat, the panel was supposed to be in the middle of the card but I just couldn’t bear to cover up the gorgeous glittery swirls on the DP. There is a close up of the glitter below.

 
Not much to tell, the ribbon had pale pink flowers, I coloured over the entire ribbon with a coral Copic marker so it would match. The flower was coloured with a chocolate Copic marker and then sprayed with gold Perfect Pearls in water for some shimmer.

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: sentiment-Verve, flower Hero Arts, flourishes-Autumn Leaves
Ink: coral, chocolate-SU!
Paper: vanilla, coral, chocolate CS-SU!, My Mind’s Eye Organics Stack DP
Accessories: ribbon-stash, flower-Scrapbook Sally, gold Perfect Pearls, Copic markers, Kaisercraft pearl, sewing thread

Clearly Challenge Card-“Green” Beaver!

First off, I have to apologize for not posting lately! I don’t even have a decent excuse, I just seem to keep running out of time! Sorry!

This card is for two ‘Clearly’ Challenges, first for Clearly iStamp to use primarily green on your project and second for Clearly Delightful which was a sketch challenge! I find it a fun challenge to combine challenges, I’ve seen some people do up to 10 challenges at once, I can’t even think of that many things at once!.

I used my airbrush system for the background, I didn’t need any masking because I cut out the beaver and popped him up on foam dots. I’m sorry I don’t have the Copic colours because I coloured him ages ago. I probably used E 31, 33, 35, a darker brown and the branch looks like E08 maybe? I hope you like it!

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: Spring Critters-CDS, spring-SU!
Ink: Memento brown, celery-SU!
Paper: celery DP, vanilla, banana CS-SU!, white CS-Taylored Expressions
Accessories: Copic markers, Copic Airbrush system, celery ribbon-stash, blossom Nestabilities, buttons, twine-SU!, foam dots-Jody Morrow

Puppy Love Treat Cover for Whimsical Wednesdays

I decided to go for a 3-D project this week. I can’t wait to use it for the next friend who gets a new dog as a welcome home ‘card’. I love making cards but why not try something different now and then? I used an adorable image by our FABULOUS Sponsor this week, The Character Cafe, called Puppies and Kitten. Our inspiration for this week is…

 
I made my kitty grey too with green eyes though they are so small it is very hard to see them! This treat bag was so easy to make. Here are the overall measurements and scoring directions.

Start with a 4.25 x 11” piece of CS. Score at 3.5”, 4.5”, 5.5”, 9”. Fold the paper into a W with the remaining 2” folded down as the flap. You may want to cut it smaller, it depends on the width of the border punch you want to use and how much waste it creates.

 
You could put a piece of acetate in the oval hole but as I will be adding doggie cookies inside a zip top bag, I didn’t think it would really add anything. The edges are all sponged with Distress ink which helps the border stand out also.

Here are my Copic marker colours:

I sure hope you will all play this week! Any project is welcome! Be sure to use keyword DDSC26 when uploading to an online gallery. Come back to add your DIRECT LINK to Mr Linky so we can all see your work and leave you comments. I can’t wait to see what you do with this week’s inspiration! Don’t forget, there is a $10 GC from The Character Cafe for one participant this month!

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: digi stamp-TCC, puppy love-See D’s
Ink: Antique Linen, Fired Brick Distress inks
Paper: vanilla, chocolate CS-SU!, white CS-Taylored Expressions, paw print paper-stash
Accessories: Labels 4 Nestabilities, large oval Nestabilities, Copic markers, Martha Stewart cornice punch, bone punch-unknown, clear EP-SU!, foam dots-Jody Morrow

Sugar Mill Gracious Hostess Card for Whimsical Wednesdays

I tried making 4 different cards before I finally found one that actually worked with this bow. I tied it around one card then decided it was too elegant for the feel of the card. So off it came and I started again, three more times!

I knew it would finally look right somewhere! I love the stickers from Melissa Frances that look like old advertisements, signs and labels.

I stretched the sketch a bit but I think it works. I didn’t manage the brads in the corners though. I hope you will have fun with this week’s sketch. Use DDsc25 when uploading to a online gallery and don’t forget to drop by Whimsical Wednesdays to include your DIRECT Link in the Mr. Linky list!

This month we have a WONDERFUL SPONSOR, The Character Cafe, so be sure to enter for a chance to win a $10 GC for their wonderful digi stamps. I will be featuring one next week for Whimsical Wednesdays.

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamp: PTI Mega Mixed Messages
Ink: chocolate-SU!, Antique Linen Distress
Paper: chocolate, ivory CS-SU!
Accessories: Cuttlebug Textile Embossing Folder, Fiskars corner punch (tag), ribbon-Wal-Mart, foam dots-Jody Morrow, PTI twine, Sugar Mill sticker-Melissa Frances

Sneak Peak!

I finally finished my Guest Blogger Spot I was given for my Winter Project at May Arts. I hope you will visit to see my Rose Napkin Ring Tutorial.

Follow this link for my Tutorial and you might want to participate in their new Think Spring Challenge also.

Enjoy, Rebecca