Squirrel and Leaves Thank You Card

Welcome to another week at Crazy 4 Challenges! I apologize for missing posting my card here on the blog last week but it was up on the C4C blog so you can take a peek at least week if you wish!

This week our challenge was to use a squirrel or other small critter on our cards. Apparently  one day last week was Squirrel Appreciation Day or something like that! What!!! Seriously!!??!! That is nuts! (haha yes, pun intended) So I pulled out an older SSS card kit and a stencil and whipped up this card. Um, not!! I am the slowest crafter ever. Between messing up a few times and losing my nut (yep, I lost the first acorn sticker that I pulled from the package), it seemed to take forever!

For the  background, I chose 2 coordinating shades of yellow and aqua,  brown and copper and set out to sponge my ivory paper.  I randomly added the lightest colours then shaded each section with the deeper colours. At first I intended to only use the copper as an accent over the brown but I though it looked so nice that I added a bit over almost all the other areas to add some warm shimmer. It’s a real shame it doesn’t show up in the photo. The yellow banner was ombre sponged (although it’s hard to see that now with the other stuff on top) then I dried it and clear embossed some small leaf and branch images. For the squirrel’s eye I added a tiny drop of black Enamel Accents. He is popped up with foam dots to help the acorn sit nicely under his paw so it looks like he is holding it.

I hope you can find a squirrel or other small critter in your stash so you can play with us this week! We are always encouraged when you find some time to play along! See you there.

Enjoy, Rebecca

Stripes n Roses

This is a very late entry for the PTI Blog Hop today.

I used the Sweet Life stamp set and dies for the roses and painted the stripes with Gansai Tambi water colours. These are perfect for bold stripes as they aren’t as transparent as most professional water colours. I used Bristol smooth paper for the first time and I was impressed that it didn’t warp much.

The label shape dies are by Lifestyle Crafts; the cardstock is also by PTI. I tried writing the sentiment with gold leafing paint with a small brush but I’m much, much better with a dip ink pen. I should have used my gold ink and pen instead. Oh well.

Enjoy, Rebecca

Guess What? New Design Team!

 

I am thrilled to announce that I was asked to be on the Splitcoaststampers Dirty Dozen Design Team! The alumni are some of the biggest names in stamping and I feel so privileged!

I also had a tutorial and video for a Surprise Shaker Card for SCS a couple of weeks ago and I hope you will check it out. You can see another card I made in this style Twins Surprise Shaker. You might also want to check out my SCS Gallery!

Enjoy, Rebecca

Rock n Roll Thank You Card

ETA: Somehow this post got lost! Sorry for the delay!

Welcome back to Crazy 4 Challenges! We took a break for the holidays and now we are ready to challenge you with awesome new themes and sketches.

Our challenge this week was to be inspired by Rocks in some way. I decided to go with Rock n Roll! My oldest son and husband are very into playing electric guitar. This card will be for one of them at some point. I used some very old 12x12 papers for this. I distressed the edges to add to the grungy look and once the card was all put together, I splattered it heavily with watered down black acrylic paint. The stitched die is by SSS, the border die from PTI, thank you from Echo Park and the stamps from Taylored Expressions.

Sorry this was posted so late and you aren’t able to play along. But you can use our inspiration any time!

Enjoy, Rebecca

Rocket Galaxy with Chibi Lights!

Wahoo! I got myself a kit of Chibitronics lights with a huge coupon on Black Friday! I showed my kids and they were eager to try out the lights but I didn’t want to just practice in the book. It seemed easy enough so why not start out with a card?

I tried a new way of making my galaxy background this time. I started by adding lots of stars with my frisket that has a needle tip on it. When that was dry, I used three colours of Gansai Tambi paints for the bright colours. They are semi-opaque so the colour stands out more under the black than with my professional paints. I dried it then added another layer for more brilliant colour and dried that as well. At this stage of course, it is very messy and imperfect. Next I added black (sometimes I also use some very dark blue) paint using my professional, more translucent paints. I applied it over the entire panel focusing on the areas without colour. If the colour starts to disappear underneath the black paint, I use a cloth to pick some of it up off the coloured areas. I add two layers if I need to to get the coverage I want. This layer is also dried before continuing. Last I add some black dye ink around the edges using an ink blender and over the coloured areas if the black isn’t dark enough. An eraser (with a clean tip) easily removed the frisket to reveal the white of the paper creating the look of stars.

The rocket was coloured with Copics and a gel pen for the silver bits then cut out by hand. The flame was cut out in the center as well to make room for the flame. I set up the chibi lights and also cut the flame shape from the background, adding a piece of vellum coloured orange behind the opening. I layered fun foam all over the back except for the battery area and attached the battery with a glue dot. It doesn’t seem to bother the electrical system at all because it is a very small glue dot. The planet was made using eggplant coloured paper cut with punches and dies for the craters. A piece of dark grey paper helps make the craters more 3 dimensional and I rough sponged on some purple, blue and black inks for texture. I used the same sponge I use for ink blending but instead of smoothly sponging over the paper, I just dabbed on the ink which left the texture behind.

For finishing touches, I used some teal glitter washi tape, some nuvo drops in glitter silver and some clear shimmer spray. A few sequin stars and silver Sharpie coloured wood veneer stars and my card was complete! My kids ADORE the light up feature. We’ve decided I will wait and send the card for the next card shower we hear about for a child the right age. So sweet of them to agree to that don’t you think?

Enjoy, Rebecca