Happy New Year's eve

Hi Stampers
I just wanted to wish everyone a safe and happy New Year.  I hope that 2013 brings you much joy and even a little time to get crafty!  I thought that I would share with you a little project that I just finished for my mantle.  I actually saw an idea on Pinterest and made one for myself, usually I just peruse the ideas and never end up with enough time to make anything.  I feel like I'm off to a great start for the new year.  Let's get some crafting done!  whoohoo.

 



Here is a close up picture of the frames.

I just went around the house looking for some black frames that I had and then cut the paper to fit.  I used some old paper packs from CTMH called Silhouette, Creative Basics Silhouette, and the larger stripe is from Game On. I used the Cricut and AP cartridge to cut out the numbers from black cardstock at various sizes to fit the frames.  If I get a chance today I will make a banner that says "Happy".  I think I will re-arrange the rest of the mantle too, it needs something else. 
Happy New Years!

Here is an update. I was able to make the HAPPY banner using the Cricut AP cartridge cutting out the banner on black cardstock and then cutting it again 1/2" smaller out of the star paper from the Game On paper pack. Then I cut the starburst shape out of Bamboo cardstock and then again 1/2" smaller using the Colonial White cardstock. I used my Chocolate Alphabet stamps and stamped each letter on the colonial white starburst shape and the added three clear sparkles to each letter. The Colonial White is popped up with 3-D foam squares. I threaded them on black organza ribbon with a clear button between each letter. Here are the updated pictures.

 
 

Christmas Advent Calendar with boxes

Hi Stampers
I can't believe it, I actually finished my advent calendar before December 1st.  Wow, it was a large project but I'm so thrilled with the end results that I have to share it with you.  I used the CTMH Cubby and made my boxes out of the Kraft cardstock they have closed tops, because I have one very curious monkey and she would be peeking ahead if they didn't have a lid.

 



Here are the supplies that I used.
My Creations Cubby Z1804 - this baby is big.  Each box is 2 1/2" square.
Kraft paper cardstock Z1375 to make 2 1/2" square boxes with lids.
Pear and Partridge paper pack  X7162B (actually all I had was the bulk pack of the one sheet and the sampler pieces)
Old CTMH paper packs from 2008 Evensong, Evensong Creative Basics
Old 2010 Mistletoe assortment for the snowflake brads
Martha Stewart snowflake punch
Cranberry cardstock 1272
New England Ivy cardstock 1282
Cocoa cardstock X5642
Red Sparkles Z1326
Perfect Fit - Holidays B1412 for the circles
Glamour Lowercase Alpha D1522 for the numbers
Filigree Charms Z1269 for the center of the bow
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge for the "sqaure4" shape on the box fronts cut at 2 1/4"
3-D foam tape Z1151 numbers are raised.

Here is a close-up of the boxes.  The brads can be grabbed like a handle to get the box to slide out of the cubby.  The numbers are raised using 3-D foam tape.

Here is a close-up of the paper bow.  I cut it out by hand using the idea of the bow from the Cricut Artiste cartridge (I just couldn't cut it out that big, so I made my own template).



Now all I need to do is fill the boxes with little treats for my two kids.  I'm going to include some Holiday fun activities as well.
Happy Holidays to all!

Christmas Cards Workshop for October

I can't believe that it is October already.  That means that it is time for my Christmas Card workshop.  This month for my workshops and stamp clubs we will be making 4 Christmas Cards.  Here they are:

 

I used the Pear and Partridge Paper pack from the Autumn/Winter catalog.  Here is a closer look at each card:
Card #1 I used the S1210 October Stamp of the Month set for the ornament and the sentiment.  I used the Cricut Artiste Cartridge to cut out the ornament shape before stamping.  I also used the Artiste Cartridge to cut out the paper bow on top of the ornament.  I added red sparkles to the front of the ornament.

 

 

Card #2 I used stamp sets D1527 Perfect Fit - Frames for the stripe piece and B1412 Perfect Fit - Holidays for the sentiment.  The birds are from C1510 Merry and Bright stamp set.  I also want to thank www.cricutwithheart.blogspot.com for the card idea.  I used her design and then added the bird to my card.

 

Card #3 I used C1510 Merry and Bright stamp set for the wreath and the bird.  I want to thank Kandi Gallegos-Garcia for the wreath part of this card design.  Here is a link to her blog so you can check out her card - www.teojax.blogspot.com  The bird is raised up with 3-D foam tape and the eye has a black mini-sparkle.  I colored the flowers in using the new Cranberry alcohol markers Z2419 - you get 2 complimentary colors in the set.

Card #4 I used S1210 October Stamp of the month for the Mittens and the snowflake shape and B1412 Perfect fit - Holiday stamp set for the circle and the sentiment.  I also used the Cricut Artist to cut out the mittens and the snowflake shape.  What a huge time saver.

Over at the Heart 2 Heart Challenges Blog they are looking for Christmas Ideas this week.  So if you are getting ready to make your Christmas cards go ahead and see what everyone is creating there. 
Have a great month!

Big Card Challenge

I can't believe it I actually had time to complete two challenges today.  This week at H2H Blog they are doing the opposite of last week.  They are challenging you to make a BIG CARD, that would be anything other than the standard 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" card size.
Here is my card, it is a 5" x 7" card:

 

 

I started with Vanilla Cream card base, then I used the Cricut Artiste cartridge and cut out the frame using Smokey Plum cardstock.  I also cut out the word "Love" using Black cardstock.  I was trying to use the scrapbook layout on page 77 of the new catalog as my inspiration.  I cut the two flag strips out of the La Belle Vie paper sampler.  For the background on my card base I first stamped the words image from Universal Backgrounds set using desert sand ink.  Then I went over the areas with the music notes stamp from Universal backgrounds using black ink.  Lastly I used the two butterflies from an old retired stamp set and inked them in blush and Smokey Plum.  The bird is from the older Wings stamp set.  I stamped it in black and then used chalk to color it in slightly.  Finally I decided I just had to add some bling, so I put on one black sparkle and two of the brownish/gold sparkles.

 

I don't usually stamp using so many layers, but I think I really like this BIG CARD!

Mini Card Challenge

Last week at Heart 2 Heart Challenge Blog they had a Mini Card Challenge.  I was too busy to play last week, but I finally found some time today to play along while I was waiting for my laundry to dry. 

 

I used the Dakota paper sampler to make these cute 3" x 3" cards.  It's hard to tell but all the cards have a strip of coordinating paper on the inside of the cards so the scallop edge shows up more.  The stamp set is from the Cricut Artiste collection called Word Ballons.  Such a cute set.  I started with 3" x 3" card bases using the retired Grey Flanel paper and stamped the images on grey flannel cardstock as well.  I also edged all the pattern papers using black ink.  For accessories I added a crocheted flower dabbed with Barn red ink and a blue button with black waxy flax, black button brads, a white button with the black bakers twine, and three black sparkles.

 

It was fun to make these little cards, I will have to do that more often!

September Workshop and Club Projects

Hi Stampers
Here is a picture of the projects that we will be making at my monthly workshops and Hostess Clubs.  If you are interested in attending one, please contact me by email at debistampnfun@hotmail.com  all the evenings will start at 6:30 pm and are at my house.
Workshop night Tuesday, September 11th - That was fun ladies it was so nice to see you!
Workshop night Tuesday, September 18th - 2 spaces available
Hostess Stamp Club Friday, September 21st - Full
Workshop night Thursday, September 27th - Full

We will be making this cute Coffin Box that is cut from the Artiste Cricut Cartridge and the Mummy card using the Moonlight WOTG stamp set.  We are using the Kraft paper for the box and card base and the Moonlight paper pack.  I added just a little of the new Black Tulle Ribbon for fun.  We will be using the waterbrush pen to color in the mummy image with just a touch of shading using slate gray.

Looking forward to seeing everyone this month!

August Projects for Clubs and Workshops

Hi Stampers
I just wanted to show you what we are going to be making this month at the Stamp Club this Friday and at the one workshop that I'm doing this month on Thursday the 30th.

We will be using the new Flirty paper pack.  I just love the bright Raspberry color in this pack.  We will make a standard 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card.  We will stamp Thanks on the pre-cut via Cricut Artiste cardstock using the new stamp set.  The flowers are cut out with the cricut too.
We will also be making the box as seen in the new Autumn/Winter catalog.  That is also cut out using the new Cricut Artiste.  Sorry, you will have to cut out the pumpkin with your good old-fashion scissors, but it's good for you.  The box is so cute and would be great for a table decoration at Thanksgiving.  I know summer is not even over yet, but I've got to plan ahead you know.

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone, if you have any questions just email me.

The Dog Days of Summer...

Good morning Stampers,
I can't believe that we are in the middle of August already.  Whew - Summer has sure gone by fast this year.  Pretty much does every year.  Over at Heart 2 Heart Blog this we they are having a Dog Days of Summer Challenge.  You can make anything that you want card, scrapbook page, papercraft item with an animal theme.  Extra credit is given if it includes a dog.

Here is my card:

I used the new Flirty paper pack from the new catalog.  I thought the bright colors reminded me of the beach.  For the dog and the Hello sentiment I used A Bow Wow stamp set A1126 only $6.95 love that doggie.  If you saw the first post I changed the coloring of the image.  I love it now.  I used the watercolor brush and Bamboo for the dog and goldrush for the crab.  I paper pieced the bow using the flirty raspberry card stock.  If I had the new cobic-like markers I would have used that, but they are on my wish list!  For the little crab friend I used the Under the Sea stamp set C1500.  Both sets are from the spring/summer idea book and are still available to order.  I added a little pearl to the card front also.  I also went back and added some liquid glass to the eyes and nose.  Much better now!

I hope that you are out enjoying the last weeks of summer - It's going to be getting HOT here in Oregon!

Scrap Challenge at H2H

This week at Heart 2 Heart Challenges blog they are doing a scraps challenge.  Now I could have easily used any number of paper packs because I pretty much have scraps of everything, but I wanted to use the new papers and all I have of this one is the Sampler for Consultants so I'm calling that scraps.  Here is my "Miss You" card:

I used the new Clementine Paper samples that I received plus some Twilight and Colonial White cardstock.  This card design is from the new "Make it from you heart" how to booklet that is in the Fall/Winter catalog.  Design #19.  These are 1 1/4" strips of paper.  I also used the Art Philosophy Cricut cartride to cut out the bracket squares.  Then I added the chocolate ribbon to down the centers.  A little Sorbet waxy flax and ta-da.  Simple but cute.

If you haven't seen the new catalog yet, email me.

I've Been Published!

I'm so very excited to say that I have been published in a very beautiful magazine called "Cards".  I'm on page 43 of the July issue.  I have been waiting a long time to be able to share my card, but now I can.  Here it is:

It is under their Style Challenge.  We needed to come up with a beach theme and use the three colors:  Light blue, Sandy Brown, and a coral color.  I used CTMH desert sand, sky blue and smoothie.  The surf boards and umbrella is from a retired set, but at that time I had not seen our new summer catalog so I didn't have anything else.  I used the pearl paint and the sprits bottle to add a little shimmer to the card front.

It just so happens that Heart 2 Heart Challenges was having a challenge anything relating to Water in July, but I wasn't allowed to post this until now so I'm going to have to add this to their challenge too.

Sketch Challenge with Dakota

Heart 2 Heart had a sketch challenge in July and I really wanted to try it.  So I finally was able to find a little time today to give it a try.  I used the new paper "Dakota" from the new Fall/Winter catalog.
Here is the sketch picture:

And here is my card:

As I said above the paper pack is called Dakota, cute western theme.  The stamp set I used is also from the new catalog.  It is D1525 Casual Expressions for the sentiment and the star.  I also used the August Stamp of the Month, S1208 Baroque Borders for the swirly design.  Then I added the three adhesive Durable Studs.

The New Catalog is Here!

I am so excited to let everyone know that the new CTMH Fall/Winter Catalog is here.  If you haven't received your new catalog from me yet, email me at debistampnfun@hotmail.com.

My favorite items has got to be the new Cricut Cartridge Artiste.  It has so many 3-D items in it and so much more.  Once again it has 700 images, comes with 3 stamp sets and 2 chipboard sheets.  I just can't wait to play with it.

If you want to look at the new catalog online, Click Here to get to my website then you can click on "Products" and "Fall/Winter Catalog".

Together Forever Wedding Card

Good Morning everyone.  Hope you had a great weekend.  This week at Heart 2 Heart blog they are looking for wedding creations.  Summer is the time of year most weddings are held, we were married in June just celebrated our 17th as a matter of fact - wow, time flies.
Anyway, here is my card.

I used the retired paper pack Sweetheart for the black background paper and the small floral paper with little hearts on it.  The stamp set I used is the Pemberley Workshop on the Go set.  I just love that set.  It is still available through the end of July.  I used Cotton Candy Pink paper for the mat. and I used my Waterbrush pen with cotton candy and baby pink inks to color in the flower.  The sentiment "Together Forever" is from a retired set called Unity.   It is hard to see in the picture, but I added Bitty Pearls to the flowers.
Here is a close up of the flower:

I don't know of anyone getting married this year, but congrats to everyone that is!

Life is Tweet

I just love the June Stamp of the month "Life is Tweet" set.  The large bird is so cute, I had to use it for this month's club.  I also wanted to use the new Color ready ribbon Close To My Heart offers.  It just so happens that Ribbon is the theme for this weeks challenge at Heart 2 Heart blog this week.
Here is my card front:

Here is the inside of the card...

For the Ribbon, I used the Waterbrush to wet the ribbon, then I dragged it through the Creme Brulee stamp pad using a sponge to hold it down.  Then I crumpled it up and used a heat gun to dry it.  Then adhered it to the front of the card using Tombow adhesive, wrapping the end under the Lagoon colored paper.

The technique I used to color the bird is called Reverse Masking.  Here is a step by step of how to do that.
First stamp your image on white card stock using regular black ink.

Then I made two reverse mask stencils by stamping the bird on scrap pieces of cardstock.  Then cutting out one so that the belly is exposed.  On the second one I cut it out so that the rest of the upper body is exposed but not the belly.  I used my scissors to cut or you can use an exacto knife.  See the pictures below (by the time I took the picture my templates were well used)

These are the ink pad colors I used with matching sponges.  Creme Brulee, Smoothie, Sweet Leaf and Lagoon.

 Start with the belly mask and line it up.  Using the sponge add Creme Brulee ink until you like how it looks.  I used a blotting motion at first and then a light scrubbing motion to get it to the edges.

Then add some Smoothie ink I just blotted it on where the three black dots are.

This is what it looks like when you remove the mask.

Next you want to put the upper body mask on.  I started with Sweet leaf green and just put it on the lower part of the template.

Then I added the Lagoon ink to the top part of the bird.

This is what it looks like when you remove the mask.

The last thing I did was use a Creme Brulee marker to color in the beak and the feet.

I hope that description was helpful and you can creat your own stencils using the reverse masking technique.  Thanks and have a great day!

Father's Day Card

Here is my father's day card for my dad.  Check out Heart 2 Heart Blog for more wonderful Father's Day ideas for this weeks challenge.  Post your ideas too!

I used Cruisin' Paper Pack X7154B and the stamp set that comes with the WOTG.
Happy Father's Day sentiment is from Say it in Style D1283
Cranberry, Honey and Versamark inks
Black embossing powder Z670
Neutral Baker's twine in Black Z1701
I stamped the car on a scrap piece of whte cardstock and embossed it with the black embossing powder, then cut it out and used 3-D foam tap to pop it up.

Happy Father's Day to all!

Graduation Card

This week on Heart 2 Heart Challenges Blog they are looking for Black and White with any additional color.  I wanted to make my half-sister a graduation card and I found a cute cap shaped card on Pinterest and had to make her one.
Here is my card:

I used black cardstock, white daisy cardstock.  Black and Cranberry ink.  I used four different stamp sets.  "Follow your dreams"  is from a special stamp set that is no longer available.  The music notes (my sister will be going to college to be a music teacher) are from A1116 A Melody, The Congratulations circle is from the Cricut stamp set, and Imagine the Possiblities is from the July 2012 stamp of the month Live Out Loud.  I made a tassle using white embroidery thread and a bigger brad in black is holding it on the front of the card.
Here is a link to the Pinterest card.  Do Stamping with Dawn
Have a great day!

Dotty For You

This week at Heart 2 Heart Challenges Blog they are looking for Dots and Stripes.  So I thought this would be a great time to remind everyone that there are only 2 weeks left for the Dotty For You paper special from CTMH.

If you purchase $35.00 from our Spring/Summer Catalog you can get the fantastic Dotty For You paper pack for only $5.00.  It is such a great deal for only $5.00 you get 24 sheets of double-sided paper.  See my CTMH Specials Tab for more information.

Hurry, it is while supplies last.

Here is my creation using the Dotty For You paper:

I used four colors from the Dotty For You paper pack and I used the Pemberley WOTG Stamp set to random stamp the remaning four squares.  The sentiment is from the April Stamp of the Month "You Are...".  The flowers are from the Z1710 Paradise Paper Flowers $5.95 for 68 flowers.  Then I added a Grey Wool Adhesive Gem to the center.  They come in the Z1335 Licorice Opagues Adhesive Gems $2.95 for108 gems.  I used Grey Wool stamp pad to stamp the sentiment and ink distress the edges of the squares.

This card design is from the April 23rd Mojo Monday #238 sketch.  Unfortunately I didn't post in time for the sketch, but I love how this turned out.  Some of my clubs at the end of April made this card.

Have a great day!

Mother's Day Gift

This week at the Heart 2 Heart Challenges Blog they are looking for Mother's Day cards or gifts.  I'm posting the project that we did for my Workshops last month.  It is an Easel Card Box with a set of 4 cards.  I thought that it would be a perfect gift for Mother's Day.  I want to thank the so very talented Vicki Wizniuk for the inspiration for the top of the box.  I just loved a card she made and had to copy it for the top of the easel box.  Here is a link to her black and white card.

Here is my project:

Here is a side view.  The top raises up and stands like an easel and the drawer slides open.  It holds a set of four cards and envelopes.

Here is a picture of the four cards.  I made them really simple borrowing from the card on page 23 of the current catalog.

Here are the instructions for making the easel box and the cards.



For the Box Drawer:

8 ½” x 9 13/16” Blue Pattern Pemberley paper pack

Score at 1” and 2” around all four edges

Cut out the “L” shapes on all four corners and the flaps.

For Drawer Pull:

3 ½” piece of ribbon
Fold under the ends of the ribbon and use Tombow adhesive to secure.
2 Bamboo colored brads
Poke a hole in each end of the folded over ribbon and place the brads through.  Measure 1 ¼” from the edge of the box front on both sides and poke a hole through the drawer front.  Slide the brads through to secure the ribbon to the drawer front.  Tape all four corners of the box using red lines tape to build the box.  Fold sides in and use red lines to secure.

For the Outer Box:

12” x 8” Bamboo Cardstock
Score at 1” and 2 1/8” along the long edge.  Turn 90 degrees and score at 2 ½”, 3 5/8”, 8 ¼” and 9 3/8” along the short edge.
Cut out the folds and flaps as seen in picture.  Using Red Lines, tape the flaps to build the back edge of the box.  Insert the drawer in the box and use red lines tape to secure the seam of the bottom of the box making sure that you have it loose enough for the drawer to easily slide in and out.

For the Decoration on the top of the box:

C1494 Card Word Puzzle stamp set
Pemberley Workshop on the go stamp set
Buttercup Marker
Indian Corn Blue Marker
Create-A-Shade Pearl Paint
3-D foam tape
4” x 5 ¼” Bamboo Cardstock
3 ½” x 3” Blue Pattern paper  glue to front of Bamboo cardstock piece approx.. ½” from the top and side edges.
3 ¼” x 2 7/8” Colonial White cardstock to be random stamped using Outdoor Denim ink pad and the small flower and the butterfly images.  Ink distress the edges.  Glue on top of the blue pattern paper lining up the bottom edge.
4” x 1 ¼” Colonial White cardstock stamp the border along the bottom edge and “Grateful for you” on the right hand side using Outdoor Denim ink.
4” x 1 ¼” Blue Pattern Paper use scallop punch across one long edge and adhere to the back side of the colonial white piece.
(2) 1 ½” x ¾” Outdoor Denim Blue cardstock cut a “V” to make banner edge and adhere to back side of the bottom edge of the colonial white piece.
(1) 1 ½” x ¾” Buttercup cardstock cut a “V” to make banner edge and adhere to back side of the bottom edge of the colonial white piece.
(2) 1 ½” x ¾” Colonial White cardstock, random stamp, then cut a “V” to make banner edge and adhere to back side of the bottom edge of the colonial white piece.
Use 3-D foam tape to attach the colonial white piece to the card front making sure that the banners do not hang down past the bottom edge.
2 ½” x 2 ½” Colonial White Cardstock scrap stamp the rose image using Outdoor Denim ink pad.  Color in the rose using buttercup marker and Indian Corn Blue marker for the center.   Cut out with scissors.  Paint on a light coat of the Pearl Paint.  Attach to the card front using tombow and 3-D Foam tape.

Easel Mechanism:

4 ¼” x 11” Outdoor Denim Cardstock
Score at 5 ½” and 8 ¼” along the long side.  Using Outdoor denim ink pad and a sponge, ink the edges of the cardstock so the white core is not showing.  Attach to the top of the box.  Attach the card front to the front scored area using red lines tape.

For the Inside of the Easel Card:

4” x 5” Colonial White Cardstock stamp the small stemmed flower in the lower right hand corner.  Color in using the Buttercup marker.  Adhere to the inside of the Easel card.
4” x ½” Border from Blue Pattern Paper Use the sponge and Outdoor denim ink pad to distress the edges.  Adhere to card front approx.. 1 ½” from the bottom.  Add three Large Pearls on top of the border.

For the set of Four Cards:

(4) Standard sized 4 ¼” x 5 ½” Colonial White Card bases and envelopes  Put a piece of scrap paper across the top 2” of the card base and Random stamp the large Rose image using outdoor denim ink pad.
(4) 4 ¼” x ½” Pieces of Pattern Paper Attach one to each of the card fronts.
(4) 2 ¼” x 2 ¾” Outdoor Denim Cardstock attach one to each of the card fronts either centered or to the left side approx.. ½” down from the top edge of the card.
(4) 2” x 2 ½” Colonial White Cardstock stamp each one with a different sentiment and image of your choice.  Adhere to the front of the card on top of the Outdoor denim cardstock.  Add embelishments as desired using Buttercup Organza Ribbon and White Pearls.

**Items highlighted in red are the supplies you will need to complete this project.

You have me in Stitches...

This week on Heart 2 Heart Challenges Blog they are looking for anything with sewing on it.  It can be handstitching, machine, or "faux" stitching.  Today I'm sharing with you a card that I had made awhile ago, but haven't shared yet.

It's hard to tell, but I did some machine stitching around the outside edge.  I used the Stella paper pack (one of my favorites this year), the flowers are part of the Paradise Paper Flowers and I also used the Bitty Pearl Gems too.  I used the Cricut AP cartridge to cut out the center piece.

Here is a close up of the stitching.

Now let's see what kind of stitching you can add to your projects.  Have a great day!