Noel Card

 

It is never too early to get a jumpstart on your Christmas card stash.  This month's challenge at Sparkles Christmas Challenges is to create something using more than 3 embellishments.  I decided to use 3 layered diecut flowers from K & Co. along with a Noel tag at the top.  Every card needs swirly gems and ribbon.  he berry clusters are crystals wired together.  Join us at Sparkles - we would love to see what you create. 

Seems a Little Sketchy Card

New design team!

I am excited to be chosen to be part of the Seems a Little Sketchy design team.  We get to use a different sketch for each challenge and we have lots of sponsors with great prizes.  For my card, I chose the Winter Lisbeth image from Lacy Sunshine.  The prize for this challenge is 3 digi images of your choice. 

I have used vintage lace and rose ribbon along with a gilded brass filigree and pearl gems to make my card old fashioned.  I stitched the Lisbeth image and distressed the edges.  I decided to turn the sketch sideways.  Be sure to stop by and see what my new team mates have created. 

Flowers and Lace Card

Since vintage style cards are my favorite ones to create, I was excited to see the that the current challenge at City Crafters Challenge Blog is flowers and lace.  I started with vintage looking papers and layered a rose bouquet print.  I stitched the layers together and added a little sparkle.  Every card needs distress ink so I distressed every layer.  The lace is vintage (of course) and the resin rose at the bottom adds a little dimension.  I am also entering this card in the vintage challenge at DL.ART.

Winner - GYB Blog Candy

 

We have a winner!

 

From Random Number Generator,  our winner is number 44 - Gypsy Rose.

 

Generate a random number between 1 and 53 = 44

 

I will send out this package of blog candy filled with flowers, handmade paper and more as soon as I hear from Gypsy Rose.  Thank you to everyone for leaving such nice comments.  I enjoyed meeting everyone through the Grow Your Blog event.  In fact, I am still visiting the blogs.

 

 

 

At the Beach

 

The new challenge at Ruby's Rainbow Challenges is texture.  I chose a textured background paper that I embossed with the Vagabond.  Then I added some teal colored mesh.  The starfish needed a little glitter and I added a couple of cute fish stickers from K & Co.  The corner filigree (which we sell at www.drygulch.com) is a dark antique copper color, so I whitewashed it with distress stain.  Be sure to show us your textured creations at Ruby's. 

Valentine's Day Card

The current challenge at Alphabet Challenges is Always and Forever.  I created this old fashioned looking card with lots and lots of hearts.  I started with old letter paper and added a resist rectangle background that I inked with distress stains.  Then I found the February calendar which is perfect for this holiday.  The vintage lace and sparkly gemstones add the perfect touch.  My lucky husband will be the recipient of this gushy card.

Stop by and show us your work and be sure to check out the other DT creations.

February 2014 Tim Holtz Tag

A month has gone by already so it is time for the next tag for Tim Holtz's tags for 2014.  Visit Tim's blog for explanations on the techniques he used for his tag.  As usual, my tag is quite a bit different than the inspiration tag.  I improvised several different components since I didn't have all of the supplies.  I hope you can see the resemblence.

 

 

 

Tim's tag was made with a heart stencil, but since I don't have one, I used a tiny heart stamp and I stamped the hearts individually.  I added crystal lacquer to give them the shine that Tim added by using embossing powder.  The kraft tag absorbed the ink too quickly so I couldn't emboss them.  The nice red color faded a little too, but pink hearts work just as well as red ones.

 

I was also missing the stamp that he used to stamp the white on the black background.  I did use his embossing powder and chalk technique though.  It really does look like a chalkboard.

 

 

I felt like my chalkboard element was a little too small for the tag, so I added a chipboard frame under it.  It was a piece from a Halloween set, so it needed work.  I decorated part of it with washi tape and then inked it with worn lipstick distress ink.

 

I needed a red sparkly heart, so I made my own red glitter using red dylusions ink and rock candy rock glitter.  I covered a heart shaped piece of chipboard with crystal glaze and then added my new red glitter.  It looks a little chunky, but I like it.

 

Tim's tag has a silver metal border sticker at the bottom.  Once I attached the sticker, it had more adhesive on the part that sticks out under the tag.  A little trick I use for problems like this is to coat the adhesive with baby powder.  Then it doesn't stick to anything.

 

 

 

I finished the tag off with a silver pen nib, in lieu of the silver arrow, and a little ribbon and lace for the top.  I enjoy seeing all of the different tags that people submit to Tim's site. 

Spots and Stripes

 

 

Our new challenge at Ruby's Rainbow Challenges is Spots and Stripes.  I started with a striped cardstock for my base and added corrugated cardstock with spots.  The flowers and the butterfly are diecuts from K & Co and my sister stamped the sentiment.  I added more spots with the round gem stickers and more stripes with the pink ribbons.  I hope you will share your design with us at Ruby's.

Vintage Birdie Card

 

The current challenge at Fussy and Fancy Challenge is "Vintage".  I chose a vintage bird postcard print.  The little berries on the branches needed a little stickling.  I inked the edges of the bird postcard with a little distress ink.

 

I whipped out my little Singer sewing machine made just for paper.  The machine is very easy to thread and it has 8 different stitches.  I don't use it very often, but I should!

 

I wanted the embossed paper layer around the bird to be a little more shabby, so I started by fraying the edge with a Distress Edge Tool.  I added a little white distress stain but it wasn't bright enough so I added white distress paint too.

 

The background is a map from the phone book with a quilt pattern overlay that I cut with my CraftRobo machine. No vintage card is complete without a little vintage lace and some crystals. I hope you are inspired to create something vintage.

 

 

Seems a Little Sketchy Card

This evening I created a card based on a sketch challenge at Seems a Little Sketchy.  They have great sketches sure to inspire you.  I decided to turn the sketch on its side.  I started by layering rectangles of patterned paper and I topped the last layer with a dressform sticker.  The flowers include Tim Holtz metal flowers that have been tinted with distress paint and stain and paper flowers that have been curled to add dimension.  Pretty much everything has a little distress on the edges.  I like to use Frayed Burlap - I use it the most.  The pearl and crystal swirls add just the right touch.

 

Here is the inspiration sketch.

Sparkles Anniversary Challenge

Welcome to the 3rd anniversary of Sparkles Christmas Challenges.  We are excited to celebrate this milestone with a blog hop filled with blog candy.  Be sure to visit Sparkles for a list of blog hop participants.  Leave a comment on each of the blogs to be eligible for prizes. 

I thought I would share some of the steps I took to make this festive card.  I started with a wreath image from Lili of the Valley.  They carry the prettiest art pads, already colored.  The prints are on very nice, heavy cardstock.

I used distress paint and a toothbrush to create the splattered snow over the wreath image.  I also added green distress ink around the edges.  I also added little white berries dusted with distress glitter.

Most of my cards need vintage lace and this one was no exception.  The red lace is new, but the cream lace was a find at an antique store.

It takes a lot of distress to create a card! Tim Holtz would be proud, don't you think?

Then I added red gems for just the right amount of sparkle. I clustered lots of pretty flowers around the little Christmas tree. The glad tidings sticker at the top is from K & Co.  The red gem swirls are the finishing touch.  I hope you enjoyed the making of this card shown step by step. 

This month's theme at Sparkles Christmas Challenges is Anything Goes so show us your design.  Our sponsor for this months challenge is Dawn Till Dusk.  I hope you will visit the blog hop participants and see their beautiful projects.  Be sure to leave comments to be eligible to win blog candy from the other design team members.  Winners will be announced Feb. 28.

Grow Your Blog

I am excited to participate in the Grow Your Blog event.  My name is Jennifer and I am a paper addict / crafter, primarily creating vintage style cards and tags.  Occasionally I do a little scrapbooking, but cards are my passion.  I design cards for three UK based challenge blogs (I am in the US).  I enjoy the challenges because they often force me to create something I would not have otherwise.  It is always fun to see what other people create for the challenges.  My blog is the perfect avenue to share my designs.

My "go to" card making essential is Distress Ink by Tim Holtz.  I find that almost all paper looks better with a little distress.  The ink really adds depth to my card projects.  If you want to learn more about the distress line, Tim has great instructional videos on his blog.  I also love to use vintage seam binding ribbon.  It can be dyed any color and it always looks old fashioned.

 

   

I am also a lampworker and I run a bead and jewelry store with my mom and my daughters.  You can find our designs at Dry Gulch Beads & Jewelry.  I often incorporate findings like filigrees from our bead store into my cards.

It is always fun to win a prize, so be sure to leave a comment below.  I will choose a random winner from my commenting visitors on Feb. 15.  The prize will be the group of blog candy shown in the photo below.  It includes paper, flowers, gems and other embellishments.

I am looking forward to visiting many blogs and seeing lots of handmade items.  Many thanks to Vicki for organizing this event.

F L Y Tag

The current challenge at Ruby's Rainbow Challenges is to use a doily in your creation. I decided to use a tag that I colored with spray ink. I used a white doly and inked the edges with pink distress ink. The bird is a chip board piece that I inked. The little FLY tag at the top was made using tiny alphabet stickers which I love. Stop by Ruby's to see what the rest of the talented design team has created. Be sure and post your doily creation as well.

Keeping it Simple Cards

 

My sister came for a visit this past weekend and we crafted like crazy.  These simple, but pretty cards were the result.  We started with pre-colored flower pictures called Coloured Art Pads from Lili of the Valley.  We worked with Inkadinkado Stamping Gear tools to create coordinating background papers.  We had a great time!

 

Inkadinkado Stamping Gear tools.

 

You can create an infinite number of background paper designs with these tools. 

Ice Cream Birthday Card

The current challenge at Alphabet Challenges is to make a card for a young person.  I chose an ice cream cone shaker sticker with mirrorcard.  The shiny background is challenging to photograph.  This one is for my niece's birthday.  Join us at Alphabet Challenges and show us your card for a young person. 

Film Title Challenge Card

The current challenge at Ruby's Rainbow is to create a card inspired by a film title or the name of a song.  I had to think long and hard on this one.  I chose a card full of daisy diecuts inspired by the film Driving Miss Daisy.  I like the vintage feel of the tattered paper (a Christmas present from my sister) and the dusty colored lace.  I added just a little distress ink on the edges.  Be sure and stop by Ruby's to see what the rest of the team was inspired by.  I can't wait to see their creations.

January Tim Holtz Tags of 2014

  
I am excited to begin January by participating in Tim Holtz's Tags of 2014.  I meade several last year, but I didn't finish all of them.  I hope to complete all 12 tags this year.  I did not have all of the necessary supplies or equipment, but I think I managed to convey the overall theme of time of the first tag of the year.

I started by spraying a tag overlaid with a stencil and then I inked the edges for a darker look.  I added Tim Holtz large number rubons to the side and then sanded the numbers with the TH sanding block.  I added a little metallic distress stain to add to the grungy look.

 

The timepiece was a challenge because I left the Vagabond at our store for the weekend (We use it to emboss metal in our bead and jewelry store, www.drygulch.com).  I had to get creative without any embossing folders.  I found a clock rubber stamp and I embossed it with silver onyx embossing powder.  I did have Tim Holtz mirrored sheets so I freehanded the silver watch case and hammered it for texture. I added a few tiny gears too.  A die cut piece would definitely look more professional, but I think it turned out just fine.

 

 

For the charm at the top of the tag, I added 2014 rubons to a porcelain Tim Holtz charm and then attached it to the ribbon with a vintage style pin. 

 

 

 

I usually use Distress ink to edge my pieces, but I wanted something even darker for the edges of this calendar.  I had never tried using acrylic paint for this, but I found out that it works just fine.  Mine is definitely different than Tim's tag, but I think you can see the inspiration.  Now we just have to wait until February first!

Colorful Spray Ink Tags

Now that all of the Christmas cards and thank you cards have been handed out, I get to create something with bright colors.  I created a few colorful, springtime tags using Dylusions ink and masks today.  We are covered in several inches of snow, so I thought I would try to chase the cold away by using vivid colors.  I added flowers, butterflies, gems and lace to the backgrounds.  Hand dyed vintage seam binding tops them off.

 

 

Here is one of the Tattered Angels masks that I used to create a flourish on the edges of the tags.  First I sprayed each tag with a background color, then I sprayed a different color over the mask.  On the lightest tag, I also used the inked mask as a stamp.  I sprayed the middle tag with water to blend the colors and I got a mottled design.  Perfect! 

 

 

I used Distress ink around a Tim Holtz flower mask after I dried the Dylusions ink with my embossing gun.  I was careful to only go just around the edges of the mask because I didn't want to cover up the lighter green background.  I love the way the ink really makes the flower pop.  The snow is still piling up outside, but the sun is shining on my new, bright tags.

 

 

 

And here are closeups of three of the finished tags.

 

 

 

I am entering these tags in the following challenges:

 

Pile It On - Just Because

ABC Challenges - C is for Colorful

Fairies Challenges - Flowers and Lace

Lexi's creations - Anything Goes