KittieKraft

Stampavie Design Team Member Call

I was surfing through the SCS forums yesterday and noticed there was a call for a Stampavie design team call. I have admired the Sarah Kay stamp line although I haven’t had the opportunity to purchase any of the stamps. The images are gorgeous and I would love to have the opportunity to create scenes around them.  You can find more information about this design team call on the Stampavie Design Team Blog.

I created a scene around the sweet little girl and kittens from the SU set A Kind Word.  I stamped the hat full of kittens, masked, and stamped the girl image over them. I painted the images and cut out to pop up in front of a country scene.  I created the path in the scene by using a small sponge dauber and and added green on both sides with a Color Box stylus and foam tip. I sketched in the small trees and fence with an artist pen and used Tombow Markers to color and to create the tree tops. I used the mini fern image from my Outdoor Master to add texture to the tree and ground area . I added a touch of pink flowers along the fence to match the pink flower in the girl’s basket. I created the sky using a hand cut cloud template and sponge.  I love the hat full of kittens at the little girls feet and thought it looked popped out of the bottom of the scene.

Stamps:  SU A Kind Word, Kittie Kits Outdoor Master    Paper:  Almost Amethyst, White, SU Designer Paper    Ink:  Black Craft, Celery, Olive, Bashful Blue, Blush Blossom, Pretty Ink Pink, Latte, Saffron     Accessories:  Tombow Markers, Artist Pen, Color Box Stylus and Foam Tip, Small Sponge Dauber, Brushes, Cloud Template (hand made) Brads, Grosgrain, Scalloped Border Punch

 

Wacky Wednesday #18 Metal and Ribbon

Good Morning.  I hope you are having a good week. It’s a short work week for me as our practices are closed on Friday for the holiday.  Woo Hoo!!  I love three day weekends.

Today is Rubbernecker Stamps WACKY WEDNESDAY #18 and Bev is our hostess. She’s has challenged us to incorporate both ribbon and metal on our card.  You can check out more about the challenge and how you can win a 40% off coupon from Rubbernecker Stamps on the Rubbernecker Blog.

I love the new Soccer sets and this is the first time I have had the opportunity to play with them.  I wanted to create a fun scene and still allow the eyelets and ribbon to be a main focus for the card.  I think it worked well.

I stamped the kids and goal on scrap watercolor paper, painted and cut them out.  I sponged in the ground and sky area and added texture with a grass sprig stamp from my Outdoor Master. I attached the goal and popped it up across the top but it doesn’t show in the photo.  I attached the kids with glue dots to finish the scene.  The light blue design paper was the perfect fit to allow the scene to pop with all the red and green.  I thought the red cardstock was the perfect accompaniment along with the red grosgrain and eyelets. The pennant was hand cut and is a little wonky in shape but it is such a cute finishing touch to this project.

Stamps:  Rubbernecker Soccer, Kittie Kits Outdoor Master    Paper:  Real Red, SU DP, Watercolor   Ink:  Artichoke, Real Red, Brocade Blue, Blush Blossom, Pink   Accessories:  Eyelets, Grosgrain, Mounting Tape, Glue Dots, Brushes, Red Marker, Sponges

My second project was actually done for the SCS Technique Lovers Challenge on Monday but it works for today’s WW challenge as well.  The original challenge was to create a faux burnt edge. You can find the instructions for this technique here.

I created my little farm scene and used my new Tombow Markers to sketch the tree and colors the images. I then set out to add the faux burnt edge.  I applied several varying colors of distress ink to finally accomplish the burnt surrounding border.  I must say I wish I had not sponged so far into the scene but I really like how it turned out.  The brads and ribbon are a little hard to see since they are both black but I promise they are really there.

Stamps:  Kittie Kits Farm Scene   Paper:  Black, 7 Gypsies, Watercolor   Ink:  Black Craft, Old Paper, Vintage Photo, Brushed Corduroy, Black Soot   Accessories:  Brads, Grosgrain (curled with heat gun) Tombow Markers, Artist , Watercolor Brushes, Deckle Scissors, Paper Distressing Tool

New Rubbernecker Release and Blog Stroll

Good morning. Rubbernecker Stamps is releasing two new stamps sets and one new background stamp today.  To celebrate this release, we invite you to Blog Stroll along with the Rubbernecker Red-Hot Mommas.  The Stroll begins at the Rubbernecker Stamps Blog where you will find the guidelines on how to win one of the many newly released sets since April 1.   If you haven’t started at the Rubbernecker Blog, you should go there to find the first clue to begin your Stroll.

The set I am using for this release is the new Bear Inchies and also the Tree Inchies released a few weeks ago.

I stamped the bear and bee and the honey pot and bee image on watercolor paper along with several additional bees.  I painted and cut out all the images. I colored the tree image with a brown and green marker, lightly misted with water and repeated across the watercolor paper.  I sponged green on the ground area and filled in with grass sprigs from my Outdoor Master.  I sponged pale yellow along the lower sky area along the grass line and blue in the sky area. I hand sketched a little log with my artist pen, painted brown and popped up over the scene for the little bear to sit on. I popped up the bear, honey pot and additional bees around the scene.  I cut the one bee away from the bear image and used it for one of the flying bees. I created a frame with Nestabilities dies and layered the framed scene over sweet designer paper.  I used two different ribbons- May Arts  and Stampin’ Up! on the project.

The Stroll starts at the Rubbernecker Stamps Blog where you will find the rules on how to win one of the sets being revealed.  If you haven’t started at the Rubbernecker Stamps Blog, you should go there now in order not to miss anything!   Here is my phrase clue for a chance to win:  Flowers  To find the next clue, stroll over to Linda’s blog. The Blog Stroll will end at 12:00 Noon on Friday, June 26, and the winners will be announced on the Rubbernecker Blog!

 Rubbernecker Stamps is sponsoring this week’s challenge at Charisma Cardz Thursday Craft Challenges.  Drop by for a visit . . . they are such a talented group of stampers!

Stamps:  Rubbernecker Bear Inchies, Tree Inchies, Kittie Kit Outdoor Master   Paper:  Watercolor, Bashful Blue, SU Designer Paper   Ink:  Vintage Photo, Peeled Paint, More Mustard, Bashful Blue, Barely Banana, Brilliance Black   Accessories:  Grosgrain, Taffeta, Brushes, Markers, Glue Dots, Artist Pen, Nestabilities,

Wacky Wednesday #17

Hi Everyone.  I came home rested and relaxed from my beach vacation and this is my first stamping project since I got home. It is always so fun to go to the beach and visit with my sisters but I always love getting home and sleeping in my own bed. The going back to work part is not so enjoyable.

Today is Rubbernecker Stamps WACKY WEDNESDAY #17, and Shelly is our hostess today.  She’s has challenged us to incorporate a tag on our card.  You can check out more about the challenge and how you can win a 40% off coupon from Rubbernecker Stamps on the Rubbernecker Blog.

I had lots of fun creating my project using the Flower Silhouettes #468 that will be released on Rubbernecker tomorrow.  I chose to work with Daisy D’s designer paper as I thought the pattern would work so well with the flower and stem image.  I colored the image using my brand new Tombow Markers and stamped it on a watercolor paper tag created with a Nestabilities tag die. I stamped the image a couple more times on scrap watercolor paper to cut out and pop up on my project. I loved the old-fashioned feel of the designer paper and thought it would be perfect to paper pierce.  I almost used a white gel pen to do faux stitching but thought it may be a little too much.  I actually considered getting out one of my two sewing machines to sew on this project but since I got home too late it just didn’t happen. Well…actually….I always find an excuse not to get out my sewing machines and I just don’t know why.  I guess that’s for another blog post. Maybe I need to see Sherry or Broni for counseling as they do such gorgeous sewing projects.

If you would love a fun read regarding how the Red Hot Mommas got their Tombow Markers you need to check out this article on Sherry’s Walkin’ on the Bad Side (think Jerri Kay). Oh my!!! How wonderful the markers are to work with. I am overjoyed with all the color choices (96) in my full set. The markers can also be purchased one marker at a time to allow you to build your own customized set.

Come play along in the WACKY WEDNESDAY Challenge this week. You will have a chance to win a coupon worth 40% off your entire order at Rubbernecker Stamps.  The Red-Hot Mommas will be on the stroll again tomorrow with Rubbernecker’s 2 new sets and one new background!

Stamps:  Rubbernecker Flower Silhouettes  Paper:  Riding Hood Red, Brocade Blue, Watercolor   Accessories:  Tombow Markers, Nestabilities Tag Die, Needle, SU Piercing Template, Circle Punches, Satin, Mod Podge, Glue Dots, Brad

Rubbernecker Release –Tea Time, Coffee Time and Soccer

I am on vacation and not able to take part in the Rubbernecker Blog Stroll today but I wanted to draw your attention to the new set releases.  They are all so cute. You can find these new sets at Rubbernecker Stamps. 

457 TEA TIME

458 COFFEE TIME

460 SOCCER SENTIMENTS

470 SOCCER KIDS COED

471 SOCCER BOYS

472 SOCCER GIRLS

Cape Hatteras Vacation

Hi Everyone.  I am away on vacation with my family in the Outer Banks at Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. I hope you all enjoy your week.

Wacky Wednesday #15

Good Wednesday morning. Joan is hosting Wacky Wednesday and has challenged us to make a Father’s Day project. You can find all the details about participating in the challenge and how to win a 40% discount on your next Rubbernecker order at the Rubbernecker Blog. You will definitely want to make the rounds to all the Red Hot Momma’s blog to see their wonderful projects.

I like the rowboat and cattails in the Rubbernecker Guy Stuff collection. It was fun creating this scene showing the boat pulled along shore line in the cattails. I stamped the boat, masked and stamped the cattails.  I stamped a few extra cattails and boat oars on scrap paper to cut out. I watercolored all the images using a brush and reinkers.  I masked the boat and sponged in the water area using a Color Box stylus. I sketched a tall tree up the left side of the scene and extended the  limbs out over the background area of the scene.  I used the mini fern image from my Outdoor Master to fill in around the cattails and along the water’s edge and a small leaf to fill in the tree top.  I cut slits with my craft knife along the left side of the boat to put the cattails through and added a couple along the right side of the boat.  I like how the boat really looks pulled up on shore.  I  lost my father years ago so I didn’t add a Father’s Day sentiment so I could keep this for a regular guy card when I need one.

Stamps:  Rubbernecker Guy Stuff Collection, Kittie Kits Outdoor Master  Paper:  Olive, Brown, Watercolor   Ink:  Black Craft, Vintage Photo, Peeled Paint, Cranberry, Brushed Corduroy, Lemonade, Aqua, Bashful Blue   Accessories:  Brushes, Color Box Stylus and Foam Tip, Grosgrain

Fun Color Challenge

The SCS Color Challenge this week was to make a single layer “white” card and only adding color with ink or embellishments.  I turned to one of my all time favorite Stampin’ Up! sets- Long-Time Friend.  The watering can image is perfect to stand on it’s own without much fuss or embellishment and I thought it would be beautiful on all white for a simple note card. I stamped the image on Prism Simply Smooth white cardstock and watercolored.  I sponged a light shade of yellow around the image to make it pop on the all white background. 

Stamps:  SU Long-Time Friend    Paper:  Prism Simply Smooth White   Accessories:  Brushes, Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool 

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Relaxing Weekend and Fun Challenges

Good Monday morning!  I had a very restful weekend and I hope you did as well. I drive 70 miles round trip to work each day during the week so I always look forward to being home and not having to go far on weekends. I also look forward to the SCS weekend challenges and being able to play without the time restraints I feel on work nights.

The inspiration for Saturday’s Inspiration Challenge was a site called Design Dazzle, a site for decorating ideas and design inspiration. I was inspired by the pink western theme of the bedroom set in the picture below. I added lots of green to the pink and created fun pink horses and horseshoes and a green lasso.

 

I stamped the images on watercolor paper, colored and cut out with my snips and craft knife. I embossed the pink horse border on white cardstock using Regal Rose craft ink and clear embossing powder. All the images were popped up over the main layer with glue dots and dimensionals.

Stamps:  Rubbernecker Little Lovins Kelley, KK Original Cowboy Collection   Paper:  SU DP, Wasabi, White, Watercolor  Ink:  Black Craft, Wasabi, Regal Rose, Blush Blossom, Saffron  Accessories:  Craft Knife, Snips, Brushes, Clear Embossing Powder

The Featured Stamper Challenge on Sunday featured Kisamari.  I was inspired to do a beach scene with the main focus on palm trees. I always enjoy doing doing beach scenes especially if the water, sand and sky plays the role of the backdrop for the focal image.

I stamped the front palm tree, masked and stamped the others for the groupings and painted with a brush and reinkers, I sponged on the sand area and used a sand dune image to fill in the ground texture.  I sketched the sea grass around the base of the trees with a marker. I used a circle mask to create the bold part of the sun and them removed it and sponged in the blue clouds. I sponged on more yellow to carry the sunlight across the sky area so the sun wouldn’t look like a cartoon sun.

Stamps:  Rubbernecker KK Trees Collection, Kittie Kits Outdoor Master   Paper:  Soft Sky, Wasabi, Watercolor  Ink:  Black Craft, Soft Sky, Baja Blue, Banana, Caramel   Accessories:  Color Box Stylus and Sponge, Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool, Brushes, Marker, Circle Punch

Chicken Coop Panels

I had fun last night with the SCS Sketch Challenge.  I already had some images from my Kittie Kits Chicken Coop set painted and cut out that I hadn’t used in an earlier project.  All I had to do was whip up a background scene and cut it into the panels for the sketch.

I started the scene by stamping the fence across the page with black ink.  I sponged in the ground area and then used a homemade cloud template to sponge in the sky.  I stamped the tree trunk, painted and then filled in the tree top with a small leaf image from my Outdoor Master. I used a small sponge dauber to lightly continue the appearance of the tree trunk up into the leaves. I used the little mini fern image from the set to fill in the ground area and to create little weed runners along the fence line. I cut the scene into three panels, layered them on the red and then attached to the green base.  The sketch called for something of interest like a sentiment tag, etc on the left corner so that is where I thought the momma chicken and the baby chicks should be placed. I think the big tree and ground area carry over well from one panel to another even though they are separated a little more than I would have liked.

Stamps:  Kittie Kits Chicken Coop, Outdoor Master   Paper:  Kiwi, Red, Watercolor   Ink:  Black Craft (heat dried), Vintage Photo, Brushed Corduroy, Peeled Paint, Bashful Blue, Banana   Accessories:  Glue Dots, Brushes, Color Box Stylus and Sponges, Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool 

Wacky Wednesday #14

Good Wednesday morning.  Broni is hosting Wacky Wednesday and has challenged us to a hot color challenge- bright yellow, orange and green. You can find all the details about participating in the challenge and how to win a 40% Discount on your next Rubbernecker order at the Rubbernecker Blog.

I wanted to play with the Guy Stuff collection again since we are so close to Father’s Day.  I have to admit that masculine cards are a little more difficult for me. Although the colors for the challenge are very bright I decided to tone them down with lots of brown and just use them as highlights against the dark canoe and the background.  I stamped the canoe on watercolor paper and once again on Prism Intense Orange and Intense Yellow. After I painted the canoe I cut out the star and trim and attached it with Mod Podge. I stamped the two different sized cattails on Prism Spring Willow Medium and again on Suede Brown Dark and cut out. I used 7Gypsies Market designer paper for the  background and thought it created the perfect setting the simple images with no embellishments needed. You know….canoes and ribbon just don’t seem to mix.

Stamps:  Rubbernecker Guy Stuff Collection- Canoe, Cattail and Petite Cattail  Paper:  7 Gypsies , Prism Intense Yellow, Intense Orange, Spring Willow Medium, Suede Brown Dark, Brown, Watercolor  Ink:  Brilliance Black, Brushed Corduroy   Accessories:  Mod Podge, Brushes, Glue Dots, Distressing Tool

My second project was for the SCS Color Challenge but it fit perfectly into our Wacky Wednesday challenge as well. I added bright red to kick the colors up one more notch and love the bright, summer feel of this project. I stamped the Wild Flower image three times on watercolor paper and watercolored with reinkers and a brush. I layered the flowers on bright orange and applied it to a bright green card base.  I loved adding all the buttons to the flower heads and the green ribbon and I thought the one little cut out flower and leaf was the perfect finishing touch for the sentiment tag.

Stamps:  Rubbernecker Wild Flower   Paper:  Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine, Watercolor   Ink:  Riding Hood Red, Tangerine, Kiwi, Banana   Accessories:  Buttons, Grosgrain, Oval Punch, Mod Podge (flower on tag)

New Rubbernecker Release and Blog Stroll

Good morning. Rubbernecker Stamps is releasing five new stamps sets today.  To celebrate this release, we invite you to Blog Stroll along with the Rubbernecker Red-Hot Mommas.  The Stroll begins at the Rubbernecker Stamps Blog where you will find the guidelines on how to win one of the five sets being given away during this release.  If you haven’t started at the Rubbernecker Blog, you should go there to find the first clue to begin your Stroll.

The set that I am using for the release is Tree Inchies.

My first project was done for the SCS Sketch Challenge.  The small main image layer was perfect to create a mini scene using one of the Tree Inchies and the sweet lamb from Easter Inchies. I used a caramel and olive marker to color in the trees and stamped them. I added a little extra leaves using my smallest leaf image in the Outdoor Master.  I sponged on the sky and ground area using a Color Box stylus and filled in the grassy area with the mini leaf and mini fern images. I stamped, painted and cut out the lamb to pop up in front of the scene.

 

I used markers to color the trees for my second project and sponged in the ground area and filled in with my mini fern image. I like the simplicity of the three trees with the dark designer paper and the cream frame.

I couldn’t resist making a wintery card with the fun little evergreen tree image.  I think it is so cute. I used markers to color the tree and sponged in the sky area. I painted on white craft ink for the ground area, painted little white snow flakes with a brush and applied white embossing powder . I just had to have a tiny snowman for the scene so I punched circles of white embossed cardstock using my 3/8” and 1/8” circle punch and attached them to the scene with Mod Podge.  I cut a tiny little black hat out of cardstock and thin red ribbon to attach to make him pop. And yes…..I almost needed a microscope to work with these little circles to create my snowman but he was worth the effort.

 The Stroll starts at the Rubbernecker Stamps Blog where you will find the rules on how to win one of the sets being revealed.  If you haven’t started at the Rubbernecker Stamps Blog, you should go there now in order not to miss anything!   Here is my phrase clue for a chance to win:  Trees too! To find the next clue, stroll over to Linda’s blog. The Blog Stroll will end at 12:00 Noon on Friday, May 29, and the winners will be announced on the Rubbernecker Blog!

Hint:  I used a water mister to spray the inked up image before stamping it on my watercolor paper.  The fine mist of water really makes the image stamp perfectly every time.

Stamps:  Rubbernecker Tree Inchies, Kittie Kits Outdoor Master  Paper:  Watercolor, Designer Paper, Red, Brown, Blue, White  Ink:  White Craft, Bashful Blue, Banana, Brilliance  Accessories:  Markers-Brown, Green, May Arts Satin, Grosgrain, Gingham, Buttons, Embossing Powder, Mounting Tape, Needles, Piercing Template, Scalloped Cloud Template (hand cut), 1/8” and 3/8” Circle Punches, Oval Punch, Nestabilities, Color Box Stylus and Foam Tip, Water Mister

Wacky Wednesday #13 and New Sets Preview

It’s hard to believe how fast the weeks are rolling by.  It seems like Wednesday comes around faster each week and especially after a three day weekend. I hope you all enjoyed your Memorial Day holiday.

I am the host for today’s Wacky Wednesday challenge. I thought it would be fun to use frames on our projects. You can create a frame with your Nestabilities, use a frame stamp or you could use a round, oval or square mask to sponge ink on your cardstock. You can find all the details about participating in the challenge and how to win a 40% Discount on your next Rubbernecker order at the Rubbernecker Blog.

Rubbernecker is releasing five new sets tomorrow so there’s going to be a another blog stroll. My  project today is made using the new Tree Inchies set and you will want to check out all the Red Hot Mommas blog posts to see previews of the other new sets.

I love paper piecing and challenged myself to create a whole scene using nothing but images stamped on designer paper. I stamped all the images with craft ink, embossed them with clear embossing powder and cut them out using snips and a craft knife. I cut four different ground layers and brown path freehand with deckle scissors and attached them to the white base. I made sure I only placed adhesive on the bottom portion of the ground layers so the tops would be loose and free to tuck the images in behind.  I attached the barn image first and then the trees.  Some of the tree tops were popped up for dimension. I attached the little brown path and fence sections to complete the little scene.  I created my frame with Nestabilities oval dies using red and white cardstock.  I thought the double layer attached with mounting tape created the perfect contrast for the scene and made it seem to pop.

Hint: I find Mod Podge the easiest adhesive to use when paper piecing and working with tiny pieces. I like to use rolled up glue dots instead of foam dimensionals when I need just a touch of space behind a popped up image.

Stamps:  Rubbernecker Tree Inchies, Kittie Kits Farm Scene   Paper:  SU Designer Paper, Real  Red, Wild Wasabi, White  Ink:  Chocolate Chip Craft, Accessories:  Snips, Craft Knife, Mounting Tape, Mod Podge, Glue Dots, Deckle Scissors, Grosgrain, Nestabilities, Deckle Scissors

Color Challenge Fun

I had fun with the SCS color challenge last night. We were to use Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie and So Saffron. I had this left over piece of striped designer paper that had the perfect colors for this challenge. I thought it looked nautical and would work well with a beach scene. I am really in the mood for the beach since it is only a few weeks until I go to Cape Hatteras with my family for a week . I stamped the images, masked and then sponged on the sand area. I masked a straight line and sponged on blue to create the water. I punched a circle out to mask off the area for the sun and sponged in the saffron, removed the mask and sponged on the sky area. I used the sand dune and sea oats images from the Beach Master to add interest to the ground area. I used a white Sharpie marker to create the sea foam on the water’s edge. I would like to be the one walking down the beach.

Stamps:  Rubbernecker Kittie Kits What’s for Lunch, Beach Master  Paper:  SU Designer Paper, Watercolor, Pumpkin Pie  Ink:  Brilliance Black, Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Saffron, Old Olive,  Accessories:  Color Box Stylus and Foam Tip, Brushes, Grosgrain, Mounting Tape, Hand Cut Scalloped Cloud Template

Holiday Relaxation and Fun Stamping

Good morning!  I hope you all had a good holiday weekend.  My husband was off work Saturday and Sunday but had to work Monday.  I had the chance to work on some special projects and play in the SCS daily challenges.

Mercy Kerin was the Featured Stamper for Sunday’s challenge. She has a wonderful gallery and I found a card with a great layout to case. I like a layout that has a main image layer large enough for me to create a scene in and that has enough room for other interesting features like designer paper and embellishments, and Mercy’s card had both.  I used Mercy’s layout but changed the colors and theme for my project. I have had the Stampin’ Up! set A Kind Word for quite a while but hadn’t had the chance to play with it. I love the little girl image and wanted her to appear like she was really swinging over the grass.

I applied ink to the top portion of the stamp and stamped it on the watercolor paper and colored.  I stamped the whole girl image again on scrap paper so I could color and cut portions of it out. I created the grass area around the top portion of the girl by sponging and adding texture by using the mini fern image from my Kittie Kits Outdoor Master. I used an artist pen to extend the swing ropes to the top of the paper. I applied the swing, skirt and legs portion of the image by popping up over the grass with glue dots to add dimension to the scene. The little bird and both ribbons are also popped up but it is hard to see in the picture. I loved the designer paper and I used it as my inspiration for my colors. I love how this turned out.  The photo shows the shadow under the girls skirt and legs and you just know she is flying through the air.

Stamps:  SU A Kind Word, Kittie Kits Outdoor Master  Paper:  SU Designer Paper, Watercolor, Regal Rose  Ink:  Celery, Regal Rose, Saffron,Blush Blossom, Bashful Blue  Accessories:  Brushes, Color Box Stylus, Mini Tip applicator (tiny flowers)

Monday’s Technique Lovers Challenge was to create a hinge card. I am not the most technical person when it comes to special paper cutting projects so I decided to play it safe and do a fairly simple card. I put all my effort into using Linda Duke’s hat and flower tutorial to create my main focal point of my project using Rubbernecker’s Fashion Icon 455 set.

I only photographed my card closed with a sample of the sentiment on the outside of it.  You can see lots of wonderful example of both open and closed cards in the SCS gallery. If you would like to see a tutorial on making this project see Wendy Wexler’s great tutorial here.

Stamps:  Rubbernecker Fashion Icon 455  Paper:  SU Print Sample, White  Ink:  Almost Amethyst  Accessories:  MS Border Punch, Brad, Nestabilities, Glue Dots

 

It’s an Inchies Jungle Out There

I always enjoy the SCS Inspiration Challenge. There is always a wonderful, inspiring website or collection to work with.  What fun it was to browse the Little Odd Forest site Saturday and find so many unusual purses and accessories to choose from. I was inspired by this purse.

I loved the brightly colored animals on the front tab of the bag and knew Animal Inchies and Floral Silhouettes would be perfect stamps to create a fun jungle scene.

I stamped all the animals and masked them to protect.  I stamped the large circle flower a few times and masked them as well.  Finally I stamped the foliage image around the scene a few times to complete the jungle.  I sponged green around the ground area to fill in and then sponge in the blue sky.  My final step was to stamp additional monkey, elephant and lion heads to pop up on the scene for dimension but It is hard to see in the photo. I thought the striped and muted designer paper was the perfect background for this cute scene and the mustard twill was just the perfect embellishment to compliment the mustard lion and giraffe.

Stamps:  Rubbernecker Animal Inchies, Floral Silhouettes  Paper:  Artichoke, Retired SU Designer Paper,  Ink:  Old Olive, Bashful Blue,   Accessories:  Stampin’ Up! Markers-Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, More Mustard, Creamy Caramel, Going Gray, Twill, Color Box Stylus and Sponge, Brushes, Crimper, Hand Cut Scalloped Cloud Template, Glue Dots

Howdy!

Circles, circles, circles.  The Limited Supply Challenge on SCS was to use circles in our project. We could use circle images, punched circles, circle shaped cards or anything else we could think of that represented a circle.  The only limitation for the challenge was that all stamped images had to be from the same stamp set. I was leaning towards creating a circle framed project and putting my stamped images into a scene on the inside of the card and allowing it to show through the circle hole. As I searched my sets I ran across my Rubbernecker Cowboy set with the large wagon wheels and pudgy cowboy and knew that my circle frame idea would not work so I changed gears.

I stamped the wagon wheels and cowboy on scrap watercolor paper, painted and cut out.  Each spoke of the wheels were cut out with a craft knife. I stamped the fence on my main piece of watercolor paper and painted.  I sponged in the ground area trying to create the appearance of little mountains in the background but the big cowboy hat really covered up that attempt. I sponged in the sky. I attached the images on the card front to create the fun little cartoony scene.  The wagon wheels represent circles even though the image is really oval. Shhhhhh! The lasso represents another circle for the project and my final circle is the –O- in my Howdy sentiment.

Ok…..while I’m at it I thought I would post a couple more projects done in the past with these western themed images.

Stamps:  Rubbernecker Cowboy  Paper:  Blue Bayou, Vanilla, Watercolor   Ink:  Brilliance Black, Really Rust, Soft Sky, Caramel, Vintage Photo   Accessories:  Twine, Craft Knife, Sponges, Brushes, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Simple Wildflower Bouquet

The Ways To Use It Challenge on SCS was to find a way to use a single stamped image more than once on our project. The challenge gallery is full of a variety projects from clean and simple to gorgeous and intricate. I went the fast and easy route and did something simple.

I chose to work with this pretty Stampin’ Up! designer paper as I love the color amethyst. The little bit of celery in the contrasting strip was just enough to match my green stems. I stamped the small flower image from Rubbernecker Wildflowers several times on scrap watercolor paper, painted and cut out. I started by gluing the first flower at the top of my white layer with a glue dot and continued adding flowers to create the simple bouquet.  I cut several strips of celery paper for stems, attached to the base of the flowers and added a multi loop bow to finish. This sweet card shows that often “less really is more”.

I am excited that we have a three day weekend coming up and thank goodness Friday is finally here.  I hope you all enjoy your Memorial Day holiday.  I don’t know about you but I have some “relaxing stamping time” on my agenda.

Don’t Forget!! Pink Elephants

The SCS Sketch Challenge this week was fun. There were several layers on the layout so I pulled out some fun coordinating Designer Paper with lots of pink and green to work with. I turned to Rubbernecker’s newly released Animal Inchies and found the sweet elephant with it’s “Don’t Forget” sentiment and came up with a pink elephant herd scene with one “little reminder” string tied around one trunk.

I cut my designer papers pieces and layers according to the sketch.  I used a marker to color the elephant stamp and stamped three on the main scene layer and several on a piece of scrap paper to cut out and pop up. I masked all three of the images and stamped foliage, sponged on the grass and added texture using a grass sprig and mini fern image.  Two of the elephants are totally popped up and all five of them have popped up heads.  I love how the little ears and trunk add dimension to the scene. I couldn’t resist tying one single string bow to fit around the front elephant’s trunk. I colored the sentiment part of the stamp with the marker to create the little tag. This was a fun and easy project with just a bit of cutting for those tiny, little heads.  It was well worth the effort as I think this is so sweet and fresh looking.

Stamps:  Rubbernecker Animal Inchies, Floral Silhouette, Kittie Kits Outdoor Master  Paper:  Stampin’ Up! Tea Party DP, White, Regal Rose  Ink:  Celery, Saffron  Accessories:  Regal Rose Marker, Glue Dots, Snips, Color Box Stylus and Sponge, Grosgrain, String

Wacky Wednesday #12 Inchies Challenge and Dirty Dozen H20 Challenge

Good Wednesday morning.  What’s it like in your neck of of the woods?  It has been so dry here in Florida for so long that we were having fires.  Now we have a “tropical wave” that has dumped two full days of heavy rain and is still going strong.  Ugh! 

Candy is hosting our Wacky Wednesday and has challenged us to use Inchies.  You can get all the details and learn how you can win a 40% off coupon from Rubbernecker Stamps at the Rubbernecker Blog.  You can also visit the Red-Hot Mommas blogs to see other examples!

I hadn’t had the opportunity to play with the new Coffee Inchies and thought they would be perfect to use. I couldn’t resist using the new Distressed Set with the big coffee stain image but think I got a little carried away. Actually, that is what the counter looks like at work when everyone is in the break room  getting their mid morning or afternoon cup.

I punched out my image squares and layer with my SU 1” and 1 1/4” punch.  I stamped all the images and sentiment with Chocolate Chip Craft Ink and embossed with clear embossing powder. I dry embossed the brown strip with my dotted embossing folder but it doesn’t show well in the photo. If I had it to do over I would have only put one or two coffee stains on but I didn’t want to waste a second piece of DP to redo.  This project took my out of my “box”  but that is always a good thing.

Stamps:  Rubbernecker Coffee & Tea Inchies, Distressed Set  Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Papertrey DP   Ink:  Chocolate Chip Craft Ink   Accessories:  SU 1” and 1 1/4” Square Punch, Clear Embossing Powder, Cuttlebug Folder

Dirty Dozen/Dirty Dozen Monthly Challenge

Christine (ChristineCreations) is hosting our monthly Dirty Dozen challenge.  This one was especially up my alley since it involved water and watercoloring. See the challenge focus, requirements and restrictions below.

Challenge Focus: Create a project that has something to do with water, it can be in your stamps, paper, or embellishments.

Required Element: Watercoloring! If we're doing a water themed project there needs to be some element of watercoloring on your creation.

Restricted Element: If it's H2O that means the two in the equation restricts you to only two embellishments.

When I first saw the challenge a couple of weeks ago I instantly thought of doing a beach scene for this project.  I absolutely love creating beach scenes and knew it would be a perfect fit for the challenge.  When I actually sat down over the weekend to begin my piece I gave thought to how I may use a water theme in a different way than I have in the past. I remembered Falls Creek that ran on our property where I grew up. My little sister, Jeannie and I used to go down there and play. I decided it would be fun to try my hand at a creek so my planned project theme changed.  I love creating rustic scenes as much as beach scenes and created the Kittie Kits Farm set especially for that reason.

I started by brushing water on watercolor paper with a large flat brush.  This prepares the paper to accept ink or paint easily.  I brushed dark blue on the sky area and then followed by deep yellow. You always need to use much darker ink or paint colors when watercoloring as they dry much lighter. I painted in a crooked path of water with dark blue and then brushed on dark green for the ground area. I tried to display the barn to be back in the distance behind a hill so I masked off the grassy area and stamped the image and allowing some of it to be hidden. I sort of accomplished my goal but not totally to my satisfaction. It really only looks like you can’t open the barn door on one side as it is up against the hill. Anyway, the barn image was stamped directly over the light blue sky area and the darker barn paint easily colored over the blue. I also think my creek looks a little like it is falling off the side of the scene instead of running across the field.  Oh well!!  I think I need some lessons in perspective.  I used two sizes of evergreen tree images to create the line of trees.  I used less and less of the smallest tree as I went back along the creek bed to show some distance in the scene.  I really like how that turned out. I filled in the grassy area with a small grass sprigs image from my Outdoor Master.

I sat looking at this project trying to figure out how to finish and embellish it. I decided on distressing all four sides of the scene and sponging on darker brown on all the borders. I sponged dark brown on a piece of light blue grosgrain and heated it with the gun to age it. I didn’t think it needed any more embellishment than that. This was one of my favorite projects to work on lately even with all my perspective issues.  Maybe because it gave me the opportunity to think of home and family.

Stamps:  Kittie Kits Farm Scene, Outdoor Master , The Moose Is Loose   Paper:  Watercolor, Soft Sky, Chocolate Chip  Ink:  Going Gray, Vintage Photo, Peeled Paint, Faded Jeans, Lemonade  Accessories:  Paper Distressing Tool, Grosgrain, Brushes

Fun Challenges

I love to play in the SCS challenges. There are so many opportunities to learn new techniques, to try different color combinations and sometimes the perfect thing to do to help get out of a stamping rut.

My friend and Rubbernecker DT teammate, Joan Ervin was honored on Sunday as the Featured Stamper. What a fun time I had going through Joan’s wonderful gallery and picking out a card for my inspiration.  I especially loved the layout of this card of Joan’s. I changed the theme and colors but tried to use Joan’s exact layout. 

I picked out some matching designer paper to work with and took my color inspiration from it and used the soft colors in my scene as well. I stamped the Chicken Coop images and painted with a brush and reinker.  I sponged in the ground and sky area and then filled in the grass with the little mini fern image from my Kittie Kits Outdoor Master. I cut the scene and frame with Nestabilities and layered. I applied the DP and ribbons to the card base and attached the scene.  The brads and knot was the finishing touch for this fun and simple scene.

Stamps:  Rubbernecker Kittie Kits Chicken Coop, Outdoor Master  Paper:  So Saffron, SU Designer Paper, Watercolor   Ink:  Brilliance Black, Bashful Blue, Saffron, Wild Wasabi   Accessories:  May Arts Grosgrain, SU Grosgrain, Brads, Nestabilities, Mounting Tape, Brushes, Sponges

Last night when I pulled up the Monday Technique Lovers Challenge I was intrigued by the name….Tri Shutter Card. I pulled up the tutorial by Bonnie Szwalkiewicz and thought it would be a fun challenge.  I usually don’t do to well with lots of cuts and scores as I always manage to get something a little off or wonky.  But……if I don’t try… I don’t learn. 

I found a Simply Scrappin kit in one of my drawers that had this lovely colored cardstock.  The matching DP is so pretty but unfortunately doesn’t show well in the photo. I went through the scoring and cutting part and actually found that I had done it almost totally correct. I thought it would be fun to try my hand once again at hand painting palm trees and creating a beach scene on the long center piece of the card. I sponged in the ocean and sand and used a small brush to paint in the trees.  I tried to make them look cartoony to go along with the cartoony lighthouse, girl and umbrella I was planning on using for the front and back columns. I stamped all the images on the designer paper with green as it, believe it or not, is one of the focal colors in the small design of the paper. I can’t say that this is one of my better projects and in the end….I can’t get it to fold into an envelope…  : )  but I did enjoy the challenge. Check out the challenge gallery to see some of the intricate and wonderful designs.  Mine looks pretty darn simple compared to some of the lovely pieces made by other SCS members.

Stamps:  Rubbernecker Kittie Kits Fun in the Sun  Paper:  SU Simply Scrappin Kit, Simply Smooth White   Ink:  Wild Wasabi, Caramel, Vintage Photo, Soft Sky,   Accessories:  Scor-Pal, Craft Knife, Brushes, Sponges 

Serene Beach

The Limited Supply Challenge on SCS was to to use beach images or themes.  I have lots of beach themed stamps that would have been fun to play with but I felt in the mood to try my hand at a hand painted scene.

I created a mask using my largest square Nestabilites die.  I wanted to have a plain border around the scene.  I sponged in the water and sand using a Color Box stylus and sponge tip.  I hand painted the palm trees and grassy areas using a small brush.  I used a hand cut scalloped cloud template to sponge in the sky.  I added sea foam to the water’s edge by dabbing on Liquid Appliqué  and heating it. When I was finished I decided there was no need for an embellishment as it would only distract.

Stamps:  None   Ink:  Vintage Photo, Peeled Paint, Cool Caribbean, Barely Banana   Paper:  Fabriano Note Card 5”x5”  Accessories:  Brushes, Sponges, Stylus and Tip, Cloud Template

Tin Can Turns To Keepsake Gold

The Ways to Use It Challenge on SCS Thursday was to  alter tin. I have had a little round tin forever and never got around to altering it.  It always seems like a good idea to purchase something like this when I am shopping at Michael’s or online but somehow the project never seems to materialize. Can any of you relate??? I decided to take the challenge and do something different other than just cover the tin with ribbon and designer paper.

I sponged the whole outside of the can and lid with the versa pad and embossed with gold embossing powder.  Hey….it worked really well.  I decided I wanted to emboss the inside of the tin with gold as well so I poured a little versa reinker into the inside and painted it around with a brush and then poured in gold embossing powder, swirled it around and then heated.

The lid had a clear plastic top that was totally destroyed by the heat gun but I wasn’t planning on keeping it anyway.  I wanted to put some old fashioned designer paper in it that had a little gold embossing on it to make it match the can.  I drew a circle on a piece of 7 gypsies paper, cut it out and lightly touched it here and there with the versa pad and embossed with gold embossing powder.

The little heart charm was silver so I smushed it down into the versa pad, dipped in embossing powder and heated.  I thought this charm would look sweet hanging from the gold bow placed on the lid. All in all I think this cheap little tin can was transformed into a sweet, antique looking keepsake box.

TGIF!!!!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  I only have to work a half day.  Woo Hoo!!!  Oh….and if you haven’t already taken the Blog Stroll for the  Rubbernecker new releases you should go straight over there now.  You have until noon today (May 15) to qualify for one of five chances to win any of the new sets released over the last couple of months.

New Rubbernecker Release and Blog Stroll

Rubbernecker Stamps is releasing six new stamps sets today.  To celebrate this release, we invite you to Blog Stroll along with the Rubbernecker Red-Hot Mommas.  The Stroll begins at the Rubbernecker Stamps Blog where you will find the guidelines on how to win one of the five sets being given away during this release.  If you haven’t started at the Rubbernecker Blog, you should go there to find the first clue to begin your Stroll.

The set I’m using for the release is Spring Inchies 425.

I went totally floral with my projects today.  I loved the individual flowers in this set and thought it would be fun to show a bouquet and a garden.

For my first project I stamped, painted and cut out several flowers to create this delicate bouquet.  I thought the double frame would be the perfect background for the bouquet. I assembled by attaching the flowers with glue dots and mingling in a few hand cut green leaves. I cut a few strips of green cardstock for the stems and attached to the base of the bouquet and finished with a simple sweet pink bow.

I created a full floral border for the second project by stamping and masking the flowers over and over. I painted the flowers and then cut along the right side to create a natural uneven floral line. I stamped five flowers on a separate piece of watercolor paper and painted. I hand painted green stems and leaves for each flower and then sketched in lines and texture with my artist pen. I would normally sponge a yellow highlight around my flowers but I loved the pure contrast between the colors of the flowers and the cream of the watercolor paper.  I actually painted and cut out a couple of the butterflies from the new set but felt they distracted from the flowers and stems. I thought the multi loop bow was the perfect elegant finishing touch.

 

 

Stamps:  Rubbernecker Spring Inchies Paper: Watercolor, Prism Frosted Pink, Spring Willow Medium Ink:  Brilliance Black, Pretty in Pink, Barely Banana, More Mustard, Fired Brick, Peeled Paint Accessories:  Nestabilities, Mounting Tape, Brushes, Artist Pen, Snips, May Arts Ribbon

The Stroll starts at the Rubbernecker Stamps Blog where you will find the rules on how to win one of the sets being revealed.  If you haven’t started at the Rubbernecker Stamps Blog, you should go there now in order not to miss anything!   Here is my phrase clue for a chance to win:  It’s Party To find the next clue, stroll over to Linda’s blog. The Blog Stroll will end at 12:00 Noon on Friday, May 15, and the winners will be announced on the Rubbernecker Blog!

Wacky Wednesday #11 and New Release Previews

Sherry is hosting Wacky Wednesday today and has challenged us to use machine, hand or faux stitching on our project. You can check out all the challenge details on the Rubbernecker Blog. Today the Red-Hot Mommas have all created previews/ sneak peaks of new sets that will be released tomorrow. There will be another Blog Stroll tomorrow and 5 readers will have a chance to win any of the newest Rubbernecker Releases over the last couple of months.  You’ll need to start at the  Rubbernecker Blog tomorrow and follow the clues along the way.  You won’t be sorry!

I hate to admit that I own two sewing machines and have only  sewed on a card one time.  I actually set one of my machines up on my counter for easy access and kept it there for months and still never used it. So……..my project today was created using faux stitching and previews tomorrow’s release of Spring Inchies 427. I punched an eyelet border on the vanilla card base with my SU eyelet punch and applied a faux stitch line along the top of the eyelet border using a large needle and piercing template.  I chose not to apply the stitching so that line would match the holes of the eyelet. I stamped, painted and cut out my three different flower images and applied brads to the center of each flower. I cut three 1” squares of vanilla and 1.25” Prism Papaya Puree Medium to use as layers for my flowers.  I used the large needle and piercing template to create the faux stitch holes around the vanilla layers and used an Apricot marker to draw the stitching. I attached the flowers to their accompanying layers and attached them to the card base. The finishing touch for my project was to apply the perfectly matching May Arts multi loop gingham bow.

Be sure and check out the Rubbernecker Blog Stroll tomorrow and to not only see all the new releases but to participate in the stroll and have a chance win some wonderful new sets.

Stamps:  Rubbernecker Spring Inchies 427 Paper:  Papertrey Vanilla, Prism Papaya Puree Medium, Watercolor  Ink:  Brilliance Black Graphite, Apricot Appeal  Accessories:  May Arts Gingham, SU Border Punch, SU Paper Piercing Template, SU Apricot Brads, Needle

Lazy Beach Day

I am counting down the days until I meet my sisters and brother-out-laws for our annual Cape Hatteras family reunion.  We spend a week together every summer having our morning coffee on the deck, sitting on the beach, cooking, laughing and most significantly having “sister time”.  My beach scene today represents a perfect lazy beach day.

I stamped all the images on scrap watercolor paper, painted and cut them out. The umbrella was stamped on the yellow background paper and pieced with the blue. I cut a mask to create the sand and water line on white Simply Smooth paper using sponges. The sky was lightly sponged with the same color blue as the water with a hint of yellow. I popped all the images up in the scene using glue dots and dimensionals.  I think the textured side of Prism paper makes a perfect clean background that does not distract from the main focal point of the scene. The wide grosgrain covered the edges where the colored paper met and allowed for a simple knot. I never tire of creating relaxing beach scenes that represent my love of sitting, relaxing and watching the waves roll in.

Stamps:  Rubbernecker Kittie Kits Fun in the Sun, Beach Master  Paper: Prism Simply Smooth White, Frosted Yellow, Nautical Blue Light, Watercolor, White  Ink: Brilliance Black, Bordering Blue, Barely Banana, Creamy Caramel Accessories: Grosgrain, Brushes, Sponges, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Prism Paper and  May Arts Ribbon

Rubbernecker now has Prism Paper on sale and a Special Sale on Prism Simply Smooth. 

Prismatic Paper Packs & Accent Packs

12 x 12 Individual Solid Colors 

Simply Smooth White on sale for $.25 and Simply Smooth Ivory on sale for $.40

May Arts Ribbon is now available by the yard as well as by the roll.  New colors and styles are being added all the time!  By the way, the May Arts by the roll is currently on sale!

Bonjour Mon Coussin Inspires Clean and Simple

Good Sunday morning! I haven’t been able to post regularly as I have had lots going on at work and home.  I was thrilled to get to settle in and play in the Saturday Inspiration Challenge on SCS.  Stephanie always finds the best inspirational pieces for us and yesterday was no exception.  She directed us to Bonjour Mon Coussin, a company that creates thematic graphic designs on decorative pillows. 

I was inspired by this fun Wind pillow with the circles, sailboat and bright colors.  I narrowed my color choices down to aqua, yellow and olive and dug into my Prism paper to find Frosted Teal and Candle Glow Medium yellow.

I stamped the little sailboat from Kittie Kits Fun in the Sun on watercolor paper, painted and cut out with my craft knife. I punched out several aqua circles for the water and clouds using a 3/4” circle punch. I adhered the circles to a 3”x3” piece of white cardstock allowing the textured side of the cardstock to show. I left the top of the circles free of adhesive to tuck the boat in behind and I trimmed off the edges of the circles with my paper cutter. I placed the boat in behind the waves and used balled up glue dots to pop up the sails.  I loved the cluster of storm clouds and rain on the inspiration pillow and chose to use three aqua circles for fair weather clouds on my scene. I punched out a scalloped border in aqua and layered it with the yellow and adhered it to the white card base. The scalloped border and polka dot knot was the perfect finishing touch for the clean and simple boat, water and cloud scene. Clean and Simple is not my forte but I sure enjoyed this project and once again realizing that less is so often “more”!

Stamps:  Rubbernecker Kittie Kits, Paper:  Prism Frosted Teal, Candle Glow Medium, White, Ink:  Brilliance Black Graphite, Accessories:  3/4” Circle Punch, Scalloped Border Punch, Grosgrain

Prism Paper and  May Arts Ribbon

Rubbernecker now has Prism Paper on sale and a Special Sale on Prism Simply Smooth. 

           Prismatic Paper Packs & Accent Packs

                12 x 12 Individual Solid Colors
Simply Smooth White on sale for $.25 and Simply Smooth Ivory on sale for $.40

May Arts Ribbon is now available by the yard as well as by the roll.  New colors and styles are being added all the time!  By the way, the May Arts by the roll is currently on sale!

Wacky Wednesday # 10 Your Favorite Technique

Shelly is hosting our challenge this week and has given us free rein to make a project using our favorite technique.  I didn’t have to think a nanosecond to decide I wanted to create a scene using brushes and sponges applicators.

A couple of weeks ago Bev posted a card on her blog that inspired my project. She created a scene and used an oval Nestabilities die to cut out a portion of the scene.  Portions of the tree and coop were cut out and brought attention to the chicken and chicks as the main focal point. I loved the idea and thought it would work great with my cabin and tree scene.

I wanted to create a scene that placed the tree in front of the cabin but my tree tops are always free formed with sponges. I stamped the tree and sponged the green top. I created a mask by placing a Post-It over the tree and held both pieces of paper up to my work light so I could see the image. I drew out the simple line of the tree, cut it out, covered the tree and stamped the cabin. I watercolored the tree and cabin and used small leaf images from my Kittie Kits Outdoor Master to fill in the ground and tree.  I sponged in the sky area with blue and added cranberry flower accents around the landscape. I cut the circle with a Nestabilities die leaving the cabin as the main focal point and allowing a large portion of the tree and ground area to be cut off. I attached the circle to a plain piece of white cardstock. I cut a frame with the next size larger die, attached the ribbon and brads and popped it up with mounting tape over the main image. The simple gingham bow and the little circle tag with the mini chicken and chicks was the perfect finishing touch.

Head over to the Rubbernecker blog for all the details on the challenge and for links to all the design team samples too!  I hope you’ll play along with us!  There’s a chance to win a 40% off gift certificate for your next purchase at Rubbernecker.

Stamps:  Kittie Kits Farm Scene, Outdoor Master

Paper:  Papertrey White, Cranberry Crisp (retired SU), Watercolor

Ink:  Brilliance Black Graphite, Peeled Paint, Vintage Photo, Sandal, Latte, Cranberry, Going Gray, Sahara Sand

Accessories:  SU Markers (chicken tag), Gingham, Circle Punches, Nestabilities, Brads, Mounting Tape,

Wacky Wednesday #9 and “Heat It Up”

Bev is hosting the Wacky Wednesday challenge this week and has challenged us to get out our heat guns. I don’t know about you but my heat gun is a tool that I use daily and couldn’t do without.

My first project is a clean and simple card (CAS) that I used my heat gun to emboss the center of the sunflowers and also heated the gingham ribbon to pucker it up to create the appearance of age.  I stamped and masked the chicken and chicks and then stamped and masked all the sunflowers.  I watercolored the images, filled in the flower centers with my versa marker and heat embossed using clear embossing powder. I tied the multi loop bow and heated carefully with the gun to pucker and attached it to the base of the card.  This was a fast and simple project.

My second card shows no sign of a heat gun but it was used over and over throughout the project.  The Color Challenge on SCS yesterday was to use red, olive and black. I am not a patient stamper and cannot just sit and wait for paint to dry. Each color on my scene was either stamped, painted or sponged and then heat set so I could move quickly onto the next step without having the ink of one color run or smear into the next. I stamped a few trees and dried with the gun, masked and stamped the barn in between them and heat dried and masked, and then stamped additional trees around the barn. I painted the barn walls with red, heat dried and then painted the roof with black and heat dried. I heat dried the whole scene to make certain all the colors were dried before using a sponge to apply the blue sky area.

I haven’t posted for the last several days as I went to Ohio for my 40th high school reunion. I attended a small Seventh-Day Adventist academy, Mount Vernon Academy and graduated in 1969.  We all lived together in dorms, attended classes together, worked together to earn our tuition, and ate and played together much like a very large family. We only had 80 kids in our glass and I was thrilled to see 50 of them return for our reunion. What a joy and thrill it was to attend this wonderful event.

Head over to the Rubbernecker blog for all the details on the challenge and for links to all the design team samples too!  I hope you’ll play along with us!  There’s a chance to win a 40% off gift certificate for your next purchase at Rubbernecker!!!

Stamps: Rubbernecker Wildflowers, Kittie Kits Farm Scene, Chicken Coop, The Moose is Loose, Outdoor Master

Paper:  White, Watercolor, Red, Black

Ink:  Black Brilliance, Peeled Paint, Vintage Photo, Lemonade, Fired Brick, Dried Marigold, Real Red, Black Soot, Bashful Blue

Accessories:  Gingham, Heat Gun, Brushes, Sponges, Mounting Tape, Crimper, Glue Dots

“Cause a Scene” With New Kittie Kits and Blog Stroll

I’m excited to be releasing two new Kittie Kits “Cause a Scene” sets today on Rubbernecker Stamps. To celebrate this release, we invite you to Blog Stroll along with the Rubbernecker Red-Hot Mommas.  The Stroll begins at the Rubbernecker Stamps Blog where you will find the guidelines on how to win one of the sets being revealed or even possibly the GRAND PRIZE. If you haven’t started at the Rubbernecker Blog, you should go there as soon as possible. That’s where you’ll find the first clue to begin your Stroll (and yes, this time there is a clue on the RN Blog).

When I started adding scenery around stamped images a few years ago I became intrigued with creating rustic outdoor scenes. I loved sketching trees and fences and adding green grass around barns and animals and…..well…….just about anything I could create into a scene.  I believe my love for outdoor scenery comes from growing up on a couple hundred acres of farm land in West Virginia where our home was surrounded by rolling fields and beautiful mountain and tree lines. My passion for creating scenes also created a desire in me to give others the tools to create scenes using my technique. But more significant it gave me the desire to help others realize their personal fulfillment and to unleash their own creativity.

I have three projects using images from the new Farm Scene set and scenery images from my Kittie Kits Outdoor Master and The Moose is Loose evergreens. 

I love creating snow scenes and knew this old rickety barn would be perfect to show nestled in some evergreens. I stamped the barn image, painted and masked to stamp the trees around it. I sponged the blue sky around the barn and then used a dry brush in a stipple fashion to apply the brown pathway to the barn. I then used a brush to lightly apply white craft ink to the ground area and barn and embossed with white embossing powder.  The scene is so simple but represent such peace and calm to me.

This rustic old log cabin needed only the addition of a little greenery, a fence and tree. I love the field stone chimney and the fact that there are only a couple windows in the cabin walls. The image was stamped and painted and then masked off to create the scenery background.  I used a Color Box stylus and foam tip to apply the green grass and tree top and then use little grass sprigs and leaf images to add texture and interest.  The old wagon was stamped, painted and cut out to apply as an embellishment for the scene.

The scene for this project almost plays second fiddle to the old faux wood barn window.  I created this frame by applying Antique Linen Ranger Crackle Paint to a piece of cardboard and heating to speed up the crackle process.  I marked off widths of board and then used my paper piercing tool created the lines in the boards and a few added holes in the wood planks to appear aged. I used a sponge to apply Vintage Photo Distress ink to add color to the board and crevices between the boards. I added some hardware hinges and an old rope for my embellishments.  The wagon and tree was created using the same techniques as my other two projects.

Come stroll along with the Rubbernecker Red Hot Mommas. The Stroll starts at the Rubbernecker Stamps Blog where you will find the rules on how to win one of the sets being revealed or even possibly the GRAND PRIZE. If you haven’t started at the Rubbernecker Stamps Blog, you should go there now in order not to miss anything! In order to have a chance to win one of the the new sets revealed on my blog today, you must leave a comment. A random number will be drawn on Friday, 12:00 Noon. Here is my phrase clue for the GRAND PRIZE: Kits To find the next clue, stroll over to Linda’s Blog.

Stamps:  Rubbernecker Kittie Kits- Farm Scene, Outdoor Master, The Moose is Loose Ink: Ranger Sandal, Vintage Photo, Peeled Paint, SU Going Gray, Bashful Blue, Barely Banana, White Craft Paper: Watercolor, Retired SU DP, Accessories:  Cardboard, Twill, Gingham, Twine, Hardware, Glue DOts, Brushes, Sponges, Paper Piercer, Crackle Paint, Nestabilities, White Embossing Powder, Mounting Tape

Wacky Wednesday #8 and Kittie Kits Release Preview

Candy is hosting the Rubbernecker Wacky Wednesday challenge this week and she has challenged us to use chipboard or buttons on our project.  Check out the RN Blog and see how one lucky person can win a 40% off coupon to use on your next Rubbernecker purchase.

What you will see today on the blogs of the Rubbernecker Red-Hot Mommas, are previews of two brand new Kittie Kits Cause a Scene sets being released tomorrow at Rubbernecker .  I am very excited about these sets and can hardly wait to see what my other team members have done with them.

I chose to use a Stampin’ Up! 8.5” square scalloped chipboard frame for my project. I used the two inner pieces of the chipboard set to create a mat for the inner frame.  I covered the chipboard with coordinating Junkitz designer paper, adhered with Mod Podge and sanded down the rough edges. I stamped the images on watercolor paper and watercolored with a brush and reinker.  I masked the images and applied the ground grass with a sponge and filled in with grassy sprigs from my Outdoor Master set. I created the tree top using the same sponging technique and filled in with a small leaf image. I stamped additional chicken and chicks, Rooster and a basket of eggs on scrap paper, colored and cut out to pop up in the scene. I loved setting the rooster out on the frame to make him appear to be overseeing the chicken yard. The grosgrain bow was all the embellishment needed to complete this simple farm yard piece.

Be sure and check out the Rubbernecker Blog Stroll on Thursday and see how you can win a new Kittie Kits set.

Stamps:  Rubbernecker Kittie Kits- Chicken Coop, Outdoor Master

Paper:  Watercolor-Arches 140 lb cold pressed, Junkitz Summer Collectionz

Ink:  Ranger Butterscotch, Vintage Photo, Peeled Paint, Fired Brick, Stonewashed, SU Apricot Appeal, Barely Banana, Bashful Blue

Accessories:  SU Chipboard, Color Box Stylus and Sponge, Inkksentials Inkblending Tool, Brushes, Snips, Mod Podge, Grosgrain, Glue Dots

Framed Friend Garden

When I got home from work tonight I was happy to see the Way to Use It Challenge on SCS.  Julia challenged us to use some sort of frame for our project.  I thought it would be fun to frame a flower garden and knew my new Rubbernecker Wild Flower and Floral Silhouettes would be perfect to play with. I love the flower image in my project.

I cut out a 5 x 5 inch square and stamped it repeatedly with the greenery image to create a framed border on the sides and bottom.  Each time I inked up the image I misted it  before I stamped to make the ink apply more evenly. I cut out a portion of the framed square with a square coluzzle and then cut out all the greenery portion of the frame with snips to allow a soft green border for the frame.  I cut a second piece of paper and stamped  and masked the flower several times to create my pretty garden.  I watercolored with Rose Red reinker which actually is such a strong color of ink that it looks more of a bright red. I adhered the garden layer to the base and then used mounting tape to mount the frame over the garden image. I love the sentiment “In the Garden of Life Friends are the Flowers”. Isn’t this so true! I hand painted little red flowers and greenery on the sentiment.

Have a great weekend!

Stamps: Rubbernecker Wild Flower, Floral Silhouettes

Paper:  Red, Watercolor

Ink:  Brilliance, Rose Red, Bashful Blue, Barely Banana, Peeled Paint

Accessories:  Twill, Coluzzle, Snips, Mounting Tape, Glue Dots, Oval Punch, Brushes.