Thursday, March 28, 2013

Be of Good Courage

It's hard to believe that it is Easter weekend and still so much snow on the ground here in Wisconsin!  Today I am using the Spring Cross Clear Stamp Set from Prickley Pear.  The cross is stamped with Cocoa Memento Ink Pad, then cut out with the matching Cross Die.  I mounted the cross onto an oval, then used the Cheery Lynn label dies to frame the oval.  The background die is also a Cheery Lynn die that is mounted onto some Decorator paper from My Mind's Eye.  The lacey frame was created with a Martha Stewart punch around the page.  I used some Gathered Twigs Distress ink to distress the oval and the sentiment.  Be sure to see what inspiration awaits at the PPRS blog today.  Hope you have a Happy Easter!

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Heartfelt Creations Hydrangea

Wishing for a bit of Spring...so here is Spring card to cheery up your day!!  I am using a bit of old with a bit of new on this card.  The decorator paper is from the new Posy Patch Paper Collection and it matches perfectly with the old, but beautiful hydrangea stamp for the Posy Collection.  The butterfly and the sentiment is from the Sunny Day Collection.  That is the beauty of these stamps from Heartfelt Creations, they mix and match so perfectly!!  I colored all the images with Copic Markers and then added the Labels 1 Decorative die, some glitter and lilac pearls to complete the card.  There is more inspiration to found on the HC blog, so be sure to check it out!!

Monday, March 25, 2013

Spring Bunny with Daisy

We are hoping that Spring is just around the corner!  Today I am using the Bunny with Daisy stamp from Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps as my main image.  Then I used the Beautiful Flowers and the Mini Butterflies Clear Stamps along with the matching dies to add the embellishments to to card. Color all the images with Copic Markers.  I cut out the border and the corner accent with Cheery Lynn dies.  Be sure to check out more ideas using Prickley Pear stamps on the PPRS blog!  Have a beautiful day!

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Nesting Birds

 


 
Today I am using the new Bird and Vintage Floret Frame stamps from the Sweet Serenity Collection.  The first card uses only the leafy swirls from the frame as embellishments.  The bird is nesting on one of the Sentiment blocks from the Paper Collection pack.  The second card again uses the leafy frame, but as a whole.  Then I stamped the sentiment onto a piece of cream cardstock and cut it out with the Spellbinder circle die to fit behind the circle window.  Then I had the bird nesting above the sentiment.  You can stamp some extra Vintage florets, color them with Copic Markers and cut out with the matching dies to give the flowers on the leafy frame a 3-D effect.  This frame stamp and leafy frame die are very versatile and can be used in different ways.  Use only parts of the frame, or use it as a whole!  Be sure to check our the Heartfelt Creations blog for more inspiration!!

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Sweet Serenity Collection

Introducing the new Sweet Serenity Collection!!  The Sweet Serenity Collection includes a floral frame die, four new nature stamps, four animal stamps and some fun floral and typographical stamps.

Leave a comment on the Heartfelt Creations blog by March 19th and you will be eligible to win the entire release valued at $135.  There will be one winner chosen by a Random Drawing.

This sample uses the Butterfly and Bunny Set along with the Feathered Friends Set.  The images were colored with Copic Markers.  The background paper is from the Sweet Serenity Paper Collection.  This entire collection is breathtakingly beautiful.  Be sure to check out the wonderful projects that the Design Team created this week on the HC blog!

Monday, March 11, 2013

Wishing for Spring

It is snowing again and the kids have a two hour delay at school.  I am ready for Spring and the snow to be gone.  So today, I am using the country bicycle from Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps.  It is a larger stamp, but can be trimmed down with elements of the image sticking off the paper.  It gives the image a more interesting look and the bike leaning against the fence is now a focal point.  The paper I used in the background are scraps that were in my bin and seemed to go together to bring out the browns and the burgundy tones.  Then I used the corner dies from Cheery Lynn to frame the corners that were a little bare.  I added a sentiement to the card and popped up a butterfly for an extra "springy" embellishment.  Check out the PPRS blog for more inspiration and to brighten you day!

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

A Rustic Milk Can


Today I am showcasing the Milk Can from Hearfelt Creations.  Here are two different cards with the same stamp, but having two different looks.  In the first card, I colored the can with the W1, W3, W5 Warm Gray colors of Copic Markers.  Then sponging the label die with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink and popping it onto the muted decorator paper.  This card has more of the vintage feel to it.  The second card I colored with the C1, C3, C5 Cool Gray Copic Markers.  Then I sponged the clouds with the Broken China Distress Ink before I removed the die.  Then I layered the image over the brighter decorator paper.  This card now has a more "Spring is in the Air" feel to it!  This stamp set also includes a Bee Cluster and a Bee Hive stamp!  Be sure to check out the HC blog for more beautiful projects for the Designers!!

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Lily of the Valley

Here is the Lily of the Valley stamp from Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps.  I layered it onto the white doily that I cut out with a Cheery Lynn die.  I wanted to have the center show the decorator paper so I cut out a circle from the center.  This is colored with Copic Markers.  I cut it out by hand and popped it up to give it some dimension.  I stamped the Anniversary Sentiment on this card, but this would also be perfect for a Sympathy, Happy Spring or a Just a Note card!!  There are so many uses for this beautiful stamp.  Check out more projects on the PPRS blog!  Have a great day!

Friday, March 1, 2013

Coloring with Distress Inks


 Here is a tutorial using Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps Clear Stamp Sets and the matching Dies, then coloring with the Tim Holtz Distress Inks.
 First you cut out the butterfly with the die, then ink up the stamp with a black ink (I am using the Marvy Matchables Ink Pad), then stamp over the cut out piece.

 Then you add ink to the butterfly with the lightest Distress Ink pad. I am using the Tumbled Glass Distress Ink for this butterfly and I find that this ink applicator works the best.  It makes a smooth application of color.  I only ink up the outside edges of the cut out.

Next, I apply the Faded Jeans to the center of the butterfly.  I move the ink until it meets the lighter shade of blue.  Then I add a darker shade of blue again, but only to the very center of the butterfly.  The darker shade that I used on this sample was the Chipped Sapphire.
Now to create a matching background.  I used the same Distress Inks that I used on the butterfly.  I sponge on the various colors until all the white space is covered.  Try to apply until the the background has a very solid and dark application of ink.
 Next, you can apply plain water to the solid butterfly and then I rub the water over the stamp.  Then stamp the watered image onto the sponged background.  Either you can allow this to dry or use the heat tool to hurry the process.  I prefer to heat it and watch the image bleach it's way through the ink!
I made the background into a tag, stamped a sentiment and adhered the butterfly to this piece.  Emboss a background for the card with an Embossing folder.  Don't forget the pearls!!  They add a lot!  I use the Viva Decor Pearl Pen.  You can make the pearls any size you want, but you need to allow them time to dry.
Now see what you can come up with!!  This sample was made using the Dragonfly 2 Clear Set.