Practical Scrappers Card Sketch Challenge

Hi everyone, today I'm sharing a card I made for Practical Scrappers Card Sketch Challenge.

This sketch was designed by the fabulous Christine Meyer.  Here's my take on it.  I kept it very neutral, with just a few splashes of color here and there.

The base of the card is Bazzill Kraft card stock cut 5.5 x 8.5 scored down the center and folded.  I've been using a lot of watercolor paper here lately and again I used it on this one too.  The watercolor paper that I used is coldpressed 140 lbs, I just really like the heavier weight.  I cut a piece of watercolor paper 5.25 x 4 and distressed the edges using a bone folder.  I then used my sewing machine with black thread and stitched circles on the white watercolor paper.  I used a punch to cut out the arrow and I used Tim Holtz's Stacked Stars die to cut out my stars.  For the stars I used watercolor paper and a clothes pattern.  Clothes patterns have that really nice kraft look and the paper is so thin it's semi transparent so it was perfect for the look I was going for, I just found a spot that didn't have any writing.  I stamp on my watercolor paper stars and arrow using some Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous stamp sets (School Desk CMS057 & Classics #6 SCF006.  The ink that I used was Jet Black Archival Ink by Ranger.  I used a couple of mist sprays to splatter some ink on the watercolor paper stars.  Mister Huey's - Garden and October Afternoons - Carbon Copy Sprinkler.  After the ink was dry I stitched the clothes pattern paper and the watercolor paper stars together using black thread.  Before mounting the circle stitched watercolor paper to the kraft card stock I splattered some Mister Huey - Classic Tan on it and let dry.  I'm using Studio Calico for the all of the wood veneers.  All that's left now is assemble.  I used Helmar Scrap Dots to give the arrow a dimensional look, everything else is just a flat glue.
Hope you enjoyed my take on Christine's sketch card.  Head on over to the Practical Scrappers blog and check out the talented group of gals over there!  Thanks for looking!

Color Combo Inspiration Card

Happy Friday!  Today I'm sharing a card I made for Practical Scrappers.  Our inspiration challenge was this color swatch from Design Seeds, so here's my take on it.

I used Crate Paper's Maggie Holmes collection, the colors worked out just great.

For the base of the card I used Bazzill's Kraft cardstock cut 12x6 and scored down the center.  All the printed paper came from the Maggie Holmes 6 x 6 pad.  I cut the largest doily out, then I trimmed a piece of the ledger paper.  I also cut out three banners in three different sizes a small, medium and a large.  The polkadot paper was trimmed down about an eighth of an inch all-around just to give it a little bit of the border.  The wooden veneers are from Studio Calico.  All of the paper was distressed and shaded with Tim Holtz walnut stain ink and a blending tool.  Last but not least, the enamel dots are from My Mind's Eye Cut-and-Paste collection.  Head on over to the Practical Scrappers Blog and check out the other cards and layout that other design team members did with this color combo inspiration, very talented gals over there.  Thanks for looking.

New Beginning's Art Journal Entry

I'm so excited, I just had to share my news.  I've been asked to be on Practical Scrappers Design Team!  Today, I am sharing my first design team project with you and it's a page from my art journal.  "New Beginnings" was the theme for this particular entry.  When I think of new beginnings, I think of spring. All the snow is gone, the birds are coming back, everything is new, fresh and full of color.

To start with, I am using a dylusions journal, I just love the weight of the paper.  It really holds up quite nicely with all the paint, water, distressing and everything I put it through.  The paints that were used are Tim Holtz Distress Paints.  After Tim's paints dry they are 100% permanent, not all paints are permanent.  Gesso is a must!  Any stencils with fun patterns that you have on hand works great for laying down the color.  Make sure paint is dry before you go on to the next color, that's the key.  Layering scraps of fabric and even thread just adds interest to the page.  The fun thing about an art journal, is there are no mistakes.  Art journals are wonderful creative outlet and a fun way to experiment with color!  I encourage you to give it a try.  I hope you'll head over to Practical Scrappers,  their website is full of great scrapbook, card and paper crafting ideas.  Thanks for looking.

Winter Card Tutorial

Happy 2014 everyone!!!  Up on the blog today is a HUGE card tutorial to kick off the new year, so grab a cup of coffee and have a seat.

For the base of the card, I used Bazzill Kraft cardstock cut 9 1/8 x 5 3/4 and scored down the center.  Then I used 140lb cold press watercolor paper for my snowflake background paper.  Cut your watercolor paper 4 1/4 x 5 1/2, then sandwich between the Tim Holtz Snow Flurries Texture Tread and run through your Vagabond or Big Shot.  What you end up with is a wonderful deep emboss of a snowflake pattern for your background.

Now you're going to take 3 different blues and lightly swipe on color only to the raised surface of the snowflakes, using an ink blending tool.  I used Broken China, Stormy Sky and Faded Jean Distress Ink.

This is where we really use a lot of water on the paper.  Take a wide water brush filled with water, I'm using the Tim Holtz 1/2" flat tip water brush.  Brush the entire watercolor paper surface with the water brush, once everything is wet you will see the ink start to blend.  Now take your heat tool and dry the watercolor paper until completely dry.

Now we are going to stamp on top of the embossed snowflakes to add another dimension to the background.  I used Pumice Stone Distress Ink and Tim Holtz's Mini Holidays 4 #CMS142 music from the set.  I also shaded edges of watercolor paper and snowflakes with brown distress ink (Walnut Stain).  I  also took this opportunity to sew a border as well.

Diecut a pair of ice skates out of grungeboard using the Tim Holtz Ice Skate die and a Vagabond or Big Shot.  Then paint the grungeboard with brown, white and silver paint.  I used Picket Fence, Walnut Stain and Brushed Pewter Distress Paint.  Let air dry.

Now you are going to take the sanding grip/sandpaper and sand off some of the color you just painted.  It's going to expose some of that grungeboard, to give it a distressed look.  Then shade around some of the edges of the skates with a brown ink and blending tool, I used Walnut Stain Distress Ink.  After doing that, you will lace the skates with cording of your choice.  I used waxed linen cord, you can find it at your local craft store in the jewelry isle.  Here's a tip for you,I used a doll threading needle to sew laces on (it's much faster and it's what I had on hand).  You can find them at your local craft or sewing store.

Using the Tim Holtz Festive Greenery die cut 2 swirls & a pine twig out of Bazzill Kraft cardstock and 2 holly leaves & a pine twig out of watercolor paper.

On a non stick craft sheet smear 2 blue inks, I used Stormy Sky & Faded Jeans Distress Ink.  Using a fine detailed water brush, pick up some ink and paint onto leaves and twig lightly.  Heat to dry with heat tool.

It's really hard to see in the photo, but all the snowflakes, holly and pine twig was coated with Clear Rock Candy Distress Glitter.  I adhered the glitter with glossy accents, it has a fine tip nozzle that is just perfect for the job.  Now let air dry, this might take a while.

Here's a close up!

Now you are ready to assemble!  You are going to need a good strong glue for this, I like Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive, but you use what you like best.  Layer everything as seen in 1st photo.  The finishing touch is a hand dyed ribbon and a couple of pearl baubles.  I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and have fun with the techniques.  Thanks for looking.