Alcohol Inks

With the resurgence of vintage artwwork, I have lately become interested in all the different products made by Ranger Ink. This morning I put together two small gift cards using three alcohol inks.
Both cards are made with the same inks - Lettuce, Eggplant, and Cranberry. I made one lighter by using a little more blending solution. Other products used are Bazzill flowers, CTMH rub-ons, and random ribbon from my stash. Pretty little cards!

If you'd like to learn this technique, I am offering you this link. In this video, Tim Holtz leads the correct way in applying alcohol inks. You will never regret hopping over to Ranger and learning some new things. I have absolutely loved gaining some new paper crafting knowledge through all of these fabulous videos!!

Edit on 3/1: These cards fit into the Practical Scrappers challenge this week - using inks/chalks.

Shane

I found this sketch over at Page Maps blog, and I thought it was just wonderful!

I've had some pictures of Shane out that I want to get scrapped and this sketch was perfect for these two pictures. We had these taken when Shane was 4 years old. I know I am biased but he was the cutest little boy I've ever laid my eyes on! I know many people who will not put flowers on little boy layouts, but I have never been afraid to do that.

All products used are CTMH unless noted: Everlasting paper and stickease, Just Blooms flowers, Craft Buttons, Waxy Flax, Bigger Brads, Cranberry Ribbon, and a Bazzill flower. I used an EK Success punch to make the notebook border, and my corner rounder to make the scallops.

Sharing a Toot!

I was reading blogs this morning and found the most wonderful thing! One of my cards was chosen as Card of the Week over at OCC Sketch Blog! You can link to the card and into their blog by clicking here. What a fabulous surprise!!

Basic Grey Origins

All three of the cards I have to show you today are done using the Basic Origins line. I looked and looked at this paper, not knowing if it was one that I'd use, but my friend Laurel convinced me in some of her posts that it is a definite must have paper! Because of the colors and addition of Buttercup CS (CTMH), all three of the cards also fit into the Tuesday Trigger over at Moxie Fab. My kitchen is painted the warm yellow of sunflowers, and I just love waking up to that!

Ok, so here's the Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger picture:

The additions to the sketch from Inspirational Card Sketches are few. A little black twill ribbon and a sentiment complete the card.

My take on the Inspirational Card Sketch #55:

The next card was fun to do because I incorporated two sketches into one card. As you'll notice, the sketches are almost mirror images. This first sketch is from Papertake: This sketch is from OCC Sketch Blog:

Here is my take on the two sketches making one card. I used a little black twill again, and I added some felt embellishments, sparkles, and rub-ons from CTMH. The flower is Bazzill.

Finally, here is my last card that I just made because I wanted to. I fell in love with this rich paper by this time and just had to make one more!! Twill ribbon and CTMH rub-ons completed the card.

I save some of my cards for birthdays, anniversaries, etc., but most of my cards go to Operation Write Home, Share-a-Card, or another place that can use the cards. No one could possibly use all the cards that I thoroughly enjoy making, so I simply give them away. Card Maker magazine has a column called Readers Reach Out and in every issue they let us know who is looking for cards. What a blessing to be able to send cards off to places that are truly in need!!

Hope you're having a wonderful paper crafting day!!

Yummy

What lovely inspiration over at The Play Date Cafe this week. As soon as I saw the picture, my thought was "boy is are those colors yummy!" So I knew immediately what I would do.

I pulled out my Cosmo Cricket Early Bird paper. Along with CTMH Colonial White CS and ribbon, Bazzill Fudge CS, and my Inkadinkado coffee stamp, I was able to finish this card relatively quickly.

Happy Birthday

I really liked this week's sketch over at Operation Write Home Stars and Stamps. What a versatile pattern with so many possibilities!! Check out their site if you haven't been there. It is a wonderful place to donate your handmade cards!

I used all CTMH products for this little one's birthday card. They are Animal Cookies paper & Stickease, White Daisy & Moonstruck CS, Happy Birthday stamp set, and red sparkles. Turned out kind of cute!!

Because of the colors I chose, I noticed that this card also fits the challenge at Colour Q:

Mom and Dad

I got up early this morning to create a little before going to work. I wanted to share the layout I made. These are pictures of my mom and dad in 1954. In the top picture he had just given her an engagement ring. It was the day after he came home from the Korean War. What a wonderful picture!! In both pictures my mother is wearing a dress, and I just love it!!

I used a sketch from Scrapbook Challenges to complete this layout. Products used are: TPC Studio paper, Prima flowers, CTMH Colonial White Ribbon, CTMH Bitty Sparkles, CTMH Waxy Flax, Making Memories pin, and Slice Design Card Think Pink. Because I've used flowers, I can also put this in the Practical Scrappers challenge.

Put on Your....

This is one of my very favorite sayings. You get the idea. Life is what it is, and so you might as well pull up those big bloomers and get on with it. LOL!!

It has been terribly busy at work, and I felt myself needing to say that a couple of times today. Just the thought of pulling up your big girl panties can make even the crazed person smile! We are having a HUGE make and take event at Archiver's this weekend. We all have our "spots to be," and I am teaching the paid make and take. It is a gorgeous mini album, and there are so many fun techniques involved. I was privileged to teach 5 straight classes today - about 30 people or so. I go in again tomorrow for the same thing. It can get a little hectic (especially with paints involved!), but with the help of that saying ringing in my head and my trusty diet mountain dew, I weathered the day just fine!!

Truly, I feel so blessed to teach and help others learn new techniques. That is the bomb! Off to put my feet up so my tootsies are ready for the morning. Can't wait to get back to my own crafting next week!

Pot of Flowers

Just a quick post for today. I am off to work for the rest of the day, but I wanted to sneak some artwork in! I created this card using my Slice card, Spring. I used Making Memories Flutter and Reminisce paper. Once it was together, I just added a little ribbon, a few buttons, and some gems. Easy peasy!!

This card will also fit in the Practical Scrappers challenge for flowers this week.

Veranda Paper & Different Flowers

I started working with Veranda paper today (CTMH), and I just couldn't put it away! This is such lovely and versatile paper that I can't get enough of it! So instead of dividing these cards into 3 posts, I wanted to share them all here. As you read along, I'll tell you what challenges they are, too, so that you can check out these awesome blogs!

This first card is the sketch for Inspirational Sketches. They come up with such wonderful ideas, and this was no exception. The ribbon, pearls, and waxy flax are CTMH. The flower is Bazzill, the pin is Making Memories, and the stamp is Hero Arts. Because I've used a flower, this also qualifies for the Practical Scrappers challenge.

The second card is a sketch from Everything But the Kitchen Sink. All products used are CTMH. What a great sketch! I can see myself using this one over and over.

This last card is for the OCC Sketch Blog. I took a little creative liberty in what I used for the element on the left. I wanted to take out my Playful Petals stamp set (CTMH) and make a flower. Because I don't mind fussy cutting, I think this is rather fun once in awhile! The stamp set is Hero Arts, and the ribbon and button are random. Because I've used another flower, this also qualifies for the Practical Scrappers challenge.

I have been busy crafting today! I have much to do tomorrow, and then I work full days all through Saturday. So I wanted to be sure and give you a few things to look through. If you haven't seen it, scroll down for the layout of Jerry I posted this morning.

Happy Monday everybody!!

Jerry

I found these pictures of Jerry from 2007. I love to take pictures of faces and time spent every day. This layout sketch is from Scrapbook Challenges - such a great community forum! I am so sorry that I am not able to post the sketch as blogger is giving me a difficult time. However, my layout is pretty true to the sketch, so you may be able to work from this picture. Everything on the layout is distressed with chocolate ink to give it a masculine feel.

Items used: CTMH Serendipity Heart of Winter paper (oooh, I wish that I could get my hands on more of this!), CTMH Outdoor Denim Brads, Slide Design Cards - Just Chillin' & Noteworthy

No Artwork, Just Ramblings

I hope that you are having a fabulous sweet and romantic Valentine's Day!

We got up this morning and went to run a couple of errands. I think it was about noon-ish before we even remembered it was Valentine's Day. What a pair!! That's truly a sign that we're comfortable and have been together so long that every day is like Valentine's Day for us!

We did take in a movie this afternoon - "From Paris With Love." Love John Travolta, but I am also a huge fan of Jonathan Rhys Meyers. It turned out to be a great action movie, so it was a fun afternoon at the theatre.

Both Jerry and I are starting to get cabin fever. Winter has just been long enough here in Minnesota. He is anxious to fish on a lake that isn't frozen, and I am just waiting to spend my time in the backyard. Summer is so short here, we really have to take advantage of it.

In the meantime, I picked up a new Slice Design Card today - Spring. I spent time die-cutting Easter baskets, bunnies, eggs, and jelly beans. So much fun to think of spring right around the corner!! I have been scrapping every day, but almost all of those pages have gone right in my books. I promise I'll share something new soon.

Have a good week!!

Sisters

I found this sketch over at the Cosmo Cricket blog. I love so much of their paper, and I would say other than CTMH, this is what I have most of in my paper stash. Fun sketch - and very easy to work with!
This is me and three of my sisters (I have four sisters) on a weekend away in 2007. I used the Early Bird paper collection to complete this. The other elements used are CTMH rub-ons, brads, buttons, and hemp. The gems are random.

Riley's Birthday

Second post for today, so if you'd like to see some cards, scroll down to the next post!

I came across these pictures from my nephew's birthday party about 2-1/2 years ago. It was such a nice evening - good company, good food, and a good bonfire!

I created the patterned paper by using two stamp sets - Recollections Comic Talk and Splat. I based my colors on CTMH's You Rock paper, so that I would be able to use some of the Stickease. Letters were cut with my Just Chillin' Slice design card.

I highlighted the bonfire by using Ranger Crackle Accents. Perfect for a roaring fire!

Basic Grey and a Little Embossing

I have been finding such fun patterns and challenges. It's a joy to get some cards done and share them with you!

I completed the first card for the Basic Grey challenges using their sketch. I thought this sketch was just wonderful, and I am sure I will use it over and over again! You may not recognize this Basic Grey at first look, but it is very recent. I used the Eskimo Kisses line for this card. Always look at the back side of your paper - you never know what treasure you will find! The back side made this paper so versatile for other times of the year. The stickers are also Eskimo Kisses, the flowers are Bazzill, and the stamp set is CTMH. If you click on the image, you may be able to see the Glossy Accents on the flowers.

I finished the next card for the Operation Write Home Stars and Stamps technique embossing challenge. The embossing is to center stage in this challenge - no coloring at all. I used Bazzill textured CS, Zing Vanilla embossing powder, CTMH ribbons, and CTMH Treasure Life stamp set. The parts of the flowers that look blue are actually places where I put Stickles for a little shine.

Sharing a Couple of Cards

I have been having just a wonderful time in my craft room this afternoon! It's been so snowy the last couple of days, but today the sun is shining warm and brightly here. So nice to have the blinds up and be nourished with all that natural light!

The first card I made today is for the Bo Bunny card challenge. I used Flutter Butter paper alogn with vellum. The flower is Bazzill, the ribbon and stamp are CTMH, and the rest of the embellishments are from my stash.

This second card was so much fun to make because the combination of colors and elements are way out of my comfort zone. I am not used to using such a bright blue and then a jade green together. Also this is the first robot I've ever used on a project. This will fit into two challenges - the Play Date Cafe color challenge and OCC Sketch Blog challenge.

Items used to make this card are Bazzill Carbo Cream CS, Paper Company Jade Metallic, CTMH Moonstruck and Black CS, Just Chillin' Slice card, Hero Arts stamp set, and random ribbon and gems.

Brad Challenge

There is a challenge this week over at Practical Scrappers that is just too fun to pass up. I did a card and a layout for this challenge, but you may see more. I just love what can be done with brads!

For this card, I used Basic Grey Wisteria papers. The stamp is Inkadinkado, the sparkles are CTMH, and the ribbon is from Wal-Mart (after Christmas sale and the rolls were $0.13!). The pattern is from CTMH's Wishes how-to book, and it's called Stay Left.

Now let me tell you about the Bazzill and CTMH flowers. What I've done is distressed them both with a Ranger Gold paint dabber. The silver brad was painted with a Ranger Eggplant paint dabber. Once I put the flowers together with the brad, then I added a bit of Dusty Concord distress stickles. Great way to make a flower or two vintage!

In this layout, I've used all CTMH products - Indian Corn Blue CS, Free Spirit Level 2 paper, Autumn Daisy flowers, Legendary Moments stamp set. letter dimensional elements, and autumn terracotta brads.

In order to give the letters this look, I sponged them with Autumn Terracotta ink. Then I stamped them with an image from the Legendary Moments stamp set. In all, I used 43 brads on this page! This is one of my favorite pages. First of all, I love Shane's adorable face. This picture was taken almost 3 years ago at his graduation party. The paper is perfect as well.

Adventure

I wanted to participate in the challenge over at Operation Write Home Stars and Stamps. Such a nice sketch with so many possibilities.

For this card, I used a paper that is sadly discontinued from CTMH. I loved Rustic Trails and have used so much of it! I'd love it if they brought something like this back as it's perfect for our MN outdoors!

Along with that, you'll see Colonial White cardstock, a piece of patterned paper from Emporium, Hook, Line, and Sinker stamp set, random clear buttons, and chocolate waxy flax. So simple, but a great masculine card.

My Crafting Husband

Earlier this evening, I had a guest in my craft room - my husband! He is getting the urge to fish about now (in the warm weather), so this is about the time of year he starts making lures for the summer. He set up a table across from mine, brought up his supplies, and we crafted together. I streamed in a couple of netflix movies, and we had great fun!

These are some of the lures he's made over the years. They are made of mylar, horse hair, and chicken feathers. Very cool - and it is truly a craft! I asked him how many of these he's used, and he said all of them!

Some time I'll share pictures of his musky lures. He hand carved them from wood and then designed and painted them. Jerry is an auto body painter by trade, so he really has a gift for this sort of thing.

Tomorrow we are going to have brunch at the restaraunt where Shane works. I talk to him several times a week, but it's been a month now since we've seen him. Can't wait! Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!

Well, Here I Am!

Lest you think I fell off the face of the earth (!), I thought I'd better post finally this week. It has been a full - and very enjoyable - week!

I made a couple of things in the last week that I thought I would share with you. This first picture is a little 3x3 notecard box. Isn't it cute?! Such an easy pattern, and I needed a couple little gifties for people. So I thought this little box filled with little gift enclosure cards was perfect. Now for those of you with a keen eye, I actually colored a little bit on an image. I added some color to my Little Diva card with CTMH markers.

Did I ever tell you how much I love CTMH's Level 1 kits? I LOVE those pre-printed layouts just for weeks like this. When I don't have much time, I can still put together a beautiful 2-page layout. This family (even the furry kids) truly are my greatest blessings!

I will have some days off coming up, so I am looking forward to crafting more and sharing more in the week to come!