The Love Bug

For some reason this card did not want to photograph well and it didn't scan well either. After what seem like limitless tries I just went with the last attempt. Ha~!

IMAGE:

1. This cute Love Bug by Peddlers Pack was stamped with Color Box Black pigment ink
2. Heat and Stick Embossing Powder (also called Oh So Sticky Powder, Sticky Powder, Sticky Stuff, etc.) was applied.
3. Heat gun was applied until wet looking
4. Art Institute Black Wing glitter applied
5. (Important Step) Heated again to set the glitter.
6. Brushed again to remove loose Glitter
7. Painted with Twinkling H2O's Garnet using Niji waterbrush
8. White Signo Uniball pen used for eyes and mouth.
9. Cut out image and used Black Sharpie to darken edges.

BACKGROUND:

1. One piece Stardream Metallic Jupiter text weight paper 4.25X5.5".

2. Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb. Cover cardstock run through Cuttlebug using embossing folder from Combo Love Language (1 piece 5.25X4.0) The hearts run vertical.
3. Run the left side of the cardstock through first and then line up the rows of hearts to match the top rows of hearts and put through again. (If you look at the white cardstock above you will know what I mean.)
4. Punch the bottom edge using Fiskars Heart Border Punch by lining up and punching the middle first and then the sides.

5. One piece of Dali Dore SHIMMER Nero 76lb Cover cardstock run through Cuttlebug using embossing folder Mosaic Tiles. If had to do this over, I would have punched the edge and mounted separately with the hearts facing North instead of South as shown.
6. Line up left side of Mosaic Tiles on heart BG where you want path to start and mark with pencil. Line up right side the same way and trim from top left to top right mark and do the same with the bottom of the path using the top trimmed edge as a guide for equal distance from the bottom.
7. Mount to White Heart embossed BG.

8. Mount Love Bug using tape on the feet and Dimensional Glue Dots on the top and antennae.

EMBELLISHMENTS:

1. May Arts String Loop Ribbon applied in upper left and corner taped down with ATG tape. [I don't know if I have ever mentioned this, but I use ATG on everything and buy it from the site I listed. If it won't hold, and that is rare, I use Scotch Quick Dry Tacky Adhesive (picture only). A stamping friend, Carole Miller in MO, told me about this and it never fails with papers.]
2. Tied a bow using the Martha Stewart method.

3. The Stick Pin was created using a JoAnn Sew Essential Pearlized Leaf Straight Pin. It is only found in their stores and not online. The Red Glass Heart and Pearlized bead are Czech beads. it was put though the bow knot before mounting the bow with a glue dot.

4. Love You, Hearts trimmed down, and cursive i in Miss You from Combo Love Language die using Stardream Metallic Jupiter text weight paper applied as shown.

INSIDE CARD AND ENVELOPE:

5. The Double Hearts and the i and u from the Miss You from the Combo Love Language die plate were used on the inside of the card and the envelope. The i and the u were each placed inside each Heart.

Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

Hugs And Kisses Too!

I've been waiting to use this stamp, Valentine Margarita by Impression-Obsession for almost a year.

1. The image was stamped with Brilliance Galaxy Gold on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth cardstock 80lb.
2. It was painted with Twinkling H2O Garnet and Solar Gold.
3. The glass was emphasized with Glossy Accents.

4. The truffle on the rim was painted with Twinkling H2O's Solar Gold. Stickles Garnet glitter glue was used on the top.

5. The holes for the ribbon were done with an eyelet Silent Setter. The picot ribbon is from Michaels.

6. The Drink Charm was made by using the EK Success Wrought Iron Corner Adorner Slot Punch on Clear Lucky Squirrel Poly Shrink. I added bold lines on the figure below to give you and idea of how it was trimmed after punching was done.

VersaMark was then applied to both sides to keep it from sticking to itself while shrinking using a heat gun. You can't do this if you paint or
color it before shrinking. The paint will run. This technique is also great when working Poly Shrink you are going to stamp while hot to make an impression. I also use a bread loaf non stick pan when shrinking something small like this. Helps keep it in sight....and a wooden skewer also rubbed with VersaMark and placed loosely in one of the holes while it was heated. When done the VersaMark was rubbed off the charm with a baby wipe before doing anything else with it.

7. The charm was painted with a Red Sharpee pen. Two size jump rings were used to hang it from the stem of the glass as shown.


8. The edge punched with the Fiskars Heart Border Punch, done after the image, is another story. If anyone knows of a better way please email me.
-a. Measured the width of the punched area itself from outside edge into the edge of the image and marked it.
-b. Trimmed the cardstock on each side, leaving the bottom and top alone at first.
-c. Centered the punch and punched the 2 hearts in the center.
-d. One heart was punched on each side of them by turning the punch over and lining up on the bottom of the punch.
-e. The top and bottom edge of the image was punched by lining the punch edges up with the two punched edges already there. The the edges were matched by trimming with cuticle scissors to match as well as possible.

9. The image was mounted on Stardream Metallic Jupiter Text weight paper.

10. Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth cardstock 80lb. cardstock was run though the Cuttlebug using Floral Fantasy and trimmed down to 4X5.25".
11. It was mounted on another piece of Stardream Metallic Jupiter Text weight paper.
12. The image was mounted on it as shown.
13. Certain areas shown on the embossed Floral Fantasy were painted with Twinkling H2O's Garnet.

14. White Prima Forever Flowers were used on the top and bottom of the cardfront, mounted with glue dots.
15. 3 Hearts were punched from some Stardream Metallic Jupiter Text weight paper using a Fiskars Hand Punch 1/4" Heart. They were mounted in the centers of the flowers and Glossy Accents was added for depth and shine.
16. A glue pen was used on the veins of the petals and DecoArt Glamour Dust Crystal glitter was applied. Then Shimmerz Angel Wings was used to highlight the edges of the petals.

Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share. Have a great weekend too!

 

 Shirley

 

Photo Tag You Say?

My blogging and TJ friend, Beth at Nanna's Memories and More, has passed the following photo challenge on to me. The rules are:

1. Go to where you store your photos on your computer.

2. Go to the SIXTH folder and pick the SIXTH photo.

3. Post that photo on your blog along with a SHORT story about it.

4. Tag SIX people and leave a comment on their blog or email them letting them know you chose them.

I had this file of Hummingbirds because they were all so different and are only in the Americas. I was using one of them for colors to paint a card I did. This wasn't it, but it is the Sixth picture. I think he lives in Central America and maybe Mexico too.

The six people I am choosing are those I think will have photo files:

1. Brittany at Creative Treasures - She has a relatively new blog and some great cards and I know she has photos because she Scraps too!

2. Jessie at Funked Up Crafts - Jessie is relatively new to the blog world too and has some lovely cards to share.

3. Diane at I See A Pattern Forming - She has great cards and a blog for scrapping too.

4. Linda at Linda's Blog - She is new to blogging and has some really pretty cards.

5. Katie at My Paper Haven - She has wonderful cards and has some pictures too.

6. Ria at Ria Creations - She has some very cute cards and photos too.

Just let me say thank you once again to my friend Beth! .........and thank you all for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share! Have a great weekend people!

 

 Shirley

 

A Sweet Card

The fold I used for this card is called Stair Step and the steps I liked best are posted on Gabi's blog, The Czech Chick Gallery. I am definitely going back to check out the cards I haven't seen yet.

1. Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth cardstock 80lb. was used for both the fold and for the backgrounds attached to the fold.
2. The only difference in my card is that mine measures: 5.25"X10.75 in width and hers is 5.0"X10.25. My folds were made at 1.5", 2.5", 4.25", 6", and 8.25. The 1.5 allows for the punched edge on the front.
3. The edge was created with Martha Stewart Floral Lace Border Punch. You will find the left over piece at the bottom of the punch is the quarter inch extra allowed with you cut and folded your card.

4. 2 more pieces of cardstock 4.25X5.5 were run through the Cuttlebug first on D'Vine Swirls and then with Swiss Dots. It leaves the swirl pattern, but the Swiss Dots are the most pronounced.
5. One complete embossed piece is mounted on the front of the last step. The next piece was torn into two pieces for ruff edges. A pencil was used to mark the areas to be torn based on the height of the step. The left over from the smallest torn piece was used on the back near the trees as a snow drift.
6. Glue was applied to the torn edges and then DecoArt Glamour Dust Crystal glitter .

The Pine Trees are from Clear Acrylic stamps (Swirl Trees by Impression-Obsession).
1. The reverse (smooth) side of the stamps were inked with SU Classic Old Olive.
2. Then they were 'Kissed' with retired 'Filigree Hearts' stamp by Paper Parachute to pick up the design of the hearts. Here's a video that explains what kissing is about. I have done it with stamps of all sizes and a reverse if the sizes that she uses. If you haven't done this you should practice first.
3. Next they were stamped on White Glossy Cardstock. Heat embossed to dry faster. A glue pen was applied in the open clear areas (Kissing removed the ink) and DecoArt Glamour Dust Crystal glitter was applied.
4. They were cut out using embroidery scissors.

The Main Image is Tilda by Magnolia Stamps.
1. She was stamped on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth cardstock 80lb. with Brilliance Galaxy Gold. Heat embossed to dry faster.
2. Hearts from Sweet Hearts by Impression-Obsession was stamped in VersaMark and then embossed with Clear Embossing Powder.
3. She was painted with Twinkling H2O's Natural Linen, Ginger Flower, Cherry Sorbet, Warm Pecan, Solar Gold, and Moss Green.
4. The Clear Embossing Powder was removed by covering the image with copy paper and ironing with a dry iron.
5. The White heart areas, her cuffs, wings, and connections on hat had Glitter Glue applied, followed by DecoArt Glamour Dust Crystal glitter.
6. Glossy Accents was applied to the heart she is carrying.
7. Embroidery Scissors were used to cut around her.

The Sleigh is from Sliegh Ride by Flourishes. It was:
1. stamped with Brilliance Galaxy Gold.
2. painted with Twinkling H2O's Warm Pecan, Solar Gold, Ginger Flower, and Moss Green.
3. Glossy Accents was used on the Ginger Flower part of the hearts.
4. DecoArt Glamour Dust Crystal glitter was used on the upper trim.
5. Embroidery scissors and an X-acto knife was used to trim around and in the runner areas.
6. The ribbon is from Wal-Mart and was tied in a bow, seated with a glue dot at the front of the sleigh. The long tails from the bow were tied in a knot and threaded through the heart she carries.

The words 'You're Sweet' are from Sweet Hearts by Impression-Obsession.
1. The tag die cut is from Spellbinders Ribbon Tag Trio .
2. The words were stamped with Brilliance Galaxy Gold.
3. The tag was mounted with tape on the back.
4. The ribbon was mounted first and then
5. Martha Stewart bows were tied and mounted with glue dots.

Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share!!

 

 Shirley

 

Is It Spring Yet?!!!!!

This image is Filigree Butterfly from The Artful Stamper. I actually stamped it using one from a Technique Junkie friend who was visiting to stamp with me. Thank you Barbara.

1. The image was stamped using Brilliance Galaxy Gold on Neenah Classic Crest Natural Super Smooth cardstock 80lb.
2. It was painted with Twinkling H2O's Meridian Blue, True Blue,
3. The stems of the flower were done with Twinkling H2O's Green Tea.
4. The Black outline was done with Black/Silver glitter glue.
5. The tail and antennae were done with a Copic Spica At You Black Glitter Pen.
6. The petals of the flower were done with Shimmerz Bubble Gum.
7. The centers of the flower are Mark Richards Crystal Stickers Elements 2mm Yellow.
8. The spots on the Butterfly and around the flowers were done with Liquid Pearls White Opal.

9. The edges were done with Wedges cut from Matte board purchased from Hobby Lobby was used to make an angle. Two layers of the Matte board were required to get the right thickness like the B plate. It was used separately on each side of the Cuttlebug Textile Texture embossing folder where embossing was required. You can see that only 3 corners required embossing.

10. The cardstock for under the image is Hunter Green by SU. The edges were first rubbed on aVersamark Dazzle Champagne ink pad. A heat gun was used to dry the ink. It gave the edges a Goldish Green cast like the Green Tea on the vines of the flowers. The image was mounted on it.

11. A Martha Stewart Ribbon Punch was used on the left side. Pink Ribbon from Michaels was threaded through the slots and a Martha Stewart bow was tied and mounted on that as shown.

12. The word label was done using the inside and outside rim of an oval vellum tag. Identical cardstock was used for it. Mark Richards 3mm pearls were mounted on the ends.

A relatively simple card once the image was done! Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share. I am so glad I finally got to post a card. There should be another one soon.

 

 Shirley

 

Another New Award

I hadn't seen this one before. It was given to me by fellow blogger Jenny at Crafty Jenny. This award is given in appreciation of a person's lovely and witty comments and for always knowing the right thing to say at the right time.... Thank you Jenny for this cute little guy and your kind thoughts too. The rules are to:

1. Link to the person who gave you the award,
2. Post the award on your blog,
3. Name 10 new recipients, and
4. Notify them they are recipients.

The ten recipients an anyone else who has ever commented on my blog are:
1. Doris at The Stamping Tower - She has some really pretty Valentine cards she has recently posted.

2. Sharon at Lil' Princess Card Creations - Sharon has also posted a really pretty Valentine card.

3. Josianne at Card Making Galore - Josianne has some really pretty cards and mini albums too.

4. Barbara at Hunny-Bunny Cards - Barbara has some very beautiful cards and uses a variety of stamps too!

5. Marcea at Marcea's Crafting Corner - Marcia has some very lovely cards too!

6. Ria at Ria's Creations - Ria creates cards, tags, and also album pages that are beautiful!

7. Nancy over at Seaside Creativity - She has a absolutely beautiful cards.

8. Spike at The Blog That Spike Built - Her cards are beautiful cards with wonderful detail.

9. Danielle at Wild Dragonfly Designs - Her card are just so cute and creative too!

10. Tania at Java Bean's Creative Escape - You'll find some really cute and pretty cards!

Thanks again for the wonderful award, Jenny. Thanks everybody for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

Surprise and Excitement

I have to apologize for not taking a picture of these cards, but yesterday I took a slip in my bathtub while showering and I didn't hurt anything badly, but it has left me sore. At the time it scared me. Now I look back and can honestly laugh at how I must have looked. It was also a rude awakening at why I need to take losing weight seriously, although it may well have cushioned and prevented damage. Now I am laughing hilariously. Anyway...........

I never get over the surprise and excitement of finding something in my mail besides bills and advertisements. Wait 'til you see what came this time:

This card is from my TJ friend, Ret Cudmore at Cards 'n Crafts by Ret. She lives in Nova Scotia and I have noticed mail from Canada can sometimes take a while. Between me digging out and flopping around in a tub I am also late in posting this. It is a pocket card and has the most beautiful glitter I have ever seen. Not only does the medallion glitter, but the star at the top too! When you pull out the card It has an image of Bethlehem. She has sponged the edges and the whole card is just wonderful. Take a look by clicking on it and check out her blog too. Thank you so much Ret for this beautiful card.

For some reason I just couldn't get a good scan for this card. It is just so elegant, soft, and lovely too. The card is from fellow blogger Sue Czosek at Suzanne's Stamping Spot. As you can see she has used a beautiful embossing folder for her BG and the Moss Greens on the ribbon and the background of the bird and the word are a perfect match, even though it doesn't look like it here. The pearls are just a shade lighter than the other green and make it look so elegant. There was another surprise inside her envelope. A really pretty clear stamp set I can't wait to use. A lot of great stamps to fill in and accent with. Thank you so much Sue for such lovely gifts. You all should really check out her site. She does a lot of everything and has a keen eye for color and space.

Last, but definitely not least, is this beautiful card from Valérie at Welcome To The Blog Of Valérie. She lives in Switzerland. We converse through Google Translate:
As you can see, her card is just so wonderful and pretty! She has faux stitched around the various layers and her chimney sweep is adorable! Love the beautiful rustic colors too. A very beautiful card! Thank you Valérie for making my New Year more cheerful!

A Word About Google Translate -
I have it at the top of my left-hand sidebar. Anyone visiting can click on their language and the whole page translates to it. One day I was accessing the blogs I follow by going down My Favorite Blogs to visit people who 'follow me' so I could 'follow them' and I decided to click on Google Translate to see where it took me. I right clicked and asked it to open up in a new tab and there you go, the link I hyperlinked to in the previous paragraph appeared.

The translations are not always perfect and if you misspell a word, it shows up in the translation just like you typed it. It has opened up a whole new world for me about people in other countries and their ideas and art. If you have any questions about this type of Google Translate please reach me by clicking on EMAIL ME.

Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

Another Very Thoughtful Award

My blogging friend, Shirley Fyfe, at Reflections, today presented me with 'Proximity' Award: "This award is given to a blog that invests and believes in PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind of bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers!"

I am thrilled with this award. You should definitely visit Shirley Fyfe's blog. She is very talented and very published in Card magazines. Once you see her creations, your will agree. The rule for the award is to share it with people who believe in the above quote. to share it with people who popped into my mind right after I named the last recipients:

1. Barb at Albums + Cards = Blessings - I found her blog not too long ago and she has some very lovely cards.

2. Ann at Craftroom Creations - You need to see what she does with dies and embossing folders!! Some very wonderful things.

3. Curt at Curt's World - You have no idea what gorgeous and wonderful card he creates.

4. Kim at From My Stamp Room - Her cards are beautiful and she uses a cross section of stamps are are wonderful too!

5. Michelle at Mommy Time - Her card are so cute and beautiful too! You need to stop by her blog.

6. Danielle at Paper Inspirations - She is another detail lady with some wonderful embellishments. Check her out.

7. Lisa at Stampin' For Sanity - She just received an award, but she needs two. Visit her blog, see what she just did and you will agree.

8. Holly at Today's Creations - She does some wonderful things with Spellbinder dies, etc.

I am all check to see who out~~~ Thanks for sharing another post. I hope you are checking out the blogs I list. A lot of them have just started Follow Me lists and are reaching out to share their art and ours.

Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share. Hope to have some cards tomorrow or the next day.

 

 Shirley

 

Some Beautiful New Awards

What can I say. I didn't have these awards and giving is still a lot of fun so:
First I would like to thank my very talented and blogging friend, Cheryl, at God And I On The Railroad Tracks for bestowing both of the following Blog Awards on me:

The above award is called The Marie Antoinette, a Real Person, a Real Award. The rules are:

1. Link to the person who gave you the award
2. Nominate 7 more persons
3. Link the nominees and let them know about this award
4. Post the award on my blog

The seven people are:

1. Card Crafted at A Novice Card Maker Lives Here - You need to stop by her blog. She does not create like a novice!!! Beautiful cards!

2. Jane over at Anything But Plain Jane - And her cards are not plain either!!! Go see!

3. Beryl at Beryl's Place. She lives in Wales and has some really beautiful cards posted too!

4. Erin at Cards by Fishlips - She is not only talented, but her son does some absolutely fabulous artwork. Don't miss her blog.

5. Cat over at Cat's Creations - Stop by and see what wonderful creations she creates even when she thinks she doesn't. Ha!

6. Jenny at Craft Heaven - I always love seeing her beautiful cards.

7. Nancy at Inkcicles- She has been in the process of moving, but it hasn't stopped her from creating beautiful cards.

The second award is:
The rules are:
1. Link to the person who gave you the award
2. Nominate 10 more persons
3. Link the nominees and let them know about this award
4. Post the award on my blog

The 10+1 people are:

1. Heather at Enchanted Stamping - You need to see how she decorates for Christmas, let along creating gorgeous cards! This award just really reminds me of her.

2. Coleen at Kiwi Cards and Crafts - Yes she is from Down Under and she really has some wonderful cards on her site!
3. Denise at Lavender Rose - She is in the United Kingdom. She has lovely cards using different mediums too!

4. Lindsay at Scraps 'n Stuff - She has just started her Follow Me list, has posted a couple of really cute and pretty cards and needs some traffic ladies!!! Let her know we want to see more.

5. Susan at My Paper Dreamz - Susan lives in Nova Scotia and has some really great and beautiful cards. She has just started her Follow Me list too.

6. Carole at Paper and Rubber and Inks Oh My - She is new to blogging and has only posted one card so far and it is just outstanding and beautiful too! She has also posted a Follow Me list!

7. Joanie at Paper Handmaiden - She has only stamped for a year and you should see what she has done! Wow! Some really gorgeous cards.

8. Norine at Crafty Sister's Blog - She does some very elegant cards and has just started a Follow Me list too.

9. Suzz at Suzanne's Stamping Spot - She has some wonderful creative cards and really elegant and beautiful designs.

10. Jennifer at Simple Flourishes - She does also does elegant cards. Check her out!

11. Pat at Rubbermaid - Not only are her card's fantastic, she makes and collects cards for kids at her local hospital. You need to see THIS POST and see if you can help out.

This is just a few of the really deserving people like you, but the rules. I chose based on people's blogs I was visiting, if they hadn't received awards, if they weren't getting the traffic they should, and/or if they were new blogs on the block. I really think these awards are meant to motivate and inspire. I apologize for the second update for this post. I couldn't let a good cause slip through our fingers. That's what they have done for me.....So thank you again, Cheryl, and thank you all for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

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Which Post Is Best For You?

When you initially set up your blog the default for Comments brings the blogger to a totally new page that looks like this:
If you forget all of the wonderful details on the card, etc., you either hit your back button, which means if you typed anything and forgot to cut it, it gets lost, or you say, "How beautiful," which isn't bad, mind you, but if you wanted to say something else it is lost somewhere, in my case, in la-la land.

You actually have 2 other choices you can now make so fellow bloggers have a much easier time of actually commenting on your creations. They are listed below:

Method 1 - POP UP WINDOW
Your blogger essentially gets the same thing as above, but in a separate Pop-Up window. When I get a Pop-Up window I first line up the image in the blog and then click on the Pop-Up again to bring it to the front. Then I drag it next to the card, etc., so I can look at the card while I comment. I have really preferred this in the past, and I am not sure about now, because now you also have:

Method 2 - EMBEDDED COMMENTS UNDER YOUR POST
When the blogger clicks on the comments at the end of your post she/he brings up another page, but this time the post section is directly below your creation and any other comments that have been made (Just like Typepad and some other blog providers use). It looks like this:

Now, you may be asking, why do I care. First of all, I have a ton of blogs I love and follow. The faster I can comment, the faster I can travel on to the next one. I love looking and I probably wouldn't blog at all if I couldn't blog hop and enjoy other people's creativity. It is such a learning experience for me. Next, I like comments too. Last, but not least, I think there are more of me wanting to travel between comments faster and enjoy the visit longer, if that makes any sense!

How do you CHANGE YOUR BLOG COMMENT CHOICE if you want to change it? Below is a picture of the area you need to access on your Settings Tab and instructions on how to do it. Below that are the steps.

STEPS:
1. Go to your DASHBOARD
2. Click on the SETTINGS Tab
3. Click on COMMENTS Tab
4. Go down to the Comments Form Placement section as shown above with the red border and choose which ever type of comment service you want your blogging friends to have.
5. Last and VERY IMPORTANT - Go down to the bottom of the page and on the right hand side look for:
6. Click on SAVE SETTINGS before leaving the page.

Please do me one last favor before leaving today? Would you please vote in my poll on the right hand side bar at the top and tell me which type of posting you prefer. I've changed my for now to the last choice, but I am not sure if I prefer it over the second one. If you still have questions about how to do it (I am not always clear in instructions), please feel free to click on the EMAIL ME in the upper left hand side bar on this page and I will try to be of more help.

Thank you so much for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

Sweet Valentine

1. The image, Truffle Tree by Impression-Obsession, was stamped on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth Cardstock with Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate. It was heat embossed so the ink wouldn't smear.

2. The leaves were colored with a Gelly Roll Stardust Bronze Star pen.

3. The trunk of the tree was painted with Twinkling H2O's Warm Pecan.



4. The Truffles were done as follows:
-a. All of the Truffle cups were painted with Twinkling H2O Solar Gold.
-b. The Squiggly Truffle was painted with Twinkling H2O Cherry Sorbet. Glossy Accents was added for glaze look.
-c. The White Truffle base was painted with Twinkling H2O Warm Pecan. Liquid Pearls White Opal was used as the frosting and DecoArt Glamour Dust Crystal glitter was used on top while the Pearls were still wet.
-d. The Pink Truffle was 'frosted' with Liquid Pearls Petal Pink and then Art Institute Glitter Ultra Fine Transparent Baby's Breath was used on top while the Pearls were still wet.

5. Holes were made on both sides of the tree trunk with an eyelet setter. The May Arts ribbon was bought at Stamper's Alley in Mooresville, NC. It was threaded through the dots and then tied in a Martha Stewart bow.

6. You're Sweet from the Impression-Obsession cling set "Sweet Hearts" was stamped with Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate and then went over with a Gelly Roll Stardust Bronze Star pen.

7. The image was run though the Cuttlebug using Spellbinders Long Scalloped Rectangles Large, the largest die. It was a perfect fit end to end (minus the end scallops). A paper piercer was used to punch the hole in the middle of the scallops. They were 'eyeballed'.

8. The next layer is Stardream Cappuccino text weight. I don't know where you can buy it online or off line. I am wondering if it's discontinued. It was embossed and punched with Fiskars Embossing Border Punch Eyelet Lace. I cut the embossed edges into one inch strips and added them to each side of the image. Dimensional glitter glue and DecoArt Glamour Dust Crystal glitter was used in the eyelet area.

9. Bazzill Birthstone October cardstock was used for the outside edge. One inch pieces were added to each side. It all came from the 4" piece left over from a 12"X12" piece of cardstock.

10. Another piece of the Bazzill Birthstone October cardstock was punched with Fiskars Heart Border Punch and added to the top and bottom as shown. Glue and DecoArt Glamour Dust Crystal glitter was added to the heart and dot areas. The finished cardfront was all mounted on the front a 5.5"X8.5" folded white piece of cardstock.

Some people have asked me why I mount the cardfront on a separate piece of cardstock. I started doing it for a financial reason when I started. I would ruin something on the front and couldn't use it. Also it's easier to correct a mistake if you make it. Another good reason is that colored cardstock costs more than white. So you get 4 cards out of one piece of colored cardstock. I also save pieces of pieces. I have found they are very useful for die cuts. Just an opinion.

Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share!

 

 Shirley

 

Kaleidoscope Card

I bought the Starflowers Cling Set by Impression-Obsessions well over a year ago, maybe more. I finally said it's now or never and this is what happened. I took a really crazy trip mentally with this one, as you can tell! Ha! To me it looks like something you would see through a kaleidoscope.

1. The image was stamped randomly on Bindakote 10 pt C/1S White Glossy cardstock with Brilliance Galaxy Gold. It was painted with Twinkling H2O's French Lilac and Sweet Alfalfa.
2. Some of the petal areas, etc. were done with Stickles Rose Quartz and Dark Blue glitter glue.
3. EK Succes Iron Eagle Punch was used on opposite ends of the White Glossy.
4. Hero Arts Sparkle Gems Blossoms were added to the center of the two flowers as shown. A Mark Richards 2mm pearl was added to the center of each flower.
5. The image was mounted on Bazzill Bling Emerald City.

6. Stickles Dark Blue glitter glue was used to fill in the punch areas and Mark Richards 5mm Pearls were added to opposite ends.

7. The May Arts ribbon was knotted for interest and mounted with glue dots. Then a Martha Stewart bow was added. The colors look like a mixture of the H2O's French Lilac used in the center of the flower and the Stargazer used on the mounted Snowflakes.

8. The die cuts are from Cuttlebug Die Snowflake #2. I had them leftover from a prior project. They were painted with H2O Stargazer. Mark Richards 3mm pearls were added to the middle and they were placed strategically (I love that word) with glue dots.

9. I decided to add the words to the lower right flower just because! The words were created for my blog with my Digital Image Pro 9. This way I save the card with the blank area and stamp whatever I want when I want. Ha~ The deep purple border was some scrap cardstock (Yes, I do save scraps. Every now and then I go through and clean them out, but you never know, like today for instance!) The glitter glue edge is the same Stickles Rose Quartz.

Well, that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

Stained Glass Heart - Well Maybe!

Perfect for those whose anniversaries are around the corner maybe. The image is Alesa Baker's Stained Glass Heart by Impression-Obsession.

1. The image was stamped with Brilliance Galaxy Gold on Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Natural 80lb. Cover cardstock 4 times and then layered as shown with dimensional dots. You can see it better if you click on it. The image was painted with Twinkling H2O's Heavenly White, Cherry Sorbet, and Olive Vine. Pink double faced Satin ribbon from Michaels was used for the top of the heart. A Mark Richards 2mm pearl from his Scrip Alphabet was used for the middle of the rose. I had a piece of lace from who knows where that I placed around the edge of the heart.



2. Curious Ice Gold text weight paper was cut in a 3" square and then embossed with the Cuttlebug embossing folder Floral Fantasy. An EK Success Small Corner Rounder was used on the corners. The main image was mounted on that.

3. Stardream Chiara Rose Quartz text weight paper was cut in a 3" square and then embossed with the Cuttlebug embossing folder Floral Fantasy.

4. Curious Caramel text weight was cut 4.25"X5.5" and then embossed with the Cuttlebug folder Floral Fantasy. It was trimmed and then mounted on Curious Ice Gold Text weight paper. The Rose Quartz was mounted and Mark Richards 5mm Pearls added as shown. The image mounted on the Curious Ice Gold was mounted on top of that. The cardfront was then mounted on the front of white 5.5X8.5" folded cardstock.

Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

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 Shirley

 

It's That Other Season.....Right?

IMAGE:
1. The image, Victorian Bird, by Impression-Obsession, was stamped with a Color Box Black pigment ink pad and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder.

Tip for new stampers - The reason I used Clear EP instead of Black is because when embossing with colored embossing powders there is more chance of pieces of the powder flying and attaching to other pieces of the cardstock leaving specks. It is advised you use an Embossing Buddy or baby or talc powder, before stamping and using the colored embossing powder, so it doesn't attach. It has not worked real well for me, so when I can I use Clear EP with colored pigment inks. When I can't I use a fine art brush to brush away any specks of colored EP.

2. The image was painted with Twinkling H2O's and a Duncan Black Glitter writer was used for the legs and beak. I couldn't find any Duncan writer's online that were black. A little Glossy Accents was added to the eye. Mark Richards Crystal Stickers 2mm Black Onyx Rhinestones were added to the wings as shown. If you click on the image they are easier to see.
3. A Royal 3/8" Soft Grip SG 730 was used for the grass.
4. The scalloped edge was added by laying a piece of cardstock punched with Martha Stewart's Doily Lace Edge down the side and then using a paper piercer in the upper holes.

BACKGROUND MATTES:
5. Stampin' Up Green Galore cardstock was used as a matte behind the bird. Martha Stewart's Doily Lace Edge Border Punch was used first. I eyed the center here and also with the white CS below. Then after they were punched I lined them up as shown.
6. Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock was embossed with Cuttlebug Textile Textures embossing folder.

The cardstock was placed in the folder so just the edge touched the edge of the embossed area on the left when in the folder, leaving more area that wasn't embossed to the right. Martha Stewart's Doily Lace Edge border punch was used on the edge that wasn't embossed.

7. The last matte is again the Stampin' Up Green Galore.
8. All of the holes in the lace areas were filled with with the Duncan Black Glitter Writer and allowed to dry.

EMBELLISHMENTS:
9. The left hand corners of the layers, with the exception of the bottom one, were punched with Stampin' Up's Ticket Corner Punch.
10. Black Onyx 4mm rhinestones were added with glue to each left corner. The right side looked empty so:
11. May Arts layered Ribbon was added down the middle on the right side. Now the left upper corner looked empty so:
12. May Arts layered ribbon was added there. That still looked kind of stark so:
13. The May Arts Dotted Swiss was folded in 2 pieces to a heart shape and an EK Success Black Onyx Precious Finds Adhesive Gem was placed in the middle. I couldn't find any Black online for a referral.
14. It still looked kind of empty so the words 'For You' by Paper Salon were added with StazOn Jet Black ink.

And that's all there was to it~~~ LOLOLOL.

I need to take a moment to thank you all for your online friendship, comments, and art. It is an honor to talk and share with all of you. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas season and wishing you a Happy, Healthy New Year. Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share.

 

 Shirley