Top Tip Tuesday Faux Sewing Card

 Hello and welcome here!  We're halfway through April, where oh where does time fly to?  This week on Top Tip Tuesday the challenge is Say It Isn't Sew!  We want to see faux sewing, you can draw stitch lines, or hand sew, just no machine sewing.

Challenge - Say It Isn't Sew!

No machine sewing

 

Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

A huge thank-you to our Sponsor Saturated Canary for supplying the DT with digital images. I chose Summer Swing. I cut out the image because I wanted to hand stitch the rope she was holding onto.  I used brown Baker's Twine.  My Tip is to pierce holes before sewing so that you don't bend or wrinkle your card trying to pierce and sew at the same time.

Sponsor's

For a chance at the following prizes, be sure to link your creation to the Say It Isn't Sew! Challenge  at Top Tip Tuesday, you can enter up to 3 times!! For a chance at an extra prize leave a tip on your blog and be sure to leave 'tip' after your name in Mr. Linky.
Don't forget the challenge runs for 2 weeks and closes at 1pm.

Saturated Canary - 2 Digi images

 

 Fred She Said - $20 Voucher

Inside:

Recipe:  Saturated Canary Digital Stamp-Summer Swing, PP-Prima Fairy Rhymes Papillon & My Mind's Eye Nutmeg "Hanging Out" Rainbow, CS-Bazzill dark aqua, Verve SS-Wishing You, CTMH Ink-Black, EK Success Daisy Chain Punch, Memory Box-Orchard Tree Frame, Martha Stewart Butterflies Punch, Foam Squares, Pearls, Baker's Twine-Brown, Copics.

Copics Used:

Skin - E13, E15, E17

Hair - N7, 100

Eyes - E29

Lips - E11

Dress - YR30, YR31, Y32

Tights - YG03, RV34, R00, E01

Shoes/Bow - RV23, RV25, RV29

Tire - W5, W7

For more Say It Isn't Sew! inspiration, head over to Top Tip Tuesday and check out the rest of the DT's creations.

Enjoy,

Deneen

Challenges Entered:

Come and Get It Challenges - Kids Birthday Cards

Glitter n Sparkle Challenge - #28 Stitching Real or Not

That Craft Place - For A Child
Saturated Canary Challenge Blog - #41 Anything Goes

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Heartfelt Creations Semi-Finalist Submissions

Hello and welcome here.  As the deadline approaches for all Heartfelt Creations (HC) semi-finalists to have their creations in, I thought I would share mine with you.  You also have a chance to win a $50 HC Gift Certificate by voting for your favourite semi-finalist blogs....you can find all the info for that HERE.  You only have until Apr. 13th, so hurry on over if you haven't yet.

Stair-Step Card:  5.5" x 5.5"

Heartfelt Creations sent me a package with some of their products to use on my creations.  I had the Window die already, and added it as a mat behind the sentiment.

Back of card:

 I decorated the back of the card very simply, but I wanted to have a spot where you would add your name and some personal thoughts.

 Recipe:  Heartfelt Creations PP-Vintage Floret Collection, CS-Coredinations Core Color & Bazzill cream, Heartfelt Creations SS-Daisy Patch Flowers, CTMH Ink-Twilight & Cocoa, Distress Ink-Old Paper, Heartfelt Creations Die-Window Frame & Daisy Patch, Corner Rounder, Michaels Cream 3/8" Lace, Sookwang Double-Sided Adhesive, Foam Squares, Pearls.

I altered a giant clothespin with their paper, stamp set, and die.

 Recipe:  Heartfelt Creations PP-Vintage Floret Collection, Bazzill CS-Mono Simon, Michaels Giant Paper Clip, Heartfelt Creations SS-Daisy Patch Flowers, CTMH Ink-Twilight, Heartfelt Creations Die-Daisy Patch, 3/8" Taupe Grosgrain Ribbon, Prima Trim Lace, Pearls, Foam Squares, Sookwang Double-Sided Adhesive, Paper Studio Gemstones.

 Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

They sent me a diecut in my package and it was so pretty that I wanted to use it somehow, so I decided to go with an all cream card.  I clear embossed the stamp set onto cream cardstock, and used the die to cut it out.

Inside:

 Recipe:  Heartfelt Creations PP-Vintage Floret Collection, CTMH CS-Colonial White, Bazzill CS-Textured Cream, Heartfelt Creations Timeless Amour Diecut (sent in pkg.), Heartfelt Creation SS-Daisy Patch Flowers, Heartfelt Creations Die-Daisy Patch, CTMH Ink-Bamboo, Spellbinders-Floral Ovals & Fancy Lattice, Versamark Watermark Ink, Clear Embossing Powder, Foams Squares, EK Success Tag Types Tile Stickers, Pearls.

Good Luck to all the semi-finalists!  We find out who made it to the finals on May 1st.
Deneen

Don't forget Google Reader is disappearing June 1st, you can follow me using Bloglovin

Inspired Stamps Mother's Day Card

Hello and welcome here!  It's hard to believe that May is just around the corner, and here in Canada we celebrate Mother's Day the second Sunday in May!  The Inspired Stamps DT are sharing cards to inspired your Mother's Day creations.

Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

I pulled out my chalks to give this card a soft, watercoloured look.  I used Inspired Stamps Spring Sketches and stamped the image with Versamark ink, then rubbed chalk over it...the ink intensifies the colour where it's stamped.

Inside:

Recipe: Inspired Stamps SS-Spring Sketches, CTMH CS-White Daisy & Gypsy, Versamark Ink, CTMH Ink-Black & Gypsy, Chalk, Spellbinders-Labels 28, Fancy Lattice & Big Scalloped Ovals, CTMH Sweet Leaf Stitched Ribbon, Pearls.

Inspired Stamps Used:
Spring Sketches

Inspired Stamps Blog  Link
Inspired Stamps  Store Link

Don't forget to check out the rest of the DT's Mother's Day creations, their links are in my sidebar.
Deneen

 Don't forget Google Reader is disappearing June 1st, you can follow me using Bloglovin

Cuttlebug Mania Fun-Fold Card

Hello and welcome here!  Has Spring sprung where you are?  It's slowly making it's way here.  This week at Cuttlebug Mania the Challenge is called Climb Every Mountain.  Now you may be thinking what could that possibly mean, well where there's mountains there are valleys...mountain and valley folds = fun-fold cards!!

Challenge - Climb Every Mountain

(Fun-Fold Cards)

 For a chance at winning an awesome prize, link your creation over at Cuttlebug Mania.

Don't forget to let us know how you used your Cuttlebug!

Card Size Closed:  4.25" x 5.5"

 I decided to make a Double Z-Fold card, lots of mountain and valley folds going on there.  The initial idea came from Mariannes Papirverden post HERE, where she has great instructions posted (I did not add the center opening panel on the base).  But I wanted to make a card that would fit in a 'regular' sized envelope.  So I had an 'aha' moment that I want to share with you so that you can make any sized card your heart desires...as long as it isn't larger than 12" in width...see below for my TIP.


A huge thank-you to our Sponsor A Passion for Stamps for the digital image the DT used called Wild Rose.

With the band off.

I kept things fairly simple because one can really embellish this card, lol.

Opening up.

One side.

 The center panel.

The back.

The back opened.

I added some Gold Stickles around the image to give it some sparkle.

Copics Used:

Flower - Y13, Y17, W1

Greenery - YG03, YG25, YG67

Sky - BG0000

Shadow - W1

Recipe:  Digital SS-A Passion For Stamps Wild Rose, CTMH SS-Say It In Style, PP-Graphic 45 Secret Garden Pretty Primrose & Graphic 45 6x6 Secret Garden Patterns & Solids, CTMH CS-White Daisy, Topiary & New England Ivy, CTMH Ink-Black, EF-Craft Concepts Budding Vine, Spellbinders-Floral Ovals, Cheery Lynn Designs Mini Fanciful Flourish, Nellie Snellen Corner, Martha Stewart Vintage Doily & Pinking Scallop Border Punch, Foam Squares, Stickles-Golden Rod.

Cuttlebug Items Used:

Craft Concepts Budding Vine Embossing Folder

Spellbinders Floral Ovals Die

Cheery Lynn Designs Mini Fanciful Flourish

Nellie Snellen Corner

TIP

So maybe you already knew this, but as I was trying to decide how I was going to figure out where to score my cardstock the lightbulb went on and I realized that my score lines would be equal to 1/2 of the base width.  Here's a visual for those that need one, this is for figuring out where your score lines will be...not how tall etc. you want it to be.

For my card I used a width of 4.25", and a height of 5.5".  In the example from Mariannes Papirverden she uses a width of 4", and a height of 6", which follows the equation (haha, and you thought you'd wouldn't use math once you were out of school).  So you can see that as long as you've figured out your score lines, you can make it as tall or short as you want it to look.

Ready to join us for the Climb Every Mountain Challenge?  You have until Apr. 15th to complete your project and add it to the Challenge link over at Cuttlebug Mania....Good Luck! If you need more inspiration be sure to check out the rest of the DT creations over at Cuttlebug Mania.

 

Enjoy,

Deneen

Craft Show Binder Clips

Hello and welcome here!  I've been so busy When I have some time to myself I stay away from the computer, so I haven't gotten around to posting these from the Craft Show I was in back in November.  They are Large Binder Clips that I've covered with paper (I attach it with Sookwang double-sided adhesive), and embellished.  I sell them for $1, and they are a great seller for me!  Here are a few different ones I made.

Enjoy,
Deneen

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Since Google Reader is going bye-bye, I guess I need to find another option, so I decided to go with Bloglovin.

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Deneen 

Mad 4 Markers Sunset

Hello and welcome here.  Today I am bringing you the first of my two April posts for the Mad 4 Markers Challenge.  This month the Challenge is Autumn, I chose to do a sunset with yellows, oranges, and reds.

April Challenge - Autumn

If you love Copics, why don't you join the Mad 4 Markers Challenge this month!

You have until the end of April to enter a project coloured with Copics.

There's a prize to be won!!

 Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

I printed my image onto CS, cut it out using a Spellbinders die, and then coloured it using my Copics.  The image called Swingin' Silhouette I found at Free Vintage Digital Stamps.  The sunset is a super fast way to colour using your Copics.

Inside:

Copics Used:  Y11, Y13, Y35, YR04, R14

Recipe:  Free Vinatage Digital Stamps-Swingin' Silhouette, CTMH SS-Childhood Portrait, Stampabilities-True Friend,  PP-BoBunny Forever Fall 6x6 Collection, CTMH CS-White Daisy & Black, CTMH Ink-Black & Tulip, Spellbinders-Marvelous Squares & Decorative Labels 8, Corner Rounder, Foam Squares, Copics.

Here is the Mad 4 Markers inspiration image for April's Autumn Challenge. 

You have until the end of April to link up your Autumn creation!

 

Remember, you have all of April to join M4M's Autumn Challenge, and if you need more inspiration, pop by the M4M blog and check out April's DT creations.

Enjoy,

Deneen

Inspired Stamps New Releases & Stamping Tips

Hello and welcome here! 
It's time for some Inspired Stamps April New Releases!!  There are some great sets being released, and I am focusing on:

Solid Alphabet Upper Case  

and 

Solid Alphabet Lower Case.  

Be sure to check out the rest of the DT creations to see which new stamp sets they're using...their links are in my sidebar!

All new stamps will be in the Inspired Stamps online store by Friday afternoon!

Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

I started off making a fun card by alternating colours, and stamping the letters in a random way.  I made my own ribbon by using Spellbinders and then cutting some tails.  For embellishment I cut out little circles and stamped the star on it, I then used a black felt tip marker to add some stitching....which now that I see the photo, I want to add some stitching around the 'Happy Birthday' part too.

Inside:

Recipe:  Inspired Stamps-Solid Alphabet Uppercase & Solid Alphabet Lowercase, CTMH PP-Lucky, CTMH CS-White Daisy, Dutch Blue & Outdoor Denim, CTMH Ink-Dutch Blue, Smoothie, Pear & Creme Brulee, Spellbinders-Standard Circles Small, Big Scalloped Circles Lg. & Big Scalloped Circles Sm., Rhinestones, Foam Squares, Black Felt Pen.

Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

For my 2nd card, I thought of young girls...and the whole texting thing, hence the 'u' and 'r' for 'you are'.  They hit that pre-teen or teen age where it's wonderful to remind them just how truly special they are!  Or this could be made into a Birthday card as well.

Inside:

Recipe:  Inspired Stamps-Solid Alphabet Uppercase & Solid Alphabet Lowercase, CTMH PP-Daydream, CTMH CS-White Daisy, Bazzill CS-Mono Velvet, CTMH Ink-Black & Cotton Candy, Memory Box-Honey Blossom Frame, Copic RV00.

I love making bookmarks, they're perfect for those 'scraps' leftover from making cards.  I also used one of the other new releases called Labelmaker Verses.  I added Gold Stickles around the edges.

Bookmark Size:  1 7/8" x 5"

Recipe: Inspired Stamps-Solid Alphabet Upper Case, Solid Alphabet Lower Case & Labelmaker Verses, PP-BoBunny Weekend Market Tapestry, CTMH Ink-Black & Chocolate, Corner Rounder, Lace Ribbon, Gold Stickles.

Bookmark Size:  1 7/8" x 4.5"

Recipe: Inspired Stamps-Solid Alphabet Upper Case, Solid Alphabet Lower Case & Labelmaker Verses, PP-BoBunny Weekend Market Tapestry, CTMH Ink-Black & Chocolate, Corner Rounder, Brown Organza Ribbon, Gold Stickles.

The back of the bookmarks:

Inspired Stamps Used:
Solid Alphabet Uppercase

Solid Alphabet Lowercase

Labelmaker Verses

Inspired Stamps Blog  Link
Inspired Stamps  Store Link

TIPS when using alphabet stamps or solid images

• Antoinette produces high quality stamps, and so getting good ink coverage, and a great, crisp stamped image is not difficult.  Some stamps out there are not as high quality and no matter what you try, you will never achieve a great stamped image.  At this point it's live and learn, but before you throw them out you can try the following ideas to see if you can get a better stamped image.

 

• The bonus of clear acrylic stamps is that you can see your ink.  If it looks like it is 'beading' on the stamp, it's going to stamp like that.  You want to make sure you clean the stamp before you use it the first time.  Quite often there is a residue left over from the manufacturing process that you can't see.  To clean the stamp I use a bit of stamp cleaner and my stamp scrubber, even a sponge is good, it has a bit of texture there to give it a good cleaning.  Give it a good scrub, a little bit harder than you would if you were just cleaning ink off.

I used Inspired Stamps Solid Alphabet Uppercase & CTMH Black Ink.
The stamp on the left is inked up before cleaning it for the first time.

 

• Another problem may be your ink.  Sometimes the ink looks fine when you're stamping outlined images etc, but when you go to use it on a solid image or alphabet it doesn't cover the stamp nicely.  You may need to reink your stamp pad.  Even I tend to forget this and get frustrated when I stamp something and it's light or spotty...all because it looks fine on the stamp! With dark colours, or black ink you can see if the stamp is well covered before stamping (see photo above to see what your coverage should look like on a stamp), it's more difficult to notice using lighter colours, until you stamp your image and then you notice it didn't cover very well.

I used Inspired Stamps Solid Alphabet Upper Case & CTMH Outdoor Denim.

The 'M' on the left is before reinking my stamp pad...you can see how it's not as 'solid'.  I had a hard time trying to find a 'dry' ink pad because I tend to keep mine well inked:)  This was the best I could do.

 

• Again, some stamps are not as high quality and just won't stamp nice and crisp.  If you 'rough' up the surface of the stamp, the ink will now cling to the stamp.  Use something made from rubber...I cut a corner from my Cuttlebug tan embossing mat before I threw it out. Or I've used the gummy square that removes adhesive.  I've heard that an eraser works as well.  The stamp will look a little cloudy because of the rubber, but that's okay, just ink it up and stamp.  It returns to 'normal' after you clean off the ink.  I tend to re-rough it up for each use.

 

I used CTMH Outdoor Denim ink.
I don't keep stamps that frustrate me on hand, but this sort of shows the idea of what a stamp will look like when it doesn't hold the ink well, and I've had some stamps that have had worse coverage than that on the left, even after I cleaned it the first time.  The stamp on the right is after I 'roughed' it up with a piece of rubber.

• One last Tip that I can think of that may help your frustration when working with alphabet stamps or solid images, use a piece of foam (just like Antoinette places in her stamps) under your work while stamping.  If you stamp on a plastic table, or on an old wood desk, there are pits and grooves that are not noticeable to the eye, but they can affect how well your stamped image turns out.

I hope these Tips have been helpful!
Happy Stamping.

Enjoy,

Deneen

Cuttlebug Mania April Showers Challenge

This is my second post for today, so if you are looking for the Top Tip Tuesday Challenge, please scroll down.

So how many of you still have snow?  We do here, and lots of it.  But we know that April Showers bring May flowers, and that's the Challenge this week over at Cuttlebug Mania.  Make something that has to do with rain.

Challenge - April Showers

 For a chance at winning an awesome prize, link your creation over at Cuttlebug Mania.

Don't forget to let us know how you used your Cuttlebug!

Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

 I found this cute Precious Moments image online...it's a free colouring page.  I thought it was perfect for the Challenge.  I layered up several different dies to frame the image.

I added some Raindrop Jewel Stickers for sparkle.  I also embossed the black CS for texture.

Recipe:  Precious Moments digital image, PP-Little Yellow Bicycle Winterings, CTMH CS-White Daisy, CS-Blue, Black & Kraft, Spellbinders-Labels 28, Decorative Labels 27, Labels 4 & Labels 4 Sm., Cuttlebug Swiss Dots EF, Foam Squares, Little Yellow Bicycle Jewel Stickers Raindrop, Copics.

 Copics Used:

Skin - E000, E00, E01

Hair - Y11, Y02, Y13, Y21

Shirt - G53, G46, G93

Pants - B93, B95

Shoes - W5, W7

Newspaper - E40

Bag - R08, E42, E43

Puddle - BG10

Drops - BG13

Clouds - W0, W1

Shadow - W1

Stones - E41, E42 E43, W3, E70, E71

 

Cuttlebug Items Used:

Spellbinders Labels 28 Die

Spellbinders Decorative Labels 27 Die

Spellbinders Labels 4 Die

Spellbinders Labels 4 Small Die

Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

Ready to join us for the April Showers Challenge?  You have until Apr. 8th to complete your project and add it to the Challenge link over at Cuttlebug Mania....Good Luck! If you need more inspiration be sure to check out the rest of the DT creations over at Cuttlebug Mania.

 

Enjoy,

Deneen

Top Tip Tuesday Girls and Boys Challenge

Hello, and welcome here!  I hope you all had a great Easter weekend.  There was no hiding eggs outside this year, we still have a ton of snow, lol.  This week the Top Tip Tuesday Challenge is called Girls and Boys Come Out To Play.  Make a project that involves boys and/or girls!

Challenge - Girls and Boys Come Out to Play

Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

 I used the digital image called Airborne by Kenny K, a perfect fit for the challenge. I coloured the image with Copics, and kept the rest of the card fairly neutral so that the colour would pop.  It's difficult to see, but I popped the front of the skateboard up to give it a real 3D feel.

Sponsor's

 For a chance at the following prizes, be sure to link your creation to the Girls and Boys Come Out toPlay Challenge  at Top Tip Tuesday, you can enter up to 3 times!! For a chance at an extra prize leave a tip on your blog and be sure to leave 'tip' after your name in Mr. Linky.
Don't forget the challenge runs for 2 weeks and closes at 1pm.

Kenny K - 5 Digi Images

Top Tipper Guest Design Spot

 Inside:

Recipe:  Kenny K digital image Airborne, PP-Amercian Crafts CHAP Richard, CS-Black, CTMH CS-White Daisy, CTMH Ink-Black, Desert Sand & Sweet Leaf, CTMH SS-X-Treme & You Rock, Spellbinders-Labels 22 & Standard Circles Small, Foam Squares, Prima Crystal Sheet, Copics.

Copics Used:

Skin - E000, E00, YR00

Hair - E17, E18

Eyes - B93

Shirt - YG03, W5

Hoodie & Pants - E43, E44

Shoes - E43, E44, W5, YG03

Helmet - W5, N7

Skateboard - R05, R08, C1, W5, N7

Sky - BG0000

For more Girls and Boys Come Out to Play inspiration, head over to Top Tip Tuesday and check out the rest of the DT's creations.

Enjoy,
Deneen