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

Bloglovin Information

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

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

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 

Happy Easter

Happy Easter everyone, from our house to yours:)!

 

Enjoy,

Deneen

Secret Ambition an oldie, but goodie by a young Michael W. Smith.
"Nobody knew His secret ambition was to give His life away."

Heartfelt Creations and ME:)

Heartfelt Creations has a 'Vote For Your Favorite Designers' contest on right now (your name will be entered to win $50 HC Gift Certificate once you've entered your choices). 

I'm still so tickled pink about being in the semi-finals, and I just happen to be one of the names you can choose! CLICK HERE for all the details.

Voting Ends April 13th!

 

Inspired Stamps Thinking of You Card Set

Hello and welcome here!  It time for card sets again at Inspired Stamps, don't you just love being inspired to make cards?  This time the DT are sharing Thinking of You cards...you can check out all the sets on the Inspired Stamps Blog.

Card Sizes:  4.25" x 5.5"

I used Thinking of You from the Inspired Stamp set Tags.  The awesome thing about clear stamps is that you can curve them on your block...you can see I curved the sentiment to go along the edge of the flower!  I love using bright Spring like colours for these cards.  I dyed the flowers using Copic inks...you can find my tutorial on how I did that below.

Recipe:  Inspired Stamps-Tags, PP-My Mind's Eye Memorable "I'm With..."Together & Basic Grey Marjolaine Tiramisu, Bazzill CS-Prismatics herbal Garden Dark & Mono burgundy, CTMH CS-White Daisy, CTMH Ink-Black,  Spellbinders-Labels 23 & Marvelous Squares, Cheery Lynn Designs Mini Fanciful Flourish, Pearls, Craftwork Cards Candi-Cotton Candy, Foam Squares, Copic R85 & 0, Colour Me Crazy Flowers.

 Recipe:  Inspired Stamps-Tags, PP-My Mind's Eye Memorable "I'm With..."Together & Basic Grey Marjolaine Tiramisu, Bazzill CS-Prismatics herbal Garden Dark & Mono burgundy, CTMH CS-White Daisy, CTMH Ink-Black,Spellbinders-Floral Ovals & Marvelous Squares, Cherry Lynn Fanciful Flourish, Martha Stewart Pinking Scallop Border Punch, Pearls, Craftwork Cards Candi-Cotton Candy, Foam Squares, Copic R85 & 0, White Organza Ribbon, Colour Me Crazy Flower.

 Recipe:  Inspired Stamps-Tags, PP-My Mind's Eye Memorable "I'm With..."Together & Basic Grey Marjolaine Tiramisu, Bazzill CS-Prismatics herbal Garden Dark & Mono burgundy, CTMH CS-White Daisy, CTMH Ink-Black, Cheery Lynn Designs Victorian Romance Flourish, Martha Sewart Vintage Doily Border Punch, Colour Me Crazy Flower, Pearls, Craftwork Cards Candi-Cotton Candy, White Organza Ribbon, Copic R85 & 0.

Inside:

I used Inspired Stamps Stampers Favorite Collection #2 and black ink for the verse inside the card, as well as Flowers with CTMH Baby Pink ink.


Inspired Stamps Used:
Tags
Stampers Favorite Collection #2
Flowers

Inspired Stamps Blog  Link
Inspired Stamps  Store Link

Dying Flowers with Copic Ink Tutorial

On a scrap piece of paper, colour your flower with Copic ink.

Add several drops of Colorless Blender from a refill bottle to the center of the flower.  

(The bigger the flower, the more drops you will need.)

Allow to dry, add to project.

 

 You can see how the Colorless Blender 'pushes' the colour to the edges of the petal.  And because it's alcohol ink, the flower dries quite quickly.

 

For the flowers I coloured in the cards above, I only coloured in the middle of the flower, and not down the petal sides, then when I added Copic 0, it pushed the colour to the petal edges.

Enjoy,

Deneen

Cuttlebug Mania Easter Challenge

Hello and welcome here!  With Easter being this weekend, Cuttlebug Mania is challenging you to create an Easter project.  What do you think of when you hear the word Easter?  Chocolate, eggs, bunnies, a cross?

Challenge - Easter

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:  3" x 5"

I chose to go with a cute little card this week.  I used only a portion of my embossing folder, and it was really quick to make!  I finished it off with some pearls and a flower.  Super easy!

Inside:

Recipe:  CS-White Daisy & New England Ivy, CS-Purple, CTMH Ink-Black & Baby Pink, CTMH SS-Say It In Style & Eastertime, Cheery Lynn Designs-Mini Fanciful Flourish, Sizzix Thank-You #5 Set EF, Wild Orchid 3/4" Pink Tone Set B Rose, Celebrate It Basic Narrows 3/8" Green Organdy Ribbon, Pearls.

Cuttlebug Items Used:

Sizzix Thank-you Set #5 Embossing Folder

Cheery Lynn Designs Mini Fanciful Flourish

Ready to join us for the Easter Challenge?  You have until Apr. 1st 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