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Saturday, August 30, 2014

HIMCR #163 - "Freestyle"

Hi, all my crafty friends and family!

Here it is Saturday and you know what that means?

That's right.  It is time for a new challenge over at Hiding In My Craft Room.  The theme this week is "Freestyle" . . . or "Anything Goes".   . . .

The sponsor is Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps!
The giveaway is 3 Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps digital 
images - winner's choice!!!

For this week's challenge, I chose the digi image called "Autumn Collage" by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  Since I didn't want to overpower the image, I decided to do it as a CAS (clean and simple) card.  And I used some of my papers from PaperTemptress to give it a bit more texture - White RucheAmber Mica/Metallic, Cordovan Leather and Iridescent Cryogen papers.  Here's how it turned out:

Supplies:
 White Ruche paper from PaperTemptress
Inktense pencils by Derwent (like watercolor pencils but more vibrant)

I made my card an A2 card by using a 4.25"x5.5" card base and printing my image on the  Iridescent Cryogen paper from PaperTemptress so it would give a little shimmer to the image even after coloring it. I  then layered it with the White RucheAmber Mica/Metallic, and Cordovan Leather papers from PaperTemptress.  Here's some close-up photos to show more of the wonderful textures:

This shows the textures and shimmers of all the papers:

 Here is a photo showing the White Ruche and Cordovan Leather papers along with the shimmer from the Iridescent Cryogen paper:

Here's a close-up also showing the shimmer of the Amber Mica/Metallic paper:

and another showing ore of the shimmer from the Iridescent Cryogen paper:

Thanks for stopping by today . . . remember you have one week to get your projects in over at Hiding In My Craft Room in order to be eligible for the weekly prize.  I can't wait to see what "freestyle" creations everyone comes up with.

Till the next time I'm up in the night.



Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Watercolor Splats

Hi, all my crafty friends and family!!!

How is everyone doing this fine Wednesday morning?

I hope everyone has been staying dry and cool this past week.  It has been raining off and on here for the past week with temps in the high 80s.  Thus, making it so very humid.  But what better excuse to stay inside and get craftin'?  :)

Today I want to show you couple cards I did using an  ombre technique I learned a couple years ago while on the Design Team for CropChocolate and combining it with the watercolor splats I learned from "Make It Monday #161" by PaperTrey Ink & Nicole Heady a couple months ago.  I first practiced with some leftover ombre scraps from another project from CropChocolate . . . then I played around with different types of paper to see what would work best.  I found that PaperTemptressHeavenly White 120# worked the BEST.  Not only did it not warp when I splatted water on it, but my ink went on much smoother and blended so much easier without streaking. Here's how they turned out:

.  8-27-14 newWatercolor2-ombre both cards
Supplies for BOTH cards:
True black ink
Rainstones from PaperTrey Ink
Wet Paint Die from PaperTrey Ink
Wet Paint Stamp Set from PaperTrey Ink

Card #1
Inks - Poppy Red, Berry Sorbet, Summer Sunrise and Orange Zest
 Card #2
Inks - Hawaiian Shores, Tropical Teal, Simply Chartreuse, and Limeade (blue to green card)

Using an ink daubber, I applied my ink using long swipes, swiping from top to bottom without stopping . . . making it darker in the middle and lighter on each side so when I applied my next color the "lighter" areas of each color would blend and making another color . . . thus, helping with the "ombre" effect. After I achieved the look I wanted, I took a  paint brush and splatted water . . . you can make your drops as big or as small as you want.  I did a little of both.

Once dried, I attached to white card base . . . my red to orange card is 4.25"x5.5'" and my blue to green is 3.75"x5".  I then trimmed my ombre paper to the size I wanted . . . I started out with 4.25"x5.5" pieces when I was inking.  I ended up with 1/4" wide strips after triming down to the size I wanted,  which I flipped and attached to front of card . . . see how the bottom goes red to orange and strip is orange to red OR blue to green and strip is green to blue.  Make sense?  I hope so. :)  Applied my "Thanks" die which was cut from the Heavenly White 120# paper, stamped "For Everything" and a few Rainstones . . . then, VOILA! I was done!

Hope I inspired you to try something new or to add something new to something you already know how to do like I did with the "ombre" and watersplats.

Till the next time I'm up in the night.




Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Clear It Out Challenge - Fav. Color Combo

Does anyone know what time it is?

That's right!

It's CHALLENGE Time!

And over at Clear It Out Challenge, it's time for a new challenge.  And, as usual, our fearless leader, Laura, has come up with another GREAT challenge for us.  So get out your paper, scissors, and glue . . .

Are ;you ready?

I didn't hear you . . .

Are you ready?

IT'S CHALLENGE TIME!!!

Theme:  Color Challenge - Your Favorite Color Combo
Stash:  Anything Goes

You have one week (till September 1st) to get your projects in.

This week's sponsor is:


For this week's challenge, I ending up doing three (3) cards using three (3) different digi images from MelJen Designs because I have many different favorite color combos.  My all-time favorite color combo is denim blue and white because it is also my all-time favorite out - jean shorts and a white t-shirt/sweatshirt.  But when it comes to crafting, I have many different favorite color combinations (as I already said - oops!) and which one I use depends on what I am working on . . . and for my stash item, I LOVE to use my scraps. So I challenged myself this week to use scraps only.

For my first card, I used the monster truck digi image from  MelJen Designs . . . so my color combo I used was denim blue and white with a little yellow and green.  I used scraps from my "Baby Mine" 6x6 paper pad by Carta Bella.  Here's how it turned out:


For my 2nd card, I used the Popcorn digi image from  MelJen Designs . . . the color combo I used was denim blue with red and yellow.  I used scraps from "Summer Fresh" paper by Simple Stories.  Here's how it turned out:


And for my 3rd and final card, I used the Christmas Elf from  MelJen Designs . . . but I went with non-traditional colors and used the color combo I used was turquoise, bright pink and lime green.  I used scraps from my "12 Days O Christmas" 6x6 paper pad by MME. Here's how it turned out:


Thanks so much for stopping by today . . . I hope that I was not only able to inspire you to play along with us over at Clear It Out Challenge for this week's challenge but also inspired you to use some of your scraps, too. :)  But whatever your chose to use as your stash item, I can't wait to see what color combos are everyone's favorite or favorites.

Till the next time I'm up in the night.







Saturday, August 23, 2014

HIMCR - #162 "Any Holiday"

Hi, all my crafty friends and family!

Here it is Saturday and you know what that means?

That's right.  It is time for a new challenge over at Hiding In My Craft Room.  The theme this week is "Any Holiday" . . . and the sponsor is:


The prize is $7 gift certificate from Pickled Potourri.

This week I used an image called "Trick or Treators" by Pickled Potpourri. I combined it with some new dies I got from Papertrey Ink - "Wishing Stars" and "Banners".  Here's how it turned out:


Remember you have one week to get your projects in . . . I can't wait to see what "holiday" project you do.

Till the next time I'm up in the night.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Clear It Out Challenge - Anything Goes

Do anyone know what time it is?

It's CHALLENGE time!!!

Once again, time for a new challenge over at Clear It Out Challenge
It is time to put away the broom (who cares about a little dirt?),
put away the dusters (the dust bunnies can wait till tomorrow - lol),
and time to get your crafty on.  And, as usual, our fearless 
leader, Laura, has come up with another AMAZING challenge 
for us.   So easy, peasy, lemon squeesy . . .

 Are you ready???

I didn't hear you . . . 

Are you ready???

Okay, it's challenge time!!!

Theme:  Anything Goes
Stash: Your Choice

And you have one (1) week to play (till August 25th)

This week our sponsors this week are:


and

For this week's challenge, I choose a cute popcycle image called "Icy Pop is so Chill" from ZapPow . . . and since I liked it so much I ended up getting the whole bundle called "BFF Digi Pak".  And since I got the whole bundle, I did a couple of cards to share with you today.  

The 1st one if using the popcycle digi image and the sentiment "Best Frozen Friends".

The 2nd one used all three (3) digi images included in the bundle and t
he sentiment "We are so cool, we make the ice cubes jealous".

One thing I absolutely LOVED about the images from ZapPow was how easy they were to color and fuzzy-cut . . . it was because the lines were thicker so it made it easier not going out of the lines or having my Copics spread over the line and I was able to fussy-cut close enough to the lines and not have any white show.  When I commented on this to some others, they responded they had noticed the same thing. 

I do have two (2) more cards made with these images, but didn't have time to take pictures of them.  If I get a chance today, I will add them later.  One is wit fudge-cycles and the other with just the snowcone.  Also, if you want to see more cards made with these images, checkout the ones on ZapPow's site . . . they are amazing!!!

Till the next time I'm up in the night.
Kathy

Challenge(s) I would like to enter:
will add later :)

Saturday, August 16, 2014

HIMCR #161 "Use Ribbon)

Hi, all my crafty friends and family!!!

Do you know what today is?!?

That's right . . . not only is it Saturday again, but it's time for a new challenge over at Hiding In My Craft Room.  This week's challenge is to "use ribbon". 

Our sponsor is My Besties!!!

The giveaway is 4 pre-selected digital images! YAY!!!

 So let's forget about the rainy weather (it's been raining for past couple days 
here and expected to rain thru the weekend) and get out your paper, 
scissors and glue . . . oh, and don't forget RIBBON. :)

For this week's challenge, I used an image I already had from My Besties called "Hope Girl".  This time I colored her just a bit different and used purple (mica/metallic), turquoise (PopTunes) and ivory (Iridescent Cryogen and White Leather) papers from PaperTemptress along with some mists from Mr. Huey, some flair from UmWowStudio and miscellaneous ribbons & gems.  Here's how it turned out:


As you can see (I hope it shows up in the picture), I used the Mr. Huey sprays and splattered them on the White Leather paper from PaperTemptress to help pull all the colors together and to add a little more color that would not distract from my image.  I think it was just enough to add a little more color, but not distract from my image. 

Remember you have one week to get your projects in over at Hiding In My Craft Room in order to be eligible for the weekly prize.   Hope to see all of you join us this week!!!

Till the next time I'm up in the night.

Challenge(s) I would like to enter:
will add at a later date :)

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Clear It Out Challenge - Emboss It!

Does anyone know what time it it?

That's right . . .

It's CHALLENGE time!!!

Time to put away the duster (the dust bunnies can wait till tomorrow), put away the vacuum (again, it can wait till tomorrow - lol) and get a snack or drink (mmm, some chocolate & chocolate wine does sound good will craftin . . . and it's got to be 5 o'clock somewhere, right? lol) because it's time for a new challenge over at Clear It Out Challenge,  And once again, our amazingly fearless leader, Laura, has come up with a FUN challenge for us this week.  So get out your paper, scissors, and glue . . .

Are you ready?

I didn't hear  you . . .

Are  you ready?

Okay, IT'S CHALLENGE TIME!!!

Theme:  Embossi It!
Stash:  Embossing powder or folder

And you have 1 week to play (till August 18th)

This week our sponsor is:

For this week's challenge, I decided to go a different route with my digi image (again) and chose a digi image called "Pretty Wings 3" by StampArt by Kathryne and also used my digi image from last month - "Bible Verse - Believe" by StampArt by Kathryne, so I could do several types of embossing - dry (with embossing folder) and digital embossing. Digital embossing is similar to regular heat embossing except instead of stamping an image with embossing ink, you print an image or sentiment on paper that dries slowly when ran thru an ink jet printer so you can put embossing power over it and then heat it with a heat gun.  This works AMAZING for sentiments.  I did it with the butterfly, too, because the ink was slow to dry on the heavy weight vellum from PaperTemptress.  (I also did the same with the "Bible Verse - Believe" sentiment which I printed on Iridescent Cryogen Text paper.)  Here's how my card turned out:

Supplies:
Iridescent Crogen paperr (both regular and text weights) by PaperTemptress
twine from The Twinery
chalks
black embossing powder from Zing!
misc. gems
swirls embossing folder

I used a swirl embossing folder on Iridescent Crogen paper (regular weight not text weight) from PaperTemptress.  I then used my chalks on it to give it more color and even more shimmer . . . the Iridescent Cryogen paper already has a shimmer to it that is so beautiful and it is now my go-to paper to use when using my Copics because it blends so well.. I made my card base from both Iridescent Crogen paper (regular weight) and Turquoise cardstock from the PopTunes paper pak and I cut the bottom base 4"x6-1/2".  Added some twine and gems and . . .  VOILA!  It was done.

I really wish I could get a better picture of these papers on this card . . . they truly are more beautiful in person.

Remember, you have one (1) week till August 18th to get you projects in.  I can't wait to see what type of embossing you do this time.

Till the next time I'm up in the night.
Edited at 9:53am 8/12/14 - Sorry my post didn't go "LIVE" at the correct time . . . I had it scheduled for 5pm not am. Guess that's what I get when my eyes are tired and I'm not seeing the computer very clearly. :)  Have a GREAT day!!!

Challenge(s) I want to enter:
(will add later)





Saturday, August 9, 2014

HIMCR Blogiversary #5 "Anniversary)

Hi, all my crafty friends and family!!!

Do you know what today is?

That's right . . . not only is it the 2nd Saturday of the month, but it's time for a new challenge HIMCR's Hiding In My Craft Room's Blogiversary #5 challenge.  HIMCR is 5-years old!!!  And to celebrate it, we are having five (5) challenges this week.


So HIMCR's Blogiversay #5 challenge this week is "Anniversary" or "Birthday".

The sponsor is Scrapper's Delights.

The giveaway is 3 images, winner's choice from Scrapper's Delights! 

For this challenge, I chose a digi image called "Tears of a Clown" by Scrapper's Delights because I knew it would be perfect for some of my birthday cards . . . I am notorious for being late with birthday cards. lol  Here's how it turned out:


I used scraps from my other cards to make this one along with using the Scribbles dies and adding my own sentiment by importing image into a work document.

Thanks so much for celebrating with us this week for our 5th Blogiversary . . . we could not do it with you, our followers.  So THANKS again!!!

Till the next time I'm up in the night.
Edited/added to 8/10/14
Challenge(s) I want to enter:
Crafts 4 Eternity - #188 Anything Goes
The Crafter's Cafe - Layers
Just Inspirational - Friends

HMCR Blogiversary #4 - "Freestyle"

Hi, all my crafty friends and family!!!

Do you know what today is?

That's right . . . not only is it the 2nd Saturday of the month, but it's time for a new challenge HIMCR's Hiding In My Craft Room's Blogiversary #4 challenge.  HIMCR is 5-years old!!!  And to celebrate it, we are having five (5) challenges this week.


So HIMCR's Blogiversay #4 challenge this week is "Freestyle" . . . meaning anything you want. "  Just have FUN with it!!!

The sponsor is Sweet Stamps:


For this challenge, I decided to use some of my UmWowStudio chippies along with my PanPastels and "Hello" mini stamp set from Papertrey Ink.  Here's how it turned out:


Supplies:
Ray background chippie (used as mask) from UmWowStudio
Heavely White paper from PaperTemptress
Yellow mica/metallic paper from PaperTemptress
Hansa Yellow PanPastel
"Hello" mini stamp set by Papertrey Ink
"Orange Zest", "Summer Sunrise", and "True Black" dye ink from Papertrey Ink
misc. orange gems

I used the Sunburst chippie as a mask and colored with my PanPastel to get the sun's rays.  I then added my "Hello" by inking it with both "Orange Zest" and "Summer Sunrise" inks to give it a bit more definition. Added my flair, clouds and gems . . . Voila! I was done.  I was VERY excited as to how this card turned out.  It brought a "sunny" spot into a dreary, rainy past few days. :)

Remember you have one (1) week to get your projects turned in so you can be eligible for the weekly prize(s).

Till the next time I'm up in the night.
Edited 8/10/14
Challenge(s) I would like to enter:
Crafts 4 Eternity - #188 Anything Goes
Just Inspirational - friends


HIMCR Blogiversary #3 "Back To School"

Hi, all my crafty friends and family!!!

Do you know what today is?

That's right . . . not only is it the 2nd Saturday of the month, but it's time for a new challenge HIMCR's Hiding In My Craft Room's Blogiversary #3 challenge.  HIMCR is 5-years old!!!  And to celebrate it, we are having five (5) challenges this week.


So HIMCR's Blogiversay #3 challenge this week is "Back to School".  I can hardly believe it's about that time already. :)

The sponsor is Digi Digi Doodle

For this challenge, I did two cards using the same images - "Smiling Apple" and "Welcome Back to School" sentiment by Digi Digi Doodle;  Here's how they turned out:

Card #1

Card #2

For 2nd card, I tried a different technique I learned on YouTube on making your copic coloring look like crayon coloring.  I did this by first coloring the apples with 3 different shades of reds, being careful NOT to blend.  Then I took blending solution and appied to a Q-tip . . . then brushed the Q-tip across the apples, one at a time.  I did this till I got the look I wanted to achieve.  Those it was a long process, I love the results. 

Remember, you have one (1) week to get your HIMCR Blogiversary #3 projects in in order to be eligible for the weekly prize.  And HIMCR Blogiversary #4 challenge will be up in one hour (2pm CST) . . . please make sure to stop on back!!!

Till the next time I'm up in the night.



HIMCR Blogiversary #2 - K.X.S.S.

Hi, all my crafty friends and family!!!

Do you know what today is?

That's right . . . not only is it the 2nd Saturday of the month, but it's time for a new challenge HIMCR's Hiding In My Craft Room's Blogiversary #2 challenge.  HIMCR is 5-years old!!!  And to celebrate it, we are having five (5) challenges this week.


So HIMCR's Blogiversay #2 challenge this week is "K.I.S.S" Keep It Simple Sweetie . . . basically what it says, keep it clean and simple.  and have FUN!!!

The sponsor is PaperTemptress!
The giveaway is a $20 Gift Certificate to PaperTemptress.

For HIMCR Blogiversay #2, I did birthday card in patriotic colors . . . using some of my favorite papers from PaperTemptress along with a new stamp set and banner dies I just received from Papertrey Ink.  The papers I used were Vintage Silver Luster, Navy mica/metallic and Jupiter Red mica/metallic text papers.  Here's how it turned out:


I just love the look of patriotic colors of these wonderful papers . . . they are so shimmery and have wonderful textrue, which is why they are my all-time, go-to favorite papers. :)

Remember, you have one (1) week to get your project in to HIMCR to be eligible to the PaperTemptress prize.  HIMCR Blogiversay #3 will be up at 1pm CST, so please stop back to see what inspiration we have for you.

Till the next time I'm up in the night.

Edited 8/10/14
Challenges I would like to enter:
STAMPlorations - stamps & die cuts
Crafts 4 Eternity - #188 Anything Goes
The Crafter's Cafe - layers

HIMCR Blogiversay #1 "Super Scraps Sat,"

Hi, all my crafty friends and family!!!

Do you know what today is?

That's right . . . not only is it the 2nd Saturday of the month, but it's time for a new challenge over at Hiding In My Craft Room.  But wait . . . it is also HIMCR's 5th anniversay. That's right!!! . . HIMCR is 5-years old!!!And to celebrate it, we are having five (5) challenges this week.


A month wouldn't be complete without a Super Scraps Satruday challenge!!!  So HIMCR's Blogiversay 1st challenge this week is "Super Scraps Saturday" . . . meaning, get out your scraps and we all know we have them. :)

The sponsor is Sami Stamps!

The giveaway is a $12 Gift Certificate to Sami Stamps

For this challenge, I chose an image called "Birthday Giraffe" from Sami Stamps . . . I had had my eye on it for quite awhile and I thought it would be a perfect image for a birthday or blogiversary in this cars.  I used several paper scraps I had left from other projects (from PaperTemptress) for this card.  Here's how it turned out:


I also used Bright Huey Mists from Studio Calico to make splatters on my card base background ane Scribbles dies from Paperrey Ink . . . I just got these new dies and I just LOVE them.  They are so fun and whimsical.  They even have matching stamp set, which I also have. :)

Remember you have one week to get your projects in . . . and thanks so much to taking the time to celebrate with us.  There will be a total of frou (4) challenge this week for you to participate in.

Till the next time I'm up in the night.
Edited 8/13/14 - added Challenges I would like to enter.

Challenge(s) I would like to enter:
Sami Stamps - Anything Goes

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Clear It Out Challenge - Sketch & Die Cuts

Does anyone know what time it is?

That's right . . .
It's CHALLENGE time!!!

Time to turn down the TV (don't need to be watching those daytime dramas, real life has enough of them . . . don't you think?!?), crank up the radio (I know I need some upbeat rhythms when I craftin'...even when I'm cleaning. Oops, sorry for the "dirty" word. - lol) and get out your paper, scissors, and glue because it's time for a new challenge at Clear It Out Challenge. And Laura, our fearless leader, has come up with another fabulously FUN sketch challenge for us this week.  So easy, peasy . . .

Are you ready???   

I didn't hear you . . .

Are you ready???

It's CHALLENGE time!!!

Theme: Use Sketch (provided)
Stash:  die cut

The sketch:

You have one week (August 11th) to get your projects posted.

Our sponsor this week is:

This week I used a digi stamp called "Friends" from Bugaboo Stamps. I picked this image out because I thought it would work well with the sketch we were provided . . . and I was right. :) Here's how my card turned out:

Supplies:
"The Sweetest Thing" 6x6 paper pad by MME
"On the Sunny Side" 6x6 paper pad by MME
Copics
misc. gems
A2 dies from Spellbinders

NOTE: Remember for the papers from PaperTemptress
click directly on its name and the link will take you directly to 
that paper. Otherwise, click on PaperTemptress to go the 
the "Home" page of PaperTemptress.

For this card, I turned the sketch on it's side and used A2 dies to help cut the card base and middle, along with the rectangles under the image "Friends".  All-in-all I am pretty happy with the way it turned out . . . even if I did use scraps from other cards I did at the same time.  I just LOVE the bright HAPPY look of the card . . . and when sending a card to a friend, it's a "happy" occasion, right?  At least, usually it is. :)

Remember, you have one week (till August 11th) to get  your sketch projects in . . .I can't wait to see how YOU interpret the sketch. 

Till the next time I'm up in the night.