Three Js

I guess there has been a new trend lately about "coloring books" for adults.  Nice. Before I even realized this fun trend, I had gotten this postcard book - apparently part of the coloring book series by Johanna Basford, from a quick visit at Joann's.  Hey, a book by Johanna bought by Joan at Joann's.  How cool is that?!?!  

Mind you, I bought this book because the illustrations/drawings/art work are really beautiful.  I'm so glad I did!  

After some research, I learned that there has been quite a good number of adult coloring books floating around.  Amazon has tons of them.  But it seems Secret Garden, Wonderlands and Enchanted Forest  by Johanna Basford are quite popular. In fact, when I checked them at Amazon, they're all sold out.

Going back to my copy of the Secret Garden Postcard Book, I plan on using different media in coloring each page.  Of course, I'm going to have to start with Copics.  

The struggle is with the paper/cardstock.  It doesn't go well with alcohol ink as it easily bleeds across the lines.  You have to be really careful to avoid that.  Then for final touches, I spiced the owl image with Spica glitter pens.

I have to give it to the creators of the adult coloring books - it is relaxing!  I really had a good time coloring the first page.  Can't wait to start the next!

On another note, I didn't forget about National Craft Month.  I used to celebrate it with much galore... and I sure miss that crafty tradition.  For the last couple of years, I still find time to celebrate it in my own little planet.  In fact, I have a couple of projects to share before NCM ends.

Well, that's it for now.  Hope you're enjoying your weekend, crafty reader.  'Til next blog!   

Dream...

The first time I saw the Phyllis Harris Stamps from Unity, I fell in love.  They are very fresh, and perfect for coloring.  And then they just released another line of stamps by Angie Blom called ANGIEgirls.  I fell in love again.  So yesterday, Unity started a big 40% off sale in celebration of Angela Magnuson's birthday.  Definitely a perfect time to buy the Unity Stamps I've been craving for.

And that inspired me to make a card last night with one of Phyllis Harris' stamps "Just Breathe".  I really enjoyed coloring this image.

And because we didn't have school being a snow day, I'm able to post and share this with you today.  

 

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Prima, The Paper Company, leftovers

image/sentiment:  Unity

ink:  Copic, Tsukineko

tools:  Spellbinders, Fiskars

embellishments:  flowers, pearls, ribbon

misc.:  embossing poweder (Ranger)

adhesive:  Scotch, Glue Dots, mounting tape

More time for play in my planet... or maybe some cleaning up or organizing (again).

'Til next blog!

Chrismas Door

Hello crafty friends!  Last night, I was determined to make a Christmas card.  For a while there, I was getting overwhelmed and couldn't pick a stamp to use.  Then I ended up using the Christmas Door stamp by Our Daily Bread Designs.

I colored the image with Copics.  After that, I covered the ribbon on the wreath with Glossy Inkssentials, then adhered a red rhinestone on the center.  And for the final touch, I applied Flower Soft on the wreath and garland.  Since I don't have the Vintage Christmas, I achieved the colors by mixing Christmas Green, Russet Red and Lemon.  I also added a little bit of gold glitter. 

I am also entering this card in Our Daily Bread Design's NOEL Challenge, with N standing for Nestabilities, O for ODBD, E for Edge Punching and L for Layers.

 

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Recollections, Basic Grey

image:  Our Daily Bread Designs

ink:  Copic, Tsukineko

tools:  Spellbinders, Martha Stewart, We R Memory Keepers, Sizzix

embellishments:  Flower Soft, pearls (Estate Collection), rhinestones

misc.:  Glossy Inkssentials

adhesive:  Ailene's, Scotch, Glue Dots, mounting tape

You have until Sunday to join this fun challenge by ODBD.  Click here to join.

TGIF....  'til next blog!

Froggy Card Set

I like to make card sets to give as gifts.  But when I do, I like to keep it as "unbulky" as possible so that the recipients won't have difficulty or to spend more in mailing.  That's also my rule when I sell my cards in a craft show.  The ratio would be about 75 - 25, with the well decorated cards in the 25 percent.  

Last night, I made a set of 6 cards for a friend who I haven't seen for a long time.  Given the time, I wanted them to be pretty, but quick and easy.  So I looked through my RAKed images stash and I found these cute frog images that I have already colored from a previous project.  Perfect, because she's into those things, I suppose.  

The size of each card is 4 x 6, basing it on the envelopes I chose to use.  I maintained a uniformed look although the sentiments vary.  Then I used the frog image as enclosure for the cards.

 

 

 

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Georgia Pacific, Chatter Box, ColorBok

image/sentiment:  Creative Memories, Verve, Hero Arts, RAKed

tools:  Stampin' Up, Spellbinders, EK Success, Cuttlebug, Janome, Martha Stewart

ink:  Copic

embellishments:  pearls

misc.:  Liquid Pearls, Beaddazzles

adhesive:  Scotch, mounting tape

In the end, I put the cards with the envelopes in plastic packaging then sealed with Fastenator.  Yes, believe it or not, I still use that tool.

Hey guess what???  Today's a snow day... more time to play!

'Til next blog!

Snowman Window

Hello crafty friends!  I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends.  We had great time with family and lots of awesome food.  It's only during Thanksgiving when I get exhausted from eating.  Really.

Since I have a 4-day weekend, I decided to do some reorganizing in my planet.  Mainly rearranging stuff and putting labels on drawers.  I'm proud to say that I have finally let go of some items in my stash that I rarely or haven't even used.  I realized that they are nothing if I don't use them.  They are supposed to be used, and not to be kept.  If I won't use them, then I should give it to people who I know will.

When my planet got decent and my craft desk was clear, I decided to make a card.  I used materials from one of Our Daily Bread Design's make-and-take card during last weekend's show.  The Snowman image is colored with Copics, and the window set is cut with ODBD's Spellbinders Window Dies set.

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Recollections, DCWV, leftovers

image: Our Daily Bread Designs

ink:  Copic

tools:  Spellbinders, Martha Stewart

embellishments:  ribbon, trim, rhinetones

adhesive:  Scotch, Glue Dots, mounting tape

The cleaning and reorganizing continues tomorrow.

'Til next blog!  

Oozak Challenge Time

Hello crafty friends!  I took a break for a little bit after Halloween.  It has also been crazy busy at work, so TGIF!

Just want to let you know that Oozak has posted a new challenge for November.  It's all about WINTER VIBES.  Here's a sneak peak of my project for this challenge:

Guess what's in store for one lucky participant this month?  It's a DAHLE 507K Rotary Trimmer! (MSRP $110).

Head on to the Oozak Challenge Blog to join in the fun.  You can enter up to 3 times and have better chances of winning this awesome tool.

'Til next blog!

Many Birthday Wishes

Happy Hump Day, dear reader!  I skipped making cards for two days this week, but I'm in for a comeback - very determined to do all the Unity World Card Making Day challenges.  And their last one is a Color Challenge where we are to use cream, brown, olive, and pumpkin.

For this card, I use stamps from the "Label It' and "The Right Words" sets.

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Recollections, leftovers

image/sentiment:  Unity

ink:  Copic, Tsukineko, Stampin' Up

tools:  EK Success edge punches, heat gun

embellishments:  flowers, rhinestones, Dew Drops, ribbon

misc.:  embossing powder (American Crafts, Ranger)

adhesive:  Scotch, Glue Dots, Glossy Inkssentials, mounting tape

I did a lot of heat embossing on this card, which I really enjoyed.

By the way, the Oozak Die Cut Challenge for October is still up and running - lots of time to submit a card, and maybe win an entire set of Ranger Distress Markers (MSRP of $115).  Click here to join in the fun.

'Til next blog!

Hang In There

Today's card is for the Unity WCMD Coloring Challenge.  I have very few "colorable" Unity stamps, and the Marionette Doll is one of them.

My inspiration for this design came from a commercial I saw on TV last night.  I was concentrating on the colors and layout of each scene that I wasn't able to get the product/company of the commercial.  Oh well.

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Bazzil, DCWV, Recollections, leftovers

image/sentiment:  Unity

ink:  Copic, Tsukineko

tools:  EK Success edge punch, Spellbinders

embellishments:  stickers, ribbon, yarn

misc.:  Ranger embossing powder

adhesive:  Scotch, mounting tape

 

Well, I'm proud to say that I was able to make 7 cards in 7 days (not counting Sunday, ok?).  I used to do that, but I can't remember when the last time I was on a roll like that.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.... 'til next blog!

My Bookworm

TGIF everybody!  It's been a long week as far as work is concerned.  But I have my planet to the rescue as a stress reliever.  I enjoy making a card daily, in celebration of World Card Making Day.  I was supposed to go grocery shopping after work, but I got engrossed in making  my latest card.

I fell in love with "My Bookworm" Itty Bitty stamp the first time I saw it at the Unity website.  I'm glad to finally use it for Unity's WCMD Stamp A Border challenge.

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Sonburn Designs, Recollections, leftovers

image/sentiment:  Unity

ink:  Tsukineko, Copic

tools:  edge punch (Stampin' Up, EK Success), Cuttlebug embossing folder, micro hole punch, Janome Sew Mini

adhesive:  Scotch, mounting tape

Here is a closer look on how I designed the card's opening.  At this point, I want to say I really love my Canon Powershot SX150 IS.

 

 Have a great weekend, dear reader... 'til next blog!

Love Ewe

Hello crafty friends!  I was able to make some more cards last weekend for World Card Making Day.  And I intend to make more this month to extend the celebration.  How many cards have you made so far???

Today I want to share with you a card I made for Unity's 2nd WCMD Challenge: "It's All About Texture".  I've always liked texture on my cards, and this challenge is just right for me.  Browsing through my Unity stamp collection, I decided to use the Love Ewe stamp set, so I can play with my white Popcorn Pen.

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  leftovers

image/sentiment:  Unity "Love Ewe"

ink:  Stampin' Up, ColorBok, Copic, Tsukineko

tools:  Spellbinders, Stampin' Up punch, embossing folders (Stampin' Up, Sizzix), EK Success edge punch, Janome Sew Mini, Bazzil piercing template

embellishments:  pearls, Popcorn Pen by Kodomo, adhesive-backed fabric, yarn

misc.:  Ranger embossing powder

adhesive:  Scotch, mounting tape, Glue Dots

I embossed the sheep image first, then colored the face and feet with Copic markers.  After that, I colored the rest of the body with white Popcorn Pen, then blasted with a heat gun.  I just love that texture!

The Unity Blog has a lot of challenges in celebration of World Card Making Day.  I hope to be able to do all of them, and keep the creative juices flowing.

And speaking of challenges, this month's Oozak Challenge "Die Cuts" is still going on.  Guess what's in store?  One whole set of Ranger Distress Markers!  Head on to the Oozak Blog to submit your card.

'Til next blog!

Cheers!

Over the weekend, I made a quick birthday CAS card for DBIL.  The image I used here is from Unity - definitely one of my favorites to use on a masculine card.

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Bazzil, ColorBok, leftovers

image/sentiment:  Unity, Fiskars

ink:  Copic, Tsukineko, Kodomo

tools:  Martha Stewart scoring tool, Martha Stewart edge punch

misc.:  Recollections embossing powder

adhesive:  Scotch, mounting tape

To achieve the beer suds, I used Popcorn Pen in white by Kodomo.  I bought them years ago back in Japan, and they still work really well.  This pen is very easy to use.  After application, blast the area with a heat gun, and it puffs out like magic.  No waiting or drying time of any sort.  The more heat, the more puff.

 'Til next blog!

You Make Me Smile

Hello crafty friends!  Before I show my project for today, I want to share with you my couch potato moment a couple of nights ago.  I guess most of you knew that HSN had their 24-hour Craft Celebration and were glued to the TV or the internet.  The only chance I had was that night.  I can say that I was laying on the couch watching HSN from about 8 pm til midnight.  I would take breaks to get some snacks, and even snooze a little bit.  It's been a long while since I did that.  And man, I tell you, that sure was fun!  There were a couple of things that I wanted overall.  I procrastinated on a stamp set until it sold out, but I was able to buy a tool.  I definitely will blog about it when it arrives, and find out if it works the way it should.

As soon as I got home from work yesterday, I went straight to my planet, picked an image from my stash of RAK stamped images and started coloring.  I had this urge to make a card - I guess creative juices were a-flowing.  I based my color mix from the washi paper I used.  It's a combo I would have never thought of putting together on my own.

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  washi paper, leftovers

image/sentiment:  RAKed/unknown

ink:  Copic, Stampin' Up

tools:  Spellbinders, Martha Stewart

adhesive:  Scotch, mounting tape

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  I definitely will.

'Til next blog!

Be Yourself

Guess what?  My planet's solid than ever... almost.  I'm very happy with my revamped paper station, ribbon storage and my craft desk had some changes as well.  I just need to get rid of some more clutter, and it's all good to go.

Speaking of clutter, while going through them I saw this paper bag from a recent craft show purchase.  I really liked the colors and design so I decided to keep it for a later project.  Along with a found paper tape measure, I was able to make this card:

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Bazzil, Paper Reflections, Me & My Big Ideas, recycled paper bag, leftovers

image:  Tim Holtz

ink:  Copic, Ranger

tools:  Spellbinders, Janome Sew Mini

embellishments:  flower (Prima), trim, paper tape measure, twine

misc.:  UTEE, Glossy Inkssentials

adhesive:  Scotch, Glue Dots, mounting tape

With a part of the paper bag for my background, I painted the left side with Tim Holtz Distress Stain in Chipped Sapphire.  It's my first time to use Distress Stains, and I really liked it.  I sewed my new background on coordinating cardstock with zigzag and running stitches.

It was a challenge for me to use this image by Tim Holtz, but I held my breath and started to color with Copics.  I guess it worked with my background very well, and I love the outcome.  See the center of my flower?  That's melted UTEE poured on a small ceramic mold.  I made a bunch of them, and I finally get to use one on a card.  I also colored the center of the flower with Distress Stain to go with the color scheme.  It doesn't show so well, but I covered the sentiment with Glossy Inkssentials for more pop.

I really enjoyed making this card - not my typical style, but I really like it.

Don't forget to check out Oozak's challenge this month - all about SPARKLE!  Click here to join and get the chance to win some fab goodies. 

'Til next blog!

Sew Sew

Hello dear reader!  I was in hiatus yet again. But I won't give any more excuses.  I'll just show you what I was able to make last night.

During my last project, my Copic reinker bled somehow and I had to clean with some baby wipes.  I was about to throw the wipe away, and then - ting!  I could work with it for my next project. 

So last night, I sprayed it with Smooch Spritz and Glimmer Mist then dotted with Smooch.  After cutting it to size then to thinner irregular strips, I sewed them to a base cardstock. 

After that, I stamped and colored images from the Unity Sew Cute set.  Then I started assembling my pieces together.

The frame is actually a negative cut of Spellbinders Large Labels.  I found it in my leftover bin.  Can you tell I can't just throw stuff away? 

Here you can see the details of the baby wipe background.

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Wassau, Recollections, leftovers

image/sentiment:  Unity

ink:  Copic, Tsukineko, Clearsnap, Tattered Angels

tools:  Janome Sew Mini, Spellbinders

embellishments:  button brads

adhesive:  Scotch, Glue Dots, mounting tape

It's going to be another busy weekend, but there will be more posts to come.

'Til next blog!

Vintaj Part Deux

So yesterday, I played with Vintaj jewelry making products, primarily focusing on the Deco Emboss Butterfly Swirl tool and a Vintaj brass tag.  For this project, I tried to use a piece of metal from a different brand, which I bought from Joann's.

I also tried the etching this time, using the Deco Etch Fluttering Wings die.

After running through my Big Shot machine, I first colored the surface with a Copic BG78.  Then I added drops of color from Copic refills R59 and Y17.  When I was happy with the colors, I covered the tag with UTEE, adding bits of Prills (Express-o Yourself and I'm A-maized) for more dimension. 

Now can you see the dragon fly image?

I really enjoyed playing with Vintaj products.  I'm so glad I found them at Hobby Lobby.  Definitely worth trying, and fun to play with.

'Til next blog!

Vintaj Part Un

Hello crafty friends!  It sure has been a busy summer so far with lots of family visiting.  We have a few days break until the next batch arrives, so I took advantage of the time and played in my planet today.

During a visit at Hobby Lobby a few months ago, I noticed a line of jewelry making tools and supplies called Vintaj.  I've never seen them before.  They are mainly brass and copper products, but what caught my eye were the tools they carry to emboss and etch on metal.  They are etching dies and embossing folders almost identical with the "Sizzlits".  And when I checked the packaging, they were made by Ellison.  If you own Sizzix products, then this won't be a surprise. 

In the photo above, you will see the Deco Etch die on the left and the Deco Emboss folder on the right.  They are the exact same size as the Sizzlit dies, only they're meant to be used on soft metal.  In the middle is a bunch of natural brass tags that can be made into pieces of jewelry.

Since I was going to use these very interesting new products for the first time, I opted for a small tag (7/8" x 1/2") to play with.  For this project, I embossed the brass tag with the the Deco Emboss with the help of my Big Shot machine (tab 1 of the multi-purpose platform and 2 standard cutting pads).  I really loved the embossing on the metal.  The makers of Vintaj was really genius in coming up with such a really cool product. 

After embossing, I colored the negative areas with Copic YR14.  Then I applied UTEE in certain parts of the raised design.  I also embossed the edges with Distress embossing powder in Black Soot. 

After the embossing was dry, I covered the back with black felt. 

I'm really happy with the result.  I love how I was able to emboss this piece of brass so easily.

Stop by tomorrow for another Vintaj project with Copic reinkers.  'Til then!

Quick Birthday Set

Last night, I was in the mood for some quick crafting.  I looked through my supplies that I can easily put together to make cards.  I found four A2 card bases that have already been background-stamped.  I think I got those from a swap long time ago.  And then I found a bunch of birthday stamped images, which were also from an image swap.  After die-cutting the images, I decided to color the ribbon, and finish with Inkssentials Glossy Accents. 

I ended up with a card set of four, two vertical and two horizontal layouts.

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  RAKed, leftovers

image/sentiment:  RAKed/unknown

ink:  Copic

tools:  Spellbinders, EK Success edge punch

adhesive:  Scotch, mounting tape

'Til next blog!