How do you like our little release party so far? Do you have your shopping list already made up? If so, I wanna hear which sets you're getting!
Today's preview at The Craft's Meow July Release is a large sheet that will give anyone an excuse to create cards. The sentiments on this set are sweet and dear that you can send to a mom, a friend, a sister, a co-worker, a teacher, a kid...you get my point ;) It's a Michelle Bertuzzi stamp set called Baggin' Some Rays and its release can't be timed any better - perfect to celebrate our summer season.
In fact, when I saw this stamp set, I already knew what I wanted to do. I just had to go sit down and make this card...read on to hear how this sweet, simple card turned out to be the card full of nightmares!
Stamps: (Nina B Designs - Baggin' Some Rays) The Craft's Meow
Paper: Paper Basics Card Stock - White) Papertrey Ink
Ink: (Perfect Match Pigment Ink - Raspberry Fizz, Orange Zest, Hawaiian Shores) Papertrey Ink; (Memento - Tuxedo Black) Tsukineko
Embellishments: (#742 - Light Tangerine Thread; #3806 - Light Cyclamen Pink; #926 - Medium Gray Green) DMC; (Nestabilities - Small Classic Circles) Spellbinders
WARNING: This is a CAC card. Clean And Complicated card, not very CAS. I really enjoyed making it until I realized how much work this was. Here are the steps:
- Stamped the center of the sun onto a scrap paper; cut it out
- Stamped center of the sun onto the white card stock with Versamark after measuring out the spacing
- Lined up scrap paper center with stamped Versamark center
- Placed plastic cross-stitching canvas over the circle and paper pierced a grid onto my white card stock
- Rinse & Repeat last two steps for the other two centers ;)
- Grab floss and start cross stitching each center
- Cross-stitch some more
- Cross-stitch yet some more
- Take a nap
- Cross-stitch
- Go to work
- Cross-stitch; get fed up; stamp the rays and cut out; die cut centers out
And because this card was made with lots of love, blood and sweat, here is an up-close look.
I was kidding on the blood, but I did prick myself a few times, cause card stock is stubborn! Here a few things to keep in mind:
- I had a small grid and used two strands of floss. The small grid gives good coverage (no white card stock showing). The larger the grid, the harder to cover the white space, unless you add more floss, but card stock buckles and tears.
- Card stock is no Aida cloth. The more the card stock gets stabbed and pierced, it loses stability and integrity. I could feel how the centers got very soft after I reached the half way point. Kinda like paper that has been set out in damp weather...
- The smaller the grid, the more time-consuming. Really ;) Take your time estimate and triple or quadruple your time. A friend asked how long it took to create the centers and I thought was about 45min. I was cross-stitching while listening to Bones in the background. Four episodes in, I was still stitching on the same center - and each episode is about 43min. 'Nuff said.
- I'm usually not such a snail when cross-stitching, but cross-stiching on paper is naturally slower - no tugging, no pulling fast, holes aren't pierced perfectly...
- And it goes without saying that one should make all the x's go in the same direction. It gives it that clean, uniform look...*smile*
So I hope this blog post was informative. It's my Lessons Learned that I wanted to put into a blog post to remind me not to underestimate the time needed to execute some ideas.
But onward to fun things - if you would like to win this fun stamp set, get your summer spirit on and leave a little love on each of the DT's blogs. You never know from whose blog we'll draw a lucky winner. You'll have until 10:00 pm Pacific tonight / 1:00 am Eastern tomorrow to make the rounds and leave comments.
You'll want to see how each Design Team member interprets summer...! What things are you looking forward to this summer?
First off, *Thank You* to each of you for all your sweet comments. They really made my day and it's always nice to hear what elements on the cards catch each person's eye. Secondly, did you like Life is a Carnival? You know you wanna get it... ;)
Today's preview at The Craft's Meow July Release is a small stamp set that will give you lots of bang for your buck. I love banners; I love alphabets & fonts - so this one is a good set to have in your stash. It's another Nina B Designs stamp set called It's a Banner Day. So let's get a our party hats out and celebrate, right?
Stamps: (Nina B Designs - It's a Banner Day) The Craft's Meow
Paper: Paper Basics Card Stock - White, Sweet Blush) Papertrey Ink
Ink: (Perfect Match Pigment Ink - Fresh Snow) Papertrey Ink; (Jenni Bowlin - No. 11 Brown Sugar; Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Antique Linen, Spun Sugar) Ranger; (Brilliance - Pearlescent Beige) Tsukineko
Embellishments: (White Thread) Gütermann; (Rustic Cream Twine) Papertrey Ink
Major confession time: When I saw this stamp set I was excited - can't have enough banners. But I was clueless how to showcase this set. A banner strung across with some pattern paper is a tad too straightforward. I wanted to do more for this little guy, you know? That's when it hit me...
Create a fun background using the letters. White ink on pink is always great. I love the soft, sweet color. Add some zig-zag stitching around the card and I had a great base. At this point I was stuck again...what next? So I took out some Antique Linen to distress the edge without a real reason. Hey - I do my best thinking when procrastinating some ;)
Four-piece banner made me think of four letter words - totally irrational because you can cut them apart, which I eventually did ;) But yes, with many friends being preggers, the phrase "Baby Girl" just popped into my head. I stamped the banner frames in Pearlescent Beige, added the letters and cut each banner out. Distressed the edges with some matching pink ink and strung them together with twine. Time to go hanging the banners up...:)
So if you would like to win this wee little darling stamp, get your party spirit on and leave a little love on the DT's blogs. You never know from whose blog we'll draw a lucky winner. You'll have until 10:00 pm Pacific tonight / 1:00 am Eastern tomorrow to make the rounds and leave comments.
You'll want to see how each Design Team member celebrates...!
[2011.06.30] I'd like to enter this card into The Stamp It! Cards Week Challenge. Go check out the challenge description :)
Were you blown away by the preview of Lovely Birds yesterday? It is a very sweet set and I can't believe what the other girls have created. So blown away! Well, our four day previews for The Craft's Meow July Release continues today with one of my favorite sets! Today we are highlighting a Nina B Designs stamps set called Life is a Carnival (Oh, this is so true!). So hop on in, and we'll take you on a ride...
This stamp set has three huge gorgeous rides, a few fun fair items that any kid or adult enjoys and some awesome sentiments to fit any celebratory or fun occasion. I think this unique stamp set will be one of my favorite go-to-stamps.
Stamps: (Nina B Designs - Life is a Carnival) The Craft's Meow
Paper: (Preppie Pack) Bazzill Basics Paper; (Curtain Call Borders) Graphic 45;
Ink: (Memento - Tuxedo Black; Versamark) Tsukineko; (Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Antique Linen) Ranger
Embellishments: (Embossing Powder - Ebony) Martha Stewart; (Baker's Twine - Chocolate) Papertrey Ink; (Soft-core Color Pencils) Prismacolor (Kraft Mini Ticket Strips) Maya Road; (Metals Stickers - Silver Metal) Mark Richards
I decided to highlight this Carnival stamp set by creating my own background with the ticket stamp and some Antique Linen ink. I fell in love with the carousel and wanted it to stand out. Two steps later, the carousel was heat embossed and cut out. Does it not look divine?
I also had some yummy Graphic 45 Curtain Call in my stash, purchased a while back from The Craft's Meow Store *grin* I used Maya Road Mini Tickets to create a nice visual line to anchor my carousel at an angle, and pulled out the Curtain Call borders to stamp on my sentiment. I love the little details in this sentiment...can you see the little rivets around the center height of the fonts?
Three lucky winners can take take this darling stamp set home for free. All you have to do is comment on each designer's blog. You never know from whose blog we'll draw a lucky winner. You'll have until 10:00 pm Pacific tonight / 1:00 am Eastern tomorrow to make the rounds and leave comments.You'll want to see how each Design Team member's life is like a carnival...!
Have you been seeing the cute previews on The Craft's Meow store blog? I know that you've been dying to see what's up and this month I have the honor of guest designing for Lisa and the Craft's Meow. So, welcome to Day One of the previews. Today we are highlighting a Nina B Designs stamps set called Lovely Birds.
This stamp set has a variety of *eight* cute little birds and three amazing scenes to place these birds with. Two sentiments to make this a great everyday set! Shall we go see?
Stamps: (Nina B Designs - Lovely Birds) The Craft's Meow
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Kraft) Papertrey Ink; (Basic Card Stock - White) Recollections
Ink: (Jenni Bowlin - No. 11 Brown Sugar) Ranger; (Brilliance - Pearlescent Beige) Tsukineko
Embellishments: (Impression Plate - Woodgrain; Rustic Cream Button Twine) Papertrey Ink; (Soft-core Color Pencils) Prismacolor;
I knew immediately that I wanted to play with the little patch of flowers and little bird house. After coloring it, I wanted to pop it onto a little rustic wood. Isn't it adorable?
So, how badly do you want to win this stamp set? *wink wink* Three lucky winners can win this one by commenting on the designer's blog. You'll have until 10:00 pm Pacific tonight / 1:00 am Eastern tomorrow to make the rounds and leave comments.
And you don't want to the amazing work by this Design Team...!
Lisa from The Craft's Meow has some friends that will help guest design on a rotational basis. Guess who is helping The Craft's Meow preview their July's release? *wink wink* Let me just say that you are in for a treat, so stay tuned. Previews start tomorrow - so check back.
This week at Mami Doodles we are creating cards with the theme Heavy Metal. If you are like me, then there is this slight panic that stirs up. I don't create many things with charms, metal frames or brass buttons. I have always wanted to, but never got around. So, what does a girl do when she doesn't have many metal things at hand? Pull out the aluminum foil out of the kitchen drawer...
Stamps: (Millie) Mami Doodles; (Vintage Banners) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Vintage Cream) Papertrey Ink; (School Spirit Collection) Crate Paper
Ink: (Memento - Tuxedo Black; Versamark) Tsukineko
Embellishments: (Soft-core Color Pencils) Prismacolor; (1/8" Circle Eyelets Multi Pack Primary Colors - Orange) Making Memories; (Glitter Essential - Fire Opal; Embossing Powder - Ebony) Martha Stewart; (Thread - Cream) Coats & Clark; (Aluminum Foil, Copier Paper)
I started by coloring Millie in a fun orange color. It was one of those cold rainy days and I was wishing for nice, scorching hot sun. So the warm colors really appealed to me :) While coloring, I was thinking of what to do for metal, and that's when I decided to pull out the foil.
The windmill is made with aluminum foil. My first attempt ended in epic fail. The foil is too thin, so it tears when trying to insert and get an eyelet to set. My second attempted I glued the aluminum foil to a piece of copier paper to give it more durability. The finish attempt is on the card. To give it more zing and orange flair, I dipped the edges into orange glitter - have to use the opportunity to get rid of some of my glitter stack!
Since I felt so adventurous, I decided to dust of Lilo and do a little bit stitching. A quick little sentiment later and voila!
So I hope you feel inspired to get some metal cards going. Check out the rest of the Mami Doodle DT work. Come play along for a chance to win a set of Mami Doodle digis. And if you use an image, you get an extra entry - did you know that?
June is the month of weddings, and the rule seem to apply to my social calendar - two weddings within three weeks. One was even in Europe. I'll share pictures when I get all of their permission :) I promise...
So when Scrap Our Stash's June Challenge was to use Something new, Something old, Something borrowed, Something blue, I was really happy to hear the wedding theme.
For my card, I used new, blue cardstock from PTI, an old (but favorite) Waltzingmouse stamp set, and the idea to use that stamp set on a wedding card was borrowed from a friend. Ok, I realize I'm stretching that last bit, but you'll let me get away with it, right? ;)
Stamps: (Big Blooms - Chrysanthemums, Say It Loud) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Spring Rain, True Black) Papertrey Ink
Ink: (Memento - London Fog) Tsukineko
Embellishments: (Super Fine Detail Embossing Powder - Silver; Perfect Pearls - Perfect Pearl) Ranger; (Tiny Twinkles) Taylored Expressions
I wanted to mimic background paper with a metallic sheen, and thought to stamp the chrysanthemums in grey outline, but brush the solid flowers with some pearls.
Lastly, I decided to emboss the greeting and one of the chrysanthemums in embossed silver, to give it that extra wedding feel. It fits perfectly to this wedding's colors - heh, I would know, since I picked out the bridal bouquet & cake (among other things ;) A few more blue little gems and I call this done - simple & elegant.
So, come join in on our Scrap Our Stash's June challenge. You have almost two weeks to throw something together that fits the theme. It does not have to be wedding-related. If you need more inspiration, check out the rest of the Design Team's work!
With Independence Day creeping up, I see many challenges calling for "Red, Blue & White" and "4th of July" themes. As an American, I do hold this holiday near and dear to my heart, because of the privilege of living in this amazing country, based on founding principles such as "freedom of speech" and "freedom of religion." But I must sadly admit, I don't really send cards out for this holiday. I find it hard to create cards that I would normally not gift myself...Do you gals relate?
So this week's PaperPlay Challenge theme - Stars & Stripes - was difficult for me to create with. My imagination was stuck in a rut with stars, flags, Independence Day. I was almost convinced that I will be creating a Fourth of July card, when I saw what this week's sponsor Just Some Lines provided. A couple of fun digis that were not Independence Day themed, and that's when it clicked! It could be love, birthday, or encouragement theme...who cares? It's just stars & stripes!
So here is my interpretation of this week's theme:
Stamps: (Emo Amber and Aleks Sitting) Just Some Lines; (Mega Mixed Messages) Papertrey Ink; (Claire Brennan Images - Star Quality) The Craft's Meow
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - White) Papertrey Ink; (Basic Card Stock - White) Recollections; (Popculture - Silly String) KI Memories
Ink: (Memento - Tuxedo Black) Tsukineko
Embellishments: (Soft-core Color Pencils) Prismacolor
I'm so in love with this sweet image. I decide to paper-piece the Alek's shirt and add little hand-drawn little stars onto her dress..."Stars & Stripes sitting in a corner, singing k.i.s.s.i.n.g ..."
For a fun background, I pulled out a cute star image I have been dying to use. I purchased it along with one of The Craft's Meow kit and it was designed by Claire Brennan (the Waltzing Mouse) herself. I think creating everything in black and white and giving just the two some color really works...The rest of the card kinda says it all, and didn't require much more: just a hand-drawn line to give Amber and Aleks a "wall" to hang out on and a little "Love" sentiment. Voila!
Did you enjoy that? If so, head over to the rest of the PaperPlay Design Team and come play along with us this week!
By the time this challenge closes, I'll be with chilling with my extended family (who are visiting from the UK) on a beach, enjoying a good read, some volleyball, and lots of sun & ocean! If you are celebrating Independence Day, what are your plans for the Fourth?
In case you were wondering where I have disappeared to, I was internet-less for the entire weekend. They had to re-do the entire line across the street and feed it back into my house...but now I'm back online and loads happier that I am connected again and can share some exciting news that I have been dying to tell you!
My online, crafting buddy Janna was sadly announcing her departure from DYSU (Do You Stack Up?) and at the same time I saw a call for the new Design Team. I threw my name into the hat and never thought I'd make the cut, but yours truly is a proud new member of the DYSU Design team. It's such a great challenge blog, since the gals are really from all over the world!
Check out the post, I can hardly believe it! And I am looking forward to working with this exciting group of gals!
Wow, I'm back in the country. It has been a whirlwind of travel - but more later. Now, I'm trying to get back into the swing of things with my crafting & blogging. It's time for another PaperPlay Challenge theme - Father's Day or Masculine Card. Our sponsor for this week is Love to Stamp, a company to get all your lovely paper crafting supplies. Winner this week gets a $15 voucher to redeem at the store.
So without further ado, here's my Father's day card, inspired with some manly Archaic Basic Grey paper:
Stamps: (Bitty Banners, Way Out West, Victorian Alphabet) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Spring Rain) Papertrey Ink; (Basic Card Stock - Cream) Recollections; (Archaic) Basic Grey
Ink: (Memento - Summer Sky) Tsukineko; (Jenni Bowlin No. 11 - Brown Sugar) Ranger
Embellishments: (Rustic Button Jute Twine) Papertrey Ink
I've been on a banner binge lately. Absolutely versatile in how they can be used...
So head over to the rest of the PaperPlay Design Team and come play along with us this week. Plus, it's never too early to think of Father's Day - Jun 19th in the States!
