Thinking of You

I have to confess that I'm still addicted to Distress Ink Lifting.

You can read all about it in my 1st post trying it HERE.

I got caught out a few weeks ago, needing an unexpected sympathy card and decided to make one to have on hand, ready and waiting.



I stamped my flower using Versamark and heat embossed it with white embossing powder.
The flower is the Large Peony 1 from The Ton.
I made a quick mask of the flower with copy paper, added a light smear of Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue and left it to dry.  The best thing about this adhesive is that if you leave it to dry it becomes repositionable.  I positioned the flower mask in place, stamped the leaves and it peeled away easily when the stamping was finished.

I saturated the entire panel with Faded Jeans Distress Ink, making sure that it went in to all the edges then I inked it all over again and again, super saturating it.

I added water into each petal and leaf to "lift" the Distress Ink.
I added Worn Lipstick Distress Ink to each of the petals with my Zig Waterbrush and let it flood and blend.  I added Bundled Sage Distress Ink to the leaves then added a bit of contrast with a tiny dollop of Peeled Paint Distress Ink.
While it was still drying, I went over each petal and leaf with Clear Wink Of Stella to add some sparkle, it really makes the coloured panel pop.

Now comes confession time.
I had a bit of "flooding" out the right hand side of the flower.

  

Can you see it?
HORRIBLE right?!?!?!
I just couldn't use it on a card like it was, so I decided to fussy cut the coloured flower and leaves and add them to a new panel super saturated with Faded Jeans Distress Ink.
I added some Sparkling Clear Sequins (4mm & 6mm) from Pretty Pink Posh, adhered with Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue.
The sentiment is the Thinking of You Decorative Die by Kaisercraft.
I double heat embossed it with white WOW! embossing powder then adhered in place with Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue.
The matted front panel is 5" x 7", so I made a top folding card by cutting another purple panel, scored a 3/4" from the top then matted with a white panel the same as the front.  To make this super secure, I adhered the  front & back together on the flap using Helmar Acid Free Professional Glue.  It is a liquid adhesive that is great for strong bonding (even book binding) just be careful not to use too much as it can cause buckling.

  

Here is a close-up to show the colours and sparkle.

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I am going to enter my card in the following challenges:

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Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog
Simon Says - Come Rain or Shine
The challenge is to highlight rainy days, sunny days or both.
  
My flower has raindrops sparkling in the sunshine after the rains have ended.

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The Season - The Ton
Color Palette Challenge for National Craft Month
The challenge is to create a project using The Ton stamps, anything goes, with the option to use the following color palette.  The Ton stamp must be the focal point of the project.
  
My flower is the Large Peony 1 by The Ton and it is the feature in this CAS design.

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WOW! Embossing Powder Blog

WOW! March Challenge

The challenge is to use heat embossing or WOW! products.

#wowembossingpowder

I have used WOW! embossing powder to heat emboss the flower panel and the sentiment.

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Matching teacups ... Spring Coffee Lovers Style

My cards were created for the Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

#SpringCLH

The Blog Hop runs

from 6am Pacific Friday 18th March to 11:55pm Pacific Friday 25th March.

EVERYONE is invited to share a newly created SPRING themed project that includes coffee, tea &/or coffee inspired designs.  The link to where you share your creations is on the Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop post on the Coffee Loving Cardmakers Blog.  By linking your NEW project you are entered for the chance to win a SUPER Sponsor or FLASH Sponsor prize.  Winners will be announced on the Coffee Loving Cardmakers Blog Sunday 27th March.

EVERYONE is also encouraged to comment on all of the projects linked up for the hop too.

I hope you get inspired and join the caffeinated fun with fellow tea & coffee lovers.

I used my Silhouette Cameo to make this pair of cards.
The design is the "3 Piece Tea Cup Card" by Samantha Walker purchased from the Silhouette Design Store.
I enlarged the file so that I could insert gift cards inside, so with the handle, it is 7 1/2" wide and stands 4 1/2" tall.
I also flipped the file, so that I could have the cups with handles on opposite sides, just in case I give them to a couple ... they can be his and hers :)

This was my 1st time using this design, they're so quick and easy to make, very handy for a last minute Thank You, Hello, Get Well, even a Hug-In-A-Mug.
... I'm used to lots of layers and embellishments, so this CAS design is calling for some flowers & bling, maybe even a dangling teabag or sentiment tag.



The textured cardstock is from the American Crafts 100sheet value pack.
I thought the aqua and teal looked cheery and "springy", keeping with the Blog Hop theme.

Stacked Teacups . . . Spring Coffee Lovers Style

My card was created for several challenges.

1. The Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #64 - Easter or Spring
2. The Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog - Come Rain or Shine
3. The Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog - Challenge - Food and Drink
4. The Simon Says Stamp Blog - Work It Wednesday February - Florals
5. The Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

#SpringCLH

The Blog Hop runs

from 6am Pacific Friday 18th March to 11:55pm Pacific Friday 25th March.

EVERYONE is invited to share a newly created SPRING themed project that includes coffee, tea &/or coffee inspired designs.  The link to where you share your creations is on the Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop post on the Coffee Loving Cardmakers Blog.  By linking your NEW project you are entered for the chance to win a SUPER Sponsor or FLASH Sponsor prize.  Winners will be announced on the Coffee Loving Cardmakers Blog Sunday 27th March.

EVERYONE is also encouraged to comment on all of the projects linked up for the hop too.

I hope you get inspired and join the caffeinated fun with fellow tea & coffee lovers.

I used my Silhouette Cameo to make this card.
The file "Sweet Teacups Card" by Sweet Afton is from the Silhouette Design Store.
As soon as I saw the dimension of the stacked teacups with the delicate butterfly and leaves tucked in at the top, I knew I had to make it for my parents.  They both enjoy their hot cups of tea in pretty china teacups and gardening, Mum even collects tiny ornamental cups & teapots.  UPDATE - I've already given this card away as an Easter card to some friends, so I will have to make another one for Mum & Dad :)

I enlarged the file, so the final card is 6" wide by 8 1/4" tall.
I confess that I didn't plan on it being so large, it was supposed to be 5x7".  I had already cut all the cups, saucer, teabag, butterfly and scalloped panel and started to see how they fitted together only to find that the scalloped panel & matting were too small, so I quickly re-sized the scalloped panel to be 5 1/2" x 7 3/4" and used a 12x12 sheet to make the card base.  I cut an extra scalloped panel to mat inside the card, apart from looking pretty, it gives some extra weight to the back to ensure it stands tall and not bow from the weight of all the embellishments on the front.

The patterned papers are from the Kaisercraft "Summer Breeze" 6 1/2" paper pad,
the textured cardstock from the American Crafts 100 sheet value pack,
the leaves are Kaisercraft "Vines" Decorative Dies.
Adhesives were Helmar 450 Quick Dry and Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue.
I unwound some twine and twisted 2 strands together to make the teabag string.


I wanted to make the cups all the same shape, so I cut a little backing piece for each one in vanilla cardstock, to match the scalloped panel.  It is 2 1/8" tall, 2 3/4" wide at the top, 1 1/2" wide at the base.  I adhered the cup "flaps" around the back of each one, giving them identical curve and it made it so much easier to assemble too.  The handles were attached 1/2" down from the top of the cup.


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I've never made a card like this before and will definitely be making more.
I thought that this would only be able to be given by hand then thought what a lovely surprise it will be to open a box and find this inside.  I'm sure some strategic packing will keep it safe and secure, time will tell :)





PS - while I am still learning about electronic cutting with my Cameo, I have to let you know that this cut file by Sweet Afton cut like a dream, I was really impressed that there was no tearing.

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I am going to enter my card in the following challenges:

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Crafty Gals Corner

Challenge #64 - Easter or Spring

The colours and design of my card remind me of Spring, especially with the butterfly and leaves in the top cup.  I have already given it to some friends for Easter and Norena was thrilled when she opened the gift bag and found it inside.

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Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog
Simon Says - Come Rain or Shine

My card is the shine after the rains, all the plants are refreshed, butterflies are all-a-flutter and we can enjoy a lovely hot cuppa out (and maybe a cupcake) out in the garden.

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Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog

Challenge: Food and Drink

The challenge title says it all and my card is ready to make three hot cuppas.

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Simon Says Stamp Blog
Work It Wednesday February - use something floral

My card has lots of floral papers and die cut leaves.

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Coffee Loving Cardmakers Blog 

Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

The challenge is to share a newly created SPRING themed project that includes coffee, tea &/or coffee inspired designs.

  My papers are bright and cheery florals and the top cup is filled with leaves and a butterfly that remind me of a warm Spring day.

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High Tea . . . Spring Coffee Lovers Style

My card was created for the Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

#SpringCLH

The Blog Hop runs

from 6am Pacific Friday 18th March to 11:55pm Pacific Friday 25th March.

EVERYONE is invited to share a newly created SPRING themed project that includes coffee, tea &/or coffee inspired designs.  The link to where you share your creations is on the Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop post on the Coffee Loving Cardmakers Blog.  By linking your NEW project you are entered for the chance to win a SUPER Sponsor or FLASH Sponsor prize.  Winners will be announced on the Coffee Loving Cardmakers Blog Sunday 27th March.

EVERYONE is also encouraged to comment on all of the projects linked up for the hop too.

I hope you get inspired and join the caffeinated fun with fellow tea & coffee lovers.

I used my Silhouette Cameo to make this card.
The design is the "Mug Of Tea Papercut Card" by Nic Squirrell purchased from the Silhouette Design Store.
I enlarged it to be 5 3/4" square.
It is quite a delicate design and I was impressed with how neatly it cut.
I gave the panel a good squish in my Big Shot to smooth down all the edges.

I haven't included a sentiment on this one yet, might leave it plain with a written message inside, I might layer a strip of vellum with a "hello" or "get well" on top.  It is nice to have a spare card in my stash, ready and waiting for when I need one.

It's time to hop on over to the Paper Smooches Blog

It's Pep Rally Week on the Paper Smooches Blog.

Kim and the DT are sharing fun and fabulous projects using the

two new stamp set and five new dies from the April 2016 release,
 

CREATIVE INSPIRATION

CRAFTY TEMPTATION

AND the chance to WIN
one of FOUR $25 Paper Smooches gift certificates too!!!

AWESOME!!!

Head on over to the
Paper Smooches Blog

and get hopping now,
GOOD LUCK :)

Here are some links to their store if you want to check out all the crafty delights they have to tempt and inspire:
 

MORE Get Well Wishes . . . Spring Coffee Lovers Style

Have you heard about the Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop?

#SpringCLH

In summary:

The Blog Hop runs

from 6am Pacific Friday 18th March to 11:55pm Pacific Friday 25th March

EVERYONE is invited to share a newly created SPRING themed project that includes coffee, tea &/or coffee inspired designs.

I shared all about it on my previous post

Full details, with the link to enter your projects, can be found on the

Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop post on the Coffee Loving Cardmakers Blog.

No, you're not seeing things, I have made two more Get Well Soon cards using my Silhouette Cameo.
... I can't believe that I don't have any coffee or tea stamps and dies in my stash, until I do I will have to build up my library to do some electronic cutting.
The design is the "5x5 Get Well Soon" card by Daniela Angelova

purchased from the Silhouette Design Store.

This time I used a reddish brown cardstock and added a pop of colour with red and orange bling to the flowers.  Instead of using a bone folder to burnish the cut edges, I made a sandwhich with several sheets of paper as a shim and smoothed everything down with one pass, quick and easy and no shiny edges.  (I think starting off my die cutting adventures using metal dies has got me addicted to the super smooth edges, I'm still getting used to electronic cutting with my Silhouette Cameo, maybe one day I will be able to resist giving each piece a Big Shot SQUISH to finish it off ... time will tell.)

 

I have double matted inside each card.  Apart from giving it a nice finish, it reminds me (or whoever gets to write inside) not to write where it would be visible when the card is closed, it gives the card a nice weight, helping it to stand tall and firm.

I hope you enjoyed my cards and get inspired to join the caffeinated fun with fellow tea & coffee lovers, create a project and share it with everyone in the Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop.

Looking forward to seeing what you create :)

I am going to enter my card in the following challenges:

~~~*~~~*~~~

Coffee Loving Cardmakers Blog

Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

As you have read above, the challenge is to create a SPRING themed project that includes coffee, tea &/or coffee inspired designs.

~~~*~~~*~~~

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog

Challenge: Food and Drink

The challenge title says it all and my cards include a steaming hot cuppa.

~~~*~~~*~~~

Get Well Wishes ... Spring Coffee Lovers style

Have you heard about the Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop?

#SpringCLH

The Blog Hop runs

from 6am Pacific Friday 18th March

to 11:55pm Pacific Friday 25th March

EVERYONE is invited to share a newly created SPRING themed project that includes coffee, tea &/or coffee inspired designs.  The link to where you share your creations is on the Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop post on the Coffee Loving Cardmakers Blog.  By linking your NEW project you are entered for the chance to win a SUPER Sponsor or FLASH Sponsor prize.  Winners will be announced on the Coffee Loving Cardmakers Blog Sunday 27th March.

EVERYONE is also encouraged to comment on all of the projects linked up for the hop too.  The gallery is filled with creative projects, with over 300 submitted already ... there are a lot of coffee loving crafters all over the world!!!

This card was made using my Silhouette Cameo.
The design is the "5x5 Get Well Soon" card by Daniela Angelova purchased from the Silhouette Design Store.
I have made one of these last year and loved it so much I decided to make a couple more.

This time I upsized the cards to be 6x6"
My Sizzix Big Shot still got to play along ... I confess that I don't like the "burred" edges on the side of each cut, so I make a sandwich and pass it through to smooth things down.  This is quicker and easier than burnishing with a bone folder and you don't get any shiny patches.

I also added another layer of the brown cardstock to the back panel and layered a smaller cream panel to write on, without writing showing up beside the curved edges of the cup and steam.

I hope you get inspired and join the caffeinated fun with fellow tea & coffee lovers, create a project and share it with everyone in the Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop.

Looking forward to seeing what you create :)

inky get well wishes

It's National Craft Month and Nicole from the Right At Home Blog is hosting a National Craft Month Celebration Blog Hop.  She has invited us to hop along, be inspired, get creative and have the chance to win too.  The challenge is to create something using our current favourite craft supplies.

I thought I would stretch myself and use my Versamark Pen to work with some digital stamps for some heat embossing and more of my current addiction "distress ink lifting" (full details linked here).

The flowers are free digi stamps from Paper Smooches.

I took the image and pasted several together into a square using Adobe Photoshop, then took the file to my local Officeworks store to be printed on heavy cardstock (no laser printer in our house yet).  I had two sets of the images printed on A4 sheets.

I used my "powder tool" to cover the entire panel.  ... I confess that the white diamonds powder puff works a treat and my cards smell lovely too!

I used a Versamark pen to trace each flower, smoothered them with clear embossing powder, scraped as much of the "overflow" away using my piercing tool so that it was mostly the black lines covered, then cooked it with my heat gun.

Next came the inky action.

I saturated the background with Faded Jeans Distress Ink using my mini ink pad.  I worked the ink into all of the corners of the flowers and over the edges of the printed panel, then, when I thought it was saturated, I inked it some more ... it really needs to be well inked for this technique to work.

Using a watercolour brush, I added water into each of the flower petals and centres.

I smooshed Worn Lipstick onto an acrylic block, added a bit of water then added colour to each petal.  I used a waterbrush to add just a faint touch of pink over the sections in the petals where the first colour didn't flow.

I added Squeezed Lemonade Distress Ink to the centre of each flower then added a few drops of Mustard Seed Distress Ink.

The finishing touch was to add sparkle to each flower using Clear Wink Of Stella ... oh the brush tip is a pleasure to use and the sparkle a delight, it really makes the flowers pop.

  

I trimmed the panel down to be 5 1/8" square

I also had a sheet of A4 paper printed black at Officeworks and used it to die cut the Paper Smooches "Get Well" sentiment die using my Sizzix Big Shot.  I wanted the sentiment & matting to match the glossy black of the flower outlines, so I inked the white edges, smooshed the top with a Versamark Pad and smoothered them with clear embossing powder.  The sentiment was heat embossed twice, for some extra glossy dimension.  Hard to believe that it was clear powder when you see that glossy black dimension isn't it?

I applied tiny dots of Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue to the back of the sentiment and adhered it to the vellum strip, then put some more dots on the back of the vellum panel, behind the sentiment (so that you can't see any adhesive) and adhered it to the front panel.

I really like how the sentiment hangs over the edges.

The panel was adhered to a 5 3/8" square, top folding card base using Helmar 450 Quick Dry.  This liquid adhesive is great for adhering layers together, it gives a little time so that you can align things perfectly and it holds the layers down flat, which is great for times like these, where the panels are slightly buckled from all water added during the colouring process.

This view shows the gloss of the heat embossing and sparkle of the flowers.

Ingredients:

Paper Smooches - free digi stamps - flower images

Versamark Pen
WOW! - Clear Gloss Regular Embossing Powder 

Distress Inks - mini - Faded Jeans, Worn Lipstick, Squeezed Lemonade & Mustard Seed

Zig - Wink Of Stella - Clear Brush Tip Marker
Paper Smooches - Get Well die

Fundamentals - Vellum
Tombow - Mono Multi Liquid Glue

Helmar - 450 Quick Dry Liquid Adhesive

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I am going to enter my card in the following challenges:

~~~*~~~*~~~
Right At Home Blog
National Craft Month Celebration Blog Hop

The challenge is to create something using our current favourite craft supplies.
I am addicted to my Mini Distress Inks, Wink Of Stella Clear Glitter Brush Marker and the Distress Ink Lifting Technique.

~~~*~~~*~~~

Simon Says Stamp Blog
Work It Wednesday February - use something floral

My card has lots and lots of flowers.

   

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WOW! Embossing Powder Blog

WOW! March Challenge

The challenge is to use heat embossing or WOW! products.

#wowembossingpowder

I have used WOW! embossing powder and lots of heat embossing.

~~~*~~~*~~~

Paper Smooches

Guest Designer Search - April

I have used Paper Smooches free Digi Stamps and Get Well die.

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Sparkle N Sprinkle Creative Challenge Blog
March 2016 Challenge
The theme is Anything Goes but must use loose glitter, embossing powder or flocking.

I have used lots and lots of heat embossing.

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