Be the Reason someone smiles

Hello!  Thanks for stopping by

 

New week calls for a new challenge at The Color Throwdown blog!  This week the colors were so amazing that I can't stop looking at them.   Here is the swatch to work with.

 

 

I am loving the layered look lately.  It seems all of my cards end up with numerous beautiful layers. I first started off with my card base.  It is 5 x 6.5 and I purchase these at Michaels when on sale. I ended up trimming it slightly which I normally do not do.

 

I started out with a 4 x 5.5 white piece of card stock and took the brand new ink from So Suzy Stamps called Wild Watermelon.. and oh is this gorgeous.  I know this will be my go to pink from here on out..   I took my ink blending tool from Tim Holtz and placed the Wild Watermelon down.  I die cut in yellow the brand new stacked stars from Simon Says Stamp.  I left some of the stars intact ..  I ended up cutting down this piece of cardstock as my stars didn't take up as much space as I thought.

 

I then started my layers.. I used the Scalloped square from SugarPea Designs.  Orignally this was from a Stamp of Approval box, but can now be purchased outside of the box.  The next layer is from Craftin Desert Divas Fancy Frames.   The next layer is the Picture Frame die from Craftin Desert Divas.  The pink layer is a regular old cut and I embossed this layer.  Finally one last white square.. I took my Wild Watermelon and drug it around the edges of this piece to make it kinda pop away from the white card base.

 

I then took the Flag Banners from Craftin Desert Divas and used the brand new set from Simon Says Stamp (inspired by Jennifer McGuire) Uplifting Thoughts.  I embossed this with Alabaster from Brutus Monroe.

 

It needed something else.. so I rummaged through my ribbon and found pink.. and had some twine in the mess, so I added that as well. 

 

This card turned out so incredibly gorgeous.  The colors together are stunning.. Be sure to  join in the Color Throwdown Challenge weekly!

 



Simple cards

Hello!  Thanks so much for stopping by

 

Today I want to share a few cards I made using water color and Concord & 9th goodies.

 

I used the Floral & Flutter die set for these cards.  This set is STUNNING in person.  I am so excited to use it on so many projects.  

 

I also used stamps from Sophisticated Script, Grateful and Tree Hugs.

 

I used Tim Holtz watercolor paper.  These squares are handy as you don't need to cut them.  They are also a GREAT quality and thick.

 

I took my pearlescent water colors and just randomly placed them sideways.  I had envisioned what I wanted and the look I was going for.  Next time, I would leave more room for where ever I will be stamping.  I think the stamped word looks better on plain white and not on the water color.  I used my MISTI to stamp most of them and thankfully because it needed a few layers over the watercolor.  I used Brutus Monroe detail ink form my stamping.

 

I then took my die cuts and placed them over the watercolor and used flat back pearls for the center of my flowers.  I mainly used white cardstock, but after these I experimented with colored card stock and it adds that little punch.

 

Happy Crafting!

I hope this sparked some creativity

~Kara

 

 

Heart of Heart

Hello!  Thanks so much for stopping by

 

Today I want to share a card I made from the new Craftin Desert Divas January release.  The die is called Heart of Heart .  It come with an amazing 4 dies total.  There is so much you can do with this!

 

I chose to start off with red cardstock and cut the heart die.  I saved all of my left over hearts as I wasn't sure how many I'd be using on this project.  I then knew I wanted to have one heart a different color to stand out.  So I cut the heart die again in white and placed one heart among the red. 

 

I tried a few different ways to lay out this card and you can't go wrong with splattered paint!  I took out my dylusions white paint and Tim Holtz splatter tool and went to town.  I did not splatter the pink layer under the red.  I wanted that straight pink.

 

I always lay paper underneath what I am splattering.. this way I have a masterpiece from the over splash.. On the right panel that worked out perfect from the overspray.  I layered white behind and use 3m foam tape to give it some height.  Then using 2 white hearts from the previous cut. 

 

Love with the arrow is another die cut in the Heart of Heart, so I cut that in white.  I wanted this bold so I left it a solid white. 

 

Using some sequins from Craftin Desert Divas sweetness mix I randomly placed these.  I had made enamel dots from perler beads a while back and so I placed on in each corner..

 

This turned out so incredibly gorgeous.  I'm in love with it and might have a hard time mailing this one out! 

 

Thanks for stopping by!  I do hope this has inspired you to be crafty

Happy crafting

~Kara

 

 

This card is entered into the challenges:

Craftin Desert Divas - Heart Linky Challenge

Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

Dl.Art - Valentine

 

 





Miss you using Penny Black and Altenew

Hello!  Thanks so much for stopping by

 

The moment I saw the Dandee stamp from Penny Black I just knew that I needed it.

 

Start off with your cardstock and using distress ink slowly (working from your mat to your cardstock), make circles to make a blended look.    I chose the Dusty Concord for the color.

 

I wanted a background look so using the Unity Stamp Company handwritten stamp.. Stamp this several times.  I stamped this by hand not suing much pressure.  I used the same dusty concord to ink the stamp and lightly make the impression on your card stock.  I didn't want this a heavy stamp, just a light background.

 

Take your Dandee stamp and place this where you'd like.  This is a larger stamp so the card base would need to be a larger size. 

 

I then took my Fancy stitched frames from Craftin Desert Divas and cut the oval.  Colored this with the Dusty Concord and stamped 'miss you' from the Altenew Painted Greetings collection.

 

For the finishing touch I took my gold shimmer spray and gave it a mist.  It is a gorgeous shimmer that can not be seen in a photo.

 

I hope this has sparked some creativity!

 

 

This card is entered into the challenge:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Penny Black - At All Sorts



Thinking of You

Hello!  Thanks so much for stopping by

 

Today I wanted to share a card I fell in love with.  I always joke PURPLE everything, but purple and gold make the most beautiful combo ever!!

 

Using the Sun Kissed Fleur Border & Corner (from Heartfelt Creations) stamped with distress embossing ink.. I took my gold embossing powder and then the magic formed. Wowza does it look beautiful.   I did a corner stamp on each side.  I then I took my card and Dusty Concord distress ink and inked up mostly the outsides making it lighter towards the center.

 

I adore butterflies, so I took the Botanical Wings stamp set out to make my butterfly.  Using the clear embossing and gold powder she took form.  Then I took my dabber and dusty concord and made near the body a darker purple.. fading to a lighter purple.  I put a little glossy accents on the body to make it shine.

 

I then took my stamp set from Altenew Painted Greetings (brand new release) and stamped thinking of you.

 

Adding a few sequins made this card one of my all time favorites.  It is so gorgeous in person.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope this has inspired you to be crafty! 

~Kara

 

This card is entered into the challenge:
Sparkle N Sprinkle - Anything Goes

Stacked Hearts from Simon Says Stamp

Hello!  Thanks so much for stopping by

 

Today I wanted to show you a card I made using the splatter technique for my background.  I took my Dylusions Paint and several card bases and splattered away in several different colors.. This is one of my favorite looks and I couldn't go wrong with several made up.  I love the Tim Holtz flicker tool for my flickering.   There is non control on where and how much goes in one place.. so know you lose control when flickering.

 

I decided on the pink background so I took my Stacked Heart die from Simon Says Stamp and cut pink.  I was careful not to lose my hearts from the die cut.. I wasn't sure how many I wanted to place back in the die cut. 

 

I tried a few different backgrounds for my stacked hearts and decided on the stitched squares from My Favorite things.  I had to trim off a few hearts to make it fit perfect.

 

I then took the stamp set Distress Patterns from My Favorite things.  Embossing in white from Hero Arts and had the perfect strip to accent.

 

I used only one heart as a fill in on my die cut and then I placed one in the bottom right.  I wanted some sort of sentiment on the card, but after looking at it I thought it might ruin the beauty.  I left it be!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

Go and get crafty!

Kara

 

 

This card is entered into the challenge:

Simon Says Stamp - Monday Challenge



Friendship card using Splatter with Dylusions

Hello!  Thanks so much for stopping by

 

I have been trying to get organized enough to participate in some card challenges.    Some of these challenges you need a specific layout, some you need specific colors.  For this challenge you could only use the colors you see... Turquoise, Orange, Pink and White.   I made a few cards for this challenge and I will share one with you today.

 

I LOVE to play with my Dylusions Paint from Ranger.  To play in paint is so freeing!  Where ever it lands.. it lands!   I had just received my splatter brush made by Tim Holtz (I purchased from Blitsy.. Blisty is my online crafting obsession.. LOL  You can save $10 on your first order by using this link.  Once you sign up.. you have to complete your purchase within 24 hours for the $10. http://blitsy.com/ref/gz0g7j )

 

With the splatter tool I randomly flicked paint .. As you can see there is not much control over the matter.  I ended up with a large orange blob, but I did not want to mess it up by scraping it off in case I wanted to use that side. 

 

 

I then took my Pocket Pieces Hello die set from Craftin Desert Divas and cut out the 3 coordinating colors.  Once I had these cut out I pondered for a bit what I'd do with them.. left alone and bare looked horrible.. I tried some sequins.. and finally it dawned on me to use my white paint and platter as well.  I had already stamped my sentiment, so I took a small piece of paper and covered the sentiment.  It is easiest to place whatever you are painting in a box.. this way when it 'splats' it won't ruin anything.

 

Once I had all of this splattered, I let it set over night to dry. 

 

 

The sentiment and my die cut 'friend' is from My Creative Time.  I just love the friendship set.. So many possibilities..

 

The final card turned out miraculous .. it is so eye catching that I can not wait to get it mailed to my girlfriend.. I ended up covering that large orange blob I had, but I'm glad I left it there because I wasn't sure.  For the friend die cut.. I took my 3 stamp pads and went directly to the letters.. I ended up putting 2 coats on.

 



 

 

Thank you so much for stopping by! 



Snowflakes from The Ton

Hello!  Thanks for stopping by

 

I hope that you had a GREAT Christmas if you celebrate.  I wanted to share a tag and a card I made using the Snowflake stamp set from The Ton.

 

The first one is a card I made knowing it would go to my Dad and step Mom.  I could make purple everything and not blink an eye. 

 

I am going crazy over the 'bokeh' look.  I knew I could achieve the same general look with the snowflakes.  I took my distress ink and made the background with two different colors (Dusty Concord and Shaded Lilac).  I used the same colors for the larger snowflakes. 

 

The brighter purple I used Brutus Monroe ink Aubergine.  It made those smaller flakes pop!

 

I then took the gorgeous embossing power from Stampendous in the shabby white to emboss.  I feel like this is kind of chucky in style.  It's different than other embossing powers I have used. 

 

I then added Merry Christmas  and embossed to complete the card.

 

 

The tag I used the same exact colors and technique.  Adding to and from to make it a gift tag.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you had a very Merry Christmas

~Kara

 



Mixed Media tag

 

 

 

Hello!  Have you tried any projects using mixed media?  If you have not, I urge you to try.  It is so freeing to create.  There are no 'rules' to mixed media.  However you place things on your project is how it goes.  I am not an experienced mixed media artist, but I am a beginner who loves to have fun!  The first step to being great at anything, is practicing and just plain starting.

 

I used my Tim Holtz tag die set and cut from a manila folder I had laying around.  It's a great size tag that allows you to have lots of options size wise.  I then took my Dylusions Paint that I purchased from Simon Says Stamp at their Ranger sale and used my finger to paint the blue and purple.  I had no rhyme or reason to where I put the paint, just where I thought it looked good.

 

I then took a Tim Holtz stencil and with the black Dylusions paint, dabbed some over the stencil.  The 'exploding' heart is from Limor Webber.  I had been eyeing up her stamps and low and behold on Blitsy came a Limor Webber sale.  Have you checked out Blitsy???  Check it out here and be ready to purchase!  Use the link I shared and receive $10 off of your first order when you order within 24 hours of signing up using my link!  I love Blitsy and find amazing deals!

 

I then took the Beautiful Life stamp set from Honey Bee Stamps and used the You are loved and hearts.  The You are loved should not have been purple, but in the spur of the moment I was not prepared for embossing that popped into my mind.  I grabbed the purple and embossed .. Not the smartest idea to emboss purple over purple paint.. It still looks awesome, but lessoned learned.  The hearts I used my Hero Arts white embossing powder.

 

After the hearts were ready, I took a brush and painted in some pink Dylusions paint for a little pop of color.

 

The small dots came from a stencil.  I used a lime green gelato and my whipped spackle to create the color you see.  I added some twine and ribbon to the top.  I plan on placing this on either a card or in my scrapbook. 

 

I am in love with Mixed Media creations.. I truly hope you try it out as well.  I'd love to see what you create if this has inspired you!

 

Happy crafting

~Kara

 



Tim Holtz Crazy Bird gone Halloween

 

 

 

Calling all Crazy Bird lovers!!  I just can not get enough of these little guys from Tim Holtz.  They all have their own personalities.  The accessories make them! Versatile and can be used for any holiday or occasion!

 

I took the Crazy Bird stamps out and decided which lovely was going to make it to the Halloween card.  Stamped with my Misti and colored with the Spectrum Noir markers.  I just received these alcohol based markers from craft day on HSN, so I wanted to give them a spin.  I need practice for sure, but I love them.  I used the accessory stamps and die sets for the hat and pumpkin.  Trick or Treat is from the sentiment crazy bird set.  Brilliant release Sizzix and Tim Holtz, they are all amazing!

 

I used the tag from Craftin Desert Divas for the Trick or Treat.  Twine came from Annie's Paper Boutique.  I also used Avery Elle Wonky die set for the fun stitched backgrounds.

 

I used Dylusion's paint for the background directly behind the bird.  I just received these paints and are they ever amazing.  I want to paint everything.  I just used my finger tool (lol) to paint the orange and purple.  Under the bird I put some black and let me tell you, black is not easy to cover up or blend with.. Lesson learned!  No fear, cover ups are possible.  Behind my pumpkin is also a disaster.  When I opened the orange paint, it splattered.. thank goodness the pumkin looks awesome right there!

 

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy crafting <3

~Kara