I miss Mew

Hey everyone!

I love the look of white & brown together, especially kraft brown! This was an easy card to make and I think, while it is simple, it is also impactful. Hope you like it!

What I Used to Make my Card:
Pre-made Kraft Card Base
My Favorite Things Mini Mews Stamp Set, #CS-533
Simon Says Stamp Ultra Fine White Embossing Powder
Embossing Powder
Red Shimmer Paper
Small Heart Die

To make this simple card all I did was stamp the cats and sentiment onto the kraft base, using embossing ink, and then heat embossed them with embossing powder. After finding a heart die that matched the cats, I cut out 6 hearts from shimmery red paper.  Once the hearts were cut out, I attached them to the card and I was done!

In case you can't tell, I am a cat lover.  Actually, I love all animals, but cats hold a special place in my heart. I promise if you follow me on this blog or any other social media you will see at least two cat cards a month.  Thanks SO much for stopping by!

Hugs, 

Christi

I am happily entering my card in the following challenges:
SUYP, #67 - Anything with Cats Goes
Ally's Angels, #47 - Anything Goes
Bastel-Traum, #102 - Animals
Incy- Wincy - For the Men and/or Use Kraft {I used a Kraft card}
Alphabet Challenge - F is for Furry Friends
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Animal Antics
Paperminutes, #696 - Keep it Simple
Shopping our Stash, #447 - Fur Babies
Lift Challenge, #162 - One Layer Cards
Creative Knockouts, #406 - Furry Friends

Sending Smiles

Hi there,

I made this card to try coloring on Kraft card with alcohol ink markers and honestly, I felt like coloring without trying to shadow or die cut.  I think this is a beautiful background stamp and perfect for this sort of technique. 

What I Used to Make my Card:
Kraft Card Base
Simon Says Stamp Spring Flowers Background, #SSS102281
Simon Says Stamp Sending Smiles Die, #SSSD112179
Simon Says Stamp Fine White Embossing Powder
Alcohol Ink Markers
Vellum
Purple Shimmer Paper

This was an easy card to make; my only wish was that the white heat embossing came out cleaner but I guess when you have a bunch of animals their hair really does get everywhere!  The first step was stamping and embossing the background stamp {I love this stamp and it was about time I used it!}. Once that had cooled, I colored in the flowers and leaves with alcohol ink markers and set the card aside to explore how {and if} I was going to add a sentiment. I decided to use the sending smiles die, which I cut from purple shimmer paper and glued onto some vellum.  I trimmed the vellum into a strip and glued it onto the inside of the card so the adhesive wouldn't show.  There you have it! Despite the embossing I love the look  of this card.

Thank you so much for stopping by and taking a look at my card! I hope all is well with you; I'm happy to report things are calming down from the move {I'm still not settled but I can see improvement} and looking up here at my house.  Hope to see you very soon! 

Fondly, 

Christi

I am happily entering my card in the following challenges I found at Challenges for Days :)
NBUS, #26 - Anything Goes this is New {background stamp and die are brand new!}
Sisterhood of Snarky Crafters, #186 - K is for Kraft
Cut it Up, #226 - Nature
My Time to Craft, #458 - Floral
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Flowers as the Focus {hope this counts!}
Frilly & Funkie - Anything Goes
The House that Stamps Built, #2621 - Embossing, wet or dry
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Little Red Wagon, #603 - Say it with Flowers

 

Golden Season's Greetings

Before I get into this card I want to wish everyone a very happy holiday season! Merry Christmas ~ Happy Hanukkah ~ Festive Kwanzaa ~ Happy Yule

please feel free to add your own holiday message if I've forgotten! 😁

I recently bought a whole bunch of the beautiful sayings that Sue Wilson has put out and I like the Mini Expressions because they fit so well on an A2 card.  I love a swirly, fancy looking font so these are a must have for me!  I have a bunch of them for the holidays; now I'm working on acquiring the "everyday" Expressions.  I made this card a while back but haven't shared it yet.

What I Used to Make my Card:
Kraft Square {5 1/4" x 5 1/4"} card
Neat & Tangled Friendly Florals stamps
Neat & Tangled Friendly Florals dies
Sue Wilson Season's Greetings die, #CED3154
Watercolor Paper {I use this}
VersaMark Ink
Gold Embossing Powder
Shiny Gold Card
Zig Clean Color Markers

In making this card, the first thing I did was stamp a bunch of the flowers onto watercolor paper with embossing ink {after I used my Powder Tool, so technically this is the second step LOL}, then liberally sprinkled on gold embossing powder, and embossed them.  For this design you need to use a detailed, regular, or fine embossing powder; no chunks because the lines are so fine and it won't stick.  Embossed designs are very easy to color since it's difficult to color outside the lines!  I colored the flowers using my Zigs and then, when they were dry, cut them using the matching dies.  I have to say this set from Neat & Tangled is very versatile; you can see some of the other cards I've created using this set here and here.

I admit it took me forever to get the flowers in something like a circle.  I spent hours upon hours trying to get the look I wanted; truthfully, I'm not thrilled about the shape on which I finally settled, but it was one of those times where if I didn't just glue the images down, the whole thing was getting tossed.  So I

Another Peek

arranged the flowers to fit the card, cut the sentiment out of gold card {the gold card I used is like a dull mirror card}, and attached that to the card.  If it hadn't taken me so long to arrange this card, it would of been one that I could of reproduced a few times but after the struggle I had, nope.  

I do like how the gold sentiment picks up the gold embossing and I'm pleased with the coloring.  I'll chalk this one up to another card that shows the charm of being handmade. I also really adore this entire stamp set - it's one of the most versatile sets I own and I do hope you check out other cards I've made using the set; the links are up in the first paragraph.  How are you doing with your cards and holiday projects? I'm feeling under the wire but I think I do some of my best work under pressure {but you kinda knew that already if you follow my blog - I'm always stressing myself out for one reason or another!}  Have you ever encountered a card you thought would be easy and it became a nightmare?  I'd love to hear your stories.  Leave me a comment if you have one to share.  Thanks so much for stopping by.  I know this time of year is rough and you have limited time to spend bopping about the internet and I appreciate you choosing my blog as one of your stops!  Fondly, Christi

I would like to enter my Golden Season's Greeting Card in the following challenges:
Papercraft Challenges - Merry Christmas, #27
Pin{spirational} Challenges - Anything Goes, #231
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Party Time!
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Party Time!
WOW! Embossing Powder - Silver/Gold {Facebook group}
Card Mania Challenge - Christmas, #111
Archi-Scraps - M, Anything Christmas
The Artistic Stamper - Christmas
Sweet Stampin' - Christmas
Fashionable Stamping Challenge - Winter, #142
Wednesday's Creative Inspirations - Feeling Festive
Scrapy Land - Anything Goes w/ a Brand They Carry, #104

Shout it Out!

So fall has officially begun.  It's about 70 degrees here, but the other day I was up at Estes Park again {I know, 2 times in five days!} and there were some Aspen trees turning colors - it was amazing!  As soon as my brother puts his pictures up, I'll share them with you.  We also saw a mama elk washing her baby and a few of the moose elks doing their rut stuff - the call they make can be heard through almost the entire park!  Anyway, sorry for all the nature stuff but I am finally able to get out and see what my beautiful adopted state has to offer and it is amazing.  I made this card to reflect the colors of fall as well as be able to give to someone regardless of the occasion.

What I Used to Make my Card:
Kraft Card Base
Authentique Harvest 6" x 6" pad, #HVT028 {retired but available}
The Ton Bold Amazing Word Plate Dies
Mama Elephant Little Dog Agenda Stamps
Mama Elephant Little Dog Agenda Dies
Zig Clean Color Markers
Vanilla Card
Watercolor Paper
Orange Card
Leaves {left over from this card}
Ranger Archival ink in Jet Black
Silhouette Cameo
Red Tape Adhesive
Removable Tape 

I already had the cute little dog with the megaphone colored and cut; since I first saw him, I knew I wanted to make a card that made him look as if he was using the megaphone to shout out something happy and the Bold Word Plate dies fit perfectly!  I used my Cameo to cut out some word bubbles; that took me the longest because I kept making them either too small or too big - I am horrible at measuring and if things aren't life sized I can't seen to figure out which way to go - up or down. One of my many dyslexic issues.  Directions and I have a love/hate relationship because I struggle with them so.  My mom says it isn't a car ride with me unless we turn around at least once! 

Once I fit the word bubble to the words I discovered a great way to make sure all the letters are even; once the letters are cut, carefully put them back into the die.  Use removable tape and tape them together the "wrong" way {as they are in the die, looking up at you}.  Pull the letters out of the die and tape them with removable tape on the "right" side, removing the tape you put on the wrong side.  Use a strong adhesive {I found red tape adhesive is worth the

Another Look

trouble of cutting out those itty bitty, teeny tiny, pieces} and attach them where you want them.  Once they are dry, or adhered, carefully remove the tape that is on top of the letters and viola! - you have straight letters!  I'm sure using a ruler would be faster, but it seems that every time I make a pencil mark on my projects I can't get it off completely.  And I have using the tape down pat so it's easy for me.  I used orange card for the word "you're" and patterned card for the "fabulous."

The words were attached to the bubble and I attached the bubble to another piece of patterned card, placed my little shouting dog, and adhered him and the leaves.  Lastly, the panel was put onto the Kraft card base and I was done.  This card came out exactly as I envisioned it! I just can't get enough of the Bold Word Plate dies and have a few other projects in the works using them.  I want to thank you SO much for visiting. I appreciate each and every visit and comment.  Without your encouragement, I'd never have tried blogging.  Thanks so very much! Christi

I am entering my Shout it Out! Card in the following challenges:
City Crafter - #431, Pet Company
Die Cuttin Divas - #388, Fall Colors
Cards in Envy - Feels Like Fall, Entry #2
Make My Monday - #80, Autumn/Fall Colors, Entry #2
Dragonfly Journeys - #127, Fall Colors, Entry #2
Sweet Stampin' - Dies and/or Punches
Crafty Friends Challenge - #93, Fall Colors
Sunny Day Crafting - Anything Goes w/ an Animal, Entry #2
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - #18, Anything Goes w/ an Animal
That's Crafty! - Forever Autumn 
Cardz for Galz - #80, Thoughts of Fall

Red, White and Blue CAS Kitties!

I didn't have a chance to make a 4th of July card - it's been a crazy summer thus far! But, I got this cute die from Simon Says Stamps and I just had to use it; what better way to show some {a wee bit late} patriotism? Plus, seeing SO many Red, White & Blue challenges, I just HAD to whip something up and enter in all the fun!

What I Used to Make my Card:
Kraft Card Base
Red, White & Blue paper
Simon Says Stamp Kitty Cat Die, #S470
Trinity Stamps, Lady Liberty
Versamark Pad
Simon Says Stamp Fine White Detail Embossing Powder
Dimensional Dots

Once I had cut all the cats, I glued them together.  I then inked up my

sentiment with VersaMark ink and embossed it with white embossing powder directly onto my Kraft card base.  I attached the kitties to the card with dimensional dots and that's it! A super easy CAS card in red, white and blue!

Thanks for stopping by for this easy tutorial! I hope you are staying cool and hydrated, this heat is crazy! We are breaking all kinds of records here in Colorado; unfortunately, one of them is for the biggest forest fire the state has ever seen.  Stay alert and be careful out there! Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Red, White & Blue Kitties in the following challenges:
Cute 'n Crafty - #4, 4th of July
Crafting with Dragonflies - #108, Animal
DL ART Thankful Thursday - #231, Red, White & Blue
Addicted to Stamps - #299,  CAS
Craftaholics R Us - #27, Any Holiday Cards
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Red, White & Blue

Crafty Gals Corner - #169, Red, White & Blue
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - #16, Anything Goes w/ a Critter
Eclectic Ellapu - M, Red, White & Blue
Just For Fun Rubber Stamps - M, July Color Challenge - Red, White and Blue
Happy Little Stampers - M, Anything Goes with Dies
Happy Little Stampers CAS Challenge - M, Animals
Sunny Day Crafting - #26, Animals
SUYP - M, #32, Anything Goes with Cats

 

Coffee Helps me Maintain ~ 2018 Spring/Summer Coffee Lover's Blog Hop

Another card for the Spring/Summer Coffee Lover's Blog Hop! I went to a local craft store that I've been meaning to visit a few days ago and I was SO happy to find this adorable Spellbinders' die set!  Most of the items in the store are consignments, so I snagged the set at more than half off!  The coffee gods were smiling down at me.

What I Used to Make my Card:
Kraft Card Base
White Card
Spellbinders Die Set, Hipster 1, #S2-212
CAS-ual Fridays Sentiment, Coffee Talk 
CAS-ual Fri Dies,  Coffee Cup
MFT/Die-Namics Stitched Oval STAX, #MFT-0521
Scraps of Patterned Paper
Dark Brown Card
VersaFine Ink in Onyx Black

The card was inspired by a card on the Spellbinders' site that illustrates the dies in use.  I loved the three cups, so I decided to make three cups for my card, too.  I started by cutting out the cups from white card, then I cut the cup out of patterned paper {which I dug out of my scraps stash} and the little cup

Another Peek

holder from brown card.  I carefully cut the tops off the patterned paper and glued that onto the white card bodies, followed by the cup holder.

While the cups were drying, I stamped my sentiment onto some white card and cut the word 'coffee' from some dark brown card.  I used a stitched oval die to cut out the sentiment, making sure it was at the bottom of the oval.  I attached the oval to the kraft card base, then glued the word 'coffee' to the top of the oval. 

Once I had the cups positioned, I attached those to the base as well.  Lastly, I used some of my homemade dots to finish off the card.  I love the floral coffee cups; I was getting bored with everything being shades of brown.  Thanks for stopping in and I hope you like this card as much as I do! Fondly, Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
2018 Spring/Summer Coffee Lover's Blog Hop
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Moo-Mania - Die Cuts
Scrapy Land - #90, Anything Goes w/ Dies {entry #3}
Through the Craft Room Door - Always Anything Goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Use Patterned Paper

A Morning Poem. . .

This card's sentiment is definitely one I can relate to; welcome to card #5 for the Cat Lovers' Blog Hop.   This card has caused me the need to vent a bit; unfortunately, the Man is a talker, and has a tendency to blather on and on first thing in the morning about an all manner of things - and I typically have absolutely no idea what he is talking about until I am on my second cup of liquid caffeine.  I often have to ask him questions like, "Did you say there was going to be 30 feet of snow tomorrow?" and he will grudgingly correct me, "No, dear. I said it is going to be in the 70's tomorrow". Well, I've told him a million times not to bombard me first thing and it's not MY fault if he continues to do it! Heck, he will even ask me if I have seen "so and so on the news" ~ HEY! Do my eyes look open?!? Do I look as if I am up to date on things?! I can't even find the remote, never mind actually turn it on! So, it's no shock that this card is a favorite of mine and again, the Katzelkraft Cat has the BEST expression! 

What I Used to Make My Card:
KaiserCraft Square Kraft Card Base, #CD509
Distress Ink in Ground Espresso
Katzelkraft Cats
Sentiment, Riley & Co., Coffee Poem, #RWD-539
Water Color Paper
Water Brush
Derwent Inktense Pencils
Light Brown Card
Lawn Fawn Love You Latte Stamps, #LF704
Spellbinder Nestabilities Labels Forty-One, #S4-468
MISTI
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black 
Dimensional Dots

I had my cat already stamped, colored and fussy cut out, all she needed was the right card to put her on and this one totally fit the bill! I used Inktense Pencils and a water brush to color her as well as Jet Black archival ink. She was put on the side to wait to be glued onto the card.  

I made my own background using the MISTI , the Lawn Fawn Love You Latte stamp set and Ground Espresso ink.  I just put the stamps I wanted to use in a

It's NOT crooked in Real Life, just in Photo Life

row, stamped, rotated the stamps one over, stamped and repeated the process until I was satisfied.  Since I knew my kitty would be hanging out in the left hand corner I didn't quite finish the background. To be honest, I didn't think the sentiment would cover so much of the background, but so it is.

I stamped the sentiment {that reads: A poem for mornings ~ Coffee, coffee, coffee. Coffee. Coffee, Coffee. Everyone shut up. Coffee.} on a lighter brown than the Kraft card, cut it out with the Spellbinders die and attached it to the card base with dimensional dots. Lastly, I attached the cat onto the card.  I know how this cat feels as I feel it every. Single. Day.  Could be worse I suppose and I do have to give props to him since he makes the coffee {if only he'd do it silently!}

I hope you got a chuckle out of my card and perhaps it inspired you to enter the Cat Lovers' Blog Hop AND share {and enter} my little giveaway?                               Art~Without~Anxiety

presents

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I’m having a small drawing on my blog.  All you need to do is click onto this post, chose the costume you like best & when I get 75 costume comments, I’ll draw a random winner.  Open Internationally! Please feel free to share!

EXPIRES Nov, 1. 2017

Thank you so much for stopping by - I hope to see you on the giveaway as well as the Cat Lovers' Blog Hop! Fondly, Christi XOXO

In addition to the Cat Lovers' Hop, I am entering my A Morning Poem card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Scrapy Land - #76, Anything Goes w/ a Die Brand they Sell
CCEE Stampers - #1743, Cat Day

It's irritating when. . .

A good blogland friend of mine has been struggling with some health issues so I decided to make her a get well card.  I recently bought this Newton's Nook Designs set from another blogger who was getting rid of it and ever since I got it, I've had this type of card in the back of my head.  It feels good to get it out and my head appreciates the room I've made :) 

What I Used to Make my Card:
Kraft Card Base
Tim Holtz Ideaology Motif Paper - wood grain (discontinued but available)
DCWV Chalk Stack
Ellison LetterEase Helvetica Medium White Letter Stickers (discontinued)
Distress Paint in Gathered Twigs
Computer Generated Text
Newton's Nook Naughty Newton Stamp Set
Newton's Nook Naughty Newton Die Set
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
DCWV Le Tres Chic Stack 12 x 12 (Amazon link but available elsewhere)
Clean Color Markers in Mid Brown, Beige and Oatmeal
White Gel Pen

The best thing about this card, aside from the fact that it is a get well card is that I got to use something old (very. very old) and something brand new to me in making it.  The white letter stickers have got to be at least 11 years old and as I said prior, the Naughty Newton set is new to me.  I love when I can use up some old stash to make room for some new stuff.  I started this card by

Another look 

stamping the kitties on cardstock in Jet Black ink.  I set them aside and started to brainstorm how I was going to make the chalkboard; I knew there was no way I was going to write on it as I definitely would have messed up somehow, so I computer generated the front and the saying on the inside.  I don't typically write on the inside of my cards but this one kinda needed a bit more explanation.  I used the DCWV Chalk stack for the actual board and wrote the lead part of the sentiment with the Ellison stickers.  I attached the second half at the bottom ensuring I had plenty of room for the scratches.  I wanted the chalk board to look like a chalk board so I dug out the wood grain pattern from the Motif paper and colored it with the Gathered Twigs paint.  I stuck it under my trusty tile to dry and stay flat.  

While that was drying I went back to the kitties.  The kitties that I chose to use already have scratches attached to their claws but I wanted to make sure the

The inside of the card

marks were visible against the black board so after I die cut them, I carefully trimmed the scratches off.  I colored the kitties using Clear Color Markers, but, since I cut them out of regular cardstock and not watercolor paper I just colored them lightly. 

Once the Distress Paint was dry, I used my CAMEO to cut a square in a piece of the wood grain paper so it would frame the chalkboard. I attached the chalk paper behind the frame and set it aside to cut the background paper out of the Le Tres Chic paper stack.  I wanted something that would give the card some interest but not overwhelm the elements.  I think the Kraft colored flowers on the light blue is a perfect fit.  I trimmed two pieces of the background paper and adhered one to the front of the card and one to the inside of the card.  I put the chalkboard and kitties on the front of the card and used a white gel pen to ink in the scratches.  

I hope you enjoyed my little "feel better" card and I hope my friend enjoys it when she gets it :) Fondly, Christi 

I would like to enter my card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Rubber Dance - Layers
Die Cuttin' Divas - #305, Animals
Cuttlebug Mania - It's a Zoo Out There
OLLCB - #222, Die Cuts

A good day has both COFFEE and YOU!

I just recently started drinking coffee again. I stopped years ago due to some stomach issues and found that English Breakfast tea was delicious and didn't give me ulcers. Granted it wasn't only the coffee that gave my ulcers, but I successfully got rid of everything that was causing them <wink>.  That was years ago and since my honey drinks coffee I began drinking it again.  I try to limit myself to one cup a day (unless I'm going out with my sister - then an ice cold, sweet, coffee drink is a must) and I still crave Dunkin' Donuts over Starbucks (Dunkin' Donuts are far and few between out here in Colorado.)  I felt that this adorable card could be given to anyone with whom that you enjoy a cup of coffee.

What I Used to Make my Card:
Kraft Card Base
StampCouture Small Cup with Foam Heart (Brand New)
Sentiment from STAMPlorations Literary Caffeine-Ations (Big Grins by Becca Cruger) (First Time Using the Set)
Brown Card (2 shades from stash)
Distress Marker in Festive Berries
Versamark Ink
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Pop Dots

My Custom Stamp

I recently needed to get a new "Stamped by Christi" stamp for the back of my cards.  My old one had finally seen enough ink and I put it to rest.  I love to support small businesses, and I found StampCouture on Etsy, to make it even more special they are practically local to me! Honestly, I had contacted - via Etsy contact - every manufacturer of custom stamps in the USA that were listed and they were the ONLY ones who got back to me!  But I am SO glad they did because I had many conversations with them about how I wanted the stamp to look and they were fabulous to work with.  While I was waiting for my custom stamp I browsed their shop and just had to pick up a few more stamps - this adorable coffee cup with the foam heart being one of them. The others are patiently waiting their chance to be used.  I highly recommend StampCouture if you ever need any custom stamps or if you are in need of some adorable little whimsical stamps. They kept in contact with me, even through the busy holiday season, where extremely helpful and the prices were very reasonable (and I get no commission from any manufacturer or company just because I link to or write about them!)

OK, now back to the card.  I used one of the coordinating brown papers from my stash and stamped the small coffee cup with Versamark ink sort of in a

Another Look at the Card

pattern, but I wasn't too careful about the placement of the cups.  Once that was finished, I trimmed the panel to fit the card (since I always use A2, 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" cards, I typically trim a panel to 5 1/4" x 4". If the card size or panel sizes are different, I will mention it in my post. Taking the Festive Berries Distress Marker, I chose one of the cups and colored in just the heart portion.

I then stamped the sentiment and the coffee cup onto a darker brown cardstock using the Jet Black ink. I used some thin Pop Dots to adhere the panel to the card.  Making this card brought back so many memories of when I first began stamping - the awe of watching embossing powder melt for the first time, finding amazing products like chalk, Versamark ink and the pure wonder of the entire art form.  It has inspired me to play with some of the products that were around when I first began stamping.  So, I'll be breaking out cool stuff like Shrink Plastic, Veggie Leather as well as some other "oldies but goodies" in the near future.  Is there any old product or technique that you loved to play with when you started stamping?  Please leave me a comment! Thank you SO much for sticking with me, and this post.  I'd love for you to become a follower. If you let me know in your comment that you have begun following me, I'll be sure to do the same for you.  Fondly, Christi

I am entering my "Coffee & You" card in the following challenges:
The Artistic Stamper - (M) February's Challenge - Love Hearts
STAMPlorations CAS Challenge - (M) Anything Goes w/ option of Hot Pink
STAMPlorations Theme & Sketch - (M) Stamp Retro (theme)
Simon Says Stamp, Monday Challenge - Young at Heart (too much coffee makes my heart race like when I was young and literally used to race <grin>)
Use Your Stuff - Love is in the Air (Use Hearts)
Addicted to Stamps - #141, Love
Simon Says Stamp, Wednesday Challenge - The Color of Love
Simon Says Stamp Work it Wednesday - (M) Use Something New
DL Art Thankful Thursday, #197 - Anything Goes option of Thank You
DL Art Monthly Linky Party - (M), February, Anything Goes

Happy Spring! Tim's 12 tags of 2015 - April

 

Here is my interpretation of Tim's Tag for April 2015.  As typical, lots of improvising (which I find SO much fun!), and I really think the little "band" on the tag is cool - I am going to make some cards using that technique.

What I Used to Make my Tag:
Wendy Vecchi Stamp it Stencil it, Marigold, WVSTST013
#8 Kraft Tag (homemade)
Distress Markers in Evergreen Bough, Riper Persimmon, Spiced Marmalade, Dried Marigold, Squeezed Lemon, Scattered Straw, Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Soot Frayed Burlap and Pumice Stone.
Watercolor Paper
Watercolor Brush - Detail
Distress Ink in Frayed Burlap
Sizzix Tim Holtz Alphanumeric #660056
Silhouette Machine
Piece of Light Brown cardstock
Wink of Stella, Clear
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Distress Marker Spritzer

Stamped flowers

First, as I don't have any Kraft tags, I made my own.  I folded a piece of Kraft paper in half, glued it together and trimmed it down to tag size.  I put the tag aside and concentrated on finding a good flower to use as the focal point. I have some flower stamps, but none of the ones I looked at had an open enough space in the petals - until I remembered I have some Wendy Vecchi SiSi stamps - SiSi stands for Stamp and Stencil (there are some really cute sets!).  I finally chose the Marigold stamp and stamped it 3 times on my watercolor paper, that I had cut down to size as instructed, in the Jet Black ink.  I used my ink spritzer (for the very first time! I need a bit more practice) to spritz the background of the tag in Evergreen Bough, dried it with my heat gun and let it sit aside to fully dry.

Once the tag was fully dry, I water colored my flowers; I can remember coloring

like that with watercolor pencils, back when the water brushes first came out.  I used more color on my flowers than Tim did on his.  I finished the water colored portion by edging it in Frayed Burlap.  Set that aside and began to figure out how I was going to go on to the next step.

I was hoping I had a word I could use in the Holiday Words Script die set, but, none of them really worked. I knew I was going to make my second word, Spring, out of the Alphanumeric Die Set, but I struggled with how I was going to make my first word.  As usual, when I don't have the products to make something the way I want, my Silhouette machine steps in.  I designed and cut several "happy" cuts, using different fonts, and chose the one I liked best.  Then came cutting the strip into the tag.

I am not gifted with measurement gene (or the driving directions gene), but I tried to measure the way Tim tells it on his blog - I finally just measured from each side of the tag, and then the strip part itself.  I spelled out Spring with my Alphanumeric dies, then attached them all together with temporary tape (I use regular clear temporary tape, so I can see the placement).  Held my breath, and

cut the word out.  That's one of those moments if you mess up the entire project goes in the garbage.  But I did it (whew!) and it was while testing the water colored insert that I realized I stamped too many flowers on the paper.  If I hadn't of put the little piece of light brown card there, the flower made it difficult to read. So I glued that piece in place and added some sparkle with Wink of Stella in Clear.  Thought I was done with the tag, took a bunch of pictures and realized I had forgotten the star! I found a star that I had already punched out of silver paper and attached that.  I debated hand drawing the stitches, but. . .I don't trust myself. So I took more pictures, added the little piece of ribbon and took even more pictures.  That's it! I had forgotten how much fun water coloring is and have added that set Tim used in his tag to my Need ASAP list (which grows longer and longer and longer. . . ).

Please consider helping me meet my goal of 100 new followers/subscribers in 2015. And leave me your blog info in the comments ~ I'd love to pop over to your blog and take a look! Fondly, Christi


And one last look ~

I'd like to enter my Happy Spring Tag in the following challenges:
Tim's 12 Tags Challenge - April 2015
Artistic Inspirations - #129,  Anything Goes with a twist of Spring 
Not Just Cards Challenge - #17, Always Anything Goes
Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Anything But a Card
Pixie's Crafty Workshop - Week 173
Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge - #137, Springtime Flowers
Frilly and Funkie -  Springtime Die Cuts