Spring ATCs at the River of Creativity

I have done it AGAIN - this post is too early - the challenge doesn't start until tomorrow {4/5/22}!! So take the rest of today & create something for us :) I apologize for the confusion!!

Hello! Time for another challenge at River of Creativity! For challenge #12, our theme is spring as well as anything goes but a card - that's right, put away your card blanks and get inky with us!  I had planned on making something completely different than these Artist Trading Cards but nothing seemed to coalesce, so I listened to the universe and made a set of 6 ATCs instead of struggling to create something that just wasn't working! I've had a small box of scraps that I have amassed over the years {small die cuts, pieces of Dresden, punched patterns, stickers, scraps of paper, etc} and I decided to use what I had in the box to make set. I'd had the box for so long I really needed to go through all the things I had saved and figure out if I was truly ever going to use the pieces or not; so I went through the box, set aside what I really wanted to use and threw the rest away so a lot of what you see on these is from that scrap box and is almost vintage {grin - ok not really, but I have had it for a long time!}.  Enjoy!

 

I used a bunch of assorted products on these little guys, and I stuffed them full of bling! I used gems and sequin mixes from Picket Fence Studios, Dresden scraps from Alpha Stamps and many other sources, washi tape (and matching die) from Pinkfresh Studios as well from my stash, a ton of Dream Drops {I used  Indigo Eclipse, Cloud 9 and Love Potion} from Tonic Studios and many other bits and pieces, including stickers and more that are from my huge stash.  The background paper for these ATCs is from ModaScrap from the Fly and Scrap Collection, 6" x 6" paper {I could not find it on the ModaScrap site, but I did do a search and it is available}. I also used a bunch of small alphabet stickers and tiles, most from companies that aren't in business anymore, sadly.  All this stuff I've saved over the years

needs to be used so I can get new stuff! I had so much fun making these ATC's; I am finding myself using lots of bling and glitz in my work lately and I just went nuts with these. Knowing that if I really didn't like how something came out, I could just throw the paper away {I have so many blanks that I have amassed over the years, I could probably make an ATC a day for the next year!} and begin again with no harm.  Something about these little canvases is so freeing!

I was showing these to my roommate and explaining how "back in the

day" we'd make a bunch of ATCs, using the same design and bring them to stamp conventions and trade.  I think I still have a notebook full of traded ATCs. Do you remember those good old days? Hopefully, soon, we will be able to attend stamp conventions again - I miss the energy and all the cool products! Thanks for dropping in and get out your creative muse and create anything but a card and join us at the River of Creativity, optional theme of Spring - hope to see you there :) Christi

PS: To see the smaller pictures bigger, just click on them. If that doesn't work please let me know ~ Thanks!

I am entering my Spring ATCs in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Easter/Spring
Country View Challenges - Spring is Coming
We Love 2 Create - Anything Goes
Four Seasons Challenge - Spring Challenge
The Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers, #207 - A is for ATC 

Be Mine, Galentine

 Even thought I am not a fan of Valentine's Day, I thought I'd make a card to send to my sister, who is also single, and ask her to be my Galentine.  Hopefully this will put a smile on her face!

I started the card by making the floral heat using Concord & 9th's Triple Step Blooming Heart.  I used the following Distress Inks: Spun Sugar, Kitsch Flamingo and Festive Berries.  Once the heart was done, I found a piece of paper that matched in my stash and dry embossed it with Darice's Mini Hearts Embossing Folder {it is still available, but you need to look}, I then glued that onto the white card base.  I used a strip of red card, embossed the sentiment {which is from MFT, but seems to be discontinued} onto it using white embossing powder then die cut it.  Dimensional tape was used to adhere the heart to the background, I glued the sentiment in place and added two diamond hearts I got ages ago from Maker Forte {the picture makes the hearts look gold when they are actually iridescent}.  I think I did a fairly good job here. I like how all of the colors match :)

Thanks for stopping by and have a fantastic week :) Fondly, Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Can You Handle the Pressure (NEW CHALLENGE!!) #2, Anything Goes w/ a Twist of Pink
Sweet Stampin'- Love, Love, Love
CCEE Stampers, #205 - Valentine's Day
The Little Red Wagon, #640 - Be My Love/Valentine
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Emboss it
Try it on Tuesday - All Loved Up
Colorful Options, M - Rosy Red

Daring Cardmakers - My Sweet Valentine

Peace & Happiness

I found this card among my blog drafts - I made it long ago, but never published it.  Well, I think this is a good time to publish this card with all the recent events as I wish all my fellow humans & furbabies health, peace & happiness now & forever. 

When I first began card making, Asian design was all the rage.  We used anything Asian {often mixing countries and regions} on our cards; joss papers, hell money, pieces from advertisements, newspapers, book text, and anything even remotely Asian looking.  I've used more than one take out menu on my cards!  Even replicated coins found their way onto our cards.  I still have a fabulous supply of Asian papers, rubber stamps, trinkets, tassels, papers, coins and charms, and most of the items can be found on eBay, Etsy, or in small craft stores.  There are even a few stamp companies who still make beautiful Asian stamps, Hero Arts being one of them, and I'm lucky to still have many of my wood mounted, red rubber, Asian stamps.  When I received this stamp and die set, it brought back so many memories of the gorgeous creations my fellow crafters would make that I just had to play with it.  I hope you like what I've designed!

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Blue and Silver Asian Background Paper {stash}
Hero Arts Japanese Wishing Garden Stamp & Die Combo, #SB148 {retired but available}

Watercolor Paper {I use this}

Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black

Zig Clean Color Brush Markers
Distress Ink in Blue Jean
Alchemy Petal Point Inks from Colorbox {I used the silver ink petal}

Once I had stamped four buildings on watercolor paper and colored them with my Zig markers, I set them aside to dry so I could cut them.  While waiting, I stamped the cloud element and the butterfly a few times on scrap white card

See the sparkle!

using silver ink.  I attached a strip of the decorative paper to the white card base and cut out all my items.  I stamped the sentiment and arranged all the pieces to the card and the card was finished.  I wish you could see the sparkle of the paper; it's raised a bit as if it is embossed {and it may be} and the shine is beautiful!  I have a major collection of this type of decorative papers gathered when I was certain I'd be hand binding books and I'd need them for the covers.  I still do hope to learn to do a hardcover binding but the papers are just waiting to be used, so I snipped a bit for this card.  

This card brings me feelings of peace; it's part of my promise to make more "any occasion" cards that I can just mail out - no birthday or holiday needed.  I

Another Look

am my own worst enemy and will find things wrong with a special occasion card so I tend to let slide on a "just thinking of you" card. I'm getting back to the roots of card making.  I want to have fun with my creations and not worry so much about them being perfect.  As I often say, if it was perfect it would be 'store bought'!  I hope my story has prompted you to drag out some of that old paper, especially that paper you are saving {for what!?!} and some of the stamps you haven't used in a while.  Or maybe purchase a new set in your "old" style; whatever works for you! Just create and have some fun!  Fondly, Christi


I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Classic Design Challenge, #12 - Anything Goes
Cute as a Button,  #75 - Anything Goes option: Vintage Feel
Krafty Chicks, #588 - Stamp Act
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Christmas/Holidays
Addicted to Stamps and More, #419 - Any Occasion
Everybody Art Challenge, #503 - Blue & White
Inspired By Challenge, #198 - Inspired by the Graphic {Blue & White are my FAV colors!}

River of Creativity's November Challenge "The Gift"

Hi all!! I took this month's challenge at River of Creativity literally and made a gift :) I don't exchange holiday gifts with my family, my mother is blind so she can no longer appreciate my art {and she has more clothes than she can wear!}, my brother, well, he's my brother and while he will admire what I make he really couldn't care less and my sister has become my biggest cheerleader.  I made this shadow box for her as she decorates for the holiday {I mean it looks like every holiday icon has thrown up in her apartment}.  Since we have so many cats I no longer decorate for the holidays - if I like something it stays up all year long and most of that is not really in the spirit of the winter festivities.  Anyway, I made this little shadow box as a gift, hence it fits the challenge :) I hope you have made something that fits the challenge; we are fairly easy and if you are stuck these prompts might help: the gift of your art, your love or just sharing appreciation for the changing season.

I began the box {that I found in a big box store for, get this, .99!! You can get yours by following this link} by getting a piece of packing foam and cutting it down to the size of the snow drift I wanted in the box.  The material I used isn't Styrofoam, it has some give to it and it

isn't as dense; plus {BIG PLUS} you don't get all those little pills everywhere from cutting it. Once I had the piece in the right size I literally slathered it with Multi Medium Matte just using my fingers.  I then used "snow" I purchased from the Dollar Tree.  I set that aside to dry and painted the box white, waiting overnight for them both to fully set and dry.  Once the box and the hill were dry, I glued the hill into the box and added the blue sky using a dry brush and Blue Violet Opal Magic Paint.  Next, I added the trees {also a Dollar Tree purchase}, the trees came on little wooden circles but I just unscrewed them so I used just the tree. I made the little house out of cardstock using the dies from this Lawn Fawn set, and the sentiment is also from Lawn Fawn.  I had all the little sparkly and clay snowflakes in my stash as well as the snowflakes on the sides of the sentiment; they were actually buttons and I just snipped off the shanks! 

I hope my sister likes her gift; I am sure she will, and if she doesn't, she won't tell me LOL. I also hope I have inspired you to join us for the Gift challenge at River of Creativity - we happily take ALL crafts! Hope to see you there ~ Fondly, Christi 

I am entering my gift to the following challenges:
TTCRD - Anything Goes
The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
Country View Challenges - Christmas Gifting
Moving Along with the Times, #136 - Anything But a Card (entry 2)
Classic Design Team Challenge, #11 - Anything Goes
Pearly Sparkles Challenge, #68 - Merry Christmas
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Any Holiday Occasion
Lawn Fawnatics, #112 - Make the Sentiment the Star

PS: If you'd like to see my other Shadow Boxes, here is the Fall one {it lights up!}
and here is the Halloween one :)

Haunted Times Wall Hanging

If you are looking for the Cat Lovers Blog Hop post, click here :)

 As I was scouring the internet for Halloween miniatures I stumbled across these small {5" x 5"} wooden shadow boxes in a well known large craft store - they also had some other sizes - and the price was so good, I bought a bunch of them. I try to make something 3D for Halloween every year {last year I made a spell book that you can see here} and this shadow box is this years' 3D project.  It's the first time I used one of my new shadow boxes and I had a blast making it! 

 

Haunted Times

First, I primed the wooden box with white gesso, then painted it black.  While the box was drying I shaped the skeleton, which I got at the Dollar Tree {they are sold in a garland with 4 or 5 of the plastic skeletons tied to a piece of jute. Since the skeletons are plastic, I heated up where I wanted with my heat gun and gently bent him; a plus is that their arms and legs move so even though I bent his legs to make knees the left leg is movable still. This way the box can either be hung on the wall and his leg can dangle, or you can gently put his foot onto the bottom of the shadow box and have it sit on a shelf. I shaped him to be sitting down by bending his legs and I bent his arms to create elbows.  I glued googly eyes to him and set him aside.  I also purchased the hay bales, the silver bat sticker and the background ribbon I used in the box from the Dollar Tree. 

 

I cut the ribbon to fit the back of the box and glued that down, glued a Tim Holtz/Idea-ology drippy candle onto another hay bale and put some googly eyes on the pumpkin which I sat on some paper leaves from my stash.  The metal letters used to spell out spooky are from Memory Makers, which has gone out of business, they were actually buttons, but I trimmed off the shank.  I cut Happy Halloween from DCWV metallic silver glitter paper using an Impression Obsession die and attached that to the back wall of the box, glued the silver bat under that and added the hay bale with the candle on it to the scene. The last thing I made was the "Haunted Times" newspaper; this is the reason that Mr. Skelly Ton has the googly eyes.  See, he is reading about himself in the gossip portion of the newspaper.  I actually typed up the paper and sized it down to fit in his hands which makes it almost too small to read so I thought I'd post the entire newspaper above.  You will need to click on the image to be able to read it.  If he had lips they'd be open in surprise but he doesn't so let's move on.

Lastly, I glued Skelly Ton on the hay bale, attached the newspaper to his hands and I was done!  I Hope you find this as humerus {see what I did there?} as I do and enjoyed the peek into Skelly's life ~ thanks so much for stopping by and above all, reading the entire post! Christi

Entering my Halloween Wall Hanging in the following challenges:
Creative Artiste Mixed Media Challenge Blog, #76 - Anything Mixed Media Goes
My Time to Craft - Halloween or Fall Colors {Halloween}
More Mixed Media Challenge - Anything Goes, Option of Orange
Crafty Catz, #569 - Anything Goes w/ Option of Layers
Mixed Media Palace - Mood Board {inspired by all the Halloween-like pictures}
Mix it Up Challenge - Anything Goes
The Corrosive Challenge - Anything Goes
Use Your Stuff, #434 - Halloween or Pumpkins
Love to Scrap, #150 - Anything But a Card
Mixed Media Academy Challenge Blog - Mood board & compulsory item is BUTTONS {word spooky was buttons, I removed the shank!}

 

Shaker Magnet & Owl Ornament

Every year I make my sister some small trinket she can put on her little Christmas tree or hang on something else.  Since it is well past Christmas - yes, I am late {I honestly forgot I even had this post waiting to be published!} - I wanted to share this year's goodies.  :) 

I had made the little owl ornament a while back with stuff from my stash and some Stickles Glitter Glue as the snow {if you want to know any of the items I used in the owl ornament just let me know}.  What I want to focus on is the beach scene globe, which is a shaker magnet.

What I Used to Make my Shaker Globe
Sizzix/Tim Holtz Tiny Travel Snow Globe Dies Set, #664182
Dimensional Domes, #663559
Various Cardstock {including heavy duty white}
Simon Says Stamp Nested Circle Wafer Dies, #SSSD111466
Wooden Circle from Stash

Magnet from Stash
Shaker Stuff from Stash {I don't know what to call this - it is similar to little rocks}

I got the idea to make her a beach scene magnet since she moved from Florida to Colorado and often will say she misses the beach.  Well, now she has a little piece of it that she can look at when she feels the need!  I started the magnet by cutting out all of the pieces, then assembling them on the circle I had cut out prior {the circle is included with the dies}.  Once that was done and dried, I cut out another circle, using heavy white card and the Simon Says Stamp die, and placed the scene on that.  I used E6000 to glue a wooden circle to the assemblage; I didn't want to glue the magnet to just paper and have it possibly rip, so I used the wooden circle as the stage for the magnet.  Lastly, I put a small bit of shaker material on the scene and glued the plastic globe onto that.  It was really very simple to make as long as you have the ability to work with tiny pieces of cardstock.  I have never

Side View

been able to use tweezers so I just use my fingers, toothpicks, and luck. 

I hope you like my magnet and owl ornament - she was thrilled.  I have since acquired the Tiny Snow Globes set so expect to see some holiday magnets coming your way!   Very soon I will be having a giveaway on my Instagram account so if you are part of that social media, I urge you to begin following me.  Don't worry, I will happily follow you back!  If you aren't yet on Instagram, well, you don't know what you are missing!  There is more content, crafters, ideas, and things to inspire you than anywhere else I have seen.  And you can use your computer!  Just go to Instagram.com and make an account. Thanks for stopping by!   Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Beach Shaker Magnet in the following challenges:
Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes with Dies, February Challenge
NBUS February Challenge, #23 - Never before Used Stuff {the Tim Holtz products are NBUS}
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Add Some Texture {my shaker element!}
UnstampaBelles, #108 - Anything Goes
We Love 2 Create, #2 - Anything Goes Mixed Media
CRAFT Challenge, #586 - Anything But a Card
More Mixed Media Challenge - Anything Goes
Creative Artiste Mixed Media Challenge, #68 - Anything Goes

Fa La La La Llama

This adorable set was a collaboration between Simon Says Stamp and Clearly Besotted; sadly it is no longer available so if you can find it, you should buy it!  While I was searching for information for this post, I looked for the set to see if I could find it, and if you decide to do the same, just know that some stampers are calling the set "Little Llama."  I couldn't find the set anywhere but maybe you will have better luck!  I jazzed up every llama on this card to make it extra special - I hope you like it!

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Watercolor Paper {I use this}
Zig Clean Color Brush Markers
Gina K Amalgam Ink Pad in Obsidian Ink
Fa La La La Llama Stamp & Die Set {retired} 
Simon Says Stamp Fa La La La Die, #SSSD111767
DCWV Blue Noel 12" x 12" Paper Stack
Red Shimmer Paper from Stash
Gel Pens
Various Gems from Stash

As usual, I started this card by stamping, coloring, and cutting the llamas.  I used sparkle gel pens for the scarf and Santa hat, then used gems for the "bells" around one llama's neck and as earrings for the middle llama {I felt bad since there was nothing I could color in and use, so she had her ears pierced and was very brave.}  I used the Blue Noel paper, trimmed, to cover the white card, and also stamped and trimmed the sentiment.  For the Fa La La die I

Close up of the sparkle

used an old envelope made of shimmer paper I found in my stash; it was from a kit that I had gotten many years ago.  See, this is why we crafters save things!  You just never know!  I found the green snowflakes on my desk and have no idea what set or die was used.  

Right now my desk is a HUGE mess.  I like to pull out all the items pertaining to the season or holiday so I have all my winter, Christmas, and Valentine's Day stamps, dies, embellishments, and cat fur all over my desk.  This has caused me to rethink my storage method.  I have been storing my stamps and dies by company and, while that seems to be working for the companies I use all the time, it definitely causes me to forget some of the amazing products I have from the companies that I don't have as much.  So I inquired on Instagram how all of those talented stampers store their items and overwhelmingly they organize by season, holiday, or whatever other subject is important to that crafter.  So, I have decided that next month I am going to reorganize.  It isn't as big an undertaking as it sounds; I basically have all of my stamps and dies stored in plastic pouches, complete with a 5" x 7" magnet if applicable, and they all hang out in the refrigerator organizers that Jennifer McGuire uses {this link is from just one of her fabulous organizer posts; but it explains all the items she uses and has links to buy those exact items.}  However, I get all my supplies from Amazon and since she doesn't list magnets, here is where I buy mine.  I also use Dollar Tree bins {they are open bins with cut out handles; you can see the exact ones I use here} for my larger stamp sets, all of my word dies, and plastic cutting mats for my dividers.  I cut the mats into four sections and then label them.  Since you get two in each pack, a few can go a long way.  I also found them to be sturdy enough to keep everything apart but flexible enough that a cat can walk on it and not ruin it.  So, reorganizing really just means making some new dividers and, well, dividing.  

Wow, this post has turned out to be much longer than I anticipated!  I hope you and yours are happy and healthy and that your holiday plans are moving along smoothly!  I have a few gifts in the works and I am hoping to get them posted before the holiday, so why not take a second and follow me on any, or all, of the social media listed on the side bar. Thanks so much for stopping by & socially distanced hugs!  Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
2 Crafty Critter Crazies, #45 - Anything Goes with a Critter
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Celebrate!
Crafty Animals, #45 - Anything Goes with an Animal
Crafty Calendar - Christmas Time
Die Cur Divas - Anything Goes
The Paper Funday Challenge - Anything Goes, TWIST: Christmas
Country View Challenges - Anything Christmas
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Christmas Critters

Happy Holidays with Hero Arts Christmas Swirls Digital Stamps

I've made this holiday card with the exclusive a2z Scrapbooking Hero Arts digital set, Christmas Swirls.  You can't get digital Hero Arts stamps ANYWHERE else!  I hope you can join us at a2z Scrapbooking's challenge.  The theme this month is Winter Wonderland and I am sure you have created something you can share with us!  While the holidays have since passed, I'm just going to save this card for next year.  I hope you enjoy it!

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base {7" x 5"}
Hero Arts Digital Stamp Set, Christmas Swirls, #DK020
Sakura Gelly Roll Gold Pen, from the Stardust Set
Small Colored Gems from my stash

As you may know I struggle with digital stamps and I am SO proud of this card!  One of my wonderful teamies from a2z Scrapbooking posted this really easy tutorial about how to use Word for digital stamps and I could actually do it!  If

Sparkle!

you'd like the link, drop me a line using the contact form on the right side {I haven't asked the writer if I can share her hard work.}

I created the card front on one piece of paper, trimmed it down and attached it to the card base.  I'm not quite skilled enough to make a one layer card but I'm working on it!  Once the card was dry, I colored the stars with a gold gel pen and added little gems on the Christmas trees for some added sparkle.  Like I said, I am so happy with how the card came out!  I'm getting braver; I am actually going to try using digital paper and design my next digi card on that!

Thank you for stopping by and visiting!  I hope you and yours have a happy and safe holiday whichever you celebrate.  Fondly, Christi

I would like to enter my Hero Arts Swirls Digital Stamps Card in the following challenges:
{PIN}spirational - Anything Goes
TTCRD - Anything Goes (wk of 12/18/18)
Double D Challenges - Let it Snow!! 

Cute 'n Crafty Christmas - #2, Anything Christmas Goes
A Blog Named Hero - Winter

Creativ Fusion - #7, Non-Traditional Christmas

Allsorts Challenge - #498, Christmas Trees

Happy Craft Challenge - M, Anything Goes

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - M, Anything Goes