Create Your Own Watercolor Die Cut

One of the things that I love about art is, you never know where it will take you.  For example, I started out with a stamped image today, from the Unity Stamp Company.  I knew I wanted to build a flower around it, so I grabbed my Tombow Dual Brush pens and started coloring. 

Well, one thing led to another and before I knew it, I had not only orange, but blue and gray pens in my hand.  And, a paintbrush and water.

I ended up blending my colored image with droplets of water and blotting with a paper towel; a watercolored, hand trimmed,  die cut image that I plan to use on a card for a friend in the hospital.  This took about 15 minutes to create, while on my break at work.  I grabbed some supplies from home today, threw them in a bag, but forgot my adhesive.  Oopsy.  So, I'll assemble my card later.

This was stamped and colored on white textured cardstock.  I let it dry with my little fan blowing on it for about 10 minutes.  The white dots?  Seeing as how I not only forgot my adhesives, but my white gel pen as well..... yup, this is a liquid Bic White Out correction pen that I had on my desk.  Fun!

Give it a try and make your own fun, watercolored, die cut elements for cardmaking.

Additional Supplies: Unity Stamp Co sentiment from the Feel Better Soon April 2014 Sentiment Kit

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links so, if you purchase a product using the link I may receive a commission. I only participate in the affiliate programs linked above because they are products that I use and love. Your purchase price is not affected in any way, by using my links.  Thank you for your support and helping me keep my content free!

Join the challenge at MPC! Nautical/Patriotic

It's time for another challenge at Mountain Plains Crafters.  

The theme is Nautical or Patriotic - you decide!  

Our sponsor is May Arts Ribbon and we are giving a sampling of their patriotic and nautical ribbons that they sent our design team.  Brand spanking new ribbons!

Go here to get all the details and link up to the challenge:

Mountain Plains Crafters Summer Challenge

As you can see, I chose to go nautical.  I have some lovely papers from Graphic 45, from the By The Sea Collection.  I also used an svg file purchased from SVG Attic, to create the wavy cupcake liners, cutting them with my Cricut Explore.

Don't you just love the cake toppers?  I wrapped some May Arts Ribbon bakers twine around trimmed wooden skewers and cut the anchor and ships steer, also using my Cricut, with G45 paper, then made flags.  There's punched corrugated circles with DoubleClick Skittles in Glitter Bellini on the steer, as well.   In fact, now that I look again, these look like little cupcake boats!  Arrgh, matey.....

(I would love to take credit for the yummy cupcakes but these are courtesy of Mad Hatter Cakes and Cupcake Shop in Jacksonville, AL and are so amazing!)

Here's how I trimmed down this wide ribbon to work with my cupcake wrappers:

- trim a 1/2" x 11" strip

- pull out sections along both edges to give it a frayed look 

- secure ribbon and twine with adhesive dots and/or glue

  I love how it turned out!

Don't forget to link up before July 3rd.  Good luck!

Additional supplies: Tombow adhesive dots and Mono Aqua Glue

I also will be linking up to these challenges:

Graphic 45 June Challenge on Facebook.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Anything Goes Challenge

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links so, if you purchase a product using the link I may receive a commission. I only participate in the affiliate programs linked above because they are products that I use and love. Your purchase price is not affected in any way, by using my links.  Thank you for your support and helping me keep my content free!

#cre8time #mayartsribbon #graphic45 #bythesea #nautical #patriotic #challenge

Doubleclick Skittles Challenge, Design Team Blog Hop + Blog Candy!

Welcome to Challenge # 25 here at DoubleClick Skittles!  

I'm so happy to have been selected for the Doubleclick Connection Design Team!  Everyone has been so welcoming and I know I'm going to love it here.  A quick little something about me:  I'm married with a 13 year old son and between the 3 of us, we play guitar, piano, saxophone, a little mandolin, bass violin and drums.  We all sing as well.  In my downtime, I love to whip up a gourmet meal with help from my son who also loves to cook.  I'm a freelance craft blogger, writing the occasional craft article, Guest Design occasionally and last summer, was the Guest Blogger and Show Photographer for the Craft and Hobby Association's Paper Arts trade show in 2014.  To "pay the bills", I work for an agency that serves children with disabilities.  And, that's enough about me!

Now, if you arrived from Carri's page, you are in the right place. 

The Challenge?  Show us your Craft Space!

Here's the line up in case you get lost along the way:

Carri from DoubleClick

Terri from Waving my Wand

Kim From Cupcakes, Cards and Kim

Georgiana from Carson's Creations

Taunya from Daisies Girl

Payel from BeauMonde Designs

Challenge Date: June 24 - July 7

This is our former guest bedroom and now, craft/nostalgia room.  It doubles as my hubby's nostalgia and record collection.  He has the closet and some shelf space, I have the rest of the room, which explains massive stuff everywhere! 

The ugly wallpaper?  Yeah, just ignore that....another project for another day, haha. 

Here's my little crafty corner of the room.  My refurbished student desk and some fun storage panels that I recently made to have better access to the products I use the most.

This is the bookcase where I store my ribbons, stamps, punches and collection of paper.  Lots of embellishments and inks, as well.

This little nook sits right next to my desk and is where I keep my favorite stacks of paper and adhesives, close at hand.  That's one of my hubby's hand-me-down pieces of antique furniture. 

This is another little spot where my husband and I duke it out.  Crafting versus nostalgia.....

I think crafting is going to win!  That decorative Kaisercraft house?  I made that last year and it houses a lot of my little embellishments, such as sequins, buttons, etc.

And, finally, here's the view from the doorway.

Now, head on over to visit Kim......



I'm giving away a little blog candy as well today.   A brand new package of Spellbinders Golden Glow ink from the Celebra'tions collection, 5 Adornit Art Play Paintable coloring images from the Hello Collection and a 12" piece of "handmade with love" May Arts Ribbon from my personal stash.

To qualify: 

• You must be a follower of all blogs in the hop  (there are 6)
• Leave a comment on all design team members posts showing their craft space
• Comment here letting me know you followed all the requirements.
• US residents only (sorry due to high shipping fees)

Go SHOPPING HERE!  Doubleclick Skittles Store  (paypal accepted)

Want to join the challenge?  Link up and show us your craft space.  Here's the rules......


Rules for the challenge:
Skittles are not required to enter this challenge
One entry per person
No back linking
Must follow theme
When linking up use your project link not your blog link
Must Link back to this challenge and reference DoubleClick Skittles
Be A follower of DoubleClick and leave a comment after linking up 
Visit and Comment on the Guest Designer post
Prize is open to US residents only but anyone can enter


#doubleclick #skittles #cre8time #craft #challenge #blogcandy #summer #craftroom





Watercolor Scripture Tag / Door Hanger

There's a fun challenge going on over at the Tombow Blog called, "Words of Wisdom".

The directive is to work words of wisdom into your craft project.  I can't think of a better wisdom quote than scripture, direct from the Bible.  Also, Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Blog has a challenge to link up with your favorite technique, which is watercoloring.  Also, there is a challenge at Inspiration Destination, Anything Goes #38.  I will be sharing this project at all 3 challenges.  I do have some affiliate links below, as well, if you care to shop for any of the items I've used below.

 For my project, I chose to heat emboss this scripture verse from the Unity Stamp Company and use my Tombow Dual Brush pens to watercolor and "smoosh" my paper into watered ink.  The name of this stamp is, "My Strength My Song, Lord".  

(Those fun little bubbly gems?  Those are skittles embellishments.  Be sure and scroll to the end of this post if you'd like to purchase some of your own.  I LOVE them!  So many fun colors.....)

After smooshing my watercolor embossed image, I touched it up with some additional coloring.  I also used a cloud stamp on the edges.  The sentiment was cut with

SCD-010 Spellbinders BUILD A TAG ONE Die Set - $12.99

from: Simon Says Stamp

 I placed it on a larger hand cut tag that I made from Adornit blender paper, distressed with Bo Bunny Pearlescent, stenciling, ink splatters and additional touches of color from my Powder Puff purple chalk ink.

The gorgeous ribbon handle was made with May Arts Ribbons including this new release Spring Floral Print and white mini pom poms.  I thought this would be sweet to hang on a door knob, or  car mirror, hang as a decorative accent on a gift bag or just give to a friend to perk up their day.

Here's a close up.  I had a little trouble getting good photos in my homemade light box, outdoors, while the wind was blowing!  Haha, always a challenge when taking pictures outside.  The wind kept knocking over my tag.  But, the results are well worth it.

Additional supplies: 

Doubleclick Skittles in Pink Sorbet (Paypal accepted)

SCL-003 Spellbinders LUSCIOUS LIME Silk Luster - $6.99

SCL-002 Spellbinders SILVER SHIMMER Silk Luster - $6.99

SCSD-009 Spellbinders SUNNY DAYS Die and Clear Stamp Set
Ranger Embossing Powder BLACK EPJ37347
Adornit blender paper Blue pixie dots
The Crafter's Workshop MINI SEA BUBBLES 6 x 6 Template TCW495S - $4.99

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links so, if you purchase a product using the link I may receive a commission. I only participate in the affiliate programs linked above because they are products that I use and love. Your purchase price is not affected in any way, by using my links.  Thank you for your support and helping me keep my content free!

#cre8time #ssswchallenge #tombow #mayartsribbon #watercolor #skittles #ranger #spellbinders #unitystamps #adornit

Butterflies Take Flight Get Well Card

I have a friend getting ready to undergo surgery, so I made this card to send her and am also playing along with the Unity Stamp Co Be Inspired Challenge.  I've chosen the color challenge but you can also do the sketch or layout challenge.

I opted to watercolor the sentiment and build around that.  This sentiment is from the 9/13 Kit of the Month, titled "Happiness has no limit" and the watercolored leaves are from that kit as well.  This was colored on Strathmore Bristol #140 watercolor paper using my Tombow Dual Brush Pens.  I painted the frame edge with Folkart Paint and added liquid pearls in Platinum Pearl.

 

 

Those fun butterflies taking flight?  May Arts Ribbon, including the string butterfly that's embellished with a large enamel dot.   Also, the sentiment was stamped with Memento London Fog ink and then traced over with a gray Tombow pen to enhance, and finished off with clear Wink of Stella glitter pen.

I'm also linking up to these challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge- Favorite Technique (watercolor)

Unity Stamps Friends With Flair

Additional Supplies: Fab Scraps striped paper, doily from Hobby Lobby, Tombow Power Bond adhesive runner, foam squares, Word script strip from Farmhouse Papers, We R Memory Keepers large enamel dot, 6x6 white card The Paper Studio

 

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links so, if you purchase a product using the link I may receive a commission. I only participate in the affiliate programs linked above because they are products that I use and love. Your purchase price is not affected in any way, by using my links.  Thank you for your support and helping me keep my content free!

#cre8time #unitystamps #mayartsribbon #tombow #ranger #decoart #challenge #card #getwell #ssswchallenge #wrmk

May Arts Ribbon Flower Challenge + Prize Giveaway!

I'm so happy to have been chosen for the May Arts Ribbon Flower Challenge.  Participants were allowed to choose their own ribbon and were instructed to create a flower from that ribbon.

Click this link to cast your vote for your favorite creation by leaving a comment at the May Arts Blog post here:  https://www.mayarts.com/ribbon-flower-challenge-entries-and-a-giveaway/

But guess what?  You have a chance to win ribbon for yourself!

The prize?  A $25 gift card to the May Arts Ribbon new online store, The Ribbon Resource

For my project, I chose to make a layered flower with a pin backing to wear as jewelry.  The bottom and middle layer of petals were cut in a heart shape with my Cricut Explore.  I've done some ink distressing to some of my ribbon, to give it a bit of a vintage feel, using distress ink and a blending tool.  I ironed on heat n bond to the back of my ribbon prior to trimming the petals.  The first 3 layers of petals were ironed together, then distressed.  The top layer was inked, then Mod Podged for better shaping and to give the petals some shine.

My layers begin with one of the new releases, the Garden Print.  I've hand trimmed a few white and pink leaf-like petals peeking out as well.

There's also a layer of white and pink petals between the top and bottom flower.  To give some texture, I distressed the center ribbon layer by melting it a bit with my heating tool.

I finished my flower with some pearl string accents, a button and enamel dot.  

I recommend you use a hot glue gun to better secure your pin backing.

Bonus Tip!  

I love grabbing up seasonal adhesive felt products on clearance.  They make great backings for just about any jewelry project. 

Ribbons/Accessories used:

JC01 - WHITE

 468-25-19 Garden Print

524-38-09 Ivory (pearl string)

AW17 - PINK/WHITE

#mayartsribbon #challenge #prize #cre8time #cricut #modpodge

Winner of My Summer Coffee Lover's Hop!

Thanks to Amy Tsuruta for another successful Coffee Loving Cardmakers Blog Hop.  With well over 500 entries, there was a lot to see and do.  I applaud all who had a hand in making this event so successful, including all the wonderful sponsors.

Enough of the rambling, right?  Who's the winner??

After assigning each person a number, including those who left an extra comment stating they followed me, I entered the numbers into Random.org and got,,,,,

#57 Angie Barrs

Congratulations Angie!  I'll be contacting you and sending out your prize; a starbucks gift card, a sampling of Skittles embellishments and the card pictured above.  

Find out more about Skittles below, those fun, colorful, bubbly embellishments featured on my card;

Doubleclick Skittles (paypal accepted)

#summerclh #coffee #summercoffeeloversbloghop #skittles #sizzix #fancypantsdesigns

Fathers Day with MPC and Heartfelt Creations Everyday Heroes

The design team is celebrating Father's Day over at Mountain Plains Crafters.  We're all coming up with our own take on celebrating the men in our lives.

Be sure you "like" us on Facebook as we have a fun challenge and giveaway coming up later this month that you don't want to miss!  Here's our Community Facebook page:

Mountain Plains Crafters on Facebook and Twitter Page

I chose to make a Father's Day card for my Dad who was a Navy man and retired Army.

I'm using the Heartfelt Creations,  "Everyday Heroes" Collection.  I wanted to leave as much of the quote on the paper exposed which says, "You stood the test of time with honor, integrity and commitment.  Thank you."

To begin, I made a faux dog tag, those metal tags that identify every soldier.  I used my Spellbinder's Celebra'tions Tag die and cut from a scrap of white cardstock.  Next, I did some heat embossing in white, then painted over the entire tag with the Spellbinders Silk Luster.  It was the PERFECT shade!

I used my We R Memory Keepers Trimmer/Scorer to score around the edges of my tag for that little something extra, then scrounged around my sons room and found this unused little chain that was just what I needed to complete my faux dog tag.

Some of the little touches on my card are paper piecing and 3-D pop ups that I made out of the Every Day Heroes paper, such as this dimensional time piece.

I was able to use my hole punch to punch out some of these tiny words on my paper and have a little focus on this corner where I tore and distressed the papers.  I also created some knotted "ropes" as a throwback to my Dad's Navy days.  I used May Arts Ribbon black/white twine and natural twine and 

tied loose knots with approximately two 16" sections of twine gathered together.

You can also see that I did a little embossing with my Cuttlebug on the top paper, with a cork embossing folder for added texture, and some ink blending as well.

More images from the collection, fussy cut and popped up.

I know my Dad is going to LOVE this card! I really can't wait to give it to him.

Additional Supplies:

Ranger Black Onyx Liquid Pearls, Ranger White embossing powder, Versamark clear embossing ink, FabScraps metal embellishement, Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Brushed Corduroy, gemstones (maker unknown), Bo Bunny Pearlescent, Tombow Mono adhesive runner and foam squares.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links so, if you purchase a product using the link I may receive a commission. I only participate in the affiliate programs linked above because they are products that I use and love. Your purchase price is not affected in any way, by using my links.  Thank you for your support and helping me keep my content free!

#heartfeltcreations #everydayheroes #hero #spellbinders #mayartsribbons #ranger #timholtz #bobunny #tombow #fabscraps #army #navy #military #armedforces #fathersday #combatboots

Coffee And Patriotism - A Nice Blend!

I hope you've had the opportunity to link up to some super fun blog hops this week.  This is my 3rd and final creation for the Coffee Lover's Cardmakers Summer Blog Hop.

I wanted to do something along the lines of recognizing those men and women in our lives who have served our country and help to protect our freedoms.  My dad is a military man.  He served in the Navy and retired from the Army.  And boy, does he love his coffee.  This is a thank you card  with a coffee/patriotic focus.  Yes, coffee and patriotism do go hand in hand!  Ask any Drill Sargent  (like my dad), what started his day at 4:00 am, rousing the troops and he'll tell you....coffee! 

 I chose to do some background stamping with a wonderful stamp set from the Unity Stamp Company, one of the sponsors of this hop.  This set is called Thanks Above and Beyond and is the April 2015 Sentiment Kit of the Month.

To begin, I stamped my background with Hero Arts Neon Red ink, and added some stars from another Unity set, Splatters & Stars, doing some generational stamping.

Once again, I'm using my Sizzix Eileen Hull Mug die which is on sale NOW here:

Sizzix - Vintage Kitchen Collection - Bigz Die - Mug and Spoon - $15.99

                        from: Scrapbook.com

and my We R Memory Keepers Fuse.  

We R Memory Keepers - Photo Sleeve Fuse

                                                from: Scrapbook.com

I've embellished with a DCWV mat stack, May Arts Ribbon red/white twine, American Crafts glitter adhesive strip, an upcycled coffee sleeve with a star punched out and a fused pocket that's hidden behind the sleeve.  

I actually made this fused pocket at a crop event a few months ago and have been waiting on the perfect occasion to use it.  It contains extra fine glitter in red, white and blue.  I've added some Doubleclick Skittles at the bottom of my cup, in Sailboat Blue.  Look close and you'll see that the Skittles magnify the tiny stars.  How cool!  These are handmade in individual batches and come in a boatload of colors. I'm kind of partial to them.  You can buy these here:

Doubleclick Skittles Store (paypal accepted)

As a reminder, I'll be giving away some blog candy and a sampling of Skittles (various colors) will be part of the prize!

I hope you like my fun patriotic coffee card.  I think I'll give it to my dad for his birthday this month, and tuck a little gift card inside.

 Join in with your own newly made creations by June 12th, 2015.  You can link your coffee, tea or cocoa creation here at Coffee Loving Cardmakers:

Summer Coffee Lover's Blog Hop

I will also be linking up to these additional challenges:

Simon Says Stamp June Work It Wednesday

Now for my blog candy Prize details:  One commenter will win a $10 Starbucks gift card and a sampling of Skittles embellishments, plus my Splashin' coffee shaped card featured here.  This prize is being offered on 3 separate blog posts.  You must leave a comment below on this or any of the two other blog posts.  You may also receive one additional entry by following me on Friend Connect on the upper right sidebar of my blog or follow me via email.  Please leave an additional comment letting me know you've done so.  I will draw a winner on Sunday June 14th, 2015.

I would love if you would like/follow me on:

facebook.com/wavingmywand

instagram.com/wavingmywand

twitter.com/wavingmywand

pinterest.com/wavingmywand

Additional supplies:

Tombow mono adhesive runner, 

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links so, if you purchase a product using the link I may receive a commission. I only participate in the affiliate programs linked above because they are products that I use and love. Your purchase price is not affected in any way, by using my links.  Thank you for your support and helping me keep my content free!

#‎summerclh‬ #coffee #cre8time #sizzix #tombow #bloghop #blogcandy #mayartsribbon #DCWV #americancrafts #wrmk #wermemorykeepers #fuse

Watercolor Teacup with Prima and Tombow

 There are a couple really fun blog hops going on right now, and I thought it was the perfect time to break in this stamp from Prima Marketing Flowers. 

I chose to watercolor using my Tombow Dual brush pens and added some tiny, Pretty Pink Posh sequins from the Christmas mix, held in place with Ranger Stickles glitter glue in Eucalyptus.

 I was going to make a card but instead, I fashioned a stand-up display piece from my Anna Griffin Pretty Papers cardstock.  To complete this lovely ensemble, I created a double bow from May Arts satin ribbon, to coordinate with the colors in the teacup.  Some washi tape behind the back bottom fold and a magnetic strip help to balance my display.

 I'm linking up to these blog hops below.   Join in with your own newly made creations as well!  You can link your coffee, tea or cocoa creation here at Coffee Loving Cardmakers:

Summer Coffee Lover's Blog Hop

or your watercolor creation here at Pretty Pink Posh:

Pretty Pink Posh Watercolor Blog Hop

I'm also linking up to the Simon Says Stamp June Work It Wednesday Challenge

Now for my blog candy Prize details:  One commenter will win a $10 Starbucks gift card and a sampling of Skittles embellishments, plus my Splashin' coffee shaped card featured here.  This prize is being offered on 3 separate blog posts.  You must leave a comment below on this or any of the two other blog posts.  You may also receive one additional entry by following me on Friend Connect on the upper right sidebar of my blog or follow me via email.  Please leave an additional comment letting me know you've done so.  I will draw a winner on Sunday June 14th, 2015.

I would love if you would like/follow me on:

facebook.com/wavingmywand

instagram.com/wavingmywand

twitter.com/wavingmywand

pinterest.com/wavingmywand

Additional supplies:

Tombow mono adhesive runner, Bristol Strathmore Smooth #140 lb watercolor paper, Spellbinders Celebra'tions Pierced Square dies

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links so, if you purchase a product using the link I may receive a commission. I only participate in the affiliate programs linked above because they are products that I use and love. Your purchase price is not affected in any way, by using my links.  Thank you for your support and helping me keep my content free!

#‎summerclh‬ #coffee #cre8time #prettypinkposh #annagriffin #tombow #bloghop #blogcandy #mayartsribbon #washi #teacup #tea #prima