GIU Girl for Unity Stamps - Day 5

For my last day as the Growing in Unity Girl for the Unity Stamp Company, I've got a mixed media project for you, featuring "Nature's Holiday".  If you were smart enough to snag this last week when it was on sale, good for you!  It is such a precious stamp set.  Now, keep in mind, I set out with a vision in my head but, as often happens, I ended up with something totally different than what I intended.   Different is good, though.

Here's a close-up of my mixed media bird.  I went from stamping the original image with brown distress ink, to adding Flower Soft, Glitter Dimensional Glue, various inks and splatters of paint.

A friend had given me this amazing designer paper, I don't even know what brand, but it was a nice backdrop for what I had in mind.  My pinecones?  Lordy, they got the treatment, let me tell you; stamped, watercolored, dried, embossed, sanded, glued and splattered!

I dipped my wet toothbrush in DecoArt Americana paint, then ran my thumb across the brush to "spray" snow on my project.  I made some larger "snowflakes" with a paintbrush.  For my sentiment, I stamped it on canvas ribbon then used a glitter pen to embellish.

For my bird nest, I used burlap string and the trimmed edges of some wired faux burlap ribbon that I could fold and bend to my liking.

Purchase Nature's Holiday, here.

Thanks for stopping by.  Don't forget to leave a comment to be entered to win one of two prizes, a grab bag of 25 stamps. 

I'll be announcing the winners on Monday.

#unitystamps #unitystampcompany #naturesholiday #stamp #mixedmedia #decoart #distress #bird #snowbird #winter #pinecone #holiday #seasonal #thermoweb #wavingmywand #xyron #american #cottonball #burlap #thecraftersworkshop #tcwstencillove #tcwstencils #inkagold #elizabethcraftdesigns #scallop #die #cuttlebug #emboss #stencil #queenandcompany #bubble

Spring Appreciation Challenge with Mountain Plains Crafters + Cricut DS file & Prize

We're having a challenge over at Mountain Plains Crafters today, which is to create a Spring Floral card in Appreciation of someone and put it in the mail to that special someone this week!  Plus, an MPC fan will win a nifty little prize offered up by our co-founder Pam Stang, so check our FB link above or visit our blog below for details.  You have until Thursday, Apr. 24th at noon EST to link an Appreciation creation to our FB page to qualify for the prize winnings.

 http://mountainplainscrafters2.blogspot.com/2015/04/springtime-flowers-appreciation-creation.html

While mulling over who to send my card to, I finally decided on a friend who has a special needs child.  This friend and her family deal with the medical needs of this sweet angel on a daily basis.  Recently, they found out that their precious 2 year old daughter now has cancer which compounds all her other medical problems, as well.  I appreciate all the loving mothers and fathers in this world who are granted the task of raising up the children that the good Lord has given us.  I especially want my friend to know how appreciated and loved she is for being such a wonderful mother in spite of the circumstances that have been handed to her.  We can take nothing for granted in this one life that we are given.  This is for you, Jennifer.

The papers that I chose for this project are Graphic 45, A Time To Flourish (June) and G45 Come Away With Me (pink polka dot).  I created a bracket shaped card (cut with my Cricut Explore)  with 2 panels and a circle accent which is covered with polka dot vellum.  The sentiment is heat embossed and I've also fussy cut the mini card and bird from the same cardstock.  The pewter key is also from G45 and the little bird's nest was created with May Arts Ribbon natural burlap string and adhered with Tombow adhesive dots.

The 3D Bow was also cut with my Explore and if you are a Cricut Explore owner, you can purchase the bracket frame file and 3D bows in Cricut Design Space™. (Or use my file for free, if you have the CDS subscription)

If you're a Cricut Explore owner, and interested in how I made this file, continue on to the next couple photos of how I designed this to be digitally cut.  The dimensions are listed at the bottom of this post.

You can either make a panel card and glue/attach the tabs to form your card, or you can make a display card as I've done today.  In addition, you can make an additional copy of panel one, which is the white panel on my card (beige in the photo) and use it for the inside of your card as the G45 papers are double-sided.

Above, is how the layers look all put together for the front of the card.  I'm simply showing you how they'll stack once cut. 

Here, you can see how I've laid out the front of my card and popped out the top panel with foam squares.

            Dimensions:

Bracket Card 5.75"x 5.75" (to fit a 6"x 6" envelope)

Bracket Panel 1 - 5"

Bracket Panel 2 - 4 1/4"

(with 3.75" circle accent)

Thanks for popping in today!

https://us.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/26903097

You can use the link above in Cricut Design Space to re-create the bracket card, however it is a subscription file so there will be a small cost incurred once you try to cut the file, I believe it is $2.97.  If you have a subscription to the Cricut Design Space, then the file should be free for you to use.  Just click the link and login to your Cricut Design Space to access. (3D Bows file can be purchased separately)

Additional supplies: Tombow Mono Aqua Glue, Tombow Mono Super Bond adhesive runner, Close To My Heart sentiment from Family is Forever acrylic stamp set, Queen & Co clear bubbles, American Crafts Zing Aqua embossing powder, Versamark clear ink, polka dot Vellum (maker unknown), The Paper Studio 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!

#cricut #cricutexplore #cricutdesignspace #cricutds #cricuteverywhere #graphic45 #g45

Have you seen the 9.99 cartridges/digital at Cricut.com? Oh my.

Have you seen the cartridge and digital cartridge clearance at cricut.com? 

 $14.99 department is now $9.99

I am totally in love with the Florals Embellished Cartridge.  Look at all the words and quotes!  Not to mention the butterflies, flowers, folk art birds....this is a must have if you don't already own it.  

So run, but get in line after me!  Sale ends  1/27/15.

Florals Embellished Digital Set - $14.99
from: Cricut, now 9.99 through 1/27/15

Stock up and get Free shipping on all orders $25+ in January with code FREESHIPJAN

Don't forget to snag the Free Images this week.  The theme is Movie Night! Popcorn box and all.....these images expire 1/28/15.  Fun stuff!

Not all images are pictured here so go check it out!

You can see my fun projects at facebook.com/wavingmywand or instagram.com/wavingmywand

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links so, if you purchase a product using the link I may receive a commission. Your purchase price is not affected in any way.  I only participate in the Cricut affiliate program because they are products that I use and love. Thank you for your support!

#cricut #digital #design #movie #popcorn #clearance #sale #freeship

Mountain Plains Crafters Christmas in July Blog Hop

Welcome to our Christmas in July blog hop with Mountain Plains Crafters!  So, excited that you could join us.  This is a 2 day hop so there's time to share with your friends.

If you arrived from Pam's blog, you are in the right place.  Please take a moment to thank our sponsor and go like the Clearsnap Facebook page.  Tell them Mountain Plains Crafters sent you!  Also, thanks to Hydrangea Hippo for sending us the products to test and giveaway!  @Clearsnap #Clearsnap

We are giving away an awesome prize bundle from Clearsnap:  Smooch in Spruce, Smooch Spritz in Cashmere and Colorbox archival ink in Saddle.

Leave a comment below and then hop on over to Sheryl's Creative Corner for the next stop. If you get lost, here's the other links:

Mustang Creations~Pam

Mississippi Mcgyver~MariLynn

Meticulosity~Debra

Caffeinated Papercuts~Jennifer

Christina's Creations~Christina

Scrap Addict's Attic~Paula 

P.S.  Bookmark my blog 'cause starting Monday 7/28/14, I'm having a Blogiversary Giveaway.  Don't miss it!

For my project, I masked my card with a center squared piece of cardstock and sprayed Smooch Spritz all around.  This stuff shimmers and shines! 

Next, I inked up this sweet bird (and sentiment) from the Unity Stamp Co. October 2013 Kit of the month, with the Colorbox Saddle ink.  I am in love with this ink!  It stamps so clean and crisp and is so full of color.  I think this will be my new go-to ink for vintage projects and Woodgrain or nature stamps.  Lastly, I heat embossed a mistletoe stamped image with white Ranger embossing powder, then painted on the Spruce Smooch and fussy cut after it was dry.  I also painted over a few white Basic Grey enamel dots with the Spruce.

The brown bubbles on the card and mistletoe are from Queen & Co.  Adorable, right?

*Note: the enamel dots were still a little wet the next morning, so I'd allow at least 24 hours to dry.

Supplies: Queen & Co brown bubbles, Basic Grey candy buttons, Unity Stamp Co. October 2013 Kit of the Month, Clearnap Smooch in Spruce, Clearsnap Smooch Spritz in Cashmere, Clearsnap Colorbox Archival Ink in Saddle, Ranger white embossing powder, Versamark clear ink, heat tool, embossing buddy

Thank you bird card

I've got a sweet little birdie thank you card that was super easy to make.  It started with a great piece of designer paper from the Paper Boutique Play kit, that I trimmed for my card.  I layered it on top of a piece of dark red heavy cardstock, which I had distressed the edges of.  Did I say that correctly?  I sometimes second guess my grammar.  With good reason....ha!

I used a coordinating small frame and stamped my sentiment and a pretty red heart, both of which come from the Unity Stamp Co Jillibean Blossom Soup kit.  That's it.  I usually spend hours on a card so it was so refreshing to whip one out in 10 minutes.  That has to be a first!!

Other supplies:  Memento London Fog ink, American Crafts Rouge ink, The Paper Studio textured cardstock darks, Tim Holtz distressing tool

My Pinterest-click here

Scripture card with bird

I made this card a few months ago and this has been the MOST re-pinned card on my Pinterest page.   The background of the card was Cuttlebug embossed and I stamped the bird image in dark green ink.   Added a little twine and copper colored leaves for embellishment.   I used
Martha Stewart Crafts - Edge Punch - Floral Lace
from: Scrapbook.com to edge the top also.  

The scripture is actually a clear sticker that came from a grab bag I got at a crop.   I think it turned out lovely,  don't you?

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!

Bird new song card

Today I tried my hand at watercolor.   I'll admit, it's way out of my comfort zone as you can see.  I guess it's not THAT bad but still...not one of my better skills.  

I used multiple inks including a royal blue and dark green Inkadinkadoo for the sky and ground, American Craft Sunflower and Apricot on the sky also.  The images are a kit from the Unity Stamp Co called Sing a New Song and I also used a background stamp called Tattered chicken wire from Unity and I used Tim Holtz brushed corduroy distress ink on most of the stamps. 

 

I did add a little bling with some sparkly branches,  Smooch glitz in Lime Twist and a touch i off firefly Stickles glitter glue.   Finished it all off with Teresa Collins Vintage Finds twine and sparkly brads.  Oh, and I hand dotted all around the kraft card with a white Sakura gelly roll pen.  Love those things!  Hope you like my first true attempt at watercolor. ...♥

My Pinterest- click here 

Anniversary, Valentine card and more

Life has been so hectic lately that I find myself simplifying my cards somewhat.   Which is not a bad thing,  mind you.

I had to whip up a quick anniversary card for a sweet couple at church and went with heat embossing.  I made the bow with my bow maker from the Unity Stamp Co.  I am horrible at making bows but this makes it so easy.  I love it! 

Finally, I added some adhesive glitter ribbon from American Craft and we are done.  Simple but lovely. ..... really, you could use this design for a variety of occasions.  I hope you're inspired to get your craft on!

MUSIC/SONG BIRD gift tag

This is day 5 of a tag challenge over at the Unity Stamp Co. I've used a distresssing technique with the Tim Holtz tool that gives the paper a torn look. Now on the bottom, I did actually tear the paper but at the top I used the tool. Neat, huh? I've used 2 different stamps from the Unity Stamp Co. 

With both stamps, I masked out the part I didn't want to use and only stamped the part I needed.  Once you've inked your image, remove the tape and stamp.  I created the actual tag base and other embellishments from a paper pack by Teresa Collins Vintage Finds.  Love that set. 

Here is what else I used:

 Queen & Co. trendy tape and  Twinkle Princess cut yellow gemstones

Websters Pages ribbon

Unity Stamp Co Stamps (My Strength and Song, Lord-

Sympathy & Sadness)

My Pinterest - click here