National Coffee Day Blog Hop

Hello and Happy National Coffee Day!!!

The Coffee Loving Cardmakers blog and Super Sponsors have gotten together for a tons of coffee inspiration!!! If you are here from the amazing Helen Gullet blog you are in the right place!!

Make sure to start on the CLC blog for a list of current and past design team members! Leave a comment along the way for your change to win one of the fabulous prizes below!! You have until October 6th at 11:55 pm pacific to leave your comments!!

Avery Elle - $25 Gift Code
CAS-ual Fridays Stamps - $25 Gift Code
Ellen Hutson LLC - $25 Gift Card
Gina K Designs - Two $50 Gift Cards
Honey Bee Stamps - $25 Gift Card
Joy Clair - $25 Gift Card
Lawn Fawn - $25 Gift Card
Newton's Nook Designs - $25 Gift Card
Pink & Main - $25 Store Credit
Precious Remembrance - Little Things stamp set + exclusive coupon savings
Reverse Confetti - $15 Gift Card
STAMPlorations - $15 Gift Card
Studio Katia - A Cup of Thanks Stamp Set & Coordinating Die Set
Trinity Stamps LLC - Coffee with Character stamp set

I am happy to be representing Reverse Confetti, leave a comment for your chance to win a $15 gift card!! Whoo Hoo!!!

I made not just one card, but two!!! For the first card I went with a fall themed card! I started with Echo Park Paper Co. Celebrate Autumn collection and ephemera pack. From a flowery pattern I used Art Impressions double stitched rectangle dies to die cut a frame, I did the same from a orange pattern paper in the collection. I replaced the flower frame with the orange frame, adding both to a white card base.

Next, I stamped the big coffee cup from the Caffeinated Cups set on brown card stock and then white heat embossed it. I also stamped part of the cup from a yellow pattern and fussy cut it out and added it to the brown cup. Then I fussy cut the hole cup from the brown card stock.

I used the banner from the Tag Me tag die set and then stamped the sentiment from For the Love of Latte. I also stamped the Coffee and fussy cut around that.

Then I added the coffee sentiment to the front of the coffee cup. I arranged the cup, sentiment banner and a flower from the ephemera pack. When I was happy with the arrangement I added everything with foam tape.

For my second card I wanted to make a Halloween card. I don't have any RC Halloween stamps, but I have a several sets that haven't seen ink yet. Then I happened upon the perfect die from Tonic!

To tart I stamped the same coffee cup I used above and then I used the dragon from Magical Day, stamping it inside the coffee cup. Then I used my Spectrum Noir Markers to color everything up. Since I knew I was going to fussy cut the cup I didn't worry about stamping the dragon and coloring outside the lines.

Next, I used a What's Brewing die from Tonic. The words actually fit inside a cauldron and there is smoke coming from it, but I new I wanted to fit it in and around the cup some how, so I got to taking apart the sentiment.

After playing with it a bit I found the What's fit at the top of the cup and Brewing? fit below it nicely. I added the cup and sentiments to an orange pattern paper and then added that panel to another orange pattern. Last, I added a few matching enamel dots!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!!! Your next stop in the hop is the wonderful Terri Burson!!  Remember when you make your way through the CLC designers to circle back to the CLC blog and hop along with our Super Sponsors for even more chances to win some prizes!!

Dana

Supplies
Stamps: Reverse Confetti: For the Love of Latte, Caffeinated Cups, Magical Day
Dies: Reverse Confetti: Tag Me. Tonic Studios: What's Brewing. Art Impressions: Double Stitched Rectangle Dies
Spectrum Noir Markers
Echo Park Paper Co. Celebrate Autumn

Like It's A Bad Thing

Hello!!!

I can't believe its almost October!?!? This means its time to start sharing Halloween cards!! I'm on the Art Impressions blog today!! AI recently released some new Halloween and Thanksgiving sets!! My card today features the Ghoul Friend stamp set! Perfect if your are a fan of the Girlfriends stamps!!

I started by stamping the two ladies and then using my Spectrum Noir Markers to color them. I usually have a list of colors used, but .... I'm have a major computer problem so I'm typing this from the library and I didn't bring my supply list with me. Luckily I had backed up all my card photo's and other important docs before the computer decided not to work, so at least you have a post with photos today!!! I'll update this post sometime in the future, either with a fixed computer or at another trip to the library! :) EDITED to ADD: SN colors used: AB1, AB3, BO1, DR4, DR6, EB1, EB2, EB5, EB6, FS2, FS9, HB2, HB3, IG1, IG4, IG6, LV3, MB2, MB4, OR2, OR3, TN2, YG1, YG2, YG3.

Okay, continuing on about the card! After coloring the image I cut it out with a fancy square die from Spellbinders. I also stamped the They Say I'm a Witch Like It's a Bad Thing sentiment on a smaller die cut square.

From my pattern paper stash I found a orange pattern that would work for Halloween and added it to a white card base. I added the stamped image and sentiment to the card with foam tape. Last I die cut two bats Memory Box from some stray black corrugated cardboard that was in my stash. It flatted a bit from die cutting, but still adds great texture.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Dana 

Supplies

Stamps: Art Impressions - Ghoul Friends

Spectrum Noir Markers

Spellbinders Die

Simon Says Stamp STAMPtember & Art Impressions Exclusive

Hello!!

Art Impressions has an AWESOME new stamp set for Simon Says Stamp STAMPtember!!! It's called Pumpkin Spice and is available only at Simon Says Stamp, while supplies last!! If you are a fan of AI's girlfriends and/or coffee this set is perfect for you!!

I started by stamping the image on white cardstock and then using my Spectrum Noir ColourBlend pencils to color it. A list of colors used is at the end of this post! Next, I stamped the sentiment on white cardstock.

Then I used Art Impressions new Oval and Rectangle stitched dies to cut out the image and sentiment. If you are in the market for stitched dies, I would check out all the shapes available at AI, here! And they are double stitched, so stitched on your shape (oval, rectangle, etc.) but also stitched on your panel after removing the die cut piece!

Next, I pulled out some Halloween pattern paper that had a basic design that worked very well for fall! With a stencil, I added a cool mandala-like shape to the top right corner of the panel. I used some gold paste, removed the stencil and let it dry!

When the pattern paper panel was good, I added the stamped and colored rectangle to the card, but I let one side overhang on the left. I trimmed off that overhang. Last I added the sentiment with foam tape too!

Thanks for stopping by!! Make sure to check out Art Impressions & Simon Says Stamp blogs for some more great inspiration using this new stamp!!

Dana

Supplies
Stamps: Art Impressions - Pumpkin Spice
Spectrum Noir ColourBlend Pencils: Bark, Espresso, Eggshell, Cream, Cider, Pumpkin, Nectarine, Honey, Clementine, Velvet, Blackberry, Mauve, Russet, Saddle Brown, Cinnamon, Cranberry, Geranium, Antique Rose, Maize, Coconut, Havanna.
Stencil: Momenta - Bastille
Paste: Faber-Castell - Texture Luxe Gold

Sale!

Hello!!

I'm on the Art Impressions blog today with a card featuring the Shop Set! It's a big stamp so it can be a challenge to use on a card! It also has lots of coloring milage! Perfect to color when you need some down time!!

I started by stamping and coloring the image. I used my Spectrum Noir Markers: AG1, AG3, AG5, AP1, AP3, AP4, BG2, BG4, BG6, BG7, BO2, BO3, BO4, EB5, EB6, HB2, HB4, IG2, IG4, IG6, LY1, LY3, IG8, LV3, MB2, MB3, MB4. Then I fussy cut around the image.

From my stash, I found this busy pattern. They can be hard to use, but I really liked it behind this image. I added it to a card base and used a black cardstock strip to break up the pattern a little.

I added the image with foam tape and last the Sale sentiment. I kept the sentiment short and simple because of the busy pattern paper and a busy image!

Thanks for stopping by!! 

Dana

Supplies

Stamps: Art Impressions - Shop Set

Pattern paper: W R Memory Keepers - Snapshots

Spectrum Noir Markers

MFT - Innovative Master

Hello!!

This is my second card for My Favorite Things SuperStar Challenge. It's for the Innovative Master challenge! Basically, I stamped two MFT images and cross stitched them! I've been a cross stitcher for about 20 years, about 5 years more then I've been paper crafting! I've been wanting to try this for awhile, some might not think its innovative, but I think at least is unique!!

Because the design is a stamp (MFT's Cat-itude) and not a design made for cross stitch I used 28 count white Evenweave, this makes half cross stitches easier. This also helped with the actual stitching, because there were lines that fell in between stitches, so I had to decide whether to stop the image or go outside the line. And of course, curves are always a challenge even if you are making a design specifically for cross stitch!

But, anyway I used DMC thread (colors used at the end) and I picked the colors from a current cross stitch project. I stitched it over the weekend. When I was done I used My Favorite Thing Stitched Oval die to cut the fabric.

Then I created a frame with the same die and one smaller. I cut it from Kraft cards stock and I inked the edges with Papertrey Ink's Classic Kraft ink. From gray cardstock, I freehand cut the metal pieces at the top of an embroidery hoop.

I also cut some cardstock with the largest oval and adhered it to the back of the stitching. That way it has some support. Then I adhered the kraft 'hoop' and metal pieces.

While that all dried, I worked on my card base. I was going for a wallpaper like look. First I used a watermark pen and ruler to add the lines. Then from the Cat-itude set, I stamped the little flower three times each with watermark ink. I wanted subtle stamping but still wanted to see it.

When my hoop was dry I added it to the card with foam tape. Last I rounded the corners. I decided not to add a sentiment.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Dana

Supplies
Stamps: My Favorite Things - Cat-itude
Dies: My Favorite Things - Stitched Ovals
Watermark Pen and Ink
DMC thread: 977, 3826, 223, 224, 221, 975, 433, 938, 310
28ct White Evenweave fabric

MFT - Clean & Simple

Hello!!

I'm stopping by with two cards that I made for My Favorite Things Stamps SuperStar contest. This card is for the Clean and Simple challenge and I'll post the other one shortly after in a different post!

My mojo has really really been lacking, like a lot!! And I've tried everything without much change, so I thought maybe doing these challenges would help!

Anyway, for the Clean & Simple Challenge, I used MFT Ocean Fun. I started by stamping the different ocean creatures using different inks. For each one, I used at least two ink pads or a pad with multiple inks. A list of inks used is at the end of this post. When that was done I fussy cut them all out. On a couple of the fish, I used a few Spectrum Noir Markers to add a few freckles!

Next, I used a circle die and lightly sketched it on a panel of white cardstock. Then I used Distress Ink and a wave stencil and inked in where the circle is. When I was done I erased any pencil marks.

From another panel, I cut the same circle in the same spot. I added two of the fish to the back of the panel, so you could see them from the front of the window. Near the bottom, I stamped the sentiment Keep Swimming in black ink. I also stamped some blue bubbles and waves.

I added this panel to the inked panel with thick foam tape. Then I added the other fish, two of them with a thinner foam tape. I added a few metallic sequins and last I added the panel to a blue card base.

Thanks for stopping by!! I'll be back shortly with my other MFT card!!

Dana

Supplies
Stamps: My Favorite Things - Ocean Fun
Ink: Papertrey Ink - Plum Pudding, Ripe Avocado, Winter Wisteria, Summer Sunrise, Smokey Shadow, Spring Moss, Orange Zest, Pure Poppy. Distress Inks - Tumbled Glass, Peacock Feathers, Salty Ocean. Hero Arts - Ombres Dolphin & Mermaid
Sequins: Paper Studio - Light Gold, Turquoise, Metallic Brown
SSS Stencil: Wave

Just the Guys

Hello!!!

I'm on the Art Impressions blog today with a masculine card featuring the Old Guys Club! It's great paired with a masculine paper collection. It's also a great way to make easy cards, since the embellishments or stickers all match. 

Started by stamping the old guys and coloring them with my Spectrum Noir Markers. I used AG1, AG3, AG5, BG1, BG4, BG6, BO2, BO3, BO4, HB2, HB3, IG1, IG2, IG4, IG6, MB1, MB3, MB4. For the dark skin, I used Copic E25, E44, E57, E59.

Next, pulled out Echo Park Paper Co That's My Boy paper collection pack. I added the orange pattern to a card base, then trimmed down my colored image and added it to the card. The collection pack has a sheet of stickers and I picked out a sentiment sticker that I added above the image and a couple stars and banner stickers adding them with foam tape. With stickers, I always add baby powder to the back so they are not sticky anymore. I do this because I always lay the items down to see how I like the placement and I always move stuff around, so this way I can do that before committing!

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

Dana

Supplies

Stamps: Art Impressions - Old Guys Club

Spectrum Noir Markers

Pattern Paper Collection: Echo Park Paper Co - That's My Boy

Watercolor Smooching

Hello!!

Today, I'm sharing my last 'summery' card!! Then its time to start thinking about fall, Halloween, Christmas, and babies!! I am really low on baby cards and need to make some!! I am also entering this into Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Stamp It!

Anyway, I started with Hero Arts Mermaid Kisses, and stamped a mermaid and some fishes on white cardstock and colored them with my Spectrum Noir Markers. I used BO1, BO2, BO3, BT1, CT2, EB1, FS2, FS9, GT1, GT2, GY1, GY2, GY3, IG2, PP1, PP4, PP6, TN3, VB1, VB2. Then I fussy cut out the images.

I had done some watercolor smooching for another project and I always use up all the ink so I will get a couple extra watercolor smooch panels. I used one for the card, it was quite a full panel, so I trimmed it a bit adding a wave at the top.

I white heat embossed the sentiment An Ocean Full of Thanks to the middle of the panel, then added it to a blue card base. I added the mermaid and fish with foam tape and lastly added a few sequins.

Thanks for stopping by!! Have a great day!!!

Dana

Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts - Mermaid Kisses
Spectrum Noir Aqua Markers
Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers
Sequins: Neat & Tangled - Winter Wonderland, Little Things from Lucy's Cards - Mermaid

Watercolor Stamping with Crafter's Companion

Hello!!

I have to get in my last two 'summery' cards in before we get too far into fall!! I'll share the very last one in a couple days!! I am also entering this card into Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Stamp It!

I started with a watercolor panel, square and my Spectrum Noir Aqua Markers. I used Navy, Marine, and Kingfisher. I added a little bit of water to the ink and free handed the circles alternating between light, medium and dark colors. I went round and round until the square panel was filled.

While that dried I used Sheena Douglass Hidden Stars stamp set to do some watercolor stamping. The starfish and seahorse has a solid image and then a detailed image. I used my Misti to get the stamping right. I inked the solid stamps with the markers, spritz with water and stamped. When they were almost dry I did the same thing with the details stamp, but used brown.

I repeated the above for the seaweed and coral. When everything was dried I fussy cut them out. I added a strip of vellum across the card and then arranged the sea life on top. Last I added a few matching sequins. I decided not to add a sentiment because I like how it looked without one!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Dana

Supplies
Stamps: Sheena Douglass - A Little Bit Scenic - Hidden Stars
Spectrum Noir Aqua Markers
Crafter's Companion Watercolor Cardstock
Vellum
Blue Sequins

Coffee Loving Cardmakers

Hello!!

I'm on the Coffee Loving Cardmakers blog today!! I have some great ideas for stamping on felt! Below is a little sneak peek! I hope you will stop by and check it out!!

Totally Fabulous

Hello!!!

I'm on the Art Impressions blog today, my card features the fun Celeste stamp!! Instead of stamping a sentiment I used a die and did some inlay die cutting!!

I started by stamping the image and coloring it with my Spectrum Noir Markers. I used: AG1, AG3, AG5, AP1, AP2, AP3, AP4, DP3, DR1, DR5, FS3, FS9, TN2, MB1, MB3, MB4, TB4, TB6.

Next, I trimmed around the image square around it, and fussy cut only along a portion of the top. Then I used Essential's by Ellen Totally Fabulous die and cut into my colored image. I cut it again from black cardstock. The 'totally' part of the die doesn't cut at the bottom so I had to use a craft knife to cut it. 

I added a piece of cardstock to the back side of the stamped image, this allowed me to add the black sentiment and inlay it. I added the image with the black sentiment to some pattern paper with foam tape. The 'f' and 't' that was off the image panel was added with foam tape too, but since the letters were black I colored the foam tape with a black marker. This way you can't see the foam tape.

Thanks for stopping by!! 

Dana

Supplies

Stamps: Art Impressions - Celeste

Spectrum Noir Markers

Die: Essentials by Ellen - Totally Fabulous

Pattern Paper: Craft Smith - Aurora