Scrapnextras

More Alcohol Ink

I promised I would share a couple more cards from the classes I taught at Scrapbooker's Paradise.  Both of these were done with alcohol ink on acetate...actually, Judikins Shrink plastic to be exact.  It's a nice sturdy medium for this techniqe, especially when using it on a card.

The first is one we actually did in the class.  It's a simple 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" card.  I used my favorite Cuttlebug Butterfly and the EK Postage Stamp border punch.  The sentiment is from a set by Inkadinkadoo called "Greetings".

It's really hard to capture the beauty of the translucent panel, but trust me it's more interesting in real life.  It's popped up with micro pop dots, (most are under the butterfly or the sentiment panel) to really take advantage of that quality.

The second is also done with the Judikins shrink plastic (not shrunk BTW!) This one didn't make the cut, because you can only get so many cards done in a class, but I like how it turned out so I figured I'd share it with you anyway.

The sentiment is from an fabulous inspirational set by Cloud Nine Design called Happy Birthday, and the flower type image is from Hero Art's set "Scattered Leaves".  I added yellow gems to the buds and again the clear panel is popped up on micro pop dots. 

These are both really simple designs...perfect for replication in a class.  I mean really the fun part is playing with the alcohol inks, not building the cards!

I taught my first Copic class recently.  I think it went quite well,  and I'll share those cards with you this week too!  Until then, thanks for the visit!  I love it anytime I hear from you!

Spooky and Sweet Sunday Sketch!

You know I had so much fun with my first halloween card, I couldn't wait to make another!  Honestly the images in Taylored Expressions new Halloween stamps are so fun.  This week I decided that I would use Spooky Expressions with Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch, and I had a lot of fun colouring this ghastly cauldron!

  I worked with the Halloween Key Ingredients kit to put this eerie creation together.  The designer paper included in the kit is Eerie, by Basic Grey, so you know it's a favorite of mine already!  The image was stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured with Copic Markers.  I used the green glimmer ribbon to tie off a button from the kit and finished with a Basic Grey brad that marks the day!

I really liked this sketch...it was easy and fun to work with.  You will love seeing how the rest of the sketch team inspires you!  I hope after taking it all in you'll play along and link your lovely (or ghastly) creation to Mr. Linky on Karen's blog!

Jennifer Tapler

Karen Motz

Lynn Put

Nancy Riley

Sarah-Jane Kale'

Vicki Burdick

and of course Karen!

Happy Sunday!  I hope you are enjoying your weekend!  I will be back tomorrow with some class projects, I hope to see you then!

 

Flourishes Friday; One set - Two looks!

It's Flourishes Friday!  Where did the time go?  Well, I have two cards to share with you today, because our challenge was to create two cards with the same set.  Well, two distinctly different cards, which I did, although you know how I'm compelled to create a set when I sit down to stamp.  I used Seasonal Wreaths, one of Flourishes new sets that I'm absolutely in love with, and the images certainly make it easy to create unique beauties with every inking!  See for  yourself...

I went for a clean and simple look with my first card.  Starting with a base of Classic White I stamped the wreath image on the white, then I embossed the front with the Snow Flake Cuttlebug folder. I love how crisp the sturdy Classic White embosses!!

I stamped the image again on Classic White colouring it with my Copic Markers.  I chose my colours from the Sky, Tea Rose and Evergreen Copic Collections.  I cut out the coloured image and popped it over the stamped image.  I added a bow of blue satin ribbon, some tiny blue gems and the sentiment from Holiday Greetings!  I totally love these colours for Christmas!

Recipe:  Stamps:  Seasonal Wreaths, Holiday Greetings (Flourishes)  Paper:  Classic White, Bashful Blue  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black  Accessories:  Blue satin ribbon, gems (Recollections), oval punches, Snowflake Cuttlebug folder, pop dots,Copic Markers

OK, here's my second card...very different.  I used the rose wreath for this card, choosing to colour my roses yellow with my Copic markers.  I used the Daffodil and Evergreen Copic collections, along with the Flesh Tones 1.  I cut in into a circle with my nestabilities and layerd it on a scalloped circle.

I pulled out my long lost Lily Kate paper by Basic Grey and added a border with my Martha Stewart lace doily punch.  Gorgeous May Arts silk ribbon graces the left side with a pretty pin inserted through it.  To balance it off, I added a Fancy Brad on the lower right corner and called it done!

Recipe:  Stamps:  Seasonal Wreaths  Paper:  Classic White, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Lily Kate DP (Basic Grey)  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black  Accessories:  Flourishes Finishing Touches, circle Nestabilities, May Arts silk ribbon, Lace Doily border punch (MS), pop Dots, Copic Markers

All of the Flourishes design team have two cards to share with you...each with the same stamp set.  You're going to love all the inspiration and versatility you'll be seeing today!  Check it out!

Julie Koerber

Christine Okken

Cindy Lawrence

Faith Hofrichter

Leslie Miller

Latisha Yoast
Stacy Morgan

I've been absent from blogging this week, but I should be back a bit more often with new projects to share.   Dh is back to work, I have no classes to teach so at minimum I will share some of my class projects.  I really hope to find some time to stamp this week.  An SCS challenge would make me so happy!

 

I hope this finds you happy!  Thank you so much for dropping in to see what I've been up to.  I always enjoy your visits, and plan to stop by your place real soon.  Have a fabulous Friday!

Key Ingredients release...and ideas for the Kitchen!

Taylored Expressions is releasing the September 20 Key Ingredients kit!  If you have a subscription, you probably already have it by now, and if you don't, well it's now available for purchase!  Having a subscripton is a wonderful option, as your packages are mailed before it becomes available for sale!  There are more benefits, like free shipping of any additional purchases that will be shipped with your kit, a challenge and more!

This month Taylor challenged us to create something for or from the kitchen.  Oh boy.  I thought long and hard for this one.  I don't bake.  I'm not much of a cook, so the kitchen isn't a place I like to spend a lot of time in.  So I thought, why not brighten it up, and even if I don't like to spend much time there, at least it will have a few of my favorite things...and they won't be fighting!  I decided on fridge frame magnets.

  I had picked up these little wooden frames at Walmart.  Years ago I bought a set for the girls to decorate, and they were so inexpensive, it was inevitable I would have to make some for myself!  I started by measuring the frame and cutting the designer paper from the Sept 20 Key Ingredients kit and matching cardstock (both from the kit).  I cut an opening in the centre and adhered the pieces to the frames.  Taylor also challenged us to distress.  Well, I'm not great at distressing because it against my nature to rough up perfectly pretty paper.  I did sponge around the edges and after a few deep breaths I was ready to finish.

I embellished the frames with ribbon and buttons.  Everything you see was from the September 20 Key Ingredients kit, except the brown stitched ribbon.  I pulled that out of the Father's day KI kit!  See another reason you should subscribe, the kits are so fun to mix and match!

The beautiful colours of fall in this kit really make it a must see, so check out all the sweet treats the Bakers Dozen has cooked up for you:

Taylor Van Bruggen

Charmaine Ikach

Donna Baker

SharonHarnist 

Karen Giron

Jodi Collins

You are invited to play along with the Key Ingredients challenge too!  Create something for or from the kitchen and distress it!  Post a link to your creation on Taylor's blog, and there just might be a prize in it for someone!

But wait!  There's more!  I am also sharing my take on Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch!  A couple of weeks ago, Karen asked me if I would like to be a part of  her Sweet Sunday Sketch team, and being that I love my sketches, I said yes! 

So here is the sketch and my take on it!  I used the September 20 Key Ingredients kit along with Beary Special and Beary Special Accessories! 

Be sure to see what Karen and the rest of the team have come up with, and you are invited to play along.  Just link your creation up to Karen's post with Mr. Linky!  Word has it that Karen also has some blog candy, you'll definitely want to play along!

Jennifer Tapler

Karen Motz

Lynn Put

Nancy Riley

Sarah-Jane Kale'

Vicki Burdick

and of course Karen!

 

Well I am looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow.  It's been a busy week and a long day!  I hope you have something wonderful planned.  Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I love that you included me in your day! 

Flourishes Friday; a Sketch 4 U

It's Friday and it's Flourishes Friday!  This week Flourishes is sponsoring the sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You, and the senior design team is playing along, and so should you!  Well maybe only if you like free stamps!  The winner of the sketch drawing at 2 Sketches 4 U will win two stamp sets from Flourishes!

  Here's the sketch, and here's my take on it!

I just got the absolutely gorgeous  Indian Summer paper pack by Basic Grey, and I just love the colours and designs for autumn!  I inked up the new Falling Leaves set by Flourishes.  I was going to watercolour it, but decided to try colouring it with my Copic markers.  I think it turned out pretty nice.  A lot of tip to tip blending, something I haven't done a lot, but it gave me the blend I was going for.  I popped it up for added interest, and scalloped the left side of the panel, adding tiny gold pearls to the scallops.

For the upper section I tied some black satin ribbon through a gold Stunning Slide.  OMG...I can't tell you how much I love these slides!  They add such an elegant touch to any card.

Are you ready for some more inspiration on this sketch?  Hop over to the rest of the design team's blogs and then get started on yours!

Julie Koerber

Christine Okken

Cindy Lawrence

Faith Hofrichter

Leslie Miller

Latisha Yoast
Stacy Morgan
Sharon Doolittle 

That's it for me! Have a fabulous weekend and I'll see you on Sunday! 

Amazing Alcohol Inks

I am teaching an Alcohol Ink class tomorrow at my LSS; Scrapbooker's Paradise, and I thought I would share one of the cards we will be doing.  I have to say that I just love the intense colour you get from alcohol ink, and I had so much fun designing the cards.  The hardest part was narrowing them down to a number of cards that could actually get completed in a class, because I really had fun making them!

I tried to keep the cards relatively simple...no ribbon to tie and only a few embellishments, so they are "do-able" as well as inexpensive.  For this one, I used Tim Holtz "Farmer's Market" set of alcohol inks on glossy paper, along with the alcohol blending solution.  The floral image from Hot off the Press "Botanicals" is stamped in Jet Black Stazon.  I used EK Success's new Postage border punch and the Textiles Cuttlebug embossing folder.

I will share a couple more over the next while; some we will be doing at the class, and other's that I couldn't fit in, but turned out just as lovely.

I have to give credit to both Tim Holtz and Jennifer McGuire for sharing their talent and tips on working with the alcohol inks.  They both have some fabulous videos and amazing ideas.  Until I watched a few of their videos I was a little intimidated by the alcohol inks, and honestly, they are really simple and so much fun to work with!

OK, I'm off to pick up dh at the airport.  He's on a week in; week out rotation and he starts his week out today.  So if you have noticed that some weeks I seem a little scarce, you can probably guess it's his week in!

It's a fabulous Indian Summer here.  29C or 85F!  I am lovin' the sun!  I hope the sun is shining on you today!  Make it an amazing day and I'll see you tomorrow! 

Listen to your Heart

 

You may already know that I'm kind of a sentiment junkie!  I love beautiful, funny, profound and interesting sentiments.  I especially love them when they are unique in their spacing or format or mix of fonts, and the sentiments from Taylored Expressions "Places You'll Go" rate an A+ in all regards in my book!  They are suitable and appreciated by all ages!  And this set is also part of Taylored Expressions Giving Tree charity. For the months of September, October and November, when you purchase this set, $7.00 will go to the Books for Kids Foundation whose mission is to promote literacy among all children with a special emphasis on low-income and at-risk preschool-aged children.  Such a fabulous set and a feel good purchase.

"Let your heart guide you" is a concept that I didn't fully understand until well into my adult life.  If I can pass this little gem of wisdom along to my kids, I will feel like I have done my job.

All the paper is from the Places You'll Go Key Ingredients kit which makes it so easy to coordinate and put together.  I wanted to keep the focus on the sentiment, although I can't help myself from adding a button here, and a slip of ribbon there LOL!  Oh well, I think I still achieved my goal.

The sentiment was stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black on Choice Buttercream card stock.  The heart was coloured with Copic markers and for some extra shine and dimension I covered it with a generous coat of Ranger Glossy Accents.  I added a ribbon along the border tied off with one of the buttons from the kit, and then I tied another scrap from my stash...just because.  I finished it with three more buttons on the bottom left.

So fun, so simple.

Well, I'm off to work so I'll keep this short!  Thanks so much for dropping by...I so appreciate that you do!

Flourishes Release Day!!

It's release day at Flourishes and all four sets are in store now!  I have a couple more samples to share using the new sets.  They are available individually or save 10% on all four in the New Release Bundle!

My first card uses Seasonal Wreaths.  I LOVE this set!  It has four fabulous wreaths and the sentiments are nice and small; perfect for punches!

Sunflowers are my favorite flower, so it was a no brainer which image I was going to ink up first!  I used K& Co's Wild Saffron DP and some chocolate polka dot organdy ribbon from Flourishes.  The sentiment was punched out with oval punches and a gem was added to balance it out.

All four images in this set are fabulous, and I can't wait to ink them up!

My second card was a real quickie using Think Pink-Fight Like a Girl.  I personally think we should all mass produce a similar card and send this to all the women in our life.  You just never know who will be diagnosed next.  Make sure  you are doing your monthly breast exam and stay healthy.

For the card I used a base of Classic Ivory.  The tee was stamped on a solid paper from Basic Grey's "Lemonade" pack, and popped up on Labels 4 nestabilities.  The sentiment "I wear Pink" is on the tee, and "for you" dangles from the lower point on one of Flourishes Mini Messages.  A little piercing and some gold pearls add a bit of interest to this simple card, and grosgrain ribbon ties it all together!

Here's a look at all four sets:

Falling Leaves

Seasonal Wreaths

Cottage Home

Think Pink-Fight Like a Girl

I have a funeral to go to this weekend, so I won't be around much.  I haven't even made a sympathy card, so I will be doing that after signing off. 

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!  Stay healthy and remember to Fight Like a Girl!

Think Pink; Flourishes Preview Day 3

Fact: More than one million new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed this year

One of those cases could be me, or you, or your sister or my mother.   We need to stand up for ourselves and fight like girls.

When Flourishes started to design Think Pink, Jan, Nancy and Sharon - the owners of Flourishes - knew they wanted to use this set to help others in the fight. That's why a portion of each stamp set sold will go to help STAMP OUT breast cancer and support Susan G. Komen for the Cure. This grassroots effort has, to date, invested more than $1 billion in the fight against breast cancer. Susan G. Komen for the Cure is an effort that is working to save lives, empower people, and energize science to find a cure. We couldn't think of a better group to join in the fight! If you'd like to read more, simply visit www.komen.org.

I can't help but gush about this set!  It is truly unique, feminine and fabulous!  And I love the sentiments in it...they are so powerful and you can customize them so easily.

I couldn't wait to play with the little ballerina dress...how cute is that?  And how perfect is that sentiment right along with it?

The dress was stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black on Flourishes Classic White cardstock and coloured with Copics using the Tea Rose Collection.  I added some tiny gems to the waist and one on the bodice, and three more on the upper left of the focal panel.

I wanted impact and I wanted to keep it fairly simple, so I called on my old favorite Purely Pomegranate and threw in Pink Pirouette...because it was so perfect with it!  The left panel is SU retired DP punched with the ticket corner punch.  Gems are added in each corner of the card which has been run through the Cuttlebug with the paisley folder.  The card base is Flourishes Classic White, which is fabulous for Copics, but I also love how sturdy it is as a card base!  The sentiment is stamped in Purely Pomegranate and while it's difficult to see, the ribbon is stamped in Pirouette Pink in the background of the sentiment.  I shaped the stitched ribbon and adhered the sentiment to it and popped it up on dimensionals.

There is more fun to be had by checking out the blogs of the rest of the design team. I know  you'll enjoy seeing their different styles with this fabulous set.

Julie Koerber

Christine Okken

Cindy Lawrence

Faith Hofrichter

Leslie Miller

Latisha Yoast
Stacy Morgan
Nancy Kirk

Sharon Doolittle 

If you would like a chance to win this set, leave a comment on this post on Flourishes blog.  Do it quick as the winner will be announced tomorrow!

It's release day at Flourishes and all four sets, including Think Pink will be released for sale this evening after the Flourishes Release Power Hour.  Thats an hour of fun, games prizes and the full reveal of all four sets before we open the store!  I hope to see you there at 9:00 Central in the Flourishes Member Forum on Splitcoast Stampers. 

Have a fabulously Pink day, and thanks for dropping in!  I love it when you do!

Recipe:  Stamps:  Think Pink (Flourishes)  Paper:  Flourishes Classic White, Purely Pomegranate, Pink Pirouette, SU retired DP  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black  Accessories: Copic Markers,Gems (Recollections), Purely Pomegranate double stitched ribbon, ticket corner punch (SU), Cuttlebug & Paisley embossing folder, pop dots
 

Cottage Home; Flourishes Preview Day 2

It's day two of Flourishes previews and today we are sharing Cottage Home!  I really love this image of the tree-d lane.  You know when I was a kid, I really thought "memory lane" was a really romantic place adults went to, and this is sort of how I had it pictured LOL!  So I'm sure that's why I found it so appealing.  I used SCS Sketch Challenge 245, which was based Flourishes very own Faith Hofrichter's design.  That made it even more fun to work with!

The image was stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black on Classic Ivory (love this paper for Copics!).  It was coloured with Copic Markers using the Evergreen and Flesh Tones 2 collections.  I cut out the tree tops from a second image and popped them up for added dimension and interest.  The card base is Old Olive and the designer papers are scraps from my scrap pile.  I cut the second panel using the Labels 3 Nestabilities, then tied Olive silk ribbon around the card and added brads top and bottom to finish.  The sentiment fit perfectly in the upper corner and it was all done.

There is always so much more of a set to see than one image, so to get the big picture of Cottage Home, pop into the rest of the design team's blogs and see what they have in store for you.

Julie Koerber

Christine Okken

Cindy Lawrence

Faith Hofrichter

Leslie Miller

Latisha Yoast
Stacy Morgan
Nancy Kirk

Sharon Doolittle

 

And while your out there, don't forget to drop into Flourishes Blog, and leave a comment on this post for a chance to win this set! 

 

Friday is the final preview day and also the release party!  It's Flourishes Power Hour which happens in their member forum on SCS starting at 9:00pm Central.  Count on games, prizes and the winner of the pre-release sketch challenge will be announced.  Have you got yours done? 

 

I'm back tomorrow with the preview of the final set...and honestly, it's my personal fave this month!  I can't wait to share it with you.  Until then, make it an amazing day, and thanks for including me in your day!  I can't tell you how much it means to me that you do.

 

Recipe:  Stamps:  Cottage Home (Flourishes), Paper:  Classic Ivory, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, DP scraps,  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black  Accessories: Copic Markers,  Labels 3 Nestabilities (Spellbinders),Olive Silk Ribbon (May Arts), brads, pop dots