Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Anything Goes with Buttons

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog


Today Crafter's Companion is sponsoring the Wednesday Simon Says Stamps Challenge.  The challenge theme this week is Anything Goes with Buttons. I must admit that I have bought a lot of buttons over time - many colors, shapes, and sizes, but I hardly use them. I was excited about this challenge because it made me look through my stash. :)  Here's my design: 


 I stamped the image from Popcorn the Bear EZMount Stamp Set - Birthday Hugs twice, once on Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock with a Memento tuxedo black ink pad and once on the design paper with a Memento Luxe Ink Pad - Tuxedo Black. With the glitter and raised areas on the design paper, I found the rich, luscious Luxe stamped a full image.



 Next, I colored the bear with  Spectrum Noir Markers.  I used a combination of direct coloring to the cardstock and pallet coloring - scribble color onto an acrylic block and pick up with a lighter color. As you lay the color on the cardstock, a natural blending occurs. G2, G5, GG6, G7, G10.



I allowed the ink to dry and then used a piece of wash cloth spritzed with alcohol to dab in texture. I also added a little shading around his nose with BG1.


I colored the rest of the image.
TIP: In small areas, dot in color lightly. 
I cut out the present from the design paper and adhered it onto the base with a liquid adhesive. I stamped the sentiment from the set.


duck: CT1, CT2, CT4, OR1
bow: PP1, PP2, PP4, PP5, BP2
tag & string: Blender, IG1, CG1



I chose matching colors from my button stash and found some embroidery floss way in the back of a drawer.  I did not have a matching floss color for the green button, so I colored with CG1 to match.






Now it's your turn! There are lots of chances to win!! Look at your buttons stash and create something NEW!

(1) , Link it up to the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge blog for your chance to win a $50 Gift Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp store


Simon Says Stamps lists all their Crafter's Companion products at: http://www.simonsaysstamp.com/servlet/the-Crafters-Companion/start/1/total/243/Categories.

Simon Says Stamp

(2) Crafter's Companion will grant one additional winner two 6-marker sets of Spectrum Noir markers, plus a Crafter’s stamp set that SSS sells of their choice. 

(3)  Laural and Jennifer will have Crafter's Companion giveaways on their blogs.

For more information, pop over to the Crafter's Companion Information Blog.

Thank you for visiting!!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!


Monday, March 17, 2014

Sheena's Flowers & Butterflies Sneak Peek

 My Project today features images from Sheena's new Flowers & Butterflies scheduled to be released in the USA later this month.


I stamped the images from  Bloomin' Beautiful and A New Leaf  onto Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock and colored them with my Spectrum Noir Ink Refills.  I used a paint brush dipped in alcohol to pick up ink color (JG1) and paint the leaves. I wanted a deep rich green and just left a little bit of white for highlights.


I painted the center of the pedals with CT2.  Painting the pedals was a three step process.  (1) I painted the first coat with BP1, leaving white space for highlights. (2)  After the ink dried, I dripped some alcohol into the BP1 ink on my pallet to thin/lighten it and painted  a second coat.  (3) To deepen color on parts of of the pedals, I painted with BP7, making sure I left the highlights and and lighter color pinks. To soften the transition between colors, I used BP1.  I left the strokes of the paint brush in some areas to add a little texture to the pedals.


I cut out all the pieces and edged them with a black water based marker.


For the background, I used a brayer and Radiant Neon ink pads (coming soon to Crafter's Companion!) to add color to a piece of Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock.


The sentiment is from Sheena's A Little Bit Oriental EZMount Stamp Set - Sakura.  I popped the front flower with Double Sided Adhesive Foam Circles.


Crafter's Companion has had several new releases. For more ideas, be sure to pop over to the Crafter's Companion Information Blog, as well as visit the Crafter's Companion DT members.  You can see their latest designs by clicking on the names on the left side of my blog.

Thank you for visiting!!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!


Thursday, March 6, 2014

New Stamp It Release - Dreamer

Stamp It has a new release coming this month!! There will be three full size sets included in the Dreamer Collection - Take Flight, Scattered Thoughts, Once in a Lifetime.  My focal image comes from Stamp-It Australia Dreamer EZMount Stamp Set - Take Flight.


When I saw the Take Flight set, I was immediately attracted to the peacock and I already had the perfect background to show him off. A few weeks ago I had made several original prints with my Gelli Plate.  To see the process I use with my Gelli Plate and all the supplies I use, please see my post here.  Well, I  ran into a few prints that were just not working for me - now I'm not saying saying they were ugly, but they're pretty darn close!  I looked through my stencils for the perfect 'cover up' and found the peacock stencil I received in January as a StencilGirl Club member.  I used it to cover up a few of those prints that were 'almost ugly.' :o)  The swirls are so cool and a great match for the peacock image.



I chose one of the above backgrounds, stamped the peacock image onto Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock and colored him with Spectrum Noir blendable colored pencils (021, 043, 045, 059, 062, 072) to match the colors in the background. I cut the image to size and softened the stark white background with a tumbled glass Distress ink pad.



Crafter's Companion has had several new releases. For more ideas, be sure to pop over to the Crafter's Companion Information Blog, as well as visit the Crafter's Companion DT members.  You can see their latest designs by clicking on the names on the left side of my blog.

Thank you for visiting!!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!