Happy birthday to a classic!

My neighbor is special...he's come to my rescue more times than I can count.  He's the classic example of how I wish ALL neighbors could be!

I created the background using distress inks and both of Tim's Stripes stencils.  Using the large stencil horizontally I applied the Frayed Burlap distress ink; turned it vertically and applied Frayed Burlap distress ink again.  This was continued until the card was covered 3/4 of the way.  The same process was done using Stormy Sky distress ink and the smaller stripes stencil.  Voila...cool plaid! 

On the right hand edge I applied Texture Paste through the large Treads stencil.  Let dry then replace the stencil and color with brown and gray distress inks.  The vintage auto was stamped in StazOn Black Ink onto a piece of plastic packaging.  Double-stick tape was placed strategically so as not to be seen by the recipient.    The letters were cut from blue cardstock using the Typeset decorative strip die.

The envelope has brownish-gray treads stenciled on it...I can't let an envelope be delivered naked!

Happy birthday to someone young at heart

I had fun creating the background onto mixed media cardstock.  Distress paints (Broken China, Tea Dye and Cracked Pistachio) were scribbled then misted and allowed to pool, puddle and drip.  I even was daring and sprayed the sheet with Fossilized Amber Distress Spray.  More water, more pooling, etc.  Once dry I used the same colors but in distress ink through several of Tim Holtz's stencils (007, 009, 024).  I really hated to cover it up with an image!

The image was stamped in Jet Black Archival Ink.  Before it dried I poured clear embossing powder all over the card and flicked off the excess.  Heat set; let cool.  The number 5 was colored with Broken China distress marker.

Happy birthday to someone who is waaaayyy older than 5 (but sometimes acts like he's 5)!

Happy anniversary...Kliban-style

I just LOOOOVE the Kliban images!!!  This one was perfect for several anniversary cards.

The image was stamped in Jet Black Archival Ink onto mixed media cardstock.  The basket of hearts were colored with red and brown distress markers as were the paw, eyes and nose.  The fluttering hearts were colored with Xmas Red Stickles.  The image is layered onto black cardstock then onto a red card base.

Happy anniversary to special friends across the miles!

Happy b day!

On white cardstock I applied Wild Honey and Mustard Seed distress inks through Tim Holtz' #005 stencil, moving the stencil around until the card was covered.  The image (Uptown Design Co.) was stamped in Jet Black AI onto missed media cardstock and colored with distress markers.  I painted the wings with Oyster Twinkling H2Os.  This layer was adhered to a black square before being taped down to the cardbase.

Love you to the moon and back!

#29 years of that wedded bliss stuff (and counting!)...happy anniversary to my best friend and soulmate!

The base card is white; the dark blue layer has flecks of silver imbedded...almost look like millions of tiny stars.  I covered a sheet of mixed media cardstock with gesso before applying yellow distress paints.  Tarnished Brass distress mica spray onto a damp sea sponge creates a unique texture.  I ran the cardstock through the Crescent Moon & Stars Sizzix die cut and glued to the blue layer with matte Multi Medium.  A bit of graphite pencil was used to darken the left edges of the stars and moon for extra dimension.  White distress crayon was rubbed all over the blue layer to soften the color and make it look more ethereal.  A Marvy punch was used on red Bazzill cardstock to cut out the heart.  It dangles from the tip of the moon with a bit of hemp twine.  The left edge also was smudged with a graphite pencil, the right edge with the white distress crayon.

New home

Good friends of ours back in NJ have sold their home in northern NJ and have built a home in southern NJ.  I couldn't let the occasion go by without acknowledging this special time in their life.

The base card is light blue.  Using 'Polka Dotty' Studio 490 stencil and Picket Fence distress ink I created a cloud effect.  A black Fude Ball pen was used to draw irregular lines around the border.  I find that if I use my left (non-dominant) hand to do this the lines are more irregular.

The brown layer was actually much lighter originally but a few swipes through Vintage Photo distress stain and paint added the darkness I needed and dimension because of the depth of each product.

White mixed media cardstock was coated with gesso then swiped through Mustard Seed, Carved Pumpkin and Vintage Photo distress stains that had been splotched onto my non-stick craft sheet.  I heat set the colors then spritzed whatever was left on the craft sheet with water and kept building the layers of color until I was satisfied (and my craft sheet was clean!).  The house and message were stamped in Jet Black archival ink and are from Studio 490's 'Homemade Art' SCS031. 

I placed Tim Holtz' mini rays stencil over the house and smudged in yellow, orange and red distress inks.  After each layer was dry I replaced the stencil and smeared Studio 490 Translucent Embossing Paste through it.  Again, let dry before applying this layer to the brown layer.  The black Fude Ball pen was also run around the edge, this time with my right hand because I wanted a bit more control.

We wish them an abundance of sunshine and blue skies as they go about making many wonderful memories in their new home!

Happy Father's Day!

Or in my case...step-father's day.  My step-dad has his hands full with 3 of his own children and 4 of us.  But he keeps us in line and on our toes.


I did see a similar card on Pinterest but neglected to write down the location.  Heavy sigh.

My basecard is off-white with a layer of blue cardstock before holding the blue-speckled cardstock.  The sentiment (Hero Arts) was stamped in Cobalt Archival Ink.  I die cut the circle using a Spellbinders die then embossed it using a slightly smaller scalloped die.  From black wire I fashioned a clothes hanger to hold the ties (Sizzix Crazy Things die).  Miscellaneous stamps and inks were used to decorate the ties. 

My step-dad certainly doesn't need more ties IRL so these paper ones will work perfectly.  To coordinate the envelope I stamped one of the Crazy Things tie stamps in Cobalt AI in the lower left hand corner.

I'm rooting for you!

What better way to let a friend know you're hoping for the best outcome possible from a health issue.  Love the pun!

PSX stamp (boy, did they make some gorgeous stamps!), Jet Black Archival Ink, distress markers, mixed media cardstock, green/orange Bazzill cardstock

On the front side I carefully drew around the image with a roller ball.  I turned it over then used a larger roller ball to fill in the center so the carrot is dimensional.  A bit of foam tape inside the carrot ensure it won't go flat while in the mail.

Ruff!

Happy birthday, Charlie!  Here's hoping you're not in the doghouse on your special day!

He's usually is for one reason or another.  He's a boisterous chocolate lab that has no self control and is always on the go.

The stamp is part of Brett Wedele's stamp set 'Barks Marvin: The Crime Solving Dog'.  The image was stamped in Jet Black archival ink onto mixed media cardstock.  Distress markers and the waterbrush were used to color the image.  'Ruff' was inked up with a brown distress ink then misted before being stamped onto the card front.  The mat is brown Bazzill cardstock; the base is white cardstock.

Use your wings...fly away

It's time for another technique remix from Tim!  This time he chose Tissue Wrap Collage from January 2015 and Stencil Plaid from June 2015.

I don't have the plain tissue wrap but went with the Terminology tissue wrap already on my desk.  I also don't have the new substrate he used so I substituted sticky-back canvas.  Isn't the vintage distress collage medium cool?  Love the effect!  Not to copy, I selected the feather (Feather Duo die) and mini stencil 24 (chevron)...this looked like a better fit for the feather.

Because I was too lazy to go downstairs and uncover my sewing machine (and the piles on it!) I did the Feather Stitch by hand using some embroidery thread to coordinate with the colors I chose for my tag (Frayed Burlap, Cracked Pistachio, Mermaid Lagoon).

My embellishments include a Token Tag (Mermaid Lagoon distress paint rubbed into the lettering) and Botanical Remnant rub-ons.  The silk ribbon was from a package I recently received The Funkie Junkie.  (She always included the coolest little envelopes filled with ephemera and tied up with a bit of hand-dyed silk ribbon.)  Using one of the Crazy Bird stamps and dies was a must for this theme!  The bird also got the Stencil Plaid technique used on it.

While Tim's tag would make a great Father's Day card or fit the bill for any masculine card, I really wanted to create my own version and not copy his.  Besides, my father is no longer here on earth and I had already made my step-father a card to recognize his place in my life.

I hope you're enjoying the technique remixes monthly challenge!

Hope you'll soon be fully "recovered"

I seem to be needing quite a few cards for friends and family who are dealing with some health issues.  Here's an old image that I found tucked away in a drawer and felt it was high time it came into contact with some ink.

Art Impressions stamp (unmounted so I don't have a #); watercolor paper, distress inks, Jet Black Archival Ink, base card is magenta/purple, flourish stencil

Just Say It!

Here's another of Wendy Vecchi's new background stamps.  I really should break down and buy another just so I can take it apart.  But for now I've used it as a solid image.

A piece of mixed media cardstock was coated with gesso.  Once dry I scribbled distress crayons over it, mixing and rubbing with my fingertips until I was satisfied (and my fingertips were burning!).  Over that I placed Wendy's Polka Dotty stencil and gently wiped away the color using a baby wipe (which could have been a bit drier).  I heat set it before stamping the background image in Jet Black archival ink.

There's a purple mat with a white core that was gently distressed.  Both layers were added to a red Bazzill cardstock A2 base.  Now the card was lacking but I didn't want any embellishments to take away from the card.  I have several canisters of wedding/bridal flowers that I got at Michaels so I colored some white ones with the distress crayons.  Two were colored with the green crayon and cut apart so I'd have some leaves.  Glossy Accents comes in very handy when applying things to distress crayons.  Black Enamel Accents form the centers of the flowers. 

Advice from a tree

watercolor cardstock, distress markers, Jet Black Archival Ink, Rubber Soul 'Big Pine', kraft cardstock, green cardstock

Advice from a tree....stand tall and proud...go out on a limb...remember your roots...drink plenty of water...be content with your natural beauty...enjoy the view

This card and its sound advice would fit many situations.

Botanical register

Wendy Vecchi's new 'Botanical Register' background stamp is fabulous!  I have several ideas in mind for it and can't wait to make them come to life.

The background stamp was covered with Pink Peony archival ink and stamped onto mixed media cardstock.  Antique Linen distress ink was smushed onto my craft sheet then misted so I could drag the card front through it.  Using the same distress ink I stenciled some bits of Wendy's Vintage Quilt stencil.

Using the Stamp-it Stencil-it 'Coneflower' I stamped the image in Jet Black archival ink onto more mixed media cardstock.  Love the stencil that helps me keep the coloring in place!  Distress markers scribbled onto my craft sheet combined with the water brush and I'm in heaven.  Once dry I added a bit more pink marker for depth.

The image was then cut out (apply packing tape to the back of the image first so the stem doesn't break!).  I then placed the stencil on the card front and colored in the image, flipping it over so my images mirrored each other.  The cut out image was then adhered over the top. 

This card front was distressed before being placed on a sheet of pink Bazzill cardstock.  Both layers were adhered to a white A2 card. 

Sending sunshine & smiles

From mixed media cardstock I die cut 'Birds on a wire' by Sizzix and colored them with distress markers.  Onto a mixed media card I stamped Hero Arts H2659 that had been colored with Antique Linen distress ink and misted with water.  I sketched around the edges with a graphite pencil and smudged it with my fingertip.  I stamped the sentiment (Wordsworth S 169 F) with a light ink then went over it with a Sakura glaze pen.  I die cut the card with an On The Edge scallop die.