Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Vintage Fan and Sentiments

Good morning! Today is day 2 of JustRite's August release!
Today's set is called, Vintage Fan and Sentiments.
As you know, I am a huge fan of shaped cards, so I wanted to create and actual fan card.
I stamped the fan 5 times and colored it with my Spectrum Noir markers.  I added glitter to all of the colored parts. I cut each one out using the Spellbinder's vintage fan die. I folded a piece of card stock in half and adhered the fan to it starting at the fold.  I used my scalloped scissors to cut around the fan except a small area by the fold so that it opens. 
I added rhinestones, a bit of doily, flowers, and ribbon. 


Stop by the other designers' blogs for more inspiration!


I am off to day one of a math workshop. 
School is definitely on the brain, and part of me is just a bit sad. 
The summer seemed to fly by!
But as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. 
:)
Have a great day my friends!





Monday, August 4, 2014

JustRite's August Release-Ironworks Background Stamp

Good morning friends!  Today is the start of JustRite's August Release!
There are a few sets being released today and I am highlighting the new background stamp called, Ironworks. I stamped my image with Versamark and sprinkled it with orange and pink Zing powder.  This set coordinates with Spellbinder's Labels Eight.  
I cut the frame out and gave it a generous dose of glossy accents and sprinkled it with orange glitter. I took Cortney's recent picture and placed it behind the frame.  I adhered all of it to the card.  I wanted a fun thank you to her donors for Runway Loud. (More info below) I added a satin peony (that I made), a few feathers, ribbon, and a scattering of sequins. 
Here is the background stamp that I used. 
As many of you know, Cortney is getting an amazing opportunity to "walk" the runway for a March of Dimes charity event on August 23rd.  It is being held in Branson, MO.  My girl and I have been looking for people to sponsor her.  And so far she is in 2nd place! :)  Any donation is welcomed and appreciated!  
If you would like to help support Cortney's dreams and help a great cause at the same time, you can click HERE to donate. 
Thank you so much my friends!
Be sure to visit the rest of the DT! They have gorgeous projects to share with you!



Have a fabulous day!
I am off to school to start getting my room ready for the upcoming school year! 
ACK! 



Almost Back To School! Crafty Secret's Design Team Challenge and Linky Party!

 Today is a busy, busy day! Not only is it the start of JustRite's August release, it is also Crafty Secret's design team challenge and linky party!  Our theme this month was fall/back to school.  Well being the teacher that I am, I couldn't pass up the back to school theme.  I found this adorable easel card from the Silhouette store.  It was designed by Lori Whitlock.  (Love her designs!) 
 I added this adorable Crafty Secret's image and sentiment.  I have a full tutorial below showing the steps I took to make it.  
The image and sentiment came from the Childhood Images and Journal Notes booklet.
I printed off coordinating paper to match the image.  When I print it is usually a 5x7 size.  I find this is perfect for cards! 
I cut the easel using my Silhouette. 
I wanted my banner to be several different colors so I cut it a few different times with different paper. 


Here are the banner pieces I decided I wanted to use. 
I thought I'd reinforce the back to school theme with some fun alphabet letters to embellish the center of my bow.  I was worried if I tried to glue them directly to the center of the bow that they wouldn't "sit" properly.  So instead, I punched a small circle for them to rest on. 
I added glossy accents and plopped my alphabet letters in the center. 
While that was drying I went ahead and glued my banner and bow into place. 
I wanted the back to have a bit of depth, so rather than gluing it on the back, flat, I used dimensional foam tape from Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L.  You can tell I am really not very neat about placing it...the paper will hide it! ;)
I used one more bead for the center of the star and again applied glossy accents to it. 
And here is the card once more to see it all put together. 
Now it’s your turn! Visit each of the design team blogs listed below. Then create a NEW project of your choice featuring Crafty Secrets product and link it up to the blog (http://heartwarmingvintage.blogspot.com/) no later than 11:59PT, Sunday, August 17thth. You do not need to follow this month’s theme to play along. If you do not have any Crafty Secrets goodies, check the FREE DOWNLOADS located in the sidebar of the Crafty Secrets blog. Be sure to link to the Crafty Secrets Blog in your post, and let us know what Crafty Secrets product you are using in your project. One lucky player will be randomly selected to win a $50 shopping spree in our online store. Each player who participates will receive a $6 credit to the online store. We’ll be popping by to leave you some lovely comments on your blog post, too. Thanks for playing along, and good luck!

Crafty Secrets Design Team
 Kathy Clement, DT Leader 
 Darlene Pavlick
Diane Hover
Elizabeth Lincoln
Gloria Stengel 
Melody Clement 
Michele Kovack
Shantaie Fowler
Sheila Rumney


Sunday, August 3, 2014

A Little Bit About Me and Some Amazing Artists to Check Out!



I was nominated by Kathy Jones from Inspired to Stamp. (You can see her post HERE) I was asked to answer some questions and nominate 3 other bloggers that inspire me.  I thought this would be a great way to share the love a bit! 

1. What am I working on? I am usually a card maker, but at the moment I am working on a few altered Christmas projects. I know it seems early, but it will sneak up on us soon enough! ;)

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?  I tend to have a shabby chic style.  I also like to focus on the little details of a project.  I think the details are what make it special.   

3. Why do I write/create what I do?   Honestly, crafting started as a sort of therapy for me.  When my daughter Cortney was born, I was an emotional wreck.  Scrapbooking became my savior.  It was an escape and it allowed me to focus on the positive things my daughter was accomplishing.  Eventually this  hobby evolved into cards and altered projects. 

4. How does your writing/creating process work?  If I am doing a design team assignment then I generally start with the stamp and then pull papers I think will work with it.  If it is an image that needs to be colored, I will pull my Copics or Spectrum Noir colors that match.  Sometimes I just browse my Silhouette library and just select a cute cut that might work with the stamps I have.  I am a bit of a tornado in my craft room.  I often change my mind, and pull out a zillion things just to find the one thing that works. 

I am going to share 3 crafters who inspire me and have influenced my crafting.  And besides being talented they are also some of the sweetest ladies I know!


Inking Pink: Shantaie Fowler
About Shantaie

I have known Shantaie for quite a few years now.  I have had the pleasure of working with her on several design teams.  The Cricut Circle, Northridge Publishing, and currently Crafty Secrets.  She has a shabby style with a fun whimsical touch! She is also my glitter partner in crime! I think she loves glitter as much as I do! She often makes projects that are really "out of the box" and I love that! Her talent inspires me every day!  She is a person I consider a friend too.  She has a great heart, an easy laugh, and a generous spirit.  Be sure to check out her blog, Inking Pink.  

Hand to Paper: Regina Easter
Regina Easter
Regina is a gal that oozes talent!  I used to stalk follow her on the Cutting Cafe.(Her store for printable stamps and cutting files)  After following her site for quite awhile I was asked to be on the Cutting Cafe team.  I loved working with her! She has definitely influenced my love for shaped cards and the unadulterated love of ribbon! ;) I love the little dots she uses to define her edges too.  She is also a generous, kind person that I am so blessed to know!   To be inspired by her talent, be sure to check out her blog, Hand to Paper. 

Kathy by Design: Kathy Clement
Kathy by Design
I have been lucky enough to work with Kathy as she is our Crafty Secret's Design Team leader.  She has a beautiful vintage style to her projects.  She is the queen of layers and does it in such a beautiful way!  I love her attention to details. (A girl after my own heart!)  She is such a kind person and has the ability to cheer you on from the side lines. She is such a talented artist, so be sure to check out her blog, Kathy by Design.  

A big thank you to Kathy who nominated me as one of her 3 inspiring people, what a great excuse to share people I think are awesome in my blogworld!  
Be sure to check back a bit later for the start of JustRite's August release and Crafty Secret's Design team challenge and linky party! It's going to be a busy, busy Monday!!!

Friday, August 1, 2014

Day 5 Blog Hop with Graphic 45 and Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L

Welcome to Day 5 of the Graphic 45 and Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L blog hop!
I have always loved the vintage style of Graphic 45!  I remember the first time they showcased their product at CHA.  It was a tiny booth but cute and quaint....all right before they became total rockstars! I was in love immediately!

I would normally have chosen papers from a more feminine line, but I wanted to make a card for a special little boy. 
You may have heard of Danny, who just turned 5,  who has an inoperable brain tumor.  His one wish for his birthday was to get lots of cards.  And LOTS of cards he received!
I used papers from the Good Ol' Sport collection.  I added touches of German Glass Glitter in gold.  I added Scrapbook Adhesives  by 3L 3D foam stars.  They got a generous coating of glitter as well!
I added several sequins using my Dodz™ and rustic twine.  The added baseball images were adhered using Scrapbook Adhesives Foam tape in white.  
GIVEAWAY:  Enter through the Rafflecopter app on each blog each day with a comment. Additional entries are available by commenting on our Instagram Page. Be sure to tell us your profile name on the Rafflecopter app. You can also enter a third time via Facebook. Either click through the Rafflecopter app to comment on our Facebook page, or click on the Giveaway tab on our Facebook page. Each day there will be 2-3 new blogs to visit, and you can enter each day! Then visit Graphic 45 to enter their drawings too!
Good Luck!

Christine Emberson     
Beth Pingry    

Michele Kovack   That's me! :)



Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Myla

 Good morning to you!  I have an album to share with you today that was published awhile back in Northridge Publishing's Cricut Magazine.  I wanted to create an album celebrating our rescue dog, Myla. She was an itty bitty puppy who was rescued from the mill.  Her life inevitably would have been living in a cage breeding pups.  She was all of 3 pounds when we got her. She is a full bred King Charles Cavalier Spaniel and is Kyle's dog for sure! She follows him around everywhere!  It is incredibly sweet to see how they interact with one another. 
 The album was painted a soft pink and given some splatters of white paint. I added journaling and several Cricut cuts.

 Myla is quite the character! She is spunky and laid back all in the same breath.  She has a bucketload of personality!

Now she  is two years old, 25 lbs, healthy and happy.  We love her to pieces!

Be sure to stop by on Friday! I will be participating in a Graphic 45 blog hop with Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L! 
Have a great day my friends!

Monday, July 28, 2014

Best Wishes

Good morning!
I have a few misc things to share with you today.
First, I have a Crafty Secrets card that was created using a pretty digital image. (I apologize, but I am unable to link to the image.  For some reason I can not find it and have e-mailed Sandy for its location!) It was colored using my Inktense Pencils.  I added a light blue rectangle matte behind the image using a Spellbinder's die, Decorative Labels Eight. 
The bee is a sticker from Mrs. Grossman's. I added a fun button, string, and a few sequins to finish off the card. 
I have always loved photography and now that I have my new camera I am going nuts taking pictures.  So I hate to tell you all....but expect to see more pictures on the ole' blog.  ;)
I took pictures of my good friend's grandson. It was very impromptu, but all you need is a soft fuzzy blanket, evening light to make his eyes sparkle, and crazy woman with a camera! 
Her next door neighbor had a litter of puppies and I grabbed my camera to shoot some of these little guys.  (and girls!)
Who doesn't like a few good puppy shots? 
And yes, these two are from the same litter.  All  pups look completely different from one another.  
Thanks for stopping by and allowing me to share with you!
Off for a bike ride and to take more (yes MORE) photos with my son today!
He is taking a photography class this year and I am hoping it ignites a passion for pictures in him. 
(Then maybe he won't whine so much when I take pics of him!) 
Have a great day!