Fabrika Fantasy's Two Crafty Critter Crazies - Fabrika Fantasy Pegasus

Hello, Critter Loving Friends!
Wishing my blogging friends well, and hoping my Texas friends have not suffered too much loss or damage.
May you all enjoy good health and love --

and now...

A new 2 Crafty Critter Crazies Challenge begins today!

Fabrika Fantasy is sponsoring September's challenge, which ends September 30.

A random winner is selected, and a guest designer for the upcoming month is chosen.

My card features this amazing Flying Pegasus from Fabrika Fantasy.

How do you like the rhinestone panel behind the die cuts?

Raiding my old stash, I found this rhinestone mesh in just the right color, and cut it just a tad larger so a row of the rhinestones shows up on either side of the Spellbinders die cut. More of my Great Aunt Agnes' Vintage Lace was used on either side as well.

Colored with Copic Markers and Distress Inks, I have surrounded the lovely Pegasus and sentiment with Starfire Ultrafine Glitter to increase the magical feeling of the card.

The two beautiful ornate die cuts are further enhanced with
Nuvo Mother of Pearl Embellishment Mousse.

Embellishment Mousse is one of my favorite "new" products THIS YEAR because of its transformative abilities. It is fast drying (almost as fast as you can apply it) and changes ordinary, cheap cardstock into beautifully pearly-metallic satin! You can dry emboss, die cut, heat emboss, apply glitter - anything you would do with paper - even distress it! 

EMBELLISHMENT MOUSSE TIP:

When die cutting very ornate, detailed dies, apply the mousse to the cardstock prior to cutting.

As you can see below, the mousse-covered die cuts adhere easily onto each other. The heat embossed flourish in the top right corner was glued right on top of the moussed die cut.

This card is about as gaudy as it gets! (giggle)

Products Used:

• Image: Fabrika Fantasy - Flying Pegasus
• Nuvo Mother of Pearl Embellishment Mousse
• Nuvo Glue Pen Medium
• Mediterranean Star embossing powder (glittery flourish)
• Starfire Ultrafine Glitter
• Spellbinders: Elegant Labels Four, Labels Four, Labels Fourty Six, Decorative Elements Labels 46, Triple Tear Circle, 
• Impression Obsession Flourish DIE062-F
• Copic Markers, Distress Inks
• Diamond Mesh - Turquoise, Vintage "Aunt Agnes" Lace

Playing in the following challenges:

1. The Crazy Challenge #256 Bingo (bottom row) Triple Tear Circle, Rhinestone (mesh layer), lace (vintage lace on both sides) 9/11
2. The Alphabet Challenge (September 1) "Make Your Mark" (Copic Markers, Distress Inks, Hand-made sentiment, adhered glitter, applied mousse to several layers, applied embossing powder to the fourish) 9/15
3. International Art and Soul #15 "Layer it Up!" 9/10 (card base plus lace, jewel panel, 6 layers of die cuts
4. Classic Design Team Challenge #17 Anything DT Goes 10/1
5. Creatalicious Challenges #122 Anything Goes with Mythical Creations 9/15
6. Createful Heart Challenge Blog #1 Anything Goes 9/15
7. DLArt September Linky Party Challenge - Anything Goes - 10/1
8. Fabrika Fantasy Challenges #13 "Add Pearls or Gems" (rhinestone mesh across the back and sides) 10/1
9. (ScrapyLand Challenges #72 "Anything Goes with Dies SL Sells" (listed above - SB, IO) 9/5
10. World Wide Open DT Challenge #25 "Anything DT Goes" 9/15
11. Pammie's Inky Pinkies #1735 Anything Goes 9/3

Looking forward to seeing your critter cards at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies Challenge Blog!

hugs,

Getting Krafty - Cardz4Galz and House Mouse Challenge

Welcome, Blogging Friends!
It would be great to know you are feeling well and enjoying yourselves.
Today I am featuring two whimsical creations, using the krafty color scheme just in time for

The new challenge at Cardz 4 Galz Challenges today!

Badges are awarded for the Spotlight Winner and Top Picks.

Challenge #55 is chosen by guest designer Julie - and the theme is:

  GET KRAFTY  

show us your Paper Crafting projects using any technique and medium, 

AS LONG AS IT INCLUDES KRAFT CARDSTOCK!

Challenge ends on SEPTEMBER 13th.

My cards are inspired by the House Mouse and Friends Challenge which is pearls and lace.

So glad STAMPENDOUS is still making HOUSE MOUSE images!

This is one of my few HM Christmas images, so I colored it 4 times last month in different schemes. The first one is in candy red colors here.

Today's share includes two sepia tone images with different muted colors (one chocolatey and one reddish) in order to meet the C4G Krafty Challenge. 

Pure Chocolate:

Colored with Copic Markers and embossed with Craftwell's Delicate Dots, I inked with 2 Distress Oxides. To heighten the kraft cardstock in the pretty Sue Wilson Gemini border dies, I inked them with Champagne Sparkle VersaMark Dazzle ink. (Long neglected for YEARS in my stash).


The bell is actually bright yellow with a touch of brassiness. Instead of removing the pearly flourishes from their adhesive backing, I cut around the acetate. Green glitter was rubbed into the exposed adhesive to add a touch of color resembling greenery. The simple layered flower is all made from kraft cardstock. The top layer is inked with Distress Oxide and a little Mousse. The middle layer has nothing. The bottom layer is solid mousse.


My Great-Aunt Agnes's Lace, Spellbinders dies, and old MS punches help make a frame.

CARD TWO: 

Next is the reddish version with lots of coral and deep red tones added and a genuinely brassy bell. Yikes! My little mice look sunburned. Likely they have eaten too much red frosting. (giggle)

To make the pretty frame and card:

The Snowflake border die has been inked with VersaMark Champagne Dazzle. There is a slight sparkle to it in real life, but the watermark effect darkens the kraft cardstock enough to show against the kraft base. The little gingerbread man die cut on the flower is decked out with Antique Rose NUVO Crystal Drops. It looks just like icing!

It's always a pleasure using the laces and trims from my Great Aunt Agnes. She was born in 1902 and was a registered nurse at a hospital in New York until she was in her 40s. How happy she would be knowing her goodies are still enjoyed today.



Rose Gold Microfine Velvet Glitter was burnished into the frame, and also in the pearl flourish so the adhesive would not be as shiny-noticeable.

We would love seeing your kraft-colored projects at the

Cardz 4 Galz Challenge!

On a Personal Note:

One reason why I enjoyed coloring this House Mouse image is the brass bell.
In the 1800's our family had a dairy farm in Wisconsin. This bell is from that farm. Decades and generations passed. My Grandpa fought on the Western Front in World War I and was "gassed" with what was called Mustard Gas. Fortunately, he survived, but he could no longer tolerate the Wisconsin Winters. So the family sold the farm and moved to Southern California where they created a profitable Plant Nursery. Grandpa hybridized many plant varieties, including African Violets, Camellias and lilies. Grandpa's heart and lungs were weakened by the gas, and he periodically suffered relapses. During those "bedridden" days, the bell was at the side table for him to ring. My Grandma would hear the clanging bell, and know Grandpa needed something. Today the bell lives on a bookcase in our home, with fond memories of my grandparents, their amazing property, their beautiful aviary, and of course, the gorgeously hybridized flowers. Oh! And one more memory - for all those who fought in the First World War.

MY SECOND NOTE IS ACTUALLY A QUESTION:

Does anyone know the name of the insect that laid these eggs? Though not clearly visible, the eggs actually resemble clam shells, because they have 2 halves, sliced horizontally through the eggs. Aren't they beautifully arranged so perfectly along the underside of the waxy ligustrum leaf?

Click on the photos to enlarge:

UPDATE: Thanks, Shona! 
They are indeed Katydid eggs, when I looked up that name and saw all the photos, I recognized the culprit immediately - it is definitely not something we need in this area full of citrus trees and other ornamentals. Thank you!

Products Used:

Card One:

• Image: Frosting Gingerboy House Mouse
• Inks: Memento Black, Distress Oxides, VersaMark Champagne Dazzle
• Copic Markers
• Papers: Neenah Solar White, Kraft, Chocolate Brown
• Embossing Folder: Delicate Dots by Craftwell
• MS Punch: Daisy Edge
• Spellbinders: Labels Four, Elegant Labels Four
• Sue Wilson Mini Gemini Dies - ARA (border on sides)
• Vintage Lace, Ivory Pearls, Tonic Green Meadow Glitter (in the pearls)

Card Two:

• Image: Frosting Gingerboy House Mouse, Hero Arts CL722 (sentiment)
• Inks: Nuvo Hybrid Ink Acorn Brown, Memento Black, Distress Oxides, VersaMark Champagne Dazzle
• Copic Markers
• Embossing Folder: Delicate Dots by Craftwell
• Papers: Neenah Solar White, Kraft, Chocolate Brown
• Sue Wilson: Double Pierced Squares B, Snowflake Border, Ornate Holly Framed Noel
• Glitter: SNS Rose Gold Microfine Velvet Glitter
• Memory Box Precious Gingerbread Men
• Poppystamps Blooming Poinsettia die #861
• 1" wide Double Sided Tear-ific Tape
• Antique Rose NUVO Crystal Drops 

Challenges:

1. International Art and Soul #15 "Layer it Up!" 9/10 (card base plus lace, frame, several layers of die cuts
2. Christmas with the Cuties #9 "Cute Couples" 9/25
3. Christmas at Sweet Stampin' "Anything Goes Christmas" 9/13
4. Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas #348 Anything Goes Christmas with Something Old (stamp images, Punch, Emb Folder, Vintage Lace, Pearls, VersaMark Dazzle ink, SW, SP, MB & PS dies)
5. House Mouse and Friends #248 Pearls and Lace 9/4 (sep post)
6. My Time to Craft Challenge Blog #353 "Krafty" 9/10
7. The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge #13 Anything Christmas  9/4 (C15)
8. ScrapyLand Challenges #72 "Anything Goes with Dies SL Sells" (listed above - SW, MB, PS) 9/5
9. The Merry Christmas Challenge #32 Anything Goes Christmas 9/4
10. World Wide Open DT Challenge #25 "Anything DT Goes" 9/15

Thanks for visiting! As always, I cherish your thoughts and comments.
hugs,

Here Kitty Kitty Kitty! {Cardz 4 Galz}

Greetings to the best blogging buddies EVER! (smile)
and welcome to my little corner of Blog Land.

Today's projects are all about GREEN KITTIES!
(no they are not from Outer Space, and they are not "little green alien kitties").
'Just doing something a little different.
Instead of a "horse of a different color", it is "Kitties of a Different Color".

Time for a new challenge at Cardz 4 Galz Challenges today!

Badges are awarded for the Spotlight Winner and Top Picks.

Challenge #54 is chosen by guest designer Jan - and the theme is:

  CATS OR KITTENS  

show us your Kitty Paper Crafting projects using any technique and medium!
Challenge ends on August 30th.

Onward to my cards depicting "Kitties of a Different Color".

Had SO MUCH FUN making these cards.

Used a virginal stamp by Starving Artistamps. According to the internet, they are still in business, but I don't think the same artist owns the company because the styles are completely different than the few stamps in my stash. This one is copyrighted 2003 and I got it NEW in the same year AND IT HAS NEVER SEEN INK! eeek! or should I say MEOW! Hanging head in shame.

Stamped with VersaFine Olympia Green, and colored with Copic markers, my kitty is delighted to be placed on VIRGINAL papers by DCWV Latte Stack copyrighted 2009 LOL OLD AND NEGLECTED! Vintage "Great Aunt Agnes Lace" shares the limelight with black die cuts from friend KT Fit Kitty. They have been embossed with my own hand-blended green embossing powder mixed with a little greenish mica powder and some goldish glitter.

CAN YOU SEE THE DIFFERENCE?



Kitty eyes have been CLEAR EMBOSSED with detail EP. It enriches the blue color, however, the photos show up a bit red (the traditional camera red eye) because of the EP. See the difference between the two images? One without EP, one with:

Heated and then dipped into the same custom-blended EP twice, are these OLD, OLD JUMBO BRADS. Why did I purchase so many brads?

I love this kitty stamp!



Another "wonky frames" card, I used the external "negative" left overs of the Tonic English Picnic Layering Die Set and coated it with Old Navy Embellishment Mousse to contrast against the detailed frame distressed with Memento Paris Dusk. It is difficult to NOT use Embellishment Mousse because it is SO PRETTY and easy to use. FAST drying.

Love the DLArt Crinkle Ribbon which always provides wonderful texture!

The papers have been distressed with Tumbled Glass DI and Memento Paris Dusk with a touch of Lemon Sorbet Embellishment Mousse. Was able to partially capture a little shine below:

5.5" x 7.5"

Not sure why I added the brads. Guess I thought "more is more" giggle.

6" x 6"



Are you GREEN WITH ENVY over my little GREEN KITTIES?
not everyone can have green kitties, after all...
(more giggling)

Products Used:

• Tonic English Picnic Layering Die Set (rectangular card)
• Tonic Embellishment Mousse (Powder Blue, Lemon Sorbet, Old Navy) Distressing
• SB Scallop Labels Twenty-two, cats from KT (square card)
• SB Rolled Roses, Cottage Cutz Greenery, Cats from KT (rectangle card)
• INKs: VersaFine Olympia Green (stamped images), Memento Paris Dusk, Tumbled Glass, Forest Moss Bundled Sage, Several Green Copic Markers.
• Hand blended green-mica-glitter EP, vintage lace, brads
• DLArt crinkle ribbon (green)
• Papers: Express-it White, DCWV Latte Pack, Green, Blue-Gray, Green Vellum, Pale Blue

Cards are entered in the following wonderful challenges:

1. A Bit More Time to Create #50 Anything Goes 9/1
2. Show Us Your Pussies - Cats #21 Furrything Goes 9/4?
3. Dragonfly Dreams (Aug 6) Animals 9/3
4. Making Memories Crafting #8 Anything Goes 9/1
5. Retro Rubber Challenges #69 Sketch with Old Rubber (as mentioned above, the rubber stamp is at least 10 years old but I think I purchased it when it first came out in 2003 - thanks for the fabulous sketch!) 8/27  sep post
6. As You Like It Challenge "What's Your Favorite Embellishment and Why" (my two favorite all-time embellishments are (1) the gorgeous rolled flowers -- my favorite of those is the SB rolled roses - I enjoy making them, embellishing them, customizing them, and adorning projects with them. The sad day of my life was when the U.S. Postal Service changed regulations to 1/4" thickness for the mail, making it costly to mail projects using the roses. (2) embossing powder - I love altering papers, embellishments, die cuts, anything that can stand heat - with embossing powder - it's inexpensive and transforming -- like my cat die cuts here, and the brads! 8/25 sep post
7. Craft Rocket Challenges #40 Animal Kingdom #40 9/4 (sep post b4 new chal)
8. DLArt August Linky Challenge Anything Goes 9/1 (used DLArt crinkle ribbon)
9. Crafty Animals #5 Anything Animals 9/1
10. Country View Challenges (Aug 2017) Blues and Greens 9/1 (sep post)

Thanks for stopping by, my friends!

hugs,