LOST AND FOUND - MORE "unfinished stuff" from my old stash - freebie

I've been plugging away in my craft room, a little at a time and using more "stuff" discovered in my "unfinished projects" box. I love using my old stamps and papers from long ago. Do you?  Today, I am using previously cut out triangles of papers in the backgrounds of these cards.

I especially enjoy this Fred She Said stamp because it works for people from our past or present - still present in our lives, and/or having moved away until we next talk. I love hearing the stories about my friends' relatives and family stories. Those kinds of memories come alive when retold, and give us inspiration to live in a way that inspires others, too. On this occasion, the card was sent to a friend's husband who has been chronically ill, and fighting a terminal illness, for decades. His strength and influence have encouraged me. In the card, I shared that he and I are "aged to a perfection" only the two of us can appreciate (giggle).

Aged to Perfection - Fred She Said Old Trucks

Using the backgrounds from my unfinished box, with a little help from Fred She Said Old Trucks, I utilized an ancient (dare I say "vintage") technique. Some call it "Cracked Glass" and others call it "Cracked Ice". 

Using Sepia tones to further the vintage look, I die cut the images, inked them up, coated with several layers of clear EP, and put them in the freezer for about 30 minutes. Then the images were "cracked" before the EP could thaw:

I liberally smooshed Black Soot DI on top of the images, so the ink could get into the crevices. The rest comes off easily with paper towel. These cracked really well -- kinda like me! (giggle)

I tried to capture more detail in the photograph by removing the overhead light on my desk:

Products: Stamps: Fred She Said Old Trucks, Freebie Digital Sentiment below Dies: Surprise Creations Pierced Decorative Ovals, Sue Wilson Double Pierced Ovals, Sue Wilson Pierced Flags, Inks: Distress Oxides Vintage Photo & Brushed Corduroy, Distress inks Black Soot, Old Paper, VersaMark, Clear EP, other: Charcoal colored Vellum, FREEZER TECHNIQUE

FREEBIE SENTIMENT

My gift to you - Arrangements of the same sentiment for use on the inside or outside of your projects. Please do not sell these Sentiments. Use on any of your projects, including projects involving any design teams you might be on.

Click on the image to bring it to full size. Because of the changes Google Made with Blogger (June 2020), your image will appear to be solid black. Don’t panic. Right click and do a SAVE AS PNG. Once it is saved on your hard drive, you can open it and it will have a transparent background. I create PNGs instead of JPGs so they can be placed anywhere on a scene or project, and so backgrounds can be made using them. Please let me know if you have any problems. I hope they serve you well!

Enjoy!

Playing in the following challenges please:

1. Perfect Time to Craft (June 1) #6 AG 7/1
2. Classic Design Challenge #5 AG with masculine 6/15
3. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #231 AG 6/16
4. The Alphabet Challenge (May 31) E is for Embossing 6/13 (one of the background triangles is dry embossed with dots - the main image has several coats of Clear Embossing Powder - wet embossing - was placed in the freezer, then cracked and distressed as mentioned above)
5. Aloha Friday #11 Masculine 7/3

Stamping Hugs,

LOST AND FOUND - "Unfinished Stuff" from my Oldie Stash

 Hello, Blogging Friends! I hope you are staying warm. Even here in central Florida, we've been in the mid 30s - and that's very cold for us WIMPY Floridians!

Taken from my "unfinished stuff stash", combining left-overs with new goodies, these 3 images were from an older company no longer in business called Just For Fun. The owners have coordinated Stampfest Florida Conventions for as long as I can remember. Back in the day... there would be more than 100 vendors with tons of free make 'n takes, lots of samples, and at least one technique demonstration at every booth. I remember those days fondly (giggle). I put together these 3 stamped pieces after coloring them with Copic Markers. The die cut heart was dry embossed and distressed with brown inks. 

PRODUCT QUESTION:

Has anyone else discovered that the reinkers for Tim Holtz AGED MAHOGANY ink ruin the consistency of the pad? I complained to Ranger WAY BACK WHEN (circa 2004?) that the reinker ink would separate and good images and distress-techniques were impossible to achieve. They acknowledged that there were issues with that color, and that they were working on it. I threw the pad and reinker away, and purchased a new pad 4 years ago more than 15 years after the first pad's formulation. The consistency of the new pad's ink formulation is also different from all my other Distress Inks. What is your experience with this color? Thanks for your feedback.

Products: Images (I think these are stamps from a defunct company called "Just For Fun". Back then (2004?), I did not keep very good records for unmounted stamps. These images were already stamped with black ink). Sentiment is from SU "Sweet Little Sentiments" (set of 8 at least 10 years old) Dies: Spellbinders Classic Hearts. Embossing Folders: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots, Apple Blossom Basket Weave & Roses, Inks: DI Aged Mahogany, Rusty Hinge, Worn Lipstick, Nocturne VersaFine Clair, Colored with Copic Markers as shown above.

May I please play in the following challenges?

1. Crafty Gals Corner #252 Feb 14  (SECOND ENTRY) Add a Heart  3/13 (sep post) 
2. Dragonfly Dreams Challenges Feb 4 - (SECOND ENTRY) Hearts  3/3 (check 3/10)
3. Moving Along With the Times #163 Feb 1 (SECOND ENTRY) - Love/Hearts 3/1 (scroll down in post)
4. Sparkles Forum Challenge #173 Hearts and Flowers (roses in the square images) 3/14
5. Creations in Pink #67 AG Mostly Pink - must have more pink than any other colors - 3/13 (sep post)

hugs,

Anything Goes at Jan's Digi Stamps #2

A Hearty Welcome to my Blogging Buddies!
Thanks for visiting today - I am sharing some Christmas cards.

It's time for another ANYTHING GOES Challenge at Jan's Digi Stamps!

Facebook - Shopping - Pinterest - Challenges

My card features the pre-colored version of Santa's List #3186. It's a fantastic image for making either colored or sepia toned Vintage cards:

Anyone who knows me realizes that I have difficulty making A2 size cards but here are two quickie creations in that size using the pre-colored images:

For the green stripes, I used the "line" option in my word processor to make wallpaper. The Floor (free clip art on-line) was lightened by using the "opacity" option. 


After die cutting the frame, I burnished white microfine glitter in the frame's details:

The red creation is simple with a glittered frame:



Lastly, I have a 5x7 card. On my word processor, I change the color to Sepia then inked the areas with Aged Mahogany Distress ink.


The frame was distressed with Brilliance Gold and the glasses were highlighted with an aqua pencil.



Now for my boo-boo:

Somehow, I crookedly adhered the oval of my Santa inside the frame. It looks like he is in a haunted house - levitating:

Now that I've pointed it out, you can clearly see that Santa is "floating" in the air in an un-level manner. To be honest, my card was nearly completed, and everything had already been glued down.

So I cut out some gold flourishes and positioned them in a way that sorta-kinda hides my huge blunder. You can still see the boo boo because you know about it. But maybe my recipient won't notice it (giggle).
Haunted Santa (laughing)



Hop on over and play with us - who knows?
You might be the winner of the $10 store gift voucher!

Products Used:

Jan's Digi Stamps Santa's List #3186

Other Digital - Floor (free clip art on-line)
Red Oval Card:

• Dies: SB Floral Ovals (glittered)   Punches: 2 Circle Punches
• Paper: White, Red, old DP
• Inks: Black Soot Oxide, Tea Dye Distress, Rain Forest VersaFine Clair

Green Stripe Card:

• Dies: Tonic English Picnic Layering set,   Punch: SU Modern Label
• Paper: White, Green     Inks: Rain Forest VersaFine Clair
• Microfine white glitter (in the frame)

Sepia Brown Card:

• Dies: SB Victorian Crest, SB Classic Ovals, DieVersions "Tis the Season", Cheery Lynn Holly Lace Flourish
• Paper: Black, White, Burgundy, Pale Taupe, Gold Vellum, Gold Glossy
• Inks: Digitally made Sepia Tone Image from colored image, then used distress and oxide inks on image, Brilliance Gold on frame and Copics (RV32, E16) PrismaColor Pencil aqua (glasses)     
• Embossing Folder:  Crafters Companion Stone Wall

Challenges I would like to play in please:

1. Sparkles Christmas Challenge #106 Santa 12/1
2. Crafty Friends #123 Christmas 12/1
3. Pearly Sparkles #46 Christmas 12/1
4. World Wide Open DT Challenge #11 AG DT related 12/15
5. Kerst/Christmas FB Challenge #11 AG Christmas 11/30
6. Make My Monday #109 Red, Green and White (my red card) 11/20

Inky Hugs,

That Vintage Look at The Paper Shelter - 2 Crafty Critter Crazies

Is it REALLY November 1st already?

So glad I can share it with you - and thanks for dropping by today.

It's time for a new Challenge at Two Crafty Critter Crazies 
where we love to celebrate any project with a critter on it! Critters include mythical creatures, animal toys and everything alive (except humans and flora)!

Our very generous sponsor this month is:
TPS The Paper Shelter
Her wonderful characters exhibit such a kindness and sweetness to them.
My card features the darling "Holy Night" digital set, including background.







I felt like doing something in a Vintage Style.


After dragging the focal image onto the background in the word processor, I flipped the entire thing horizontally so they were facing the opposite direction.


The sentiment is one I made, and am gifting it to my followers below.


In addition, I duplicated the focal image and sentiment so they could be fussy cut separately, and popped up for dimension.

Above, on a separate word processing document, I dragged 2 of the backgrounds to it, and sized them to be slightly taller than the scene on the first page. To elongate the card (making it 5x7), simply "overlay" one of the backgrounds onto the other, matching up the borders so they look continuous.

The Vintage frame needed a little help with the busy background, so I die cut a larger piece, embossed it with a very pale gold EP containing mica powder, and heat set:

Next came the assembly:

1. Adhere Decorative frame to embossed panel.
2. Adhere die cut image to framed panel.
3. Adhere die cut inner frame on top of image panel.
4. The card probably would be beautiful just like the bottom photo!

The background would be lovely all by itself with a sentiment.
or
Fussy cut one of those trees, make an extended background, pop up the fussy cut tree where the border overlaps, and put a sentiment or the lovely girl on the right.

But I placed the framed focal image panel on the background:

After inking the edges of the fussy cut pieces, the sentiment and focal image were popped up:



Gold Wink of Stella was placed around the dark card base. Clear Wink of Stella was placed on the white trees in the back ground, and more Pale Gold EP edges the background panel:


Wishing you all the joys of November!

FREEBIE SENTIMENT

I have made a simple freebie digital sentiment in two formats for my followers. NOT for commercial use, please. Use it on any of your projects, including projects involving any design teams you might be on.

Click on the image to bring it to full size, then right click and do a SAVE.

Enjoy!

Products:

• TPS The Paper Shelter "Holy Night" digital set, including background
• Other: White Cardstock, Chocolate Brown Cardstock, Clear and Gold Wink of Stella, Tea Dye Distress Ink, Pale Gold Embossing Powder

Challenges I'd like to play in please:

1. The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge #59 AG Christmas 11/9 (sep post)
2. Crafty Catz Challenge #481 AG-Snow 11/8 
3. A Bit More Time To Craft #103 AG (sep post) 11-16
4. Merry Little Christmas Challenge #16 AG Christmas 12/1 (sep post 12/5)
5. Animal Friends Challenge #80 (Nov) Reindeer 12/1
6. Pearly Sparkles Challenge #46 Christmas 12/1

Critter Hugs,

Moving Along With The Times Challenge - Anything With Bees

Greetings, friends!
Apologies that there are three posts this morning.

Please scroll down or click here for 
2 Crafty Critter Crazies with Sheepski Designs.

It's time to share a Project for the new Moving Along With The Times Challenge!

Challenge #103's theme is ANYTHING TO DO WITH BEES - for the next 2 weeks upload your creations featuring bees! 

My project features a precolored freebie from The Graphics Fairy called Vintage Bees - Blossoms. The papers are from Linda Simpson Designs from two collections. One is blue-ivory colors and the other is green-tan-brown colors. The quality is beautiful.

Even though the papers and topper are digital, they have been used traditionally, with layers, ribbon (trim), inks, and punching.

Products Used:

• Images: The Graphics Fair Vintage Bees - Blossoms, Hero Arts CL351 sentiments
• Papers: Linda Simpson Designs, black, 
• Inks: VF Clair Nocturne, Memento Tuxedo Black,
• Misc: ribbon, MS punch, 

Challenges I'd like to play in please:

1. Crafty Gals Corner Challenges #197 3+Layers (5 layers, plus the punched layer and fabric trim) 8/13
2. Crafting by Designs AG 9/1 

Hugs to my friends,

Moving Along With The Times - Stars and Stripes Theme

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY to my American Friends,
and heartfelt love to all my international friends and followers!
Thanks for your ongoing support and encouragement.

GASP! Today's card has no glitter and no die cuts!

It's time to share a Project for the new Moving Along With The Times Challenge!

Challenge #101's theme is STARS AND STRIPES - for the next 2 weeks upload your creations featuring any stars and stripes theme! 

Today's card is a bit of mixed media, and a collage effect. Actually, I had prepared a few other items for the card, but my husband said he didn't understand the correlation, so I thought maybe others wouldn't either (smile).
(I had vintage elements of a dove, a time piece, and a butterfly).
It probably looks much better like this!

While the US has her flaws (since we are a flawed people), I am so grateful to live here, at this time, and in this place. I am grateful for all the lives over the centuries who made it possible for our country to exist, and for those folks with my DNA who endured so I could be here today.

Probably my biggest wish for everyone worldwide is that they could enjoy a blessed Freedom. A Freedom of both Daily Living and of Sacrificial Responsibility.

OK - on to my card! (those of you who know me, know I can be a little sappy) (giggle).

This vintage flag is the result of a Rubber Monger Rubber Stamp, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Walnut Distress ink, Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 Color Pencils, Prismacolor Pencils, and Gamsol. The background paper is pieced together from something found on Google, and the Statue of Liberty was found on Pinterest, did a little manipulation with my trusty iMac, and shaded with Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 Color Pencils.

Fran-tage Bronzed Mica fragments were adhered on two borders, and the sentiment was stamped on vellum and heat set with an antique gold EP.

Thanks for stopping by today! Looking forward to seeing your projects using stars and stripes of ANY TYPE at Moving Along With The Times.

Products Used:

• Image: Rubber Monger Flag rubber stamp, SNS Patriotic rubber stamp set, Digital Statue of Liberty.
• Misc: Antique Gold EP, Bronze Fran-tage Mica fragments, Martha Stewart Starlight punch. 
• Paper: Vellum, digitally made designer paper, Navy, White
• Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, VF Clair Golden Meadow, Walnut Distress Ink, two types of colored pencils, and Gamsol

Challenges I'd like to play in please:

1. International Art and Soul #61 Stars and/or Stripes 7/7
2. Always Fun Challenges #117  Patriotic 7/7
3. Stinkin' Inkers Challenge (July) Stars and Stripes 8/7
4. World Wide Open DT Challenge (June) AG DT 7/15
5. Fab N Funky Challenges #447 "Stars and/or Stripes" 7/10
6. Simon Says Stamp Wednesdays Challenge (July 3) "Stars and/or Stripes" 7/10
7. The House That Stamps Built Challenge DCCJ319 Red White Blue 8/1

Stamping hugs,

Christmas at Sweet Stampin' - Divinity Designs

Hello, my friends!

First - thank you for staying with me - it's been a rough few months, and I'm slowly recovering. My fumble fingers are beginning to coordinate with my Mojo, and my strength is kind of getting normalish. I had a body-wide exacerbation which then triggered an unexpected, unpleasant infection. The ways our bodies respond to certain "stimuli" is just amazing (as many of you know first-hand). The most difficult thing is being patient with myself and flexible enough to be satisfied with what can be accomplished, even if it is, seemingly, a big Nothing.

Enough of that!

Today begins a new challenge at 

Christmas at Sweet Stampin'!

My brilliant teammates have fantastic samples to share! The challenge is ANYTHING GOES for ANY Christmas theme craft project. June's Challenge is open until July 6 and has an optional theme of non-traditional colors.

My non traditional color is BROWN.
How fun! I used a Christmas Tree Collage image that has been in my stash for 4-5 years and has never seen ink! How could I be so cruel?
I'm so pleased with the quality and details in the stamp, that I'll be buying more from this company.

My first brown card has an oval frame.



I began by creating a background paper with this beautiful poinsettia stamp, embossing powder and Ken Oliver Liquid Metal Heavy Metal Brushos. I both painted and splattered with them.

Here's a close up of the "Heavy Metals". I painted them around the tree's star halo, and a little on each ornament:

The frame is glittered, of course, and covers portions of the stamped collage:

The second card features the Cracked Glass technique. The image was stamped and distressed with inks. The background paper was also stamped with a Music background stamp. Here are the pieces before assembling:

I smeared Judikins embossing ink on the dried image, and heat set several coats of clear EP on it. Next it was put in the freezer for 45 minutes, and then "cracked". Black Soot distress ink was smooshed into the cracks. 

You can see the glassy effect here. The entire panel shines like that:



Hopefully you can see some of cracks here:



I love this stamp! How could I have neglected it for so long?

Will you come play, too? Remember, the non-traditional color is optional.

Two cards, one stamp, one brown color:

Some Products:

• Stamp (on both cards) Divinity Designs Christmas Tree Collage with VersaFine Clair Acorn Brown Ink

Oval Card:

• Me and Carrie Lou Poinsettia (apparently they are only sold at Violette's a brick-and-mortar store in Lakeland FL)
• Ken Oliver Liquid Metals Heavy Metals watercolors
• Vintage Brown Cosmic embossing powder
• SB Classic Oval die set
• SB Fleur de Elegance 5x7 oval die set

Rectangle Card:

• Embossing Ink (for cracked glass technique)
• Clear embossing powder (for cracked glass technique)
• Scattered Straw, Aged Mahogany, Black Soot Distress Inks
• Tutti 123 Arched Fir Branch die
• Tonic Studios English Picnic Rectangle die set
• MS Doily Trim punch
• Judikins Music Background Stamp

Challenges I'd like to play in please:

1. Merry Little Christmas Challenge #11 Anything Christmas Goes 7/1
2. The Holy and Ivy Christmas Challenge #51 Anything Christmas Goes 6/16
3. Christmas Cards All Year Round (June) Garland-Leaves or Christmas Flowers (one card has stamped poinsettias, the other has golden garland die cut) 7/1
4. Classic DT Open Challenge #6 June  AG for DT 7/1
5. Love to Craft Challenge Blog #35 Anything Goes 7/1
6. Crafting by Designs (June) Anything Goes 7/1
7. Artistic Inspirations #216 Anything Goes 7/2
8. Use Your Stuff #362 "Vintage" 6/17

Stamping Hugs,