Cracked Glass Pet Puns by MHK Designs for 2 Crafty Critter Crazies!

Hello, Critter Loving Friends!
Hoping you are doing well and enjoying Life.

A new 2 Crafty Critter Crazies Challenge begins today!

MKH Designs is sponsoring October's challenge, which ends October 31.

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

My three cards feature this fun "Pet Puns" Digital Set which contains 3 images and 6 sentiments!

All three cards use the fish bowl and fishy sentiments. The prize will be the "Pet Puns" Digital Set.

There are some interesting ideas for using the set on the MHKDesigns blog here.

MHKDesigns "Pet Puns"

ENJOYING MY STASH

My first card utilizes the digital image printed in blue, colored with Copic Markers, and distressed with Tumbled Glass ink. The dry embossed tag also features two washi tape designs, hand-made papers, hand-stamped background, dry embossing, cheesecloth and glittery die cuts. Products listed below.

Years ago, I enjoyed making paper on a small scale, and still have many of my pieces. (HINT: "years ago" means 15 years ago (giggle).

Then I met Lis Robson of Paper Creator. Now here is a real talent! She makes handmade papers IN BULK in all kinds of colors, textures and a variety of "additives" like seeds, confetti, flower petals and more. 

My tag card uses a fibrous white piece from Lis, and a pale tangerine piece from my own stash. Lis had pressed her paper prior to it drying, whereas I used an embossing folder. I should have photographed them prior to adhering, right? Sheesh!

CRACKED GLASS (aka CRACKED ICE) TECHNIQUE

This video shows how to use digital stamps with the cracked glass technique, and reveals how to use it in one specific portion of your digital stamp image, or over the entire digi stamp image, as I have done.

Here is the YouTube link for my email followers:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDgJaWn6XaU

For the Cracked Glass (aka Cracked Ice) technique, I printed the sentiment and colored image, die cut them, used distress inks around the stencils, and then smooshed with VersaMark ink and dredged with SNS Clear Detail Embossing Powder, heating repeatedly for a glossy smooth coat. After plunging them in the freezer for 25 minutes, the pieces were "cracked", then smeared with Walnut Distress ink. That did not achieve the vintage flavor I hoped for, so I applied some Tonic Acorn Brown Hybrid ink with a Q-tip and lightly heated the pieces to meld the brown ink into the melted embossing powder.



The stamped panels resemble vintage glass when the light shines on them:



I loved using some of this sequined trim from my Mom's stash. This was purchased back in the early 1970's for some of her Krewe of Venus designs for the Swashbuckling Gasparilla parade and events in the Tampa Bay Area each year. Too bad the black sequins don't show up in the photography.




Lastly, I have a simple and sweet card using the same sketch as the Cracked Glass creation above:



Colored with Copic Markers and Blue Print and Tumbled Glass Distress Inks, the frame has 3/4" Double Stick Tear-ific Tape on the back to adhere the pretty Blue Lightning Ultrafine Glitter.

On A Personal Note:

Just had to share this amazing video of a giant manta asking for help from a diver.

Linda's Peaceful Place always has several uplifting goodies on her blog:

Don't forget! Any project featuring a creature is eligible at the 

2 Crafty Critter Crazies Challenge!

___________________________________________________________

Products Used:

MHK Designs - "Pet Puns" set colored with Copic Markers.

White-Blue Card: Blue Lightning Ultrafine Glitter (around frame), Spellbinders Decorative Labels 46, Labels 46, Labels 4, Lace, Satin Ribbon, Blueprint and Tumbled Glass Distress Inks.

White-Teal-Aqua Cracked-Glass Card: Spellbinders Labels 4, Vintage Trim from my Mom's stash, Peacock and Walnut Distress Ink, Tonic Acorn Brown Hybrid ink, SNS Clear Detail Embossing Powder, SNS VersaMark.

Tag Card:

• Dies: Spellbinders Diamondessence Circles, Dee's Distinctively Flourish, PoppyStamps Mainstreet Tags
• Embellishment Mousse: Orange Blush, Pacific Teal, Aquamarine
• Embossing Folders: We R Memory Keepers Dotted #1, Embossialiscious Regency Swirls
• Embossing Powders: Cerulean Star, Mediterranean Blue Star
• Glitter: Ocean
• Cardstock: Aqua, Neenah White, 2 handmade papers
• Inks: Distress, VersaMark
• Turquoise Punchinella, assorted brads

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Challenges I'd like to play in please:

1. Crafty Friends Challenge #67 Ribbon and Lace (my last white-blue card has both) 10/8
2. Love to Craft Challenges #15 Anything Goes 11/1
3. MHKDesigns by Mynn October 1 Anything Goes with MHK Design 11/1
4. A Bit More Time to Craft #53 Anything Goes 11/1
5. Crafts Galore Encore Oct Anything Goes 11/1 (tab)
6. Crafty Animals (Oct #7) Anything Goes with Animals 10/30 (sep post)
7. Crafty Girls Creations #40 Anything Goes 11/1 (sep post)
8. Creatalicious Challenges #124 "Anything Goes with Make your Own Background" (my TAG CARD has my hand made paper, hand stamped and heat embossed paper, dry embossing and punchinella) (sep post) 10/14
9. Create and Inspire #66 Anything Goes 11/10
10. Creative Ladybirds Creations #30 Anything Goes 11/1

Stamping Hugs,

Dragonfly Magic! Tonic Studios - Sparkle N Sprinkle - Cardz 4 Galz

Hi, Everyone! I'm back!
Sorta....
Slowly picking up speed from recent Florida events - I especially am thinking of those who have lost loved ones, their homes, and businesses throughout the Caribbean, Texas, Florida and Mexico, and wishing you all a brighter tomorrow.

The new challenge at Cardz 4 Galz Challenges today!

Badges are awarded for the Spotlight Winner and Top Picks.

Challenge #57 is chosen by guest designer Sian - and the theme is:

  DRAGONFLY  

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

AS LONG AS IT INCLUDES DRAGONFLIES!

Challenge ends on OCTOBER 11th.

My project uses fantastic Sparkle N Sprinkle Products which have been listed at the bottom.

TIP:

Fantastically sparkle-full, the Celestial Ultrafine Glitter on the leaves is a combination of transparent and opaque glitters. Why tell you this? The leaf die cuts are cut from the same color yellow cardstock as the sentiment. Some of that yellow shows through the transparent glitter colors, so that it blends beautifully and looks well coordinated.

TIP:

The "green" is actually an embossing powder! They are equally sparkle-full, aren't they?
I blended a Hybrid Embossing Powder SNS Military Green EP288 mixed with Green Nugget Ultrafine Glitter G1065. Both are opaque. Again, why have a mentioned this? The green cardstock was not quite the color I needed to match the designer paper, but covering it with embossing powder did the trick! ALSO, with opaque products, you can even cover white cardstock with any color to customize your papers.

The dragonfly is cut from gold glossy cardstock, and adhered to a black shadow using Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive. I am still in love with the Nuvo Large Glue Pen which was used to adhere the glitter to the leaves, and the designer paper to the cardstock. HOWEVER, the Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive has an ultra thin applicator and applies creamy smooth directly to the thinnest portions of the dragonfly and leaves! While I am grateful to have been gifted with the adhesives, I will definitely purchase them on my own in the future. That's saying a lot since I had used the same wonderful glue for more than 10 years. I'm HOOKED! 

As you can see below, there are now glue smudges from my fumble fingers on the glossy cardstock:

Tonic's Autumnal Oak Die Set contains pretty leaves (above), a two-piece acorn to be used as shown or as a solid silhouette, a two-piece oak leaf, and this delicate twig. Very versatile and easy to cut. The acorn above had a piece of sticky-note-tape to hold the tiny pieces in place. Then I flipped the acorn and taped them in place permanently. 

Love the Tonic Thinking of You miniature die
 

On the inside, a sneak peek at an upcoming SNS sentiment, inspired by a dear friend:





We would love seeing your dragonfly projects at the

Cardz 4 Galz Challenge!

On a personal note:


I'm still having trouble getting up to speed, but at least my brain is semi-functioning again (giggle).

This is  what is happening in our area due to the Withalacoochee River. Although we are up high and don't suffer from the flooding which is about 6-7 miles to the east, the mosquitoes and humidity travel everywhere nearby.




Flooding shown in green - our area has still not crested, so the photos reflect flooding a week ago, where the areas have not reached their maximum flooding yet:


 THIS IS DEDICATION:



our home has these "shutters"
which are put in place before an event, and then removed.

The photos were taken 24 hours after Hurricane Irma passed overhead - we were SO FORTUNATE as only a few tornados passed through the area, and the winds were deflected by large trees. Irma downgraded to a Cat 1 by the time it hit our home.


We were VERY GRATEFUL to have the shutters.
(see the shutter bottom left which has been removed from the door):

       

Sparkle N Sprinkle Products:

• Embossing Ink for large areas: Stampendous Embossing Ink with "felt stopper".
• Hybrid Embossing Powder: SNS Military Green EP288 mixed with Green Nugget Ultrafine Glitter G1065
• Celestial Ultrafine Glitter G1031
• Tonic English Picnic Die Set (inside)
• Tonic Thinking of You miniature die
• Tonic Dragonfly Broach
• Tonic Autumnal Oak Die Set (Leaves, twig, acorn)
• Nuvo Large Glue Pen (to adhere glitter to leaves, and designer paper to cardstock)
• Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive (wonderful ultra fine tip!)
• Sentiment - sneak peek of upcoming stamp set

Other Products:

• EKSuccess Border Punch
• Rust, Pale Gold, Black, Gold Glossy, Avocado Green, White cardstock and stash designer paper.
• Recollections Jewel

Challenges I would like to play in please:

1. Crafty Cardmakers #196 Autumn 10/1
2. Make My Monday #55 Autumn Colors 10/1
3. Use Your Stuff #281 Something Old - Something New 10/1 (Designer Paper, border punches, EP and G all very old - the die cuts are brand new)
4. Fab N Funky Challenge #364 Fall Colors 10/5
5. ScrapyLand Challenges #74 (Anything Goes using Die SL sells) (4 different Tonic Studios Die Sets listed above)
6. World Wide Open Design Team Challenge (Anything Goes for a DT) 10/15
7. Sisterhood of Crafters (Sept 27) Use Your Dies 10/15 (4 different Tonic Studios Die Sets listed above) (sep post prior to new challenge)

Miss You Hugs,

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,