Encouragement

Good Vibes Card

kittieslovecrafting

Hello friends. I think it’s time for a fun and cheerful card. In this uncertain and scary times, it’s nice to send others a little cheer in the form of a card. Also the creative outlet relieves stress; it’s a win win. So if you are finding yourself stressed and worried right now, do something fun, make something, draw something, or just talk to someone. Distractions and connections are super important right now.

This cute card features Simon Says Stamp Good Vibes Stampset which is unfortunately no longer available and was released during Simon Says Stamp’s Stamptember release.

  • Good Vibes Stampset
  • Card front closeup

I started by cutting a piece of Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ to 5-1/2 x 8-1/2″ and scored at 4-1/4″ for the card base and a piece of Canson Montval Acid-Free Cold Press Watercolor Paper, 140 lb, 18 X 24 in, Natural White to 4 x 5-1/4″ for the card front. Then used Distress Oxide Inks to create a background. I used Candied Apple Tim Holtz Distress Oxides Ink, Squeezed Lemonade Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink, Salty Ocean Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink, and Seedless Preserves Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink. I sprayed some water with the Tim Holtz Distress Sprayer and dried it with some paper towel.

Next, I prepped my card panel with Ranger Ink – Anti-Static Pouch. I stamped the peace sign with all over the background with Versamark Ink and added WOW Opaque Bright White Super Fine Embossing Powder and heat set that with my heat gun. I rounded the bottom corners of the card base and card panel with my We R Memory Keepers – Crop-A-Dile – Corner Chomper Tool and adhered the panel to the card base.

I stamped the cute character with outstretched arms and the greeting “Today Is the Greatest” onto Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. I added a little bit of shadowing and some pink cheeks with copic markers. I fussycut it out and added it to the card panel with some Stampin’ Dimensionals. I finished it off with some Nuvo Crystal Drops in Gloss Simply White.

Card Inside

On the inside of the card, I stamped ” Be Happy” with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink as well as the peace sign with Catherine Pooler Designs Rockin Red Ink, Catherine Pooler Designs Tiara Ink, Catherine Pooler Designs Orange Twist Ink, Catherine Pooler Designs Lime Rickey Ink, Catherine Pooler Designs All That Jazz Ink, Catherine Pooler Designs Suede Shoes Ink, and Catherine Pooler Designs Royal Treatment Ink. And that completes this card.

Dimensions

https://linkdeli.com/widget.js?1559654439292

Thanks for reading this post. I hope you enjoyed and I’ve inspired you to give this card a try for yourself. Leave comments or questions below or feel free to email.

Birthdays, Celebrations

Rainbow Birthday Card featuring Simon Says Stamp Trio Window Die

kittieslovecrafting

Hi friends. This fun and colorful card was made using the Simon Says Stamp Exclusive Trio Window Wafer Die and Simon Says Stamp Exclusive 6×8 Inch Window Frames clear stamp set included in the Simon Says Stamp February 2020 Card Kit. All the items from the kit are sold seperately so no need to fret if you don’t have the kit.

I started by cutting a piece of Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ to 5-1/2 x 8-1/2″ and scored at 4-1/4″ to create a card base. Then I cut another piece of Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ to 4 x 5-1/4” to create top panel.

I diecut the trio window using the Simon Says Stamp Exclusive Trio Window Wafer Die from the top panel, offsetting it from the center slightly.

I stamped the balloon border from the Simon Says Stamp Exclusive 6×8 Inch Window Frames clear stamp set around the windows and also some extra balloons with the additional balloon and string stamp included in the stampset using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. To stamp balloons that look like they are behind the balloons around the windows, I stamped the balloon border on to Masking Paper, fussycut it out, and placed it over the balloon border image before stamping additional balloons. I stamped some of the confetti pieces around the card to fill up the white space. I wanted this card to look like a party on paper!

I also stamped some balloons in the inside of the windows so it looks like balloons continue on the inside. To do this, I just lined up the stamp on the card panel using my Tim Holtz Tonic Craft Travel Stamp Platform, removed the top panel, and stamped in the card base. I also stamped additional balloons onto scraps of Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″, which I will pop up later with foam squares.

Before I started coloring all the images, I stamped some of the tiny sentiments in between the windows using the same Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (COPIC-friendly ink). I used COPICS in R17 and R27, R81 and R85, YR12 and YR16, Y06 and Y18, G07 and G14, BG000 and BG01, B95 and B37, and V06 and V09. Not gonna lie, this took a long time to color but I usually just watch a movie or Youtube videos while doing it so it makes it more fun. Once colored I all the images, I adhered the panel to the card base with 3M Foam Tape and used Stampin’ Dimensionals to adhered some of the additional balloons.

Closeup

Lastly, I stamped the “happy birthday” sentiment from the Simon Says Stamp Exclusive 6×8 Inch Window Frames clear stamp set onto a scrap of Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ and fussycut it out, separating the two words. I also used white alphabet stickers from my stash for the “50”. Since they were white I colored them with a black marker and addded them to the card in the middle window. If you have black Alphabet stickers that you like and fit inside the window, you can use those. I finished off the card by adding some highlights with my White Uni-Ball UM 153 Signo Broad Point Gel Pen and some splatters with Craft Smart Acrylic Paint in Black. And of course, no card is complete without some Nuvo Drops. I used Tonic Nuvo Crystal Drops in Ebony Black. It’s now a fun and colorful rainbow card. Doesn’t it just scream “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!?!”

Dimensions

Supplies

https://linkdeli.com/widget.js?1559654439292

Thanks for reading this post. I hope you enjoyed and I’ve inspired you to give this card a try for yourself. Leave comments or questions below or feel free to email.

Multimedia

Multimedia Canvas: Found Objects

kittieslovecrafting

Hi friends. Today I am posting something a bit different than my usual card making blogs. I thought I’d try my hand at creating a multimedia canvas. I haven’t tried making a multimedia project in many years (mostly because I didn’t have the space to work or let the piece dry. But now that I have space to work, it’s time to get back to it.

Like many people I was hesitant to start this project or even post it but I figured I’d play and see what happens and if I don’t hate it I’ll post it for you guys. It may inspire someone else get over their fear of doing multimedia.

I was inspired by a Youtuber I came across in my feed, Marta Lapkowska, who makes amazing art journal and multimedia projects. She likes to use stuff around her house as well as things she buys to make her art. Check her out on YouTube at Maremi’s Small Art. Her shop also has cool stuff you can use on your projects. I just got my order and I love all the papers, chipboards, etc I purchased.

In keeping with my pledge to use what I have in my craftroom stash and not overspend this year, I looked through all my chipboard, diecuts, tissue paper, fabrics, and stamps to see what has been under utilized. I also used some cardboard (from an Amazon box) to add to my project. I saw Marta do this in one of her videos and I thought it was a cool idea.

I started with a pre-gessoed canvas, measuring 12 x 16 from Artist’s Loft. I used Matte Gel Medium and added some torn pieces of tissue paper from Tim Holtz® Idea-ology® Melange Tissue Wrap Paper and Ranger 10 Printed/10 Plain Dina Wakley Media Tissue Pack 7.5″X10″ 20/Pkg. You can use any tissue paper in your stash. You can also stamp on your tissue paper before adding it to your project.

I let that dry and then used my Hot Glue Gun to add cardboard from my Amazon box, fabric scraps, Doilies, Burlap Ribbon, Coffee Filters (I always have these in my craftroom for applying glitter and embossing powder), Wood Buttons and Mini Thread Spools, Mini Natural Wood Clothespins and Regular Sized Natural Wood Clothespins, and Planner Discs (yes I said Happy Planner discs) to the canvas. I just placed everything randomly on the canvas, clustering some items to create some interest.

Once I was happy with the composition, I added Gesso over everything. I added two coats of Gesso, allowing to dry in between coats.

Once that was dry, I started adding paint. I used Martha Stewart Acrylic Paints in Surf, Summer Haze, Pool, and Vanilla Bean, plus a Craft Smart® Acrylic Paint, 2 oz, Black and DecoArt Crafters Acrylic, 8-Ounce, White from my stash to add layers of color. This took a while and once I was happy with the background I let it dry. I was trying to create an aged look but I still wanted pops of color which is why I used the three aqua colors. My advice to any of you out there who are afraid to screw up your piece once you add paint, is not to worry. The good thing about acrylics is you can add layers on top of layers (let the paint dry before adding more) or add Gesso over it and start over with the paint. No mistakes are bad and have fun!

I added more texture by using a piece of the burlap ribbon as a stencil with the Vanilla Bean and some Martha Stewart Acrylic Paints in Copper.

While my paints dried, I stamped two of the images from the Stampers Anonymous Creative Collage Stampset onto a piece of Canson Montval Acid-Free Cold Press Watercolor Paper, 140 lb with Ranger Black Archival Ink. Using a stamping platform is very useful here to be able to stamp multiple times over the image. I cut those out and distressed them by adding some Antique Linen Distress Oxide, Broken China Distress Oxide, Ground Espresso Distress Oxide, and Black Soot Distress Ink. I was not happy with the edges being so clean so I took my Tonic Studios Tim Holtz 370 Paper Distresser to rip the edges. Then added more Black Soot Distress Ink around the edges. And to make it look even older I added black acrylic paint around the edges. Next I used Vanilla Bean and Copper to paint the edges of some old chipboard pieces I had as well as added some DecoArt Crafters Acrylic, 8-Ounce, White acrylic to distress it a bit. I used medium and small chipboard shapes. Not sure where these came from as they are extremely old. Again trying to use what I own an don’t buy more stuff. Dig through your drawers people! You are bound to find treasures! 🙂

I also took some white paper flowers in various sizes and painted them with Pool, Vanilla Bean, Craft Smart® Acrylic Paint, 2 oz, Black and Copper. I adhered the stamped images, flowers and chipboard pieces to the canvas using my Hot Glue Gun. I stacked two flowers together and added some Wood Buttons to them which I painted with the acrylic paints also. Lastly, I diecut the word “CREATE” from Simon Says Stamp BLACK Card Stock 100# with the Honey Bee BEE BOLD ALPHABET Dies an adhered it with Matte Gel Medium to my canvass.

https://linkdeli.com/widget.js?1559654439292

Thanks for reading this post. I hope you enjoyed and I’ve inspired you to give try creating some multimedia projects yourself. I challenge you to check out your supplies and use it to make some art. Have fun and enjoy! Leave comments or questions below or feel free to email.

Love & Friendship, Valentine's Day

Quick & Easy Valentine’s Day Shaker Card featuring Simon Says Stamp February 2020 Card Kit

kittieslovecrafting

This Valentine’s Day shaker card came together quickly with the help of the Simon Says Stamp February Card Kit. This kit includes:

While the kit is no longer available the individual items are available for purchase separately. The stampset is great for all occasions; there are several sentiments for love, thank yous and birthdays.

Card Front

I began by cutting the 8.5×11 inch Simon Says Stamp Exclusive Schoolhouse Red Cardstock to 5-1/2 x 8-1/2″ and scored at 4-1/4″ to create the card base and a panel of the Polkadoodles Timeless Rose 6×6 Patterned Paper collection to 4 x 5-1/4”. I diecut the 3 windows using the Simon Says Stamp Exclusive Trio Window wafer die and adhered the Square Shaker Trio Pouch from My Favorite Things behind the panel using the 0.125 inch Scor-Tape that came in the kit.

I stamped the ‘big hugs’ sentiment from the Simon Says Stamp Exclusive 6×8 Inch Window Frames clear stamp set onto a piece of Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″, using Catherine Pooler Designs Rockin Red Ink. I added some Buttons Galore and More SPRINKLETZ SWEETHEARTS Embellishments to the the top and bottom of the 3 shakers and adhered the sentiment panel and two other white panels behind the shaker windows. I then adhered the front panel onto the card base.

I chose a lighter pattern paper from the Polkadoodles Timeless Rose 6×6 Patterned Paper collection and stamped the hearts border using Versamark Ink and Wow Embossing Powder Bright White Super Fine. I fussycut the hearts border out and adhered it to the card around the windows. I finished it off by adding some of the confetti hearts from Buttons Galore and More SPRINKLETZ SWEETHEARTS Embellishments.

Card Inside

On the inside of the card, I cut a piece of Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ to 4 x 5-1/4” and adhered a strip of the same hearts pattern paper I used on the front of the card, measuring 3/4 x 4” to the bottom of the panel. Then adhered it inside the card. I stamped a few hearts from the Simon Says Stamp Exclusive 6×8 Inch Window Frames clear stamp set using Catherine Pooler Designs Rockin Red Ink. And that completes the card.

Dimensions

https://linkdeli.com/widget.js?1559654439292

Thanks for reading this post. I hope you enjoyed and I’ve inspired you to give this card a try for yourself. Leave comments or questions below or feel free to email.

Birthdays, Celebrations, Spring

Getting the Most From Your Dies, Featuring Simon Says Stamp Dies

kittieslovecrafting

Hi friends. Today I’m bringing you two cards featuring the Simon Says Stamp Dazzling Circle and Blooming Circle Dies. One card uses the dies in the way they were intended but the second card uses it in a different way — using the positive diecuts to create a background. This is an easy way to create a background.

Traditional Use of Die

For the first card I started by cutting a piece of Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ to 5-1/2 x 8-1/2″ and scored at 4-1/4″. Then I cut a piece of green gingham paper (from the Birthday paper pack included in the Crafty Parcel) to 4 x 5-1/4” and diecut the wreath in the top center of the panel using the Simon Says Stamp Dazzling Circle Die (no longer available as it was part of the Stamptember release). I added some 3M Foam Tape to the back of the panel and adhered a square piece of Stampin’ Up! Granny Apple Green 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock on the card base behind the wreath. The easiest way to do this is to add the foam tape to the wreath panel and then attaching the green square piece behind that and then adhering it to the card base.

I diecut a bunch of flowers from 6 different colored scraps of cardstock using the Simon Says Stamp Blooming Circle Wafer Dies and adhered them to the wreath using Tombow Mono Multi-liquid Glue.

For the sentiment, I diecut ‘Celebrate’ from the Sentiment Stacker Dies #1 with some Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ for the sentiment and pink glitter foam from Queen & Company’s Glitter Fun Foam – Rainbow for the shadow. I finished it off the by adding some Love from Lizi Peel-offs in Clear Iridescent Pink Glitter and some Nuvo Crystal Drops in Gloss White.

On the inside of the card, I cut a strip of Green Gingham paper (from the Birthday paper pack included in the Crafty Parcel) to 1 x 4-1/4″. I stamped a greeting from the Catherine Pooler Stamp of Approval Young at Heart Collection stampset (I don’t think this is available in her shop anymore) in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and Catherine Pooler Party Dress Ink. I finished it off by adding some additional flowers.

Dimensions

  • Card Base = 5-1/2 x 8-1/2″ and scored at 4-1/4″ Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″
  • Top Panel = 4 x 5-1/4” Green Gingham paper (from the Birthday paper pack included in the Crafty Parcel)
  • Inside Strip = 1 x 4-1/4″ Green Gingham paper (from the Birthday paper pack included in the Crafty Parcel)

Creating a Background Using Just Dies

For the second card I started by cutting a piece of Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ to 5-1/2 x 8-1/2″ and scored at 4-1/4″ and a piece of Neenah 80lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ to 4 x 5-1/4”. I diecut the several leaves from Stampin’ Up! Old Olive Cardstock using the Simon Says Stamp Dazzling Circle Die (no longer available as it was part of the Stamptember release). I think I diecut about 3 wreaths with the die. I diecut flowers from 6 different colored scraps of cardstock using the Simon Says Stamp Blooming Circle Wafer Dies.

Card Front

I adhered the leaves and flowers to the front panel using Tombow Mono Multi-liquid Glue, creating a pattern. I coated it with Matte Gel Medium to seal it because the images are so small they might come unglued without it. Next I stamped a sentiment from the Newton’s Nook Designs Newton Loves Cake with Catherine Pooler Designs Royal Treatment Ink Pad onto a piece of Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ and diecut it using a Studio Katia Stitched Square Nested Die set. I used the smaller square in the set. I adhered it to a piece of Stampin’ Up! Old Olive Cardstock and fussycut around it, creating a mat layer. I popped it up on my card with some 3M Foam Tape. I added a small bow made from 1/4” Lavender Double-Faced Satin Ribbon from my stash and a little flower to the sentiment area. I finished it off by adding some Nuvo Drops in Ivory Seashell to the centers of the larger flowers.

On the inside of the card, I just added some flowers. And that completes this card.

Card Inside

Dimensions

https://linkdeli.com/widget.js?1559654439292

Thanks for reading this post. I hope you enjoyed and I’ve inspired you to give your old stand-alone dies a second look and try some new techniques with them. Leave comments or questions below or feel free to email.

Holidays 2020, Love & Friendship, Valentine's Day, Valentines Day

Cute Valentine’s Day Card Featuring Waffle Flower Stamps

kittieslovecrafting

Hello friends. This cute little card features musical bugs from the Waffle Flower Rock On Stampset as well as Simon Says Stamp Grid Play Alphas Set (no longer available) and cute Valentine’s Day pattern paper (Pebbles Forever My Always 6 x 6 Paper). If you haven’t tried the crafty parcel from Simon, you should give it a try once. I received lots of unexpected supplies I wouldn’t normally purchase for myself but was happy to try.

Front view

For this card I began by cutting a piece of Stampin’ Up! Real Red 8 1/2 x 11” Cardstock to 5-1/2 x 8-1/2″and scored at 4-1/4″. Then cut a piece of the hearts pattern paper (from Valentine’s Day paper included in the Crafty Parcel) to 3-5/8H x 4”W (left side) and 2”H x 4”W (right side), creating a diagonal cut and grid pattern paper (from the same paper pad) to 1-7/16 x 4” (left side) and 3-5/16 x 4” (right side) and adhered them to the card panel using Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue. Then added some Love From Lizi Red Glitter Peel-offs where the two pieces meet.

I stamped 3 of the musical bugs from the Waffle Flower Rock On Stampset onto Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. I colored them using COPIC markers. I used the following colors:

  • Bugs = C3 and C7
  • Accordian = E000 and E40; E37 and E29
  • Wings = BG000 and Blender 0
  • Horn = Y13 and Y18
  • Drum = R17 and R27; R81 and R85

I fussycut the images out and then moved onto the sentiment. I stamped the letters L-O-V-E from the Simon Says Stamp Grid Play Alphas Set (no longer available) onto Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ with Catherine Pooler Rockin’ Red Ink and fussycut the letters. Then I stamped “you are my #1 pick” from Waffle Flower Rock On Stampset onto a piece of Simon Says Stamp Card Stock 100# BLACK using Versamark Ink and White Embossing Powder. I cut it down to 1/2 x 2″.

Closeup

I adhered the little bugs onto the card using Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue for the middle one and Stampin’ Dimensionals for the two others. I adhered the LOVE sentiment towards the top of the card using 3M Foam Tape and the sentiment strip directly to the card using Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue. I finished it off by adding some of the musical notes from the Waffle Flower Rock On Stampset with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.

On the inside of the card I cut a piece of Neenah 80lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ to 4 x 5-1/4” and added a strip of the hearts pattern paper, measuring 3/4 x 4-1/4″, to the bottom of the panel and adhered that panel to the inside of the card. I stamped the “Happy Valentine’s Day” sentiment from the How you bean? conversation heart add-on and some little hearts from the Waffle Flower Rock On Stampset using Catherine Pooler Rockin’ Red Ink as well as some music notes from the same stampset. And that completes the card.

Inside

Dimensions

https://linkdeli.com/widget.js?1559654439292

Thanks for reading this post, hope you enjoyed and I’ve inspired you to give this card a try. Leave comments or questions below or feel free to email.

Holidays 2020, Love & Friendship, Valentine's Day

Use What You Have: A Valentine’s Day Card

kittieslovecrafting

Hello friends. For 2020, I want to try to be aware of the supplies I have in my stash and use them. I find that I have a lot of stamps that I purchase for a season or holiday or that comes in a kit and I use it once. And that’s just wasteful! Give your craft supplies some extra love this year!

For this card I featured Simon Says Stamp I Chews You Stampset. It’s a 6 x 8 stampset with tons of cute images and sentiments. It was included in the Simon Says Stamp Stamptember 2018 I Chews You Limited Edition card kit (no longer available). I haven’t had too much opportunity to use it since I bought it, so it was time. And the food characters are friggin’ adorable so I just had to, you know what I mean?!? Food brings people joy and love so a card with cute food on it is just perfect for Valentine’s Day, don’t you think?

Ok, so I started by cutting a piece of Stampin’ Up! Real Red 8 1/2 x 11” Cardstock to 5-1/2 x 8-1/2″and scored at 4-1/4″ for the card base, a piece of Valentine’s Day pattern paper (this came in the Crafty Parcel I purchased from Simon Says Stamp) to 4 x 5-1/4”, and a piece of Montval Acid Free Coldpress Watercolor Paper to 3-3/4 x 5”. Then, I used Ranger Tim Holtz Picked Raspberry Distress Crayon and my waterbrush (any brush will do) and created a background. I applied a few layers, letting each layer dry (use a heat gun if you are inpatient like me), until I got the color I wanted. It was my first time using the Distress Crayons and I was not expecting to like them but they are actually pretty cool and work well.

While that panel dried, I stamped a bunch of the food characters from the Simon Says Stamp I Chews You Stampset onto Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. It was so hard to choose which ones too use. I love them all soo much!!! I colored them with COPIC markers. I used Y00 and Y13 for the pizza crust, E40, E53 and YR09 for the top of the pizza, and YR09 for the pepperoni and G99 for the peppers. I used E53 and E57 for the cinnabun and pretzel; R17 and R29 for the gumball machine, BG00 and 0 for the glass on it, C1, C5, and C7 for the metal parts, and R81, R83, R17, R29, C00 and 0 for the gumballs; G43 and G99 for the pickle; Y13, Y15, and Y18 for the taco shell, G42 and G99 for the lettuce and YR09 and R17 for the tomato. And BG000 and BG01 for the cupcake wrapper, R81, R83, and R85 for the cupcake and R29 and G43 for the sprinkles.

Once the watercolor panel was dry, I used Wendy Vecchi WHITE Embossing Paste and American Crafts Heidi Swapp Stencil 6 X6 Polka Dot and applied it in some places on the panel. Then I sprinkled Ruby Red Martha Stewart Glitter on top of it. Once the paste was all dry I shook off the excess glitter. Unfortunately, most of the glitter shook off so I rubbed some Ranger Tim Holtz Picked Raspberry Distress Crayon to the raised areas.

I adhered the hearts pattern paper to the card base and the watercolor panel to that paper. Then proceeded to fussycut the images and adhered them to the bottom of the card using Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue. I popped up a couple of the images with some Stampin’ Dimensionals. I also added a shadow under the images using COPIC markers C3, C5 and the blender.

I stamped “Hugs & Kisses” onto a piece of Simon Says Stamp Card Stock 100# BLACK with Versamark Ink and WOW Embossing Powder Opaque Bright White Super Fine. The sentiment is from an old stampset but I don’t where it came from because when I started crafting I didn’t save the backing or note the company 😦 I cut the piece down to 1 x 3-1/2″, cut the right side into a banner edge and adhered to the panel using. I finished it off by punching some tiny hearts from Stampin’ Up! Real Red 8 1/2 x 11” Cardstock using the Stampin’ Up! Owl Builder Punch (retired). You can use any tiny heart dies you may have.

For the inside for the card, I cut a piece of Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ to 4 x 5-1/4” and a piece of the pattern paper to 1 x 5-1/4”. I stamped Happy Valentine’s Day from the Lawn Fawn happy happy happy Add-on stampset with Black Memento Ink and added some more of the little hearts to complete the inside of this card.

Dimensions

https://linkdeli.com/widget.js?1559654439292

Thanks for reading this post and I hope I’ve inspired you to give this card a try or make some Valentine’s Day cards of your own. Leave comments or questions below or feel free to email.

DIY Projects

Paper Mache Jewelry Box

kittieslovecrafting

Hello friends and Happy New Year! My first post of 2020 is this cute distressed jewelry box. I made something similar from paper years ago but it was time for a new sturdier box since the original is falling apart from so much use. This jewelry box will just hold some watches and rings and I wear daily but like to remove before bed. This way they can be safely tucked away out of reach of the kitties. Sometimes the kitties are naughty an play with things they should not so it’s my responsibility to make sure they don’t have access to those things.

Anyway let me show you how easy it was to make this box. I kept my box simple by just using some paper, paint, ribbon but you can add all kinds of embellishments. You can add fabric, flowers, jewels, brads, etc.

Supplies

I began by choosing a paper mache box. I bought a pack of 5 hexagon-shaped boxes from Amazon (Art Alternatives MVPM06224 Paper-Mache Hexagon Box Set 5/Pkg). I chose the largest box in the set.

Art Alternatives MVPM06224 Paper-Mache Hexagon Box Set 5/Pkg

Next, I used Martha Stewart Crafts Multi Surface Satin Acrylic Paint in Sea Lavender (I think this color is discontinued) to paint the box inside and out. I applied 2-3 thin coats. I cannot stress this enough…when painting paper mache products, even smooth surfaces, it is best to apply thin layers, letting each layer dry between applications. I let each layer dry about 10-15 minutes.

Apply thin layers of acrylic paint

While the last layer was drying, I chose some pattern papers from the Stamperia Double-Sided 12 X 12″ Paper Pad – Music and some Canvas Tissuestock Printed French Script, 12-Inch by 12-Inch, Ivory, 10-Pack. Since these papers are 12 x 12, I adhered the paper as one piece, making slits along the sides as I glued each side down. I started by gluing the bottom of the box first, using Mod Podge Waterbase Sealer, Glue (16-Ounce) CS11302 Matte Finish, 16 oz. I did the same for the lid and the box.

Stamperia Double-Sided 12 X 12″ Paper Pad – Music and
Canvas Tissuestock Printed French Script, 12-Inch by 12-Inch, Ivory, 10-Pack

Tip: When using Modge Podge to glue down paper work in small areas so you can smooth out the surface and hold it down for a few seconds so it holds properly. otherwise you can get bubbles or areas that just are not glued down.

I added ripped strips of the tissue paper to both parts of the box, adhering each time with the Modge Podge. With thin papers like tissue paper you need to add glue to both the underside and over top.

Once everything was dry, I decided it was too plain and added some acrylic paint and distress stains to age it a bit. First, I applied Martha Stewart Crafts Multi Surface Satin Acrylic Paint in Sea Lavender and Surf, mostly around the edges of the box. I let that and added some Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Paint, 1-Ounce, Antique Bronze and Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Spray Stains, 1.9oz Bottles-Walnut Stain.

Once I was happy with the aged look, I let it dry completely and then added a coat of Modge Podge to seal in all the paint and papers. Let that all dry a good while and then I added the 5/8″ Brown Double Satin Ribbon around the lid edge and some white felt inside the box. I used Mod Podge Waterbase Sealer, Glue and Finish for Fabric (8-Ounce) to adhere both.

Finished Box
https://linkdeli.com/widget.js?1559654439292

Thanks for reading this post and I hope I’ve inspired you to give this project a try. Leave comments or questions below or feel free to email.

Birthdays, Christmas

3 Techniques Using 1 Stamp

kittieslovecrafting

Hello friends. Today I’m focusing on using distress markers, ink and watercolors to create different looks using one stamp. I bought this Tim Holtz Wood Mount Iced Coffee Sketch Stamp several months ago and was saving it for the holidays because I don’t know about you but I’m all about specialty coffees during the holidays. These are available in my shop for purchase If you’re interested.

For the first card, I stamped the coffee cup image onto a piece of Montval Acid Free Coldpress Watercolor Paper, measuring 3-3/4 x 5” with Ranger Archival Jet Black Ink and colored the image with Distress Markers. I love distress markers and don’t use them enough! I used Pumice Stone and Picket Fence for the whipped cream, Shabby Shutters and Peeled Paint for the straw, Antique Linen and Ground Espresso for the coffee cup, Candied Apple and Fired Brick for the sleeve and Tumbled Glass for the background.

I cut a piece of Stampin’ Up! Real Red 8 1/2 x 11” Cardstock to 5-1/2 x 8-1/2″and scored at 4-1/4″ to make a card base. I cut a piece of red and white striped pattern paper from my stash to 4 x 5-1/4” and adhered it to the card base. I stamped a sentiment from the Lawn Fawn Simply Winter Sentiments with Peeled Paint Distress Oxide Ink to the top and adhered it to the card. I finished it off by adding some Nuvo Crystal Drops in Bottle Green.

On the inside of the card, I added a strip of the same red and white striped pattern paper, measuring 1 x 5-1/4” and stamped another greeting in Peeled Paint Distress Oxide Ink from the same stampset.

Dimensions

For the second card, I stamped the coffee cup image onto a piece of Montval Acid Free Coldpress Watercolor Paper, measuring 3-3/4 x 5” with Ranger Archival Jet Black Ink and colored the image with my Kuretake Gansai Tanbi 36 Watercolor Set. I taped the image panel down to my glass mat with some Blue Painters Tape and I used 20, 10, 64 and 95 for the whipped cream, 63 and 10 for the lid, 30 and 36 for the straw, 43, 47 and 10 for the coffee cup, 51 and 54 for the sleeve, and 50, 64, and 10 for the background. I added splashes with some of the gold watercolor from the set.

I cut a piece of Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ to 5-1/2 x 8-1/2″and scored at 4-1/4″ to make a card base. I cut a piece of Tim Holtz Idea-ology 8 x 8 Paper Stash METALLIC KRAFT STOCK to 4-1/4 x 5-1/2” and adhered it to the card base. While the watercolor panel dried, I stamped a sentiment from the Honeybee Stamps Shake-It Off Stampset, fussycut it and adhered it to the panel, then adhered it to the card base. I stamped the coffee bean from the Honeybee Stamps Shake-It Off Stampset with Ground Espresso Distress Oxide Ink, fussycut it and adhered to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals. I finished it off by adding some Nuvo Crystal Drops in Metallic Bright Gold.

On the inside of the card, I stamped a birthday greeting in from Lawn Fawn’s Happy Happy Happy stampset with Candied Apple Distress Oxide Ink.

Dimensions

For the third card, I stamped the coffee cup image onto a piece of Montval Acid Free Coldpress Watercolor Paper, measuring 4 x 5-1/4” with WOW Opaque Bright White Embossing Powder and Versamark Clear Embossing Ink. I used distress Inks and daubers to color the image. I used Pumice Stone for the whipped cream, Tumbled Glass for the lid, Mowed Lawn for the straw and Iced Coffee sign, Antique Linen and Walnut Stain for the coffee cup, and 4-1/4 x 5-1/2 Apple, Fired Brick for the sleeve, and Tumbled Glass, Broken China, and Salty Ocean for the background. I sprayed water on the background to create spots.

With a black permanent marker, I colored in the middle section of the sleeve and added tiny square I fussycut from Tim Holtz Idea-ology 8 x 8 Paper Stash METALLIC KRAFT STOCK and adhered it to the sleeve.

I then created a snowy hill from Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ by cutting a curve by hand along one edge, then used Tumbled Glass to color the snow. I adhered it to the panel with some 3M Foam Tape.

I cut a piece of Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ to 5-1/2 x 8-1/2″and scored at 4-1/4″ to make a card base. I cut a piece of Simon Says Stamp Cardstock WHITE GLITTER Paper to 4-1/4 x 5-1/2” and adhered it to the card base. I adhered the card panel and hillside to the glitter paper with Tombow Mono adhesive. I stamped OH from Honeybee Stamps Shake-It Off Stampset upside down to create HO HO HO with Candied Apple Distress Oxide Ink, fussycut it out and adhered it with Stampin’ Dimensionals. I stamped 3 coffee beans from the Honeybee Stamps Shake-It Off Stampset with Ground Espresso Distress Oxide Ink, fussycut them and adhered them to the snow. I finished it off by adding some Nuvo Glitter Drops in White Blizzard.

On the inside of the card, I stamped a holiday greeting in from Lawn Fawn Simply Winter Sentiments with Candied Apple Distress Oxide Ink.

Dimensions

https://linkdeli.com/widget.js?1559654439292

Thanks for reading this post and I hope I’ve inspired you to give these cards a try on your own. Leave comments or questions below or feel free to email.

Christmas, DIY Projects, Holidays 2019, Wreaths

DIY: Super Easy Christmas Wreaths

kittieslovecrafting

Hello friends. This weekend I made some very cute mini Christmas wreaths for some new decorations. I love to decorate with wreaths and I especially enjoy adding mini ones to doors Inside my home. They enhance your decor without being too in your face. They are also easy to store when you have limited space.

These were super easy to make and inexpensive. The supplies I used are mini wreaths, 25-30mm Ornaments, 5/8” Red Satin Ribbon, Hot Glue Gun and Gorilla Glue Hot Glue Sticks. These little wreaths would make great gifts as well or can be used around a candle for a festive centerpiece.

Supplies

I bought three mini wreaths from Target and hot glued red, green, and gold ornaments to it, scattering them around the wreath. The pale gold, glitter gold, and red and green glitter ornaments are ones I used from my stash.

I added a 5/8” Red Satin Ribbon to each wreath to hang them. That’s all! I told you it was super easy. You can add more items, like ribbon or candies, etc to your if you like.

https://linkdeli.com/widget.js?1559654439292

Thanks for reading this post and I hope I’ve inspired you to make some wreaths for your home or for a gift. Leave comments or questions below or feel free to email