Sweet Stamps- Anything Goes ArtsyfArtsy

The Sweet Stamps Challenge this week is Anything Goes-ArtsyfArtsy.
  I got ArtsyfArtsy by making a Canvas- this is really my first one- not done in a class.......

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  There is a new line of stamps that has just been released at Sweet Stamps- Yep- called ArtsyfArtsy. We had a Facebook release all week- partying there today some more- so stop by for a chance to win some HERE.
    The Sweet Stamps Pintrest Boards include an ArtsyfArtsy board with all of the new releases made up into Projects by the DT- you can see that HERE.
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Ok- back to the canvas.......
 I started my 6x8 canvas by applying Gesso.  Next, I added an old book page- that had been crumpled up first- by painting Matte Gel Medium on the canvas and over the paper. Once dry, I spritzed on a little moisture and rubbed off the top layer.

  I made an outline stencil of the Eiffel Tower, and put Light Modeling Paste on the canvas.

  I notched out a square in the center of the tower- like the real one.....

  I took Shades Die Inks (Spots) and tapped them on my palate, then added Gesso to make my paints

 These are the colors I used: French Roast- was the base coat- I added water so the text would not be completely covered, and alas- Pink......- cool......, Latte, In the Pink, Nassau Blue, Mediterranean, Gibraltar (looks Gray, but it gave me green tones too) and Nightfall.
  From thre many Blogs, Pintrest posts and You Tube video's, I see it is all about the layers, so I added a little bit at a time and then came back and added more......  I used Nassau Blue and Bubble wrap, then applied Gesso over it to tone it down. I also discovered if I took a very slightly damp paintbrush over the inks- that would also tone them down.
  I added Creative Inspirations Paints- Antique Silver over the Eiffel Tower and Winter Frost over the corner die cuts and down the Dressing Coat front panel.

 I hope you can see the shimmer............
  The image was stamped on Tissue Paper and added to the panel with Matte Gel Medium before I started dabbing all over with paints.
  The corner flourishes are a Flourish Medallion SweetCuts die cut in half- painted with Nassau Blue + Gesso, then I DTP the Spot to the top- and then painted with CI paint.
 I have every intention to make this neutral- starting with Browns...and to stay away from Pink and Blue....Oh well, guess I will have to make another canvas...another day!

Well, I had a Technique Junkies background (Alcohol Ink Blast) sitting on my desk, so I whipped up a quick ATC too- using the same image:

Here are the Sweet Stamps products I used on my card:
AF10 Parisienne Collage HERE
Bohemian Border HERE - I used portions of this in the blue ink
Decorative Elements- the pink flower and brown swirl images HERE
Flourish Medallion SweetCuts Die HERE
Shades Die Ink Spots- colors noted above HERE
Creative Inspirations Paint- Colors noted above HERE
Black Tuxedo Memento Ink HERE

I hope you will join in the challenge!  You cannot win if you don't play!!!  And, if you use a Sweet Stamps image- you will receive an additional chance to win! The winner is chosen by Random.org- so everyone has a chance to win!


 We also have a monthly challenge as well- you have a chance to WIN - this month we are using Dryer Sheets on our cards.  I  hope you will come join us for the challenge- it runs for an entire month- from 7/15 thru 8/14- so you have plenty of time to join us.

 Stop by the Sweet Stamps Challenge Blog HERE to see what the rest of the DT has created for the Challenge.

Challenges:
Make it Monday- Always Anything Goes- and a fabulous place to discover some great papercrafters!
Created with Love-- Anything Goes
Sparkle and Sprinkle- Anything but a Card
2 Creative Chicks- 3D
Frilly and Funkie-Summertime
The Artistic Stamper- Ladies Day
613 Ave Create- Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by! Hope to see you at the challenge blog!
Shelly

Sweet Stamps-Monthly Technique Challenge- Dryer Sheet Technique

The Sweet Stamps Challenge this Month is The Dryer Sheet Technique.

  

 I think this may be my first time trying this technique : )  It was quick and easy.  I masked the Poinsettia and leaf image and made a floral spray with three flowers. I used Copic markers for coloring. I put the image- face down thru the Xyron, then added the dryer sheet and glitter.

 I sure hope you will come join us for the challenge- it runs for an entire month- from 7/15 thru 8/14- so you have plenty of time to join us.

Here are the Sweet Stamps products I used on my card:
Poinsettia & Holly Leaf Duo HERE
White Dye Ink HERE
White Embossing Powder HERE
Elegant Leaves SweetCuts Die HERE 
Joy Crafts Little Label and Tags Die HERE
Bo Bunny Father Christmas DP HERE
Coordinations Cardstock Scarlet (Classy Reds) HERE
Copic Markers  ( Rosey Reds, Harvest Gold, Victorian Green, Warm Shadow) HERE
Sparkley Ultrafine Transparent Glitter HERE

Double Line Tape HERE

I hope you will join in the challenge!  You cannot win if you don't play!!!  And, if you use a Sweet Stamps image- you will receive an additional chance to win! The winner is chosen by Random.org- so everyone has a chance to win!


 We also have a weekly challenge as well- you have a chance to WIN $20 of items from the store at  Sweet Stamps.


 Stop by the Sweet Stamps Challenge Blog HERE to see what the rest of the DT has created for the Challenge or click on the links below.

Challenges:
Make it Monday- Always Anything Goes- and a fabulous place to discover some great papercrafters!
2 Sisters- Make it Sparkle
52 Christmas Card Throwdown-Color challenge
A Gem of a Challenge- Spots
Cut it Up- Use Die Cuts
Simply Create Too- Christmas in July
Sister Act- Anything Goes
Paper Crafting Journey- Christmas in July
Fab n Funky- Christmas in July


Thanks for stopping by! Hope to see you at the challenge blog!
Shelly

ArtsyfArtsy- new 'line' of stamps at Sweet Stamps!

 There is a Facebook Release Party for the new ArtsyfArtsy Stamps at Sweet Stamps HERE

 All of the DT made something for the new Release- I used AF5- Locket Lady

  There are three stamps being released daily - we started yesterday and will continue to release three images thru 7/15.
 I used a combination of inks (Papaya, Orange, Butterscotch, Buttercup) and Creative Inspirations Paints (Buttercup, Pumpkin, Burnt Clay and Fairy Dust) for the background, then embossed the background image using White embossing powder.
 The ATC sized background is Stamped using the AF1 French Script in Shades ink (spot) Gibraltar, and I added watercoloring in Papaya Shades Die ink (spot again).
  The AF5 Locket Lady is stamped in Stormy Gray. The frame of the image was stamped and embossed with Liquid Platinum Embossing Powder.  (***How did I do that?  I simply inked up the edges of the stamp and avoided getting the lady image inked, then stamped on cardstock and embossed it. ) I watercolored the hat/bow and her blouse and bow with papaya Shades Die ink (spot). I decided to add a piece of acetate to make it look like the Locket lady was under glass.....


 I hope you will join us at the Facebook preview!  There are 18 new stamps being released next Tuesday 7/16 at Sweet Stamps, so be sure to leave comments on each preview/project over on the Facebook release Party Page for your chance at winning. Next Tuesday we will have 6 winners!! 2 of whom will be randomly drawn from comments left during our previews on FB.

Sweet Stamps Products:
NEW ****** AF1 French Script  and AF5 Locket Lady
Decorative Elements set HERE
Shades Die Ink Spots HERE
White and Liquid Platinum Embossing Powder HERE
Creative Inspirations Paint HERE
Rhinestones HERE
Coordinations cardstock Citrus Oranges HERE 
Cheery Lynn Carnivale Border Die HERE 

Challenges:
365 Cards- Two Techniques- stamping and sewing  
Lady Anne's Challenge- Anything Goes
Ruby's Rainbow- Embossing, Ribbon and handmade background
Craft Room Challenge- Vintage
Craft-Dee BowZ- Anything Goes with a Handmade Bow

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Sweet Stamps- Christmas Parchment

It's Christmas in July at Sweet Stamps .  Out challenge for week two is Christmas Parchment!
 

 Parchment is a technique on Parchment Paper- similar to Vellum..... HERE is a video by Stacey from Sweet Stamps that shows HOW TO do Parchment.
 I stamped the image and embossed with Fine Detail Queens Gold Embossing Powder. The outermost frame area is highlighted with a Stardust Gelly Roll Pen- so it is sparkly IRL...The next frame is embossed from the back side with a parchment stylus. It looks 3-D in the picture, doesn't it?  The image is colored from the back with Copic Markers.
 The brads holding the sentiment were dipped in Pigment ink, and embossed with Fine Detail Queens Gold EP to coordinate. The Gold cardstock from Paper Temptress is embossed and a ribbon and antique button added for final accents.

HERE are the Sweet Stamps products I used on my card:
Stained Glass Madonna and Child HERE
Sentiment- Luke 2:11- For Unto You HERE
Parchment Vellum HERE
Antistatic pad HERE
White Dye Ink HERE
Fine Details Queen's Gold Embossing Powder HERE
Copic Markers HERE
Soft Tip Stylus Tools HERE
Spray Adhesive for Vellum HERE
Damask Embossing Folder HERE
Double Line Tape HERE

 I hope you will join in the challenge! Every entry qualifies you for a chance to win $20 of items from the store at Sweet Stamps, and if you use a Sweet Stamps image- you will receive an additional chance to win! The winner is chosen by Random.org- so everyone has a chance to win!

 We have a monthly challenge as well- 6/15-7/14- use the Chalkboard technique- you have a chance to WIN a TECHNIQUE JUNKIES CD!!! Stop by the Sweet Stamps Challenge Blog HERE to see what the rest of the DT has created for the Challenge.

 Challenges:
Make it Monday- Anything Goes
ABC Challenges- Christmas in July
Card Mania- Christmas in July

Thanks for stopping by!
 Shelly

Whats the Buzzzzzz-Day 5 of Michael Strong

This is my final day of posting cards as the Card Captain at the Michael Strong Yahoo group. I used a fun new stamp called Hannah's busy Bee. I used a portion of the stamp, as you can see......

 This is such a sweet stamp- I stamped it and cut some of the hexagon's apart. The sentiment is by McMahon Five Designs.
 Again- the background is from the Technique Junkies (2004) newsletter - this is one of the first techniques I tried when I joined- this one uses Apricot Appeal and Pumpkin Pie.
 I made the background with a cut out of an SVG I cut from Bird's blog (Background 4)- covered it with Modge Podge and now use it as a stencil. I simply daubered on Pumpkin Pie ink.  I embossed a strip on the Lt- a honeycomb embossing folder that is about an inch wide by Sizzix and highlighted over the top of that with Pumpkin Pie ink as well.

 If you happen to have just one Michael Strong stamp and want to get daily inspiration in your mailbox, come join the Yahoo group.  It is a fun group with monthly challenges plus a Sketch Challenge- and not too much chatter...... and on occasion, Michael has giveaways too......

Challenges:
4 Crafty Chicks- Dry Embossing
The House that Stamps Built- Monochrome
Ruby's Rainbow- Things with Wings
Creative Craft Challenges- Stitching
Cuttlebug Mania- S for Shelly and Stitching/Sewing, Salted ( and Peppered) background
Lady Anne's Challenge- Monochrome- my 2nd entry

Thanks for stopping by!
 Shelly

God Bless America!!!

Happy 4th of July!!!  I am posting for day 4 of the Michael Strong week of posting- and it is Technique Thursday...... : )

 Where we are from, sitting around a Fire Pit in the evening and making Smores is common. So, I thought it would be fun to show how to make Firestarters.

  There are many ways to make Firestarters- they help get the fire going in the firepit or a fire while camping.  This project is great for kids- it will keep them occupied while you get ready..... : )

Cut a sheet of paper- any paper- wrapping paper, Kraft grocery bags, Designer Paper.......
6" wide by 10 1/2 " long

Place lint from your dryer in the center of a Toilet paper tube (that is empty : ) hehehe)  You can also drip in a little wax from a candle if you would like to....if the entire center of the tube is not filled, you can also stuff in paper/newspaper, paper towels.....

Place tape in 3 places in the center of one side of the 10.5" side  of the paper- the long way- it will hold the paper around the tube......

Place your 'stuffed' tube on the 6" x 10.5" paper and roll it towards the tape. This will secure the portion of the roll that surrounds the Toilet paper tube.

Close/Scrunch together the ends and tie them shut-I used Bakers Twine.  

Decorate the ends as desired.  I stamped the Michael Strong Small Cloisonne Star in Red, Brilliant Blue and Gray, and tied them on with twine. (The stars come in a set).

I used a Gelli plate for the darker Firestarter sheet- I brayered Blue and Red paints onto the Gelli plate using a Kraft shopping bag for my paper.  I stamped the star into the wet paint, and it removes the paint- leaving the impression of the image- so it is like a resist....look what a great detailed impression you get......

  I did not want to waste the 'extra' Gelli print, so I also made a card:

 and I took the scraps and did some weaving of the left-over background and made an ATC. The background is embossed with the SU Stripes embossing folder, and the raised lines highlighted with Red Copic Marker. I added Sakura Gelly Pen highlights for shimmer.

That's all for today- one more day left- so I will see you tomorrow!!!

Have a safe day- relax and enjoy- eat yummy food- and don't drink and drive!!!

Thanks for stopping by!
 Shelly

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

 My Blog candy for the ribbon maker and 50 yards of ribbon is #2

Beth Norman said...
Oh how I could use this. I don't embellish with ribbon because I suck at bows. This would be the ticket. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

Beth- send me your address and I will get your package in the mail!

Thanks for stopping by!
 Shelly

Michael Strong Day 2 and 3

This week, I am the Card Captain over at Michael Strong Stamps Yahoo Group.

  My card uses Michael Strong's  Cloisonne Fish and the swirl from Hetty's Coffee Cup set. It is on a background using a Technique Junkies Technique using Twinkling H2O's, so it is very sparkly in the background. The digi sentiment is from Create with TLC. I outlined the fish with Sakura Gelly Roll pen- a very sparkly card! 

And, here is my Day 2 card- using a TJ technique called Mono Markers using the Lilly Set from Michael Strong Stamps.

 The image is White embossed- and I used Pale Plum and Perfect Plum colors from SU.  CAS for me, isn't it???

 If you happen to have just one Michael Strong stamp and want to get daily inspiration in your mailbox, come join the Yahoo group.  It is a fun group with monthly challenges plus a Sketch Challenge- and not too much chatter...... and on occasion, Michael has giveaways too......

Challenges:
365 Challenges- 'Bliss' and that would be any day near the water!
Clear it Out challenge- card one- Used Dew Drops, and Twinkling H2O Bg made a few years ago.....so very sparkly!
Craft-Room Challenge- Yellow and Blue make Green- Card One!
Creative Card Crew- no DP
Papertake Weekly- Anything Goes- use a critter on your card
Crafty Cardmakers- Holiday- a great vacation spot would be going to the beach and snorkeling, don't you think???

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Sweet Stamps- Snow

It's Christmas in July at Sweet Stamps this month. Out challenge for week one is SNOW!
 

 I made an ATC and a card- first the ATC:

 And here is the card:

 I was experimenting to see what I can cut in the die cutter.  On the ATC, I used the bottom of a Chipotle  tray (aluminum) to cut out the snowflake die. I used white paint over the metal, and then dabbed on Winter Frost Creative Inspirations Paint. (I love this IRL!!!).
 For the snowflakes on the card, I die cut the snowflakes with regular white cardstock. I dabbed on Tumbled Glass ink, then highlighted with Nassau Blue Shades die ink. I then painted the top with CI paint Tanzanite. I dabbed on a little more Nassau Blue Shades Die ink- I took a close-up picture:

For the card background, I used the distress inks on a craft sheet and spritzed water onto the ink. Next, I dragged the ink thru the inks. I dried the cardstock between each color. I randomly stamped the snowflakes on the backgrounds in the Distress Inks and the Nassau Shades Die Ink. To add a little more depth, I stamped  snowflakes with the white paint.  Using the Nassau blue, a couple of areas were added using bubble wrap.


HERE are the Sweet Stamps products I used on my card:
Lil Sweetie Jada's Snowfight- snowflake images HERE
Small Snowflake HERE
Cheery Lynn- Snowflake Die DL167 HERE
Ranger Distress Inks- Broken China, Faded Jeans and Tumbled Glass HERE
Shades Die Ink Spots- Nassau Blue HERE
Creative Inspirations Paints Winter Frost and Tanzanite HERE
Coordinations Cardstock - HERE
Double Line Tape HERE


 I hope you will join in the challenge! Every entry qualifies you for a chance to win $20 of items from the store at Sweet Stamps, and if you use a Sweet Stamps image- you will receive an additional chance to win! The winner is chosen by Random.org- so everyone has a chance to win!

 We have a monthly challenge as well- 6/15-7/14- use the Chalkboard technique- you have a chance to WIN a TECHNIQUE JUNKIES CD!!! Stop by the Sweet Stamps Challenge Blog HERE to see what the rest of the DT has created for the Challenge.

 Challenges:
Make it Monday- Anything Goes
ABC Challenges- Anything Goes
Cheery Lynn Designs- Christmas in July
Crafty Bloggers Network- Metal- snowflake on ATC
Crafty Cardmakers- Holiday- Christmas
Lady Anne's Challenges- Monochromatic
The Squirrel and the Fox- Christmas in July

Thanks for stopping by!
 Shelly

Americana- Michael Strong Day 1

This week, I am the Card Captain over at Michael Strong Stamps Yahoo Group.

  My card uses Michael Strong's larger Cloisonne Star Stamp- there is a smaller star with the same design in this set as well. I embossed the image using Silver E.P. on Navy cardstock. The background is Red, Navy and Metallic Silver using an older Technique Junkies UFO.......from my stash. I wanted a striped pattern, so embossed the stripe EF from SU, but left the stripes as is- no highlighting with ink.......  My husband says it is not traditional enough..... Well.....I like it- I won't give it to him.....hehehe.   I added shimmer around the sentiment and the edge of the card with a Sakura Gelly Roll Pen.The sentiment is retired SU.
 If you happen to have just one Michael Strong stamp and want to get daily inspiration in your mailbox, come join the Yahoo group.  It is a fun group with monthly challenges plus a Sketch Challenge- and not too much chatter...... and on occasion, Michael has giveaways too......

Challenges:
613 Avenue- Anything Goes Plus colors of your flag
Amusing Challenge- Anything Goes
2 Sisters- Stripes
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards- Red, White and Blue
Sisterhood of Crafters- Stars and Stripes
Perfect Sentiment- Red, White and Blue

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly