12 Days of Christmas Tags - Day 3

All set for the next batch?  With any luck, I'm keeping up with the creating of these.  Hah!

And when I checked to see if this had posted... it hadn't.  So, by now I can say I'm not keeping up and I have a few more posts coming your way.

Day 3 - Tim Holtz style: Listen and Plaid Bird

Tim's did a double tag day on Day 3 with his fun and fast plaids.  Here is his original post.  Now, while this should have been fast, I labored over the plaids.  It took ages for me to get something that didn't look like a muddy mess or that I didn't mess up when I was stamping.  I did this so many times, I was plaiding in my sleep!  But I loved the results.

When I looked for the perfect Santa stamp for my tag, I only had one that was a polymer / clear stamp.  I found it didn't want to stamp easily on the glossy cardstock (hence the multiple repeats).  So, I took a different approach and did this gorgeous chickadee image.  One thing I did different from Tim's tags was to omit the stamped white flecks and add the opaque white pen ink as highlights to my images.  I love the pop of white against the plaids.  And doesn't the teal plaid remind you of a comfy blanket or shirt?  Also, one of the things that I think was a cool addition to my plaid was a "stripe" of gold mixative.  It looks so festive in real life.

Day 3 - the CLASSroom: Botanical Elegance

Lisa Strahl kicked it up a notch with a tag that is like no other!  Her tag can be seen HERE.  I didn't have the right supplies to copy hers, but I had a lot of fun trying!  My deer is a clear accent die-cut, but worked perfectly.  Lisa had also used a Heidi Swapp paper that is pre-embossed.  I used a cuttlebug folder, embossed and carefully inked with a wash to give a similar effect.

Thanks for visiting!
lise
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Supplies - Listen and Plaid Bird:
Stamps:
-The Pines and "winter" from Evergreen Holiday (All Things Considered) by CHF
Ink:
-Stream, Lettuce, Cranberry, Meadow, Slate and Gold mixative alcohol inks by Ranger
-Jet Black Archival ink by Ranger
-Vintage Photo ink, Pine Needles, and Aged Mahogany Distress inks by Ranger
Paper:
-Manilla tags
-teal by Prism
-Glossy cardstock
Other:
-opaque white pen by Inkssentials
-pen nibs, x-mas red Stickles, felt applicators, alcohol blending solution, and fragment by Ranger
-ribbon by May Arts and Basic Grey

Supplies - Botanical Elegance:
Stamps:
-none (can you believe it?!?!)
Ink:
-Tattered Rose and Vintage Photo Distress inks by Ranger
Paper:
-Manilla tag
-White prismatic by Prism
Patterned paper:
-Holiday Collection petite papers by Webster's Pages
Other:
-Pearls by Prima Marketing
-25 Days 'deer' by Little Yellow Bicycle
-taffeta ribbon by May Arts
-Holly Ribbon Cuttlebug folder by Provo Craft
-glossy accents by Ranger

12 Days of Christmas Tags - Day 2

So... are you in the spirit yet?  I have another set of tags to share.  So without further ado...

Day 2 - Tim Holtz style: Merry Christmas

I tried to follow Tim's tag pretty closely... I think it's a good attempt anyway - you can see his HERE.  It's amazing with all the stuff I have in my stamping supplies and I didn't really have the right image.  Again.  Oh well... And Tim outlined this amazing technique of creating a metal rose.  I didn't have his flowers, so I used this lovely flower from Flourishes I'd been hoarding saving.  When creating these tags, I jotted a few notes and headed upstairs... these really were from memory and my own flair.  It was SO enjoyable to stamp!

Day 2 - the CLASSroom: Flakes

Becky Olsen outlined the most amazing tag called "Dashing Through the Snow", which you can see HERE.  I did a simple and girlie version in rose and brown.  While not a traditional holiay color scheme, I loved the warmth.  My tag is very different from Bek's, but it was clearly inspired by hers.

Thanks for visiting!  I'll have more posts for you this week.  I'm hoping to get them all written and scheduled since this has the makings of a very stressful work week.  I have two days that I'll be starting at 4 am (or earlier) for meetings with India.  Good times.

Thanks!
lise
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Supplies - Merry Christmas:
Stamps:
-Night Before Christmas by CHF

Ink:
-Aged Mahogany, Pine Needles, and Vintage Photo Distress inks by Ranger
-Jet Black Archival ink by Ranger

Paper:
-Manilla tag

Other:
-Silver flower by Flourishes
-Silver Lining corner by We R Memory Keepers
-Clear embossing powder, opaque white pen, Tim Hotlz ruler and pewter perfect pearls by Ranger
-paint brush
-ribbon by May Arts

Supplies - Flakes:
Stamps:
-Joyeux Noel by CHF
Ink:
-Versmark pad and pen and Moonlight White Brilliance ink by Tsukineko
-Tattered Rose and Vintage Photo Distress inks by Ranger
Paper:
-Manilla tags
Patterned Paper:
-Holiday Collection petite papers by Webster's Pages
Other:
-Grungeboard, clear embossing powder, seafoam white embossing powder by Ranger
-sewing machine
-jewel sticker by Little Yellw Bicycle
-ribbon by May Arts
-lace by Prima Marketing

12 Days of Christmas Tags - Day 1

I've decided to join the creative challenge this year to follow both Tim Holtz and Lisa Strahl / Becky Olsen and their holiday tags.  And this weekend, I've had a chance to catch up and complete the first six days of each.

Day 1 - Tim Holtz style: Warm Wishes

Tim's tag also have a snowman on Day 1.  I opted for a more feminine color scheme.  You can see Tim's tag ---> HERE.  Of course, it's funny... I have a bazillion stamps and couldn't find one snowman stamp that was a perfect fit.  But the solid surface snowman from Winter Wishes worked just fine.  What isn't captured well is all the shimmer to this tag.  I painted the whole tag with Rock Candy Distress Crackle paint after laying in the base color.  And I loved how Tim made icicles at the top of his tag, so I did the same.  It's shimmer and texture is wonderful.

Day 1 - the CLASSroom: Season's Greetings

This tag was inspired by Lisa Strahl's tag at the CLASSroom.  You can see her tag right HERE.  Lisa's tag began with a based of Distress crackle paint.  I decided to do the same for my tag base.  I used Picket Fence white Disress paint on the tag and let it dry. Then, I swiped my tag with Vintage Photo... it reminded me of a birch tree / bark - perfect for a little bird.  Since I didn't have the angel image that Lisa used, I decided to create my own focal point from this beautiful chickadee image from Impression Obsession.  I stamped the bird on glossy cardstock, used Distress inks to tint the image and sanded over the whole thing.  I inked with Old Paper and Vintage Photo inks to create a faux linen image.  The tag and ribbon keep with the holly theme too.

I'll be prepping my posts for the other 5 x 2 tags that I've finished... and promise to post again tomorrow.

Thanks for visiting!

lise

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Supplies - Warm Wishes:

Stamps:

-Warm Wishes snowman and flakes (Kim Hughes Collection) by CHF

Ink:

-Faded Jeans, Dusty Concord, and Broken China Distress inks by Ranger

Paper:

-Manilla tags

Other:

-Dymo labeler

-Glossy Accents, Rock Candy Distress paint, Frosted Lace Stickles, plain Grungeboard and flourish, tiny attacher and staples, and Perfect Pearls by Ranger

-Studio paint by C. Hellmuth

-Diamond Dust glitter

-Ribbon by May Arts, wire and tape for a wired ribbon

Supplies - Season's Greetings:

Stamps:

-Chickadee by Impression Obsession

-Vintage Christmas Expressions by CHF

Ink:

-Jet Black Archival ink by Ranger

-Vintage Photo, Old Paper, Aged Mahogany, Pine Needles, Antique Linen, and Spiced Marmalade Distress inks by Ranger

Paper:

-Glossy cardstock and Manilla tags

Other:

-ribbon by Prima Marketing

-lace by May Arts

-mini pin

-white opaque pen, pen nibs, x-mas red Stickles, sanding block, White Picket Distress Crackle paint, clear embossing powder by Ranger

-1-3/8" circle punch by EK Success

Bouncing with Glee!

What a banner day this has been!  It's not often that I can say I'm caught up on "most" things, my house isn't disgusting (it's never really super clean, but sometimes a shovel is my only hope), and that I've stamped just for fun!  That's right... I actually stamped!  I promise to get pictures up here tomorrow.  I was so inspired by the 12 Days of Christmas tag projects that Tim Holtz (on his blog), Lisa Strahl and Becky Olsen (at Ellen's CLASSroom) are all doing that I decided to do a few too.  More to come...

And I have some great news to share.  I've been chosen, along with 4 other new members, to be a part of the CPS Design Team!  I'm really excited to join such a talented bunch of stamping rock stars!  Seriously... did you see the names on that list??

Thanks for letting me share and I promise to post again soon.
I appreciate the visits!
lise

Wishing You Well...

Sorry it's been a few days since I've posted.  For some crazy reason, I've decided to take on the 25 Days of Christmas / December Daily.  I think I've mentioned I'm not a scrapbooker.  Umm... yeah... I must be mad.  Of course, I'm already behind.  And it's only day 2!  DAY 2!!!  OK.  Breathe.  Slowly...

I do promise to add pictures of my project, if it's not embarrassing.  :-)

Onto the subject at hand, though...

The vintage / retro art in the soon-to-be released set called Common Cold from the Saturday Evening Post line at Cornish Heritage Farms is just my style!  In fact, my mom had several of the SEP prints framed and hanging in our home when I was growing up... and I just love them.

Wishing You Well

I never seem to have "get well" or sympathy cards when I need them.  You'd think I'd make a stack of them and keep some on hand, since they seem to be the first to run out in my stash.  I quickly created this card for a colleague of mine that underwent surgery and is recovering at home.  In fact, he was a live donor for part of his liver, as his friend was in need.  Isn't he inspiring?!  While the images aren't really surgery related (thank heavens!), I thought it was perfect to let him know we're thinking of him.

I kept the images really simple.  I colored with Prismacolor pencils and only dry blended with a stump to pull a bit of color into lighter areas for shading.  The bolder coloring style seemed to fit the retro appeal and reminded me a bit of the "technicolor" effect.

Thanks for visiting... and I wish you well too!
lise

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Supplies:
Stamps:
-Common Cold (Saturday Evening Post collection) by Cornish Heritage Farms

Ink:
-Rich Cocoa Memento ink by Tsukineko
-Vintage Photo Distress ink by Ranger

Paper:
-Natural White by Neenah
-Suede Brown dark and Kraft by Prism Papers

Pattered Paper:
-My Mind's Eye

Other:
-prismacolor pencils and blending stumps (dry)
-piercing tool and template
-ink blending tool by Inkssentials

Faux Patina Technique

So... are you in the mood to get messy?  I had ink and little bits of blue-glittery stuff all over me by the time I was done.  But, you can great a great rust effect on cardstock without the need for time and weather.

Rusty Hello

I'm sure there is an official technique (maybe by Ranger) with a slightly different result.  The patina effect on my cardstock is truly an experiment... and one I plan to try again.  I think it might be interesting to see what other tones I might achieve with a custom Distress ink spray.

To see all the details on how to recreate this project, check out the technique on Cornish Heritage Farms Technique Talk forum.

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Supplies:
Stamps:


Freesia flower stamp by Cornish Heritage Farms
Cursive Expressions (Mona Lisa Moments) by Cornish Heritage Farms


Ink:


Rich Cocoa Memento ink by Tsukineko
Broken China Distress reinker by Ranger
Cosmic Copper Brilliance ink by Tsukineko


Paper:


Simply Smooth vanilla cardstock by Cornish Heritage Farms
Kraft and Island Mist (Med and Dark) cardstocks by Prism papers


Other:

Blue Patina Perfect Pearls by Ranger
Mini Mister spray bottle by Ranger
Water
Precision Scissors
non-stick mat by Ranger
craft stick (to scoop Perfect Pearls)
Prismacolor pencils (aqua, copper, yellow, green and cream)

Missing You...

Thank you to all the service men and women that support and keep us safe.  I can't thank you enough for all you do.

I created this card from the We Remember set from Cornish Heritage Farms.  I'm really proud of this set because of it's sentimental value to my family.

Missing You

The card is so simple.  I left it unadorned, paired with Basic Grey Boxer patterned paper for the perfect masculine card.

The envelope image in this set is one of my favorite.  The actual envelope was one my dad had saved from when he was in the service - a letter from my mom about home.  I like the open lines on the envelope to add a handwritten message to cards.  My handwriting isn't the best, but it's so wonderful to be able to add something heartfelt, right on the front of the card.

Thank you for visiting,
lise
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Supplies:
Stamps:
-We Remember (Rummage Bin) by Cornish Heritage Farms

Ink:
-Tuxedo Black Memento ink (full size ink pad) by Tsukineko
-Tuxedo Black, Paris Dusk and Rhubarb Stalk Memento markers by Tsukineko
-Old Paper Distress ink by Ranger

Paper:
-Vanilla Simply Smooth by Cornish Heritage Farms

Patterned Paper:
-Boxer by Basic Grey

Sweet Friends

I have to say... I'm not sure when the holidays started creeping up on me, but I'm floored that we're just a couple weeks from Thanksgiving.  Where does the time go?

I HAVE to start on my holiday cards.  I didn't send them out last year and really want to get to them this holiday season.  Honestly, isn't that why we stamp?  Haha... OK... some days I think it's to collect really amazing patterned paper and embellishments.  But, I'm bound and determined to get holiday cards mailed this year!

Sweet Friends

I fell in love with this Stampavie Bear and Robin image, which I bought at 7 Kids College Fund (doesn't that make you break out in a cold sweat... the thought of putting 7 kids through college?).  OK, I'm back...

The sweet pair of friends are just darling and the image was begging for me to color.  As a treat for myself, I sat down and enjoyed a few minutes with my paper, ink and copic markers.  I colored the image with Copics, added highlights with Atyou Spica glitter pens and then added a light blue sky with my airbrush.  To add a bit of texture to the soft, furry bear, I dampened a piece of muslin with the Copic blending solution and blotted over the colored bear.

The fuzzy bits to the hat and the snow bank were embellished with Polar White Flower Soft and a bit of shiny glitter.  Overall, it's a simple card that let's the image take center stage.

Thanks for visiting!
lise
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Supplies:
Stamps:
-Bear and Robin image by Stampavie (designed by Gillian Roberts)

Ink:
-Tuxedo Black Memento ink by Tsukineko

Paper:
-Classic Crest Solar White by Neenah

Patterned Paper:
-Eskimo Kiss by Basic Grey

Other:
-Nestabilities and Frameabilities by Spellbinder
-Copic markers, blending solution, Atyou Spica glitter pens and airbrush system
-paper flowers and leaves by Prima Marketing
-Polar White Flower Soft
-Glitter by EK Success / Martha Stewart
-Glue

Every Thing Creative Ornament Template

Oh how I love this template!!!  You can find it for purchase as a digital file from Every Thing Creative on Etsy.  The Hanging Ornament Template prints quickly on patterned paper.

Winter Doe Ornament

It looks amazingly complex, but the template is quick to print and the directions are right there on your cardstock.  Super fast!  I printed the template on the back of some Mistletoe & Pear Basic Grey patterned paper and embellished with a portion of the Winter Doe image from Serendipity.  It's just so easy to create.

The template creates two separate halves - a box of sorts.

I plan on making a couple and keeping them on hand for little gifts.  I think I'll tuck a few on the tree for the kids and a few for my coworkers on our tree in our department.  They'd make a great Secret Santa gifts... unless you're the only crafty one in the office.  If might be a give-away that the ornament is from you.  Hah!

If you purchase a template of your own, be sure to stop by and let me know what you think.  I'd love to see your creations!
Thanks for visiting!
lise
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Ornament: Winter Doe Ornament
Supplies:
Stamps: Winter Doe stamp set by Serendipity
Ink: Smokey Gray VersaFine and Dazzle Frost VersaMark inks by Tsukineko
Paper: Simply Smooth White and Gray Prismatic by Prism Papers
Patterned Paper: Mistletoe & Pear by Basic Grey
Other: sheer and grosgrain ribbon by May Arts, buttons by Paper Studios, matte and stylus (for scoring), jump ring and beads, Ornament template from Everything Creative (Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/everythingcreative)

Some Domestic Love!

I love the new All Things Considered set by CHF.  It's called Domestic Love and the images are fantastic!

What do you think?

Wrinkles:
I created this fast card with my favorite sentiment from the set...

Isn't that sentiment great?!  I need to follow that advice.  I tend to stress about things sometimes and I need to just go with the flow.  This was simple in design and execution.  The fun and retro papers really do all the heavy lifting.

For more fantastic inspiration, stop by the Domestic Love gallery at CHF.

Thanks for visiting!
lise

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Supplies:
Stamps:
-Domestic Love (All Things Considered) by CHF


Ink:
-Old Paper and Walnut Stain Distress inks by Ranger


Paper:
-Simply smooth vanilla cardstock by CHF
-Kraft and Teal dark cardstock by Prism
-Dark Red-orange by C'oredinations


Patterned paper:
-Early Bird by Cosmo Cricket


Other:
-Clear embossing powder by Ranger
-Copic marker (W1)
-Crushed velvet ribbon by May Arts