Just Tweeting Around

Color me happy to have some time to play in my room!  This one is another new-to-me stamp set which was gifted to me in either October or December.  Shame, shame that I can't remember.  If I was a gambling woman I'd say October (birthday).  It's the cutest little Polkadoodles set called Stay Chirpy, and I just love it to pieces!  I've linked to it at Simon Says Stamp, but it's out of stock.

I watercolored with Twinkling H2Os.  Love those little pots of shimmery paints!  So many pretty colors.  The more water you use with Twinks the less twinkle you see, but it's there as a little surprise when you turn it certain ways.  I put Black Diamond Stickles glitter glue on the polka dot wings, too.

I'm going to play along in the following challenges:

Darnell's NBUS Challenge #25 -- my birds are fresh out of the package.

Dies R Us Challenge #166 -- anything goes with a brand of dies that are sold in the store.  My grass and flower corner dies came from the DRU store, but not sure they're still available as I've had them a few years:  Poppystamps Hampstead Corner, Impression Obsession Grass and Grass Border

Back soon!  Wishing you a very happy day!

Stamps:  Polkadoodles Stay Chirpy  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, black cardstock, spicy coral textured cardstock  Ink:  Palette Noir  Coloring:  Watercolor with Twinkling H2Os  Dies:  Spellbinders Grand Squares, Poppystamps Hampstead Corner, Impression Obsession Grass Border and Grass (tall)  Other:  Clear rhinestones, Black Diamond Stickles, white acrylic paint

Flamingo and Flowers

Hi, there!  Letting the dust settle between home improvement projects . . .  It's been a while since I made a card "just because", but new stamps were calling to me from the basket.  I couldn't wait to color this one.  I spotted it when I was searching flower stamps at 1-2-3 Stitch.  This is my first Creative Expressions stamp, and it's called Tropical Flamingo.

It stamped nicely and the image is fanciful enough to allow some fun with the coloring.  I used Tombow markers and blender, giving it a loose watercolor look, but without the water.  Colors are almost the same as the package picture.  It's a little bit funky, but I love it.  For an easy finish I stenciled sunrays which go nicely with the sentiment.  This is one of those little 4 3/4" square cards that I love making.

I hope to get a little caught up with my visiting, plus color a few more things before someone comes to do the second bathroom and floors.  Maybe we'll see each other again soon!  Wishing you a happy day!

Stamps:  Creative Expressions Tropical Flamingo  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, other white card base  Ink:  Palette Noir, Distress Oxide Scattered Straw  Coloring:  Tombow markers and blender  Other:  White acrylic paint, Black Diamond Stickles, MFT Ray of Light stencil

Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge

The Two Old Bats are at it again -- another Halloween challenge right here in the first of April.  Who would've thought?

The mood board, above, is provided for inspiration, but not required to follow.  Any Halloween project is welcome.  I chose today's image because I expected I'd be coloring a green pumpkin, but changed my mind at the last.  Nevertheless, I do have a pumpkin as part of this cute Bugaboo digi stamp called Halloween Peeker Ghost. 

I used Tombow markers and blender pen for coloring.  The sentiment was cut from green cardstock and  heavily glittered with Stickles Orange Peel and Stardust glitter.  The star is simply done in orange.

If you enjoy the fun of Halloween cards, do let your hair down and come play with us in the Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge.  We'd love to see you there.  Have a happy day!

Stamps:  Bugaboo Halloween Peeker Ghost digi  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, Memory Box Granny Smith, DCWV Happy Halloween mat stack  Ink:  Printer  Coloring:  Tombow markers & blender  Dies:  Taylored Expressions Stitched Rectangle Stacklets, Memory Box Stitched Circle Layers, Sue Wilson Pierced Flags, Cheery Lynn Happy Halloween  Other:  Stickles Stardust and Orange Peel glitter glue, Scotch brand foam mounting tape (to pop up star)

CAS Mix Up: Paper Piecing

Hi, there!  It's time for another CAS Mix Up challenge, and this time our host, Linda, is asking to see our cards featuring the paper piecing technique.  I can do that and I'll bet you can, too!  It's an old favorite.

Remember to follow the easy rules as listed on each of the two graphics shown here:

 

Video Tutorials:

Paper Piecing by Beate Splitcoaststampers

Stamped Paper Piecing - Jennifer McGuire

Stamping on Patterned Paper (Paper Piecing) - Kristina Werner

Paper Piecing Outside the Lines - Gina K Designs

Paper Piecing Tricks - Melanie Muenchinger

Easter is fast approaching and my card has already been mailed.  I decided to paper piece with dies this time.  The bunny die cuts an outline, which I did in white.  I cut two more times from two different patterned papers so I could piece the polka dot body areas.  The fancy egg turned out with some pretty shading from the blue paper.  I cut it again just so I could trim out a pink bow.  I'm not sure if the egg is technically paper piecing, but the bunny is, for sure.

A couple more notes:  The pink outline under the bunny was done by drawing around the bunny die on pink card stock, then cutting with scissors.  Been wanting to try that.  It helps it stand out from the background.  Also, I hope you can see in the photo that I embossed the egg die on the card stock and then set the die cut egg into it.  Learned embossing with dies from another CAS Mix Up challenge which linked to this Embossed Impressions video.

I'm looking forward to seeing all the fun cards in our CAS Mix Up Paper Piecing gallery.  The team and our talented guest designer, Bonnie (Paper Crafter at Large), have some fabulous inspiration for you.  Wishing you a happy day!

Stamps:  Hero Arts Easter Greetings sentiment  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest super smooth solar white, lime green scrap, retired SU designer paper  Ink:  SU Not Quite Navy and Pink Pirouette  Dies:  Spellbinders Small Die of the Month 2019 'Hop into Spring', Die-namites Delicate Egg, Impression Obsession Grass Border  Other:  Pink & Main Glossy Dot

Beribboned Easter Egg

Hello!  I'm happy to have a moment to be here today, considering all the remodeling disruption at our house these last couple of weeks.  It's noisy, it's messy, and I miss my bathroom!  We're not even close to being done yet as we still have LOTS more remodeling projects lined up.  It's crazy!

I took a day to finish an Easter card I've been coloring in tiny bits a minute or two at a time.  I love this Power Poppy digi called Vintage Easter Egg.  It colors up so prettily!

I used my go-to Tombow markers and blender on hot press watercolor paper.  Delicately patterned paper was used for the frame, with a corner die cut added for flourish.

My apologies for not being around to visit for a while.  I can't even imagine what it will be like when we start on the floors.  Please bear with me!

For those who would wonder:  LuLu was treated for an eye injury and appears to be healing nicely.  We saved her eye and she's as adorable as ever.  Thank you so much for your visit today!

Stamps:  Power Poppy Vintage Easter Egg digi  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 80 & 110 lb, retired Memory Box Spearmint designer paper  Ink:  Printer  Coloring:  Tombow markers & blender  Dies:  Memory Box Oval Master Frame and Melinda Corner  Other:  Rhinestones

CAS Mix Up Reminder: Print Making with Die Cuts

It's mid-month reminder time at CAS Mix Up!  Our host, Bonnie, gave us the nudge to try our hands at print making with dies.  Turns out it's quite a lot of fun!  Don't forget, this is a 5 yr birthday celebration for the challenge, too, and there are prizes to be won.  I hope you'll hop over and celebrate with us!

 

I made my card about a month ago when I tried the technique for the first time.  Hey, if I can do it. . .

Bonnie gave us a video link for instructions:  Print Making by Kathy Racoosin 9:11

I've used an older Rose Bouquet die and Spectrum Noir sparkle watercolor pens.  I hope you'll take a look at what the rest of the team and our talented guest designer, Ros, are offering up for inspiration.  They've got some beautiful stuff!  Now, let's see yours!

Have a fabulous day!

Stamps:  Lawn Fawn Wavy Sayings  Paper:  Arches 140 lb cold press watercolor, other white card base  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black (sentiment)  Coloring:  Spectrum Noir sparkle watercolor pens  Dies:  Die-namites Rose Bouquet, Lil' Inker Side Stitched Rectangles, Lawn Fawn Fancy Wavy Banners

Soft Shamrock

Hi!  I made it back with a single flower for Power Poppy Friday.  Going for a very soft and feminine look, almost a monotone, I used a Power Poppy digi stamp called Shamrock 'n' Roll. 

I did lighten the image quite a bit before printing, yet the lines were much more visible than they appear in the finished product.  Probably no such Shamrocks exist in nature, but I took liberties with the coloring just so I could coordinate with the papers I'd selected.

I cut the image with the fancy lattice die and then placed an oval die from the same set in the center and traced the inside line to give it additional framing with an out of the box appearance.

Coloring was done with Tombow markers and blender on 140 lb hot press watercolor paper.  Sentiment is from a retired Power Poppy set.  Did you notice the four-leaf clover above the sentiment circle?

For all who may be wondering:  LuLu is being treated for an abscess on her eyeball which the vet believes is due to injury.  I'm still waiting for the improvement I wish to see.  Worried mom that I am, I asked that she be checked for glaucoma.  Results were negative.  We return for a second recheck in another week.  One dog at a time.  Both appear happy and vigorous, so fingers crossed.  Thank you for your kind concern.

Wishing you a beautiful day!

Stamps:  Power Poppy Shamrock 'n' Roll digi, retired Power Poppy sentiment  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, SU Sage Shadow and Pink Pirouette, Memory Box Spearmint designer paper (retired)  Ink:  Printer, Sage Shadow  Coloring:  Tombow Markers with homemade blender solution in a blank Copic pen  Dies:  Marianne Designs Anja's Oval, Taylored Expressions Stitched Rectangle Stacklets, Spellbinders circle dies  Other:  Pink gems, SU Subtle embossing folder for card base

Birdhouse Row

Hello, friends!  I hope you're well.  We're still waiting for the vaccine and carrying on safely in the meantime with multiple home improvement projects, as well as visits to the vet for some worrying issues with Wally and LuLu.  I'd like to report good news on that, but it remains to be seen.  That's all I can say at the moment.

Taking some quiet time in my stamp room is therapeutic.  My right hand with trigger finger is not all the way better, so I have to be careful with it.  However, I just had to color something.  It's been a while since I reached into my basket of not-yet-used stamps, so I pulled out this Birdhouse Row by Impression Obsession.  It was a gift from a friend who knew I would love it.

I colored with Copics on X-Press It Blending Card and put together a simple design with patterned paper, gingham ribbon, and a resin sentiment circle, all of which have been with me for many years.  Added some sequins, including the stars just for fun.  I made two cards with this stamp.  The other card is similar enough that I didn't photograph it, but I'm feeling good that I gave this cute stamp some love.

Back to business now, but I'll try for crafty time, too.  I'm feeling a little out of the flow.  You know how it is -- if you don't use it you lose it.  Take care!

Stamps:  Impression Obsession Birdhouse Row  Paper:  X-Press It Blending Card for colored panel, Neenah classic white for card base, SU Bashful Blue, Chatterbox designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Resin sentiment circle (source forgotten), gingham ribbon, Fiskars scallop scissors, sequins, Spellbinders Scored and Pierced Rectangles die