He Heals the Broken

Hello Friends, today's card features one of my favorite stamps to use on sympathy cards. I did it up in neutral tones, adding just a touch of light blue and lavender to match the ombre ribbon from Cropstop.

Supplies and tools:

Chiro Embossing Folder (Couture Creations)

All Things are Possible Stamp Set (Heartfelt Creations)

Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Blossom Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Distress Embossing Ink (Ranger)

Distress Ink in these colors: Salty Ocean/ Shaded Lilac/Hickory Smoke

Sponge Daubers

Black Embossing Powder

Petaloo Flowers

Scotch Foam Mounting Tape

Sheer Ombre Ribbon - Lavender/Blue

Cuttlebug

I'd love to see what you've been creating, so stop by the  last link party and showoff any creation that includes a product or two from one of the companies carried in the Cropstop store. 

Changes -- Link Party #47

Hello Cropstop friends! Here we are at the beginning of a new year and with it comes some BIG changes. This will be the FINAL CHALLENGE for the Cropstop blog as I have decided to step down and Haylie-Jo has decided to give the blog a break for a while. We've enjoyed working together for these past two years, and have been inspired by all of your beautiful work.

Supplies and Tools:

Knitted Embossing Folder (Couture Creations)

Create a Flake Dies (Spellbinders)

Red Sampler Pack (Canvas Corp)

Distress Embossing Ink (Ranger)

Burlap String

Primary Bark Embossing Powder (Wow!)

Winter Wonders Stamp Set (All Night Media)

Scotch Foam Mounting Tape

Cuttlebug

Challenge Rules:

1. Create ANY new project using a product or two from one of the companies CropStop carries in the store. (It’s ok if you didn’t buy it from us, and also fine if it’s a product we don’t currently have it in stock as long as it’s from one of the companies we carry!)
2. Please, no back-linking old projects
3. Limit 5 entries per challenge
4. Link your project here, link back to this post, and mention the CropStop Challenge in your post.

Optional Twist for this final challenge is:
Create a project in NEUTRAL TONES and I'll enter your name twice in the random draw!

(Note: This last challenge will run through January 30th - the winner will be announced January 31st!)

Happy New Year!

It's hard to believe we've come to the last day of 2018 already, but here we are! I enjoy the feeling of clean slate whether it be -- the start of a new day, the beginning of a new month, or the dawn of a  new year! I thought this TCW stencil looked a bit like a clock face it's center, so I decided to make a New Year's card with it. This card is a bit of a departure for me -- it's a bit more mixed media than I usually do, but I really wanted to do something with my Gelli Plate. I mixed two colors of distress paint (blue and gray) on my gelli plate and used a stencil to create the center of my card.

 Here's wishing each of you a Happy and Blessed 2019!

Supplies and tools:
Gelli Printing Plate
Mini Rosetta Stencil (TCW)
Distress Paint --- Hickory Smoke & Blueprint Sketch
Dina Wakley Pallete Knife
Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)
Clock Hands Die (Sizzix)
Tuxedo Black Ink (Tsukineko)
Distress Embossing Ink (Ranger)
Distress Ink (Ranger) - Hickory Smoke & Chipped Sapphire
Sponge Daubers
Silver Embossing Powder
French Market Stamps Set (Tim Holtz)
Different Strokes Stamp Set (Basic Grey)
Pearl
Silver Gel Pen

I'd love to see what you've been creating, so stop by the current link party and showoff any creation that includes a product or two from one of the companies carried in the Cropstop store.

Guest Designer - Jennifer Lewis

 Today we have a brand new guest designer here on the Cropstop blog. Her name is Jennifer Lewis and she makes some super cute cards! (You can visit her Splitcoast Stampers Gallery by clicking here.) Jennifer is sharing a fun masculine card with us today. In her own words Jennifer says:

"This card started with a magazine print transfer on my Gelli Arts Gel Printing Plate.  I've found that the Ranger Distress Paints work really well to get just the right thin layer of paint to pull a good print.  But the travel magazine that I used had pages that were a bit too glossy to get a great print. No problem, It still makes a cool background.  And because I had been using a travel magazine, I was inspired to make a card using my Art Impressions "Born to Ride" stamp.  In order to make it look like a Polaroid picture snapped on a road trip through this place in the magazine picture, I masked off a square to stamp the biker and sponged in some blue sky all around him. I popped my "Polaroid" up on foam squares at a carefree angle and tied it up with a bit of black twine."

Stamps:

Art Impressions "Born to Ride"

Inks:

Memento Tuxedo Black and Bahama Blue

Distress Ink -  Black Soot

Spectrum Noir Markers

Other Products:

Gelli Arts Gel Printing Plate

Distress Paints in Black Soot, Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade and Picked Raspberry

Spellbinders Card Creator A and B dies

 Now it's your turn to share the projects you've been working on! Stop by the current link party and link up any creation that includes a product or two from one of the companies carried in the Cropstop store. Hope to see you there!

Bauble Blossoms

Hello friends! It's time for another "Inspiration Monday" post. Today I'm sharing a bright and happy card I created using some new Cropstop supplies I recently acquired!

Here's how I put this card together:

• embossed a piece of blue card stock with the Holly Flourish Embossing Folder from Ultimate Crafts
• inked the embossing with Mermaid Lagoon Distress Ink (Ranger)
• stamped a sentiment from All Things Are Possible (Heartfelt Creations) in mermaid lagoon distress ink
• highlighted the sentiment with a blue colored pencil
• die cut my sentiment using the Beaded Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders)
• added White Opal Liquid Pearls around the edges
• popped up my sentiment using Scotch Foam Mounting Tape
• die cut three flowers using the Bauble Blossoms Two Dies from Spellbinders
• inked their edges with mermaid lagoon distress ink

Now it's your turn....stop by the current link party and showoff any creation that includes a product or two from one of the companies carried in the Cropstop store.

November Link Party - # 45

Hello crafty friends! It's time for another link party here on the Cropstop blog. Today I'm sharing an autumn window card I created with a floral embellishment. For a mini tutorial on creating the sunflower visit this post from several weeks ago. (This card uses one each of the two smallest sizes.)

To create the background I scored a piece of kraft cardstock every 3/4 of an inch and swiped my walnut stain distress oxide across it. I die cut and distressed the window using the same ink. I also sponged all of the leaves with coordinating colors to add more depth and interest to them.

Supplies and Tools:

• Scoring Board
• Sunflower Stamp Set (Heartfelt Creations)
• Meadowbird Branch Die Set (Memory Box)
• Window Two Die (Spellbinders)
• Fall Folliage (Tim Holtz)
• Frond Punch (Martha Stewart)
• Burlap String
• Sponge Daubers
• Instant Coffee
• Distress Ink in these colors
• Gathered Twigs 
• Mustard Seed
• Fossilized Amber
• Spiced Marmalade
• Mowed Lawn
• Distress Oxide (Ranger) in these colors
• Walnut Stain
• Peeled Paint
• Squeezed Lemonade
• Wild Honey
• Cuttlebug
• ATG gun

 Now it’s your turn to share the projects you’ve been working on! As always our link party is "Anything Goes" with these few simple rules

1. Create ANY new project using a product or two from one of the companies CropStop carries in the store. (It’s ok if you didn’t buy it from us, and also fine if it’s a product we don’t currently have it in stock as long as it’s from one of the companies we carry!)
2. Please, no back-linking old projects
3. Limit 5 entries per challenge
4. Link your project here, link back to this post, and mention the CropStop Challenge in your post.

We’ll choose one random Winner who will receive a prize from the CropStop Store! (100 or more links = two winners and two prizes!) Thanks so much for linking up with us, we look forward to seeing all your great entries this month. Grab our badge and help us spread the word that CropStop is a great place to play along!

Optional Twist for November:

Create a project that includes fall leaves and I'll enter your name twice in the random draw.

Geust Designer - Vicki Robertson

Happy November! To get things started off this month we have a beautifully stamped card created by a talented Guest Designer, Vicki Robertson of He"art"ful Validation of Vicki! Vicki walks us through the steps she took to layer her stamps in such a pretty autumn design.  Here's what she says....

"I'm working on simplifying my style somewhat by perfecting my stamping vs. creating cards with so many layers and details.  I purchased this Gina K Stamp set recently and couldn't wait to use it.  The cross cut wood slice is so unique and I knew I had to have it.  It reminds me of fall and perfect for cards created this time of year. 

With the wood slice as the focal point,  I built my design around it using the different flowers and foliage.  The open space at the top was perfect for adding the sentiment.  

 

 

It's difficult to see, but there are cream colored dots stamped in the upper right corner to help fill in the white space.   This stamp is also part of the 23 piece Something Good set.

 

 

To complete the design, I added clear Wink of Stella randomly on the flowers and leaves.  Goosebump jewels were perfect for the flower centers.  

 

 

Thank you, CropStop, for inviting me, once again, to guest design!"

 

Supplies

CARDSTOCK

Bazzill

INKS

CTMH - Cocoa, Goldenrod, Terracotta, Topiary

Tim Holtz Distress -  Mustard Seed

Tsukineko Memento - Black Tuxedo

JEWELS

Queen & Co. Goosebumps

STAMPS

Gina K Designs Clear Stamps - Something Good

STAMPING PLATFORM

Tim Holtz Tonic 

 

 

 Now it's your turn....stop by the current link party and showoff any creation that includes a product or two from one of the companies carried in the Cropstop store.

Blanket Plaid

Hello Friends. Today I'm sharing one last "Ocotober Plaid" post. I call today's pattern, "blanket plaid" because it reminds me of a warm and cozy throw you might snuggle up under on a cold winter evening.

Here's how I created this design:

• Traced a double wide line of brown down a piece of kraft card stock
• Traced three thin lines of teal and then repeated step one
• Turned my cardstock 90 degrees 
• Traced a double wide line of teal
• Traced three thin lines of brown

I couldn't decide which style to use with this plaid -- rustic, classy, vintage???? I finally decided to do a "dressed up" plaid  with some pretty Petaloo flowers and scalloped edging.

Supplies used on this card:

• Markers
• Scallop Basic Edges 2 (My Favorite Things)
• All things are possible stamp set (Heartfelt Creations)
• Meadowbird Branch die set (Memory Box)
• Teastained Teal Flowers (Petaloo)
• Mermaid Lagoon Distress Ink (Ranger)
• Burlap String 

There's still one week left to enter the October Challenge so be sure to stop by our Current Challenge and link up any project that includes a product or two from one of the companies Cropstop carries in the store. Remember if you link up something that includes a plaid element your name will be entered twice in the random drawing for a prize!

Pumpkin Plaid

Have you been following our "October Plaid" posts all month? Each Monday I've shared a different version of plaid created with markers, a ruler, and some graph paper. Today I have a one-color plaid background to share with you.

To create this fun pumpkin plaid background I laid down a wide orange stripe followed by a thin orange stripe all the way across my card stock. I then turned the piece of paper 90 degrees and repeated the design.

Supplies used on this card include:

• Markers
• Kitchen Weave Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug)
• These colors of Distress Ink
• Walnut Stain
• Gathered Twigs
• Ground Espresso
• Teastained Red Flowers (Petaloo)
• Wide Lace (Petaloo)
• Burlap String
•  Fall Foliage Thinlits (Sizzix -- Tim Holtz)
• Sentiment (PSX)
• Versamark Watermark Ink
• Primary Bark Embossing Powder (Wow!)
• Crackle Embossing Folder (Darice)
• Ranger Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel  (UTEE)

Here's a free pumpkin template for you to use on your autumn themed projects

Now it's your turn....stop by the current link party and showoff any creation that includes a product or two from one of the companies carried in the Cropstop store.

Monochromatic Plaid

This week's "October Plaid" card features a monochromatic look! Using a purple maker on purple card stock,  I colored a thick line, thin line alteration both vertically and horizontally.

Supplies used on this card:

• Markers
• Radiant Rectangles Dies (Spellbinders)
• Vellum
• Fall Foliage Thinlits (Sizzix - Tim Holtz Alterations)
• Sunflower Stamps (Heartfelt Creations)
• Burlap String
• Gratitude Stamp (Autumn Leaves)
• Tuxedo Black Ink (Tsukineko)
• Large Pearl 
• Button
• These colors of Distress Ink
• Spiced Marmalade 
• Fossilized Amber

Have you been following along all month? If so...I'd love to see the plaid creations you've come up with, so stop by the current link party and showoff any creation that includes a product or two from one of the companies carried in the Cropstop store.

Plaid Leaves

As promised I'm back with an "October Plaid" post. Today I'm sharing a fun fall plaid that has no white space in it. Instead of using it as a background, I die cut it into beautiful autumn leaves.

To create this background I:

• laid down wide stripes in orange, burgundy, and yellow
• turned my paper and added wide brown, green, and yellow stripes
• added a few dark brown thin stripes as accents

Note: Using a ruler and graph paper helps to keep the lines straighter than trying to free-hand them

Supplies used on this card:

• Spellbinders Circle Nestabilities
• Fall Foliage Thinlits (Sizzix -- Tim Holtz Alterations)
• Woodgrain Embossing Folder (Darice)
• Walnut Stain Distress Ink
• Versamark watermark Ink
• Primary Bark Embossing Powder (Wow!)
• Harvest Expressions (Inkadinkado)
• Ranger Clear Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE)
• Burlap String
• Button
• ATG gun

Fun tip: To achieve the look of  morning dew on your leaves: Stamp your versamark watermark ink pad on the leaf, add UTEE, lightly rub most of it off with your finger, and heat set.

I'd love to see your take on plaid, so stop by the current link party and showoff any creation that includes a product or two from one of the companies carried in the Cropstop store.

October Link Party - # 44

What do plaids make you think of? For me, they evoke feelings of cool autumn nights, curled up with a good book, a warm (plaid) blanket, and a cup of something steamy in hand. That's why the entire month of October I plan to share easy, do-it-yourself, plaid backgrounds you can create using markers. There are also a couple fun ways to use your plaids, so you won't want to miss any of the Monday inspirational posts this month!

Supplies need to create your own plaid background:

• Markers
• Ruler
• Graph Paper (optional)
• I found that placing a piece of graph paper under my card front made it much easier to line up the ruler and create straight lines

Directions for my background:

1. Beginning with an orange marker - create wide stripes both vertically and horizontally
2. Next use a yellow marker and add wide stripes in between your orange ones
3. Add some thin brown stripes
4. Add some thin green stripes
5. Using a darker yellow marker -- trace over every other yellow stripe to darken it and add interest to your background
6. Using sponge daubers, ink around the edges with dark brown ink
 

Supplies used on this card:

• These colors of Distress Ink (Ranger)
• Vintage Photo
• Ground Espresso
• Rusty Hinge
• Fossilized Amber
• Pine Needles
• Mermaid Lagoon
• Sponge Daubers
• Sunflower Stamp Set (Heartfelt Creations)
• Spellbinders Nestabilities (Circle and Scallop Circle)
• Fall Foliage Dies (Sizzix - Tim Holtz Alterations) 
• Markers
• Ruler
• Instant Coffee
• Burlap Ribbon
• Rhinestones
• Glue

Note: For a mini tutorial for the flower on this card, visit the Tutorials Tab at the top of the blog and click on 3D Sunflower.

Now it’s your turn to share the projects you’ve been working on! As always our link party is "Anything Goes" with these few simple rules

1. Create ANY new project using a product or two from one of the companies CropStop carries in the store. (It’s ok if you didn’t buy it from us, and also fine if it’s a product we don’t currently have it in stock as long as it’s from one of the companies we carry!)
2. Please, no back-linking old projects
3. Limit 5 entries per challenge
4. Link your project here, link back to this post, and mention the CropStop Challenge in your post.

We’ll choose one random Winner who will receive a prize from the CropStop Store! (100 or more links = two winners and two prizes!) Thanks so much for linking up with us, we look forward to seeing all your great entries this month. Grab our badge and help us spread the word that CropStop is a great place to play along!

Optional Twist for October

Include a plaid element somewhere in your creation,

 and I'll enter your name twice in the random draw.

3D Sunflower

Fall weather hasn't arrived yet (where I live), but maybe this autumn themed card I created with a beautiful 3D sunflower on it will get things moving in that direction! (smile!) I used one of the old Heartfelt Creations stamps sets to create it, and I have a mini tutorial to show you how it's done.

Step One: Stamp and cut out three different sizes of flowers (the photo shows only one large one -- I actually used two)
Step Two: Ink your flowers with coordinating ink making the centers darkest
Step Three: Cut between each petal of your flowers
Step Four: Spritz the reverse side of your flowers with water

Step Five: Crumple each flower into a tiny ball
Step Six: Unflold and twist and crumple your petals
Step Seven: Heat Set
Step Eight: For sunflowers - add some glue and instant coffee to the center

Note: If you don't want the coffee to dissolve in your glue use perk coffee instead of instant. (You can check out the other look by visiting this post.)

Supplies and Tools used on this card:

• Neutrals Cardstock (Core'dinations) 
• Wood Planks Embossing Folder (Sizzix)
• Sandpaper (or Sand-It Gadget)
• Sunflower Stamps (Heartfelt Creations)
• Instant Coffee
• Fall Foliage Thinlits (Tim Holtz)
• Sponge Daubers
• These colors of Distress Ink (Ranger)
• Gathered Twigs
• Mustard Seed
• Fossilized Amber
• Spiced Marmalade 
• Mowed Lawn
• Cuttlebug
• ATG gun

Have you been working on fall cards? If so I'd love to see your work! Stop by the current link party and showoff any project that includes a product or two from one of the companies Cropstop carries in the store.