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 - Sara Emily

Time for Guest Designer Friday again! Today we have a gorgeous sea themed card created by Sara Emily of Sarascloset. Don't you just love that awesome background and those life like looking sea shells?  I sure do!

Here's what Sara says about putting this beautiful card together: "I made by background with stamping and Distress Oxides in blues and greens followed by stenciling. I fussy cut the turtles from designer paper and made my shells using the Bigz Seashells die and Texture Fade by Tim Holtz. The seaweed is made using Funkie Florals #3 die. I hope you like my card and if you would like more details, please visit me at  sarascloset."

Products used:

• Graphic 45 designer paper
• Distress Oxide Faded Jeans, Iced Spruce, Bundled Sage, Cracked Pistachio, Pumice Stone, Worn Lipstick, Tattered Rose
• Ranger Transparent Gloss Texture Paste
• Distress paint Picket Fence
• Stickles mercury Glass
• Ranger  Liquid Platinum embossing powder
• Ranger  Distress Powder Peeled Paint
• Tim Holtz Mini Stencils set 10
• Mixed Media Thinlits
• Funkie Floral #3 Thinlits by Sizzix Alterations
• Bigz Seashells Die/Texture Fade by Sizzix

 Thanks for guest designing today, Sara, you did a wonderful job! Now it's YOUR turn -- stop by our current link party and showoff the projects you've been working on that include a product or two from one of the companies Cropstop carries the store! Hope to see you there!

Coloring Gesso

Today I'm sharing a fun new technique I learned for coloring over top of white gesso! It's super easy, a little messy, and lots of fun!

Here are the steps I used to create the pretty panel on my card:

1. Lay a stencil over a piece of black card stock (I used the Watercolor stencil from Tim Holtz)
2. Apply White Gesso (Art Basics) over your entire panel
3. Remove stencil and wash the gesso off
4. Allow your gesso to dry (or help it along with a heat gun)
5. Once the gesso is dry, apply your choice of colors using Distress Crayons (Ranger) ~~ [I used Tumbled Glass - Mermaid Lagoon - Shaded Lilac]
6. Rub the colors in with your finger - apply more in areas you see need it
7. Remove your stencil and - wa-la - a colorful-textured background!

To create my card I:

• embossed a piece of lavender card stock with the Lattice embossing folder from Creative Expressions
• attached my gesso panel to the left side with my ATG gun
• Die cut a Circle (Spellbinders Nestabilities) in white and a scallop circle (Spellbinders Nestabilities) in black
• stamped a sentiment from Praying For You (Stampin' Up) in Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko)
• added some die cuts using the Romantic Vines Die set from Spellbinders
• added two tiny pearls with Ocean Blue Liquid Pearls  
• Added a baker's twine bow
• Die cut two flowers using the Tim Holtz Tattered Florals Die
• inked up my flowers with Mermaid Lagoon Distress Ink (Ranger)
• stamped the crackle background (Stampin' Up) over them in Blueprint Sketch Distress Ink
• die cut a rose using the 3D flowers Sizzix die and added it to the center of my tattered floral
• popped the circular element up with mounting tape

I would love to see your take on this fun technique, so after you've finished creating - stop by the CURRENT CHALLENGE and link up!! Hope to see you there!

Simply Striped

Hello blog friends! Today I'm sharing three really simple and easy projects centered around the idea of creating a striped background with distress inks and water.

Here's how I did it:

• Swiped the colors I wanted across a piece of watercolor paper
• used a wet paintbrush to paint the colors and blend them into each other 

For my first card  I:

• Swiped Spun Sugar, Cracked Pistachio, and Scattered Straw on Watercolor Paper
• Using a small paintbrush and cup of water I painted over the colors, blending where they met
• Stamped the Zentangle Butterfly (Woodware) in Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko)
• Die cut the bottom of my panel with the Scallop Basic Edges 2 Set from My Favorite Things
• Added three sequins
• Mounted my watercolor piece on white card stock with my ATG gun
• Stamped the sentiment (Zentangle Butterfly) in the same distress inks

For my second card I created a rainbow background by:

•  swiping Seedless Preserves, Blueprint Sketch, Mowed Lawn, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, and Fired Brick Distress Ink (Ranger) across my Watercolor Paper
• blending with water and a small paintbrush
• Next I, die cut a circle from the center with the Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders) and layered it on black die cut -- Scallop Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders) 
• I popped this up off my card with mounting tape
• Die cut Birds on a Wire (Spellbinders) and glues it across the center
• matted my watercolor piece on black card stock with my ATG gun
• spritzed the completed card with water (to create spots) and heat set

For the last project today, I created a bookmark by:

• Swiping Salty Ocean, Broken China, and Blueprint Sketch Distress Ink (Ranger) across my Watercolor Paper
•  blending with water and paintbrush
• Using sponge daubers, I applied Mermaid Lagoon Distress Ink (Ranger) through the Feathers Stencil from TCW
• The sentiment is from Zentangle Butterfly (Woodware) and is stamped in Versamark Watermark ink and embossed with white embossing powder
• I finished off the bookmark by flicking a few spatters of white acrylic paint over the panel and mounting it on coordinating blue card stock
• I created matching crinkle ribbon using Hug Snug Seam Binding and Mermaid Lagoon/Blueprint Sketch distress ink

Now it's YOUR turn to share the projects you've been working on! Stop by our CURRENT LINK PARTY and show off anything that includes a product or two from one of the companies Cropstop carries the store!

Guest Desinger - Karen Letchworth

Hello blog friends, welcome back for another Guest Designer Friday! Today we're excited to be sharing a beautiful card created by Karen Letchworth of My Cup Runneth Over. Karen is no stranger to Cropstop regulars, and we're happy she agreed to share this lovely card in her distinctive style! Not only did she create a gorgeous card to share with us today, but she also walks us through the creative process step by step - with photos!!

Here's what Karen says about putting this sweet card together:

"This card started with a piece of Ivory Bazzill card stock that I used to create a textured background.  I used a plastic Tool (similar to this, but you can use a plastic knife) to place Prima Gesso on the card stock by laying a circle patterned Stencil on the paper and spreading the Prima Gesso.  Using a Sponge Dauber is another great way to add color to just about anything, and CropStop carries just about every shade of the fabulous Tim Holtz inks/paints to make all your projects pop.  Using some more Stencils, I took the Sponge Dauber and applied some color to the background including Tim Holtz Spun Sugar Distress Ink, Tim Holtz Marmalade Distress Ink and Tim Holtz Dusty Concord.  I also used Tim Holtz Twisted Citron Distress Ink to stamp some swirls.

Next, I die-cut a "chicken wire" piece for the back drop using a Darice Embossing Die.  I used only a portion of this die-cut in the lower right corner of my card.  This completed the background I wanted, and now it was time to add a sentiment and some embellishments.  I started by cutting some greenery (branches) using a Creative Expressions by Sue Wilson branch die-cut, and I placed them strategically in the lower right corner.  To that, I added a length of bundled Ivory Burlap String and topped that with some gorgeous Petaloo Flowers and leaves.

All that was left was my sentiment, so I grabbed my Tim Holtz Black Soot Distress Ink to stamp my sentiment on a Spellbinders die.  I inked it with some Tim Holtz Forest Moss Distress Ink, and added some Ivory Burlap String, Olive Burlap String, a flower and some sequins.

I encourage you to try something new.  I'm trying to step out of my comfort zone as well.  Perhaps picking up some Gesso and giving the textured background a try, or getting some new die-cuts.  CropStop has so many FABULOUS products as well as a fun monthly challenge on the CropStop Blog.  Be sure to stop by and check out everything CropStop has to offer."

 

Thanks for sharing your talent with us today, Karen! It's always a pleasure to showcase your work! 

Now it's YOUR turn! Stop by our CURRENT LINK PARTY and showoff any project that includes a product or two from one of the companies Cropstop carries in the store! I'll be looking for YOUR name in the link gallery!

June Link Party - #40

It's time for another link party here on the Cropstop blog! Today I'm sharing a different kind of inspiration with you -- it's a page out of my new art journal! I've been admiring the work of several ladies on different design teams with me, and finally took the plunge and started an Art Journal myself.

Here's how I created my page:

• I started by painting my page with a layer of clear Gesso
• Using Sponge Daubers,  I added some distress oxide in the following colors:
• Broken China ~ Faded Jeans ~ Peeled Paint ~ Frayed Burlap ~ Walnut Stain
•  I wet my ink, moved it around with a paint brush, and reapplied ink till I reach a desired color pattern
• I spritzed the ink with water and heat set
• In the upper right corner I added a torn piece of an old sewing pattern using  clear Gesso as my adhesive
• To the right I applied white Gesso through the Measured stencil from Tim Holtz and heat set
• I stamped the Seamstress stamp from Prima in Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko)
• I stamped one of the Julie Nutting dolls (from Holiday Bliss) on an old dictionary page in Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko)
• I restamped her dress, hair, and shoes on various pieces of card stock, fussy cut them, and added them over the original doll
• I colored her flesh with a Touch Five marker
• Behind the doll I added some Prairie Thistle die cuts from Memory Box/Poppystamps

• I added some Washi Tape strips along the bottom center of my page
• To the left I stamped the plaid background stamp from Impression Obsession in Faded Jeans Distress Oxide
• Over top I added two Repeat Impressions flowers, stamped on watercolor paper in Versamark Watermark ink and embossed with black embossing powder
• They were colored with Sonnet Watercolors and fussy cut
•  I also added a piece of greenery cut with the Fall Folliage dies (Sizzix) and a tiny wire hanger from my stash
• The sentiment was computer generated, printed on white card stock, inked with  distress oxides, and stamped with the plaid background stamp from Impression Obsessionin Brilliance Moonlight White Ink from Tsukineko
• I die cut an embroidery hoop from Waffle Flower and added it around the largest word 

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 JUNE:

If you enter an ART JOURNAL PAGE this month,  I'll enter your name twice (for each project linked) in the random draw!

Prairie Thistle

Hello Everyone! Welcome back to the Cropstop blog! Today I'm sharing a card that features a layered die cut image (Prairie Thistle) and a fun way to use your embossing spacers. I've had a lot of fun experimenting with different mixed media products this month, and this card features a few of those as well.

To create my card I:

• brushed some Clear Gesso (Art Basics) over a piece of white card stock
• applied some Seedless Preserved Distress Oxide (Ranger) to the center, spritzed with water, and spread the ink around with a small paintbrush
• using Sponge Daubers, I applied Seedless Preserved Distress Oxide (Ranger) through the Mini North Star Stencil from TCW
• taped my piece of cardstock to the Oval Embossing Spacer and painted through the opening with Platinum Inka Gold  diluted with water

Next I:

• removed the panel and used a Sharpie marker and created faux stitching lines around the inside of the oval 
• die cut the flowers using the Prairie Thistle Die from Memory Box - Poppy Stamps  
• I  cut three from white card stock and one from purple
• I layered the three white one on top of the other and added the purple underneath leaving the petals intact
• the petals were painted with diluted Seedless Preserved Distress Oxide (Ranger)
• die cut two sentiments from phrase one Spellbinders dies - layering one on the other for extra thickness
• last of all I added some pearl centers to my stars using White Opal Liquid Pearls

 The photo below shows the shimmer that the Inka Gold adds to the card.

 Now it's your turn....stop by our CURRENT LINK PARTY and showoff any projects that include a few products from companies Cropstop carries in the store! I'll look forward to seeing your work appear in the gallery!