Floral Tag

Today I am showing this floral tag over at IndigoBlu. To get all the details on how I put it together click here and you will be taken to the IndigoBlu blog.

Poppies

Today I am showing you a card I made for the IndigoBlu International Design Team using the IndigoBlu stamp set called Poppycock.

I started by painting some water colour card with a mixture of Postbox Red and Mulberry Bush acrylic paint.  I loaded both sides of the water colour card with water and then mixed the paint on my craft sheet before painting it on one side.  There was more paint left on my craft sheet so I grabbed another piece of card, wet it down and dragged it through the remaining paint.  This gave me a little lighter result when I evened out the colour but poppies aren't all bright red so I was good with that.

I stamped the large poppy on my painted card using Versamark and then heat embossed it with some of Wendy Vecchi's Red Geranium embossing powder.  I did this three times, fussy cut each poppy and then inked the edges with some Red Geranium Archival Ink.  I decided I needed to highlight the petals so I took some Gee-SSo Good White Gesso and a fine paint brush and painted between the details on the petals, wiping it back with a baby wipe so it would be subtle.

Next I made some paper for my leaves by spraying some water colour card with Tim Holtz's Iced Spruce and Shabby Shutters Distress Spray Stain.

I used some of Wendy Vecchi's Fern Green Archival Ink and stamped some of both sizes of leaves from the Poppycock set and then fussy cut them.  I inked the edges with some Shabby Shutters Distress Ink.

I made a background by taking a plain piece of card stock and splattering some Ruby Slippers and Raven Black Metallic paint on it.  This was mounted on a red card card blank.

I stamped the sentiment from a new set called Dreams Come True from IndigoBlu on some white card stock using Jet Black Archival Ink and then mounted it on a scrap of black card stock and added a little red gem.

This card was easy to make and showcases those beautiful poppies to a "T".  I am sharing the post over at IndigoBlu today with Gio and Ksenija so pop on over and see what they have created.

Dictionary for IndigoBlu

I am presenting a clean and simple card over at IndigoBlu today so pop on over to the blog and check out how I used the dictionary.

Shabby Layers

It is time for me to show you my first May project for IndigoBlu.  The theme this month is Wings so I decided to make something with a butterfly on it.  And if you have a butterfly, I think flowers are in order.

I started by grabbing some Bazzill card stock for the blank and then added some paper from a Prima pad called Secret Garden for the back panel.  The paper was distressed and inked with some Rusty Hinge Distress Ink from Tim Holtz.  I added a smaller distressed and inked panel from the same paper collection with dimensional foam strips.

I used some of Wendy Vecchi's Tree Branch Archival Ink to stamp a butterfly from the Victorian Garden set onto a scrap of the Prima paper that I used for the small panel.  After it was fussy cut, the edges were inked with Rusty Hinge DI.

Next I stamped the flowers and leaves from the Live, Laugh, Love set onto some of the Bazzill card stock and inked the edges of the flowers with Rusty Hinge DI and the edges of the leaves with Iced Spruce DI after they were fussy cut.

I embossed the flower petals from the back to give them a bit of shape and layered one on top of the other.  Some Recollections micro beads were added to the centre.  I made a little stem from card stock and inked it with Iced Spruce and then added the flower and leaves on one side.  Extra leaves were added on the opposite side.

I made a tag from the same paper as the background panel and added some burlap string.  Before I added the butterfly to the tag, I altered a key for the body using some Rust Alcohol Ink blended with some Copper Mixative.  The tag was also layered with dimensional foam strips.

Next I dyed some seam binding with Iced Spruce and Shabby Shutters DI and made a crinkled, loopy bow.  Finally I added some roses from Wild Orchid Crafts and a few buttons from my stash.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Moving Along With The Times - Butterflies
Dream Valley Challenges - Things With Wings
Craft-Dee Bowz - Anything Goes with a Handmade Bow

A Gift from the Netherlands

I have a project over on IndigoBlu today that relates to this tulip photo.  To see the project and learn the story pop on over and check out my post.

Lots of Time

It is my turn to show you my shared project for IndigoBlu this month.  The theme is called Tell Me A Story and I was asked to create a story about my project.  I thought rather than weaving some sort of tale around what I have done (I am not that good at fiction anyway) I would be a little cheeky and state the obvious.  Most of us, me included, are always complaining about not having enough time so my story is that I have made lots of time for myself - in the form of a canvas full of clocks.  Now if only I could find that extra time and still do everything I wanted in a day, that would be a story.

I started by stamping multiple copies of stamps from the Good Times set using Wendy Vecchi's Tree Branch Archival Ink.  I fussy cut all the clocks and then also cut a blank outline of each clock.

Next I added some texture to a dollar store canvas in the form of some canvas ribbon and some drywall tape.  I decided I needed more texture so I used some texture paste through the Texture stencil.

Once the stenciling was dry I laid down all sorts of bits and pieces using the blank clocks as markers for where my stamped clocks were to be placed later.  I used Super Thick Slap it On as my adhesive and once it was dry I gave everything two coats of Gee-Sso Good White Gesso to unify the colour.

The next step was to paint the canvas, which I did randomly and in layers wiping back some of the paint with a baby wipe in certain areas.  I used Townhouse Teal, Kingfisher Blue Metallic, Pantry White (that was mixed with some Kingfisher Blue) and Pheasant Bronze Metallic.

The clocks were coloured next by inking them with Antique Linen and Tumbled Glass Distress Ink.  Then they were coated with Crazing Distress Collage Medium.  Once they were dry they were painted with Bronze Luscious mixed with some water and then carefully wiped where the distress inks with a baby wipe to remove some of shimmer.  Once the clocks were dry they were glued on top of the blank markers on the canvas.  Finally I used a bit more of the Luscious randomly on the canvas to add even more shimmer.

I will be back next week on the IndigoBlu blog with another project and this one really does have a story to go with it.  In the meantime pop over to IndigoBlu and check out what my team mates Solange and Ksenija have created.

Spring Tag

It is my turn to share a spring-themed project over at IndigoBlu.  To get all the details about this floral tag, pop on over to IndigoBlu and check out my step x step.

Notebook Cover

Today is my first post of March for the International Design Team at IndigoBlu.

This month we were asked to create spring-themed projects and I was happy to do that since it snowed again last week.  Mind you we were luckier that many and the snow stayed mostly out over Lake Ontario.  Today is the day the calendar says it is spring so I hope the weather co-operated where you are.

I wondered if I could stretch a little and use poppies as a spring flower but since the ones I have seen are always deep red or orange I was going to abandon that idea until I Googled poppies and discovered Icelandic Poppies.  Who knew that poppies come in lots of other colours and mostly light spring colours - pretty peach, ivory, coral, etc.?  So that was all I needed to use the IndigoBlu Poppycock stamp with confidence.

I decided to make a notepad cover and started by making the cover.  These make great little gifts and can be decorated in any number of ways.  The notepads come from the dollar store, usually in packs of four and sometimes come in other sizes.  This time I used pads that are 5" x 8" and my cover is designed to have two pockets inside, one to hold the cardboard backing on the notepad (so you can easily replace it when you want) and one to hold "stuff".

Start with an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of card stock (kraft card stock from Recollections for this project) and trim 1/4" off the long edge.  Put the long edge in your scoring tool and score at 5 1/4" and at 5 3/4".  This will give you a half inch gusset, which is a tad loose since the pad is only 1/4" thick but allows for the dimension of the pockets and for you to add a fair bit of "stuff to the left pocket.  Fold each of your score lines and burnish them with a bone folder.

Now to make the pockets, cut two pieces 3 3/4" x 5 1/8".  Score at 1/2" on the long edge, fold and burnish.  Clip a little mitre out of the folded piece on each side as shown and add double sided tape to the outside.  Then cut four pieces 3 1/8" x 1" and fold in half lengthwise (these will form a gusset for your pockets. making it easier to insert "stuff").  

Add double sided tape to each side of the gusset pieces and adhere to the inside of the main part of the pocket on the short side - the fold should be facing the edge and the bottom of the gusset should be butting up against your fold line.  Remove the tape backing from your gussets and fold the pocket bottom up over them.

Remove the tape backing from the bottom and adhere the pocket to the inside bottom of the cover about 1/16" above the edge, making sure it is centred from side to side.  Sorry, this photo was taken after I decorated the left pocket - oops!

If you are using smaller pads, simply adjust the measurements accordingly but it isn't difficult.  The tricks are to add a little bit of give everywhere.  I would also recommend that you don't use white card stock unless you don't mind it getting dirty or plan to cover it with patterned paper.

Next I created my flowers by stamping the large poppy with Versamark onto different scraps of card stock and heat embossing them with Copper Embossing Powder from Recollections.  You could use Flitter Glue and Gilding Flakes, such as Copper Kettle but I didn't have any flakes that were the right colour so this time I went with the embossing powder.  I did the same with some of the leaves from the Poppycock set.  Everything was fussy cut.   Sorry the lighting was not great to get a good photo.

I also painted the centres of the poppies with Lemon Meringue Acrylic Paint.

I created a panel for the front and the inside left pocket by cutting pieces from the yellow 12" x 12" Damaged Damask paper and stamping the border from the Live, Laugh, Love stamp set in the same manner as I did the poppies.

To assemble the cover, I distressed the two panels with my scissors and mounted them and then added the poppies and the leaves to the front.  I recommend that you keep your front profile fairly flat so that when you want to write on your notepad the cover will open completely.

This is a shared post so pop on over to IndigoBlu and see what Giovanna and Ksenija have created.

Five Hearts

I am sharing a new card over at IndigoBlu today.  This is a departure from my usual shabby or vintage style so pop on over there and check out how this simple card was made.

Fun and Funky Valentine

It is time for me to share my first project for February for the IndigoBlu International Design Team.  The theme this month is Love so I made a funky valentine card as my first project.

The background was created by taking a piece of grey card stock and adding some stamping using Jet Black Archival Ink and the Script Background Stamp as well as stamps from the Tasty Textures and Rugged Edge sets.

I used some Red Geranium Archival Ink through the Texture stencil and then added some circles with Gee-SSo Good White and a cap from a spray bottle.

To make the heart I started by cutting a piece of red paper from the Damaged Damask 12"x12"paper set and ran it through my crimper over and over and over until it became almost as soft as fabric.  Over time the layers of paper separate as you can see in the photo.  Once I thought it was soft enough I ironed it from the back side with a dry iron to smooth it out.

I got so engrossed in creating that I forgot to take process photos of how the "fabric" paper became a heart.  I cut two hearts from some scrap card stock and another one the same size from quilt batting.  Then I cut another heart from the red paper adding a quarter of an inch all the way around.  The batting heart was glued to the card stock and then the paper heart was added on top with the border glued to the back making sure that the curves were clipped so they would lie flat.  I then glued the second card stock heart to the back.

Some Lindy's Frozen Jack Frost Ink was spritzed on the heart and then a natural sea sponge was used to dab on some Ruby Slippers and Raven Black Metallic paint.

Next I stamped the Big Butterfly on some white card stock with Gee-SSo Good Black and painted it with Ruby Slippers Metallic paint.  A little Mulberry Bush paint was mixed with the Ruby Slippers to add a bit of shading.

I added the background to my card blank, attached the butterfly and then the heart.  Finally I printed the sentiment on the computer, added scribbled frames and then inked the edges with Red Geranium Archival Ink.

I am sharing this post with Gio and Ksenija so pop on over to IndigoBlu and check out all the lovely projects.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Creative Artiste - Anything Mixed Media Goes
The Artistic Stamper - Love Hearts
Let's Craft and Create - Love is in the Air

Vintage Travel Canvas

Here is a sneak peek of a new project I am sharing over at IndigoBlu.  Pop on over and check out all the details.

Retro Car

It is time for my January shared post for the IndigoBlu International Design Team.  This month our theme for the team is to use our favourite stamp.  Well let me tell you right from the start that it is difficult to choose just one stamp so I have decided to go with some sets that are co-ordinating.

For this project I have made a simple but somewhat grungy card featuring the retro car from the Grand Tour I set, which in fact was the first IndigoBlu stamp set that I purchased.

I started with some Bazzill card stock for the blank.

Next I cut three panels from the Steampunkesque paper pad and distressed the edges with my scissors before adding Hot Cocoa paint with some Phat Foam.

I stamped the car on some ivory card stock with Coffee Archival Ink.  I intended to mount it on some coloured card stock so I didn't take a photo of the next step but changed my mind and added some eyelets that have been in my stash for as long as I can remember before I distressed and painted the edges.

I stamped the compass from the Grand Tour III set onto some White PolyShrink using Coffee Archival Ink.

To assemble the card, I first mounted an old map that I found online and printed on my computer.  It has also been distressed and painted.  Next I added the three panels, topped it with the car, added a computer generated sentiment and finally added the compass.

My Heart Soars

Here is a sneak peak of some inspiration I have for you today on the IndigoBlu blog.  Pop on over and check out my newest canvas.

Home and Family

It is time for me to show you my first December IndogoBlu project.  I am sharing this post with Gio and Ksenija so pop on over to the IndigoBlu blog and check out what they have created.

To get a better look at any of the photos just click on them to bring up a larger version.  It has been snowing and dull and grey where I live so taking photos has been a challenge in itself.

This month the theme for the International Design Team is Count Your Blessings and I think the sentiment on this card is perfect for the theme and works so well with the wonderful stamp.

I stamped the Country House image on some white card stock with Jet Black Archival Ink.

Then I used Weathered Wood and Faded Jeans Distress Ink to create a dusky sky. I also decided at the last minute to add some Hickory Smoke Distress Ink.

Next I added some stars with the Stars stencil and Pantry White paint.

The image was coloured with Prismacolors that I blended with Gotrick OMS.

I painted a scrap piece of card stock with Vodka Martini Metallic paint and then punched a number of snowflakes with a Martha Stewart border and corner punch.

I mounted the image panel on some black card stock before I added it to the card blank.  Once it was down I decided that the bottom needed help since I had just painted it with the Vodka Martini Metallic paint thinking it might pass for snow but it didn't so I used my finger to swirl some texture paste on the bottom and while it was still wet I sprinkled on some Unicorn Sparkles.  Tip:  If you find an oops you want to fix and your card is glued together, just use some painter's masking tape to protect the rest of the card.

To finish the card I created the sentiment on the computer and inked the edges with Weathered Wood Distress Ink.  I added a bit of snow to the greenery and the lamps with a white gel pen and then adhered my falling snowflakes.

More Inspiration for IndigoBlu

It is my turn to provide some inspiration over on the IndigoBlu blog today and this is a sneak peek of what I have created.  Pop on over there and you will see what I have created and how I did it.

Fireworks

I am sharing an inspiration piece for IndigoBlu today that was way out of my comfort zone.  The members of the International Design Team were asked to create projects inspired by Bonfire Night.

OK, so what is Bonfire Night I asked since it is not something celebrated in Canada.  It turns out it is a celebration recognizing the failure of Guy Fawkes and his cohorts who were plotting to assassinate the King and blow up the British Parliament Buildings on November 5th, 1605.  In modern times it is an occasion for families to get together and have a party with lots of fireworks and special food.  So for my first piece I decided to go with a fireworks theme in a vintage vibe.

I started with some Bazzill card stock for the blank, added a panel of black card stock and then created a background by inking a piece of card stock with Weathered Wood, Stormy Sky and Hickory Smoke Distress Ink.

Then I got my handy husband to create a fireworks stencil for me and cut it on the laser cutter.  I used my wonderful new stencil all over my night sky by pouncing Vodka Martini, Goldfinger and Miss Moneypenny Metallic Paint from IndigoBlu with pieces of makeup sponges going from the centre of each burst to the outside.

I found a vintage image of a young boy coming out of a store with his haul of fireworks online and after I printed the image I coated it with Tim Holtz Clear Rock Candy Distress Crackle.  When it was dry I inked it with some Vintage Photo Distress Ink and mounted it on a scrap of black card stock with dimensional foam.

The sentiment was computer generated and added with some dimensional foam.

I mixed some of the Vodka Martini Metallic paint with some Super Thick Slap it On and added it to a scrap of card stock through the Stars stencil.  Once dry I fussy cut a few stars and added them along with some sequins to my fireworks panel.

Even though this is not a bright piece that one would normally think of for a party, I love my sparkly fireworks in the night sky and hope I have done some justice to the theme.