Trio of Butterflies

This was one of those ideas that popped into my head but I wasn't sure where it came from. This is an odd shaped card (about 4 x 8) which I thought might be good for me as I like to stick to the norm most of the time.

This is probably a pretty straight forward card to make. The embossing folder was too short so I embossed from either end and strategically placed the "seam" where this lovely ribbon is. To enhance the embossing just a tad, I added a light sponging of Pretty in Pink.

PS: It's Wacky Wednesday so be sure to visit Pamela's Blog to find out what the 50% off set is for today.

Stamps: FireCracker Designs by Pamela Bliss
Paper: Cryogen White Iridescent from Paper Temptress, Basic Black
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Nesties, Copics, D’Vine Swirls Embossing Folder, ribbon from Pink Hedgehog

Enjoy!
Michelle B.

Tip: Save The Date

I often write the dates on my supplies. In this case, I am showing you my refill bottle of stamp cleaner. Every time I refill my little spray bottle I write the date on the refill bottle. Why? Read on......

This helps me budget (I know approximately how long I can go before I need to purchase this item). If I see this item on sale, I know if I should buy three (probably not in this case) or just one.

I also do this with my Momento Tuxedo black in pad, my 6 pack of adhesive for my ATG gun (can't seem to keep those in the house!), my special papers such as Papertrey White.

Hope that helps you too!

Enjoy!
Michelle B.

My Sewing Table

You gotta know that isn't really MY sewing table - there isn't near enough supplies out on the table! ha! Maybe I should have called this "What I wished my sewing table looked like!"

Hey, I made my own background paper here! Don't miss the current Think Ink Challenge to make your own background paper so you can try to win some free stamps! Complete details are HERE.

For the main panel, the images are emboss resist. Then I sponged in a faux table (kinda like THIS except that I sponged the lighter color into the oval cutout....thought I did a tutorial for this but couldn't find it. I'll write that on my list of things to do.) My mask moved and I had a "blop" of ink where it wasn't supposed to be so I made "wallpaper" by adding some blops all around. I attempted to make some faux buttons. I like the blue one so I'll owe you a tutorial on how to do that also....Now I gotta get to work!

Stamps: Artful INKables Sew You
Paper: Very Vanilla, Soft Sky, Blue Bayou (sorry, I have a lot left!)
Ink: Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Ruby Red, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Nesties, Versamark pad, clear detail embossing powder, circle punches, paper piercer

Enjoy!
Michelle B.

Crocus in the Snow

I'm not sure where this idea came from....I think the shape of the flower stem made me want to put some snow on top and I just ran with it from there. The shape of this lovely flower is such that it could be almost any flower - just change the color and setting.

First I die cut my white panel. I stamped the flower and colored it with Copics. I used the emboss resist technique on the flowers and snowflakes. Then I used the brayered sky technique on the sky. I stamped the sentiment. Finally I added the "snow" on top of the flower. The card base is also die cut.

PS: Its Wacky Wednesday again at FCD so be sure to check HERE for today's 50% off set (Snow Lady Wreath)!



PSS: My big project at work is up and running and going well. Hopefully life will return to normal soon. Thanks for hanging in there with me!

Stamps: FireCracker Designs by Pamela Bliss and Snow Signs Extra
Paper: Whisper White, Soft Sky (sorry, I still have a lot left!)
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Soft Sky, Blue Bayou
Accessories: Nesties, Copics, Versamark pad & pen, clear detail embossing powder, Polar White Flower Soft, glue pen

Enjoy!
Michelle B.

A Girl Scout for DD

I was short a card to send to DD while she was away at girl scout camp so I had to make this one quickly. I used a sketch #26 from the Club Anya blog HERE. Remember I said I needed this quick....so I made the entire background by dragging inkpads across the paper. No sponges or stamps.

I started by dragging Kiwi across the grassy area side to side. Then I inked in some grass by pulling the Olive pad upwards. The sky was a blue pad drug side to side and I didn't worry if I covered completely as white spots were clouds, right? I used a Cocoa cube to rough in some tree trunks by just dragging the side of it down. Then I used the corners of the greens to make the pine tree shapes. As is my favorite style, I cut the shapes of the sketch into my solid piece after I was all done inking and glued the little scout into place. I have some improvements to make on this dragging technique but it was quick and fun.

Stamps: The Greeting Farm Cute Troop
Paper: Whisper White (scenery), GP 110 (scout), Chocolate Chip
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Kiwi Kiss, Old Olive Baja Breeze, Close to cocoa, Garden Green
Accessories: Nesties, Copics

Enjoy!
Michelle B.

Picnic Time

(this is my 3rd post in 24 hours so be sure to scroll down)


Yippee! I'm a Featured Friend over at Clear Dollar Stamps! How cool! You can read the complete article HERE. To celebrate I created a little something with my new Picnic Time Set!

I stamped and colored the images with Copics. I clear embossed the flowers and masked off the bottom of the basket before sponging in the grass. Next I used Mother Mark's cloud technique for the sky. If you are careful, you can pull off this technique with no masking as I did here.

Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps Picnic Time
Paper: Real Red, GP 110
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Old Olive, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Copics, Versamark pen, clear detail embossing powder


Enjoy!

Michelle B.

Look Ma! No coloring!

Yep, that's right. I didn't use any coloring on this one....just lots o' layers and a bit of sponging. (do you think my stress at work is causing me to be inspired to do all these beach scenes lately?? Hmmmm.....)

I started by stamping this image on all the different colors of cardstock. Then I cut them all out (see below). I added some sponging to each piece. For the two focal circles, I choose to treat the sun circle with an embossed swirl and the coconut was given some texture by carefully peeling away the top layer of the paper so I could see the rough insides.

Stamps: Artful INKables Spot On Summer
Paper: Papertrey White, Basic Black, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Creamy Caramel, Soft Suede, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, River Rock (oops, meant to grab Creamy Caramel), Soft Suede, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: D’vine Swirls embossing folder, ¾” circle punch, ½” circle punch

Enjoy!
Michelle B.