Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Wicked Wednesday With Creepie Cuties

Hi all!  It's Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge Blog time and this week our sponsor is Creepie Cute Stamps.  The image I've used today is Catching Stars and our theme this week is to use Orange and Black.  Here's my take on this week's challenge:


Here's what I've used to create this ATC:

Copic® Markers - BV02, C4, C5, C7, C9, E50, E51, E53, YR000, YR00, YR01, YR02, YR04, YR07, YR09, YR18, YG11, YG13, YG95
Faber-Castell® PITT Artist Pens - Green Gold, Black, Orange Glaze, Cinnamon
Tim Holtz® Black Soot Distress Ink Marker and Pad
Memento™ Tuxedo Black Ink Pad by Tsukineko®
Memento™ Tangelo Ink Pad by Tsukineko®
Dylusions® Slate Grey Ink Spray
Scrap of gray paper
Zip Dry™ Paper Glue by Beacon Adhesives

Here's what I did to create this ATC:

Print image, color with markers and fussy cut
Trim ATC base paper to ATC size
Using green gold pen, add "sand" to bottom of paper
With stippling brush, add distress ink randomly over paper
Paste stencil starfish in lower right corner, heat with gun to dry
Using Seaside stamps add designs as shown
Add a few lines with black distress marker and rub over them with a baby wipe
Using a paint brush, brush on a few swipes of gray spray ink
Color starfish with cinnamon and orange glaze PITT pens
Using black PITT pen, write sentiment across top of ATC
Adhere mermaid to ATC

I loved coloring this image and creating my little dark under the sea world.  Thanks for stopping by today and I'll see you again next week with another ATC challenge.  I'll have more posts this week so stop on by Thursday, Friday and Saturday and take a peek.

Hugs,
Lea

Friday, September 25, 2015

De-Stressing Distressing



So, unless you've been under a rock and don't know, the Stampendous Design Team has been distressing things all week long.  There has been all sorts of rusty, grungy, chippy, shabby goodness going on!  Andy Skinner, one of our favorite artists, has designed some stamps for Stampendous, and,   he has also created a great video on creating faux rust with some awesome DecoArt products.  You can watch that video here!  I did two different styles of distressing on my project for today.  I used a stamp to create a faux distressed background that is supposed to mimic chipping paint.  The other type of distressing I did was adding paint over copper embossing paste to mimic a verdigris patina.  Both faux, both fun!  Here's my mixed media canvas:




Here's what I used to create this canvas:

DecoArt® Media Fluid Acrylics™ in Prussian Blue and Titan Buff
Americana® Acrylic Paints in Lamp Black, Foliage Green, Yellow Green, Hauser Light Green
Americana® Decor™ Chalky Finish Paint in Everlasting
DecoArt® Gesso
Archival Inks™ in Coffee, French Ultramarine, Olive
Copic® Markers in Y13, Y15, Y17; B21, B23, B24 and B26
Glue Dots® 

Here's what I did to create this canvas:

Cover canvas board with gesso, allow to dry
Cover canvas board with chalky finish paint, allow to dry
Stamp coffee ink over entire canvas board
Tape down stencil and paste emboss with copper paste, remove stencil, set aside to dry
Stamp flower stems on canvas with olive ink
Stamp flowers on white paper and color with Copic markers, cut out
Paint over green stems with green paints
Mix a little Prussian Blue with some Foilage Green for faux patina on Heart Lock stencil
Paint over keyhole with a tiny amount of black paint
Paint on some little vines twisting out of the keyhole and add some grass
Using glue dots, add flowers to dry canvas.

Here's a list of my teammates playing along today:



This was such a fun canvas to create!  In my mind, it's kind of like the hidden keyhole to my secret garden just waiting for me to discover it!  Be sure to leave me some love and tell me what you think! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonder weekend!

Hugs,
Lea

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Distressed Dreamweaver



Hello!  Hope you're having some fun crafty time wherever you happen to be!  I had some fun crafty time in my studio and played with some great Stampendous products for  Dreamweaver Thursday!  We're distressing our projects this week, that could be any one of multiple techniques.  Mine was simple, it just involved using a stamp to create a faux distressed background.  It doesn't get much easier than that and I totally love the look!  Here's my card:


This is what I used to create this card:

Memento™ Pear Tart Ink by Tsukineko®
Memento™ Cantaloupe Ink by Tsukineko®
Memento™ Gray Flannel Ink by Tsukineko®
Green Cardstock by Bazzill Basics Paper®
Black Cardstock by Bazzill Basics Paper®
Faber-Castell® PITT Artist Pen in Walnut Brown
Miscellaneous Scraps of Patterned Paper
Miscellaneous Embroidery Thread
Zip Dry™ Paper Glue by Beacon Adhesives

This is what I did to create this card:

Trim a piece of white paper to 4" x 5 1/4" for card front 
Using a stippling brush, add green ink to trimmed white paper
Stamp background in gray ink over in tire piece of inked paper
Die cut a tree and trim pieces for card front
Adhere largest piece of tree to paper allowing pieces to hangover edges
Tape stencil onto card front with owl claws slightly overlapping onto branch, set aside to dry
While the paste is drying, die cut the owl with a variety of patterned papers 
Stamp sentiment with black ink onto a scrap of white paper
Trim sentiment, ink with light orange ink, punch holes and add thread to "hang" sign from branch
Adhere top branch with sign to card front 
Attach die cut owl pieces to dry embossing paste
Trim an A2 card base with a tent fold 
Adhere card front to card base and trim branch pieces that are overhanging
Fill in spaces on owl with marker as shown

Here's the list of my teammates playing along today:


Thanks so much for stopping by today!  If you left me a comment, double thanks!  LOL!  I hope you enjoyed my little owl card, I sure had a fun time creating it.  Have a blessed afternoon!

Hugs,
Lea

*Dreamweaver Thursday post

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Wicked Wednesday and Fred, She Said

Hello, all!!  It's time for a new challenge at Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge Blog.  This week our sponsor is Fred, She Said and our theme is Furry Friends.  I've used Halloween Rosey for my ATC since Halloween is getting closer.  Besides, Halloween is my favorite holiday!  By the way, the spider web is stamped with silver ink and I LOVE how it turned out!


This is what I used to create this ATC:

Stampendous® Halloween Charms Perfectly Clear™ Stamps
Stampendous® Big Top Type Perfectly Clear™ Stamps
Memento™ Tuxedo Black Ink Pad by Tsukineko®
Delicata™ Silvery Shimmer Ink Pad by Tsukineko®
Copic® Markers
Neenah® Classic Crest® Solar White Cardsock
Doodlebug Design Inc™ Haunted Manor 6x6 Paper Pad
Black Cardstock by Bazzill Basics Paper®
Smooch™ Pearlized Accent Ink - Siren
Zip Dry™ Paper Glue by Beacon Adhesive

This is what I did to create this ATC:

Print image, color and fussy cut
Trim ATC base from black cardstock
Trim patterned paper with a 1/8" margin on all sides
Stamp the letters spelling Boo and color
Stamp spider web and spider in upper right corner
Add a dot of Siren Smooch to the spider
Adhere patterned paper to ATC base
Adhere puppy image to ATC

That's it for me today!  Hope you like the super cute Halloween Rosey, I think she's pretty darn adorable myself!  Be sure to check back tomorrow for more inspiration!

Hugs,
Lea

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Falling for Tombow




Hello!  So how have you enjoyed our Stampendous and Tombow USA projects the past couple of days?  Are you falling in love with the Tombow Recycled Colored Pencils as much as I have?  I must admit, I'm smitten with how beautifully these colored pencils blend.  Yep!  I have fallen in love!  Here's my project for today:


Here's a slightly different angle to show you the "texture" I created on the sweater, hat and gloves.


Here's what I used to create this card:

Tombow® Recycled Colored Pencils - Yellow Ochre 05, Brown 31, Black 33, Yellow Green 06, Green 07, Blue 15, Light Blue 13, Gray 34, Pink 22, Yellow 03, Chrome Yellow 04, Orange 28, Vermilion Red 26, Magenta 23, Violet 19, Purple 18
Pink Cardstock by Bazzill Basics Paper®
Recollections™ Jolly Holiday 6x6 Paper Pad
May Arts Ribbon® Twine
Zip Dry™ Paper Glue by Beacon Adhesive

Here's what I did create this card:

Stamp image with black ink onto mixed media paper
Color image with colored pencils and trim to desired size 
Create a 5"x5" square card base with a tent fold
Trim patterned paper to 4.75" x 4.75" and adhere to card base
Trim a mat for colored image and adhere image to mat
Tie twine around bottom of matted image and tie a bow
Add glitter in random spots on "snowman" and "snow
Adhere image to card front.


Here's a list of my teammates playing along today:


Do we have prizes?  Why, yes, we do!  There will be 2 prize packages that include:

A roll of Tombow Foam Tape
A Jumbo Perfectly Clear Handle
Your choice from Stampendous Create Fall, Create Christmas, Create Winter or Create a Poinsettia Cling Stamp set and Matching Dies

To win:
  • Have a US Mailing Address (See Official Rules)
  • “Like” both TombowUSA and Stampendous company pages on Facebook if you use it.
  • Follow @tombowusa and @stampendous on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest (or wherever you play along)
  • And comment on all the blog posts from both teams all week. Including our pre-game posts Mon-Thurs and our Weekend hop Fri-Sun.
  • We’ll give you until Tuesday, September 22 to get all those great comments in, then we’ll choose 2 winners on Sept 23.

Be sure to comment and tell us where you’re from, because our Australian Distributor The Stencil Specialists are sponsoring a prize for one friend “down under” to win a Stampendous Stamp, a Dreamweaver Stencil and a surprise goodie from their terrific stock of Stampendous merchandise!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you've enjoyed our hop and you're inspired to give these awesome pencils a try.  I think you'll fall in love with  them!  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!


Hugs,
Lea

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Sketchbook Fun with Tombow



As part of the Stampendous Design Team, I'm used to creating projects with someone else's art.  I love coloring the wonderful images Fran draws and turns into the stamps we all enjoy.  Another great plus as part of the Stampendous DT is receiving wonderful products from other companies that Stampendous partners or collaborates with.

Just this weekend, you've seen that we're hopping with Tombow USA, one of the premier companies for creating coloring and drawing tools, among other things.  Tombow very kindly presented us each with a 24-set of their Recycled Colored Pencils.  Lately I've been attempting to draw faces, it's just something I decided I wanted to learn to do.  I'm STILL learning and I have a lot more to learn, but, I wanted to share a sketch I've done with my new set of pencils.  This is the first somewhat realistic  face I've attempted to draw with colored pencils.  For the record, she's a product of my own imagination and no one that I know.


Here she is, my Tombow Girl!  I'm torn between being proud of the progress I'm making in my own art and terrified to put her out in the Blog-esphere for all to see and critique.  It's kind of scary!  Still, I wanted to show you how easy it is to create your own art with these amazing pencils.  They blend beautifully!  I didn't even use a drawing pencil to create my initial sketch, I just went for it with the colored pencils!  


I have some very talented teammates that are posting Stampendous projects today and I would love for you to check them out and leave them some love.  Here's the link list:


So there you have it!  It's a simple drawing in my sketchbook with a great product compliments of Tombow USA!  Thank you, Tombow!  See you again tomorrow with my final Stampendous project showcasing these wonderful pencils!  Have a fantastic day!

Hugs,
Lea





Friday, September 18, 2015

Stampendous and Tombow are Hopping!



Yay!  It's the first official day of the Stampendous and Tombow Blog Hop!!  Have you caught all the hints we've been sharing this week leading up to today?!  We're showcasing the awesome Tombow Recycled Colored Pencils each of the DT members received free!  I've always loved colored pencils and these are no exception.  They blend beautifully; if there's a color you need and don't have, just blend it yourself!  Here's my card for today:


Here's what I used to create this card:

Tombow® Recycled Colored Pencils - I used Brown (31), Gray (34), Deep Green (10), Pink  (22), Orange (26), Vermilion Red (25), Light Blue (13), Green (07), Silver (35), Gold (36)
My Mind's Eye™ Christmas Wish 6x6 Paper Pad
Core'dinations® Cardstock
May Arts Ribbon® - Light Blue Silk
Glue Dots® Adhesives - Craft Dots
Zip Dry™ Paper Glue by Beacon Adhesives

Here's what I did to create this card:

Stamp kitten image with black ink and color with colored pencils, trim image
Stamp sentiment with black ink onto colored image
Create A2 card base with a tent fold and lightly distress edges
Trim patterned paper 1/4" smaller than card base size for background 
Create a mat from scrap base cardstock, lightly distress edges and adhere image to mat
Tie bow and adhere to patterned paper as shown, use glue dot to secure center of bow to paper
Adhere all layers

Here's a list of my teammates that are hopping today:

Lea Fritts (me!)





Do we have prizes?  Why, yes, we do!  There will be 2 prize packages that include:


Tombow Recycled Color Pencils 24 pack tin
A roll of Tombow Foam Tape
A Jumbo Perfectly Clear Handle
Your choice from Stampendous Create Fall, Create Christmas, Create Winter or Create a Poinsettia Cling Stamp set and Matching Dies

To win:
  • Have a US Mailing Address (See Official Rules)
  • “Like” both TombowUSA and Stampendous company pages on Facebook if you use it.
  • Follow @tombowusa and @stampendous on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest (or wherever you play along)
  • And comment on all the blog posts from both teams all week. Including our pre-game posts Mon-Thurs and our Weekend hop Fri-Sun.
  • We’ll give you until Tuesday, September 22 to get all those great comments in, then we’ll choose 2 winners on Sept 23.

Be sure to comment and tell us where you’re from, because our Australian Distributor The Stencil Specialists are sponsoring a prize for one friend “down under” to win a Stampendous Stamp, a Dreamweaver Stencil and a surprise goodie from their terrific stock of Stampendous merchandise!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you enjoy our hop and you're inspired to give these awesome pencils a try.  I think you'll love them!  Have a blessed weekend and I'll see you again tomorrow with something a little different!

Hugs,
Lea






Thursday, September 17, 2015

Dreamy Tombow


Hi all!  It's time for Stampendous Dreamweaver Thursday and today I have a card that's all about fall and a fun new technique I've never tried before called Subtractive Eraser Technique.  Well, it's new to me, anyway.  Some of you may have already tried it out!  If you've never tried it before, here's a link to the video that shows how.  I really wanted to add a pop of color to mine so I did!


Here's what I used to create this card:

Stampendous® Dreamweaver© Stencil LL515 Pumpkins
Stampendous® Mixed Media White Paper
Tombow® Recycled Colored Pencils, 24-Pack Tin
Tombow® Mono Zero Eraser, Silver Round
Tombow® Mono NP Eraser, Non PVC
Tombow® Mono Drawing Pencil, 2B
Bo Bunny® Apple Cider Collection 6x6 Paper Pad
Onyx and Tiger's Eye Gemstone Cardstock by Core'dinations®
Vintage Photo Distress Ink by Tim Holtz®
Scrapbook Adhesives® 3D Foam Mounting Squares by 3L®
Zip Dry™ Paper Glue by Beacon Adhesives

Here's what I did to create this card:

As stated above, I used the Subtractive Eraser Technique, I did add pencil back into the design and I used colored pencils on the middle pumpkin, add distress ink and set aside
Create an A2 card base with a tent fold with the Tiger's Eye CS
Trim pumpkin patterned paper for background
Trim a piece of the other patterned paper and a piece of the Onyx CS slightly larger, dovetail both
Adhere layers as shown using foam squares to attach image

Here's the list of my teammates that are posting today; I hope you'll leave them some love:

Lea Fritts (me!)
Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I'll have posts for the hop on Friday and Sunday, so be sure to stop back by for some great Tombow inspiration!!  I'll see you then!

Hugs,
Lea

PS  I'm going to have an extra post on Saturday that uses Tombow's products but isn't part of the hop!

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Wicked Wednesday and That Craft Place

It's Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge Blog time and this week our sponsor is That Craft Place.  Our them for the week is Use Numbers Anywhere on Your ATC.  I've used two images on my ATC for today, It's Not Fair - Grumpy Bubbles and Scrabble Word/Number Tiles.


Here's what I've used to create this ATC:

Copic® Markers:  E50, 51, 53, 93, 41, 42, 43, 44; YG01, 03, 25; B41; RV55
Dylusions® Spray Inks in London Blue, Calypso Teal and Fresh Lime
Tim Holtz® Distress Ink Marker in Twisted Citron
Neenah® Classic Crest™ Cover Stock in Solar White
Bo Bunny® Splash Patterned Paper
Zip Dry™ Paper Glue from Beacon Adhesives

Here's what I did to create this ATC:

Double the scrabble tile images one on top of the other and print all three images along with typed sentiment
Color her and fussy cut, set aside
Trim the scrabble tile image 1/4" smaller than ATC size and spray with inks, heat with heat gun to dry
Trim patterned paper scrap to ATC size
Adhere all layers as shown

This was a super easy and fun ATC to create.  I love using the sprays for my backgrounds and just watching how the colors mix.  And, in case you're wondering, which you're probably not, I really don't like math!  Thanks for stopping by!  See you again soon!

Hugs,
Lea

Friday, September 11, 2015

How Do You Create Christmas?

Hello!  The Stampendous Design Team is sharing cards this week on how we Create Christmas, well, the cards and paper crafts anyway!  My card today is a very simple with a bit of a mixed media style. I've used products from companies that we collaborate or partner with yearly, including Tombow, Faber-Castell and Tsukineko.  Each of the companies listed below has been so very generous with our team and I sure appreciate their generosity!


Here's what I used to create this card:

Memento™ Tuxedo Black Ink Pad by Tsukineko®
Tombow® Recycled Color Pencils:  03, Yellow;  04, Chrome Yellow;  05, Yellow Ochre;  32, Vandyke Brown;  10, Deep Green
Faber-Castell® PITT Artist Pen, White - 101
Radiant Neon® #71 Electric Yellow Pigment Ink Refill by Tsukineko®
Radiant Neon® Amplify™ White by Tsukineko®
Blue Cardstock by Bazzill Basics Paper®
Zip Dry™ Paper Glue by Beacon Adhesives


Here's what I did to create this card:

Stamp tree and star on white paper, color and die cut
Add Amplify™ to tree and heat
Create an A2 card base with a tent fold from blue cardstock
Using white PITT pen, add "snow" to bottom of card front
Lay star face down, squirt out a small drop of yellow ink and using a small paintbrush, spread ink around star on card front
Remove star from card front and fill in star with additional ink and create "tails"
Adhere star to card front
Put a small amount of glue on finger tip, swipe across bottom of card in a few places and add glitter
Adhere tree to card front

I had fun creating snow on the tree with Amplify™ from Tsukineko!  I love the texture it adds and it's incredibly easy to use.  Would love to know what you think about how it looks, too!  Here's the rest of the team playing along today:


Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I'll see you again next week with more stamping inspiration. Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,
Lea

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Wicked Wednesday with Crafty Sentiments Designs

It's Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge Blog time and this week our sponsor is Crafty Sentiments Designs.  Today I've used the image Mia - Howdy and our theme is Cowgirls/Cowboys.


Here's what I used to create this ATC:

Copic® Markers
Neenah® Classic Crest™ Solar White
Little Yellow Bicycle® Patterned Paper
Light Blue Cardstock by Bazzill Basics Paper®
Red Cardstock by Bazzill Basics Paper®
Burlap Twine
Zip Dry™ Paper Glue by Beacon Adhesives
Scrapbook Adhesives® 3D Foam Mounting Squares

Here's what I did to create this ATC:

Print image, color and fussy cut
Trim base for ATC from light blue cs
Trim patterned paper 1/4" smaller height and width than ATC base
Trim strips of red cs and weave into a plaid pattern over denim-look paper
Adhere strips to patterned paper and snip off ends of strips that hang over edges
Adhere patterned paper with strips to ATC base
Create a "lasso" with twine and adhere to ATC
Using foam mounting squares, attach Mia to ATC
On a scrap of white paper, write sentiment, edge with red Copic® and adhere to front of ATC

I did take a little creative license with this image by giving her boots and a dot of a nose and a tiny mouth.  I just felt like she needs boots to be a cowgirl and they were easy enough to draw onto her legs.  She was actually quite fun to color and I think she's turned out cute as can be!

I do hope you'll play along with us!  Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon!

Hugs,
Lea

Friday, September 4, 2015

Fast and Easy Christmas Cards

Hello!  We meet again!  Today I have a another Stampendous post featuring our "All in One" stamps. I chose to showcase two stamps, Love Was Born and Santa Paws, with two cards each.  These are fast and easy Christmas cards, perfect for when you have a larger number to create.  Each card took less than 10 minutes to create.  When time is limited, why not keep it simple!  Plus, I've used two of our  new powders, Real Red Opaque Embossing Powder and Rose Gold Fran•táge Specialty Embossing Enamel.

Here's all four cards!


Here's what I used to create this card:  


Recollections® Holly Day Wishes 6x6 Paper Pad
Kraft Cardstock
May Arts Ribbon®
Zip Dry™ Paper Glue by Beacon Adhesives
3D Foam Mounting Squares by 3L®

Here's what I did to create this card:

Stamp image with VersaMark™ ink pad, add embossing powder, tap off excess powder and heat image
Trim embossed image close to edge
Create an A2 card base with a tent fold
Trim patterned paper to fit as shown
Cut a piece of ribbon to fit across
Wrap ends of ribbon around to back of patterned paper and adhere
Adhere layer of patterned paper to card base
Using foam mounting squares, attach embossed image to card front


Here's what I used to create this card:

My Mind's Eye® 'Tis the Season 6x6 Designer Paper Pad
Parakeet Cardstock by Bazzill Basics Paper®
May Arts Ribbon®
Zip Dry™ Paper Glue by Beacon Adhesives
3D Foam Mounting Squares by 3L®

Here's what I did to create this card:

Stamp image with VersaMark™ ink pad, add embossing powder, tap off excess powder and heat image
Trim embossed image close to edge
Create an A2 card base with a tent fold
Trim patterned paper to fit as shown
Cut a piece of ribbon to fit across
Wrap ends of ribbon around to back of patterned paper and adhere
Adhere layer of patterned paper to card base
Using foam mounting squares, attach embossed image to card front


Here's what I used to create this card:

Crate Paper™ Bundled Up 6x6 Paper Pad
Peach Cardstock by Bazzill Basics Paper®
May Arts Ribbon®
Zip Dry™ Paper Glue by Beacon Adhesives
3D Foam Mounting Squares by 3L®

Here's what I did to create this card:

Stamp image with VersaMark™ ink pad, add embossing enamel, tap off excess powder and heat image
Trim embossed image close to edge
Create an A2 card base with a tent fold
Trim patterned paper to fit as shown
Cut a piece of ribbon to fit across
Wrap ends of ribbon around to back of patterned paper and adhere
Adhere layer of patterned paper to card base
Using foam mounting squares, attach embossed image to card front

This card is going into The Color Throwdown Challenge #358!

Here's what I used to create this card:

Pebbles™ Family Ties 6x6 Designer Paper Pad
Blue Cardstock by Bazzill Basics Paper®
May Arts Ribbon®
Zip Dry™ Paper Glue by Beacon Adhesives
3D Foam Mounting Squares by 3L®

Here's what I did to create this card:

Stamp image with VersaMark™ ink pad, add embossing powder, tap off excess powder and heat image
Trim embossed image close to edge
Create an A2 card base with a tent fold
Trim patterned paper to fit as shown
Cut a piece of ribbon to drop from top and dove-tail bottom end as shown, attach to card front
Wrap end of ribbon around to back of patterned paper and adhere
Adhere layers of patterned paper to card base
Using foam mounting squares, attach embossed image to card front

Here's a list of my teammates that are playing along today:


Thanks for stopping by today!  Hope you enjoyed my fast and easy Christmas cards and maybe they've inspired you to make some of your own!  Have a great Labor Day weekend for those of you in the U.S.A.!

Hugs,
Lea