Loving Hybrid Cards!!!

Can you believe that November is almost over?  EEK!!!  Don't even ask me about Christmas.  I am definitely not ready to deal with that yet lol!  I am still grieving over the extra weight I've put on over the past month or so :(  Part of me says, 'Well, just wait until after Christmas because you know you'll want to eat all of those goodies' - then the other part of me is screaming, 'But you are a fat pig... how do you think you're gonna fit into your jeans if you keep eating like this?'  ARRGGGH!!! LOL!!!

On a much brighter note, I'm so happy for my son who is enjoying working at his new job.  I do believe it's a good fit for him.  I can see him 'blossoming' which is a very good thing.  Depression runs in both mine and my hubby's families.  My son has struggled also, so to see him thriving does my heart good : )

As a kind of disclosure, I want to say that I love all of those gorgeous paper pads (believe me, I have more than my share!).  Susana carries tons of awesome 6x6 paper pads HERE.  However, sometimes I find that using digi papers are fun!  For this particular project, I already had the paper printed and the colors fit so well - I just had to use it!

As in most of my cards, I began by stamping Dawn's Fairy by Susana Loves Stamps with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and coloring with Copics (you can find Shin Han Markers HERE).  Dawn's Fairy comes from the Mythical Reflections Collection HERE.  I gave her eyes some shine with Transparent Gloss Gel and a bit of sparkle with Stardust Stickles.  Here's where the difference comes in...

Because I wanted to try out Art Anthology Gelate in Splashed on her wings, and because I didn't want to cover such a large area with Stickles, I opted for the Gelate.  I also outlined the wings with Stardust Stickles.  In my opinion... the best of both worlds : )

The image is popped up using foam dimensionals over Nitwit digi papers.  I left the Garden Corner dies by SCACD white which kind of gives an embossed look with the light background.  They are accented with rhinestones.  The heart is a print and cut using my Cameo and Silhouette software.  Obviously, it would have been easier to get out my heart punch, but I already had these (unused from another project) so I popped on a Papertrey sentiment and tied a bow with twine - done!

Have a wonderful, crafty day!

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

Creating a Garden Scene

Hi again :D  Are you as surprised as I am that I'm back so soon? LOL!  I think my little vacation made a difference in my mojo!  I've been enjoying watching football with my hubby.  When I decided that I was going to try to understand the game, I realized that it was actually fun - imagine that :D  I am now an official 49er fan!!!  I am so excited about the possibilities with Kaepernick.  He's done great the last two games (his firsts as QB).  He's from Turlock, CA which is close to where I live, so of course I gotta cheer him on!!!

Today I'd like to share with you a card I made using Butterfly Kisses by Elisabeth Bell for SCACD.  She's from the Sampler #8 Collection which you can find HERE.

I began by stamping her with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink (refills HERE) and coloring with Copics (ShinHans HERE). As usual, I've accented her with both Stardust Stickles and Transparent Gloss Gel.  I decided I wanted to create a garden scene with her, so she's cut out (not very well, so don't look too close lol!).

For my background, I started with watercolor paper I had tucked away.  I used a Mister to wet the entire piece and began painting the sky with Silks Acrylic Glaze in Sky Blue, adding water and Wild Blueberry Mica Powder as needed.  LOVE LOVE LOVE these mica powders!!! While that was drying, I cut out the clouds, fence (Susana has dies HERE, HERE, and HERE), flowers and grass (Silhouette files) which I left on the Cameo sticky mat so I could easily color them in with Copics.  Oh... I painted the fence with Oyster Silks!

The Classic Corners dies by SCACD were already cut out from another project I thought I'd use, but didn't... but they were RED, so I took out my trusty 3D Stamp Paint in Rose (LOVE LOVE LOVE 3D Stamp Paint too!!!) and sponged two quick drying coats over them.  Voila'!  Bet you couldn't tell they were red before... could you?

Using ScraPerfect Best Glue Ever is a dream for me... really!  It holds so well with only a small amount.  The applicator will deliver just a tiny dot if that's all I need!  Look at the corner dies... there's not a lot of paper for big globs of glue to smoosh out - this is a perfect example of how well Best Glue Ever works.  It doesn't wrinkle the paper either - yep... a dream :D

Tip:  In case you didn't see my tip from yesterday... I discovered that using a pencil eraser (in my case a white eraser on a disposable mechanical pencil) worked very well at cleaning up a little bit of oops! glue I got too close to the edge while layering papers.

Oh... in case you're wondering, that cute li'l butterfly also comes with the image.  Isn't it adorable?

Challenges Entered:
Pile It On - Anything But a Christmas Card
Simon Says - Anything Goes
Pause Dream Enjoy - Anything Goes
Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes

Thank you, my friends, for visiting.  You know that I love you!!!

See you soon ♥

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

Hybrid Card with E. Bell for SCACD

Hey friends!  I've missed you...  I decided to make the entire Thanksgiving week a vacation for me.  I didn't really do much - a couple of days I even stayed in my jammies :D  However, I did get a couple of projects finished while my belly was stuffed with all the traditional Thanksgiving Day goodies!

Today I'd like to show you a fun card I made using both digital and traditional supplies.  I began by stamping Who's Me by Elisabeth Bell for SCACD with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and coloring with my fave Copic Markers (ShinHan's can be found HERE).  Who's Me is from Sampler #8 which is a fabulous collection!  This sweet image is accented with Stardust Stickles (which I can not live without!) and Transparent Gloss Gel on her shoes and eyes for that shine   : )

Since I had time to clean up my craft room a bit, I was able to get to my sewing machine - yay!!!  The image, layered over a Nitwit digi paper, was sewn around the edges.  I've also sewn a zigzag pattern over the background digi papers.  (Don't have a sewing machine?  Try the Sew Easy HERE).  I used Photoshop Elements to print the paper and my Cameo to print and cut the cute li'l flowerpot and heart.

*Tip #1:  I've just recently discovered both Epson Presentation Paper 44lb. and HP Matte Brochure Paper 48lb.  It makes a HUGE difference in the quality of the digi prints!  As you can see, the colors are bright and (I think) you can't tell that these are not 'real' lol!  You know what I mean... I didn't cut them from a paper pad, but printed them from a digital file : )

In case you are wondering if I'm a paper pad hater... fear not!  In fact I LOVE 'em!!!  I'll be showing you some NEW from the store at the end of this post!

To give the flowerpot a little more dimension, I layered the pot twice and covered it with Transparent Gloss Gel; then layered the flower three times and gave it a Stardust Stickles center.  It's popped up with foam dimensionals.  My fave Best Glue Ever was used to adhere the rest of the card.

*Tip #2:  I have found that using a regular pencil eraser works great at cleaning up any extra glue that got where I didn't want it!  I tried the Adhesive Pick-up HERE which works great for other adhesives, but for the Best Glue Ever, try an eraser (you're welcome!) lol.

The sentiment is from My Time Made Easy and the gorgeous lace-rose ribbon I picked up from Hobby Lobby.

Challenges Entered:
Pile It On - Anything But a Christmas Card
Cute Card Thursday - Girls Only
Totally PaperCrafts - All Stitched Up
Loves Rubberstamps - Fun with Ribbon
One Crazy Stamper - Anything Goes
Inky Impressions - Make it Girly

New Products You'll Want to See!!!

• New 6x6 Paper Pads- Bazzill, Simple Stories and more- HERE!
• Newest Distress Stains- HERE!
• New Artistcellar 6x6 Stencils- HERE!
• New Spellbinders D-Lites- HERE!
• New Stamping Bella Uptown Girl stamps-HERE!
• New Make It Crafty Chipboard- HERE!

So happy to be back... I hope to visit you soon too!

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

Come Play with Me at SCACD!!!

Welcome to a new week!  Did you have a good weekend?  I spent all day Saturday in my jammies :)  It felt so good to kick back and play a little in my craft room.  I also made some yummy bread in my bread machine.  I love fresh baked bread... just smell that delicious aroma - ummmmm...

Did you miss Susana last week?  I sure did!  But TODAY the store is open-open- open... *nose pressed against the glass window* :)  Yay!  Susana has geared up and is ready for business with a ton of FUN!!!

Feast your eyes on these new goodies:

• New 6x6 paper pads- Jillibean, Memory Box, Pink Paislee and many more- 
• New Dylusions Products
• New Memory Box dies
• Cool new Couture Creations embossing folders

I also have a cute li'l card for ya - imagine that!  This sweetie was made for a precious soon-to-be 7 year-old.  For her birthday party, she is going to dress up as The Little Mermaid!  Isn't that cute?

It's hard to see, but I've used a photo of her quilt to piece a quilt background using Square Swatches Nesties... I wanted this card to be personal and extra special :)  I do hope that she likes it!

This is Elania by Sylvia Zet for SCACD.

She's colored with copics:  Hair - E35 E33 E31 E50 YR21 YR20; Skin E11 E00 E000; Greens - G85 G82 G40 C4; Pinks - RV34 RV32 RV10 RV00 RV000; Purples - BV04 BV02 BV01 BV00 C4; Rock - E55 E53 E51 E50 C4.  Susana now has Shinhan Markers Here.  I've embellished the bubbles and parts of Elania's body with Stardust Stickles.

After coloring and die cutting using Rectangle Nesties I covered the whole piece with Ice Silks Acrylic Glaze.  I'll have a photo below so you can hopefully see the shimmer this NEW glaze has.  As you can see, it's transparent, so your beautiful work will shine through :)

I made extra bubbles using Transparent Gloss Gel (also for her eyes).  I love this gel!  It holds it's shape and in the right light, you can see the sparkle through it!  Awesome product!

I know you can't see it here, but I also gave the swirl a couple of coats of Ice Silks.  It's not overpowering, but gives quite a nice shimmer.  To that, I added more 'bubbles' with the Gloss Gel.

She's popped up with dimensionals, but everything else is put together with ScraPerfect Best Glue Ever.  Yes, I will say it again, this really IS the BEST GLUE EVER!  I've never used glue to put a card together... until recently when Susana brought in Best Glue Ever.  Here's why I love it:

• You only need a small amount to hold your layers together - a little goes a long way.
• It does NOT wrinkle the paper... at all!
• It dries clear and is flexible. I've used glues in the past that crack and crumble :(
• Depending on the card, I have used approximately 5 feet of adhesive - for 1 card!  That adds up to a lot of adhesive and a lot of money.  When I try to skimp, I find things don't hold as well...
• I can position my paper and adjust it as necessary.  Can't do that with adhesive without ripping your paper!
• I don't have to reload a difficult 'gun' - believe me, that saves me a TON of time lol!
• It's just plain convenient!  I'm gonna buy stock in this stuff :)

Best Glue Ever

Here's the photo that shows the shimmer on everything.  I hope you can see it on the white.  The Ice Silks gives it an elegant look!

See?  Everything is good and stuck on the card base!  Even the heavier ribbon topped charm and pin are not going anywhere lol!

I hope you've enjoyed a peek at what I've been creating lately.  I will soon have some links for ya so you can see more NEW coming up for SCACD!!!  Tell Susana that I sent ya :)

I love you, my sweet friends ♥

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

Do You Love Shoes?

Hello sweet friends!  I'm so glad you're here : D  It's been a very rough week...  One thing I've learned though is that no matter what we go through, there is ALWAYS something we can smile about.  Maybe I'm not happy at the moment, but if I look hard enough, I will begin to see that I am truly blessed.

How 'bout you?  Are you making a conscious choice to treat yourself as you would treat others?  I know that sounds backwards, but aren't we usually harder and more critical on ourselves than we are on others?  How many times have we gone out of our way to help a friend?  Let's begin to be more kind to OURSELVES : D

I declare today to be...  'Be Nice to Yourself Day' ... and the next one.... and the next one... and the next... hee hee!

Do you love shoes?  Does the thought of going shopping for shoes bring excitement?  Be nice to yourself today!  Is shoe shopping not in the budget?  Window 'shoe' shopping is free... and then maybe lunch with a friend is in the budget : D  As for me... I pretty much wear the same shoes everyday.  I begin the day going to the gym, so more times than not, you'll find me in a pair of sneakers!  But I do love getting together with a dear friend every day for coffee/tea/friendship ♥

Today's image is 'If the Shoe Fits' by Victoria Case for SCACD from The Fairylicious Collection.  You can find her, as well as her fairy friends *Here.*

She is overjoyed that her new shoes fit... and who doesn't love a comfortable pair of shoes???  She's stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and colored with the following copics: RV34 RV32 RV11 RV10 RV00; G24 G21 G40 BG000 BG0000; W7 W6 W5 W4 W3 W1 E50; E11 E00 E000; E49 E59 E25 E53.

To achieve the transparent, but sparkly appearance to her wings, I used Transparent Gloss Gel with Glamour Dust sprinkled on top.  Both sets of eyes, shoes and bottom of the shell also received a nice coat of gloss gel.  One thing I like about the gloss gel vs Diamond Glaze is the control-ability.  Both have great applicators, but the gloss gel is thicker and gives a more dimensional quality.  I suppose you could use multiple coats of Diamond glaze, but for smaller areas, I still prefer Transparent Gloss Gel - I really do!

Gorgeous dp is from the Kaisercraft Bonjour paper pad.  The top two layers have been distressed with Spun Sugar Distress Ink as well as the doily peeking out under the tulle I used as ribbon.  I LOVE tulle : D

Guess what I haven't used in a while?  My PINK (Rose) Paper Pen!  I discovered that I have two of these for some reason...  Do you love PINK???  Anybody want to WIN my 'other' Rose Viva Decor Paper Pen?

The first person letting me know by leaving a comment 

on this post only, WINS!  

Warning:  You may have to wrestle it out of my hands first lol!  

Here's a better view of the shiny parts from the gloss gel : )

See that cute lil tag?  I stamped the sentiment (Hero Arts) with Black Onyx VersaFine Ink Pad, distressed with Spun Sugar, a couple of paper pen pearls and tied on using Sew Easy Floss in 'Princess' Pink.  Can you believe that I actually used my Cricut (woot woot!!!) to cut out the tag?   My dusty old Cricut is seeing more use lately!  Have you entered my Cricut Cartridge Giveaway?  You can find the post *Here.*

Susana has a nice variety of Memory Box dies.  There is a Classic Tags set (currently out of stock *sad face*) one tag is similar to the size and style I used on this card.  You can find it *Here.*  Check out the other cool designs *Here.*

Because the base layer of dp is textured and slick, I've used Scor-Tape to adhere the middle layer to the bottom layer - AND because the tulle makes the bottom layer bulkier, as I've wrapped the ends behind the paper, I've also used Scor-Tape to adhere the layers to the card base. 

New Product Alert!

Crafters' Workshop Stencils (Some designed by Victoria Case!!!)

NEW 2012 Copic Markers - 12 piece set

Thanks for stopping by : D

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~