Sunday, March 30, 2014

Spring Card

Hello, lets welcome Spring early and see if that melts the snow on my street.

 Here is a card designed to do just that, Cupcake Inspirations have the perfect color challenge to bring on spring.  Visit  the Cupcake Inspiration Challenge # 254,  and have fun being part of the community.




Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Ann Butler Designs & Unity Stamp Co.

Create something beautiful today.  That is my challenge for you.  To-day, I have made a ribbon cuff featuring Ann Butler Designs Unity Stamps.  This fun project takes me back to a beach day with weathered finds along the beach and being creative with what you have when you and your best friend at 13 years old spent a day at the beach.

Here I have collected my supplies and got started with custom designing my clay buttons with Ann Butler Unity Stamps.

The clay buttons were made from Makins Clay, a no bake polymer clay.

I rolled out the clay, cut tiny squares of clay and squeezed the clay between two of the Ann Butler Unity stamps for a rustic imprint of the pattern design.  Dried my clay buttons overnight before inking.

I iinked my buttons with Ann Butler Designs Clearsnap Colorbox Ink and stamped my ribbons with the 1" Unity Stamps.  Embellishing my doily lace cuff with May Arts Ribbons and clay buttons took me back to those summer days at the beach.

I have worn my "Empowering Ribbon Cuff" while designing in my studio to bring me lots of inspiration for projects that I am creating.  It seems to be a magical bracelet for creativity.
 Ann Butler Designs Supplies
1" Unity Stamp Co., Leaves all over
Clearsnap Colorbox Ink

Other Supplies


Saturday, March 22, 2014

Spring Card with Core'dinations

Spring brings thoughts of new buds and greenery and that is the sign we all look for to indicate the beginning of a wonderful time of year.  My CAS card has been embossed using the Couture Creations embossing folder from the Fresh and Fun collection, Magical and Sizzix Flourish folder.
Gather some supplies and this CAS card will come together quickly.

 I used Core Essentials Pastels Collection pack for this card.  Embossed and lightly sanded with my Sand it Gadget. Gently dust off my sanded cardstock with my Dust Buddy and you will reveal the light tones of the inner core.
Stamp your sentiment and image onto a die cut label, adhere with some Helmar's Zap Dots onto the card to give some dimension to your card.  Embellish with some rhinestones and ribbon and your CAS card is ready to go.
Core'dinations Supplies
Core'dinations Core Essentials Pastel Collection
Sand it Gadget and  Dusty Buddy 
Other supplies
Embossing folders:  Sizzix and Couture Creations
Spellbinders die
May Arts Ribbon
Want2Scrap
Helmar Adhesives

Friday, March 21, 2014

EZ-De' Stamps by Ann Butler

Hello and Welcome to another creative day of card making.  I would like to share a card today showcasing a borderless stamp by Ann Butler Designs.  I used the EZ-De's Easy Design Elements by Kellycraft stamp.

I used the 1" Rail Fence Set to anchor my die cut window onto my card.  This Rail Fence Stamp Set has unlimited options and I really enjoy the 7" length to the design of this bar code type of stamp.  The 7" truly gives a great deal of flexibility from card to layout and off the page stamping opportunities.
So, lets get start with this card tutorial.  I usually collect all of my supplies after some testing of ink colors with paper colors and sentiment greetings.  Once I feel happy that they will all work I get stated with a sketch and its like magic putting the card together.

I die cut my window using the Spellbinders ### die.  I selected Core'dinations Cardstock from the Whitewash Collection and used the A2 card from the Core Card Pastel collection in the Dahlia color.  Edge distressed my white mat and sanded the matt to have the inner core show through the white wash.  I flipped another mat over and used the colored side as my front panel for stamping.


To start with I decided to take out my Kellycraft ruler which I have had in my tool cupboard  for a while and thought this would work well with the Ann Butler Designs border-less stamps.


Got things line up and inked up my stamp with Ann Butlers ColorBox Crafter's Lilac Ink.
Next I got out my Westcott Brand Scissors and improvised the matching 2 flowers blooms.  I had to take one bloom apart and create a bud and smaller bloom from the original.  Cutting the wire with Westcott Brand scissors worked well.

Once my Ann Butler 1" Rail Fence stamped impression dried I was able to stamp an image and sentiment onto the card and embellish my card.   Here is a final look at the finished card featuring the 1" EZ-De's stamp by Ann Butler.

Ann Butler Designs Supplies

EZ-De's Kelly Craft 1" Rail Fence Stamp
Color Box Crafter's Ink

Other Supplies
Core'dinations Whitewash collection; A2 Core Card  base
Kellycraft Laser Square
Tombow Mono Liquid Glue and Xtreme tape runner
Zva Creative Crystals
May Arts Ribbon
Spellbinders 
Maya Road stick pins




Thursday, March 20, 2014

Signs of Spring with Core'dinations

Here today to share a CAS spring card with you.  

The Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Seasonal Impressions is a great pack of paper to create cards with.  Find the pre-printed sentiment on the cardstock sheet, size the greeting to your card size and you can make a quick card without touching any ink.  

 Sand lightly with your Sand it Gadget and clean your sentiment using the Dust Buddy.

Punch out an embellishment using your Marvy Uchida Clever Lever Silhouette and Embossing punch, SE-E02 Heart Butterfly and add a bit of ribbon. I punched my butterfly from the Spotted Collection, Jillian Vavavoom color.

Core'dinations Cardstock supplies

Tim Holtz and Ranger Adirondack Collection, Stonewashed 
Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Seasonal Impressions, Spring/Easter 
Spotted Jillian Collection, Vavavoom color 

Other Supplies

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Butterflies

Butterflies are symbols of transformation through the process of metamorphosis. Butterflies are also symbolic of faith since its many transformations act as transitions in people's lives.  March is a time when weather starts to change no matter where you are on this globe we call the world.
Butterfly front
I am  looking  forward to the change in weather and remember the butterflies will soon be presenting summer months for many of us.
Helmar's 450 Quick Dry Adhesive worked perfectly for this delicant embellished layout.
Butterfly 450
I also used Helmar's Acid Free Glue for the die cut embellishments.
Butterfly closeup
The Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive allow's designers to hold the embellishments in place for a short time and the Adhesive sets the embellishments giving the butterflies the appearance of flight.
Supplies
Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive
Helmar Acid Free Glue
Core'dinations Cardstock, Black Magic and Chocolate Box
Darice Gemstones
Quickkuts die
Spellbinders die

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Scrap365 March 2014 Sketch Challenge

Scrap365 is a UK based magazine for enthusiastic scrapbookers and I would like to share a layout that I created with some of my favorite products for the Scrap 365 March 2014 sketch challenge.  Be sure to visit Scrap 365 for great inspirational creations showcased by the Design Team at Scrap 365.

I have showcased some lovely designed, well cut chipboard from ScrapFX on this layout.  Be sure to visit ScrapFX and become a member of their community.

I painted the chipboard with winter white paint, stamped a design onto the dried paint and then applied a crackle medium to give the title and compass a worn weathered look.

I have a few favorite pattern paper companies and one of them is Maja Designs. MajaDesign Corp is situated in Uddevalla, Sweden.  I had the pleasure of meeting owner, Marie at CHA this past  January and Marie is as sweet as her designed paper collections.  Here I am creating with the Vintage Spring Basics collection. Be sure to become a member of the Maja Designs community and get some of their beautiful pattern papers for your works of art.


The base of my layout as well as my embossed strips of colored cardstock is by Core'dinations Cardstock.  Be sure to visit Core'dinations Cardstock.  The Design Team really know how to design beautiful projects showcasing the inner colored core of this quality cardstock.  Here I have embossed several different collections by Core'dinations.  (Gemstone, Whitewash, Black Magic, Distressed and Vintage). I have demonstrated 2 techniques using Core'dinations Cardstock; Distressing and Antiquing.  Visit Core'dinations Cardstock and watch the video's which teach crafters all kinds of techniques.

Zva Creative crystals.........
Love Zva!!  I met the owner and one of the designers while I was a CHA this past January.  I suggested that I would love to be on their design team since my name is Ava, the family likes the name Ava  and I could easily change the spelling of my name to Eva, Zva whatever works.  (smile)

One last look at my many layered layout, which was inspired from the Scrap 365 March Sketch.


Enjoy your visit to some of my favorite industry leaders in the hobby and craft industry.


Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Coredinations Handmade Gift

To-day, I would like to share something new that has caught my eye and I hope to experiment with in the new year.  Jewelry making is an unlimited vast area of artistry that could lead to many journeys of happiness.
I want to share my Core'dinations Cardstock beads with you and show how you could make your own gift for someone special.
                                       I have created a bracelet from Core'dinations Cardstock.

Collect your supplies and lets get started.  You can make beads with all types of materials and for today, I will share my Core'dinations Cardstock version.  I used 2 types of paper strips:  1 at 7.5 " and the other a tapered strip at 5.5". Each strip of paper started out at 1/2" wide.

Then the experimental step is next.  You can play with the size of cardstock bead you want and the type of tool you use to roll your bead with.  I used knitting needles at size 9 or with a smaller diameter.  Start with 1 strip and glue it down, then add the tapered strip of paper over top ending with the tapered end as you finish rolling the paper.

                                 Roll and glue your beads, add an eyelet if you wish and some glitter.

Design your bracelet and string your beads and embellishments onto elastic cord or a string of choice.
The possibilities are endless.  Enjoy the process, experiment and start making a stash of beads that will always been on hand for a quick gift giving surprise to someone.


Supply and Tool List

Core'dinations Cardstock Pastel Collection
Helmar Adhesive
May Arts Ribbon
Eyelets, Elastic cord and Beads
Knitting needle

Thursday, March 6, 2014

C'est Magnifique Kits

Join owner Lesley and her  community of wonderful designers that showcase C'est Magnifique Kits.  You will find quality kits that are organized colorfully and precisely to give your layouts a WOW presentation.
Hope to see you participate in the C'est Magnifique Community.  All the best!

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Core'dinations Good Luck

I am here to share a card with you that will bring Good Luck to your precipitant.  I have wanted to try out making faux washi tape strips for cards and this presentation should show you how quick washi tape strips can be made using your little end cuts of Core'dinations Cardstock.

Visit the Core'dinations Cardstock Blog today and you will find many designs by the design team to give you plenty of inspiration.


Find some complementary colors that will blend well and try out different embossing folders for an interesting textural feel to the card.  A gentle sanding with your Sand it Gadget and a clean wipe with your Dust Buddy will result in some great looking faux washi tape. 
Add some embellishments and your have a CAS card ready in your stash for any congratulatory event.


Core'dinations Supplies
Signature Series Graphic 45 Collection
Gemstones Collection
Core Essentials Collection
Sand It Gadget and Dust Buddy
Helmar Adhesive and Sizzix embossing Folders.


Saturday, March 1, 2014

Ann Butler Designs & Unity Stamps Be Inspired Challenge

Hello, welcome to my blog on this very cold March 1st.  There is a weather saying, "In like a lion, out like a lamb".  I think my geographical area is coming in like a Lion!  Yippee, that means is going to be a gentle entrance into April............thank you weather man!

Since its bitter cold, I thought I would share a   1- layered card showcasing Ann Butler Designs Quilting Stamps by Unity Stamp Co.  Well, it is bitter cold, so the word quilt quickly bring the thought of warmth and coziness.

Unity is having a  Color # 13 Challenge and here is my card wishing spring to be here soon.


Here is a picture of the supplies used for the CAS card.  Check out the ink colors from Clearsnap.

Ann Butler Designs Crafter's Ink by Clearsnap is a special formulated ink by Clearsnap which features a slow drying time with the need for heat setting.  Crafter's Ink is a great product for more than just papers.

 I added a Unity Stamps Co. sentiment and some button's to complete the CAS card to warm up this March Lion.

Ann Butler Designs Supplies

1Doily  Picnic stamps
1"  Stripes, Dots, Hearts stamps
Clearsnap Colorbox Crafter's Ink

Other

Core'dinations 110 lb Cardstock
Buttons
Helmar Tacky Glue