October Flavor of the Month Collection 4

Made some cards from this collection today, just quick and easy cards using the sentiments on one of the sheets of patterned paper that were included.  I used the patterned paper included, matting some of it with the included red card stock.  I cut out some of the sentiments and used that for my focal point in all of the cards.  Super simple, super fast.  I believe it only took about 30 minutes to make all four cards!  I like how these cards turned out, and really like how quick and easy they were to make!

More cards from the October Flavor of the Month Kit

After making the cards from Collection 1, which I wasn't particularly fond of, I made a couple of cards from Collection 2.  This Collection had my favorite paper in it, so I used it in my cards.  I really liked how these cards came out!  I used Sketch 2, more or less, when I made these cards.  I used a piece of the red card stock that was included in the kit for the background, leaving a little of the white card base showing around the edges.  I cut the patterned paper 3 inches by 4.25 inches, and centered it on the red.  I used added some of the gold glitter tape that was included in the Banana Split kit along the bottom of the card front.  I stamped a sentiment from the add on stamp set in the Banana Split kit on a circle cut from a scrap of white card stock, and used a scrap of green from my stash to cut a scallop circle to mat the sentiment.  I attached it with foam tape to the card front.

 

I liked how the card turned out so much, I used the same sketch for my next cards from Collection 3.This time, I turned the card base to make a top fold card, and used two papers from the Collection on the front.  I stamped the otter image and sentiment from the stamp set that was a part of the Collection, and colored with my Copic markers.  I  used some of the included green card stock to make the scalloped circle matting behind it.

I think these turned out pretty nicely, too.  My husband even thought these were cute.  All in all, pretty happy with the cards I made today!

The October Flavor of the Month Kit from Scrapping for Less arrived

This kit had some very nice Christmas themed papers and stamps in it!  When I was laying out the 4 Collections and the extras for the photo, I accidentally switched the stamp sets in the two right hand collections, just in case anyone noticed it wasn't right. 












I made two cards from Collection 1, using some of the included card stock, a couple of the papers, and some of the ephemera that was included.  I also used one of the sketches that were suggested for this month, Sketch 3.  The only thing I used from my stash for the card front was the ribbon going from top to bottom of the card.  These are not my favorite cards, as I was trying something out of my comfort zone, using multiple paper and the ephemera on top.  I think it is a little too busy looking for my taste, but I showed it to a couple of people who really seem to like them.

Another card from the August Flavor of the Month Kit

Another of the collections from this kit included a camping theme.  I loved the canoes and paddles papers that were included!  The card practically made itself, it came together so easily!

This one was a fun card to make, and will be an excellent birthday card for any of the guys in my life!  I started off by making my card base from white card stock, and rounding all of the corners. I cut some blue card stock from my stash a bit smaller, and also rounded the corners.

I cut a strip of the beige paddles paper included in the kit, matted it with brown cardstock, and attached it to the lower front of the card.

I cut some blue canoe paper into a small rectangle, rounded the corners and matted it with brown card stock, also.  I attached to card front with foam tape.  I then fussy cut one of the sayings from another of the papers included in the kit, and also adhered it with foam tape.

Second Flavor of the Month kit arrived

This was the August kit, there was some lovely house paper included in one of the collections this time, so I had to make a thinking of you card.


Started by making a card base from the white card stock, and a card front cut 1/2 inch smaller from red card stock. Then, from the Collection 4 papers, I cut a large banner from a yellowish paper that had a lot of family type sayings on it, and adhered it to the center left of the card front.  I cut 3 small banners from the blue card stock, and cut a rectangle from printed paper with houses. I matted the houses in an orange, attached the 3 banners to the back, and added to the front with foam tape.  Stamped thinking about you from a stamp set I already owned.

Loved how this one came out.  Still debating with myself on whether I should add some of the included sequins, or if that would be too much. I'm pretty sure I'm going to add the sequins...

New Card Kit--Flavor of the Month

While cruising the internet, came across Scrapping for Less website.  They had a monthly card kit available, which I had to try out.  They call it the flavor of the month kit.  A unique feature to this card kit is that it comes in different levels.

With the basic level, Single Scoop Sundae, you get 4 collections (4 little baggies).  Each collection includes 6 sheets of 6x6 paper, with a different theme.  Sometimes a small stamp set is included with each, or a larger stamp set that coordinates with all of the collections. The Single Scoop also includes 8 sheets of cardstock, that coordinates with the 4 collections, plus 4 envelopes.

The next level is the Double Dip Sundae, which includes the above, plus embellishments for each collection.  The Deluxe Sundae adds a word die that can be used with the collections.

The final level is the Banana Split  includes all of the above, and adds an ink cube, and something extra, like a stencil, or canvas tags, a sentiment stamp.  This is the level I chose to try out the kit.

My first kit arrived, July Flavor of the Month Collection. Collection 1 included a carousel stamp, and circus papers, which I immediately decided to make a card with.  Using the included white card stock, I made my card base, and then used some of the red card stock cut to 5x3.75 for my card front. I cut a 3.25x4.5 rectangle from some multi-colored diamond paper, which I added to the bottom of the red background.

I then cut a section of a circus background paper and some of the while card stock 2x2.25, and cut 2.5x2.75  of the black polka dot paper and a blue tone on tone paper.  Stamped the white with the carousel stamp, and matted it with the blue.  I also matted the circus paper with the polka dot.  Attached the two rectangles at an angle to the card front.  Stamped Happy Birthday from a stamp from my stash for the inside.  Very happy with the way it came out.

Creative Expressions Hummingbird die

Got a new die, and really fell in love with it!

I made three backgrounds with watercolor paper and Distress Oxide inks.  I then die cut the hummingbird stained glass die. I had some pre-made cards from Michael's, and used them as my card base.  The card fronts added a nice color around the black, although the one on the top right covers most of the beige sea shell design.  The other two added another element to the cards that I really liked.

Another card from the Hero of the month kit

Still working with the stamps in that kit!  The background of this card is watercolor paper dipped in Distress Oxide inks that were stamped on my craft mat and then spritzed with water.  Love the way these turn out!  The watercolor was matted with black cardstock.

I stamped the trees, man, and sentiment, using my MISTI, with Momento Tuxedo Black ink, a couple of time for good coverage.  I then die cut the tree from black card stock, and attached using foam tape.  Lots of very small pieces of foam tape!

Another card that I really love!

Crazy bird cards!

I had some watercolor backgrounds that I wanted to use, and came across these Tim Holtz Crazy Birds I had colored and die cut several weeks (months?) ago.  I dug out a set or two of my sentiment stamps, and got busy.  I stamped the sentiments using my MISTI, and stamped them all twice to make them nice and dark.

I matted each watercolor background with solid colored card stock, and attached to front of card base.  I then used a strong adhesive to attach each bird to the watercolor background.  I think they turned out pretty cute!

Another day with the Hero of the Month kit

I changed it up a little today, stamped a tiger from one of the extra stamps I added on when I ordered the Hero of the Month kit.  I cut him out using the matching die, and attached him with foam tape to the card.

For the background, I stamped some of my Distress Oxide inks on my craft mat, sprayed with a good deal of water, and smooshed my watercolor paper on it.  I cut the watercolor paper down to 5 inches by 3.75, matted with black card stock, and attached to card front. Then I added the tiger.

I liked the way this background turned out.  I made several other backgrounds while I was at it, ready to be made into cards!

Hero Arts Hero of the Month Kit

Wow!  I love this card kit--the stamps are great!














The first card I made was fairly simple.  I made a background with distress oxide inks, then stamped a scene with several of the stamps included in the kit.  I think it turned out pretty awesome!  I added a sentiment from the set to the bottom of the card front.

Since the first one came out so well, I made a second one, using different colors and different stamps.  I really liked this one, too!

Sparkle and Shine Day 5--Embellishment Mousse

In this lesson presented by Stephanie Klauck, I learned something I didn't know.  I have a lot of Stickles, and basically I just use them for accent dots, or for a little glitter highlight on something.  I found out you can squeeze some out on your craft mat, and use a palette knife and spread them through a stencil.  I think they will get a lot more use, now that I learned that little tidbit! 

However, I chose to make a card using the ideas presented in the third video, presented by Shari Carroll, who used embellishing paste applied with an ink blending tool through a stencil.  I've recently purchased some Nuvo Embellishing Paste, and have used it a few times, applying it through stencils with a palette knife which added a lot of texture, or using my finger, which was messy and harder than I thought it would be. 






I was amazed at how easy it was with the blending tool.  Just a couple of dabs into the paste, and it went onto the card front smoothly and easily.  It was much easier to blend it, too.

I was delighted with the results, and made it into a "Thinking of You" card. 

Day Four--Perfect Pearls

I was happy to see that one of the classes was going to be about using Perfect Pearls.  I've had a couple of sets for several years, but was never confident enough to use them.  Finally, Day Four, and we have a video lesson on using them.  Wow, so much easier than I thought, I guess I should have just started when I got them.  Oh, well.

I had a background stamp which I thought would look pretty sharp in Perfect Pearls, so started covering the stamp with the Perfect Medium that came with the kit.  Thought it was going pretty well, until I stamped.  There wasn't full coverage, but I was using my MISTI, so I started to add more Perfect Medium to the stamp, when I noticed tiny flakes of something yellowish.  The pad was disintegrating, and the glue wasn't as sticky as it should be.  I tried to use it as it was, and it wasn't horrible, but there were spots where the Perfect Pearls didn't stick well.  I guess you have to actually use your supplies before they start deteriorating.  The Perfect Pearls themselves seem to be okay, and the brushes are great, but I'm definitely going to have to get new glue of some type.  

So, in spite of a few problems, I got a card made.  I don't like the way the sentiment came out, and I will be replacing it, but not tonight.  I have to think a bit on what I want to do.  So, here is the card, as is, with plenty of room for improvement, but I think it will eventually be a pretty nice card.

A Little More Glitter and Foil

While watching the Jennifer McGuire's video on using gilding flakes, and how she used a "hello" die cut on a piece of sticky paper before adding the flakes, it occurred to me that possibly peel-off stickers would also work.

My gilding flakes haven't arrived yet, but I thought I would try attaching a sticker to some glitter paper and coloring the inside design (coloring on glitter paper was taught in an earlier class).  I grabbed a sheet of stickers (Dazzles Vintage Cars Stickers from Hot off the Press), and stuck it on a small piece leftover silver glitter paper.  It stuck on very well, after a little burnishing, and then I colored in the car body with my Copics.  The color dried much lighter than it went on, so I had to go over the red again with a darker red, because the first time the card turned out pink.

I then foiled another Foil Mates background. I had a lot of trouble with that, first trying one foil that didn't melt to the background, even doing it a couple of times.  Then I tried another foil, to see if a different brand would work better.  Still nothing, so cut another sheet of the background to try that.  Nothing.  Then I tried it again, this time adding an additional sheet of card stock in the stack before running it through the laminator.  Did better, so I ran it through again.  Finally, success!  I don't know what the problem was, didn't have any trouble earlier in the week when I did it.  When I used the leftover silver foil on a sheet of toner card, I had to do it three times, and there were still little spots that didn't take the foil.  I put the sentiment over the worst of it.

All in all, I was pleased with how the card came out.  I liked the idea of using the stickers, even though I'm not a big fan of fussy cutting, and I think it turned out pretty well. Sorry abut the photo, it was the best one, even though I am semi-reflected in the background.

Day 3 of Sparkle & Shine!

Running a little behind in the class, but I'll have the weekend to catch up.  Today lesson was about liquid applications.  Kristina Werner presented a video on Nuvo drops and Shimmer pens. 

I received a new card kit today, and was eager to try it out.  It was the Hero Arts My Monthly Hero kit, and it featured mermaids and sea life.  Perfect for a little bit of shimmer!

I started off by using the included ocean waves stencil, blending the three Hero Arts inks that were included in the kit.  I then went over it again with a light blend of the lightest ink, as the white areas looked a bit too stark for my liking.  After I was done with that, I got out my Imagine Crafts Frost Shimmer Spray and gave it a light coat to add some sparkle and interest. 

I stamped the mermaid sitting on a rock, and three of the little starfish in Momento Tuxedo Black ink, and colored them with my Copic markers.  After they were colored, I added some sparkle with my Wink of Stella Clear Shimmer Brush. 

I stamped a sentiment from the kit on the card front in one of the included inks, then die cut the mermaid and starfish with the matching dies.  One starfish was attached flat to the front, while the other two and the mermaid were added with foam tape for dimension. 

 

When it was done, I added a row of Nuvo drops in front of the sentiment to add a little more detail and draw attention to it.  Unfortunately, I didn't think of it until after I'd taken the photo.